The next tourism meeting: what will happen!

Date: Oct 9, 2007

RE: The next tourism meeting: what will happen!

Date: Oct 9, 2007

They should have mentioned it at the last meeting and changed the date before the regular meeting. The point is a lot of people are planning on attending and the day of the meeting they report no meeting.

They need to be more resposible in reporting when unable to attend.

Date: Oct 9, 2007

Requests were made by board members over the past several weeks to move the meeting to next week due to fall break scheduling conflicts - just as they do during nibroc - but the request was not honored by the chairperson.

Most people knew there would be no meeting. That is why the News Journal didn't have their reporter here.

Date: Oct 9, 2007

So that means no quorum for a meeting. And Bruce Carpenter is on vacation, so Don was lost without him. Tipton votes for whatever Don and Bruce wants, so there was one of his votes, but Patil seems to stay very neutral, like he should. Curry is gone too, his restaurant is closed for two weeks.

So, no meeting officially happened.

Date: Oct 9, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
Requests were made by board members over the past several weeks to move the meeting to next week due to fall break scheduling conflicts - just as they do during nibroc - but the request was not honored by the chairperson.

Most people knew there would be no meeting. That is why the News Journal didn't have their reporter here.

Yeah can you imagine if they had tried to move it last week. Well, it would have been turned on Don that he was putting it off. Come on get real. Look at the entire picture. If Rick Curry had been healthy and able to come, I wonder what would have happened. They would have enough to vote???????????????????????????????????

Date: Oct 9, 2007

I understand why Suzie and Missy are gone but what about Steve. That would have been 5.

Date: Oct 9, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Requests were made by board members over the past several weeks to move the meeting to next week due to fall break scheduling conflicts - just as they do during nibroc - but the request was not honored by the chairperson.

Most people knew there would be no meeting. That is why the News Journal didn't have their reporter here.

Yeah can you imagine if they had tried to move it last week. Well, it would have been turned on Don that he was putting it off. Come on get real. Look at the entire picture. If Rick Curry had been healthy and able to come, I wonder what would have happened. They would have enough to vote???????????????????????????????????

Rick Curry is in Mexico on vacation and Steve McBurney is in New York, both planned for weeks.

Date: Oct 9, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

I understand why Suzie and Missy are gone but what about Steve. That would have been 5.

If you understand then please tell me why? I heard that the first one you mentioned was at the commissioner meeting at 5:00 but either could not or did not want to make it to the tourism meeting 5 hrs earlier. I am very disappointed in her. The tourism board members should take their responsibility seriously. The world does not evolve around whether Bob Jr gets his web contract or not. His supporters no doubt figured safety in numbers but what about other business that could have and probably should have been conducted?

Date: Oct 9, 2007

Good question, and part of the answer is, Estep doesn't provide an agenda for the meetings until you walk in the door, and sometimes he isn't finished with it then. The only people that know what is going to happen before the meeting starts is him and tipton. They talk before the meeting to get their stories and votes lined up.

The members need to know what is going to be discussed at least a couple of days before the meeting. But, by not doing that, Estep can manipulate the agenda to reflect what he wants to.

I wonder if Tourism Chairman, who is supposed to represent all of corbin, told his reporter ahead of time there would be no quorum, so there would be no meeting, so his reporter didn't show up, and Samantha Swindler did, as her article in todays paper reflected.

Now, looking at that situation, Estep provided insider information to his own reporter, and not to the other media source, which shows a conspiracy on his part as the Chairman of the Tourism Committee, to treat the Times with bias and predjudice, and give his paper the unfair advantage by knowing there would be no meeting.

Date: Oct 9, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
Good question, and part of the answer is, Estep doesn't provide an agenda for the meetings until you walk in the door, and sometimes he isn't finished with it then. The only people that know what is going to happen before the meeting starts is him and tipton. They talk before the meeting to get their stories and votes lined up.

The members need to know what is going to be discussed at least a couple of days before the meeting. But, by not doing that, Estep can manipulate the agenda to reflect what he wants to.

