We are halfway there for a wonderful and rewarding thing to happen!

After watching the Senate debate on SB 274 sponsored by Senate President Robert Stivers, I came to more conclusions from what I wrote last week.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

First I ask the questions, which would you prefer; a “win-win” situation, a “lose-lose” situation, or a “winner take all situation?”

Sen. Stivers presented a “win-win” situation to both London and Corbin concerning the annexation of the area at Exit 29 in north Corbin.

A “win-win” situation is what the City of Corbin is willing to do with the City of London, a situation in which both will profit. However, the City of London wants it all.

I strongly urge you to understand that Sen. Stivers is not favoring either town, but is sponsoring legislation that would help everybody. The bill passed in the Senate by a margin of 20 to 12 and now goes on to the House for approval.

SB 274 will not affect ongoing litigation between London and Corbin which London is trying to force “spot” annexation by coming down Interstate 75. Corbin has developed the infrastucture in that area and it is doubtful that litigation would allow London that right.

Another question. Why is London spending taxpayer dollars to have all of the territory and causing Corbin to do the same in lawyer fees when Sen. Stivers offered, for the first time ever, a bill that would settle a dispute that has hampered the area’s development for decades?

I have been in positions to better understand what is going on. For seven years, from 1970 to 1977, I worked at the Sentinel-Echo newspaper in London. That was the period when the big hospital debate was going on.

I attended several meetings the London groups had and I heard discussions that made my ears burn. But I did not notice any attitude problems with the businesses or the people I worked with in the community. They were very nice.

Then after that job I came back to serve as publisher of this newspaper and both Chamber Director Bruce Carpenter and Suzie Razmus, who I served with on the tourism commission, and both had great attitudes toward working with the people and governments in all area towns.

Here is a quote from Corbin’s Mayor Suzie Razmus at today’s Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce luncheon. “I am ready to sit down and figure out how we are going to go forward together because a win for Laurel County is a win for Corbin. A win for Knox County is a win for Corbin, and a win for Whitley County is a win for Corbin.” That is a cooperative spirit.

Let’s face some facts and put away some half-truths like have been done by some. The fact is Corbin is the only town with a choke collar around its neck. Corbin is located in three counties. Had the map drawers foreseen what would be happening many years ago perhaps the boundaries for Corbin would have been extended and there wouldn’t be a problem.

But another fact is if the businesses on the Cumberland Gap Parkway did not have Corbin area people to support them, they would not be there, at least not to the extent they are now. Both Laurel and Knox have profited from Corbin tax dollars and now that Corbin is in a position to get a small share of it, London is trying to throw a wrench into the works.

This annexation problem has already cost the area millions of dollars because of an old law that should have been changed years ago.

Again, as some become unhinged over annexation, you will not be annexed against your will. You must request coming into the city.

Also, with development property values will go up. More jobs will come to the area and Corbin is best suited to make this happen. That will bring more tax dollars to the area.

Another quote from Mayor Razmus today, “I know that it has been very tumultuous right now, there is a lot of hard feelings that are going on. I don’t like fighting with my neighbor. I like working with my neighbor,”

As I watched the Senate hearings I was proud of the way Sen. Stivers handled the situation. Some of the naysayers didn’t either know or understand the predicament here. Sen. Stivers made it clear.

This area has been ignored by Laurel County for years. In the summer tall weeds are left to grow in the medians. There has been nothing done about an old burned out restaurant. Although it is a state road, the pavement is terrible. And there are billboards back to back when instead it could have been light poles and a beautiful decor.

What a delightful and rewarding possibility annexation by Corbin would mean. It would serve people in Corbin, Williamsburg, Barbourville, Pineville, Jellico, Harlan and south Laurel County.

This is the crossroad area for all these towns.

It is time to lay down the armor and call a halt to the war. London should drop the litigation and the House of Representatives should vote approval of SB 274.

What a wonderful world it could be!