P A G E A 1 0 OPINION/COMMENTARY THE INDEPENDENT / WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

IN OUR VIEW Fewer hours Small post offices will stay open as part-time entities owing to political communities like Grahn, Sol- pressure and con- dier, Argillite, South sumer complaints, Portsmouth, Clearfield, Farm- Bthe U.S Postal Service ers and others if the Postal has reversed its plans to close Service had gone ahead with its some 3,700 low-revenue post of- closure plans. No wonder so fices, including many in north- many opposed the plan. Many eastern Kentucky. However, small communities already had while the small offices will re- lost their schools and the gen- main open, those who patron- eral stores that gave them iden- ize them would be wise to call tity. To lose those post offices ahead before visiting them. could have been the final blow. Otherwise, they could find Well, it’s not going to happen their local post office closed — at least not yet. Instead, the when they arrive. Postal Service is keeping the As it continues to gush red post offices open but greatly re- ink in a steady march toward ducing their hours of opera- what many believe is almost tion. Some will be open for as IN YOUR VIEW certain bankruptcy, the Postal little as two hours a day Service proposed cutting its A total of 15 post offices in pendent stated on the prescrip- ink on these pages bashing losses by closing many post of- Boyd, Greenup, Carter, Massie best choice tion drug abuse issue that Tyler Murphy, I felt compelled fices that do not generate Lawrence, Lewis and Rowan “Murphy had no specific pro- to write. If Pullin was such an enough revenue to cover the to succeed Davis posals at this timem,” but counties will have their office effective representative after 12 salaries and utilities it costs to I support Lewis County merely 10 days later. Murphy hours reduced. Some like the Judge-Executive Thomas years in office, as they claim, keep them open. From a purely formulated a plan to the drug why waste your precious 150 Martha, Soldier and Grahn Massie for the Republican nom- problem. Just 10 days of work business standpoint, closing inee from the 4th Congression- words on tearing down her op- post offices will be open only on this complicated issue — I the post offices makes sense. al District of Kentucky. Our re- ponent? two hours a day, five days a just don’t think Murphy is a Just as major department tiring Congressman Geoff candidate I can support. Murphy is the only candidate week, while the Russell and Davis has served us with honor who has actually talked about stores like Kmart closed dozens Consistent work on the drug Blaine post offices will drop and distinction as a conserva- problem is why Tanya Pullin what he’s going to do as state of low performance stores to re- from eight hours a day to six. tive Republican. It is impera- should be re-elected. representative over the next main in business and U.S. auto tive that we have a conserva- Others will have half of their David King two years. The feeling I get manufacturers discontinued tive, energetic, intelligent Ken- Ashland from Pullin and her backers is operating hours eliminated. lines, closed factories and elim- tuckian replace him in Con- that she’s entitled to the posi- gress. inated hundreds of jobs to stop The reduced hours obviously tion because she’s the incum- will reduce personnel costs and Thomas and his wife, Rhon- the red ink, it is widely believed da, graduated from MIT with ‘Hard work,’ but bent. As voters we must judge the Postal Service has to take perhaps even energy costs at degrees in engineering. where’s the gain? her on her record — and there's the small post offices, but will it Thomas Massie wants to lim- not much there. similar steps to cut losses. I hear Tanya Pullin talking it the size of the federal govern- After 12 years, we’ve lost jobs However, members of Con- be enough to slow the losses of about how hard she works but I ment, reduce our federal debt in Greenup County. The pre- the Postal Service? Frankly, we look around and wonder where gress have known for years the and achieve a simpler, flatter, all that hard work has gone. scription drug epidemic is get- American