The possibility of combining three cities into one, or at least sharing services between neighboring towns, was the focus of a town hall meeting Thursday in Benham.

Harlan County Judge-Executive Joe Grieshop opened the meeting by saying he understood the financial hardships each of the cities is facing.

“We are here because there is a financial burden that has been put on the local governments in the last couple of years. It’s not as easy to get grant money — it is very difficult to survive,” Grieshop said.

District 3 Magistrate David Kennedy also attended. Kennedy said the meeting was only the beginning of a series of meetings and urged the mayors to take leadership.

“This is the first of many meetings to come. It is going to be a slow process. If the mayors don’t take a leadership role and act on this, then the whole thing is useless to begin with,” he said.

Kennedy said he and Grieshop didn’t attend the meeting to force a merger but were seeking facts and opinions.

“The sole purpose of this meeting tonight is fact-finding. We want to listen to the mayors, council members and the public,” Kennedy said. “We aren’t here tonight as the county government to force a merger of any kind on Cumberland, Benham or Lynch.”

Each of the mayors in the Tri-Cities also attended the meeting and said they would be willing to work together to move forward.

“I am a very open-minded person, and I want what is best for all three cities — not just for Cumberland, Benham or Lynch. I want what is best for the whole Tri-Cities area,” said Cumberland Mayor Loretta Cornett before leaving the meeting.

Lynch Mayor Bob Collier said he is in favor of merging services.

“I would be willing to work to help the Tri-Cities area. I see a lot that needs to be done, a lot that could be done if we will work together to get it done,” Collier said. “We aren’t going to be able to do a lot on our on. Any way that I possibly can be of help, I’m willing to do that. I would be willing to sit down and talk to any of you.”

Benham Mayor John Dodd said any merger proposal should be decided by the residents of the cities.

“This is the people’s issue,” Dodd said. “We know that before we can merge or whatever we need to do, we have to get this thing on the ballot. I am for what the people want. If the people want to do it, it is up to them.”

Dodd said changes are needed to improve conditions in the Tri-Cities area.

“We are going to have something turned loose here in the Tri-Cities that will help us lead the quality of life we deserve. We are no different than any other place,” he said. “We need to be more united so we can get things done and not be so far apart.”

While several council members from both Benham and Lynch attended the meeting, only Charles Raleigh was there from Cumberland. Kennedy later addressed Cumberland’s lack of attendance at the meeting.

“We need more participation from the Cumberland council,” he said.

Mike Patrick, executive director of the Cumberland Valley Area Development District, also attended the meeting and said coming together would be a positive step for the Tri-Cities.

“The availability of grant money is just not what it used to be. I think what you are willing to talk about doing is a great thing, but I don’t think it is going to be an easy thing,” Patrick said. “There is no magic wand to wave and make all of the troubles disappear. But I do believe coming together like this and working together will allow you to overcome just about anything.”

The floor was later open to questions from those in attendance.

Benham resident Roy Silver asked if merging would actually save money.

“Merging water and sewer or a full merger, each city suffers from the debt on their current water and sewer plants. In each case, given the fact that there isn’t going to be a lot of grant money, how do you pay off the old debt?” Silver asked. “Do all three cities pay the debt for Cumberland, Lynch and Benham? The idea is that this is supposed to save money, but if you take out additional debt to pay your old debt, does that save you money?”

“There is a statute. In that statute, it says that any obligations by the city will remain with that geographical area within the new city,” responded Patrick.

Kennedy added that there are many questions that will have to be answered before any form of a merger is placed on the ballot in September.

“Everything needs to be brought to the table and explained,” he said.