The River City News: 2011-10-23

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

Cincinnati Enquirer/Shauna Steigerwald

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DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL AD TO BE FILMED IN COVINGTON
According to Carl Weiser at the Enquirer's Politics Extra, a local talent agency is soliciting actors for a campaign spot to be filmed in Covington Tuesday. According to the note, the campaign ad, which does not mention President Barack Obama, will film at a hardware store, an architect shop, and a print shop, all in Covington. Wednesday and Thursday more shooting will happen in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati.com
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MAD HATTER CLOSING, AS MADISON THEATER EXPANDS

The River City News reported six weeks ago that Kings Lighting & DJ on Madison Avenue was closing so that its neighbor, the Madison Theater could expand. Today, by way of the Enquirer, we learn that the Mad Hatter will close so that its owner can run the new Madison expansion. The Mad Hatter was always packed when a show was booked. Covington commercial real estate agent Chuck Eilerman notes that the Mad Hatter is expected to be used by Gateway College.

(BTW, The River City News's parent company Dean Miuccio Productions bought up much of Kings Lighting's inventory and used it for the TV show Cincinnality.)

MADISON PLACE FEATURED AS 'VACANT' AND...'PRESTIGIOUS'?

The Nielsen Company has not confirmed publicly that it is leaving its taxpayer-subsidized office space in Covington for taxpayer-subsidized office space in Cincinnati, but NKY Tri-ED lists Madison Place and all 290,000 square feet inside as available. Corporex, the company that built and owns the building, only lists half that available (presumably, the half NOT occupied by Nielsen) which means the whole thing would be vacant. Yet, NKY Tri-ED describes the address as "prestigious"? For the whole story, click the link to our earlier report.

The River City News

GRUESOME COVINGTON MURDER TRIAL ENDS WITH GUILTY VERDICT

From Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders via Twitter: "Commonwealth v Mayse GUILTY Complicity to Murder & Robbery!" Sentencing is set for Tuesday.

COURT: KENTUCKY FREE TO RELY ON 'ALMIGHTY GOD' FOR SECURITY
In another episode of This-Did-Not-Come-From-The-Onion, a KY Court of Appeals ruled against a group of atheists that wanted to change the state law that required Kentuckians to thank the almighty God for keeping us safe:

State law requires the Office of Homeland Security to publicize God's benevolent protective powers in its official reports and on a plaque posted outside the entrance to the state Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort. State Rep. Tom Riner, D-Louisville, a Southern Baptist minister, placed the "Almighty God" language into the law establishing the office without much notice at the time.

Kentucky doesn't surprise me anymore. Not after tax incentives for the Ark Park in Grant County.
Lexington Herald-Leader
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MITCH MCCONNELL AIDE WAS AT MAYOR SCHEPER'S SWEARING-IN

I was tipped off via email that the gentleman behind the photographer, wearing khaki pants and blazer, is Chase Crigler, NKY field representative for Sen. Mitch McConnell. It is worth acknowledging because you see Mr. Bill Butler of Corporex standing there too. Butler & McConnell must sense an important change in Covington. Let's hope they're right.

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NKY WILL PREVAIL AGAIN IN TOUGH TIMES
Some much-needed optimism from NKY business leaders Bob Zapp (Bank of Kentucky) and Bill Robinson (President of American Bar Association). The article is only half available unless you are a subscriber.
Business Courier
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HELP THE HOMELESS IN COVINGTON WITH A TEXT MESSAGE
The Welcome House has a new donation opportunity. Give $10 with a simple text of Homeless to 85944. They say the ten bucks could feed fifteen women and children at their emergency shelter.
https://www.facebook.com/WelcomeHouseKY/posts/276055282435302
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WEAR COSTUME, PAY LESS AT FATTY PATTY THIS WEEKEND
From Fatty Patty, the Mainstrasse pizza & beer place: "Happy Halloweekend! All weekend long, wear your costume, eat at Fatty Patty's and receive 20% off your meal! This is for dine-in orders only, I want to see lots of crazy characters in the dining room and at the bar!"
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.277124925643369.64327.134847556537774&type=1#!/yourfattypattys

SIMPLE MATH IMPLIES NO HOPE FOR RETAINING NIELSEN, 600 JOBS

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

ENTIRE MADISON PLACE OFFICE BUILDING FEATURED AS "VACANT"

