Name of Author(s): Steve Gaines, Pipes Gaines, Robyn Minor, Daniel Pike

Author’s Title (editor, columnist, etc.): Editor, Publisher, City Editor, Managing Editor

Newspaper: Daily News

Address: 813 College Street

City: Bowling Green State: Ky ZIP: 42101

Phone: 270-783-3269 Fax: 270-783-3237 E-Mail: sgaines@bgdailyn- ews.com

Submitted by: Joe Imel Title of Person Submitting: Director of Media Operations Phone Number: 270-783-3273 E-mail Address: [email protected]

What is the subject/title of the entry? City/count lack transparency in taxpayer funded project

Date(s) of publication? 5-30-2015, 6-07-2015, 6-21-2015, 8-19-2015, 11-15-2015, 12-31-2015

Is your newspaper under 50,000 circulation or above 50,000 circulation? Under 50,000

1

Please give a brief explanation of issues discussed and the results achieved. (This space will expand as you type in your comments.)

The Bowling Green Daily News broke the story that lack of oversight, changed contracts and misuse of funds forced officials to seek new bonds and a new sub developer to cover a shortfall of more than $4.5 million to complete at mixed-use wrap around the downtown parking garage.

The Daily News filed countless open-record requests, hired attorneys to interpret convoluted contracts, poured over thousands of pages of documents to uncover misuse of funds, fraud, and a glaring lack of transparency that might in the end leave taxpayers holding the bag.

Breaking the story and then editorializing about the lack of transparency and misuse of funds, ultimately got the State Auditor involved in the form of an audit.

Charges and a lawsuit are still being considered by the Warren County Attorney and the Com- monwealth’s Attorney

The Daily News is continuing to report, dig and editorialize on this story as it still ongoing.

2 Page 4A – Saturday, May 30, 2015 NEWS MAKERS “I like you, I like my job. I am not perfect, nobody is perfect, but we will do a good job together I am sure.” — Sepp Blatter, who was re-elected as FIFA president for a fifth term Friday despite criminal investigations OPINION into corruption bgdailynews.com

THE DAILY NEWS More scrutiny needed on wrap It’s no wonder people are ques- was an $844,000 draw made by That wasn’t the only restau- nue bonds are typically used for the ty, the authority and Mills Family tioning how bond money was spent the Warren County Downtown rant consulting fee that was paid, actual construction of a building and Realty, our initial reaction is one on the development of Hitcents Park Economic Development Authority. either. That Chicago firm, Creative fitting it out to industry standards. of skepticism. It would appear that Plaza, the commercial wrap of the That money was used for construc- Hospitality Associates, received The law doesn’t necessarily MFR will have no responsibility parking garage adjacent to Bowling tion expenses related to the park- more than $188,000 for its efforts require governmental entities to to pay off companies that say they Green Ballpark. ing garage itself – an expense the in developing the short-lived res- have oversight of how such bonds are still owed millions for the actual No reasonable person would think authority said was needed because taurants. The three fast-casual res- are spent, but maybe that should construction of the project. that spending money to buy food for of the commercial wrap. taurants closed in late September, change. Cities and counties have to Did Mills Family Realty’s appar- research and development (tasting) The broad category of consult- and Mariah’s and 6-4-3 Sports Bar be meticulous on how they spend ent casual spending on restaurant or consulting fees to find an execu- ing fees is another, perhaps less closed March 2 after liens totaling taxpayers’ money. items lead to the deficit in funds tive chef or the purchases of a Beer sexy, area where we take issue with $2.4 million were filed against Mills In this case, taxpayers’ money – many expected would be used for Ball table (a bar arcade-type game) money being spent. Family Realty. either through tax money recovered construction? and shuffleboard were OK. Yet they Hundreds of thousands of dol- There was no development need- through Tax Increment Financing Likely. were disbursed by a bond trustee lars fell into that category, includ- ed for Mariah’s menu that was District revenues, or because the Was it illegal? that had no fiduciary duty to make ing to a restaurant consulting firm in pretty much the same as the origi- city or county will have to make up That’s not for us to decide. sure such expenses were allowed. Chicago, where much of the tasting nal Mariah’s, and 6-4-3’s food was any shortfalls in those revenues – We do want the facility to suc- Those are sexy things that jump took place. We know that because pretty standard bar food, except for is being used to pay off the bonds. ceed so revenues produced by it, not out to anyone who takes the time to there were bills for raw foods pur- the wings, which were excellent. Shouldn’t that mean the same over- taxpayers, will pay off the bonds. review the draw requests for bond chased in Chicago. Apparently no one really paid sight on spending should be in But we want to ensure the utmost money – or at least the ones that Then there is the matter of at least attention to how the money was place? caution and transparency is used were made available through an $152,000 paid to CCC Hospitality being spent as long as such expens- If the county is able to make a in how future bonds are refinanced open records request by the Daily Group LLC, a firm started by Rick es fell within the sketchy parameters deal to bring in someone else to and with any agreement with the News. Some of those draws were Kelley. Kelley is the former owner of “construction” and “operating operate the commercial wrap and future operator/developer/manager missing for a full two weeks after of Mariah’s Restaurant, which got expenses.” Now, there is specula- restaurants, we hope that deal has of the commercial wrap. the initial open records request into its own financial trouble before tion that such language in an agree- more transparency than previous- Ultimately, a dose of hefty scru- was filled. Included in those Mills Family Realty negotiated a ment with Mills Family Realty ly has been the case. tiny should be used anytime there is draws initially left out, but other- deal for the name and Kelley’s con- wasn’t legal, which likely will be up As for the settlement agreement the remote possibility that taxpayer wise obtained by the Daily News, sulting. to a court to decide. Industrial reve- reached Friday between the coun- money could be used.

