I’m mad and I should not be posting this but I’m a Booth and I do have a voice and the privilege of sharing my thoughts!!
My brother Jim Booth is in the forefront of the news this week!! His coal companies like numerous others have been eliminated because of the constraints for 8 years of the Obama administration!!
I know Jim will pay his fair share when negotiations of property values are finalized!! It only makes sense that a property that has a operating business be assessed at a higher rate than a property that is just idle!! Penalties have accrued throughout the process!! Again, my brother will pay his fair share as he always has in the past!!
My advice to him would be to liquidate every asset he has in Martin County!! I’m tired of those who degrade him speak the loudest!! Oh, privately, some will say what a great person he is and how much he has given to Martin County!! For some reason, those people are cowards!They are afraid they will step on the good ole boys toes if they speak up!!!
I am proud to say my brother has never or ever wanted to be a local “good ole boy”!! His contributions far excel from that category!! Also, he never sought approval from that establishment!!
Again, my brother will pay his fair share of taxes without any doubt!!
If he follows my advice he will pay the taxes owed and immediately stop contributions to the Community Center, Historical Society future endeavors, the First Baptist Church and other MC organizations!! Donations of land for community development would cease as well!! I would challenge others to come forward!!
I would absolutely invite someone to identify a monetary figure of taxes that HAVE been paid to MC over the years his businesses have been successful!! That figure would be more than the naysayers clumped together assets could compare!!
As I have stated- where are you people who supposedly are grateful for his contributions!! You are cowards in my opinion!!!
Again, yes, he will pay his share of taxes!!
(EDITOR’S NOTE: You can see letters of support from other family members and friends on Karen Harvey’s FB page)
Jim has the money. He should just pay and get it over with. If this had been the average cItizen they would have sold our property on the courthouse steps.
I absolutely love this. I think it’s great that there are still people out there that are willing to defend their family at all cost.
I don’t know Jim personally. I met him once and spoke to him for approximately 1-2 min. I do know that as much as I keep up with local news that its no secret how much Jim has helped boost the economy. Between financial donations, land donations, establishing new businesses (which creates jobs), and continued effort of keeping up the preexisting business, the surrounding counties should be thankful to have someone like Jim to depend on.
In my opinion what this all comes down to is now that Martin Co is struggling so bad, and even talks about trying to dissolve Inez as a city, they are reaching and grabbing at anything they can to rake in some money. This comes back to the old saying “don’t bite the hand that feeds you”!
What will Martin Co do when they can no longer (practically extort) Jim Booth? Who will keep them going then? That money will only last a little while then what?
Paul Preece look Jim will pay his taxes Jim has gave Mc more than 2 million none of the Tv. Or news paper tell all the stuff Jim gave the Mc Jim could sold every thing and just set back like a lot of the Big people that run Mc in the ground but no he keeps trying to do stuff here just think all the men and women that work for him it he just pull roots and left where would they be then
I for one appreciate the contributions Jim Booth has made not just in Martin County but to Lawrence County also. I don’t know him but have seen the many things that he has built or brought to this area. People are always criticizing people who have money out of jealousy and envy. I’m sure he will pay up when all is said and done. The media just fans the flames!
Jim Booth is a great man with a inspirational story of his accomplishments! And has helped employ locals and bringing businesses into the area! I’m sure he has paid his fair share in the past! Someone is always jealous of others hard work and accomplishments and will talk badly against them when they can but circumstances change instantly and words and deeds cut deeply! I hope he does not take others words for the majority of locals who are extremely grateful for all he’s done locally!!!
