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Group forms to fight expanded alcohol sales in Corbin
Posted On 18 Jan 2012
Allen Bonnell, lead pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Corbin, is one of the main organizers of Concerned Citizens for Corbin, a group that is opposing expanded alcohol sales in the city.
Opposition finally began to materialize this week to a ballot initiative that, if approved, would allow expanded sales of alcoholic beverages in Corbin. A vote on the issue is set for Feb. 14.
Concerned Citizens for Corbin is about 150 to 200 active members strong and growing says Allen Bonnell, Lead Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church and one of the principal organizers of the group.
"The purpose is to make sure this is defeated," Bonnell said.
"I really feel like the community is really galvanized against this. I think, in large part, most people see that only people that are going to truly benefit from this are those that are going to come in and open big stores."
A petition was filed last December by a group called Citizens for Economic Progress asking for the vote. If Corbin voters OK the measure, Corbin would likely be allowed to issue three licenses to stores to sell package liquor of any type. An unlimited number of licenses could be issued to grocery stores, convenient marts and the like for beer sales. Also, restrictions on sales of alcohol at restaurants would become more lax. In 2003, Corbin voters approved a similar referendum that allowed liquor sales by the drink in qualifying restaurants. Currently, restaurants that sell alcohol must have at least 70 percent of their gross receipts come from food sales. That would drop to 50 percent.
Proponents of expanded alcohol sales have argued that increased revenue from regulatory fees charged on the gross sales of liquor would be a benefit to the community. Also, they contend that jobs will be created and that more restaurants are likely to locate in the city with lower percentage requirements.
Chad Fugitt, Pastor at Central Baptist Church in Corbin, serves as Chairman of the newly formed group. He calls those arguments bogus and increased access to alcohol in the community will lead to increased use … and increased social problems that will, in turn, negate any financial gains.
"For every dollar we might take in through tax revenue, the estimates are we would spend $4 with the harm that it would bring to our community socially like increased costs of social services for families, extra policing, increased insurance costs, car accidents, ambulance and hospitalization and so on," Fugitt said. "Increasing access to this is not good for our community."
Both Bonnell and Fugitt give a familiar litany of criticisms against alcohol sales: an increase in DUI’s and other crimes often associated with overindulgence, an upswing in underage drinking and a reallocation of disposable income by individuals of families away from other goods and services and into the purchase of more alcohol.
And both contend that any money the city may garner for regulatory fees must be used for just that – regulating and policing alcohol. State law does, in fact, require cities or counties to use the money garnered from "fees" on alcohol sales for precisely that purpose. City leaders contend, however, that money gained from the fee would simply be used to bolster the police department budget, freeing up more for other projects in the general fund.
Though the core of the leadership for Concerned Citizens for Corbin is entwined with the two churches, both Bonnell and Fugitt are quick to point out that its volunteers include a wide cross section of the town.
"It’s citizens from across the spectrum of Corbin – mothers, fathers, businesspeople, pastors, everyone. It’s a collaborative group of folks," Fugitt said. "Our goal is just to inform our community about the nature of the facts about this proposal … to try to inform the community about the harmful effects it can have, not just socially, but economically."
In that, they have a powerful ally.
Former Corbin Mayor and city commissioner Amos Miller confirmed that he is an officer for the group and is actively supporting its efforts.
"All of our officers are voters from Corbin," Miller said. "We are 100 percent Corbin."
Miller said the group plans on doing some advertising, but will be very visible in the community with "precinct captains" and volunteers who will go door-to-door to get the message out.
"We are going to be very nice with people. It’s a choice, we understand that," Miller said. "We’re not saying if you vote for it you are going to Hell or anything like that. That’s not the way we are going to do things."
Bonnell said the group is specifically avoiding debates and arguments over whether drinking alcohol is right or wrong, but will tackle head-on whether or not expanding alcohol sales is the right thing for the city. He said while growing up in Louisville, with a mother who was a bartender, he saw first-hand the negative effects of alcohol.