MAILBOX Motorist salutes help from law enforcement, other drivers on I-65 On a recent Saturday afternoon, I was driving just north of Bowling Green on Interstate 65 when the car in front of me ran over an enormous piece of tire tread. This piece of tire came flying toward my car, hit- ting the car’s hood and coming through the wind- shield on the passenger’s side. As I pulled my car off on Exit 36, parked and called 911, my body began to go into survival mode, and my brain stopped being able to make decisions for myself. Within a minute of pulling over, two separate groups of people stopped to see if I was OK and to help me in my shocked state. The first man’s name was Charles, and I regret that I didn’t get his last name. He was an angel. The second group that pulled over was Dale and Sharon Bessette. Dale called the fire department to send an ambulance. Charles gently checked my face and legs for any injuries. Sharon helped by immediately getting on the phone with rental car companies, tow trucks and my insurance company to get the ball roll- ing on decisions that I couldn’t make at the time. Warren County sheriff’s deputies (one of which was Deputy Vedad Hadzikadunic) who were on scene, along with the EMTs, were all incredibly professional but also incredibly kind. To all of the civil servants and servant-hearted bystanders who gave me water, made sure I wasn’t injured and helped me with their decisions as well as with their kindness, I am so grateful for the com- THE DOCTOR IS OUT passion and warmth I experienced in the midst of something so scary. Bowling Green is blessed to Electronic records system cramps abilities to see, treat patients have you all as its residents. My deepest apprecia- tion from the bottom of my heart. About a decade ago, a doc- topped by an electronic health general in 2014, “EHR tech- patients. Another study found tor friend was lamenting the records mandate that produces nology can make it easier to that family practice physicians Emily Kilbourn increasingly frustrating condi- nothing more than “billing and commit fraud,” as in Medicare spend on average 48 minutes a Nashville tions of clinical practice. “How legal documents” fraud, the copy- day entering data. did you know to get out of – and degraded Syndicated and-paste func- The geniuses who rammed medicine in 1978?” he asked medicine. tion allowing the this through undoubtedly with a smile. I hear this every- columnist instant filling of thought they were rationaliz- Pay attention to “I didn’t,” I replied. “I had where. Virtually vast data fields, ing health care. Banking went no idea what was coming. I every doctor and facilitating billing electronic. Why not medicine? camp procedures for just felt I’d chosen the wrong doctors’ group I inflation. Because banks deal with vocation.” speak to cites the That’s just the nothing but data. They don’t I was reminded of this same litany, with beginning of the listen to your heart or exam- child protection exchange upon receiving particular bitter- losses. Consider ine your groin. Clicking boxes my med-school class’s 40th ness about the the myriad small We must keep our kids safe at summer camp. on an endless electronic form Today, Kentucky has one of the highest physi- reunion report and reading EHR mandate. practices that, turns the patient into a data some entries. In general, my You may have facing ruinous cal child abuse and child abuse death rates in the machine. country. As candidate for attorney general, I am classmates felt fulfilled by zero sympathy for transition costs in Why did all this happen? family, friends and the consid- doctors, but think equipment, soft- committed to building stronger families and safer CHARLES Because liberals in a hurry communities. erable achievements. But there about the extraor- KRAUTHAMMER ware, training and was an undercurrent of deep dinary loss to soci- time, have closed refuse to trust the wisdom of Ending child abuse will be one of my top pri- disappointment with what ety – and maybe to you, one shop, gone bankrupt or been individual practictioners, who orities. medical practice had become. day – of driving away 40 years swallowed by some larger were already adopting EHR I’m the proud dad of a 4-year-old daughter and The complaint was voca- of irreplaceable clinical expe- entity. on their own, but gradually, a 5-year-old son and I know how important sum- tional – an incessant interfer- rience. This hardly stays the long organically, as the technology mer camps are for both parents and kids. ence with their work, a deep And for what? The newly arm of the health care police, became ripe and the costs tol- As part of our goal of ending child abuse in erosion of their autonomy and elected Barack Obama told however. As of Jan. 1, if you erable. Instead, Washington Kentucky, I’m urging parents to ask key ques- authority. the nation in 2009 that “it just haven’t gone electronic, your picked a date out of a hat and tions of summer camp staff so that they are fully As one of them wrote, “My won’t save billions of dollars” Medicare payments will be cut decreed: Digital by 2015. informed about practices and procedures in place colleagues who have already – $77 billion a year – “and by 1 percent this year, rising The results are not pretty. to prevent child abuse. left practice all say they still thousands of jobs, it will save to 3 percent (potentially 5 per- EHR is health care’s Solyndra. •Background checks — Kentucky law doesn’t love patient care, being a doc- lives.” He then threw a cool cent) in subsequent years. Many, no doubt, feasted nicely require summer camps to conduct background tor. They just couldn’t stand $27 billion at going paperless Then there is the toll on doc- on the $27 billion, but the rest checks, so parents should ensure that the camp everything else.” By which he by 2015. tors’ time and patient care. One is waste: money squandered, conducts criminal and Child Protective Services meant “a never-ending attack It’s 2015, and what have we study in the American Journal patient care degraded, good background checks on staff and volunteers. on the profession from gov- achieved? The $27 billion is of Emergency Medicine found physicians demoralized. •Training — Camp staffers and volunteers ernment, insurance companies gone, of course. The $77 bil- that emergency room doctors Like my old classmates who should receive proper training in areas including and lawyers ... progressively lion in savings became a joke. spend 43 percent of their time signed up for patient care – child abuse prevention, emergency response, first intrusive and usually unpro- Indeed, reported the Health entering electronic records which they still love – and now aid and general safety. ductive rules and regulations,” and Human Services inspector information, 28 percent with do data entry. •Employing best practices — Camps should have an employee conduct policy, and follow best practices such as avoiding private, one-on- Mallard Filmore one interactions between staffers and campers and The Daily News requiring multiple unrelated adults to be in charge of kids. Founded by John B. Gaines. C.M. Gaines, publisher •Staff to camper ratio — The American Camp from 1922 to 1947. J. Ray Gaines, editor Association recommends a staff to camper ratio from 1946 to 1993. ranging from one staffer for every five overnight John B. Gaines, publisher/president from 1947-2007 campers ages 5 or younger to 1 staffer per 10 Daily News founded in 1882. overnight campers ages 15 to 18 years. Democrat founded in 1854. •Discipline — Camps should be prepared to Messenger founded in 1908. handle unpredictable behavior with a clear disci- Consolidated Jan. 1, 1917. pline policy that prohibits physical or emotional Editorial board abuse. Pipes Gaines, co-publisher Andy Beshear Andy Dennis, managing editor Steve Gaines, editor/editorial page Louisville editor — Beshear is the Democratic candidate for Robyn Minor, city editor attorney general of Kentucky. ReaderC2

Page 2C – Sunday, June 7, 2015 NEWS MAKERS “I want to want my husband, it is that simple. For us, flibanserin is a relationship-saving and life-changing drug.” — Amanda Parrish, a mother of four from Nashville, after government experts OPINION recommended approval for a pill to boost sexual desire in women. bgdailynews.com

THE DAILY NEWS Good things could be coming for wrap After what our community has people that go to the restaurants, which, because of its size, needs endured in the past few months Katzoff also says he is interested in the more people that go to the professional management. involving multiple problems completing the wrap of the parking games. So it’s something we’d We believe Katzoff is mak- with Hitcents Park Plaza, it is like to do rather quickly.” ing a smart business decision reassuring to know that in the garage with apartments on the College His comments make a lot of in keeping on Jodi Fleming at near future, an agreement might Street side of the structure. That is sense and reveal a person deter- Mariah’s. Fleming is the face of come to fruition to put someone something we believe many in the mined to complete the wrap and Mariah’s and has been for a long with considerable knowledge of get things moving in a positive time. She too will be an asset restaurants and real estate into community would like to see. direction after a period of well- to Katzoff once he gains access the wrap and hopefully make it publicized problems. to the building and begins the successful. was not successful. Three fast assessment. Katzoff said his second prior- process of reopening the restau- Bowling Green Hot Rods casual restaurants closed last fall Katzoff also says he is inter- ity will be getting tenants into rants. owner Jerry Katzoff has been and Mariah’s and 6-4-3 closed ested in completing the wrap of the rest of the office space. This We do wish Katzoff the best in negotiations with the county in March. the parking garage with apart- would also be very beneficial in making this project succeed to assume the role of develop- Hopefully, a formal agreement ments on the College Street side to the wrap. It is also reassur- as it is in this community’s best er and has presented the county can be reached soon so Katzoff of the structure. That is some- ing to learn Katzoff will work interest. with plans for the wrap. Katzoff can gain access and get the res- thing we believe many in the with Chandler Real Estate We would, however, be remiss said he hopes to reopen Mariah’s taurants operational. Katzoff community would like to see. Services to manage the office if we didn’t insist that when this and 6-4-3 restaurants in the next said this is his first priority, The completion of these apart- space. Katzoff has worked with agreement is reached, there is 30 to 45 days and would like which it should be. It is crucial ments would give the parking Chandler on Jennings Creek more transparency, oversight to open them during the base- to get these up and running and structure a finished look and, Apartments in Bowling Green, and care in drafting the terms ball season. He said he would hopefully financially success- more important, provide much which he owns, and it’s wise of the agreement than was the like to rename the garage wrap ful. He says he isn’t sure about needed housing for people who to work with Chandler on this case with Mills Family Realty Stadium Park Plaza. the other three restaurants and want to live downtown. project. Chandler has a proven by those in positions of respon- Mills Family Realty was pre- doesn’t think it is a good idea to “I think it completes the proj- track record in real estate devel- sibility. viously in charge of operating overload an area with too many. ect,” Katzoff said. “The more opment and management and Our community will be better five restaurants in the wrap and He’s probably correct on his people downtown, the more would be an asset on a project served when this happens.

