The Water at Big Bone

I hadn't intended to post more than an introductory entry today, but one look at today's mail changed all that. Here in Northern Kentucky, we receive the quarterly publication, What's Happening in Boone County, which highlights county and community services. Today we received the third consecutive issue in which no mention was made of the so-called "Boone County Rural Water Project".

Supposedly, one of the goals of this county is to improve the quality of residential life with, among other things, access to a municipal water source. Some months ago, officials remarked that they were committed to bringing water to as many Boone County residents as possible.

Strangely (or, coincidentally) enough, that commitment seems to flow where 'The Builders' have had the most interest. For some time now, county officials, especially Judge Executive Gary Moore and former County Administrator Jim Parsons (a lawyer) have been going to great lengths to promote this area as an affluent, ever-more-upscale community, and have basically ignored and compromised the needs of existing residents for the sake of appealing to an influx of (wealthy) outsiders.

There are plans in the works for more parks and recreational facilities of all kinds, as well as multi-million dollar projects which have done little for "We the Residents". However, it seems the Rural Water Project is on hold indefinitely.

Jim Parsons told me over five years ago that the county planned to pipe water to my area. It doesn't seem probable at this point. Meanwhile, services rendered on behalf of the newcomers seem to grow by the day.

I hesitate to describe the condition of my family's water. Suffice it to say that we have well water that tested almost triple the hardness of most residents. I am weary of carrying water in jugs and trying to calculate and plan for baths and dishwashing. I take our clothes to the laundromat, but this is costly, and not always practical. Additionally, many items need to go through a pre-soak to head off permanent stains, which is not often an option, since I cannot justify using water we've carried on clothing.

Building a cistern will be expensive, and if our drought this summer is any indication of long-term conditions, it wouldn't have done us much good anyway.

I don't have time to discuss all the issues here, but I'll summarize by saying that this is yet another example of 'Snooty Republicanism' by county officials, whose party affiliation is no indication of true beliefs. Translation: A democrat can't get elected in this county so everyone has to claim conservative Republican status to be a viable candidate. One more thing: I have always been a registered Republican, but I am not blind to the hypocrisy of the party collectively or individually. Therefore, I feel a responsibility to rally others against political passivity and voice a desire for change. Throw the rascals out!