I wonder if Tourism Chairman, who is supposed to represent all of corbin, told his reporter ahead of time there would be no quorum, so there would be no meeting, so his reporter didn't show up, and Samantha Swindler did, as her article in todays paper reflected.

Now, looking at that situation, Estep provided insider information to his own reporter, and not to the other media source, which shows a conspiracy on his part as the Chairman of the Tourism Committee, to treat the Times with bias and predjudice, and give his paper the unfair advantage by knowing there would be no meeting.

wow he gave his reporter the advantage! what? That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I think everyone thought their would be enough to have a meeting. As I was planning on attending and at the last minute got word not enough had showed up. The ones who were in town should have attended. Yes Suzie and Missy should haved showed up. That is not a very smart thing to do. I had heard they were on vacation. Obviously they were still in town.
Why would Don give the Times anything, as they have only bashed him continuously. I wouldn't give them >>>>>>>>>>>>

Date: Oct 9, 2007

I feel compelled to personally respond here and explain my reasons for not attending the Tourism meeting. I knew that Rick, Steve and Missy were all planning on being out of town for vacation, and I had made plans several weeks ago to have out of town guests for the weekend. They were not planning to leave until Monday afternoon, and I told Don it would be difficult for me to attend the meeting. Don, Sudir and Wes all knew I wouldn't be there and gave me no indication that I would be missing anything if I didn't attend, since the others (Rick, Missy and Steve) absolutely could not attend. I do take my position seriously on the board, and with all the controversy surrounding our meetings lately, I felt it would be best if the meeting died for lack of a quorum rather than us voting on issues without the full board in attendance. I appreciate the chance to explain my position.

Suzie Razmus

wkugirl · Senior Member

It may be a good thing that the meeting didn't take place. Might give things time to die down a little, people to calm down, and think more clearly about the issues.

Date: Oct 9, 2007

I wonder why Steve McBurney is in New York? Did not attend Meeting!! Vacation? We are all waiting for the big surprise! Maybe Suzie could let the cat out of the Bag or Big news out early???

Date: Oct 10, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

I wonder why Steve McBurney is in New York? Did not attend Meeting!! Vacation? We are all waiting for the big surprise! Maybe Suzie could let the cat out of the Bag or Big news out early???

What does it matter why he was in New York? All the Chairman had to do was check with the members ahead of time and if necessary schedule the meeting a week later. Suzie and Missie don't have to explain why they were not there during Fall break. When important decisions are made the full board should be present, and if you have to change the date a week to make this possible you should change it.

Date: Oct 10, 2007

I agree, changing the meeting is not a problem. Don was hoping he could get enough votes to do his thing as he wished, and he lost this battle. I'd say him and Tipton had it planned all along.

And, I thank Ms. Razmus for her integrity and courage to post her comments here, even though she owed no one an explanation. This is what we need more of not only on this committee, but in our city government. She recognizes the scope of this message board as a community communication tool, and she knows the importance of telling people the why's and why not's of her actions regarding her committee membership. Imagine how much more people would respect the total committee, and the city commission, if they all had the courage to just explain their thoughts and intentions regarding their decisions in their official capacities. Plus, she takes her position seriously, and wants to do the best job she can. I commend you for it Ms. Razmus. You'll make a good commissioner next election.

For example, Terry Pugh of Tri County Bank began posting, concerning the youth soccer league, and cleared up a ton of controversy over the issue of soccer vs. football, and enlightened us on the issues of the youth soccer problem, as well as the football scheduling problem. Now, we're in the process of having a sports complex designed and built. It's amazing what a little personal communication can do. His willingness to comment has all but eliminated any controversy over those issues.

Date: Oct 10, 2007

It has been a while so I thought I would stop by the Terrell family board and see what was being said.

As usual there is bashing of city leaders, in this case Tourism chairman Don Estep, while Terrell family friends are either praised or left to live in peace.

Now let me get this straight, Suzie and Missie "don't have to explain" but the committees and commission should "explain"? That does not make good sense to me. Suzie and Missie are part of tourism and most certainly they owe an explanation when they don't show up for scheduled meetings.

