Six file to run for Corbin City Commission

A local cinema owner and former Corbin Tourism Commission chairman is one of two women who will vie for a spot on the town’s City Commission this year, while the board’s longest serving incumbent member announced Tuesday he has decided to end his political career.

Tri-County Cineplex co-owner Suzie Razmus officially filed as a candidate for Corbin’s Board of Commissioners last week after a month of considering the move. Patsy Miller Smith also declared her candidacy to run only minutes before Tuesday’s filing deadline.

"I talked to my friends and family about doing it, and there wasn’t anyone that told me not to. Everyone was positive and encouraging," Razmus said. "I just feel like I have something to offer to the city of Corbin. I have years of business experience and a passion for this city. I want to be part of making Corbin a better place to live."

Razmus, 48, is a 1981 graduate of Corbin High School and has a Bachelor of Science in both Marketing and Economics from Western Kentucky University.

She, her husband and other family members constructed and own Tri-County Cineplex, a state-of-the-art movie theater, on Cumberland Falls Hwy. in south Corbin in Dec. 2004.

She also is owner of Suzie’s Espresso, a specialty coffee business located inside Vanderbilt University and the school’s hospital in Nashville, Tenn.

Razmus spend five years on the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission. Her final year, she served as chairman. She said she feels fostering and nurturing more tourism in Corbin will be important to the future of the town’s economy. She is currently spearheading an effort to construct a park in downtown Corbin dedicated to Kentucky Fried Chicken Founder Colonel Harland Sanders. The main feature of the park will be an iconic bronze statue of Sanders.

"My hope is to increase tourism in Corbin because I believe that is where the city is going," Razmus said. "You look at things like our arena. It’s a beautiful facility and shows we’ve already made a commitment to go in the direction of encouraging more tourism. You just can’t expect that place to hold only Corbin citizens and make it. I think we need to be laser-focused on tourism."

Razmus also said she would like to see more improvement to downtown Corbin and fully supports the city’s Main Street Program in its effort to revitalize the central business district.

"The heart of any city is its downtown," Razmus said. "It’s just crucial. I have traveled to other small towns with a lot less … but they’ve taken what they’ve got and really ran with it. I think we can do that too."

Razmus added along with tourism opportunities in Corbin, she would also focus on continuing to improve local recreation facilities.

Four other candidates are already in the race including incumbents Joe "Butch" White, Joe Shelton and Ed Tye. Retired United Parcel Service driver Freddie Bruce Hodge is the only challenger to file.

While there won’t be any need for a primary – which would require nine candidates – the top four vote-getters in November’s General Election will be seated on the commission.

The Commission’s longest serving incumbent, Phil Gregory, announced Tuesday he did not intend to seek another term in office.

Gregory, 73, a retired banker, has served on the Board of Commissioners since 1999 when he was appointed to finish out the unexpired term of Larry Stevens. Stevens died tragically in a motorcycle accident while still in office.

"They asked me to fill that position two months before I retired from banking. I’ve really enjoyed it, but I’ve not had much time to myself," Gregory said. "There are a lot of good people in Corbin that needs to step forward and help the city. It’s time for me to do what people are supposed to do when they retire."

Gregory gave unmitigated praise to current Mayor Willard McBurney, fellow commissioners and all those employed by the city.

"There’s so many good people that work for the city, it’s hard to give this up," Gregory said. "I love Corbin and I love all the people I work with. I think things will keep going in the right direction."

Gregory said he plans to spend more time with his grandchildren and focus on his health.

"I need to take care of myself a little better," he said jokingly. "If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have started earlier."