Letters to the Editor for 3-24-10

Mother says justice never served after death of son

To the Editor:

This letter is in response to the article in last week’s News Journal concerning the Whitley County E-911 Center’s insufficient record keeping (“Atty. General concerned over E-911 center’s recordkeeping”) and I make my comment as the mother of James Bunch.
I lost my son nearly five years ago and still haven’t received any type of justice relating from his death. I have searched every avenue in our county legal system; trying to get copies of police reports, copies of 911 calls and insisted on further investigation to get the case to go before the Grand Jury. But, after five years of heartache and frustration, I have received absolutely nothing from our county officials.
My first attempt was contacting Detective Chuck Davis whom repeatedly told me that I could not even get a copy of the police report, because it was an ongoing investigation. I suggested to Mr. Davis that he needed to obtain additional assistance in handling the case because of his overwhelming work load. Also, the other reason for my suggestion that he receive other help was that in my opinion I felt there was a conflict of interest, because his wife had prepared legal documents that involved my son, James. None of this was accomplished in my meeting with Chuck Davis and I was personally treated with extreme disrespect.
Also, my encounter with our Commonwealth Attorney, Allen Trimble, was not one of such pleasure and admiration. I have requested from Mr. Trimble in years past and on several different occasions on the procedures in our legal system and how to have my son’s murder brought before the Grand Jury. The response from him, Mr. Trimble, was that the scene of this crime was one of thugs and I am sure he included my son as a thug in this unprofessional statement.
After receiving absolutely no answers or hope from Mr. Trimble and Mr. Davis, I hired a private investigator that gathered and documented events at the scene and took statements from the witnesses. I believe in my heart and from this evidence that my son was murdered and it was not an overdose. Even our Coroner, Andy Croley stated that the entire crime scene was handled very, very poorly.
As a Mother and Citizen of Whitley County I deserve at least enough respect from our County Officials to properly investigate this crime and bring justice and closure to this case.

Dolly Bunch
Corbin
Mother of James S Bunch
 

Sheriff’s account of UNITE meeting was misleading

To the Editor:

I want to correct misleading information contained in a news story aired on WKYT television Wednesday, March 17, entitled “Deputies stop attack during drug deal.”
According to the story, attributed to Whitley County Sheriff Lawerance Hodge, deputies broke up a fight between three men engaged in a drug deal behind Immaunel Baptist Church in Corbin “after a UNITE anti-drug rally wrapped up” on Tuesday evening. I am not sure where Sheriff Hodge obtained this information, but it is not factual.
I cannot speak to details of the fight and subsequent arrests, but listeners (or visitors to the news station’s website) would have been left with the impression that citizens fed up with the drug-dealing in our community held a large public gathering to promote awareness, and that these men flaunted the message by attempting to peddle their pills at the same time and location.
In reality, the Corbin Declare Hope/UNITE Coalition met for their monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned shortly thereafter. While some of those attending the meeting stayed for other church-related activities, there was no large rally or public event held. The arrests came hours after the coalition meeting ended. I have no idea where Sheriff Hodge obtained the information he released to the media.
I am surprised that the news station did not call for comment if, in fact, they believed a UNITE rally had occured. For one thing, they should have realized we would have notified all media about such a rally to request coverage of our efforts to provide education, treatment/after-care assistance, and support for law enforcement officers.
Are drugs a problem in Corbin and the Tri-County area? Without a doubt. Are these addicts and peddlers really so bold as to use a religious facility for their drug transactions. Yes. The issue is that huge in our region. Do we support what Operation UNITE is trying to do across the Fifth Congressional District? Definitely!
Drug abuse and its related issues are everyone’s concern. If you would like to become involved in UNITE’s efforts I would invite you to attend one of our meetings-the third Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 720 Browning Acres Road, Corbin, or to contact Coalition Chair Dave Hampton at 606-521-3561, our Secretary, Julie Smith at 606-215-9718 or Treasurer Yvonne Bishop 606-344-1622.

 Tom Cline
Corbin Declare Hope/ UNITE Coalition

Chandler’s ‘no’ vote on health care bill was self-serving

To the Editor:

Tuesday March 23, Congressman Ben Chandler quoted in The Lexington Herald “I JUST HAD TO DO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS BEST.” Ben is no more than just any career politician.
Why can’t he and the rest of his congressional thieves tell it like it is? Ben voted NO on health care in an effort to save his life time paid political vacation complete with all the comforts of life. Ben like other congressmen would vote for or do anything that would be necessary to get to go back to Washington where they have and will DO SO MUCH FOR US WITH OUR MONEY (BRING HOME THE PORK).
Obama asked Benjamin to vote for his cap and trade bill, and Ben was obedient, against the wishes of Kentuckians, he cast our vote in favor of Obama’s socialism. Ben’s offices were flooded with calls and angry protest. Mr. Ben is totally out of touch with Kentucky, he hasn’t got a clue. He did get the message.
When the socialized medicine bill came up Ben was like the mouse caught in the trap. Ben doesn’t want any more cheese, he just wants out of the trap. I don’t think his vote on health care will get him out. Like the man without a country Mr. Ben is a politician without a base. Republicans and Independents WILL NOT VOTE FOR HIM and HE DOUBLE DECKED HIS PARTY.

Elmer Patrick
Williamsburg KY

Grayson sounds too much like a professional politician

To the Editor:

Gee, isn’t it nice of Mr. Trey Grayson to try to tell us what Mr. Rand Paul believes and what he will do if elected to U.S. Senate — even though he mostly gets it wrong.
Does Mr. Grayson really have so little positive going for himself that he must resort to negative campaigning? We, the voters, have had far too much of that. He sounds like a professional politician, and it is the professionals inside the D.C. Beltway who caused the present mess. We need some business people and housewives (often one and the same) who understand NOT spending money one doesn’t have.

Bob Ingram
Williamsburg