Over the years I have written very few letters on behalf of candidates for office. Today is an exception, as I enthusiastically endorse and support Tom Ellis for District 1 Magistrate.

It has been my pleasure to know Tom Ellis in church and as a good friend. I have observed Tom Ellis’ strong role as a Christian all across our community. Very few have the energy and compassion found in him.

Upon retiring from his career in health care administration, Tom completed a teaching program at Boyle County High School, gaining certification in English and history. He went on to teach several years in Boyle and Washington counties. The mentoring he offered his students is evident in their success today.

Within Boyle County, Mr. Ellis has worked tirelessly on a number of issues vital to our community. The recent withdrawal of the Kinder-Morgan pipeline proposal was active on his radar before many others. He began nearly four years ago writing numerous letters to the editor, encouraging local leader meetings and he was actively petitioning Frankfort involvement.

Tom Ellis is an active member of the Heritage Hospice Communications Committee, programs through the Boyle Landmark Trust and as a Gideon speaker. He has spoken frequently on the remarkable and pivotal role Boyle county played in the founding of both Kentucky and the westward expansion of our United States.

In his own immediate community of west Boyle County, Tom Ellis led the charge two years ago to assure that the Mitchellsburg Convenience Center was kept open when threats came from fiscal court to close it down. In fact, following that successful community effort, that center was completely refurbished.

And just two months ago, he and a dozen in this county collected 448 petition signatures, successfully fighting the intentions of the Boyle County School Board to substantially raise everyone’s property taxes on homes, farms, travel vehicles, boats and more.

When you vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6, cast your ballot for Tom Ellis, magistrate. He will serve west Boyle Countians and our entire community well.

Mike Leake

Danville