The River City News: GOOD LUCK, CHUCK: COVINGTON'S NEW MAYOR IS NAMED

by Michael Monks

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Charles R. "Chuck" Scheper is sworn in as
Covington's Mayor

"So much for retirement," Covington businessman Chuck Scheper said from the podium at City Hall just moments after he was approved as the city's new mayor. "I want to thank (former Mayor) Denny Bowman," Scheper continued, explaining that Bowman asked him thirteen years ago to lead an analysis on how to reform Covington's government and make it more efficient. That request led to 1999's "Scheper Report", a thoroughly researched document that Scheper said offered over $5 million in savings following the efforts of twenty people spending over a thousand hours to arrive at ninety recommendations.

"I never thought I'd be Mayor of Covington," Scheper, 59, said. "I'd like to revisit some of those recommendations." He said only about twenty percent of the recommendations have been implemented.

Scheper speaks after being named
Mayor

The new mayor now leads a city with a lot on its plate and Scheper plans to get right down to business. He will start by visiting neighborhoods and meeting with department heads. "The city faces real challenges, key businesses leaving, budget issues," Scheper said. "But it has rich treasures, diversity, housing stock, entrepreneurial business environment, and not one but two rivers. We do have the best view of our sister city, Cincinnati."

Scheper also offered other specific reasons to be optimistic about Covington's future such as the library expansion, the Riverfront Commons project, and a confidence in the catalytic development fund reaching its goal of $10 million. "My mission is to evaluate options and act to build sustainable actions," Scheper said. He said that there is no reason for employees to worry about imminent layoffs.

A standing ovation for Covington's new mayor.

The city commissioners that voted unanimously to make Scheper mayor offered nothing short of lavish praise and hope. "Chuck is an extraordinary individual who brings an acumen we wouldn't otherwise have," said Commissioner Steve Casper. "We are blessed."

"This is hopefully the beginning of a new chapter and we will begin to implement changes as quickly as we can," said Commissioner Steve Frank.

"This raises the bar for the City of Covington," said Commissioner Shawn Masters. "I can't think of a better person to lead us. Today we are not Democrats or Republicans, we are Covingtonians." The vote in favor of Scheper makes the city commission a Republican dominated one, though it is legally nonpartisan. Masters's fellow and only other Democrat, Commissioner Sherry Carran, who served as interim mayor until Scheper was named, shared Masters's sentiment.

"Chuck has the right set of leadership skills and vision to lead the city," Carran said. "We are lucky to have him. I hope with all my heart that we don't let Chuck down."

Scheper signs the oath of office.

Tuesday afternoon's special meeting of the city commission drew a full chamber of spectators, including business and political leaders. It was a significant event to honor a man who rehabbed his first Covington home in 1977 at 5th & Russell streets, a house he still owns with his wife of 33 years, Julie, with whom he now lives in Licking Riverside. The graduate of Saint Xavier High School in Cincinnati and Thomas More College in Crestview Hills shared stories about an early life in Covington that included time at Zimmer Hardware, a small business that was owned by his great-grandfather. Scheper's grandfather, Charles Zimmer ran for city commission in the 1930s on a reform ticket, was elected and voted to appoint Covington's first city manager.

Covington's current city manager, Larry Klein, also offered praise. "I look forward to learning from you," Klein told Scheper. "There's a new dynamic here and it's a huge day in the two-hundred year history of this town."

Corporex Chairman & CEO Bill Butler (Center) and former
Commissioner Jerry Stricker listen to Scheper

Scheper is also a cancer survivor, diagnosed twenty years ago with stage-4 non-Hondgkins lymphoma. "My cancer journey gives me a sense of urgency," Scheper said. "Life is short, so I take advantage of every opportunity." His business successes are long, including stints as chief operating officer at Great American Financial Resources, chief executive officer of Manhattan Life, and president of Pioneer Financial Services. His career began as an accountant with Price Waterhouse. Scheper is still active, serving as Chairman of Bexion Pharmaceuticals, a member of Vision 2015, and is vice chair of the Catalytic Development Funding Corporation of Northern Kentucky.

"We can make great strides in the fourteen months," the new mayor said. "There's a great quote by George Bernard Shaw that is often wrongly attributed to Robert Kennedy, 'Some men see things the way they are and ask why, I dream things that never were and say, why not?' Join me in saying, why not?"

More photos:

Former Commissioner Jerry Stricker, who had sought the appointment,
addresses the crowd. "I'm glad it's you and not me," he told Scheper.
"I'll help any way I can."