September 30, 2009 — To West - To Olive Hill
Note: The following letter was published as written by the person who submitted the copy.
Editor,
“Times Flies” as they say and this coming Basketball season, it will be 10 years since that 1999-2000 group of “Lady Comet” Reached their goal! Climbed their mountain and realized all of their people’s dream, (State Champions of Kentucky Girls Basketball Division).
It is said that when the greatest moments in life and in sports happens, all things need to be just right! And no one can argue that point of view, when it came to that teams success as they “Rocked that Gym” on that March night at Eastern University and lit up that place.
As well as those comets lighting up the skies of this Basketball, crazy state of ours. And just let me say now that not only did they win the state’s highest honor and award for so doing. You all out in the Olive Hill Community have brought honor to yourselves.
When you (in remembrance of their accomplishment and of celebrating Hops life) created that memorial park for all to use.
A lot of life is about how to do whatever! A lot of it is about what’s to do or what was done! But the time essence of a people! Their greatest character trait and strength of personality is in the “why that they did what they did!
To me, in my humble opinion, that team was the best that their ever was, In intelligence, in integrity, in sportsmanship, shown others! And in respect and love for the game! And so did my heart good that some “good girls” finished first in this sports that we all do love! Now, this letter may just seem to be out of season and all those who know me do know that I am a little off in my timing! Style! And opinions!
But not when it comes to my opinions about coach John Hop Brown, the Lady Comets basketball team or about you all in or around that program or your school or your people! Now, in all truth, I am just another long, lost cousin to a lot of you.
I spent nine summers and most weekends in the 50’s out in Gesling, KY (with some of those Carter City Rameys. There were in fact giving me some normalcy in life, and a place that I loved and time to heal from a not so good start in life, (let us say) Kin are good and their life style and the kind of people that they were, was the kind of folks I wanted and wished to be.
Their lives touched me and when I started following the West teams, their people brought it all back for me.
I was like a guy in this story! There was a boy out standing in his field (yeah,I know but that’s not my point) who was watching a plane flying over and he was thinking about all the seemingly exotic and exciting places that he could be going, (If only he was on that Plane) And at that same second, there was a man on that plane who was looking down on that farm and he was only thinking of home! And so it is with me, that place! that time! those people! are and forever will be in my memories.
Be home to me, as too, are all of you!
And now, when I visit Olive Hill and that“park” or going into that school’s hallway with that trophy, and into that gym with that banner flying high, that picture on that wall or the name on that court, it all too has become a home to me!
I shall always remember how genuinely that you people do welcome all who come there as being valued guests, to your home,
I can see how “Hop” lit up the place with his own personality and charismatic charater as well as those radio waves and newspaper headlines. But I also remember how he always stopped everything when some small kid came up to him! At that time that kid was the entire world to him, all that really mattered!
And I will always remember how “Hop” would bend over backwards before he would ever bad mouth one of his players, or their performance after a game,
Win or lose all were winners. Still, by them leaving there all on the court, during the game. That championship was a great thing, done by all indeed.
And I know that it only had the full and satisfying meaning that it did, (because Hop and those girls had God to share it all with all those that they loved and cared for, and of those who helped to clear the way for them and helped to train them and supported them, so that they were able to reach that prize, when their chance came, and they did! “Were the stars lined up right that night! Probably!
But all of West’s people and players were stars and starry eyed when that game was finally over!
Of having tears of joy, and relief for some, and about the battle waged and won, of bodies shaking, over the release of nerves of hugging onto one another to avoid from collapsing onto the floor! Grins, nervous laughter of knowing looks and of feeling hearts, and of a great time, had by all. Why so?
Because, over the years the people throughout the state came to know all of you from up there in those Eastern Hills of Kentucky, and that gym and the state were happy because of who had won the state’s highest honor! And they also knew that you all had paid your dues, put forth the effort to have earned your prize.
But they also knew the “why” that you did it all, for your kids, for their well being,
It is true that it takes a village to raise the children, and it’s only true when the village is smaller in numbers than most others are at times (Even with all the rural space, everyone has)
There’s just the feeling that everyone is just too close, so close that they do know all your business, but in all truth its also a much cherished fact that everyone can get there faster when they are needed or are wanted to be there, (because your all one family, you all are close) You do care.
Having that caboose on that polace it stands and the directions that it is aimed, could not have been placed better. It overlooks the town and community that Hop admired and loved and lived for and was so proud of. And the caboose is aimed at exactly where Hop left us all by him wanting to die at home, that caboose is aimed at his home.
At times. I go through town and buy this or that to get my country fix, to touch my roots as it were.
