Jessamine County needs storm shelters
For years, shelters were a vital part of the KYDES Countywide Emergency Plan for Nicholasville and Jessamine County. The shelters were identified with signs to show the public which buildings were actually shelters and when the sirens sounded the people could go to these shelters located in both cities and take cover from tornadoes, air raids, or even chemical incidents. These shelters were stocked with food, water and other needed supplies. The county and city had agreements with the owners of the various buildings that were designated as shelters. DES helped with stocking needed supplies and various detection equipment in the event an air raid. Most of the people were aware of the location of the shelters by the signs on them.
Statewide severe weather drills are only conducted once a year to see how the plan goes and generally nowadays only government employees take part in the drills.
I agree that more should be done especially regarding shelters in each of the mobile-home parks and in neighborhoods where there are no basements.
The warning systems and the weather detection has improved significantly over the years. However, it wouldn’t hurt to designate shelters once again in all counties and cities. It would take a little cooperation from the elected officials and those they designate to be the emergency managers in each county. They need to support their efforts.
John P. Martin,
Nicholasville
Report slot-machine crimes
If you have personal knowledge of other poker/slot machine “businesses” like the one raided by Nicholasville police last week, then pick up a phone and let law enforcement know.
Then sit back and wait for action.
Wait until you feel you must call again to be sure they have your complaint properly recorded because you see that the enterprise has remained untouched. After another month has passed and you realize that your complaint has fallen on deaf ears, then call again. Or just give up. I did.
Now I am having second thoughts about that.
I write to commend the NPD for their determination in taking the time to make a case against these operators and to remark on my apathy.
The law-enforcement agencies in the numerous counties where I have seen these poker/slot-machine operations don’t seem to know illegal gambling is taking place. But why? If I can see these gambling machines out in the open, then why don’t they see them and seize them? Even if a back room is used, then shouldn’t a single phone call from an irate wife, whose husband has gone and blown another paycheck on the pokies, alert law enforcement to the fact that, well, a law needs enforcement?
Ask a sheriff or prosecutor those same questions and your answer will likely be: “We just don’t have the resources.” Lack of money to enforce and prosecute is an unhealthy excuse, but it is better than admitting to plain old laziness.
But when gambling promoters and their devices continue to operate in spite of public complaint, it kind of makes you, or at least me, wonder if some of those coins aren’t ending up in the pockets of protection — just saying.
This is the thought that led to my indifference. However, this recent enforcement by the NPD has me encouraged.
I hope that when other jurisdictions see Nicholasville sweeping their own porch clean, it might inspire them to pick up a broom of their own. We’ll have to wait and see (again with the waiting).
Meanwhile, I will get back on my phone if you get back on yours.
Larry Dean,
Lexington
Be aware of KONY 2012 campaign
This doesn’t concern a local problem or news, but it concerns a very important worldwide topic that I think the Bluegrass should be aware of. KONY 2012 — let’s put this story all over Kentucky to be able to be a part of the capture of Joseph Kony, a man who captures children and forces them to kill or become prostitutes. Please let our communities be a part of this very important and crucial plan.
Ana Flores,
Nicholasville
For years, shelters were a vital part of the KYDES Countywide Emergency Plan for Nicholasville and Jessamine County. The shelters were identified with signs to show the public which buildings were actually shelters and when the sirens sounded the people could go to these shelters located in both cities and take cover from tornadoes, air raids, or even chemical incidents. These shelters were stocked with food, water and other needed supplies. The county and city had agreements with the owners of the various buildings that were designated as shelters. DES helped with stocking needed supplies and various detection equipment in the event an air raid. Most of the people were aware of the location of the shelters by the signs on them.
Statewide severe weather drills are only conducted once a year to see how the plan goes and generally nowadays only government employees take part in the drills.
I agree that more should be done especially regarding shelters in each of the mobile-home parks and in neighborhoods where there are no basements.
The warning systems and the weather detection has improved significantly over the years. However, it wouldn’t hurt to designate shelters once again in all counties and cities. It would take a little cooperation from the elected officials and those they designate to be the emergency managers in each county. They need to support their efforts.
John P. Martin,
Nicholasville
Report slot-machine crimes
If you have personal knowledge of other poker/slot machine “businesses” like the one raided by Nicholasville police last week, then pick up a phone and let law enforcement know.
Then sit back and wait for action.
Wait until you feel you must call again to be sure they have your complaint properly recorded because you see that the enterprise has remained untouched. After another month has passed and you realize that your complaint has fallen on deaf ears, then call again. Or just give up. I did.
Now I am having second thoughts about that.
I write to commend the NPD for their determination in taking the time to make a case against these operators and to remark on my apathy.
The law-enforcement agencies in the numerous counties where I have seen these poker/slot-machine operations don’t seem to know illegal gambling is taking place. But why? If I can see these gambling machines out in the open, then why don’t they see them and seize them? Even if a back room is used, then shouldn’t a single phone call from an irate wife, whose husband has gone and blown another paycheck on the pokies, alert law enforcement to the fact that, well, a law needs enforcement?
Ask a sheriff or prosecutor those same questions and your answer will likely be: “We just don’t have the resources.” Lack of money to enforce and prosecute is an unhealthy excuse, but it is better than admitting to plain old laziness.
But when gambling promoters and their devices continue to operate in spite of public complaint, it kind of makes you, or at least me, wonder if some of those coins aren’t ending up in the pockets of protection — just saying.
This is the thought that led to my indifference. However, this recent enforcement by the NPD has me encouraged.
I hope that when other jurisdictions see Nicholasville sweeping their own porch clean, it might inspire them to pick up a broom of their own. We’ll have to wait and see (again with the waiting).
Meanwhile, I will get back on my phone if you get back on yours.
Larry Dean,
Lexington
Be aware of KONY 2012 campaign
This doesn’t concern a local problem or news, but it concerns a very important worldwide topic that I think the Bluegrass should be aware of. KONY 2012 — let’s put this story all over Kentucky to be able to be a part of the capture of Joseph Kony, a man who captures children and forces them to kill or become prostitutes. Please let our communities be a part of this very important and crucial plan.
Ana Flores,
Nicholasville
