EDITORIAL

The Advocate-Messenger

As we near the second month of this year’s legislative session, Boyle County’s state representative and state senator have announced plans for their annual “legislative coffee” event in Danville.

This event has been a tradition for years and we’re glad to see it continuing. Constituents of Rep. Daniel Elliott (R-Danville) and Sen. Rick Girdler (R-Somerset) can speak with them about any issues they feel are important by coming to Danville City Hall at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 10 for the special event, which is being hosted as in past years by Danville Mayor Mike Perros.

Last year, area residents showed up in good numbers and made their voices heard on many topics, including tax reform, the state pension crisis, education funding, the gas tax, health insurance premiums and local restaurant taxes.

Both of Boyle’s legislators are Republicans, but the event is never just a love-fest for Republicans — nor is it just a chance for Democrats to throw punches. Each year, there have been both friendly and confrontational conversations, though all the conversations have remained respectful.

Both of our legislators seem to do a decent job of listening to perspectives from all sides, and people with perspectives from all sides seem to do a decent job of showing up for these kinds of town-hall-style events.

Boyle County has a good mixture of people from both major political parties and many in the middle who lean one way or the other, just as many other communities in Kentucky do. But we think Boyle Countians set themselves apart from most other communities because they maintain a lot of communication with and respect for those across the aisle. That’s what makes events like this upcoming legislative coffee so productive and engaging.

“I always look forward to meetings like this,” Rep. Elliott said when he announced the event. “They give us another opportunity to hear from the people of our district. It’s an honor to serve this community in the legislature and this is one of the best ways I have to get feedback on many of the things we’re working on here in Frankfort.”

If you can, make time in your schedule to attend the Feb. 10 legislative coffee. Even if you don’t have a specific question or issue to raise, hearing our legislators and community members talk about their respective priorities will help you become a more informed citizen and voter.

If you can’t attend, you can read about the conversations that occur in The Advocate-Messenger. And you can still contact your legislators today, tomorrow or after the legislative coffee about whatever issue you have by using phone or email:

• Sen. Rick Girdler: (502) 564-8100 ext. 656 (Legislative Research Commission); rick.girdler@lrc.ky.gov
• Rep. Daniel Elliott: (859) 332-4204; daniel.elliott@lrc.ky.gov