McBurney first to file in Corbin Mayor’s race

To Willard McBurney, image is everything.
It’s the principal reason why the 61-year-old retired postmaster said he officially filed Tuesday to seek election as Mayor of Corbin … the city’s image has declined.
“When I was growing up here, Corbin was a pretty town … very pretty,” he said. “Now, we don’t look good. We don’t have curb appeal. I feel like we need a revitalization in this town.”
McBurney points to downtown buildings showing their age, broken sidewalks and areas of substandard housing as reason the city isn’t appealing. That loss of appeal over the years, he claims, could have an effect on industrial recruiting, population growth and job creation.
“Anybody in business knows your image is a very important part in recruiting. How people perceive us determines how successful we are in recruiting industry,” McBurney said.
A Corbin native who graduated from Corbin High School in 1961, McBurney is the first to file for any of the city’s elective offices, all up for grabs in 2006. He is the son of the late Albert and Princess McBurney and is married to the former Darlene Hammons, daughter of the late Clarence and Teresa Hammons. Darlene is a teacher in the Corbin School System for 36 years. He has two children and one grandchild.
McBurney, who is making his first run for any elected position, said politics is a natural for him because it is a family tradition. His mother, for whom the current Corbin Recreation Center is named in honor of, was Corbin Youth Center Director in the 1950s and 1960s and an active civic leader. Jack Vermillion, his uncle, retired as Corbin Police Chief and Dick Vermillion, another uncle, was a former Mayor and retired as the City’s Manager.
“Corbin is just in our heart,” McBurney said. “It really bothered me to be out and see that our city is not as appealing as it used to be. That’s when I decided I wanted to make a difference. This what my mother’s passion for Corbin was and I guess it rubbed off on me.”
McBurney shared his opinion on some major issues during an interview Monday. He said he was against recent changes in the city’s business license fee structure that essentially raised rates on many businesses. The change resulted in about $85,000 more in collections from license fees this past year. He said he would like to revisit the issue in the future.
McBurney also opposed slight raises in property taxes, but did favor raising garbage rates by $3 to help alleviate budget shortfalls.
“I think you need to look at every avenue before any taxes are raised,” McBurney said. “Anytime you talk about taxes, it’s controversial. Nobody likes them. Do you really need to raise property taxes with this occupational tax money available? That needed to be looked at.”
As mayor, McBurney said he would be in favor of a restaurant tax in Corbin to help fund operational costs for a new civic center and for downtown improvements. He also said he would pursue an aggressive sidewalk program to replace decayed, broken and overgrown walkways in the city.
On the controversial issue of alcohol sales by restaurants in the city, McBurney would not say if he favored or opposed a new referendum on the issue. He said before voting on whether or not to allow Sunday sales at restaurants, more study is needed.
McBurney is a member of Central Baptist Church and is a former member of the Corbin Kiwanis Club. He said the fact that he’s retired would allow him to devote his efforts to being mayor full time, even though in a commission form of government it is a part-time position.
“I can promise people this … I will be firm and fair, aggressive and accountable, creative, dedicated and above all, I will have integrity. I think that’s the key to anything, integrity.”