This board is definately the Terrell family agenda and not the Corbin, Kentucky agenda. It does not represent Corbin, Kentucky as the name suggests and I wish that elected city leaders would deal with it to the full extent of the law just like they would a sub standard building or a business license violation.

But I guess as long as mice come to the trap to eat the Terrell crumbs this board will do well. Take Care.

Date: Oct 11, 2007

We wonderd where Banned IP disappeared to since Saturday. Where do you see Estep getting "Bashed"? You never seem to want to answer this question.

The only bashing I see is you and your obsession with the Terrells, the others on this board I see debating the issues and coming up with ideas. I think you need to look in the mirror and question that person's agenda.

Date: Oct 11, 2007

I don't know if that was Banned IP or not since the post did not show the signature banned IP line but I will say that Banned IP for the most part tackled the tough issues. I always looked forward to posts from Banned IP and I think it is is unnecessary to ban anyone from posting. Because a poster goes through a proxy server is no more reason to be banned than if the poster were a member of a certain club, church or political party and I really think it was just a convenient excuse for the board administrator to get rid of someone with opposite views.

Date: Oct 11, 2007

Thank you previous poster, also known as the Banned IP poster.

Banned IP never tackled any issue, but his own. Have you been out of town for awhile, we've missed your now famous by line.

Again, if you don't like the rules, find another playground.

Bob Terrell (Jr.) · Veteran Member

I feel it is necessary to respond to the News Journal's Wednesday editorial, particularly the last two paragraphs and the subtle attempted shot.

Anyone knowledgeable in advertising and marketing knows a website's job is not to create phone calls or e-mails - in fact, it's quite the opposite. A website's job is to sell a product or service, to offer information, to create interest and to generate business. For example, there is a reason Delta Airlines offers a website with online booking, seat selection, flight arrival and departure status, and other information - to cut down on phone calls and the manpower required to do these tasks on the phone. If a website is doing its job, phone calls and e-mail requests are kept to a minimum. There will still be customers or individuals who will occasionally need additional information or miss something on a page, but if the site is doing its job, a phone call or e-mail is not required in most cases because the information is right there on your computer screen, along with photos, maps, schedules, and more.

A tiny magazine ad that promotes Corbin is fine, but extremely limited to just a few words, a photo and a short message, and also limited potential readership. If someone sees the ad and wants to learn about Corbin, since the ad has virtually no content, they have to pick up the phone and call to find out about hotels, activities, restaurants, phone numbers, etc. - and either be directed to the website or mailed information.

www.corbinkytourism.com can be viewed anywhere in the world and offers detailed information on local hotels including online reservations, Corbin restaurants including addresses and phone numbers, Cumberland Falls, Daniel Boone National Forest, the Sanders Museum and Cafe, fishing, hiking, golf, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, Fine Arts schedules, the Corbin Civic Center, the Corbin Technology Center, current local weather and much more, none of which is available in a small printed ad. Most people don't need to call or e-mail the Tourism office when they view the website because they already have well over 40 pages of information in front of them.

A good website might cost 19 times greater or more than one tiny magazine ad, but it offers 1000 times the amount of information, graphic images, selling tools, and worldwide potential viewers.

Bob Terrell Jr.

Date: Oct 12, 2007

Good point Bob.

But it doesn't matter, Estep says the internet is a fad and won't last. That's why he's invested in a new venture, logging, so he can keep growing trees to provide the paper for weekly papers like his own.

I think the reason he doesn't like the internet, is because Al Gore invented it, and he's a democrat, and Don don't like democrats, he wants to keep things as they are now.

Date: Oct 14, 2007

The answer to the question that is the topic of this thread is very simple. Our tourism board will vote to accept a new contract for web services, which will save them big bucks. Why wouldn't they? My husband and I both think the current tourism site is very pretty, but way too costly if what we read in the paper is true.