"This is a great place to raise a family. We have to be honest with ourselves and ask the question, is this going to make our school better? Is this going to make this a better place to raise our families?"
The group plans to use heavily online social media like Twitter and Facebook to disseminate its message. Already, it has formed a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cc4corbin. The page had 100 "likes" as of Tuesday afternoon.
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this reminds me of a old saying i heard.”the difference between a methodist and a baptist is a methodist will say hi in the liquor store”.sounds like the baptist need to stop judging and start being more of a human.
this reminds me of a old saying i heard.”the difference between a methodist and a baptist is a methodist will say hi in the liquor store”.sounds like the baptist need to stop running judging and start being more of a human.
I would just like to point out that the first documented miracle in the Bible is of our Lord Jesus Christ turning water into wine.
If you only sell alcohol at restaurants, then people are forced to drink and drive! Even if they only have one drink! If they can buy it at Kroeger and go home and drink it, then they will not be forced to drive after a drink.
I’m one of the people that think it’s time for Corbin to emerge from the dark ages. Alcohol sales should be allowed, and it’s my opinion that it would help the town’s economy. If the religious community doesn’t want to drink, just remember that nobody is twisting your arm and saying you have to buy! Allow free choice without trying to impose your beliefs on everyone else.
And another thing or 2 while I’m ranting here…..If you are one of the main bigmouths trying to impose your will on the rest of us, then quit eating at Applebees or grabbing takeout there so you think no one sees you…while at the same time deriding it on facebook as one of those demon beer hangouts, hypocrite.
I have a suprise for you…Corbin ain’t dry, it ain’t going to be dry, it hasn’t been dry in years! All this vote is about is whether London and Barbourville are going to recieve all the income from package stores and we aren’t. If you want to get waxed by London and have to drive 10 miles to buy a bottle of wine or a case of beer, then stay home and don’t vote. It is absolutely RIDICULOUS to be able to go to a restaurant in Corbin and order a martini or a beer or a glass of wine, and not be able to walk into a store to buy the same thing! Are people really nuts enough to think that someone who spends a fortune to open a liquor store is going to risk losing their license buy selling an underage kid a case of beer?
Mark my words, if the little dictators and the old guard here in Corbin win this vote by keeping us dry, we will be shipping all the cash to London, Manchester and possibly Barbourville! Get your butt out and vote yes, or watch this little town dry up and blow away….
ALL JOKES ASIDE THE CITY BUILT A ARENA TO HELP BRING TOURIST AND MORE REVENUE FOR THE CITY AND THEY FIGURED OUT IF THEY STARTED SELLING ALCOHOL THEY WOULD GET MORE IN THEIR POCKET SO WHAT THE BIG DEAL ABOUT A LIQUOR IN ARE TOWN.
Barney, Fred need some help in the rock pit working for Mr. Slate
For my part the sales of liquor will only put money in the hands of the store owner. The real problem is the industrial commision. They are the CEO’s of the few businesses in the area they don;t want any good wages . This mean that wages would have to increase in Corbin’ They want to keep all profit in there pockets and keep workers at poverty level. The sale of booze will only bring a lower class of people and buisness to our town. If you remenber when the lottery came to ky it was to put money to the schools if it did we would have better supplyed schools but it did not happen just like the sale of booze will not. You say we are living in the 30,s. I think the people who think this will help growth live in a shell
Sam, get your head out of your butt.
I was born here and as a young child my parents and I had to move away for my dad to find a job that he knew would allow him to support his family. I wouldn’t have had to grow up 500 miles from the rest of my family if Corbin was up to speed with the rest of the country. The town I grew up in had 5 liquor stores and every gas station and grocery store sold alcohol. We did not have any larger issue with DUIs or alcohol related accidents than what Corbin has today. The town is full and active and there are lots of things to do and places to go. Now I’m not saying its a big city, in size it’s just a pinch larger than Corbin and its doing great and it is very family oriented. I chose to move back here to be closer to family. In my past home town there were always jobs available it took me months to find a half way decent job and over a year to find a good one (for which I ended up goin to London). Alcohol sales will not make Corbin a bad palce to liven it will liven it up with more revenue for the city. More jobs, more activities for the young, I think Corbin will be a better town. I rarely drink. I probably wont buy much alcohol myself. But I WILL vote yes for a better Corbin!
