Dec. 12, 2010: Our readers write

Turn on your headlights
Growing up, I was always told that it was a “privilege” to have a driver’s license. When certain individuals put others at risk by not obeying the rules of the road, then that “privilege” needs to be taken away for a period of time.
I say this because anymore, I absolutely dread driving in the early morning hours, after dusk, and especially when it rains. When I was learning to drive, I was taught to always turn my headlights on when driving during these times. Why? The reason is simple— even if I don’t have difficulty seeing during these times, I have to realize that having my headlights on helps the other drivers to see “me!” So having my headlights on benefits me and the other drivers.
Unfortunately, there are many drivers in Elizabethtown who either don’t understand this concept or simply don’t care. There have been numerous occasions when I’ve almost been hit or hit someone else because they could not be seen because of the time of day or that it was raining and they had no headlights on. Often, I’ve gone as far as turning my lights on and off when approaching cars that don’t have their headlights on to clue them in. Unfortunately, most of them don’t get the hint. Don’t you understand that by not turning your headlights on you are putting not only others at risk but yourselves as well? What if one of your loved ones was involved in an accident because they pulled out in front of someone who didn’t have enough sense to turn their lights on? Would you care then?
Listen people, this basically boils down to the fact that by driving without your headlights on during the above mentioned times, you are playing Russian roulette with both my life and your own. So if you are ever in doubt, just be safe and turn your headlights on!
Brenda Beeler
Elizabethtown

Excellence in service
About 3 p.m. on a Friday, from my kitchen window, I saw a billow of smoke rise above my neighbor’s roof. Suddenly the smoke doubled in size and darkened.
I knew it was out of control and dashed over to verify if I should call our firefighters. “Get back! Get Back! Get out of here!! They are on their way!” shouted four neighborhood men. Suddenly the smoke tripled in size and raced across the owner’s roofline to fill the sky. The fire blazed. More sirens shrilled. Already, the first fire crews were gaining control.
A neighbor kicked in the entry door. He was first on the scene. He yelled in to determine if others were in the house. In the burning house he heard the homeowners cherished dog barking. When asked if his foot was injured he answered, “No but my back sure hurts and the dog is OK.” Another neighbor took the dog to his home.
Radcliff Fire Rescue with assistance from the Vine Grove Volunteer Fire Department had rapidly taken control. Hardin County ambulances arrived. Water was gushing, emergency vehicle were honking, and the men and their equipment were functioning at top speed.
On this day after Thanksgiving, tears of gratitude welled in my eyes. I knew the response was professional, rapid and efficient.
A few of the many skilled responders who reluctantly shared their names with me are: neighborhood camera hobbiest Cecil Billings who was first on the scene; responsive and compassionate neighbors, Jamie Henderson volunteer chief; Larry Calvert, assistant chief; and Nate Shelby.
We are fortunate to have high powered and talented community workers and volunteers. Examples are fireman, police, nurses and ambulance personnel who undemonstratively serve each one of us. Lets all give them much more gratitude for being there for us every hour of every day.
Dee Bicek
Radcliff