Our local boards, WHO ARE THEY!!!

NIBROC FAN · Senior Member

Our local boards, WHO ARE THEY!!!

Date: Jan 30, 2007

Tourism Board is Don Estep, Steve McBurney, Missy Shelton, Sudir Patil, Rick Curry, Suzie Razmus, Wes Tipton. I may be missing one.

Date: Jan 30, 2007

NIBROC FAN wrote:

Just who is on our local boards, does anyone know for sure. If so, post them here.
- Chamber of Commerce.
- Toursim.
- Recreation
- Economic Development

and any others.

I don't know, except for the couple on the chamber that was listed in the paper.

And, surprisingly, I've asked several other folks, and they don't know either.

Corbin Chamber of Commerce Board

Marlon Sams - President
Christy Babb
Bill Hanson
Jeanne Hensley
Guy Jones
David Keck
Lynn Tipton

Corbin Industrial Commission

Becky Myers - Chairperson
Gerald Baker
Cheryl Ellis
David Huff
John Wolley
Ron Herd

Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission

Don Estep - President
Rick Curry
Steve McBurney
Sudir Patil
Suzie Razmus
Missy Shelton
Wes Tipton

Don't know of any recreation board or other boards. Please post if I missed anyone, incorrectly listed anyone, or misspelled any names.

NIBROC FAN · Senior Member

Thank you so much to the person that posted the board members. You are a true board supporter, this board.

Now, there's no excuse for us, or anyone else, to not know who to talk to for all the issues that have been mentioned on this board.

Another question,

What is the purpose and goal of the industrial board, and how does it figure in with all the stuff that has went on.

Again, thank you to the poster for the information.

Date: Jan 30, 2007

Here is a pop quiz! How many of these individuals Do Not Live in the City Limits of Corbin? How many of these folks are Lobbying, or advocating for more Taxes, or handling of City Taxes, when they themselves do not pay, or live in the City Limits themselves?

Date: Feb 1, 2007

Wow! What a GREAT Previous Post!!!!

OK Folks, Fess Up, where do you all Live and are you in the city Limits an Pay City Tax's-----Let's Go a step further, what are the Public Mailing address's and are they in the city??

Fess Up Folks, where do ya reside??? If your not in the City Limits and Pay City Tax's you should be Exposed and resign Immiediatley!!!!!

The Rest should be supported and encouraged and thanked for their service to the city!

Date: Feb 1, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Wow! What a GREAT Previous Post!!!!

OK Folks, Fess Up, where do you all Live and are you in the city Limits an Pay City Tax's-----Let's Go a step further, what are the Public Mailing address's and are they in the city??

Fess Up Folks, where do ya reside??? If your not in the City Limits and Pay City Tax's you should be Exposed and resign Immiediatley!!!!!

The Rest should be supported and encouraged and thanked for their service to the city!

While I agree that there are some board members who have motives other than to serve the community, the post above is somewhat naive and very wrong. These boards do not vote on taxes, although they do have a say on where some of the tax money is spent, such as the restaurant tax. There are some very solid people as well on these boards, and where they live shouldn't matter if they have proven themselves in the community. With that said, I think the key is getting the right kind of people on these boards. There are people who live in the city that I would not trust with with these decisions either, who also have self-serving agendas.

Also, if someone lives outside the city lines but invests several million dollars building a hotel or other business in the city limits, brings 40 or 50 jobs to the area, runs a reputable business which has benefited the community, and has proven themselves to be a team player, don't you think they at least should deserve consideration on the Chamber, Tourism or Industrial Boards? I would rather have them serving than some of the non-community oriented city residents that take up a few of these board positions currently.

It should really be based on the individual, what they have to offer as far as expertise or experience, what they offer to the position and community, who will do the best job helping the people and the city, not necessarily where their house rests.

Just another opinion.

