To the Estill County Class of 2009

Dear graduates,
Thanks for your hard work and determination! May you have a bright future. Make good choices and enjoy the rewards of good choices. Never forget your hometown. Maybe you are among those who say there is "nothing to do" in Irvine KY. Do something for Irvine and Estill County Kentucky! If possible, try to stay here! Property is cheaper in Irvine than Richmond. Often our best and brightest leave this community while those who lack educational skills often remain in town. Estill County needs you to start businesses, participate in civic groups, buy and pay taxes here instead of elsewhere. It is cheaper to live in Estill County and commute to the Bluegrass than to live there with expensive rent or property!

While some people are forced to live on welfare assistance, welfare offers little hope for economic improvement. Resist the urge to give up and accept poverty and ignorance. You can live at home and attend college at Eastern Kentucky University.

Thanks for your hard work. I encourage you to make Irvine-Estill County home! Our community has so much potential if we would only work harder to make this dream possible.

How about a lookout tower at the top of Sweet Lick Knob? Rockhouse Mt.?

How about a lookout tower and trail on top of one of Irvine's highest mountains? How about a walking trail? Imagine EKU students coming to Estill County for hiking opportunities? I wished local civic leaders could draw more OUT OF TOWN folks into Estill County!!