Date: Oct 14, 2007

I think that Steve McBurney will declare himself "Superman" at next meeting, supernaturally fly up on to the tourism table, then he will be overwhelmed with support for Tourism Chairman.

He will be next Chairman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Steve

poneal · Senior Member

I have a few questions, so please don't take personal offense.
How do you tally the number of viewers on a list? When you say there were 190 viewers, does that mean there were 190 different people or 10 people viewing 19 times each? Wouldn't that make a difference in the tally?
I suppose it doesn't really matter which message board I choose for my questions because they all seem to follow the same line of thinking. It also appears that the same few people cover all the sites. Now and then I tune in to see which person has been chosen as the subject for the day. Are the chat lists supposed to be about people, or issues?
I still have trouble keeping up with which Anonymous post is being referenced. Why do some have a problem with where a person lives, in the city or outside the city? Not everybody can live in the city limits and it appears there is as much support coming from those outside the city limits as those living within. Although some may live outside the city limits, isn't it true they have been Corbinites all or most of their lives? Doesn't that count for something? They are not just sitting back twiddling their thumbs. If those citizens were eliminated from committees, elections, decision-making, etc., tell me how Corbin would survive!
Who lives with whom, who dates whom, who supports whom, who has a beer in a restaurant, who did or didn't attend a meeting---that's for gossip columns. I don't believe the chat list is the place for opinions about a person's personal life. There are surely more important things to discuss. We don't have to agree on everything. That isn't normal. If everybody agreed on every issue, there wouldn't be any point in even discussing them.
I believe a lot more viewers would comment about issues if they didn't feel they were going to be ridiculed or slapped down.
I know a few of the folks being slandered and honestly, I always thought they were pretty nice people. It hurts me to see them receiving so much criticism. (Please don't tell me I'm fried, or that I need to go back to the first grade! Don't insult my intelligence!) Adults should act like adults.
How is it that some of the Anonymous viewers seem to know who the other Anonymous viewers are and refer to them by name? Clue me in so that I will know. Why is it necessary to use all those proxy servers? The Corbin message boards are the only ones I have ever seen that operate this way. They are also the only boards I have seen that allow such verbal abuse. Should viewers be allowed to make accusations about local citizens?
Now, if anyone wants to respond to my questions, please do it in an adult, respectful manner. It would be appreciated.

Date: Oct 15, 2007

poneal wrote:
I have a few questions, so please don't take personal offense.
How do you tally the number of viewers on a list? When you say there were 190 viewers, does that mean there were 190 different people or 10 people viewing 19 times each? Wouldn't that make a difference in the tally?
I suppose it doesn't really matter which message board I choose for my questions because they all seem to follow the same line of thinking. It also appears that the same few people cover all the sites. Now and then I tune in to see which person has been chosen as the subject for the day. Are the chat lists supposed to be about people, or issues?
I still have trouble keeping up with which Anonymous post is being referenced. Why do some have a problem with where a person lives, in the city or outside the city? Not everybody can live in the city limits and it appears there is as much support coming from those outside the city limits as those living within. Although some may live outside the city limits, isn't it true they have been Corbinites all or most of their lives? Doesn't that count for something? They are not just sitting back twiddling their thumbs. If those citizens were eliminated from committees, elections, decision-making, etc., tell me how Corbin would survive!
Who lives with whom, who dates whom, who supports whom, who has a beer in a restaurant, who did or didn't attend a meeting---that's for gossip columns. I don't believe the chat list is the place for opinions about a person's personal life. There are surely more important things to discuss. We don't have to agree on everything. That isn't normal. If everybody agreed on every issue, there wouldn't be any point in even discussing them.
I believe a lot more viewers would comment about issues if they didn't feel they were going to be ridiculed or slapped down.
I know a few of the folks being slandered and honestly, I always thought they were pretty nice people. It hurts me to see them receiving so much criticism. (Please don't tell me I'm fried, or that I need to go back to the first grade! Don't insult my intelligence!) Adults should act like adults.
How is it that some of the Anonymous viewers seem to know who the other Anonymous viewers are and refer to them by name? Clue me in so that I will know. Why is it necessary to use all those proxy servers? The Corbin message boards are the only ones I have ever seen that operate this way. They are also the only boards I have seen that allow such verbal abuse. Should viewers be allowed to make accusations about local citizens?
Now, if anyone wants to respond to my questions, please do it in an adult, respectful manner. It would be appreciated.

