Corbin Arena gets interim general manager

The Corbin Arena now has a new interim general manager and Corbin Parks and Recreation Director and Downtown Manager Jacob Roan now has an additional title.

At the urging of Corbin City Manager Scott Williamson, the Corbin City Commission named Corbin Arena Box Office Manager Chelsie Chambers as the interim director of the Corbin Arena during its monthly meeting Monday.

Chambers has been box office manager for several years.

“She does a great job,” noted Mayor Suzie Razmus.

Kristina Balla resigned last November after an eight and one-half year run as general manager at the Corbin Arena, which saw the Arena become the most successful it has been since it opened in 2009.

The Corbin City Commission also voted to name Roan as the assistant city manager to assist Williamson. The new title and job duties don’t include any additional compensation, and will be in addition to his other duties.

Roan previously served as Downtown Coordinator in Pineville, and has experience in grant writing from his time in that position, which Williamson noted is something he doesn’t have a lot of experience doing.

Roan said he is happy to get the new position.

“As far as grant work, I am excited about it,” Roan said.

In addition, Corbin Fire Chief Barry McDonald noted that on Feb. 15, his department sent a group of fire fighters to Clay County to assist with flooding. They recently received certificates from Clay County Emergency Management and the Clay County Fiscal Court recognizing the Corbin Fire Department and its swift water rescue team for its help.

“I am proud of everybody,” McDonald said.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved the hiring of Mike Neal and Randy Baker Jr. as full-time firefighters effective May 1. Neal retired at the end of January after more than 20 years with the fire department, but is coming back to work.
• Approved the hiring of Franklin Foster and Christopher Jones as Corbin police officers. Both are certified officers with prior law enforcement experience.
• Promoted Harley Grubb Mitchell to full-time manager at the Corbin City Pool. She had been the head life guard for the past three years.
• Razmus ordered the flags at city hall to be flown at half-mast for the remainder of the week in honor of former city commissioner Phil Gregory, who recently passed away. Gregory served as a city commissioner from 1999-2012.