81°F12:28 AM Louisville Councilman David James helps kids obtain free eyeglasses [Opinion: The Arena]
Louisville Metro Councilman David James (Dem., 6th Dist.) announced today that he is leading an effort to have children at Cochran Elementary fitted for eye glasses. “It is important that everyone support learning in our classrooms and sometimes that learning is hampered if children are visually impaired,” says James. “When I became aware some students at Cochran were in need of glasses but could not afford them, that’s when I began to find ways to help.”
James contacted Kosair Charities, along with Visually Impaired PreSchool Services (VIPS), the Louisville Downtown Lions Club, and Dr. Mark Lynn, O.D., owner of Dr. Bizer's Vision World.
Sharon Bensinger, President Louisville Downtown Lions Club, was quick to respond: "Our mission is ‘We Serve,’ and who better than the children in our community. The Louisville Downtown Lions Club is happy to be able to give these children the glasses they need."
Initial screening of Cochran students was done last week, and 43 students—ranging in age from 7 to 11 in second through fifth grade—were found eligible to be in this program.
On Wednesday, January 18th, those students will take a field trip to Dr. Bizer’s Vision World at 1001 Breckinridge Lane to be fitted for new glasses provided by the Lions Club. Councilman James will cover the cost of transportation from Cochran Elementary to Dr. Bizer’s, from his discretionary funds. Dr. Lynn will fund the cost of prescriptions for the children and the Louisville Downtown Lions Club will pay for the glasses.
“I want to thank all of the people and organizations that have partnered with me in this effort,” says James. “This is an important investment in the future of our children.”
For more information, contact Councilman James’ Office at 574-1106
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David James
Louisville is fortunate to have a leader who cares about our children and their future.
The quality of a child's tomorrow depends largely on the quality of health, medical treatment and support a child receives today. Many children whose parents may have lost their jobs, need help and assitance more than ever before to succeed in life.
David James was a Kosair Kid.
He used money from his
He used money from his discretionary funds?
Uh, they come from taxes don't they?
So let me get this straight. You praise the use of tax money when you know exactly where it goes. But you condemn the use of tax money when you don't know exactly where it goes. So what's the difference? Apparently, it's whether or not you know exactly where the money is going.
Hmmm.
Your tax money at work...
Reader Capra is correct in stating that Councilman James used taxpayer funds to help pay for the transportation of the children to get fitted for their new eyeglasses. The import of our article, of course, was that the Councilman was able to enlist the aid of Kosair, Dr. Bizer's, the Lions Club, and Dr. Mark Lynn, to satisfy a community need at a minimum of taxpayer expense. Compare this to our critical article last week, in which we took Mayor Fischer to task for squandering $78 thousand on a "Director of Sustainability;" a position the City of Louisville has stumbled along safely for over 200 years without.
I hope I did not imply that
I hope I did not imply that any and all government spending is wise. I certainly did not mean to imply that. What I DID mean imply was that we seem to agree that some use of tax dollars to benefit some individuals under some circumstances is proper.
I think that is the thrust of the Progressive argument; namely that under proper circumstances, there is a public benefit to be had from spending public money to assist individuals. How different this is from the attitude that no public money should EVER be spend to benefit anyone.
Quite frankly, I'm delighted that you would support Councilman James in this endeavor.
Common ground...
Mr. Capra is our favorite critic; one who holds us to a high level of accountability. It is refreshing--albeit unusual--that we can occasionally find a common ground upon which we can agree. Most taxpayers don't mind seeing their money spent to educate children. This sometimes means more than schools, books, and teacher salaries. Just as transportation and nutrition are valid needs, so, too, is a child's ability to see as far as the blackboard. Councilman James may be a liberal, but he has earned a lot of support from conservatives also.