TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

Local News

Discussion

August 14, 2012

Sanders Park to be ready next Nibroc

Fundraising now concentrates on Colonel’s statue

The Times-Tribune

CORBIN — By Jeff Noble / Staff writer

By this time next year, work on Sanders Park at the corner of Main and Monroe Streets in downtown Corbin is to be complete.

What remains is the park’s centerpiece — the statue of Kentucky Fried Chicken icon and former Corbin resident Col. Harland Sanders — and organizers hope that will be ready by the time next year’s Nibroc Festival rolls around.

That word came from Suzie Razmus of the group raising money for the park and statue, the Friends of Colonel Sanders. Razmus gave an update before Monday’s regular meeting of the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission was to take place. Due to a lack of a quorum, the meeting was cancelled.

Razmus said $2,400 was raised during a spaghetti dinner held July 30 at the Elks Lodge on Main Street, and added some $500 in donations came in to the organization during “the last few days.”

She stated all donations coming in would be used to purchase the statue of Col. Sanders.

“Construction has resumed on the prep work at the site. They’re working on getting the bricklaying, drainage, electrical and other things ready. In September, people going by the site will see students from Somerset Community College’s Masonry Technology program at work,” said Razmus.

In a March 22 story in the Times-Tribune, Razmus told the Tourism Board the cost of the Col. Sanders statue was $47,000. The Friends of Colonel Sanders continues to raise funds for purchasing the statue, through donations and the sale of personalized bricks to be used at the park.

She pointed out the Friends have contacted KFC’s owner, Yum! Brands in Louisville, and hopes to keep that channel of communication open. According to Razmus, one particular sign of progress was last Saturday when Col. Bob Thompson was the Grand Marshall of the Nibroc Parade. Thompson, a former Lawrenceburg mayor, is the official spokesperson for KFC at public events, and was dressed in the parade as Col. Sanders.

The Tourism Board will meet in special session Wednesday at 5:30 p.m, at their office on Depot Street. It’s expected board members will go into executive session to discuss applicants for the position of administrative assistant. The position hasn’t been filled full-time since the person who held the position, Karen Vanover, continues to recuperate from an accident late last year.

Text Only
Local News
  • London garbage rates to increase

    A new ordinance governing garbage collection and rates was approved unanimously by present members of the London City Council during a special-called meeting Thursday.

    May 24, 2013

  • London garbage rates to increase

    A new ordinance governing garbage collection and rates was approved unanimously by present members of the London City Council during a special-called meeting Thursday.

    May 24, 2013

  • Corbin BOE approves district facility plan

    A new middle school, two new elementary schools and major renovations to four other Corbin Independent Schools properties are in the plans for the future.

    May 24, 2013

  • Animal rescue group members express concern about shelter

    Members of two animal rescue groups approached the Laurel County Fiscal Court Thursday in an attempt to set protocols for the county animal shelter.

    May 24, 2013

  • City replies on NIBROC meeting

    Corbin’s mayor and city manager took issue Wednesday to charges that the city put restrictions on what could be done in preparing for this year’s NIBROC Festival.

    May 23, 2013

  • Jailer says he tried to do the right thing

    Whitley County Jailer Ken Mobley said he tried to do the right thing concerning an open records request made by Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell last month — but that’s not going to stop the sheriff from contacting the Attorney General’s office again today.

    May 23, 2013

  • Police Roundup - May 23, 2013

    A woman sought by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department during the May 2 drug roundup was arrested in Tennessee this week.

    May 23, 2013

  • Man faces 33-count indictment

    A Walton man was handed a 33-count indictment by Judge Paul K. Winchester in Whitley County Circuit Court Monday.

    May 23, 2013

  • NIBROC plans ahead for August

    Hoping for what they call a “productive NIBROC Festival,” plans for what will be a scaled-back festival were brought up during a planning meeting Tuesday afternoon.

    May 22, 2013

  • Man indicted for pouring gas on wife, himself

    A man who allegedly poured gasoline on himself and his wife and threatened to set them both on fire was indicted in Whitley County Circuit Court Monday, court documents indicate.

    May 22, 2013