There is a recent Facebook meme that I love.
An employee goes to Human Resources (HR) and asks if a new policy applies to him. The head of HR responds that given this employee is the reason for the policy and a few others, the answer to that question is most definitely yes.
I can’t help thinking about this meme in regard to the 100 plus social media comments on a News Journal story last Wednesday about the Corbin City Commission’s plan to require a permit for people holding yard sales inside the city limits. I can’t help wondering if any of the commenters are the reason for the proposal.
One part of the problem is that people are having “yard sales” on back-to-back weekends and leaving their stuff out in the yard all week to get rained on and be an eye sore for neighbors as Mayor Suzie Razmus explained it on Facebook.
Yard sale signs are another big part of the problem.
Often the signs are placed on utility poles, which is not allowed.
The signs are also being placed many times in such a matter to block lines of site at intersections, making it more difficult for people to pull out onto roadways and creating safety hazards.
In addition, several of you all having yard sales are not taking your yard sale signs down after your yard sales.
In other words, those of you out there not doing things in a responsible manner are the reason for this.
Also, let me say that some of you all really need to read the WHOLE story before commenting about it on social media, or in-person for that matter. This is evidenced by some of the comments on this story, such as, “It is all about the money!” “Greedy much?” “Money racket.” and “They want to squeeze every penny out of citizens. This is DISGUSTING!!!”
While I love the righteous indignation, I know some of you are not reading the WHOLE story because the city commission is NOT planning to charge a fee for yard sale permits. I repeat they are NOT planning to charge a fee for yard sale permits. This is clearly stated in the story and something many of you would know if you had bothered to read ALL of the story.
A nominal $5 fee was first suggested but was quickly shot down by Commissioners John Baker and Brandon Shepherd along with Razmus. Again, people would have known this if they had read ALL of the story.
In addition, under the existing yard sale ordinance, only one yard sale is permitted per year. The proposed change would allow two yard sales per year in Corbin.
I think it also bears pointing out that local government leaders don’t suggest passing new ordinances or things of that nature just to have something to do. Usually, if a new ordinance or a change to an ordinance is proposed, there is a catalyst for it, such as changing an ordinance to comply with a new state law or changing an ordinance because some problem has popped up in the community. When it is over a problem or issue, it is usually something that popped up a few times that needs addressing.
One social media commenter last week suggested that “Maybe it’s time to elect new board members, after all, ‘cleaning up’ should start in their house.”
Razmus responded noting that meetings are open to the public.
Razmus is right.
If you don’t like what is happening with government, then quit griping about it on social media and show up at a Corbin City Commission meeting. Apart from January and February, the Corbin City Commission meets on the third Monday of each month at 5 p.m. on the second floor of Corbin City Hall.
During regularly called meetings, there is a public comment period where people, who have signed up on a sign-in sheet at the door, can address the city commission for five minutes.
City officials do listen to what is said and sometimes – but not always – make changes as a result.
Local resident and community activist Andrea Mayne is a good example of what I am talking about. She is at nearly every regularly scheduled meeting of the Corbin City Commission. She lets them hear her opinion regardless of whether they want to hear it.
Mayne often makes some good points and has made city leaders aware of some problems that they might not have known about otherwise.
She has successfully gotten speed limits lowered on some city streets. Just recently she got action from the Corbin Police Department to remove a junked car from off her street. She has also made some good points previously about people setting off fireworks at all hours too.
Let me close by saying that you are welcome to complain about the city’s plan to require a permit for yard sales. It is your right, but I don’t want to hear these same folks complain about people not taking their yard sales signs down and things of that nature.