Date: Feb 2, 2007

Then based on your opinion, we could bring anybody from any town or community in to handle the buisness of the city and the taxes city residents are paying. If you are looking for some good folk's, then why not recruit from Knoxville or lexington, or you can maybe ask the folks in williamsburg or london to serve and handle the City's buisness as well???? You just said it doesnt matter where their house rest? Well It should. There are alot of individuals that live in the City limits that have good buisness skills that could oversee handling of these TAXES as well. You think just because somebody has a little more property or assets than someone else and DOES NOT LIVE IN THE CITY, that qualifies them. Not So! The City Commission should step in and ask those that are currently serving, and do not reside in the city, to Resign immediately from these Boards. This is outrageous to think anybody that does not live in the City can come in, be appointed, and handle the City's Tax money, when they themselves do not pay city taxes or reside in the city. Sounds like SLICK political moves on WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE just based on what you have given to us in this post! SHAME ON YOU!!!!!

Date: Feb 2, 2007

I am ashamed that you have told one of the persons who posts messages that he or she should be ashamed. While I share some of your concerns, on the otherhand I am not ashamed of what that person said but I am ashamed of the way you told that person they should be ashamed. Let's just give our honest opinions and not be ashamed of each other. I hope you are not ashamed of me, too.

Date: Feb 2, 2007

Do you know how had it is to get someone to be on a board? People aren't knocking down the door to be on any of the above groups... If only people that lived in the city could be on those boards -- there wouldn't be any. Most on the boards have an invested intrest in our community and that is why they are on there.

Date: Feb 2, 2007

Folks

Corbin People are paying City Tax's DAILY out of their paychecks to support the city, Outside entities who do not live in the city but are fine people still should not be able to serve. Not sure what the laws read but the city absolutley supports all of these Boards with City Tax Payer Money in form or another including City property to meet an that is supported by Tax payer Money also!

It's an Outrage for folks who have never ever paid a CENT of City Tax's to have any influence on or with Tax Payer Money, the Rest Tax is a Good Example but there are many others, don't know the Legal Implications but maybe this possibly Violates State Laws which Governs cities???? Maybe David O Smith could weigh in here with an Opinion, maybe the Attorney General's Office can offer some Guidence.

Regardless of how hard it may or may not be to get people on these Boards you could easily put anyone from anywhere on any Board if you follow one of the Posters Thoughts? Let's go after Top Folks in Jefferson county or Fayette County where the Major universities are??

We all very well know to keep this clean City Residents should only be involved if city Tax Money is being Involved, if there is no Tax Money of any kind being provided then it it perfectly Fine but we all know that is not the Case.

Where people Live are Personal Choices and should be respected but again this is a Choice and if your NOT putting your part of the Tax's in to the City you should not have a Voice where everyone Else's Money is being spent!!!

I think there are some Legal Issues here and Possible Laws Violated!!!!

There are Lot's of Folks Invested in Many Communties but there are Standars and Rules that Must be Strictly Applied when Tax's are Either Levied, Proposed and Or Spent, this must Kept Clean and Within the City. Again, we will see but some Laws I'll bet are being Violated----------------State Codes for City Tax's on who and How this Money can be handled & dispersed.

Date: Feb 2, 2007

There are 5 from those lists that do not live in the city limits. The rest I'm not sure where they live. I know a few that do live in the city, as I know where they live, and they have lived there for along time.

One lives in london I believe.

Date: Feb 2, 2007

Are you sure about that? I can name 3 on just the Tourism commission that don't live in the city. Better count em again. You may need a phone directory thats updated! Industrial commission-Look close,lookem up in the latest phone directory. Chamber? look again!

Date: Feb 2, 2007

I'm just talking about those I know for sure of. If there's more, I don't know where they live.
A few I know for a fact live in the city.

I can relate to what was said about not living in the city, but having a business in the city, and an investment involved.

The reason I think it's hard to get people on these boards, is because of the silliness of stuff like went on with the reporter being sent to the waiting area with no bathroom.

I really wish the papers would keep up on this issue.

Date: Feb 3, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Then based on your opinion, we could bring anybody from any town or community in to handle the buisness of the city and the taxes city residents are paying. If you are looking for some good folk's, then why not recruit from Knoxville or lexington, or you can maybe ask the folks in williamsburg or london to serve and handle the City's buisness as well???? You just said it doesnt matter where their house rest? Well It should. There are alot of individuals that live in the City limits that have good buisness skills that could oversee handling of these TAXES as well. You think just because somebody has a little more property or assets than someone else and DOES NOT LIVE IN THE CITY, that qualifies them. Not So! The City Commission should step in and ask those that are currently serving, and do not reside in the city, to Resign immediately from these Boards. This is outrageous to think anybody that does not live in the City can come in, be appointed, and handle the City's Tax money, when they themselves do not pay city taxes or reside in the city. Sounds like SLICK political moves on WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE just based on what you have given to us in this post! SHAME ON YOU!!!!!