some of you people need to get your heads out of your backside why cant you understand bootleggers dont ask for I D Stores do, If they want to stay open they ask I grew up in an area where liquor and beer and wine was sold on every corner, Teenagers could not get alcohol unless someone got it for them I never knew bootleggers were still around until I moved to Corbin in the 80s. Corbin and Whitley county is about 15 years behind most other small towns in the USA But we still have the same drug problems as all other areas AND YOUR 1930s MIND SET IS DOING NOTHING BUT HURTING ALL PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA I am in my mid 50s and dont drink and have not for 20 plus years, I have never had a DUI in my life, But I grew up where alcohol was a common thing to see and not treated like it was the DEVIL himself
I am 55, grew up in Corbin, and could go buy a drink anytime I wanted from a bootlegger. The place everyone went for beer was Jellico, so many people drove 28 miles drunk back home after a evening at the Spot Tavern, Joes, or the Amvets Club. Drinking at home was from a bootlegger, drinking and driving was from Jellico. Everyone went to Jellico for bands and dancing. So my arguement is making it legal means no one under 21 can buy, bootleggers go out of business, demand ends.
TO ANYBODY THAT READ MY COMMENT, I SAID THAT SOMEBODY TOLD ME THAT OUR KIDS DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO. JUST LOOK AROUND AND TRY TO FIND A GOOD PAYING JOB IN THIS TOWN. ALL I WAS SAYING IS IF WE DON’T GET MORE REVENUE IN THIS TOWN AND MORE JOBS THAT OUR KIDS WILL HAVE TO MOVE AWAY TO FIND A JOB THAT PAYS ANYTHING. AS FAR AS PROSTITUTION AND STRIP CLUBS MY MIND IS NOT THAT WARPED TO EVEN THINK OF THEM, THEY ARE PLENTY OTHER BUSINESSES THAT COULD BE OPENED IN THIS TOWN. WE ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH FAST FOOD RESTRAUNTS AND BANKS. IF YOU WERE JUST TO GET OUT AND SEE WHAT OUR KIDS ARE DOING THEY ARE HANGING OUT IN PARKING LOTS OR THE ONES THAT HAVE DRIVERS LICENSES ARE DRIVING TO KNOXVILLE OR LEXINGTON TO FIND SOMETHING TO DO, AND THAT EVEN MEANS THAT THEY ARE FINDING PLACES TO BUY ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. ALL I’M SAYING IF THE CITY WOULD HAVE MORE REVENUE THEY MIGHT BUILD MORE BUILDINGS TO HAVE MORE BUSINESSES INSTEAD OF EMPTY LOTS THAT THEY TURN INTO PARKS ON MAIN STREET. IF WE DON’T HAVE MORE BUSINESSES OUR KIDS WHEN THEY START THEIR OWN FAMILIES THEY WON’T BE SAYING “I’M FROM CORBIN”
If the above logic is our major concern then why not make prostitution legal? That would also bring jobs to Corbin. Why not open strip clubs or casinos? Be smart….VOTE NO!!
If a big city life is what you want, move to Lexington or Knoxville.
The no entertainment for kids comment is especially odd to me. So the kids are going to be entertained at the liquor store?
I’VE LIVED IN THE CITY OF CORBIN ALL MY LIFE.
