News from Aug.
14, 2003 issue
City considers
motel, restaurant tax
By the time this issue of The Press is delivered to subscribers,
the Marion City Council may have already taken a first step toward
implementing a restaurant and motel tax here.
The City Council was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m., Wednesday night
to discuss the plan, after this week's edition was already printed.
Early indication was that the council would move forward with
a proposed three-percent tax on meals and overnight lodging inside
the city limits.
The tax would affect all restaurants, delicatessens, roadside
stands, motels and bed and breakfasts. There is one motel and
one bed and breakfast inside the city limits. All ready-to-eat
meals would be subject to the tax.
It's unclear exactly how much revenue would be generated from
the tax, but some early indications are that perhaps $150,000
would be collected by the city. The money would be used to promote
the area in hopes of increasing tourism.
Garry Barber, Marion's city administrator, said studies show that
towns where the tax is levied have shown an increase in tourism
because the tax dollars raised are spent to improve commerce by
increasing tourism.
Details were to be hashed out Wednesday night at the council meeting,
but it appears the tax would be collected quarterly.
Mayor Mickey Alexander said that he has already heard some opposition
to the plan. Others have endorsed the idea.
Airport expansion kicks off this week
People who don't know Marion has an airport are about to.
Dirt work is expected to begin this fall on the first phase of
a $3 million project to convert Marion-Crittenden County Airport
from a grass landing strip to a paved one that will accommodate
business and personal aircraft.
A public groundbreaking ceremony for the Phase I, $1.19 million
construction project will be held at 11 a.m., Friday at the airport,
located at the end of Airport Road off of U.S. 60 West.
"This is only the fourth or fifth new airport in Kentucky
and Tennessee in the last 20 years," said Jim Johnson, chairman
of the Marion-Crittenden County Airport Board. "It is considered
a new airport because even though we are a licensed facility,
we are starting over as far as the Federal Aviation Authority
(FAA) is concerned because very little out there will contribute
to the new airport."
The bid for grade and drain work which could begin Monday was
awarded in July to Sierra Bravo of Sesser, Ill. Former Marion
resident Jim Fornear is a partner in that company.
The airport will be closed through the end of 2004. Grade work
will be completed this fall. Paving, lighting and construction
of parking areas will start in early 2004.
"The misconception 20 years ago was that this would be built
and maintained for people who live in Marion, it's not to get
those people out of Marion," Johnson said.
"We want to try and get people to Marion."
Speakers during the groundbreaking ceremony Friday will include
Congressman Ed Whitfield and other legislators or their representatives
who were instrumental in helping the local airport board secure
federal funding for the project.
"Crittenden County doesn't have a river port, it doesn't
have a four-lane highway, it doesn't have an airport and we lost
our rail system," Johnson said. "Crittenden County has
been one of the most isolated places in the state of Kentucky."
Johnson said general aviation travel is increasing.
"A large percent of commercial airports are reducing general
aviation operations because of security concerns, and this type
of air traffic is increasing," Johnson said.
He expects an increase in local air traffic after the paved 4,400-foot
runway opens, hopefully late in 2004. He used participants in
Friday's ceremony to illustrate the need for a local airport.
Kentucky Department of Transportation officials, a representative
from the FAA and perhaps others will fly to western Kentucky for
the groundbreaking ceremony but they cannot fly into Marion's
airport. Instead, they will drive from either Paducah or Sturgis.
Johnson said many insurance corporate companies prohibit pilots
from landing on a turf runway like Marion's.
Just over $135,000 in local funds will be required for the project,
which may be paid in the form of some in-kind contributions by
the city and county.
WKU colonnade
named for Marion native
One of Western Kentucky University's most recognizable sites was
dedicated to the memory of late Marion native William L. "Gander"
Terry during a ceremony last month in Bowling Green.
The colonnade, or entrance to Western Kentucky University's first
football stadium, has long been a symbol of education at Western
Kentucky University. Now Terry will be forever associated with
the university through a large bronze plaque attached to the colonnade
describing his contributions to the university as both a football
player, coach and instructor.
By everyone's accounts, Terry was an outstanding player from 1924-1928
at what was then Western Teachers College.
During his senior year, the Hilltoppers were 7-1, state champions
and recorded the best record in school history.
Not only did Terry lead the Hilltoppers to victory at the stadium,
he and other players helped carry loads of rock and performed
other odd jobs while the stadium was being built in 1926. He was
a junior on the first team to play in the stadium, which was recognized
by the impressive colonnade.
Terry, a guard-turned center was remembered during the dedication
ceremony as a player who never failed to give it his all and a
teacher and coach whose toughness was tempered with grace, kindness
and fairness.
"He was a great teacher and no-nonsense gentleman who believed
in the importance of education, and I marvel at his combination
of kindness, toughness and fairness," said Dero Downing,
chairman of the College Heights Foundation and former WKU president.
Downing knew Terry should be honored in some way at Western and
led efforts to dedicate the colonnade in Terry's honor. "It
is a richly deserved tribute to a special person," he said.
"Terry's legacy is of a highly successful win/loss record,
and his record has been a challenge to us young coaches,"
said Jimmy Feix, the winningest coach in Western Kentucky University
history. "He was so interested in kids. All of those who
took the chair he sat in were challenged."
Barbara Terry-Porter, Terry's only daughter who lives in Rapid
City, S.D., attended the luncheon along with many of the past
and present football coaches and athletic directors at WKU. Porter
spoke of her years growing up on the Western Kentucky campus with
her "Papa," and said he would be extremely pleased with
the dedication.
"I have wonderful memories of the colonnade from when I grew
up, and I hope it is here 75 years from now," she said.
Terry was the assistant coach at Western from 1934-1935 and was
head coach from 1938-1941. In the 11 years he was involved at
the university, he accumulated a record of 67-31-7. He spent time
in the U.S. Navy, received his doctorate at Indiana University,
and later taught physical education in San Diego.
He died in 1991 in Rapid City, S.D., at the age of 83.
He is also a member of the Marion-Crittenden County Football Hall
of Fame.