Madison Place
Photo via

Is this how Covingtonians are supposed to be told that The Nielsen Company, which still has not publicly stated that it plans to move to Cincinnati, is in fact leaving and taking its six-hundred employees with it? The Northern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (Tri-Ed) is promoting Madison Place as this month's featured property in its Thrive NKY monthly newsletter. It says there is 290,516 square feet of space availabe. That's not what Corporex, the property's owner, lists on its website as available. Corporex offers six available floors with square footage that adds up to only 143,427. But this Business Courier report from a year ago that first hinted at a Nielsen move says the company occupies 148,000 square feet in Madison Place. 143,247 + 148,000 = 291,427. Not exact, but certainly telling. Take a look at how Tri-ED promotes the building:

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY MORNING

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

COVINGTON MARCH AGAINST VIOLENCE SET WITH LETTER TO RESIDENTS

Click the link for date details and an open letter to the people of Covington from two neighborhood leaders.

The River City News

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CRASH THAT DAMAGED COV PD CRUISERS, LED TO BIG COCAINE BUST

It turns out that the high speed chase involving Covington Police in Fort Wright that ended in a crash, led to arrests in a cocaine investgation that's been going on for years. Nice story by Rich Jaffe at the link.

Local 12

GATEWAY COLLEGE AIMS FOR EXPANSION

Very important discussion about the future of this game-changing project.

"We are in an expansion mode into the urban core," Hughes said, discussing plans to seek $52.8 million to develop an urban campus and authorization of $11 million to renovate the existing building at the former Two Rivers Middle School, 525 Scott Blvd.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Mike Rutledge
SEE ALSO: Unfortunately, a college degree isn't what it used to be in this country.
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GOVERNOR TO PUSH FOR GAMBLING AFTER REELECTION

It didn't work out the first time around thanks mostly to his opponent in this year's election. But once Governor Beshear embarrasses David Williams at the polls, perhaps he'll have more of a mandate to get it done. Afterall, won the 2007 election by just 17 percentage points (usually enough for a "mandate"), but this time may double that.

Barefoot & Progressive

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2012 MAY BE ANOTHER 'YEAR OF THE WOMAN'

Good news for Commissioner Sherry Carran, who is seeking the mayor's job next year? Elect Women Magazine says 2012 may be shaping up to look like 1992, which was called the "Year of the Woman" politically.

Elect Women

DIRECTION 2030 INVITES YOU TO PLAY ONLINE WITH THEM

Click the link to fool around online with something called Open City. Looks like it may be interesting.

Direction2030

SEE ALSO: Not enough young people engaged about Kenton County's future

PLEASE, WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T EAT A MCRIB!

Yeah, it's tasty and exciting... but did you know some of its ingredients are the same ones used to make gym mats and shoes? I'm lovin' it!

TIME
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THURSDAY EVENING'S ROUND-UP
Our city features prominently in new anti-bullying video; Omnicare is laughing at Covington yet again today; A judge from Covington is permanently disbarred; and a preview of a Covington business getting a second location in Hyde Park. Click the link.
The River City News
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THURSDAY MORNING'S ROUND-UP
Cov Schools' commitment to continuing improvement deemed 'exemplary'; New competition for Madison Avenue's Wedding Mall; There will be no Tall Stacks event in 2012; and a popular local band searches for a member's missing wife. Those stories and more at the link.
The River City News

Thursday, October 27, 2011

NEWS ROUND-UP THURSDAY EVENING

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

OMNICARE LAUGHS AT COVINGTON, PART 3

In spite of needing taxpayer assistance to pay its rent at RiverCenter and also to pay its rent at its new digs in Cincinnati, Omnicare still has plenty of cash to buy up its nearest competitor. Louisville-based Pharmerica has now agreed to share acquisition related information with the ~~Covington~~ Cincinnati-based Omnicare:

“While the PharMerica board continues to believe that Omnicare’s $15-per-share offer undervalues the company, the company is engaging in this analytical process to enhance its understanding of the antitrust risk related to Omnicare’s proposed combination,” according to a news release.