people — particular- have our doubts, but the new fairer tax code to help create Greenup County lost 1,000 jobs ting worse. And schools can't plan announced by the Postal jobs and economic recovery. ly those who live in rural areas in the past 12 years. Where was reach their potential. Thomas Massie wants Oba- — hold their post offices near Service is worth a try. Pullin when the railroad scaled The caustic reaction of macare repealed and to replace Still having a post office that down? Where was she when Pullin’s followers speaks vol- and dear. Even if they don’t of- it with a full range of options PCI left? umes. Murphy must be striking ten patronize their local post of- is only open two hours a day or including Health Savings Ac- Where has Pullin been on the fice, people want to keep it be- even four hours a day is close to counts and unbundled insur- a chord. I’m casting a vote for prescription drug issue? Tyler ance services. our future. I’m voting for Tyler cause a post office gives a com- having no post office at all. Murphy hasn’t just talked Thomas Massie is the most Murphy. munity identity. Once a post of- Nevertheless, communities like about it, but put forth ideas conservative and honorable Janet Sweeney Soldier, Blaine, Grahn and and solutions to help combat it. fice closes, the community candidate who will represent That’s much more than Pullin Flatwoods where it is located soon be- Wurtland will still have their our values and principles from has done. own postmarks, and that is eastern Kentucky. Vote for comes just another collection Maybe all that “hard work” Thomas Massie on Tuesday, of houses with no unique iden- something people value even if is going to help Pullin’s corpo- Pullin blamed May 22 in the Republican Pri- tity. it doesn’t generate money for rate buddies funding her cam- mary. for gas prices That was the prospect facing the Postal Service. Jack Ditty, M.D. paign. While attending cere- Ashland monies and getting her picture We’ve all felt pain at the in the paper, Tanya voted to pump as gas prices climb high- WRITING PUBLIC OFFICIALS raise taxes on gas, diesel fuel, er each year. And gas here al- Murphy offers food, and restaurants. It’s clear ways seems higher than every- who she’s really representing. where else despite having a re- fort, Ky. 40601 Telephone: (606) 474-5380 U.S. Senate a new vision Tyler Murphy brings a fresh finery close by. (home); (502) 564-8100 ext. 676. email: perspective to Frankfort. Politi- Mitch McConnell, 317 Russell Senate Office As an Iraq/Afghanistan com- We have State Rep. Tanya [email protected]. 18th District. cians like Pullin are squander- Building, Washington, DC 20510, Telephone: bat veteran born and raised in ing his generation’s future. Pullin to blame. She voted to (202) 224-2541, Fax: (202) 224-2499, Email: Greenup County, husband and Kentucky House He’ll put in the real work that raise taxes on gasoline and [email protected]. father of three who was forced Rocky Adkins, P.O. Box 688, Sandy Hook, KY we need to get moving again. diesel fuel, which hurt drivers Rand Paul, 208 Russell Senate Office Building, to leave my home to find sus- 41171; 702 Capitol Ave. , Annex Room 309, Frank- Ken Howard going to and from work, school Washington, DC 20510. Telephone: (202) 224- tainable career opportunities, I Greenup or church, and farmers who op- 4343. Web form: paul.senate.gov fort, KY 40601. Telephone: (502) 564-5565; have a deep concern for the fu- (606) 738-4242 (home); (606) 928-3433 (of- ture of my home and hope that erate tractors and machinery. U.S. House fice). email: [email protected]. 99th someday I can bring my family Rural folks are hit particularly District. Tanya Pullin gets Geoff Davis, 1119 Longworth House Office Build- back there to live and thrive. hard by these taxes. I don’t Tanya Pullin, Route 1, Box 486, South Shore, If monuments, cemeteries and ing, Washington, DC 2055. Telephone: (202) results for area think she understands where KY 41175; 702 Capitol Ave., Annex Room 332C, certificates are the only ways we 225-3465. Ashland office: (606) 324-9898. Tanya Pullin is a superb leg- we’re coming from. Maybe she Email: [email protected]. 