A few days ago, News Journal Publisher Trevor Sherman sent me a text which read, “I just heard that KY and Main streets will be paved in 2026.” A few minutes later, News Journal News Editor Mark White sent me an e-mail which read, “I thought you might be interested, I heard KY and Main streets will be paved next year.” Later that evening, while attending the local football game, a fan next to me said, “Have you heard that they are going to pave Kentucky Street next year?”
If you have been keeping score, you’ll know why everyone was so eager to inform me about the paving. For the past ten years or so, I have written about the condition of Kentucky Street in Corbin. To be part of a federal highway that is maintained by the state, and to be smack dab in the middle of town, it is hard to understand why the street has not had top priority, because it has needed resurfacing for a long time.
Grant you, my columns had nothing to do with the decision to pave the streets next year. If I had any influence, it would have happened a long time ago. But I have begged, complained, fussed, pleaded and almost given up that anything would ever be done. I even wrote “before I die, I hope Kentucky Street will be paved.”
I’m now 86 years old, and I’m holding on as best as I can. Fingers crossed that I will make it.
Let me say thanks to those who are making this possible. Besides writing in this column about the situation, in the past I have met with transportation officials along with the late mayor Amos Miller and the late city commissioner Phil Gregory in Frankfort. I talked with officials in the district office in Manchester. Plus, I have had several conversations with city officials about Kentucky Street.
Is it really that big of a deal? Yes! The condition of the street is a reflection on the city, and I’ve read Internet posts blaming city officials, which of course, is unfair.
Then people kept asking why it wasn’t fixed when you saw work going on all around it, and questionable roundabouts being built. For example, about three years ago, when US Hwy 25 from Corbin to London was being paved. I drove to see how much was being done. I went as far as Livingston and drove back to Williamsburg on new blacktop. About everything was done except the small section of Kentucky Street in downtown Corbin. That called for another column.
Now things are changing for the better. Lots of paving has been done in this vicinity by the state recently. Fourth and Fifth streets both have been paved. Gordon Hill extending out to Hwy 312 and Barton Mill Road are nicely finished. Plus, other work has been done. That calls for a big “thank you” to the state and others responsible.
I have always had great cooperation from local officials. Going way back when Roy Skinner was my magistrate and continuing with Magistrate David Myers when I lived out in the county.
Also, to the County Judge Executives when I lived out in the county, Leroy Gilbert and Mike Patrick.
Patrick was so helpful that one day I saw him standing in the back of his pickup nailing our street sign high enough so kids couldn’t knock it down. Mike and I shared a good laugh about the lengths that he would go to remedy the situation.
And talk about great cooperation, it couldn’t get any better than present Judge Executive Pat White, Jr. When I was transporting my granddaughter to the primary school a few years ago, there was a back road that didn’t have lines painted on it. In the dark early morning hours, it was hard to see the edge of the road. I called Judge White about it and he informed me that he was in the process of correcting the problem, along with putting up some guardrails at a small creek. Before I could bat an eye, new blacktop, paint and guardrails were there.
And while I’m on the cooperation subject, when I moved into town, City Manager Marlon Sams was excellent. In the first conversation I had with his replacement, Scott Williamson, I mentioned the Kentucky Street issues. I have a feeling that Scott, Mayor Razmus and a few others have had a hand in getting it done.
There are many streets in every town that are in need of repair. It is very costly, and the city officials do the best they can with the available money. Our thanks for your services.
Finally, congratulations to my neighbor, and new Corbin Arena Manager, Cindy Creech. I know she will do a good job. I have served on our HOA Board of Directors with her, and she knows how to get things done.
