William Dotson, left, and Michael Poynter, both Cave City natives, are to be inducted in the Cave City Chamber of Commerce’s Hall of Fame Induction on Dec. 14, 2021. Dotson will be honored posthumously.
(SUBMITTED)
By Sam Terry, Hall of Fame Committee
CAVE CITY, Ky. — A noted Civil Rights leader and the executive director of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services will be the 2021 inductees of the Cave City Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame Committee revealed the inductees on last week in preparation for the annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas Banquet slated for Dec. 14.
William S. Dotson
William S. Dotson, a Cave City native, left his hometown after completing the 8th Grade because there was no local high school for Black students. A son of Samuel L. and Pearl Overstreet Dotson, he completed his high school education at Kentucky State Industrial College, earning a certificate in shoe repair. He continued his studies at what is now Kentucky State University, completing his degree in 1936. By 1938, Dotson had located in Lexington, Kentucky where he was the first Black life insurance agent in that city.
Dotson was a charter member of the Lexington Chapter of NAACP and served as the branch’s president from 1946 to 1960. During his tenure, Dotson was involved in several high-profile events including the Lyman Johnson case that ultimately began the integration of Kentucky’s state-supported colleges. He was treasurer of the Kentucky NAACP from its inception, serving 27 years. Aside from his career and his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, Dotson was a basketball official throughout Kentucky and the mid-West for nearly three decades.
Dotson died in 1995. Dotson’s surviving child, Carolyn, will be traveling to Cave City along with her daughters, Pamela and Neva, for the induction banquet.
Michael Poynter
Michael Poynter, a Cave City native and 1980 graduate of Caverna High School, has been selected for induction into the Cave City Hall of Fame. He is the son of the late J.C. and Marie Smith Poynter.
From the earliest days of his working life, beginning at the Cave City Volunteer Fire Department, Poynter has demonstrated a passion for the field of Emergency Medical Services. Now more than 40 years later, Poynter has become a nationally-recognized professional.
Among his many assignments in the course of his career are working as a Tactical Paramedic as part of the FBI Special Weapons & Tactical Team, and a Flight Paramedic for a Level One Trauma Center. He is a board member of the Bluegrass State Intelligence Community Center; director of the National Association of State EMS Officials; commissioner to the American College of Paramedic Executives; and a board member of the FBI InfraGuard National Alliance. Poynter is currently the Executive Director of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services.
He resides in Lexington with his wife and two children who will accompany him to his hometown for the induction banquet.
2020 Inductee
Due to the worldwide pandemic, the Chamber was unable to hold its annual banquet in 2020. However, the work of the Hall of Fame Committee carried on with the selection of Cave City native Seaborn Ellzey for the Hall of Fame. A brief ceremony for family and friends was held last December.
Tickets now on sale
The Cave City Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas Banquet will take place on Tuesday, December 14 at the Cave City Convention Center. The evening begins with a Fellowship Hour at 5:30pm followed by the banquet and induction at 6:30pm. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the Chamber offices, or by telephoning 270-773-5159, or by emailing cavecitychamber@gmail.com
In the spirit of the season and safety, the banquet will be a Covid-19 sensitive environment. Masks are encouraged. Seating will be four per table.
