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December 14, 2009

We've got a city race

All current commissioners, challenger Ed Tye running

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Looks like the city of Corbin will have a contested city commissioner race next November.

All current commissioners, plus challenger Ed Tye, have either filed their candidacy or said they plan to run in the 2010 election.

Joe Shelton, who had been undecided on whether he would seek a fourth term, confirmed to the Times-Tribune on Wednesday that he would file for re-election.

“We all get along really well, the present commission and the mayor, and there’s just still some things that we need to finish and accomplish,” he said. “I would like to see the Knox County lawsuit be resolved, I’d like that dispute to be resolved, and I would like to see Corbin grow and I’d like to be a part of it.”

Challenger Ed Tye, who served 15 years on the city commission from 1990-2005, has also filed for election. He unsuccessfully ran for a commission seat in 2006 and 2008.

“I think with my experience and everything, I still have a lot to offer,” he said.

Tye is retired from the Air Force and from Cingular Wireless. He said of the current commission, “there’s always things that you see that you would like to do a little differently,” but said “it’s a bit early to point to specifics.”

Phil Gregory, who has served on the commission since filling an unexpired term in 1999, will also be seeking re-election.

“I’m still in good health and I’ve enjoyed it quite a bit,” Gregory said of his time on the commission. “We’ve accomplished a lot and we seem to all get along good together... The mayor is doing a good job and I would like to be there when we really try to get our money from the payroll tax and finish some of our projects.”

Gregory said it is unclear how much money the city could get if it wins appeals in its suit against Knox County for its share of occupational taxes, but said “we feel like it’s close to $650,000 to $700,000” annually.

He also mentioned the need to expand city recycling services, with the possibility of starting a pilot program for curb-side recycling pick up in one neighborhood to see if it would be feasible city-wide.

Incumbents Bruce Farris and Dennis Lynch have also expressed that they will be running again. They couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.

So far, incumbent Willard McBurney is running unopposed for the mayor’s seat.

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