Date: Oct 15, 2007

Dear Poneal,

I don't take offense to what you say. I don't agree with most of it. You seem to think we should just keep our mouths shut when several leaders make life hard on the lady who runs the Main Street Program. We didn't keep our mouths shut. Citizens rallied at City Hall and let them know the downtown business people are in support of Sharea Myers. This message board was helpful in getting people focused on this situation.

I guess we should have just twittled our thumbs as the News Journal spent a lot of its time ripping Samantha Swindler, a very good journalist who happens to compete with the News Journal. She has been fair game for the Publisher of the News Jounal. We are not just twittling our thumbs and sitting on our rocking chairs. Samantha has spoken to us on this message board and has the courage to stand up against this demagogue.

I guess it is ok to rip the Administrator of the this message board in several articles in the News Journal and we should just say tough luck Bob, Jr. but we are not supposed to give our opinions. You and your dad will be just run out of town by some of the bosses but there is nothing we can do or say. Not anymore! It is ridiculous what the Terrells have gone through as they have tried to help us have a better community.

We now have a way to speak up. And a message to you....Check Somerset's message board and see how they discuss the issues. You think this is tough? Take a look at theirs.

You should be proud that we are speaking out. We may not agree with you but you have the right to rip us, and you do it in all your messages. You talk down to us.

poneal · Senior Member

To the most recent Anonymous: Somehow, I feel that we are thinking on different tracks. I understand your concerns, and I am not taking issue with the two newspapers. I have no control over what they print. Also, to clear up one comment, I do not know Bob Terrell, Jr. I do know Bob Terrell, Sr. I consider Corbin lucky to have him. I have always admired him and he should be given credit where credit is due. Don't misunderstand me on that point. Also, it has to be a very difficult task as administrator of a message board. BT, Jr. will never please everybody, and is lucky if he can please a few. He has to be openminded to constructive criticism.
My objection to some of the statements on message boards is when a person calls names and accuses the individual of things underhanded. I have read several of these accusations and I knew for a fact that they were wrong. That is what is called slander. The bad thing is that some people tend to take "he probably did" and the "I think he did" and believe it to be the truth. That can be harmful. You don't have to agree with me about that, but at least be willing to admit that that isn't how problems are solved. Most discussions are six of this and half a dozen of that. It has to be very difficult serving on the committees and commissions. It would cause me to have ulcers! Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, aren't you in the game for the betterment of the community?
I have not checked Somerset's message board because I know nothing about Somerset or the people who live there. But I take your word for their message boards.
I'm sorry you think I talk down to you. That is not my intention. I would like to see downtown Corbin get an uplift. It has been needed. I was around when it was thriving. I miss it! Again, you may feel that I have stepped on your toes, but this is not a personal attack! There can be a middle ground.
Regarding Main Street: I'm sure what I say has been heard before, but I believe that in order to draw people back to the downtown area, the first requirement is for the store owners to upgrade the fronts of their buildings, make them look inviting to the people. Find entrepreneurs for the empty buildings. Give them the Small Town America look. Tourists aren't looking for another WalMart or Wendy's, etc., they are looking for attractive, unique shops. I am not experienced in the finances of getting a project like this accomplished, but I do know it will take the cooperation of all the business owners in order to make the downtown inviting. That takes money, elbow grease, and good ideas. Then you can involve the townspeople in creating an outdoor environment for Main Street that appeals to the average traveler, or citizen of the community. Pool all of your ideas and discuss them, pro and con. Every idea is a good idea whether or not it can be used. The transformation won't happen overnight, but it has been done in other small towns and it can be done in Corbin. People have to plan and work together!
Did I talk down to you this time?