You need to relax and take a pill. The poster, if you actually read the post, said nothing about property or assets, it is about what a potential board member brings to the table regarding business experience and expertise, community involvement, and who will to the best job for the people and businesses, period.

There are businesses who are outside of the city who are Chamber of Commerce Members - should we not except their memberships also? Regarding the restaurant tax, everyone that spends money at Corbin restaurants pays the tax, whether they live in the city or not. Also, your Knoxville or Lexington comment is just plain silly, comparing that to someone who lives a quarter mile from the city limit.

These people are not running for Mayor or commissioner, where the laws you speak of apply.

Date: Feb 3, 2007

Evidently you need to go back to School to learn how to read! The poster quite clearly stated about building hotels or other buisness in the city limits. Is this not Property or assets? You may have already taken a PILL tonight when you responded. This sounds like the old POLITICAL BOSSES who have been running whitley Co. for years? Again if you read clearly,do you think just because you have a buisnes or want to spend millions on a Hotel in the city qualifies you to be on A board?

Date: Feb 3, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Evidently you need to go back to School to learn how to read! The poster quite clearly stated about building hotels or other buisness in the city limits. Is this not Property or assets? You may have already taken a PILL tonight when you responded. This sounds like the old POLITICAL BOSSES who have been running whitley Co. for years? Again if you read clearly,do you think just because you have a buisnes or want to spend millions on a Hotel in the city qualifies you to be on A board?

I'll chime in here also - you are missing the previous poster's point. They are not saying it is about someone's property or assets, it is what they DO with these assets and their contribution to the betterment of Corbin, ie. jobs, tax revenue, etc. I agree, you are getting worked up over where they live when you should be more concerned with what their contributions are towards the betterment of Corbin.

Date: Feb 3, 2007

To me, it is a very shady situation when you have Boards that are comprised of individuals who do not reside in the City Limits themselves, or have ever paid city Taxes, and are in compacities to lobby for more taxes on City residents or advocate for more, and even handle City Tax money??? Some say one of the Board members on the Tourism Commission lives in London? Is this true? Is this fair to the Tax paying citizens of Corbin to have individuals telling them how there Tax dollars be handled or even lobby for more Taxes when they themselves have NEVER paid City taxes, and beat it all, don't even live in the City themselves. Sounds like Double Jeopardy being played here!

Date: Feb 3, 2007

Please correct this if it's incorrect, but the Curry on the Tourism board lives in london, or he did live there. I think he is the one people are upset about, as he replaced Mrs. Comer on the tourism board, and she didn' t know she was getting replaced. If you see Don Estep any time soon in town, ask him. I don't see him that often anymore.

Curry owns the Depot restaurant in corbin. He could be the subject of a previous poster using the issue of investing money on a business in the city limits, and having a true financial interest as to the city policies and such with regard to tourism as he does benefit from tourism through his restaurant. He also is rumored to have hired the previous manager of Tuscany Gardens, to run a new restaurant he is building in London (which has sunday alcohol sales by the way). It's a shame he couldn't have built another one here. Corbin's tax base sure could use another three quarters of a million or better business, along with the jobs that went with it.

We could sure use more viable business than adding another 10 HUD rentals to the landscape, or a few more consignment clothing stores.

We need to discuss in more detail the issue of board members being required to live in the city.

Maybe the answer is,,,,,,,,,,,,,,annexation, lets bring where they live into the city. That's another hot topic there, isn't it.

Date: Feb 3, 2007

My Goodness People, Think for just a Second!!!!!!

Thes Folks who serve on these boards are great Folks, there are Lot's of Great Investors in the City from Many many different areas of the State & Nation!!!! BUT BUT--------------They pay NO City Tax's!!!! This is all Cleaner from the Standpoint that you do not have folks lobbying and or spending any type of Corbin City Residents Money anywhere.

This is a Conflict Of Interest as Old as Time itself where other folks think they need to determine where City Tax Payer dollars can be best applied and what is best for the City. Wonder if all these Out Of The City Folks have signed petions to bring their homes into the City???

