Larry Goodwin and the whole NIBROC Park concert was great, but the surprise was Natalie Smith. She has a great voice, and I could have listened to her another hour or so. Glad to see she is playing the other Main Street concert events. Weather was perfect, the food vendor was good, and got to see some friends I haven't seen in ages. Agreat idea, and we will definately attend the upcoming events.
The Tourism chairman was not there. The Mayor was there. It was a wonderful event and the attendance was excellent. Congratulations to the Downtown Committees who can get things done in spite of the Tourism Chairman.
Two of our close friends were there, and said it was wonderful. The weather was fantastic, even a little chilly, which was nice, and a great crowd, they said at least 50 or 60.
To get that many people out on a friday night in corbin to sit and watch a movie outside, says a lot about how people will support this program and it's manager.
The tourism people should get on board, or get off the board. Put some people on that actually care about and are willing to participate in these type programs.
According to an actual head count there were around 90 people, and considering it was postponed from the night before and not promoted as a Friday night event, the turnout was great.
Regarding Tourism's lack of participation, board member Suzie Razmus and her family were out of town last night but she has attended most of the events and has been a very strong supporter of the Main Street program, as has Steve McBurney.
In addition to the wonderful movie last night, we were elated to hear McKenzie Morgan, 10 years old, and hear her beautiful voice. She is from Corbin and has already performed in Nashville, Branson, and Renfro Valley. She would be a great performer at NIBROC or any other events in this area. She has such great stage presence for her age. We will hear a lot more about her in the future.
I don't think anyone expects the entire board or city commission members to show up at every one of the events, things come up with family and other issues. The support is shown by the number of citizens that show up.
I think it's the comments made by a couple of the tourism board members, estep and tipton, that has people upset. I'm talking about the train decorations here now, and the comments in the papers. With this, the thursday night events, being a totally new thing for corbin, a breath of fresh air if you will, we expect to see at least some of them, committee members, some of the time. Even if it is just a token appearance.
Mrs. Razmus is a staunch supporter of this program, as is many of the others. But Estep's attitude toward this program, as it is seen in the local papers (including his own) is almost contemptable. When the only thing we hear from the board is what is printed in the papers (again, both of them), and it is negative with no explanation, then that's how we perceive those people on the boards. Estep and Tipton gave plenty of criticism and negative comments, but offered nothing in return, suggestions or otherwise. To sit back as the do, and promote nothing, shows a lack of support.
To go along with their comments regarding the Downtown issues, both papers only reported the approved items for the meetings, which mentioned some kind of banners, and buying more printed brochures for distribution. The meeting must have lasted only 10 minutes or so according to what we read.
If they want support from us, and the ceasing of negative comments from community, and from this web site, then their discussions need to be published.
One comment made often by Estep, and some from this site, is one that tries to get folks out to come to the meetings. Well, again, that is another problem. Most work and family schedules don't allow us to attend, espeicially when they're at 5 or 6pm. They, the committees, should meet later in the evenings, or even on saturday, when we can come.
That said, they may do their meetings at those times so most of us WON'T or CAN'T come. That is a thought. Can you imagine their shock if 20 or 30 regular citizens showed up at their meetings.
Thusday night's concert was excellent and the attendance is growing each week.
There are some very talented people in our area. These are people who could do a great job at NIBROC. Thanks to all the people who work on our Downtown program including the Concerts and Movies.