Oh, Pharmerica. If you really want to know what it means to be undervalued by Omnicare, give your old friend Covington a call. Omnicare just posted a $28 million profit while operating out of its government-subsidized offices in Covington but they feel like they could make even more money when they relocate to Cincinnati starting in December, costing our city nearly a million bucks and who knows how many jobs (in addition to the 500 or so that are leaving RiverCenter). It seems like a lot of fuss is being made over a company that paid nearly a $100,000,000 (that's one-hundred million dollars) to settlle allegations of Medicare fraud. Ever wonder what would happen to you if you committed $100 million in fraud against elderly people? I'm not sure either... but I bet tax breaks wouldn't be involved.
SEE ALSO: Omnicare move's architect subject of ethics complaint
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COVINGTON FEATURES PROMINENTLY IN ANTI-BULLYING VIDEO
The "It Gets Better" anti-bullying campaign by The Trevor Project gets support from the region with a new local "It Gets Better" video premiering at Below Zero Lounge in Over-The-Rhine.

This event is to help raise awareness & funds... for the Trevor Project and will also be the premier of Cincinnati's "It Gets Better Video" featuring many of our public officials, business leaders and a few surprises. Entry is $5 or $25 for the VIP reception from 7-7:30. There will also be a drink special and a raffle with proceeds benefiting Trevor Project.

Covington City Commissioner Shawn Masters and Renaissance Covington manager Katie Meyer are featured or involved as well as Covington residents Ron Padgett and Roderick Willis. The City of Covington, Leapin' Lizards, and Otto's are thanked by the producers. Here is a preview of the video:

See the full video tonight starting at 7:30PM at Below Zero Lounge, 1122 Walnut Street in Cincinnati. This is a much-needed message following the suicide of a Covington teen after being tormented by bullies and following the City Commission's call for a resolution against bullying.
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JUDGE JAY BAMBERGER, COVINGTON NATIVE, DISBARRED BY STATE
Following an investigation into his handling of the infamous fen-phen case, the Kentucky Supreme Court permanently disbarred Latonia native Jay Bamberger. He resigned as a circuit cour judge serving Boone & Gallatin Counties when the investigation began. Bamberger went to Holy Cross High School and is the first cousin of former Covington City Commissioner and Mainstrasse Village Association Executive Director Jerry Bamberger, whose public career also ended on the wrong side of a court case.
Cincinnati Business Courier
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WHAT IS IT THAT GEOFF DAVIS IS ALWAYS TWEETING ABOUT?

Geoff Davis discussing, wait for it,
the REINS Act
Photo via

If you follow Congressman Geoff Davis on Twitter, barely ten minutes can pass without a mention of something called the REINS Act. Sometimes he points out where his local offices are, but other than that, it's always REINSing over the head of Geoff Davis. Let's learn about what it is, together, from the man himself:

Meanwhile, unemployment is up in all 3 NKY counties. I'l let you know when Congressman Davis makes a video about that.
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COVINGTON'S KEYSTONE GEARS UP FOR ITS HYDE PARK LOCATION
Congratulations to 4 Entertainment Group on their soon-to-open second Keystone location in Hyde Park. The company launched a series of web videos so that you can follow along with the progress. Here's the latest:

Very cool! I recommend the meatloaf sandwich. I profiled the Roebling Point Business Association a few weeks ago.

WILL YOU STAND UP TO STOP VIOLENCE IN COVINGTON?

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

Following an increase in violent and other crime in Covington, two neighborhoods hope to rally the others. Leaders from Helentown and Eastside have issued a letter to all residents of Covington. It reads as follows:

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AT COVINGTON SCHOOLS: 'EXEMPLARY'

The Covington Independent Public School District announced that it was accredited this week by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school was deemed 'operational' in all seven of the agency's standards: vision & purpose, governance & leadership, teaching & learning, documenting & using results, resources & support systems, stakeholder communications & relationships, and commitment to continuous improvement. From CIPS:

The commendations from the review are:
1) The commitment to continuous improvement in the Covington Independent School District is exemplary.
2) The culture of the Covington Independent School District is focused on an effective customer service model.
3) The Covington Independent School District has strong support from many community partners.

The actions from the review are:
1) Develop and implement effective strategies to further address teacher retention;
2) Identify urban school district with similar demographics and trend data in order to evaluate student performance and system effectiveness.

COVINGTON POLICE WANT YOUR PILLS

	Covington Police in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration will be in the lobby at Police Headquarters collecting any expired or unused prescription drugs. Please drop your drugs off to prevent environmental damage or drugs falling into the wrong hands. This Saturday from 10:00AM - 2:00PM. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=231429186918661

COMPETITION FOR COVINGTON'S WEDDING MALL?

