Thanks to Buddy Martin, director of the Lawrence County Department of Human Services, county families who need help from a social worker will only have to walk down the hall.

Saturday, January 22, 2000

Thanks to Buddy Martin, director of the Lawrence County Department of Human Services, county families who need help from a social worker will only have to walk down the hall.

When he was figuring his budget for the coming year, Martin decided to ask the state for a little more money – $2 million to be exact – to fill a need he saw in the community. He and his staff felt that a social worker in a school would offer better access for children and families in crisis.

And with the coming changes brought about by the recent job losses in the area, he has showed not only foresight, but a true commitment to providing top quality services for his community.

Taking on such a project is not a minor undertaking. Staff must be found, guidelines set up and a program created. Martin has made more work for himself and for the men and women at the DHS.

But he has also let a lot of people know that there is someone out there listening and ready to help – and right now, that is the best gift he could give.

More of this sort of cooperation and hard work are exactly what this community needs.

If more agencies and local and state officials join hands to help their community, there is no telling where Ironton and Lawrence County will be when the true start of the new millennium dawns.

The community owes a big thank you to Martin and every other person who has already made a commitment to be part of Ironton’s rebirth. There is no way to do it without them.