Who's Chamber of Commerce is it ??????

Angela B · Senior Member

RE: Who's Chamber of Commerce is it ??????

Date: Oct 18, 2007

In addition to the little project at Exit 25, here's another little item for the area.

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance and the Kentucky Equality Association asked Governor Ernie Fletcher to veto $11 million that state lawmakers approved for a planned pharmacy school at the University of the Cumberlands.[27] The Kentucky state budget, passed by the 2006 Kentucky legislature, includes $10 million of state debt to construct a pharmacy building on the school's Whitley County campus. Additionally, one million dollars for scholarships for the pharmacy program are included. The $10 million building is to be funded out of a $100 million pool of money titled the "infrastructure for economic development fund for coal-producing counties." Money to repay the bond issuance would come from coal severance taxes. On April 21, 2006, Brett Hall, the governor's director of communications reported that "Fletcher's office has received 421 calls and e-mails urging him to veto, compared to 115 who want it kept in the state budget."[28]

On April 24, 2006 Governor Fletcher made a special television address announcing his budget cuts, which did not include the University of the Cumberlands. In response, members of the Kentucky Equality Association protested outside the Governors Mansion on May 06, 2006 during the Governors Annual Derby Breakfast Celebration

Also found ...

More than 100,000 new jobs created between January 2004 and July 2007.
Nearly 80% of Kentuckians have received income tax cuts
Education funding has increased 25% during the Fletcher administration after increasing only 6.5% over the previous decade.
More Kentuckians have health care during a period where most states have seen the number of uninsured rise.
Protected the life of the unborn by finally passing fetal homicide legislation, and protecting 2nd amendment rights.

Should the polls accurately predict the outcome, it is my sincere hope Beshear has to deal with a Repulican Attorney General.

Date: Oct 18, 2007

The last Poster made several great points. But do not forget also the State was in 300 Million Dollars worth of debt created by our friend Paul Patton, we now have a 250 Million Dollar surplus.

Just thought I would add that in. Now, I'd like to respond to Angela B. and her question she posed.

Gov. Fletcher has had 4-Years in Office, you have had a Chance to see both the good & bad and seen for yourself the Investment into this area, you also had 35 Years, yes 35 years of Democratic control of the governor's office prior to the Republicans.

What do you think? Were you better off under Jullian Carroll, Wallace Wilkinson, Paul Patton?? You make the call, where did KY Rank in Jobs, Education, Debt Rate per Citizen under the 35 years of Democrat Rule?

You had 35 Years of facts with the democrats, if you like sending all your money to Jefferson county, Pikeville & Lexington please vote the dems back in, you again had 35 Years to make up your mind so I would suppose you thought you had a great deal with those guys in office!!!

I have a Home In Louisville myself, will vote for Fletcher because I believe SE Ky deserves funding and critical services more than we do, but, Beshear will most likley win and we here in Louisville will certainly cash in!!!!

Date: Oct 18, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

The last Poster made several great points. But do not forget also the State was in 300 Million Dollars worth of debt created by our friend Paul Patton, we now have a 250 Million Dollar surplus.

Just thought I would add that in. Now, I'd like to respond to Angela B. and her question she posed.

Gov. Fletcher has had 4-Years in Office, you have had a Chance to see both the good & bad and seen for yourself the Investment into this area, you also had 35 Years, yes 35 years of Democratic control of the governor's office prior to the Republicans.

What do you think? Were you better off under Jullian Carroll, Wallace Wilkinson, Paul Patton?? You make the call, where did KY Rank in Jobs, Education, Debt Rate per Citizen under the 35 years of Democrat Rule?

You had 35 Years of facts with the democrats, if you like sending all your money to Jefferson county, Pikeville & Lexington please vote the dems back in, you again had 35 Years to make up your mind so I would suppose you thought you had a great deal with those guys in office!!!

I have a Home In Louisville myself, will vote for Fletcher because I believe SE Ky deserves funding and critical services more than we do, but, Beshear will most likley win and we here in Louisville will certainly cash in!!!!

81,000 children in Kentucky do not have medical insurance. Is Fletcher a law enforcement Governor when he pardoned 28 of his staff who particpated in conspiracy charges and he took the 5th Amendment?

Is he a good law enforcement Governor when his Transportation Secretary got out of two different charges from the one pardon he received, and when this same leader's son was in a serious accident while on Police duty and driving 92 MPH with two controlled substances in his blood? During that same time Fletcher was in a TV Spot telling all of us if you get caught in Kentucky DUI you would go to jail.

Why were our teachers the first ones Fletcher picked on when he first came into office and tried to whack their medical insurance coverqage?

Tell me what he has done for Corbin? He didn't sign the papers for a Technology Center to built in Corbin. Paul Patton signed it.

Fletcher didn't give the approval for us to have an Exposition Center in Corbin.
Paul Patton approved it.

When did the EKU campus come to Corbin? There was a Democrat in the Governor's Office when that happened.

What roads has Fletcher gotten Corbin? Did he get us the bypass? No. A Democratic Governor got us the bypass.

Did he get us the connection bridge at Kentucky Avenue and Masters Street?
No. A Democratic Governor got that for us.

