Corbin, London could meet at ‘Malfunction Junction’

The border war continues between London and Corbin. Maybe war is a little too strong of a word but both towns are moving their boundaries that will collide near “Malfunction Junction.”

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

Malfunction is such an appropriate word to use with borders of London and Corbin about to meet there.

It became an issue again a few years ago when London announced that they wanted to annex along I-75 for 13 miles to claim the north Corbin portion of Laurel County as part of the City of London. Corbin said, “not so quick” and it is all now in court without a resolution in sight.

Then last week the City of London approved the second reading of an ordinance annexing US 25E from the entrance of Levi Jackson Park to the intersection of US 25W and US 25E.

Now it was Corbin’s turn to fend off any further progression by London by approving the first reading of an ordinance Monday to annex the right of way along US 25E from the Whitley-Laurel County line up to the intersection of US 25W and US 25 E.

Corbin finally got some leverage when Senate Bill 274 was passed in 2022, which allows the city to annex into Laurel County in areas where it already provides utility services.

So, in the meantime we will play chicken. And speaking of chicken, the Colonel (KFC Cafe and Museum) could officially become a part of Corbin with Corbin’s annexation along US 25E.

When I was on the Corbin Tourism Commission I had to call the Kentucky Tourism office on two occasions to tell them their brochures had listed Colonel Sanders as starting in London instead of Corbin. It was a tourism thing.

Whether it’s Corbin or London, annexation is a fighting word and most people do not want anything to do with it. But remember, you have to request to be annexed in order for it to happen. This fuss basically is about businesses, not homes.

Obviously, if money and control weren’t involved the two towns could have a good relationship. But money and power has a way of making enemies and therefore cooperation on what could be advantageous to both communities is lost.

Will there ever be a compromise? I doubt it.

When I worked at the Sentinel-Echo in London many years ago there was a battle for the landing of the Baptist Hospital. I attended several meetings.

One group wanted the hospital to be at Exit 29 in Laurel County and another wanted it where it is presently located. The talk at times was hostile.

After what I witnessed over 35 years ago,  I am very pessimisstic about an agreement ever happening. If the prize apple along the Cumberland Gap Parkway is controlled by either London or Corbin, it will always be identified mostly as Corbin because the area is connected. This area is what the issue is all about.

Mark White has the full story on the recent developments in this issue of the News Journal.