The Daily News

Founded by John B. Gaines. C.M. Gaines, publisher from 1922 to 1947. J. Ray Gaines, editor from 1946 to 1993. John B. Gaines, publisher/president from 1947 to 2007. Daily News founded in 1882. Democrat founded in 1854. Messenger founded in 1908. Consolidated Jan. 1, 1917. Editorial board Pipes Gaines, co-publisher Andy Dennis, managing editor Steve Gaines, editor/editorial page editor Robyn Minor, city editor

Letters policy Letters must be 300 words or less and are subject to editing for brevity. Please include name, address and phone number on emails and letters. Only names and cities of residence will be published. The Daily News reserves the right to reject any letter. ••• 813 College St. Bowling Green, KY 42102 [email protected] A modest Kentucky debates proposal Formats that produce longer, more detailed answers would serve state well

A reader accused me of disparaging the plagues the state. long-form dialogue should involve longer WFPL News would be strong panelists. Kentucky Sports Radio Republican guberna- It is not an “either-or” situation. Various blocks of time to allow, or compel, the candi- The Fourth District debate should deal with torial primary debate in a recent column. That types of debates and discussions can serve dates to show their mastery (or lack thereof) social issues. Hold it at the beautiful, his- was not my intent. distinct purposes during a campaign. of the big issues, provide the specific details toric Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown The KSR debate was interesting and reveal- Still, can’t we do better at moving can- of their proposals and respond to tough ques- Covington. ing. It probably affected the election’s out- didates beyond scripted talking points and tions they can easily evade in conventional For a candid, civil and lively discussion, come. superficial statements to demonstrating real debate settings. have Terry Meiners of WHAS radio mod- I applaud KSR and every other understanding of difficult issues? These events would be more like the erate. Have Joe Phelps, pastor of Highland organization that did a debate or Syndicated Candidates ought to be made to Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 and less Baptist Church in Louisville and Brad panel during the campaign. All not only explain their positions, like the game show Jeopardy. Bigney, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church good faith efforts to inform vot- columnist but defend them against well- Stage the First District debate in Paducah’s in Florence, on the panel. ers about candidates and their informed, challenging and sus- magnificent Carson Center. Dedicate it to the In eastern Kentucky’s Fifth District, positions are praiseworthy. And tained questioning. topic of Kentucky’s tax, revenue and spend- the debate at the Mountain Arts Center in a little entertainment is OK, too. This takes time, of course. A ing situation. Prestonsburg should be about economic My point was that neither the nominal one-hour debate divided Murray-based former CN2 anchor Ryan development and jobs. Bill Goodman of KET candidates’ published platforms among multiple candidates and Alessi would make a great moderator. Put would be, as always, an informed moderator. and statements nor any of the covering several topics is inevita- Jason Bailey of the Kentucky Center for For panelists, have Dee Davis, president of debates or forums in the prima- bly going to sacrifice some sub- Economic Policy in Berea and Jim Waters the Center for Rural Strategies in Whitesburg, ry campaign provided as much stance and just scratch the sur- from the Bluegrass Institute on the panel. and Dr. John Garen, Gatton endowed pro- depth and detail as certain com- face. Hold the Second District debate at Western fessor of economics at the University of plex issues – like state pensions Scott Lasley, political science Kentucky University in Bowling Green on Kentucky. – require and deserve. JOHN DAVID professor at Western Kentucky the topic of state pensions. My beloved alma The final debate, at the Lexington Opera That is not a criticism of KSR DYCHE University, told Kentucky mater Centre College, also in the Second House in the Sixth District, would deal with or others. It is a reality-based Educational Television’s Renee District, has proposed to host a debate but education. Have outgoing Kentucky educa- observation offered in hopes of Shaw recently that debates allow- is unfortunately aligned with the pro-Obam- tion commissioner Terry Holliday moder- continuously improving the Kentucky cam- ing one or two minutes for answers are “the acare special interest group AARP that is ate it with education reporters Toni Konz of paign and election process. most overrated things we go through.” He anathema to many conservatives. WDRB and Linda Blackford of the Lexington To illustrate my argument, I referred to adds, “The problem is not in who is asking the John Cheves of the Lexington Herald- Herald-Leader as panelists. what was probably the most remembered or questions; it is in how long you give people to Leader would be a good moderator. Jim These are just suggestions. There are many talked about part of the KSR debate. The can- answer them.” Carroll of Kentucky Government Retirees other outstanding possible venues, modera- didates answered a question about whether Here is a modest and not altogether original and Lowell Reese of Kentucky Roll Call tors and panelists. they would hire bas- proposal for a different kind of debate during would be good panelists. Would long policy discussions like this ketball coach John Calipari or University of the general election campaign for Kentucky The Kentucky Center for the Performing draw big audiences? Maybe not. Louisville coach Rick Pitino. governor. Each of Kentucky’s six congressio- Arts in Louisville would be a fine site for Kentucky campaigns now include a lot of I have absolutely no problem with the ques- nal districts should host a 75-minute debate the Third District debate. Since the state’s good shorter form discussions, from KSR to tion. The answers indeed told us something dedicated to a single subject. largest city is a national medical hub, make KET and many others. about the candidates. Each one would have a neutral moderator this forum’s subject matter health issues and It is nothing against any of them to wish But the fact remains that voters went to the and two panelists. Do not limit the latter to Medicaid. that Kentucky could have even better, more poll knowing which coach their potential next the usual suspects from Kentucky’s political Have Louisville surgeon and KET host informative campaigns. governor would want drawing up Xs and Os press corps, but include experts who have Dr. Wayne Tuckson moderate. Stephan — John David Dyche is a Louisville attor- during a late game timeout, but probably not points of view. F. Gohmann, BB&T Professor of Free ney and a political commentator for WDRB. so much about what that person would do This trio of interlocutors would question Enterprise at the University of Louisville com. His email is [email protected]. to solve the gargantuan pension problem that the candidates and follow up at length. Such College of Business and Ja’Nel Johnson of Follow him on Twitter@jddyche. ReaderC2

Page 2C - Sunday, June 21, 2015 NEWS MAKERS “Of all cities, in Charleston, to have a horrible hateful person go into the church and kill people there to pray and worship with each other is something that is beyond any comprehension and is not explained.” — Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., after a white gunman allegedly opened fire OPINION in a historic black church in South Carolina, killing nine people. bgdailynews.com