A group of wedding vendors have teamed up to open their own version under a single roof in Newport.

JIM BEAM CAMPAIGNS FOR GEOFF DAVIS

Last night our Congressman was feted by our state's signature beverage. Individual tickets for the gala affair cost $500. That's one pricey cocktail.

Politico

FIRE DAMAGES LATONIA HOME

No one was hurt, but the house is not liveable at the moment.

http://www.facebook.com/southgatehouse1814/posts/101326883313910#!/pages/Jake-Speed-The-Freddies/53261189134?sk=wall

COVINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT FALLS TO SECOND PLACE

The Liberty Mutual Be Fre Smart competition (winning department gets $10,000 for fire safety programs) has been a heated battle between Covington and Wilmington, Massachusetts. The New Englanders have surpassed us, so go vote now and let's win this thing!

Be Fire Smart

NO TALL STACKS FOR 2012

The once-popular event that attracted tens of thousands to Covington's riverfront will not happen next year as hoped because organizers say all the corporate sponsors are tied up in the World Choir Games which will be in Cincinnati next year.

WLWT

DEVOU PARK TRAILS FULL OF GHOSTS!

...and other monsters. This Saturday (Oct 29) is the Devou Park Trails Back Country Bonanza, an event geared toward the athletic and families. From the website:

The trails are designed, built, and maintained by a joint partnership with the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association, (KyMBA) and the Cincinnati Off Road Alliance, (CORA) under the direction of the City of Covington. The trails are for Hikers, Trail runners, and Off Road Cyclists. The trails are being constructed in accordance with the International Mountain Bike Association Trail Building Standards.

FREE FLU SHOTS FOR POOR ON MADISON AVENUE

The Madison Avenue Christian Church is working with nurses from the Nursing Program at Northern Kentucky University to offer free flu vaccines to the homeless and poor in Northern Kentucky.
(Not The) Kentucky Post
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EVEN THE SUBURBS ARE POOR NOW
Look out, poverty is ocntagious! It's now growing faster in the suburbs than in the cities.
The New York Times

LOCAL MUSIC ACT LOOKING FOR MISSING WIFE

Chris Werner of the popular local music act Jake Speed & The Freddies is asking for help in the search of his missing wife. Click the link for details.

'WICKED' TICKETS LOTTERY

The day of each performacne of the smash Broadway hit that always sells out on tour here in town, there will be a limited number of tickets available in a lottery. The show runs at the Aronoff this year for almost the entire month of November.

FOX 19

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

COVINGTON POLICE CRUISERS DAMAGED IN CHASE, CRASH

The department updates an earlier report from the Cincinnati Enquirer via Facebook:

Covington Police officers were involved in this pursuit and had two cruisers damaged when the fleeing suspect rammed the officers attempting to apprehend him.

FIRST MEETING TONIGHT OF MYSTERIOUS "DIRECTION 2030" GROUP

The Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission's new Direction 2030 initiative holds its first public meeting this evening.

"One of a series of public meetings scheduled for members of the public – including residents, builders, developers, business owners and operators, and others – to offer input on the Comprehensive Plan, a policy and planning document that is designed to guide the development and growth in Kenton County over the next 20 years."

Meeting is tonight at 5:30PM at Dixie Heights High School. Executive Director Dennis Gordon took to his Facebook page to say:

Kenton County is going to change over the next 20 years; it's one of
those few guarantees of life. What we as citizens need to do is help
shape the change so it benefits the community's overall quality of life.
That's what Direction 2030 is about… reaching out and engaging
citizens on how to shape the change that's coming.

IS THERE MERGER TALK IN THE AIR?

You may recall a recent presentation at The Carnegie in which something called the Kenton County Government Study Group (I have still not found any evidence of its existence) commissioned an examination of what would happen if there were a merger of cities and the county and other scenarios. It was shortly after that presentation that Direction 2030 launched looking toward Kenton County's future. If you go to the meeting at Dixie tonight, hit us up with some info (I can't go).

In the meantime, merger talks appear to be happening across the river, too.

HERO OF BEVERLY HILLS SUPPER CLUB FIRE HAS NO ONE TO BURY HIM

The man pulled hundreds of live and dead bodies from the burning rubble during that local nightmare. He died of a heart attack, and now no one has come forward to claim him. Sad.

