When I was a high school student at Estill County High School in the mid 1980s, students complained about the fact that there was NOTHING for the young people to spend their spare time. It is worse now.
In the early 1980s, we had Fain's Skating rink , swimming pool, and the Mack Theater. Today, one must get into their automobile, fill up on $4.00 gasoline and head to the Richmond Mall some 20 plus miles away.
Many of our pool rooms have been frequented by lawless individuals. People have been shot and killed at several pool rooms across town. In 2003, a man was gunned down at a pool room in Ravenna Ky forcing the room to be closed down for awhile.
Estill County has lost many bright individuals who could have made our county a better place. These "economic exiles" have contributed to the success of communities in other places. The absence of clean fun has made our youth develop a sour attitude about the community. As soon as many of our best and brightest leave home, they want to move elsewhere.
Somehow efforts by local people to promote recreational activities for the youth have failed. Some dreams never see implementation. The proposed YOUTH CENTER near the Estill County High School never saw the light of day and the COMING SOON sign has rotted!
How about a new swimming pool on the middle or high school campus?
Let's hope the new park addresses some of these concerns. Even if the new park isn't centrally located, maybe it is a step in the right direction. Even if we wished we had several smaller parks scattered around the county, at least maybe something will happen to make the community a better place.
We need to stop losing our better and brighter ones to other towns. We have a brain drain. We don't want to see good people leaving. The druggies and welfare recipients won't leave. Stop the brain drain. Keep bright young Estill Countians from crossing Red River or Drowing Creek to find greener economic pasture.
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This is proof of unequal distribution of money! All the wealth of Estill County is funneled into outside places, leaving behind nothing. I would say consider the local political leadership. The nicest people are drawn into corruptive schemes. Usually, there is something that can be done but local leaders aren't willing to set their interests aside. But their are occasions where the local leaders are just as unaware of the solutions as the local inhabitants. I think the reason for Estill County's persistant issues rest with the wallets that own the land.
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