THE DAILY NEWS Audit of wrap much welcomed State Auditor Adam Edelen brought a welcome examination into the dealings of the commercial wrap of the Eighth Avenue parking garage in Block 6 of the Tax Increment Financing district, known as Hitcents Park Plaza. There are too many unanswered questions regard- ing this matter, and we believe the public has a right to all the answers. On Wednesday, Edelen announced he is look- ing into how money was spent on the commercial wrap. Edelen and his auditors will be looking at the use of industrial revenue bonds, how the deal came together and the lack of oversight and transparency of the project. Preliminary work by auditors has begun to help establish a scope of work for the examination. Edelen called the wrap project a “muddled morass” and said there are many important ques- tions to be answered. We couldn’t agree more with Edelen on both of those comments. This project has had insufficient transparency and oversight from the beginning. We don’t believe we are speaking out of turn, as Message delivered, not heeded local elected officials also have said there was not sufficient oversight over the project. Fifty years ago, statesman warned LBJ about Vietnam escalation All these problems as a whole make Edelen’s audit that much more important. American leaders are agonizing over commit an endless flow of forces …, we paddies” ill-suited for “modern arms.” Edelen appears to be a very intelligent and serious what to do about ISIS in Iraq and Syria. must have more evidence than we now He concluded: “In my view, a deep person, and we take him at his word he will not rush Reporters ask if the situation is a “quag- have that our troops will not bog down commitment of United States forced in this audit and that he won’t sacrifice thoroughness mire.” It is an appropriate time to look in the jungles and rice paddies – while a land war in South Vietnam would be for speed. back at events a half-cen- yndicated we slowly blow the country a catastrophic error. If ever there was tury ago that produced the S to pieces.” This is a very complex matter. There are hundreds an occasion for a tactical withdrawal, upon hundreds of documents Edelen and his audi- quintessential quagmire, the columnist During the test period, this is it.” Vietnam War. Ball advised preparing tors must go through to put all of the pieces of this Ball’s memo was poorly received by bizarre puzzle together and form their conclusions. Fifty years ago, Under plans for – as the results LBJ’s team. He nonetheless revised it Secretary of State George warranted – further escala- We are quite aware of the complexity of this mat- Ball wrote three key docu- tion, a diplomatic offensive and sent a final, incredibly prescient, version to the president July 1. ter. This newspaper has gone through all of the ments about Vietnam and and a solution “short of the documents pertaining to the wrap project we have sent two of them to President ultimate U.S. objectives It began by telling Johnson “no one can assure you that we can beat the Viet acquired through open records requests. We would Lyndon B. Johnson. Earlier that can be attained with- add that obtaining those records from the appropri- that year, Johnson, acting out the substantial further Cong or even force them to the confer- pursuant to the broad author- commitment of troops.” ence table on our terms no matter how ate agency was not always an easy task. ity Congress granted in the The latter two options, he many hundred thousand white foreign It is encouraging to know that officials at the audi- Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, JOHN DAVID said, “should be regarded (U.S.) troops we deploy.” tor’s office have spoken extensively with Bowling had sent the first U.S. com- DYCHE as plans for cutting losses He added, “No one had demonstrated Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson and Warren County bat troops, 3,500 Marines, and eventually disengaging that a white ground force of whatever Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon. to join the 23,000 American advisers from an untenable situation.” size can win a guerrilla war – which is Edelen’s office has stressed that local coopera- already in Vietnam. Later that month, as Johnson’s team at the same time a civil war between tion into this investigation will be key during the The United States was conducting a conducted a series of meetings, Ball Asians – in jungle terrain in the midst examination. bombing campaign against communist composed a second paper. It was writ- of a population that refuses cooperation North Vietnam. By summer, Johnson ten, he said, “on the premise that we are We anticipate Wilkerson, Buchanon and other to the white forces and thus provides a elected officials will cooperate fully with this audit. was deciding whether to escalate the losing the war in Vietnam” and that “we great intelligence advantage to the other fight by deploying many more American should undertake to either extricate our- Edelen said it best: “You can’t have accountabil- side.” ity without transparency.” forces as the military requested and sev- selves” or confine and reduce the scope Ball warned against involvement “so eral of his advisers recommended. of our commitment. We say amen to that. On June 18, 1965, Ball sent Johnson Ball warned: “This is our last clear great that we cannot – without national humiliation – stop short of achieving our These words are fitting given the situation our a memo that began with a passage from chance to make this decision.” With fur- community has had to deal with for the past several Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Things are in ther troop deployments, he observed, “a complete objectives” and said he though “humiliation would be more likely than months. the saddle, and ride mankind.” LBJ’s substantial number of Americans will Answers are needed to everything relating to the “most difficult continuing challenge,” be killed,” and that “will make it much the achievement of our objectives – even Ball said, was “to keep control of policy harder and more costly to extricate our- after we had paid terrible costs.” wrap project. We believe Edelen will deliver those and prevent the momentum of events selves or reduce our commitments.” Accordingly, Ball outlined a mili- answers and make them public after a thorough from taking command.” What was required, according to Ball, tary and political program for getting investigation, and if, indeed, he does find wrongdo- Ball put it bluntly: “For the fact is – was “a hard-nosed judgment as to the out of Vietnam. Johnson rejected it, ing by anyone involved with this project, we would and we can no longer avoid it – that in relative costs and dangers to America, and July 28 announced an escalation to hope those people would be held accountable. spite of our intentions to the contrary, we both short-term and long-term” of esca- 125,000 troops, a doubling of draft calls, We hope no one is at fault, but only time will tell. are drifting toward a major war – that lation vs. de-escalation. So he offered a and a decision that, “We will stand in nobody wants.” He asserted “we do not “plan for cutting our losses.” The first Vietnam.” Ten years and over 50,000 Letters policy he aily ews yet have enough experience with the step was a “firm decision” by Johnson lives later, we fell in Vietnam. T D N direct employment of American combat “that he will not commit United States Neither this history, nor that of Letters must be 300 words forces to appraise our chances for mili- land forces to combat in South Vietnam.” Founded by John B. Gaines. appeasement leading up to World War or less and are subject to C.M. Gaines, publisher from 1922 tary success in the South.” “In our anxiety to build up support for II, is a substitute for decision-making editing for brevity. to 1947. J. Ray Gaines, editor from 1946 to Thus, Ball proposed a “test period” the struggle in South Vietnam, we have about American policy now. But it is Please include name, address during which the U.S. would increase tended to exaggerate the consequences 1993. well to note Ball’s dissent 50 years ago, and phone number John B. Gaines, publisher/president its forces to 100,000, “but no more.” for U.S. power and prestige of a tacti- on emails and letters. from 1947 to 2007. He recognized that by doing so “we are cal withdrawal,” Ball said. He stressed hope similarly perceptive people are Daily News founded in 1882. advising President Barack Obama and Only names and cities of Democrat founded beginning a new war – the United States he was not suggesting the U.S. “should in 1854. directly against the Viet Cong,” the abdicate leadership in the Cold War,” pray for our leaders as they make fateful residence Messenger founded in 1908. communist guerrillas in South Vietnam. but should prudently “select the terrain decisions. will be published. Consolidated Jan. 1, 1917. Ball recommended this test because on which to stand and fight.” — John David Dyche is a Louisville The Daily News reserves the Editorial board he suspected “we may not be able to “Politically,” Ball said, “South attorney and a political commentator right to reject any letter. Pipes Gaines, co-publisher for WDRB.com. His email is jddyche@ 813 College St. Andy Dennis, managing editor fight the war successfully enough – Vietnam is a lost cause,” and “the terrain Steve Gaines, editor/editorial page even with 500,000 Americans in South in South Vietnam could not be worse” yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter@ Bowling Green, KY 42102 editor (Vietnam).” Therefore, “Before we being comprised of “jungles and rice jddyche. [email protected] Robyn Minor, city editor Dolezal’s deceit shows culture a valuable truth The curious case of Rachel Unhappily, we’ve not evolved stands out only for its extremes. she was born “white,” doesn’t that weren’t smart enough to be astro- Dolezal has sparked furious com- much beyond that. Every day, discrimination over- tell us something about the superfi- physicists, Neil deGrasse Tyson. mentary about her deceit, arrogance But primal identification of “the whelms routine encounters. ciality of these differences? And while black Americans didn’t and narcissism. other” is no longer nec- Syndicated And I’d be remiss if Now, I’m not excusing the lady’s have the cultural cachet to invent But this is a reminder race is but a essary for survival. In I suggested that bigotry lies. You can hardly champion social a long list of limits for whites, we social construct. As geneticists told fact, in the 21st century, columnist is a habit practiced only justice while standing on a founda- responded with a few stereotypes of us years ago, there really isn’t any it impedes human prog- by whites. While insti- tion of fraud. There is no excuse for our own. As just one example, we such thing as race. ress. tutional racism is the her mendacity, no matter how noble believed that white teens couldn’t Human beings are 99.9 percent Look no further than province of the power- she believed her motives to be. dance. They didn’t have rhythm. genetically identical. As Duana Wednesday’s massa- ful – and, in the United But her story ought to remind us That myth, too, has been explod- Fullwiley, a medical anthropologist, cre at a historic black States, the powerful are just how flimsy this business of race ed by any number of young white has put it, “There is no genetic basis church in Charleston, still mostly white – dis- really is. Even “black culture” and rockers – and multiple contestants for race.” S.C. A man opened fire crimination based on “white culture” are permeable con- on those competitive talent shows. Still, human beings are deeply during prayer meeting difference is a human cepts, easily penetrated. Humankind is not yet ready to invested in the concept. Our lizard and killed nine people. tradition, passed on When I was younger, stereotypes acknowledge what science stands brains are attuned to superficial dif- Police have identified from one generation to that attempted to limit black accom- ready to teach us: Race does not ferences. Tens of thousands of years the suspect as a young CYNTHIA TUCKER the next, among black plishments were common. The list exist. We seem to have a primal need ago, Homo sapiens depended on white man, Dylann families, brown fami- of our supposed shortcomings was to divide, to separate, to exclude. their ability to distinguish friend Storm Roof, who allegedly spewed lies, tan families, pink families. long – and absurd. Black people Categories provide us some strange from foe in a flash. If another crea- racist stereotypes and championed So Dolezal shook us up. We couldn’t be distance runners (did comfort. ture standing upright and using white supremacy. couldn’t tell by looking. If she could anyone tell the Kenyans?), couldn’t But the race-tinged sagas playing opposable thumbs looked like me, That’s one of the more horrific be so authentically “black” as to fool play tennis (you’ve heard of Serena out on the evening news ought to he was a friend. If he didn’t, well, examples of the racism fueled by constituents at the Spokane chapter Williams) or play golf (well, Tiger force us to think about the ways in whack him with a stick. fear and hatred of the other, but it of the NAACP despite the fact that Woods used to). And certainly we which those categories limit us all. Page 4A – Wednesday, August 19, 2015 NEWS MAKERS “In order to best manage your talent, you have to pick the best people who can perform to the standards that we have established. If you can meet the standards that we’ve established, then you should be able to perform in that (position). And I think that’s where we’re headed.” — Gen. Ray Odierno, a former Army chief of staff, hinting that the Army will allow women to seek infantry and armor jobs as well. bgdailynews.com