During the last Election I believe Mr. Terrell brought up the Fact of Breaking up Political Boses, Collusion amoung the Rich & Powerfull?? Maybe this is part of that Collusion that he was reffering to, not sure.

If these folks want to serve then they should already have pushed the Annexation Button or moved into the City, did a Little Research Myself here:

At Least three off the Chamber Of Commerce--NOT IN THE CITY, PAYS NO CITY TAX'S
At Least three Off the Industrial Commission---NOT IN THE CITY, PAYS NO CITY TAX"S

Same thing for the Tourism Board that will Handle anywhere from $500,000 - $1 Million Dolars of City Funds, Three do not Live in the City and have not PAId a Penny of City Tax's in the last Year!!!!!!!

9 Folks Serving who have not paid ONE single Penny in City Tax's last year!!!!!!!!! These Folks names should be printed in the Local Newspapers.

Time to do the Honorable thing folks, either Resign, move into the city and be a part or get exposed in the Media!

Date: Feb 3, 2007

You mention $500,000 to $1 million in restaurant tax, but these people DO pay equally into this tax - the restaurant tax is not payed exclusively by Corbin residents, it is paid by everyone. Secondly, I do believe that business owners in Corbin do pay significant business taxes whether they live in the city or not, don't they?

Should we exclude them from sending their kids to Corbin Schools, participating on sports teams, using our streets, spending money at our grocery and other retail stores, attending our churches, paying to join our Chamber, etc?

You have just as much chance, possibly even more of a chance, of having personal agendas with a city resident than with someone who lives 2 blocks outside "The Line".

Think about it. On street repair, sewage work, park upgrades, sidewalks, Cable system upgrades, etc., who would really have more of an objective attitude? Someone who could get their own street repaved or sidewalk resurfaced, or someone who has nothing to gain making an unbiased decision based on what the real needs are?

I can understand where your emotions are on this topic, but I still believe that picking the right individuals with the right teamwork attitudes is the key, because you can get bad apples in the city or outside of the city. There are also worthy, caring people who live both in and outside the city as well.

Date: Feb 3, 2007

You raise some points I hadn't really thought about. It is a complex topic, but I agree with you, it's the quality and motive of the person, and what they bring to the community table, not really where their house rests.

Date: Feb 3, 2007

Nice Try in the Art of Verbal Deception----I'll address each of your Points and Expose your Clever attempt to Fool most Folks.

You say people pay Equally into the Rest Tax, Correct. Unfortunatley your attempt to use this point is a Deception, the City Of Corbin still Own's this Money and is Ultimatley Responsible for any Mis Management (If that Happens) and also under State Law will be held Responsible for ANY wrongdoing, now who do you think the City Of Corbin is?

Let me help you, the Tax Payers of the City Of Corbin are the eventual one's who must make good on any problem, not folks in Fox Run, London, Laurel County, Woodbine but the City Residents. Now, Even though these folks own a Business (Just like many other people) they do not PAY CITY TAX"S and therefore are actually not responsible for any Money Related and or Taxing Issues withing the City.

Now on your School Question, as you very well know the City has Reciprocal Agreements with most all around Except for Laurel County, so the City has not excluded anybody and will welcome anyone if Ricprocal agreements are in place, which most are. This has absolutley nothing what so Ever to do with the Question of Serving on Local Boards that may have Influence and or some kind of Hand in spending Local Citizens Tax Dollars, get backto the Subject at Hand.

Sure lot's of Folks have Agendas but it is a Cleaner Issue and a City Issue not an Issue for an Outsider(s) to enter into, you ask about Cable, Street Repair and other Upgrades. I'm sure someone outside the City in Outside areas will have my best Interest at Heart and will make a Better Decision than someone who lives on the street that needs repairs or that lives in the City period??? I got swamp Land in Florida I need to sell also, you should crawl under a Rock for that remark.

There is No emotion here at all, it all Boils down to City Tax's should applied by the Folks within the City, Appreciate all of the Best Interest Speeches but go help London or Williamsburg residents spend there Money, let Corbin decide how and where to spend their Tax Dollars. Anyone with Good Intentions are certainly Welcome but when Tax Money is Involved that should not have a Voice.

