June 5 , 2008

Class of 2008 says goodbye
By James Cook, Times Editor

The sun was shining bright, the sky was blue and the gym was full of proud family and friends as the Powell County High School Class of 2008 graduated on Sunday. The seemingly flawless ceremony did have a small hitch early, long before the ceremony began. But thanks to a team of school staff and maintenance people, the glitch was not even noticed by the nearly full house and the 154 graduates.
The commencement speaker was no stranger to Powell County. As a graduate of the Class of 1971, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Peter Misuinas, he could relate to the small town schools and today’s youth. “When I graduated our country was involved in a war overseas that seemed to have no end in sight, the economy looked bad and our president had a low popularity rating. Sounds sort of familiar doesn’t it?” Col. Misuinas told the graduates, as he tried to show how he could relate to them. But the theme of his speech dealt with choices and never giving up on dreams or goals.
Col. Misuinas spoke about how his dream to follow his father’s footsteps and be a pilot in the Air Force was derailed due to vision and hearing problems. “My dreams of making it to the Air Force Academy were stopped and I was not able to go to M.I.T due to the money, so I went to UK and joined the Air Force R.O.T.C. I graduated as a second lieutenant in the Air Force and ended up becoming an engineer for them,” he told the students. “My dreams may not have worked out the way I wanted them too, but you can not give up. You have to decide who you want to be, what you want to be and how to achieve it. Do not give up.”
The Class of 2008 honored their Cum Laude students, who achieved a four year grade point average of 3.5-3.69. Those in this category being honored were Christopher Dotson, Brandon Farmer, Chelsea Hayes, William Lucas and Shawna Hutchison. The Magna Cum Laude group, who achieved a four year GPA of 3.7-3.99, was Alanna Babcock, Courtney Jones, Maritta Lacy, Rebecca McCoy, Ashley Nelson, Joshua Seth Profitt, Stephanie Nicole Skidmore, Adam Smyth and Hillary Brooke Steele. The Summa Cum Laude, students who kept a 4.0 GPA throughout their high school scholastic careers, was also honored. They were Lonnie Jo McDaniel, Paul Travis Miller, Mary Pelfrey and Samantha Stokley.
The crowd and graduates were treated to singing performances by Hillary Brooke Steele, who sang Don’t Forget to Remember Me and Carasea Steppe who sang Set the World On Fire. There was also a great performance by the Powell County Band under the direction of Mike Estep. It was also the final time that Powell Superintendent Lonnie Morris would be handing out diplomas to a graduating class. Morris will retire at the end of June.
The seniors honored Michael Coleman, a teacher at the school, with the Golden Apple Award. That award is given by the seniors to the teacher they believe who has helped them the most over their four years at the high school. The class also honored a classmate, Justin Boyd, who passed away in 2003. The class had a missing spoke floral arrangement on hand in Bond’s memory and held a moment of silence in his honor.
Upon being told by Principal Lonnie McCall that they were now graduates, the annual tossing of hats filled the air, as did silly string being sprayed around. Several classmates hugged, as tears filled their eyes. The crowd erupted into a standing ovation.
The day started with a little drama. When McCall arrived just before 9 a.m. to work on his speech, he found graffiti painted on the walls of the front and side of the school. The vandalism was on the walls around the upper lobby and concession stand areas. Such phrases as “Class of 2008” and “08” were highly visible, as was another slogan that was offensive. The vandals also painted “Class of 2008” in the field in front of the school.
However, much to the chagrin of the would be spoilers, the staff and maintenance workers were able to remove the graffiti long before any students or their families arrived. School officials and police are looking into the matter and going over surveillance videos. The incident is still under investigation, but the ceremony went on without any further incidents.

