I will let this be the last words I will use to justify my disappointment in the tone of the last article by Eddie Campbell, but I anticipated his response to my letter last week as I am aware of his history in Perry County. He retired as a teacher and then tried to un-retire but was refused; he filed for office, the unfiled then filed again simply because he would have to pay for the diatribe he writes in the paper, and I was told this by him so facts are facts.

My mother taught me long ago that we should be judged by God and our fellow man by how we fill our space such as giving of our time without a return expected. Don’t tell people what you’ve done or accomplished in life because if it was important, people would already know!

I have served on many boards or committees since I came to Hazard in 1976, and hope the quality of life here has been the better for it. My greatest treasure is my four grandsons that fill my heart with joy. A joy, too, is knowing that each has attended the Hazard Lions Montessori School that will help them throughout life. That school will help many children in our county who have attended.

Myself and four others Lions started this several years ago with only seven kids, and it has grown to almost 200 yearly. The school has grown from quality teachers and first class educational opportunities and even was a model for Gov. Patton’s education initiative. Our city and county schools have clearly benefitted by the better prepared students that enter our programs.

I feel like one should be a builder for the quality of life in our county and choose to serve where asked rather than scream and yell for attention and tear down what is an effort to make better. That is why I try to follow our Lions motto to serve with vision. Let this be my last word, for I love Hazard and Perry County and that is why I stayed when my company closed and left our town.

Lee Hillman

Hazard, Ky.