Mark White
On pension reform, don’t freak over the first proposals
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.
In 2014, the Green Bay Packers started off the season losing two out of their first three games. The fans were starting to panic.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers famously had a simple answer for the panicking fans, “R-E-L-A-X. We’re going to be OK.”
The packers went on to win 11 out of their next 13 games.
Monday afternoon, PFM Group, a consulting firm, presented its report to the Kentucky Public Pension Oversight Board noting that Kentucky’s public pension system is underfunded by $37 billion to $85 billion.
PFM Group made a number of recommendations, such as eliminating cost of living increases given to state retirees between 1996 – 2012, which could roll back the benefits for retirees by as much as 25 percent or more.
Whitley Co., W’burg planning 200th anniversary celebration in 2018
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal. Whitley County is planning a party in 2018. It’s going to be a big, year-long party as the county celebrates the 200th anniversary of its founding. Williamsburg is also planning a big bicentennial celebration that will center around a month-long [...]
Thinking about drinking and driving? Consider Adam Childress fate first
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal. If you are going to drink alcohol and get behind the wheel then please consider the following for a moment before you do. In 2001, Lester Cook had been drinking when he got behind the wheel of his 1984 Corvette, [...]
Both Gilbert and Brittain will be greatly missed
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal. Whitley County lost a couple of very good men last week with the death of former Whitley County Judge-Executive Leroy Gilbert and assistant Whitley County Attorney Gary Brittain. I met both men early during my journalism career. My second job [...]
Some things I would like to see in 2017
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.
With 2016 squarely in our rearview mirror, I thought now might be a good time to reflect on some things that may be taking place in 2017 and what kind of an impact they could have locally.
Kmart closings a sad thing for Corbin, London
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal. As a kid, I can remember my mom dragging me to the Corbin Kmart when it first opened in October 1978. At the time, it was kind of a big deal. Wal-Mart didn't exist in these parts at the time. [...]
Some headlines from 2016 that I forgot
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal. Ever wonder why newspapers, television stations, magazines and other forums run end of the year reviews and top 10 lists around New Year's Eve and New Year's Day each year? There are actually a few different reasons. One BIG reason [...]
All the local candidates deserve respect
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal. Why are you running for office? "Boy, that's a good question. I'll have to think about that one," is a response that I have gotten back on multiple occasions over the years interviewing candidates. At that point, I am usually [...]
There is lots to do this weekend in Williamsburg
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal. Looking for something to do this weekend? Well, you have a couple of good options Saturday right here in Williamsburg. The Whitley County Historical & Genealogical Society will be holding its annual Heritage Day from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. [...]
I like the city’s new approach to booking talent at The Arena
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.
In the classic 1989 movie “Field of Dreams”, Kevin Costner’s character, Ray, is working in his cornfield when he hears a voice in his head that tells him, “If you build it, he will come.”
Jones was a hero, who never sought the spotlight
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.
In 2007, Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison had a problem.
His police chief, who two months earlier had been suspended after a failed drug test, resigned after another drug test came back with a diluted sample.
A year earlier, another officer resigned prior to a termination hearing after being involved in an on-duty crash where he struck another driver. A toxicology test showed cocaine and Oxycodone in his system at the time of the crash.
Harrison needed someone to take over as police chief, who could restore trust and confidence in the department. He needed someone, whose reputation and character were above reproach.
Arena is a good spot for Corbin fireworks
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.
This year I did something a little different to celebrate Independence Day.
For the first time in about a decade, instead of heading to Williamsburg to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July, I instead went to Corbin’s Independence Day party on July 3 at The Arena.
Stacked Corbin payroll tax is unfair to little guys
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.
Let’s put Corbin’s recent decision to stack an additional 1 percent payroll tax onto its residents in the Knox County side of town, but not onto the net profits of businesses there into some perspective.
Needle exchange is a necessary evil
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal. Is the Whitley County Health Department’s proposed needle exchange a good thing or a bad thing? There were some mixed opinions offered up during a Whitley County UNITE Coalition meeting Monday afternoon to discuss the issue. Personally, I think that [...]
Hard budget choices on the horizon
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.
As those of you, who have read our front page this week know already, Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison is headed back to the drawing board in his effort to place a measure on the ballot that would allow for packaged alcohol sales in stores and by the drink sales at smaller restaurants.
The measure is identical to what Corbin has had for several years and what Barbourville and London voters recently approved.
Caucus was a learning experience
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.
By the time the polls opened at 10 a.m. Saturday for the Republican Presidential Caucus at Whitley County High School, there were at least 100 people already in line waiting to cast their ballots.
Mind you, there was no unanimous consensus on whom those in attendance planned to vote for, or whether Kentucky should continue with a Presidential Caucus instead of a Presidential Primary in the future.
However, there was one thing nearly everyone I spoke to at the caucus Saturday was in agreement about. They liked the idea of voting for their party’s presidential candidate earlier in the process while they could still have an impact on who the nominee would be.
Let school districts lengthen days to accommodate tourism
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.
Should Kentucky pass a law that bans school districts from starting classes in early August?
This is currently a question that the Kentucky General Assembly is pondering after Sen. Chris Girdler, R-Somerset, introduced Senate Bill 50, which would prohibit schools from opening any sooner than the Monday closest to Aug. 26.
Handicapping the 82nd District State Rep. race
Mark White is Editor of The News Journal. With the battle lines drawn for the upcoming May Primary election, I thought now might be a good time to break down the only local race on the ballot, which pits incumbent 82nd Rep. Regina Bunch against challenger Alex Patrick. [...]
Answering your questions about Kentucky’s upcoming caucus
Did you know we are having a presidential caucus in March? What is a presidential caucus? For some odd reason, I got these questions multiple times from multiple people Thursday. Mark White is Editor of The News Journal. So, for those that don't know, there is a presidential [...]
