Not much crime, but college security officer stays busy

Russians to experience small town America in Maysville

News-Enterprise
September 8, 2003

Not much crime, but college security officer stays busy

During a torrential rainfall last week, Elizabethtown Community College and Elizabethtown Technical College Security Officer Mike Burns didn't hesitate to help jump start a student's car.

And minutes before that, he had given several students, who forgot their umbrellas, sheltered rides in his security golf cart.

Burns, 47, a security officer at both campuses since April 2001, does more than write parking tickets.

"That's only half of it," Burns said. "We are here to help the students and faculty, as well."

Retired from the Air Force and a native of Hardin County, Burns said he enjoys his job as a visible representative of both colleges and likes the opportunity to help students and staff.

"This is the best job I've ever had," he said. "There is nothing the same with this job. I am constantly moving. Every day is a different experience."

Burns is the brother of fallen Radcliff police officer William R. "Billy Bob" Burns, a Radcliff police officer who died in the line of duty in 1985.

Crime is not a problem on either campus, Burns said. But he said he still deters crime by staying visible.

Most of the crimes involve husband and wife scuffles and self-inflicted thefts, like leaving a wallet or purse in a bathroom, he said.

"Most students are well-mannered," Burns said. "These people are paying for their education and want to learn."

Burns is very helpful to students and faculty, ECC and ETC spokeswoman Mary Jo King said. She saw him give rides to students during last week's rainstorm.

"That's just the kind of thing he does," King said. "He's everybody's best friend."

Burns attends classes at ECC when he's not on the job. After completing a degree, Burns hopes to teach elemen-tary school before he retires.

But he doesn't plan to retire anytime soon. He likes his current job just fine, he said.

"You're not going to get rich here, but it's a very enjoyable job," he said.

Ledger Independent
August 26, 2003

Russians to experience small town America in Maysville

A group of eight Russians interested in education will come to Maysville in October to experience small town America.

The trip is part of the Open World Program sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress. The program is the only one of its kind sponsored by the legislative branch of government.

In Maysville the group is being sponsored by the Association of American University Women.

"The focus of this group is education," Maysville Community College President Augusta Julian said. "Kentucky is a model state in some ways for assessment and has received national recognition for it," Julian, who is also an AAUW member said.

Retired Kentucky State Police Trooper and AAUW member Kathryn Felice is heading up the visit.

Felice said she is interested in other cultures and is especially interested in Russia due to the recent political changes within the country.

"I really want to hear from some real people about how it is now and how it was before," Felice said.

She said the trip will also be a learning experience for the people of Maysville and a chance for the Russian visitors to see what small town America is like.

"They're seeing real America when they come here. It's a wonderful experience for them and for us," Felice said.

The program began in 1999 and has brought almost 7,000 Russians to the United States. More than half the program's participants are involved in federal, state or local government. Nearly 1,000 communities within the U.S. have hosted the groups.

This year more than 1,600 political leaders from across the Russian Federation will come to America through the program.

Participants are not limited to government officials, however, and Russians from academia, media and business have taken part in the program.

The group will arrive from Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Oct. 12. Plans are tentative since they have yet to be approved by the Open World Council.

On Monday organizers hope to hold a public forum at Maysville Community College to introduce the visitors to the community.

"It will be an opportunity for people in the community interested in hearing about Russia," Julian said.

Each day has a theme such as government, points of interest, education, entertainment and industry.

The group will try to expose the Russian visitors to as many different things as possible during the week they are here, including a taste of the many different kinds of music.

Felice said she hopes to give an abbreviated tour of several area churches to show the group the many different religions practiced by Americans.

"I want them to see what freedom of religion does," Felice said.

The college will likely offer a couple of nights of intense courses in rudimentary Russian for people in the area interested in learning a few phrases of the language.