THE DAILY NEWS Wrap appears back on track After months of uncertainty, it ment that will allow the project to manner, as moving forward with asset to our downtown. ing who has a proven track record seems the downtown development move forward under a new proj- the project is exactly what is need- These are all positive signs that as a successful businessman. known as the wrap is getting back ect developer, Bowling Green Hot ed at this point. This unfortunate Katzoff is serious about finish- After the nightmare our city has on track. Rods owner Jerry Katzoff. The situation has dragged on far too ing this project. That is what this had to endure over the past several Hitcents has given notice that it agreement calls for the county long, and it has been quite obvious city wants, and from all accounts months, it is good to know the res- will terminate its lease Sept. 25 and to issue $30 million in industrial for some time now that new blood it appears Katzoff will deliv- taurants are about to be reopened, will move out of the building. We revenue bonds to pay off debts to was needed to finish this project er on his word. It is also signifi- new condominiums may be built in believe this is a positive step for unpaid contractors and to finish and get restaurants Mariah’s and cant that Katzoff is using some of the near future to add living spac- the project as it eliminates some the development, formerly known 6-4-3 sports bar, which have been his own money to complete the es to our downtown and someone uncertainty as to how much longer as Hitcents Park Plaza. The devel- closed since March, up and run- wrap. who knows what he is doing is in Hitcents would have continued to opment will be renamed Stadium ning again. We as a community have a vested charge of finally completing the occupy the space. Park Plaza. Katzoff has worked diligently on interest in seeing this project com- wrap project. Recently, the Bowling Green Although final approval is need- getting the restaurants reopened. pleted. Has all of the headache that We’re glad all parties involved City Commission, Warren ed by the Kentucky Department of Mariah’s will open Tuesday, and has come with it made it a pleasur- came together for the common County Fiscal Court and Warren Local Government, local officials 6-4-3 will open soon. Katzoff has able experience? Of course not. good of our community and County Downtown Economic are confident the agreement will be also said he intends to finish the But at the end of the day, it is worked diligently to find a solution Development Authority all approved. College Street side of the wrap reassuring to know that we have a to an ongoing problem that plagued approved an interlocal agree- We hope it is done in a timely with housing, which will be a huge new project developer on the build- our city.

MAILBOX Maybe everyone needs a handgun Here is a great idea: Let’s have everybody carry a gun. Details can be worked out later, maybe involving tax credits or something to help everybody get a firearm along with some ammuni- tion. Imagine how comfortable you would feel sitting in a dark movie theater with your handgun in your lap, knowing that all the people in the rows around you also were armed. No more of the fear people feel at the movies now! There are some potential prob- lems with my plan. For example, statistics show that about half of the population has an intelligence below the median level, and we all know from math and English class- es at school how hard it is for most people (including that lower half) to remember anything they are taught. By itself this could impact the effec- tiveness of gun-safety training. Also, if you follow the news, you know that 10 or 15 kids get shot every week by accident in the U.S. handling or playing with guns they shouldn’t be able to get their hands on. Nearly half of them die. There is also the vexing issue of crazy people. We have seen what some of these bozos can do when they get their hands on a semi-auto- matic. So there are some issues we may have to address, but they are not anything new. I am sure we can deal with them in the future like we always have. So call your congressman! Tell him to stop quarreling about how to pay for road repair or how to not pay for women’s health care, and to get behind a gun bill that we would like to see.

