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Sander’s Park organizer defends fundraising efforts for statue
Posted On 29 May 2013
Above, Corbin City Commissioner Suzie Razmus speaks with members of the Leadership Tri-County Class of 2013 during a tour of Sander’s Park last week.
One of the principal organizers behind a downtown Corbin park dedicated to Kentucky Fried Chicken Founder Colonel Harland Sanders defended recent fundraising efforts by the non-profit group behind the park amid concerns, voiced by some members of the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission recently, that not enough was being done to finish the project.
Corbin City Commissioner Suzie Razmus, who is also a founding member of The Friends of Colonels Sanders – a non-profit organization dedicated to the construction of Sanders Park – said that about $20,000 has been raised so far to pay for the large, bronze, signature statue of Sanders that will be the centerpiece of the park.
Sanders Park is currently under construction at the corner of Main and Monroe Streets.
"I’m not concerned about it," Razmus said during an interview at the park last week. She had just finished talking to the Leadership Tri-County Class of 2013 who was visiting the park on Friday.
"I’d love for it to be finished now … I never thought this was going to be a quick project."
Razmus said the group has $20,000 in cash raised from the sale of personalized bricks and limestone pavers that will be laid at the park. The bronze statue of Sanders is expected to cost around $47,000.
"I was planning on doing a stronger marketing push after the bricks that have been bought have been laid and then start hitting up businesses and others for donations," Razmus said.
She added that plans are also in the works to photograph the park when it is complete and take the pictures to KFCÕs parent company, Louisville-based Yum! Brands, seeking financial assistance for the statue.
Fundraising for the statue became a concern two weeks ago during a budget workshop meeting of the townÕs Tourism and Convention Commission. Board members said the Friends of Colonel Sanders had promised to pay for the statue through fundraising, but the persistent rumors were circulating that instead the Commission would be asked to foot the bill.
Razmus said that isnÕt true and that Friends of the Colonel has not asked for funds to pay for the statue.
"I think things are going fine, but I was kind of confused because it seemed like we had requested money for the statue and we haven’t," Razmus said.
"I’m not actively out knocking on doors right now, but when the park is complete and people see what it could be with the statue they will start coming to us."
A website dedicated to the project, www.buildthecolonel.com, can be used to gain information about the project or to donate to its completion. Razmus said bricks and pavers can also be purchased through the website.
The Tourism Commission owns the park and purchased the property in 2010 while Razmus served as chairperson of the board. It agreed, earlier this year, to finish construction of the project, with exception of the statue, after plans to use donated labor were taking too long.
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Now this is a great idea. Lets put a statue at every corner of Corbin. Like when you see Buddha or some other Greek God. Then us Corbinites can sell little tiny statues of the Colonel and help pay for them. Then maybe the Gods will surely smile down on us all. Also could very well shied us from the brimstone and fire storm about to occur.
Now this is a great idea. Lets put a statue at every corner of Corbin. Like when you see Buddha or some other Greek God. Then us Corbinites can sell little tiny statues of the Colonel and help pay for them. Then maybe the Gods will surely smile down on us all. Also could very well shied us from the brimstone and fire storm about to occur.
Now this is a great idea. Lets put a statue at every corner of Corbin. Like when you see Buddha or some other Greek God. Then us Corbinites can sell little tiny statues of the Colonel and help pay for them. Then maybe the Gods will surely smile down on us all. Also could very well shied us from the brimstone and fire storm about to occur.
Now this is a great idea. Lets put a statue at every corner of Corbin. Like when you see Buddha or some other Greek God. Then us Corbinites can sell little tiny statues of the Colonel and help pay for them. Then maybe the Gods will surely smile down on us all. Also could very well shied us from the brimstone and fire storm about to occur.
Now this is a great idea. Lets put a statue at every corner of Corbin. Like when you see Buddha or some other Greek God. Then us Corbinites can sell little tiny statues of the Colonel and help pay for them. Then maybe the Gods will surely smile down on us all. Also could very well shied us from the brimstone and fire storm about to occur.
Now this is a great idea. Lets put a statue at every corner of Corbin. Like when you see Buddha or some other Greek God. Then us Corbinites can sell little tiny statues of the Colonel and help pay for them. Then maybe the Gods will surely smile down on us all. Also could very well shied us from the brimstone and fire storm about to occur.
Now this is a great idea. Lets put a statue at every corner of Corbin. Like when you see Buddha or some other Greek God. Then us Corbinites can sell little tiny statues of the Colonel and help pay for them. Then maybe the Gods will surely smile down on us all. Also could very well shied us from the brimstone and fire storm about to occur.
Now this is a great idea. Lets put a statue at every corner of Corbin. Like when you see Buddha or some other Greek God. Then us Corbinites can sell little tiny statues of the Colonel and help pay for them. Then maybe the Gods will surely smile down on us all. Also could very well shied us from the brimstone and fire storm about to occur.
this is just like all corbinites they are still living in the 20s and old harlan did nothing for corbin. i sure don’t think he is a hero all he did was make money off some old poor black woman by taking her fried chicken and selling it . just like a corbinite make it off someone else. he sure does not need a park or square in town i guess corbin people will fall for anything and waste money on a tribute to someone who cared nothing for corbin. but corbin commisioners just want to make a name for their self. how about spending money on getting some industry in and jobs for someone which pays good.
Im with Bubba. Sanders was a successful businessman, not some sort of a War Hero. Let KFC, pay for the park and statue, see if they belive in him as much as you do.
Funny, Colonel Harlan Sanders seems to have cost this town money….instead of boosting the economy in Corbin we are filling the pockets of KFC shareholders. Why don’t we try and do something positive for Corbin like close down half the pharmacies…Why doesn’t KFC pay for a statue?? They certainly have the funds.