Council controvery brewing
By David J. Griffin, Times Reporter
Apparently the Stanton City Council was in need of a little attention. With most eyes watching the Powell County Fiscal Court and their budget woes, the council seemed to be moving along rather unnoticed after the passage of a restaurant tax in April. But oh how quickly things can change.
Mayor Dale Allen called a special meeting of the Stanton City Council last week to complete the fee structure for business licenses. Council members were present to further evaluate each type of business in order to determine and finalize commercial rates for each. Surprisingly, it was a member of the council itself who raised a personal grievance about the assigned fees.
After an hour of such discussion, the list of businesses came to that of monument sales. Council member Mariam Smallwood complained that her own private monument business was being taxed excessively at $175 per year because she operates the business out of her home. She remarked that she might stop selling monuments because she believed the rate was disproportionate.
After a brief recess, Mayor Allen explained to the council the necessity of personal businesses of the council members remaining the same as all others. Any such exceptions would invite charges of political favoritism in addition to creating a situation where other businesses might also seek exceptions. No further discussion was held concerning the matter.
Last Thursday the Times received an anonymous telephone call stating that council member Smallwood wanted her property on Lisa Lane de-annexed, that she had consulted with an outside attorney to advise her concerning the water on her property, and that she was upset because of the proposed business license fee. The caller indicated that litigation was a possibility and that a charge of discrimination was also mentioned. In order to confirm the report, The Times called Smallwood on Friday morning to give her the opportunity to comment on the allegations.
Smallwood’s first comments were concerning the water on her property next to Lisa Lane. She explained, “Water is being dumped on our property at the end of the runway of the airport. It stays wet. It is not right for this water to be dumped onto our property. A ditch brings water onto our property from the Airport Subdivision. Any citizen should not have to endure this problem. There are two main pipes that dump water on this part of our farm. I am going to ask the council to address this situation.”
Smallwood continued, “Part of our farm is in the city limits, and I am asking that it be de-annexed from the city. It is crop-planting time now, and this is a matter of longstanding. The farm has been in the family for many years.” Smallwood confirmed that she has sought the advice of an attorney regarding her concerns.
Concerning the proposed business license fee that the council addressed at its meeting last Tuesday, Smallwood remarked, “We were charged twice as much as anyone in the same category,” she said. “If they can get it equitable, I would be for the ordinance. We should not play favorites,” she stated.
When it was pointed out that all monument businesses listed on the worksheet were to be charged the same yearly fee, she replied, “I will not be for the ordinance if the present rates are maintained.”
Concerning the mention of discrimination, Smallwood stated that she, “did not mention (it).” She wants the council to consider her concerns at its next meeting.
Mayor Allen confirmed in a telephone conversation with the Times that Smallwood’s concerns would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. “We’ll place it on the agenda and see what can be done about the water,” Allen said.
The next regular meeting of the council will be held at 6:30 pm on June 12. All meetings are open to the public.

Local artists hold exhibit at Whitaker Bank's Poco Loco event
By David J. Griffin, Times Reporter

The talented artists of Powell County now have a local forum in which to display their works. Whitaker Bank sponsored the first “Poca Loca” (Powell County Local Artists) showing on Friday, May 30. Many were on hand to display their art at the first of what the bank proposes as an annual event. On Friday, the lobby of the bank was filled with admiring onlookers.
The idea was the brainchild of Danielle Kindred, who was recently profiled by the Times for her murals on the side of Little Abner’s Motel in Slade. Kindred approached Rene Foster of Whitaker Bank to see if there was an interest in the show. Foster’s response was, “The Bank will provide the space and the advertisements, if you would contact the artists.”
Kindred proceeded to get in touch with local artists, and the rest of the plan fell into place. Seven artists were showcased at this year’s event. They included Jerlene Rose, Danielle Kindred, Al Cornett, Roger Friend, Ida Mae Combs, Mary Lou Adams, and Louise Morton. Each artist attended a display of his or her own work.
Also on hand was an exhibit of the work of the late Nellie Meadows. Her recent passing has not diminished the love and interest of patrons of her paintings. Meadows spent many years producing art in her beloved Powell County.
Some of the featured artists were relatively new to the profession. Mary Lou Adams explained that she had been an elementary teacher for 27 years and only began her art after taking a class from John Hatfield in Irvine. “He is a precious boy,” she said. Louise Morton reported that she had also taken classes with Hatfield.
Because of the renewed interest being shown in local artistry, Kindred and Rose are working together in an attempt to revive the Powell County Art Association. Anyone who is interested in assisting with this program should contact Rose at 606-663-1011 or Kindred at 606-663-2070.