David Dickson Bowling Green Watts changed many things, including journalism Fifty years have passed since the erupt in Chicago, Syndicated Watts debate in today’s they deputized Robert Richardson, Three years later, the president’s Watts riots, a disaster that brought Detroit and other cit- “Black Lives Matter” a 24-year-old African-American National Advisory Commission on death, destruction and an unexpect- ies, culminating in the columnist protests over fatal messenger for the newspaper’s Civil Disorders, chaired by former ed, although long overdue, boost wave of more than 100 encounters between classified ad department. Illinois Gov. Otto Kerner, would to the value of racial diversity in riots that followed the unarmed black men Richardson grabbed a pen, a make that same point about the newsrooms. Rev. Martin Luther and white police offi- notebook and a handful of dimes hiring of “Negro journalists.” The Days of looting and shootings King Jr.’s assassination cers. for pay phones in those pre-cell- same also needed to be said of in the Los Angeles neighborhood in 1968. The Watts riots phone days to provide eyewitness Hispanic journalists and other jour- resulted in 34 deaths and a spur to But Watts stands out caught the media with accounts from behind the color nalists of color – and vastly under- white flight from inner cities. in many memories as a their diversity down. line. Despite his lack of experi- represented women journalists. Unlike the 50th anniversary of pivotal event in shap- Suddenly called upon ence, Richardson’s reports were Times have changed. These days the voting rights march in Selma, ing the polarized racial to report and explain sufficiently compelling to help the old media are less worried about Ala., and other recent landmark and political land- events in a part of town Times win a Pulitzer Prize, jour- building diversity in the Internet commemorations, Watts offers us scape through which CLARENCE with which they were nalism’s highest award, for its riot age than with holding the diver- no larger-than-life heroes or giant Americans struggle PAGE unfamiliar, editors and coverage. sity they have. Yet new media are steps of human progress. today. news directors had a Richardson’s work meant a lot opening vast new opportunities for Bad things began to happen in Coming on the heels revelation: It might be to me and other students of color young aspiring journalists, if they Watts on Aug. 11. That’s when of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s a good idea for them to hire a few who were considering journalism pursue them as doggedly as they black motorist Marquette Frye, 21, historic civil rights bills and the reporters and photographers who careers. We had almost no other vis- pursue good stories. was arrested for drunken driving in early days of his “war on poverty,” could be sent out to “the ghetto” ible role models in the mainstream As my grandmother advised me a routine traffic stop that quickly Watts helped spur a conservative without looking too conspicuous. media. Each of the three television back in the bad old days of all-white turned into a riot. backlash that continues to push Most memorably, the Los networks had its one black reporter newsrooms, “Just prepare yourself. It wasn’t the first major riot of back against similar progressive Angeles Times had no black report- in that year, for which each net- When the doors of opportunity open the period. And it wasn’t the largest reforms today. ers or photographers, like most work patted itself on the back. But up, be ready to step inside.” either. Other conflagrations would You can even hear echoes of the other American newspapers. So America deserved more. Wise words still.

Mallard Filmore Editorial Letters board policy Pipes Gaines, co-publisher Letters must be 300 words or less Steve Gaines, editor and are subject to editing for brevity. Robyn Minor, city editor • • • Please include name, address and Founded by John B. Gaines. phone number on emails and letters. C.M. Gaines, publisher from 1922 to 1947. Only names and cities of residence J. Ray Gaines, editor will be published. from 1946 to 1993. John B. Gaines, publisher/president The Daily News reserves the from 1947 to 2007. right to reject any letter. Daily News founded in 1882. Democrat founded 813 College St. in 1854. Bowling Green, KY 42102 Messenger founded in 1908. Consolidated Jan. 1, 1917. [email protected] ReaderC2 Page 2C – Sunday, November 15, 2015 NEWS MAKERS “It was embarrassing. It was hurtful. It was scary. It crossed my mind that my 30-year career here was a failure.” — Interim University of Missouri system President Mike Middleton, a one-time civil rights activist who came out of retirement to accept the position amid race-related protests that led to the resignations last week of the university’s president and chancellor. OPINIONbgdailynews.com

THE DAILY NEWS New auditor should continue wrap probe Investigation too important to be lost in transition shuffle

It became clear many months probably continue the investigation ago that the operation and handling Edelen took up this probe with several goals in mind, such as when he takes over. of the commercial wrap of the Harmon has been briefed by downtown parking garage, former- finding out what went wrong with the project, determining if Edelen’s office about the wrap ly known as Hitcents Park Plaza, money was misappropriated or misused and whether there was probe. Harmon’s expressed will- had major problems. ingness to finish the probe is some- Contractors filed liens on the any unlawful activity related to the project. We may not get thing we should all get behind. property in February for money those answers before Edelen’s successor takes office, but it was We know there was insuffi- they said they were owed for cient oversight over the wrap and work on the wrap. Warren County reassuring to hear that Harmon has said he will probably because of that, taxpayer money and Warren County Downtown was possibly used inappropriately, Economic Development Authority continue the investigation. which certainly warrants the com- subsequently sued Mills Family pletion of this investigation. Realty, which previously served in the past few weeks by the three as an investigation was definitely investigation. Edelen has proven The citizens of this community as the wrap’s developer. Since entities. needed. to be a capable auditor who took deserve answers as to what actual- then, Warren County, the city of Months later, the public still Edelen’s communication’s direc- up this probe with several goals ly happened at the former Hitcents Bowling Green and the authority doesn’t have many answers as tor, Stephanie Hoelscher, recently in mind, such as finding out what Park Plaza. They need to know have worked to settle those and we await a final report from state said that they are nearing comple- went wrong with the project, deter- whether taxpayer money was mis- related issues. The county is slat- Auditor Adam Edelen’s office. tion of the field work and have mining if money was misappropri- used and, if so, who was respon- ed to issue $30 million in revenue Edelen, who lost re-election to said this is the most complex ated or misused – and if so, who sible. bonds to fund a settlement with the Republican on Nov. exam they have conducted in four was responsible – and whether That is what we hope Harmon contractors, pay off existing bonds 3, announced in June that his office years. Hoelscher doesn’t know if there was any unlawful activity will deliver to us, assuming he has and complete the wrap – now would conduct a special examina- they will have the audit completed related to the project. to finish the audit. called Stadium Park Plaza – with tion of the project, including the before the end of the year. We may not get those answers Our citizens have waited a long Bowling Green Hot Rods owner use of bond proceeds. We applaud- Whether finished or not before before Edelen’s successor takes time for answers and look forward Jerry Katzoff as developer. Action ed Edelen at the time for launch- Harmon takes office in January, we office, but it was reassuring to to either Edelen or Harmon provid- to make this official was completed ing an investigation into this matter applaud Edelen for taking on this hear that Harmon has said he will ing them.

