Special report
GLASGOW — Shortly after revitalization in 1994, one of the very first major projects the Edmonton-Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce established was a community service award. After some investigation it was learned that most communities bestowed some type of award on at least one of its citizens yearly.
After much deliberation, the chamber board of directors at that time, decided to establish the Jim C. Coleman Community Service Award to honor a Metcalfe County person who closely exemplified the service orientation of the late Jim C. Coleman.
The 15th Annual Jim C. Coleman Community Service Award was presented at the Edmonton-Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Banquet to Herb Sparks, local attorney.
Sparks has been the presenter of this award since its creation and it was a very difficult task to keep his receipt of the award a surprise. Metcalfe County Agriculture and Environment Agent Brandon Bell did the presentation this year to a very astonished Herb Sparks.
Spark’s wife Jan, son Seth and cousin Tim Reid Sparks were in attendance to participate in the celebration. Members of the Metcalfe County Public Library staff were also in attendance. Sparks served on the library board for many years.
Sparks graduated from Metcalfe County High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1963 and also graduated from Western Kentucky University as valedictorian of the Class of 1967. He attended University of Kentucky Law School from 1967-1970 and graduated Order of the Coif,, a honor society for scholastic society for high achieving law students. He was also a member Delta Theta Phi and Phi Alpha Theta and staff member of the Kentucky Law Journal 1969-1970.
He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1970-74, attaining the rank of Captain and serving as Marine Judge Advocate.
Sparks is a former member and secretary of the Metcalfe County Democratic Executive Committee for 25 years; former member of Kentucky Democratic State Central Executive Committee (24 years); legal counsel for 1976 Democratic National Delegation at National Convention held in New York City; Kentucky’s Representative to President Jimmy Carter’s Panama Canal Citizen Board, Co-Author of Laws of the Democratic Party of Kentucky, adopted in 1976.
Sparks is a practicing attorney in Commonwealth of Kentucky from 1974 to present. From 1984-1992 and 2003-present, he served as Master Commissioner, Metcalfe Circuit Court. He has also served as Assistant Commonwealth Attorney. 43rd Judicial Circuit, Barren & Metcalfe Counties; 1993 August-December Commonwealth Attorney, 43rd Judicial Circuit, Barren & Metcalfe counties; Former Worker’s Compensation Board Law Judge, member of the Metcalfe County Bar Association, member of the Barren County Bar Association, member of the Kentucky Bar Association and member of the Kentucky Academy.
He was a former member and past chairman of the Metcalfe County Library Board; director, Edmonton State Bank; founding member, former member (30 years) Edmonton-Metcalfe County Industrial Development Authority; past member Metcalfe County Health Care ( 25 years Nursing Home Board); past member Barren River Development Health Board; present member, Metcalfe County Board of Health; member, Edmonton-Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce, member Kentucky Historical Society; past member KET Authority Board; past member, Road & Gun Club; member Metcalfe County Fair Board; member Beef Cattleman; member First United Methodist Church, Glasgow ( and Sunday School Teacher), and supporter of Barn Lot Theater. In 1999, Sparks was the recipient of BRADD’s Annual Tim Lee Carter Award for Community Contributions to Barren River Area Development District.
The Edmonton-Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce is proud and pleased to honor Herb Sparks as a Jim C. Coleman Community Service Award recipient.