Walt said he will defend Jim Booth as well, he was his boss for about 8 years. Jim tries to hire within the county and area, he is still employing people from our area in what mines he has left. He has done more for our county than anyone I know. Some people are just to quick to judge and throw stones without looking in the mirror… 😢
i think they should thank the man if it wasn’t for jim martin country would be a ghost town look at the business that he has done
So what if he owes the county back taxes! Weigh the options! Continue to employ and pay people their wages or pay taxes to an already defunct county government and watch more people become unemployed and dependent on welfare and food stamps. Jim Booth has given more to his home county than anyone could ever imagine. The benefits start with coal miners, who provided their families with homes, cars, vacations, groceries, which meant that this man’s money was spent at gas stations, restaurants, parts stores, car lots, pharmacies, dr. Offices, construction companies, lumber companies Mom and pop shops, businesses in surrounding counties and out of state, not to mention the monies donated to fundraisers to help schools, seriously ill members of the community, and children needing money to further their education so they could return to their home county to give back to family and friends. Everyone in Martin County at one time or another has received money from Jim Booth both directly or indirectly. People need to learn loyalty, honor and how to be humble. The greediness needs to Stop! He gave his fellow neighbor and brothers jobs, and did everything he could to keep his operations up and going to keep his beloved Martin County moving forward.
In my opinion, Jim Booth is an outstanding gentleman. His contributions, which have brought a huge percentage of jobs in Martin county. I cant recall how many times Ive heard of his different contributions not only in Martin county, also surrounding counties. I feel this is a personal attack due to Mr.Booths success! I feel it all falls back to envy and greed! This man put forward the dedication and work to get to where he is today, rather then envy another put in your iwn sweat, tears, hardwork, sleepless nights to gain your own success to which then you will have your own finances! Thank you Jim Booth from my heart truly.
Considering all the growth, jobs, classy businesses, Booth has developed in the surrounding counties; it does seem shame to bash him in public. I have not always agreed with some of his projects, but I am glad he has the money to make things happen here in EASTERN KENTUCKY. I AM CONFIDENT HE WILL PAY UP! I’m not a friend, relative, and don’t even know Jim Booth, but give credit where credit is due. I wish I had money to make things happen for our region, I don’t and I’m not jealous of his accomplishments. PAY UP JIM BOOTH, AND KEEP THE MONEY FLOWING for Eastern KY. PS: No argument here, and will not respond to comments.
Jim is a great man. He has brought a once dieing counties back to life by providing jobs for the communities. If it wasn’t for him they would be no jobs for Martin County and Lawrence County. He will pay his debt . I thank god for him keeping the many employed. A lot of the coal mines have closed down but he is trying his hardest to keep going. He wants everyone to work and he wants to be able to put everyone back to work. People need to stop badmouthing him and stand by him like he has for so many.
Just pay your taxes like the rest of us do. No one is attacking his family. The common folk pay thier taxes and it’s time the rich folk pay their taxes as well.
I totally agree that Jim has done a great job for Martin County and citizens, however just think what his back tax money could do for the county much-needed! Just pay the taxes like any other citizen that lives in the county.
Jim Booth is a great man, both my Brothers worked for him, Mike and David Perry who both are now deceased just thought the world of him . Again both my Brothers Mike and David Perry worked for Jim Booth , he’s a great man.
I believe the attack on Jim Booth is a hit job by bias Liberal Democrats . Jim Booth has continually given to Martin County by the jobs that he supplies to generate income for local citizens. Jim has made Martin County look better by the places he has built for places of entertainment. If Jim Booth had not recently hosted the REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR BEVIN ,then perhaps he would not have been attacked !!! The Liberal Democrats are trying to destroy THE UNITED STATES by destroying one CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN at a time . I am on TEAM JIM BOOTH. He is only guilty of doing good !!!
Retired Teacher Donna Horn
One thing i do not understand about Martin County is after all these years with numerous coal companies in their county is the county has nothing. Where did all the money go.? It didn’t gain the county much.
Sorry sister of Jim Booth but I am not going to praise your brother for paying his taxes in the past… I’m not going to praise him for doing what is required by law like each and every one of us have to do….
If we don’t pay our taxes, our names are in the paper and we get sued by the county…. that’s just the way it is. Your brother, as good of a man and philanthropist as he is, just needs to do the same.