An offer of free advice for Kentucky’s Democratic Party The best Syndicated John Tilley of reconsideration of every Your every utterance should Mitch McConnell destroyed Republicans have recently thing about Hopkinsville policy position and inter- emphasize creating growth Democrat Alison Lundergan won big races with indepen- giving advice columnist to Speaker. He est group. Instead of sim- and jobs in the private sector Grimes despite seemingly dent, original outsiders like to Kentucky would be a dis- ply digging in on issues and raising the disposable daily Clinton visits to the Paul and Bevin. Surely there Democrats is tinct improve- and doubling-down on the income of Kentuckians. commonwealth. is someone like that some- that they will ment in both same supporters, conduct a Sure, keep standing up In the Senate campaign, where among the state’s not take it. They style and sub- ground-up review of every- for the forgotten and pow- find a charismatic personali- 1.685 million registered would rather stance from thing the party stands for erless people, but do not let ty who can run to the right of Democrats. lose than make Stumbo. and every source of its fund- that become a reflexive habit Republican incumbent Rand Democrats will undoubt- changes recom- Democrats ing. of wanting more money to Paul on national security edly ignore this unsolicited mended by a should bring If this does not produce do more of the same. Good issues. Your candidate will advice mainly because of Republican. even more new some significant shifts, you intentions are important, but also need to be able to spell its source, but also because Nonetheless, blood into their are not doing it right. You results matter even more. out the real-world impacts of of its difficulty. Too bad for here are some JOHN DAVID House lead- must quickly convince vot- Do not wage an obstruc- Paul’s balanced budget and them and for Kentucky. DYCHE things state ership team. ers that you are not your tionist war against Bevin. tax proposals. — John David Dyche is Democrats Sweeping out grandparents’ Democrats. He won a mandate, so honor To stand any chance at all a Louisville attorney and should do to the old guard Offer some original and it as much as you can while your candidate will have to a political commentator stave off political extinction. and shaking things up would specific policy proposals respectfully offering alterna- run an imaginative, inter- for WDRB.com. His email If they stubbornly cling to show voters that you hear on big issues. In the recent tives on which you can wage is [email protected]. the people and policies of them loud and clear on race for governor, victori- next year’s House races. esting and unconventional campaign. It needs to start Follow him on Twitter @ the past, however, their days changing the stale status ous Republican Declare – formally and jddyche. of political relevance are quo. reaped rewards for hav- literally – your indepen- soon. few and dwindling fast. Would such major change ing ideas, whereas defeated dence from the national Desperate times call for be risky right before next Democrat Jack Conway’s Democratic Party. Do not fall desperate measures. Even year’s elections that could “platform” was a pile of pal- into the trap of unthinkingly Editorial board Letters though new House leader- transfer control of the House lid mush. endorsing Hillary Clinton Pipes Gaines, co-publisher Steve Gaines, editor policy ship elections are not sched- to Republicans? Yes, but Make your case based on for president or bringing her Joe Imel, director uled until the 2017 legisla- desperate times call for des- data and do not rely on dem- or Bill here to campaign for of media operations Letters must be 300 words or less tive session, rank-and-file perate measures and doing agogic appeals to class war- your U.S. Senate candidate Daniel Pike, managing editor Robyn Minor, city editor and are subject to editing for brevity. House Democrats should nothing is even riskier. fare and emotion as you so next year. • • • Please include name, address and revolt now and demand Without bold action, the long have. Remember how The Clintons may be Founded by John B. Gaines. phone number on emails and letters. immediate changes. state House will soon be a Conway paid a price for fail- marginally more popular C.M. Gaines, publisher Only names and cities of residence Oust Greg Stumbo as lost cause for Democrats ing to advance an energetic, in Kentucky than President from 1922 to 1947. J. Ray Gaines, editor will be published. state speaker of the House. like the state Senate already information-filled defense Barack Obama, but they from 1946 to 1993. Stumbo’s shtick has grown is. Registration trends and of expanded Medicaid and are utterly ineffective in John B. Gaines, publisher/president The Daily News reserves the from 1947 to 2007. right to reject any letter. stale and he personifies the voting patterns portend a the state health exchange. Kentucky now. To con- Daily News founded in 1882. old days and, worse, dis- dependably Republican red You are perceived, rightly, firm this, you need only Democrat founded 813 College St. in 1854. Bowling Green, KY 42102 credited ways. state at all levels, and soon. as a party that puts primary look at last year’s Senate Messenger founded in 1908. Elevate the respected Do a comprehensive emphasis on government. race in which Republican Consolidated Jan. 1, 1917. [email protected] MainA4 Page 4A – Thursday, December 31, 2015 NEWS MAKERS

“We still have this fear, but we need to continue to live. We will celebrate.” — Myriam Oukik, of Paris, on worries about terror attacks on New Year’s Eve. OPINIONbgdailynews.com

THE DAILY NEWS Officials get failing grade on wrap Voters should remember lack of transparency, oversight in future elections

“You can’t have accountability duration of the project. Further gested we were sensationalizing without transparency.” — State There is a lot of blame to go around documentation shows Kelley the story. Auditor Adam Edelen. made changes to contracts and To the best of our knowledge, Transparency is a key compo- involving this project, which initially was agreements that were later execut- the facts we reported then – and nent in good government. to cost about $25.5 million. The bottom ed, according to the audit report. as this story unfolded – have with- When citizens vote and elect a At the end of the day, there is a stood the test of time. candidate of choice into office, line is that many people dropped the ball lot of blame to go around involv- So, where are we now? We they are voting for that person ing this project, which initially was know that the project will cost $4.5 to represent them and to be open on this project, and they need to be held to cost about $25.5 million. The million more to complete because and transparent with them always. accountable for doing so. bottom line is that many people of lack of oversight and checks They are putting their trust into dropped the ball on this project, and balances. We know that cer- those they help elect. and they need to be held account- tain elected officials didn’t do their Unfortunately, elected officials nessman Rick Kelley, who was a a city commission meeting sever- able for doing so. jobs by overseeing the project. don’t always live up to the task of consultant on the project, and the al months ago trying to distance It’s not enough for elected offi- We know this is a scathing audit being transparent and looking out developer, Mills Family Realty, as himself from the troubled project. cials to come out and play Monday that shows questionable activity for the people’s best interest. having no expertise in this type of He and Warren County Judge- morning quarterback and say “Yes, occurred on this deal. That certainly seems to be the endeavor – both factors that crip- Executive Mike Buchanon say in hindsight we should have had We also believe a lot of people case locally, after a state audit pled the project. they didn’t know the extent that more oversight.” Such comments involved in this project are not of the downtown parking garage There is no mention in the audit Kelley, who has had some past are a day late and a dollar short. telling all they know to the public wrap project, formerly known as whether there was any criminal financial problems, was involved. Had there been more transparency about what really happened. Hitcents Park Plaza, showed that wrongdoing. It was disappoint- Clinton Mills said he couldn’t and better oversight, this project The saddest part of this whole elected officials exercised inad- ing that the audit didn’t directly see how officials were not aware would have had a much better out- muddled morass is that the citi- equate oversight of the project – answer the question of wheth- of Kelley’s involvement. “He was come. zens of this community are the which we now know involved $9.7 er there was illegal use of bond at every meeting I was at. He was Can you imagine the public ones who will suffer, because they million in overspending and left a funds. Time will tell if there was or involved every step of the way,” outcry if citizens were aware that trusted their elected officials to be $4.5 million deficit. not, as Warren Commonwealth’s Mills said of Kelley. there was a modification to the good stewards of their tax dollars, Outgoing state Auditor Adam Attorney Chris Cohron said his Multiple emails documented lease agreement that allowed con- only to be let down. Edelen’s audit released this week office will be reviewing the audit. Kelley as the person negotiating struction payment requests to be The lack of oversight and trans- not only found poor oversight, but Finger pointing by all parties with all parties involved, attending processed without certification by parency put taxpayers financially also found numerous confusing involved has already begun. Some meetings with local government the architect? at risk. We suspect voters will agreements that led to numerous elected officials are saying it was entities and contractor Alliance In March, after the Daily News remember which elected officials weaknesses and significant risks of the Mills family’s fault. Bowling Corp., and communicating finan- broke the story that payments to dropped the ball on this project and waste and abuse. The auditor also Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson cial plans with projections to Mills contractors were considerably speak their minds in November at mentioned Bowling Green busi- read aloud a self-serving letter in Family Realty throughout the overdue, one public official sug- the polls.

