In case you haven't read, a new Corbin Restaurant Association was formed this week, according to Jimmy Vance, who, does not own a restaurant, but his wife does. The article stated that any Corbin restaurant, located in the city limits, could join, for a $500 yearly membership.
It further stated that this will give the association a seat on the Tourism Committee, but it didn't say if one of the present members would have to come off the committee, or they would just add one.
Their purpose was to be able to sit down with city leaders and the police chief and help smooth out issues like the recent incidents at a few of our restaurants.
Strange, how Vance was the spokesman, but, he does not own a restaurant, according to himself. Wonder why his wife wasn't speaking for the association.
The did not mention any officers or other official information, just that it was formed. I'm sure elections or appointments will be forthcoming.
I think this is a very good thing, a very, very good thing. I wonder if the corporate or franchise restaurants will join, like Wendy's, McD's, etc. On my count, there's 34 restaurants in the city limits. That would give them $17k per year in dues, if they all joined. That's a lot of clout to have in the long run.
The article said the association would nominate 3 people to have one of them selected by the city commission to put on the tourism board. Wonder who the three could be??????????? Rick Curry is already on there I believe, but as a member at large, not the restaurant representative. Also, he is having health problems, and our prayers are with him and his family.
This could be interesting.
By the way, I'll list the names I had, so, fill in any I leave out. Oh, and I counted Applebee's. I've read where they're always good community partners.
1. Tuscanny 11. Root Beer Stand 21. Angel's & Wings 2. Buckners 12. Joy's 22. Pizza Hut 3. Eldorado's 13. Dixie 23. Pizza & Company 4. Omalley's 14. Hardee's 24. Little Caesars 5. Applebee's 15. Depot 25. Dominos 6. Waffle House 16. McD's trademart 26. Papa Johns 7. Arby's exit 25 17. Arbys trademart 27. Long John Silvers 8. Wendy's exit 25 18. Wendy's trademart 28. Dairy Queen 9. B King exit 25 19. Spoone's 29. Taco Tico 10. McD's exit 25 20. Mi Casa 30. Wa Weng
If these are in the city, add them too, 31. Sonic 32. King Buffet 33. Subway exit 25 34. Subway trademart (this one is in, I just forgot it).
If the hospital cafeteria joined, thats another one. I don't know about that one. If I'm wrong about all these being in the city limits, please correct me and post it here, but, I think they are. And, if I left any out, please add them in. That's more money they'll have to use.
If all of them averaged 12 employees, thats 384 employees in one industry, and if half of those live in the city limits, or 192 people, that could swing an election easily for any city commissioners or the mayor.
If their combined total food sales was 5million dollars, that would be $150k in the restaurant tax they would collect. Another big factor in their power.
Think about all the occupational taxes this one industry pays.
The property taxes collected from this group.
That is one powerful lobby they are creating for themselves here.
It was pleasing to see about the meeting held to bring about better communications among restaurant owners and the City of Corbin leaders.
It sounds to me there is a sincere effort being made for our restaurants to be more cooperative and proactive in meeting the rules and regulations which pertain to their license to sell alcohol. This is a positive step for our community. Good communications helps all relationships.
Your point is very cleverly embedded, nice job. Bottom line here is there no question this will be one powerful lobby. My advice to the city commission is to think through and have your standards clearly identified on what you will and will not allow.
Once this lobby is created and if it actually does involve all or even half of the last posters points then the city is going to have to contend with one powerful force!!
Good points really made in the last post, especially for the city commission & mayor.
The city better hope the medial professional offices doesn't form an association like this. Not the hospital, just the independent Doctors offices, and their employees.
Just the ones in the city limits would be huge.
And they could afford to really have the clout. If every office paid dues of say $2500 each, and then they could put someone on the economic development board too, and the chamber of commerce. I'd say there's 40 or 50 doctors offices in the city limits. That's doctors, dentists, orthodontists, dermatologists, audiologists, etc.
And think of all the employees they have. Each office has at least 10-15 employees,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and they all vote.
You talk about clout. Even commissioner Joe Shelton would be a member if his office joined.
Think of just the doctors you know,look in the phone book at their address's.
There was an article in tonites paper about this association. The persons filing the application was Rick Curry's wife, and the new owner of O'Malley's. The only other thing was they will get a seat on the tourism board, but only after the next seat on the present board expires. It was correct from another post that they will submit 3 names to the city commission for one of them to be chosen and appointed to the tourism board.
Don't worry any of the names submitted will work well on the Tourism Board. All the resturant owners will be team players like the rest of the Tourism Board. They all are looking out for the best interest of Corbin.
And, there was mention of starting a Hotel Association too. It said that association would be able to put one or two members of that association on the tourism board.
I like these ideas, as you'll have people that have a vested interest on this board.
Don't worry any of the names submitted will work well on the Tourism Board. All the resturant owners will be team players like the rest of the Tourism Board. They all are looking out for the best interest of Corbin.
There are some good people on the Tourism Commission. There are some who want to control everything and always get their way. I believe it will be good to have a Restaurant and Motel Association to have some diversity on the Tourism Board. The Chamber Board needs to get its act cleaned up. It is run by two people.