But all of you at West always have all of it to remember, to call on, to use in whatever that you choose to be or to do. What a world you do have. I read where this guy sent out a questionnaire to people who he considered successful, and in it he asked them how that or why or who, might have been of a help for them having become so, and the most repeated key or story to their successful life was this - They had someone who believed in them when that they were young. You kids at west do have this blessing too. That team back in 99-00 were yours! Your stock, your kin, your bloodline and now no matter what the sport, what the test, what the tragedy, you all do have people who do believe in you and whatever that you choose to do, to go to be me?
I am just an old sinner saved by grace, and never was or who never wanted to be. And I might just say, I succeeded at it all, Greatly!
The older I get the better I was. A Living Legend in my own mind! Totally confident in my own Genius. Completely arrogant and wrong in how I choose to show it, I was given a medal once for humility, but they took it back when I kept wearing it, joke. That was a joke!
I could have been great if I wanted to. Anyway you all are not me, so keep on, keeping on with who you are and why. See you at the park or the game!
Your fan always,
Charles Ramey,
Ashland, KY
O-P-I-N-I-O-N-S
Editor,
I am writing this letter for two reasons. First is in response to Ms. Haynes’ letter last week. The last time I checked the big letters at the top of the page read OPINION not latest news flash. An opinion is just that, an opinion. A wise man once said that opinions are like buttholes everyone has one some just stink worse than others (you can leave the last statement out if you want). I agree that we are fortunate to have a family court now in the county, but I am interested in how that has anything to do with why Ms. Haynes’ is so upset at the paper. The people writing these O-P-I-N-I-O-N letters were speaking out of concern for our community and said nothing about children and social workers. Unless I missed the memo we still live in a free country (different O-P-I-N-I-O-N). Do we still have freedom of speech? Are we to be punished or even reprimanded for our O-P-I-N-I-O-Ns now? If these letters were published on the front page that would be one thing but seeing how they were found in the O-P-I-N-I-O-N section I don’t see the issue. If people do not like hearing other people’s O-P-I-N-I-O-Ns perhaps they should not read the O-P-I-N-I-O-N section. Now let me illuminate Ms. Haynes on some facts. I know the people who put this paper together personally and I have news for you, you could search this whole county over 50 times and you will not find people who are more honest and hard working. For Ms. Haynes to accuse them of any type of dishonesty is both outlandish and obscured. I also wonder why Ms. Haynes made the statement “…and to allow them to place blame on public servants, is downright dangerous.” If these people you speak of are so good, how could just stating your opinion about them be dangerous? That sounds like a threat to me.
Second, if the people of Carter County have nothing better to be upset about, I have one for you. Recently I was driving through Grayson on my way to Morehead. As I passed Clark’s Pump and Shop I looked over and saw an elderly women lying face down on the sidewalk. I instantly pulled into the Chiropractor’s parking lot and grabbed my cell phone. I dialed 9-1-1 and jumped out of my car. I crossed Carol Malone and approached the woman who now had three other individual around her. My phone rang and rang and rang. I noticed another woman on her phone and asked her if she was on with 9-1-1 and she dais yes. My call was never answered. I can’t understand this. I spoke with other people in the community and they told me of other instances when they could not reach 9-1-1. I suppose that Carter County can have only one emergency at a time. I have two young children and am concerned that if something were to happen to them I could not reach 9-1-1. Ms. Haynes, let’s just hope that two of our fellow Carter Countians who overdose do not do so at the same time. Well I guess the judges would only have to worry about slapping one of them on the wrist. O well, I guess my O-P-I-N-I-O-N has gotten the best of me again. Let’s just hope that it does not end up on the front page.
John Perkins
Concerned Citizen
Concerned Father
Carter Countian
Oh yea, and I am not a Pill-Head
False Information
Editor,
I wish to refute the false information contained in the indictment of Derrick Ison. Derrick did not threaten bodily harm to me and he never got one thousand dollars at any time. He did not receive any money from me on July 16, 2009. I was operated on for cancer July 16, 09. I came home the same day. Derrick said he borrowed $ 36 dollars from Barry. I have provided for Derrick since he was born, I did not want that indictment and Barry knew that, I cannot believe the court let him. I can take care of my own business. I have not designated authority to anyone.
Gladys Ison
Carter County
Judge Cox is honest judge
Editor,
I would like to respond to “Cry Baby” Ms. Haynes letter to the editor.
Opinions are like a-holes, everyone has one.
In my personal opinion, there is corruption in the Justice Center.
Ms. Haynes was talking about how great it is for Carter Countians to have a family court. However, she was only defending the District and Circuit Judges. Why did she leave out Hon. Judge John Cox? Since Judge Cox has been presiding over Carter County Family Court, I haven’t heard any scandals like before. Maybe Judge Cox is too honest for the corruption in Carter County. Everyone knows in Carter County you are in the click or not.
For Ms. Haynes and the others in the Justice Center – one day we all will stand in front of the Judge and only Judge. We all will go in front of Jesus Christ.
Billy Barker
Grayson