MAILBOX Resolve to add plants to diet Must we really resolve to growing selection of delicious improve our diets or exercise and healthy plant-based meats routines in the New Year in and dairy products. Animal meat order to increase longevity or consumption has dropped by 8 improve quality of life? percent in the past decade. Unfortunately, gun violence Hundreds of school, college, and traffic accidents are still the hospitals and corporate caf- leading causes of death among eterias have embraced meat- young people. Fortunately, less Monday and vegan meals. however, our fork – yet another Fast-food chains like Chipotle, deadly weapon – is within our Panera, Subway, Taco Bell and own control. Well over a mil- White Castle, are rolling out lion of us are killed each year by vegan options. high blood pressure, diabetes, Our own New Year’s resolu- heart disease, stroke, cancer and tion can easily be about empow- other chronic diseases linked to ering ourselves with plant-based our meat-based diet. entrees, lunch meats, cheeses, So how exactly are we in con- ice creams and milks, as well as trol? According to Gallup, more the more traditional green and and more of us are choosing yellow veggies. Recipes and to avoid meat (22 percent) and transition tips are easy to find also dairy products (12 percent). online. Supermarket chains, along with Burt Kane Target and Wal-Mart, offer a Bowling Green Seeing Louisville’s issues the way outsiders see them The great Scottish Syndicated Some question year’s most highly publicized kill- from the 234 student fights on gion – in arguing that America is poet Robert Burns whether the incident ings. A trio’s violent crime spree on buses last year.” experiencing a dangerous and penned the memorable columnist at the mall was real- Kentucky Derby Day culminated Some of these situations predict- widespread social disintegration. line, “To see ourselves ly all that bad. Even with the murder of a Canadian visi- ably elicited calls to hold parents Other big cities are suffering as others see us.” How if it was not a riot tor who was walking back to his responsible. That is fine as far as from the same sort of problems must people in the rest and was smaller than hotel from Churchill Downs after it goes, but unfortunately parent- as Louisville, if not worse. But of America, and espe- reported, however, it the city’s signature sporting event. hood as many of us conceive of Louisville is our city. cially those thinking of was still bad enough The mall mayhem brought back or remember it is increasingly a Law, order and public safety visiting or moving here, to require a massive memories of last year’s mob ram- quaint, endangered and often whol- might not be nearly as interesting see Louisville now? police response and page in downtown Louisville. ly inapplicable concept. for a city to pursue as are some The answer seems shut down the mall on The city begrudgingly took some Race is also a big part of some other subjects. But law, order and obvious. Louisville the Saturday night after actions after that orgy of indiscrimi- people’s reactions to the episodes public safety are fundamentals looks, and is, violent Christmas. nate destruction and violence, but described above. We neither can without which ambitious transfor- and unsafe. JOHN DAVID This outbreak of there was apparently not much, if nor should ignore objective facts in mations cannot succeed and ordi- Last weekend, a DYCHE chaos comes near the any, accountability or punishment this regard, and nobody should be nary citizens cannot be prosperous series of what some end of a year in which for the responsible parties. demonized as either racist or anti- and secure. are tactfully calling Louisville’s mur- There is also increasing concern police for merely dealing in hard Admittedly, these are big, hard “disturbances” shut down Mall der rate has spiked. According to about safety in Louisville’s public data. issues and many people of good St. Matthews, which is located in WFPL News, as of Christmas Eve schools. A Jefferson County Public For myriad reasons, some social faith inside and outside of govern- Louisville’s relatively affluent East there had been 85 homicides in Schools spokesperson recently conditions that contribute to ment are already working hard on End. Rather than rely on reports by Louisville this year. stated that, “In fiscal (year) 2015, increased violence are indeed more them. All of us, not just our govern- local news outlets, let’s look at how That report continues, “The aver- JCPS teachers filed 107 reports of severe in minority communities. ment, must do much more for this a national network described the age annual homicide count dat- assaults or threats by students. Of But it is a big mistake to believe place we love. incident for the rest of the world. ing back to 1970 is 63, data show. those, teachers chose not to pros- these maladies are somehow con- Let’s really and truly make non- On its website, NBC News Police data also show the homicide ecute in 67 cases, 15 cases were fined there. violence and public safety top civic described “hours-long chaos” rate so far this year is 11.1 murders prosecuted by JCPS security, and In his 2012 book “Coming priorities that receive more public in which “chain-reaction brawls per 100,000 residents – more than 25 were prosecuted by local law Apart,” social scientist Charles and private resources along with involving up to 2,000 people erupt- double the FBI-calculated national enforcement.” Murray made a compelling case that sustained, visible attention and ed in one of Kentucky’s largest rate in 2014.” WDRB education reporter developments among America’s commitment. It will simply not suf- malls Saturday night, forcing the WFPL also reports that no arrest Antoinette Konz recently wrote non-Latino whites during the peri- fice to take up these topics reluc- entire mall and businesses in the has been made in nearly half of that the problem is not limited to od from 1960-2010 had created a tantly, sporadically and only as surrounding area to shut down.” Louisville’s homicide cases this classrooms. “Fights on buses have “new lower class” that was expe- needed to make ourselves look a A police spokesperson is quoted year. High profile unsolved mur- soared this school year, according riencing the “unraveling of daily little better in others’ eyes. as saying, “This was a riot. It was ders from prior years include a barn to a WDRB News review of JCPS life in small ways and large.” He — John David Dyche is a crazy.” Yet police apparently made worker at Churchill Downs and a data,” Konz reported. “Through the showed the decline in two “found- Louisville attorney and a politi- no arrests and arranged public for Kroger employee gunned down as first 70 days of this school year, ing virtues” – industriousness and cal commentator for WDRB.com. transportation home for the hooli- he left work in St. Matthews. there have been 306 student fights honesty – and two institutions that His email is [email protected]. gans. Arrests were made in one of the on buses – a 31 percent increase promote them – marriage and reli- Follow him on Twitter @jddyche.

Mallard Fillmore Editorial board Letters Pipes Gaines, co-publisher Steve Gaines, editor policy Joe Imel, director of media operations Letters must be 300 words or less Daniel Pike, managing editor Robyn Minor, city editor and are subject to editing for brevity. • • • Please include name, address and Founded by John B. Gaines. phone number on emails and letters. C.M. Gaines, publisher from 1922 to 1947. Only names and cities of residence J. Ray Gaines, editor will be published. from 1946 to 1993. John B. Gaines, publisher/president The Daily News reserves the from 1947 to 2007. right to reject any letter. Daily News founded in 1882. Democrat founded 813 College St. in 1854. Bowling Green, KY 42102 Messenger founded in 1908. Consolidated Jan. 1, 1917. [email protected]