Why are several of our important road projects on hold at this important time?
Why? The intersection at 5th Street Road, Black Diamond, and Barton Mill Annex is dangerous. We have a new elementary school being built in that area.
We thought that road improvement would be made. It has not been approved.
Why?

What about Exit 25 at I-75 and Cumberland Falls Highway? They are spending nearly $80 Million to improve the road from McCreary County to Williamsburg. That is fine. But why can't they make one of the busiest intersections off I-75 safer? Cumberland Falls Highway off I-75 is critically important and many people use it to go to Cumberland Falls. Why don't they help us on that road? I'll tell you why. Bill Nighber does not care one whit about Corbin. The less he does for Corbin the happier he will be.

Many people in Corbin believe the Rupublican party has been a big help to our community. That is a bunch of bunk.

Date: Oct 23, 2007

It is the Republican Party's Chamber in Corbin. Governor Fletcher and Lee, the Attorney General Candidate both were invited to speak at the Chamber Luncheons this fall. Steve Beshear, Fletcher's opponent was snubbed. That sends the wrong message for our community. It looks like Fletcher is going to lose, and Corbin's Chamber has let it be known to the Beshear Campaign that they will not provide Beshear an equal opportunity to address a Chamber luncheon prior to the November 6 election.

Corbin is being held hostage by the Fletcher Administration on several road projects. I believe the Democrats, Republicans, and Independents of this area should stand up together and demand that each party's candidate should be afforded the same opportunity to speak to the people.

Isn't that supposed to be the American way of doing things? After all this is not Baghdad.

Date: Oct 23, 2007

Yes, it is embarassing to see how they are letting our Chamber of Commerce be used as a political front. Marlon hasn't a clue as to what is going on, he just does as he's told.

I wonder how this speech by Stan Lee, whoever he is, is going to help further the commerce of Corbin?

Date: Oct 24, 2007

It is interesting how a Chamber, which I would think is partially funded by the city, can invite representatives of only one party - obvious favoritism - and snub a candidate for governor, who will also likely win. Can they do that? As a non-profit, don't they have some state guidelines to follow regarding political races? I have also delt with the London, Berea and Lexington Chambers, and Corbin's operates very differently.

Date: Oct 24, 2007

Yes, we have a Chamber who will snub the likely next Governor, an economic developer who says our area is disadvantaged instead of trying to sell our advantages, and a tourism commissioner who says our area is ugly and doesn't want any tourist here. These are the same people who hate this website, and anyone who can promote this area. And one poster said somewhere that people laugh at us because of this website. I agree, people are probably laughing, but I'm guessing it is not at this website.

Date: Oct 24, 2007

I wonder how much campaign money Fletcher and Lee saved by having the Corbin Chamber handle their visit to Corbin?

Who paid for the meals? Did the members pay for a political rally at the Chamber.

Who paid for the meeting room? They were two regular Chamber meetings, weren't they?

Was the Fletcher groups travel expenses covered by the State or his political committee?

Who paid for the announcement letters and newsletter sent to Chamber members?

How many free press releases did the Fletcher team receive announcing his visit?

What about Beshear and Mongiardo's visit?

When Beshear and Mongiardo came to Corbin to speak at the same Technology Center where Fletcher spoke, the Whitley County Democratic Party paid for two newspaper announcement ads inviting the public to attend.

When Beshear and Mongiardo came to Corbin the Whitley County Democratic Party paid for using the meeting room.

The Whitley County Democratic Party paid for the soft drinks. We did not have a luncheon.

The Whitley County Democratice Committee paid for announcement cards that were handed out to many people.

The Whitley County Democratic Party paid for signs welcoming Steve Beshear. And a Repuiblican group for Beshear paid for their sign.

This is the way the Chamber operates in Corbin. If this had happened in the opposite way with the Republican Candidate being snubbed I would have been just as upset with this unfair and unequal treatment of a candidate for Governor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Date: Oct 24, 2007

Gosh, sounds like you really have it in for the chamber of commerce. Perhaps you are someone that has a vendetta against their executive director. Wonder who you could be?

Date: Oct 24, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Gosh, sounds like you really have it in for the chamber of commerce. Perhaps you are someone that has a vendetta against their executive director. Wonder who you could be?

Gosh, it is easy to tell you didn't even read the response prior to yours. Which point do you disagree with? Why don't you get specific? You just deal in generalities and not the facts. The facts really bother you, don't they?

Date: Oct 24, 2007

I am not sure but I think whatever business sponsors the chamber meeting pays a fee to sponsor it

Date: Oct 24, 2007

If that is correct it would mean that a business was paying with its corporate funds for a political meeting. Is that according to the rules?

Date: Oct 25, 2007

No, I don't think that is what that means. The business is paying to sponsor the Chamber meeting. The sponsor is not paying for the speaker, the speaker gets no money from the meeting. The chamber meeting is not a politcal meeting.

Date: Oct 25, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

No, I don't think that is what that means. The business is paying to sponsor the Chamber meeting. The sponsor is not paying for the speaker, the speaker gets no money from the meeting. The chamber meeting is not a politcal meeting.