My husband worked for Mr. Booth for several years and he was always good to us. When my husband got hurt on the job was taken to Three Rivers where Mr. Booth showed up and before finding out he was worse than expected, he made a phone call to get my husband in for a broken arm with a local orthopedic surgeon within the hour. He had just left when we got news my husband was worse and they were shipping him to St. Mary’s in WV. We were there 3 days and they still had not done anything to his arm and was doubtful he would get an MRI for 2 or 3 more days. I called Rick Cantrell explained our situation and within minutes received a call from Mr. Booth…..he contacted someone that could get things rolling and within a few hours things were getting done. I mean a man as busy as he is and he took time for us. You people who are being so mean and hateful have NO IDEA what a good man he is and how much he does for that county and employees all over. Obama just about destroyed a lot within the coal business, however, he tried to keep that business going…….All I can say is SHAME on all of you who have came down so hard on him!!!!! We will forever have gratitude for this man….GOD Bless him!!!!
Poor little Jim. Worth several hundred millions of dollars and can’t pay what he owes. I feel so so sorry for him. Martin County/Inez is in complete shambles, no water, no police, no jobs, but poor Jim Booth has it tougher than all the citizens put together. Easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven.
Martin County is in a pickle. I do not believe that Jim had or has any ill intent when it comes to taxes. With that being said should he pay his property taxes? Yes. Is he right to try to negotiate a settlement? Yes we all would. I recently negotiated a debt settlement. This is done in business all the time as well as in owed taxes. The problem that Martin County has is they are now obliged to settle with Mr Booth because he has done so much for the community financially. The Bible says the borrower is slave to the lender; while I understand that Jim never intended his donations to be a loan the county is now beholden to him. When you give money or accept money from friends and neighbors it changes the dynamics of any relationship. It’s a good idea to stay away from this as much as possible
All those posting negative comments don’t understand the way business works. If Jim doesn’t handle this correctly, not only will he lose, but many employees and Martin County will too. Jim knows what he is doing. He will do what is right. Martin County will get those taxes….but will it really help things. Martin county’s problem is due to mismanagement and Obama. Not Jim Booth. I’d almost like to see Jim pull out of Martin County and watch things completely fall apart there.
No other man has ever done more for Martin County than Jim booth. There is no question about that.
The growth and jobs that Jim has brought to Lawrence and Martin county alone are unparallel to any entrepreneurs who have ever lived in those areas. Heck, as much revenue that Jim has created he should be forgiven of this specific tax debt. Good way to mess around and cause him to withdraw all of his support in these areas! He’s given way far more than these taxes are worth. Think about that before you lose one of your greatest supporters.
Hands down Jim Booth is a great person. As much as he has done for Martin co. They should waive his taxes. People are judgmental and have no sympathy for their fellow man. Jesus said those without sin let him cast the first stone. None of you can because all have sinned and came short of the glory of God. This is really ridiculous if you think about it. He’s gave more to the county than what he owes now. Without him Martin co. Wouldn’t exist. The very people complaining has probably needed help from him in the past and received his help. Why does people have to be hypocrites. They are good to your face and talk about you behind your back. We should be praying for Jim Booth and supporting him like he has done to others so many times. A forgiving heart will help you get to heaven. Let us pray to God for peace, comfort, and understanding in this situation.
So what I’m getting from some of these comments (mainly Nobama & his sister) is if he has to pay and the county doesnt negotiate then he will pull out and leave the county in despair OR let his taxes “slide” and he stays and lives happily ever after….and this county will continue to be the same struggling county ?lay blame where it should be…within the previous administration! Hmmm what is everyone else getting from the comments?
Just one question, where would MC be without Jim Booth. Big companies like Ok, owned Martiki left like rats leaving a burning ship. They did little for MC. Jim could live in Pikeville or Lexington instead choosing to live near the people he cares about.