USED TO ALL YOU HAD TO DO TO OPEN A BUSINESS IS APPLY FOR A BUSINESS LICENSE AND OPEN IT, BUT JUST LOOK AROUND AT ALL THE EMPTY BUILDINGS ON MAIN STREET. WE USED TO HAVE FURNITURE STORES ON MAIN, SHOE STORES ON MAIN, CLOTHING STORES ON MAIN, BUT LOOK AT WHERE THEY WENT TO MAJOR OUTLETS. WE ONLY HAVE ONE MAJOR CHAIN OF A RESTRAUNT AND LOOK HOW BUSY IT IS. I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY THE CITY OF CORBIN DON’T WANT MORE REVENUE COMING INTO THE TOWN. I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL THIS YEAR IN LEXINGTON AND SOME-ONE TOLD ME THE REASON WHY WE DON’T HAVE MORE DOCTORS IN CORBIN, BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE NO SOCIAL LIFE, THEIR KIDS DON’T HAVE NO ENTERTAINMENT TO DO AND THEIR WIVES DON’T HAVE ANY BIG OUTLETS TO SHOP AT. ONE OF THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO COMMENTED THAT WE SPEND 148 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR BECAUSE OF ALCOHOL, BUT THE GOVERNMENT IS RECIEVING 10 TIMES THAT IN REVENUE OR THEY WOULD HAVE DONE STOPPED THE SALE OF ALCOHOL. I ALSO WAS ASKED WHILE I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL WHERE I LIVED AND I TOLD THEM CORBIN, THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT. JUST TAKE A DRIVE DOWN MAIN-STREET AFTER 6:00PM AND IT LOOKS LIKE A GHOST TOWN, THEN DRIVE DOWNTOWN IN ONE OF THE BIG CITIES AND YOU WILL SEE WHY THE GET MORE REVENUE. SO WE NEED TO STOP AND THINK WHAT WE CAN DO TO BRING MORE BUSINESS INTO THIS TOWN EVEN IF IT’S ALCOHOL SALES BECAUSE IF WE STOP TURNING DOWN BUSINESS WE AREN’T GOING TO HAVE A TOWN TO GO TO. IT IS JUST GOING TO BE ANOTHER STREET.
Please tell me your not closed minded enouph to think that all the alcohol statstics you cited are not happening right now,right here in Corbin.If people want alcohol they will get it,here or a mile down the street.Do you really believe because it is not being sold legally in Corbin, it does not exist in Corbin?As it stands now the only ones who profit from alcohol are the boot leggers.Are they really the ones we want to profit from this?But as you stated we all need to weigh the pro’s and con’s of the situation and vote what we feel is best.
a t least u want have thiefs tradeing your suff to bootlegers
Andy, your comment is well stated but is flawed in my opinion. Do you truly believe there is a “dry” municipality in the United States? I believe there are municipalities that have voted to allow legal sales and those that have voted to allow illegal sales. The statistics you quote from the NIH, which I will not deny, is not the fault of alcohol per se but the abuse. Further, abuse of alcohol will be what it is in Corbin regardless of the vote.
I also think it is very important to get the alcohol out of reach of our youth. Illegal sales will allow area youth to continue to have access as bootleggers do not ask for ID.
I simply find it stunning that in the 21st Century we’re still having this debate.
I am a father, I am a businessman, I am a citizen and all of these give me rights. Voicing an opinion and hoping to shed light on realities of any decision that one makes whether it is in personal , civic or business needs to be based on accurate, straight forward unbiased information of the topic. All decisions must be based on thorough information about the topic, the good vs. the bad. A minor amount of economic aid to some liquor retailers or this city should be weighed against the expense costs to ALL citizens if you want to make a valid decision. This is very important point to understand so I will say it again a little differently. The few who may prosper economically will pass the expense burden of this decision to all citizens as a society. The Concerned Citizens for Corbin are wanting to provide information to shed light on the entire picture of what this vote will imply. If some choose, they can ignore it and make decisions based on other reasons. That too is their right. The position of the CC4Corbin is not about personal vendetta, religious piety, or whether one is right or one is wrong . It is my hope that you never see them addressing anyone’s individual criticisms trying to make their efforts about one persons decision on this issue. I, personally, will evaluate any information that can be realistically proven to be gathered by valid sources. Here is some examples of information which can not be ignored if you want to make an educated decision. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), estimates that the economic cost of alcohol in a new study reports that alcohol abuse and alcoholism costs $148 billion annually. Two-thirds of the costs of alcohol abuse related to lost productivity, either due to alcohol-related illness (45.7 percent) or premature death (21.2 percent). Most of the remaining costs of alcohol abuse were in the form of health care expenditures to treat alcohol use disorders and the medical consequences of alcohol consumption (12.7 percent), property and administrative costs of alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes (9.2 percent), and various additional costs of alcohol-related crime (8.6 percent). (It is not allowable to put hyperlinks in this response to show where this information can be located to validate this statement)
Much, much more research is out there for those who seek it. I am open to valid research on how alcohol sales have created large scale jobs, the estimated tax funds that are given to local government general funds, how the expenses of votes, running the government agency to oversee alcohol sales or other general real life information of how package alcohol sales will effect our community. But please do not just give me individual opinions.