What it means is the Corbin Chamber spent funds for the purpose of having Gov. Fletcher and Attorney General Candidate Stan Lee present seperate partisan political speeches in two different months and this same courtesy was not provided their opponents. You can't perfume a pig. You can come up with all kinds of excuses but the facts are facts. This was a huge mistake and possibly a violation of the Campaign Finance Laws.

Date: Oct 25, 2007

I don't see how it could be a violation of campaign finance laws since it was not a fundraiser nor did the candidates benefit financially from the meetings.

Date: Oct 25, 2007

The candidates benefited financialy by not having to spend their campaign money to make a partisan political speech. They did not have to spend their money to advertise the appearance.
The candidates didn't have to spend their money to rent the facility in which the partisan political speech was made.

Any way you look at it, it stinks.

Date: Oct 25, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
The candidates benefited financialy by not having to spend their campaign money to make a partisan political speech. They did not have to spend their money to advertise the appearance.
The candidates didn't have to spend their money to rent the facility in which the partisan political speech was made.

Any way you look at it, it stinks.

cry cry cry that all the same ole people on this board do, we know who you are
cry cry cry get over it, the republican gov and his people have done more for this area in the last years than any demo will ever do
wait and see

Date: Oct 25, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The candidates benefited financialy by not having to spend their campaign money to make a partisan political speech. They did not have to spend their money to advertise the appearance.
The candidates didn't have to spend their money to rent the facility in which the partisan political speech was made.

Any way you look at it, it stinks.
cry cry cry that all the same ole people on this board do, we know who you are
cry cry cry get over it, the republican gov and his people have done more for this area in the last years than any demo will ever do
wait and see

Wait and see what? He's been in office now 3 years, you say he's done more for our area than any Demo, but then you say "Wait and see". What has he done for Corbin?

The "Demos" - Expo Center, Tech Center, Bypass, etc... Exactly what has Fletcher done for Corbin besides the Hospital demolition, which still hasn't happend yet?

What has Nighbert done for Corbin? What has Fletcher's people done for us? What roads have been fixed up? Many in Williamsburg, London, South Laurel County, but what has happened in Corbin?

I don't care what party, as long as we are not ignored. Corbin has gotten more from the Demos than the Repos.

Date: Oct 28, 2007

I know a couple of people offended by the chamber not inviting brashear but they aren't chamber members anyway so who really cares.

Date: Nov 4, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

I know a couple of people offended by the chamber not inviting brashear but they aren't chamber members anyway so who really cares.
You are right. What does it matter if Corbin's Chamber ignored the Democratic candidate for Governor? When Stan Lee wins the Attorney General's race Tuesday I understand he will announce that he will be sworn in at the next Corbin Chamber luncheon. Stan owes everything he is achieving in this race to his close ties to Corbin.

Date: Nov 4, 2007

You could be right, check out the signs at the Tri County Bank and all of the nursing homes owned by Forcht. I'm sure there's pressure on the employees to vote for him.

Date: Nov 4, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

You could be right, check out the signs at the Tri County Bank and all of the nursing homes owned by Forcht. I'm sure there's pressure on the employees to vote for him.

I don't understand. Forcht isn't running for office.

Date: Nov 4, 2007

A college friend of mine who works in the Brashear campaign told me he didn't really want to come to Corbin anyway. Brashear only came he said because a local contributor begged him so they stopped by for a few minutes to make that person feel good he wouldn't tell me who the contributor is.

Date: Dec 3, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

It is interesting how a Chamber, which I would think is partially funded by the city, can invite representatives of only one party - obvious favoritism - and snub a candidate for governor, who will also likely win. Can they do that? As a non-profit, don't they have some state guidelines to follow regarding political races? I have also delt with the London, Berea and Lexington Chambers, and Corbin's operates very differently.
Your comments are still very valid. Whose Chamber of Commerce is it? It is a political arm of the group that just got beat in Kentucky. It is supposed to be an advocate of business quality and growth, and promote the improvement of quality of life for all our people----Not just the chosen few.

Date: Dec 8, 2007

The topic of the thread, "Who's Chamber of Commerce is it?", is now easily answered based on the published meeting minutes of the chamber meeting last week, it's Bruce Carpenters Chamber of Commerce.

He speaks, they listen. He asks, they give. We don't need a board. Just give him the checkbook.

Anyone have any old trailers they want to get rid of for $10k. The chamber is buying.

Date: Dec 9, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

The topic of the thread, "Who's Chamber of Commerce is it?", is now easily answered based on the published meeting minutes of the chamber meeting last week, it's Bruce Carpenters Chamber of Commerce.

He speaks, they listen. He asks, they give. We don't need a board. Just give him the checkbook.

Anyone have any old trailers they want to get rid of for $10k. The chamber is buying.

I don't understand why you have such a problem with the trailers. One will be used to haul equipment around for the Chamber's various activities and is much needed. The other is intended as a promotional tool. What's the big deal?

It sounds like more than anything else you just hate Bruce and have an axe to grind. Just let it go. Tell the board members about your concerns, or quit the chamber if you are really unhappy. If you aren't a member, well then shut the hell up.