UK tree expert an educator and healer who helped us to see what is possible | Opinion

Borden thanks

Having worked directly with Stacy Borden on several projects, I have a personal and professional vantage point for thanks. As grounds manager for the University of Kentucky, he taught us that healing happens both inside these walls and outside.

Stacy was instrumental in implementing a new Markey garden where patients receiving chemotherapy have a calming green view from the treatment area. When Stacy led “Walk With A Doc” events, he took us off the Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky’s paved pathways into the grass to teach tree identification. Stacy’s efforts made UK HealthCare one of the first medical campuses recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation. He taught us that our health can’t be separated from the health of the environment.

Daily I’m astonished by the power of advanced medicine and disappointed by the problems we bring on ourselves. Stacy’s work taught the healing power of nature. This work showed us that trees are the common denominator that link our health to the health of the globe through protecting our air and water purity, soil conservation, planet temperature, biodiversity, environmental aesthetics and the role of arbor-culture in an historic land grant university.

Stacy is both an educator and a healer who has helped us to see what is possible. We hope to carry on what he taught us by planning long life, viable greenspace in our new constructions and nurturing our canopy as we seek to grow in a sustainable way. Stacy, you will be missed, but you planted a seed—and we know that the mightiest oak starts as a small acorn.

Connie Jennings, Lexington

Alzheimer progress

As we’re ringing in the new year, we can’t forget how far our generous community has truly mobilized our vision towards a world without Alzheimer’s and all types of dementia. To our Kentucky and Southern Indiana families, caregivers and supporters, thank you for your support.

The year 2023 was a landmark one for Alzheimer’s disease research, including advancements in treatment, risk factors and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In this new era of Alzheimer’s treatments, below are a list of the five things we’ve learned about Alzheimer’s:

▪ There are now three newly approved treatments for Alzheimer’s, with a fourth on the way.

▪ Blood tests for Alzheimer’s are coming soon, and could improve diagnosis and treatment.

▪ Hearing aids could slow cognitive decline for at-risk older adults.

▪ First-ever U.S. county-level Alzheimer’s prevalence estimates.

▪ Chronic constipation is associated with poor cognitive function.

As always, we are here for you 24/7 at (800) 272-3900 or Alz.org/kyin.

Jerrica Valtierra, Louisville

Hybrid tax

I read with wonderment the news that Kentucky’s General Assembly in its infinite stupidity has imposed a $60 per year fee on hybrid (non plug-in) vehicles. I understand that the migration to fully electric vehicles requires a revision of the tax on vehicle fuels in order to maintain our highways. However, the legislature displays a woeful ignorance of how hybrids work. A non plug-in hybrid uses a battery to store energy (generated by gasoline on which the tax has already been paid) thus increasing gas mileage. So, what is the sin that the legislature is punishing, high mileage vehicles perhaps? If that be the case, any enhancement to a vehicle that increases mileage should be similarly taxed. Pretty dumb, no?

I have no problem with imposing a tax on the electricity that actually powers a vehicle, as in a plug-in, so that that vehicle pays its fair share to maintain and build our highway system. But to punish a vehicle class that simply gets better mileage out of its gasoline defies logic.

But it is after all the Kentucky General Assembly we’re talking about.

Mike Donnelly, Lexington

Presidential ballots

Great athletes play by the rules because the rules make the game. Unprincipled athletes cheat or change the rules in order to win. Their victories ultimately destroy the game.

Colorado and Maine have determined that former President Donald Trump can’t run for president again. The Constitution states anyone can run for president if they are over 34 years old, a natural born citizen, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years. After the Civil War, Congress added Section 3 to the 14th Amendment prohibiting anyone from holding office if they swore an oath to support the Constitution and then “engaged in insurrection.” Those are the rules.

Colorado ruled that Trump participated in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Maine went further adding Trump aided and abetted the Jan. 6 rioters by doing nothing to stop them. In fact, he watched the riot for hours on TV and encouraged rioters to hang Vice President Mike Pence.

Now Trump sycophants cry “UNFAIR,” saying the voters, not courts, should determine a presidential election, conveniently forgetting that the Supreme Court decided the 2000 Gore/Bush presidential election.