If I am Paying City Tax's and your Not you should not have a Voice on where or How my Hard Earned Dollars are spent, get Lost!

Date: Feb 3, 2007

I think one of the posters is refering to Board members who actually handle the Tax money ,Lobbying for, or advocating for more taxes, when they themselves do not pay city Taxes or live in the City limits themselves. The Poster in my opinion is not talking about who all pays taxes when they go buy food. This I believe should be a concern to the Tax Paying Citizens of Corbin. This makes the process of handling the tax payer money much cleaner when you have folks who serve on these important decision making boards that live in the City themselves and are paying City taxes. Seems to me, the ones that do not, always try to justify their positions by throwing up how much property they own in the city. These Boards should consist of City residents, and should come under the same Residency standards as those who run for office in the City. This is only fair to people of the City who are Paying City Taxes. I do believe all of these folks who are on these Boards,and do not Reside in the city are good people and have good buisness skills. However, there are standards that should be set on the requirements of those who serve on these boards, because of the impact and influence they can have on the Handling of, or lobbying for, or advocating of City Tax payer money. There are alot of good Buisness folks who reside in Corbin City limits that would be great assets, that have never been approached?

Date: Feb 3, 2007

You're right on the money about other business leaders never being asked to serve on these boards. I know several. And they have Corbin's interests at heart.

Date: Feb 3, 2007

So many good people here Involved, I think most all appreciate Service to the city. There has to be some standards here applied to Protect the City, it's residents, Those who may want to Serve and above all the City Tax Payers. Sadly most people do not know the details of who is on these boards, where they live, who pays what.

Thanks to Bob Jr for creating this Web-Site, it is a Fantastic Vehicle of Information on what is going on, the more people know the better decisions they can make so nice job on the creation and freedom to speak on this site.

Now----Just a few Facts about City Tax's and some of the Longer Range implications to those who make decisions with other people's money. Every Corbin Resident Pays Tax's on the Value of their Home based on PVA figures, this has always been one of the Largest City Budget Funding Streams we have, it's the same everywhere. The City Residents also Pay these same type of Tax's on their Cars, Cable, Phone, 911 Service, all money each Resident that Owns a Home in the City is Subject to and the City Collects.

This Money is used to Support Infrastructure such as Fire, Police, Sanitation, Road & Bridge work etc. Now with all that said this Money Flows in and creates a City Budget along with other Funding, when we have these different Boards they most Likley will deal with the Funding and or Possibly Management of some City Funds, in most instances things go well, in the Event they do not go well is where the Problem could be and the City Tax payer left Holding the Bag and not John Q. Public fron Subdivision X right outside the city.

Again if you live outside the City in say laurel county but very close, knox county but still very close does not help the city from a Property standpoint, the outside residents Tax Money on their Personal Property which is Significant is going to Knox County Fiscal Court to Support B'Ville & Knox County Infrastructure, the same For Folks in Whitley and Laurel, their Money is going to W'burg, London area's. As you direct your Opinions as Board members (And most are well Intentioned) your Tax Money is going to other Cities and Counties while your trying to direct the City Of Corbin Tax's.

This also has other Implications as it makes it easir to Participate in Corbin affairs but yet keep the City from Collecting needed Tax Money from the outer areas, it also makes it harder for us to Annex which has always been a Challenge, help us expand the City, bring Your Personal Property and assets in some how some way or just Plain move in, but ya can not come to the table to Play with other people's Money while yours goes to support other Cities.

NIBROC FAN · Senior Member

Your comments are valid.

The last one, concerning annexation, is the key. If they live outside the limits, why should they come in? What do we have to offer. We have to have something to offer them to make them want to come in. That's been discussed in other posts, but, keep in mind what these folks are thinking. Outsiders makeing decisions with their money. Intentions not withstanding, character of the board members not withstanding, non city residents handling and deciding the various ways to spend their, the inside residents, money. The city residents don't care where they work, what business they own, anything. If corbin is good enough to work in, have their business in, make their money in, they why isn't it good enough to live in. I agree with them on that. Problem is, lack of developable property for them to live on. Try finding a 1 acre lot in town, that doesn't have to be dramatically excavated, to build on.

We have residency issues with running for mayor or commissioner. They, city residents, want the same for city boards. There are in city business folks that don't agree of course. They make valid arguments for the board members residency.