This comes from many discussions on this board about having various citizens, who do not live in the city limits of corbin, serve as members or chairpersons on various city committees that spend city limits tax dollars. The committees I refer to mainly are the Tourism and Chamber of Commerce, and the Economic Development committees, but, it goes for all of them. Only those committees that can spend city money for various projects and programs.
That said, if most feel it doesn't matter where they live, then, why should it not matter where a person lives to be elected mayor or city commissioner? What's the difference?
The argument is that there are many capable and qualified people living outside the city limits that would be, and are, excellent committee members and chairs. I agree. SO, why not change our ordances to allow outside city residents to run for office. It can be done, you just have to change the ordanance.
SO, would you put it on the ballot? If you did, how would you vote?
"I vote to allow persons living outside the incorporated city limits of Corbin to run for and be elected mayor and city commissioner."
Why do you want to limit your resources to just in city limits. Corbin is in three counties. Most of these people work and pay taxes to the city of Corbin. The pay is very little to do it for that. Most on council really care for Corbin and not individual interest.
This thread is silly like so many of the other board topics often are. The issue is determined by state election law and not the whims of a few on this board. If the Tattersall/Black Diamond group wants to control a local government they should try Whitley County and not Corbin. Or maybe I should say try again.
Of course it is silly. It really is once you see it written down like this. Sometimes you have to see something in front of your face to realize what is being said.
But, that said, I'm looking on the web for the issue of requiring the mayor and commissioners to be city citizens. Remember, we're a fourth class city now.
First, the voting laws in Kentucky have requirements about residence. You must live in the city limits to run for City offices. You must live in the County to run in county races. I don't think we can do anything to change this locally and I believe it is the correct way to do it.
I am not sure if there is or is not any requirement that you must live in the city to serve on boards, commissions, or committees. All that needs to be done is for the City Commission and its Attorney is determine what the laws require. If you don't like the way the law is written you should find out what you must do to seek a change in the law.
I believe you will find that most people who live outside the city will stop serving on these boards, commissions, and committees.
The Tri-County Industrial Commission members are recommended by the Mayor of Corbin along with the Judge Executives of Laurel, Knox and Whitley Counties. All the Occupational taxes in this park end up with Knox County and with Barbourville.
The Regional Business Park Authority members are recommended by the County Judge Executives of Knox, Laurel, Whitley, Bell, Clay, and McCreary Counties. Because the park is in Knox County they are allowed to nominate two people to the seven member board. We did negotiate an amendment to the Interlocal agreement in the Regional Park and each of the six counties receive 15% of the Occupational tax. Corbin's Industrial Commission receives $48,000 or 10%, whichever is greater each year in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Corbin's Commission will start receiving a flat 10 in 2010. Prior to that amendment to the Interlocal Agreement Corbin had only received $10,000 from 1999 through 2004 to help pay for the costs of operating that Regional Business Park. The six County Judge Executives were very cooperative in making the necessary amendment.
The business of both Industrial Commissions is managed, marketed, and administered by the Corbin Industrial Commission. The Corbin Mayor makes the final decision on the persons appointed to serve on this commission. There has been some consideration to merging both Industrial Commissions into one to simplify the administration and promotion of these two parks.
This is a little background on this subject. I would think that if the majority of citizens want to have the local ordinances or laws changed to eliminate out of the city persons from serving it would need to be addressed by the City Commission, unless there are any State laws that pertain to this subject.
Bob Terrell Sr.
-- Edited by Bob Terrell (Sr.) at 23:33, 2007-11-25
Thank you Bob for some very enlightening information.
Your're right, if you don't like the way laws are written, petition for them to be changed. Or better yet, run for office to change them. Laws are only as good as long as their in force. Laws can and has been changed before, it just takes dedication to follow through.
I didn't realize the occupational taxes from the industrial parks all went to Knox County. This another reason our city leaders must initiate a lawsuit to bring Knox County down and force them to share the wealth. The politics of this matter has worn out its welcome, it's time for some action, and the action is to bring suit against Knox County. Each year that we negotiate, we lose funds from our city coffers, and I'm tired of it. Knox County has nothing involved with this issue, they just collect the checks. I put this on the previous administrations as far as giving away the farm. That's what lawyers are for. Politicians negotiate, and thats why our area, as well as this country, is in the shape it's in now. Yes it's good that it was negotiated to get those extra funds for those years you mentioned, but, if we're involved, we deserve a fair share. You could argue that in the event they do recruit a major employer in the parks, someoe that pays more than a 8-11 dollar an hour wage, the majority of employees will end up from within 4-10 miles of the parks, but, there's no one in site. You yourself when you were in that capacity, made mention several times of industries looking seriously at the parks for their business. None of them came. We never heard why, but we know they never came to fruition.
This is a sore subject with many in the area, but, when I hear of companies locating in other counties and towns, and hear of incentives they were offered and took, it makes me sick. It makes me sick to know that if some little incentive offered to them made the difference, and we had it to offer and didn't, then we deserved not to get them. The attitude of "they'll come if they want to" is silly, and in this day and time, just plain stupid. You worked for Ford, you know about incentives. Since you've left, that's all car dealers have to offer now, is incentives. Sure there's some small group of brand loyalitsts, but, they are few and far between. Even among active and retired employees, there are incentives still there to buy Ford products. You know yourself, incentives are what makes the world go round. Our city leaders don't seem to understant that.
There are only two reasons that the issue is brought up constantly about the in city/out city residence requirements of committees. Only two. And you know their names. You could replace both of them with almost anyone, and you wouldn't hear a peep. Not a word. This issue will continue to fester for as long as both of them are in their respective positions. That's a plain, simple fact.
Thank you again for your information on these industrial parks. I would love to know more about how they operate and such. And to think, they replaced you with the nibroc chairman.
Yeah, to think they replaced you with a man who spends most of his time sitting on a bar stool at the Depot. And someone we never hear from, as to what he is doing to bring industry to Corbin.
I think I will run for mayor of Louisville of this year. I live in Corbin, but what the heck. Louisville is a nice town, and I think I should be in charge of it.