Unprincipled politicians cheat or change the rules in order to win. Their victories will ultimately destroy the country.

Margaret Grove, Frankfort

Roberto Clemente

More than 50 years ago, on December 31, 1972, Pittsburgh right fielder Roberto Clemente, age 38 died in a plane crash off the coast of Puerto Rico. He had chartered the plane to personally take relief supplies to earthquake-devastated Nicaragua.

I was privileged to see him play against the Cincinnati Reds in the late 1960s. He batted in seven runs and prevented a home run with a breathtaking defensive play that let everyone see his magnificent athleticism.

I always thought that Clemente was overlooked to some degree because he played for a small market team and there were a large number of superstars in the league at that time. I never saw any of them do anything that Clemente could not do. Most of them could not do all the things that Roberto could do, although Willie Mays might be the exception. Ironically, Clemente’s 3000th hit was the final hit of his career.

Clemente died a hero with no crowds, no TV and no press coverage, just a man riding shotgun on a plane carrying hope.

Vincent Fallis, Burlington

Jamie Palumbo

James Thomas “Jamie” Palumbo is one of my oldest and dearest friends and I want to describe why he’s the best choice to represent the 76th District in the Kentucky General Assembly.

Many people know Jamie for his unmatched sense of humor that is rooted in his giving heart and his desire to make people feel loved. It seems that he hardly goes somewhere without knowing someone and always stops to chat and offers a kind word. I can’t recall a time when I’ve heard him say an unkind word to or about anyone.

While Jamie and I have shared much joy over the year - like when he stood by me on my wedding day - we have also shared many tears. When my father suddenly passed away when I was 22 years old, Jamie would not leave my side. His support helped me through the roughest time in my life.

Kindness and generosity of spirit is part of what is lacking in politics today. If voters in the 76th want someone who will do the right thing even when it’s difficult, to treat each constituent with kindness and to represent them with integrity, Jamie Palumbo is the right choice for them.

Meredith Mays Ward, Lexington

Town Branch Park

I grew up in a Lexington when it was safe to go downtown. The Lexington I live in now is a far cry from what I used to know. I used to feel safe going downtown at night for events, but I don’t even feel safe during the day now. There is crime to contend with and people who are constantly begging for money.

Now Lexington is going to have a “family” friendly park when we still don’t have a handle on crime or homelessness. I won’ t be going down there and certainly wouldn’t take kids to the park. Why not address the real issues instead of trying to make our downtown out to be something it isn’t - safe for our citizens?

Sara Wellnitz, Lexington

No snow days

As a retired educator, I read with interest the decision by Fayette County Public Schools to use non-traditional instruction (NTI) in place of traditional snow days. The school district is taking a leap of faith that NTI instruction will keep academic success at the forefront and lessen the days students are not receiving academic instruction.

There is no substitute for instruction in the classroom with a qualified teacher. Using NTI seems to me just another way of diluting instructional quality while creating another avenue for struggling or unmotivated students to fall further behind. Typically, Fayette County does not have enough snow to cause great concerns about school days extending into June.

This decision appears to be more about convenience than educational quality. I hope the Board of Education will give this decision further review.

William Farnau, Lexington

HO HO HUH?

A Christmas message from former President Donald Trump – the man who would be king: “MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. MERRY CHRISTMAS.”

I’ve seen plenty of Christmas pageants and have never heard any of the participants exclaim “May they rot in hell.” Never even heard the Grinch say something like that. Guess I’ll have to do my own research as to the biblical origin of that particular part of the Christmas story, although I’m sure more than a few MAGA theologians would be happy to enlighten me.

Rest assured, somewhere, there is a MAGA family getting a head start on next years’ Christmas cards with “May They Rot in Hell. Merry Christmas” emblazoned under a photo of the fam proudly displaying their battlefield ordnance and holiday tactical gear. So glad the war on Christmas is finally over. I don’t think I could abide one more “MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. HAPPY HOLIDAYS.”

DeAeth Ross, Lexington

Compiled by Liz Carey