Coffeebreak – October 4, 2007

On this morning’s Coffeebreak:
Rick’s guest was Donald Ritchie, news writer and photographer for The Cynthiana Democrat.
Before beginning the interview and discussion with Donald (in order to fill some time until Donald arrived), Rick asked Chris if he had any knowledge as to why there had been a train stopped in town yesterday afternoon. Although the radio station had received many calls, asking as to whether they had any information, no answers were available.
Chris mentioned that the guest on his program tomorrow morning will be Roger Slade, who is spear-heading the Ghost Walk.
Rick spoke with Donald on the article published about Nick Clooney’s presentation at the high school. Donald stated that the information and Clooney’s presence was unbelievable.

Discussion went to technology for a moment, where Rick and Donald mentioned The Cynthiana Democrat’s website, http://www.cynthianademocrat.com. Donald mentioned that the site is in the midst of being modified, and that an updated version should be available soon. In a relation to this discussion, where mention had been made of comments by viewers/readers of the site and of WCYN’s website, Rick mentioned a listener of his program who had seen the guest list for this morning’s program. The listener called Rick yesterday evening to verify that Donald was set to be this morning’s guest, and requested that Rick ask Donald whether there will be stories run on the forthcoming demolition of Ingles Stadium. Donald stated that he was sure that there will be many stories published on the school system’s historic playing field, though he is unsure as to whether he shall get the liberty of reporting.
Rick asked Donald as to whether he gets free reign on the stories he can cover, or whether he is assigned to stories and events. Donald explained that it is a 50/50 mix, where the paper is a small operation, in relation to the community’s size. Donald does get assigned to stories, however, where there is not a high number newsworthy events in the area, he, as well as others, do get the liberty to do random pieces on various aspects of the community. Donald stated that he prefers to report on stories that are “off the beaten path.”
Rick raised the question of whether Donald has experienced having people talking to one another in the check-out lanes of stores in hopes that their ideas of news stories are heard; or whether Donald has been directly approached by people in the community, stating what they believe should be reported. He stated that both of these situations happen on a fairly regular basis.
When asked whether the citizenry participate and sit-in on the commissioner’s meetings and fiscal court meetings, Donald replied be stating that it seems to be a some unspoken “general rule” that the public does not attend–that seemingly the public does not want to get involved. To this, Donald added that until people actually get involved, and make their voices heard, the local bodies of government will have no choice but to continue to move forward on any issue in manners that they, not necessarily the public, see fit.
Discussion went to the topic of the new recreational park, and the use thereof. Donald stated that the other day, it could be estimated that there were 400-500 people present at the park for for various activities, including a VBS event, and soccer games. Rick offered an opinion that it doesn’t seem that the governing body of Cynthiana has any interest in further development of the park, where there has been no money allotted in the budget for any work or maintenance of the park. When asked his opinion on the matter, Donald replied in agreeance, and stated that he believes that the city government is simply doing the same thing that it has for the past 75 years–that they hopped on board on a project because it was a seemingly good idea that received some public interest, and then rely upon the rest of the county to foot the bill. In a related comment, Rick asked Donald if he had any thoughts on the Cynthiana-Harrison County Business Park, with regard as to whether the $80,000/yr property manager and the government are spending adequate time in searching out and handling potential investors/business/corporations. Donald stated that he doesn’t believe that the government is being active enough, however he has no way to have backing for his opinion, where the meetings on development of the park are held behind closed doors.
Rick commented that at one time there were more dominant an influential citizens within our community that offered suggestions and ideas, which were heard, and that these people aren’t around anymore–and no-one has stepped in to fill their shoes. Rick also told us the story of an elderly woman who wrote in not too long ago, who mentioned the differences of our home between her childhood and her grandchildren. The woman rattled off the names and types of businesses that were here around then, and noted that they’re no longer around, and that there is nowhere near the business there had once been–finalizing her statement by saying that it’s no wonder our children are bored and causing trouble–there’s nowhere to go! Donald agreed with these points, went on to say how few of his classmates live here due to this, and how fewer the numbers are of proceeding graduating classes staying home, in direct relation to this problem of poor civic and economic infrastructure .
Discussion was made of how lacking Harrison County is when it comes to our highway transportation routes. While many of us remember how terrible US HWY 62 E had been, we look now at the now ten-year-old (approximate) revision of the highway and are pleased. Though the highway is better, it still remains a small two-lane country highway, that does not support heavy flows of mass transportation to the larger of our neighboring cities. The highway did complete a need ten years ago, when it had been revised, but since then, the largest factory at the end of that road has doubled (if not tripled) in size since then–no supplier to that company would want to place operations here for the now poor construction of that highway.
The questioned was raised as to how Paris, which had been (relatively) similar in size and composition has boomed over the past year while we remain stagnant. Donald believes that the reason is the increased size of the stretch of US HWY 27/68 between Lexington and Paris. Prior to the new construction Donald and his wife (as many of Harrisonians) traveled to Lexington using an alternate route, which bypassed Paris altogether. Since the addition of the two lanes, Donald has been traveling 27/68 to and from Lexington–and with that increase of travel on the highway, new businesses have popped up along the way, allowing for the commuters to stop by on their way.
Though today’s show was plagued with negative undertones concerning Cynthiana, Rick and Donald managed to end with the mention of people who are trying to revitalize the town and businesses, by mentioning the remodeling/restoration of the Rohs Opera House. Donald also mentioned the upswing in sports activities through the Upward program and other church/faith related activities which have begun to serve the needs that the recreation department has seemingly neglected.

This morning’s sponsors were:
State Farm Insurance, the Harrison County Board of Education, Jetubs, Cockrell’s Auto Center, BluegrassTradingPost.com, Chase Jewelers, Whalen & Company, Eastside Pharmacy, and the Bourbon Community Hospital.