4th Frankfort, KY 40601. Telephone: (606) 932-2502. choose to honor those who have spends too much time in Lex- worn our nation’s uniform, we islator who gets results. She’s a District. email: [email protected]. 98h District. true representative of the peo- ington, where gas is 10 to 12 Kevin Sinnette, P.O. Box 1358, Ashland, KY have given up on the fundamen- cents cheaper. tal reasons our service members ple of this area is the best sense Kentucky Senate 41105; 702 Capitol Ave., Annex Room 316E, The only “pullin’” she’s do- like me do our jobs. of the word. As a veteran, I’m Walter Blevins, 777 W. Broadway, West Lib- Frankfort, KY 40601. Telephone: (606) 324-5711 Greenup County desperately pleased with her representa- ing in Frankfort is for the big erty, KY 41472-1023; 702 Capitol Ave., Annex (home). email: needs a new vision for its fu- tion of my interests in Frank- gas and electric companies who Room 255, Frankfort, KY 40601. Telephone: [email protected] District. ture and I believe Tyler Mur- fort. gave her $40,000 in contribu- (606) 743-1200 (home); (606) 743-1212 (office). Jill York, P.O. Box 591, Grayson, KY 41143; phy is the right person to pro- I’ve been requested to per- tions. email: [email protected]. 27th Dis- 702 Capitol Ave. Annex, Room 451D, Frankfort, vide that vision as state repre- form several military funrals as My vote is not for sale. And I trict. KY 40601. Telephone: (606) 474-7263 (work); sentative. our beautiful veterans ceme- Robin L. Webb, 404 W. Main St., Grayson, KY (502) 564-8100 Ext. 602. 5565; email: hope Democrats on May 22 I urge everyone to vote for tery. Without Pullin’s dogged 41143. 702 Capitol Ave., Annex Room 229, Frank- [email protected]. 96th District. show corporations our elec- progress in the May 22 Demo- tenacity, that lovely, sacred place would never have become tions cannot be bought by get- cratic Primary. This proud De- ting out to vote for Tyler Mur- mocrat and combat vet wishes I a reality. I’ve attended countless com- phy. could be there on election day Scott Howard to do just that. munity, school and miliary The functions and have enjoyed South Shore Capt. Nick Palmer Tanya’s faithful and selfless Richmond support across the years. She’s Independent never too busy to be there for us. She’s certainly earned our Letters invited Pullin works respect. Members of the Editorial Board The success of the drug The Independent invites on drug problem court in Greenup and Lewis readers to submit In Your View letters on public issues. Letters Eddie Blakeley, publisher The drug problem is compli- counties has been a high priori- cated requiring constant work ty for Tanya. Her support of must not exceed 300 words and Mark Maynard, editor John Cannon, opinion page editor and vigilance from judges, law the program and its graduates must include the name, address enforcement, prosecutors, state is well-known and appreciated. and telephone number of the Lee Ward, lifestyles editor Lisa Callihan, business manager agencies and churches. Tanya I was proud to stand with her author. Words of Thanks let- Pullin works every session on at Friday’s Drug Court gradua- ters are limited to no more than this issue. tion as she recognized each 150 words. The Independent “In Your View” letters can be mailed to The Independent, Pullin sponsored legislation graduate. cannot guarantee a day of pub- P.O. Box 311, Ashland, KY 41105-0311, sent to us by e-mail at to ban synthetic drugs sold to Vance Huston [email protected], faxed to us at lieutenant colonel lication for letters, but makes young people. She sponsored an effort to publish all letters in (606) 326-2678, or delivered to our office at legislation in 2007 to require U.S Marine Corps (ret.) a timely manner. The Inde- 224 17th Street in downtown Ashland. proper clean-up of houses Greenup where meth has been cooked. pendent reserves the right to Pullin established a pilot proj- Murphy must be edit letters for length, spelling, ect in Greenup County to pro- grammar, accuracy and appro- vide drug testing kits to par- striking a chord priateness of language. Letters ents of youth. After watching Tanya hat cannot be verified will not A story in the April 29 Inde- Pullin’s followers spill so much be published.