Alcohol advertising will be in papers, weekly ad tabloids, maybe even alcohol billboards, we will hear radio advertising and even though smoking negatively effects society in much the same manner and costs to society can similarly occur this vote will allow alcohol to be put thrust before us all when cigarette smoking can not. Citizens can buy alcohol in many places. They can have drinks in restaurants. So alcohol is here and always has been here.
With the rights given me, with adequate information evaluated I have decided alcohol does not need to be part of this town which I love and I live. Others may decide different. I am not imposing my opinions on anyone I am just voicing my rights. This is why i am a Concerned Citizen for Corbin. It is time for you to commit to what you want your community to stand for. I respect your decision and will not show hate to my brothers and sister citizens of Corbin by my words or action. We all want what we think is best for each other and this town.
IT SEEMS STRANGE TO ME THAT THE CHURCHES THAT ARE NOT IN CITY LIMITS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY IF THERE IS ALCOHOL IN OUR TOWN OR NOT. OR TELL EVERYONE ELSE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HELL IF WE HAVE IT IN OUR TOWN.
IF THE PASTORS HAD COMPLETE CONTROL OF WHAT GOES ON IN OUR TOWN , WE WOULDN’T HAVE ANYTHING.
SO JUST GO DOWN AND VOTE YES OR NO AND LET EVERYONE ELSE MAKE UP THEIR OWN MINDS WITHOUT JUDGEMENT…..
IT DON’T MATTER TO ME ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BUT, IF IT WILL HELP THE ECONOMY I’M ALL FOR IT AND I DON’T THINK ANY PASTOR OR PREACHER HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL ME THAT I AM GOING TO HELL IF ALCOHOL COMES INTO OUR CITY.
BECAUSE THE BIBLE SAY’S TO JUDGE NO MAN AND I DON’T KNOW ANYONE IN THIS TOWN THAT IS GOD AND HAS THE RIGHT TO JUDGE ME.
GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO DO THAT.
SINCERELY: ALCOHOL FREE
If you don’t want alcohol around you then move to the wilderness. Quit forcing your “beliefs” on others. London and Barbourville will pass their regulations and the only thing that the residents of Corbin will miss out on,is the money and jobs created. “pastor”If you were poor or jobless or homeless you would be glad to have a chance to get a job. !0 miles is the farthest drive to buy after London passes and you think you can make a difference. How about making changes in your own life and leave the rest of us alone. “Remove the smote from your own eye before you try to remove the splinter from your neighbors eye.” You recognize that advice don’t you? Practice what you preach, TOLERANCE!
I hate this process, hate it! The moral majority wants to tell the public of all the evils of alcohol. Yet, tobacco is okay. A 1,000 calorie hamburger is okay.
Yet both of these can kill you if used in excess! I am Christian and I do enjoy an adult beverage occassionaly. But I strongly disagree with some of the comments above: Underage drinking will increase?! Kids by alcohol illegally through bootleggers. Ask nearlly any area teenager where to go to buy beer and they can tell you. Increased DUIs. A friend of mine is a retired KSP Trooper and has flat denied this claim. I will not say that alcohol sales will bring economic prosperity but neither is it the plague. Other communities with legal sales thrive and are very “family friendly.” I have lived in multiple communities with legal sales and would live in one again and again.
All citizens deserve to choose without having to drive 50+ miles for a bottle of wine!