FOX 19

MAYBE CINCINNATI'S STREETCAR SHOULD COME OVER HERE TOO?

A transportation poverty crisis is predicted in a new study. So what is that? UrbanCincy reports:

...64 percent of Cincinnati’s population between the ages of 65 and 79 will have poor transit access by 2015. In the Cincinnati metropolitan area, that accounts for approximately 200,000 people. The Cincinnati region is not alone when it comes to providing adequate transit options to a growing aging population. Out of 48 regions studied with 1-3 million people, Cincinnati ranked as the 17th worst. Columbus and Cleveland, meanwhile, ranked as the 18th and 24th worst respectively.

UrbanCincy

IF AIRPORT ISN'T BUSY ANYMORE, SHOULD WE START KNOCKING IT DOWN?

Maybe, according to Amanda Van Benschoten's story here.

NEW INTERSTATE TO TRIGGER IMMATURE GIGGLES

I-69 is moving forward.

Beshear said during the ceremony Tuesday that the state has now "put I-69 on the Kentucky map." A statement from Beshear says I-69 will eventually run from the
Ohio River at Henderson to the Tennessee border at Fulton, but the initial 55-mile long segment will run from Eddyville to Nortonville.

WKYT

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

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COVINGTON GETS NEW MAYOR, BUT WHO KNEW?
Of course you know, because you read The River City News and we had comprehensive coverage with photographs right here: Good Luck, Chuck

But the corporate media in Cincinnati continue to fail Covington and the rest of Northern Kentucky. Covington swears in new Mayor Chuck Scheper and only 2 stations send crews? Here's a look at their coverage:

"LOCAL" 12 - Cincinnati's most-watched TV station did not send a news team to City Hall for the swearing-in of the mayor of Northern Kentucky's largest city. So much for local... Oh wait! What's that? Local 12 was in Covington yesterday? Hmmm... More on that below.

WCPO 9 - They sent a camera and a guy who didn't ask any questions. I don't see the video on their website, but there is an article that says Scheper is from somewhere called "East Covington".

WLWT 5 - Camera guy was there asking simple questions, clearly without any idea of what's been going in the city. Not his fault, of course, he was ordered just to come back to the station with b-roll and a soundbite that an intern can select and that a clueless producer can just throw in the newscast. However, I don't see the video on their website either.

FOX 19 - Was not present at City Hall for the Tuesday ceremony, but did manage to rewrite the City's press release and put it on their website Monday.

KYPOST.COM - This is the most offensive media operation in the region today. The audacity to use the name of the Kentucky Post, the only publication that truly gave a damn about NKY before being shut down a few years ago, is disgraceful. "Life in the 859" they say at kypost.com. Who else says that? No one. If you click here for their story of our new mayor, you'll find it's the same one that is posted at wcpo.com. The same one without background or context or comments from more than one person.

ENQUIRER - Thank goodness the Cincinnati Enquirer assigns a couple of reporters specifically to the area. Here's coverage from Mike Rutledge: Covington Mayor Sworn In

I'm not going to hammer larger media outlets too often (mainly because it's too easy, but also because small media like this have their shortcomings too) but this has to be noted: Covington is the capital of NKY and we just named a new mayor, a local business leader with serious cred on both sides of the river. And this is all the coverage we're due? Disgraceful.

I often point out that were Covington not next to Cincinnati, it would still have a daily paper and possibly 2 or more TV affiliates. Bowling Green does. But we're next to Cincinnati and their media don't pay enough attention about what happens over here. Think about this: Bromley, Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton and Ft. Thomas have a combined population of nearly 100,000. That makes the River Cities as a whole a formidable population center. One that deserves proper media attention all day, every day.

Just know that we're working toward that here.
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COVINGTON APARTMENT COMMUNITY ON ALERT
It turns out that Local 12 could make it over to Covington, just not for our special New Mayor Day. Local 12 loves to lead their newscast with crime stories and they found their top crime story right here in Covington last night. Watch as Reporter Paula Toti breathlessly saves a city from a creepy handyman.
"Local" 12
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'LURID, GRUESOME AND ABHORRENT DETAILS OF LIFE AT 1010 GREENUP'
Are you following the trial of Samantha Mayse, the woman accused of luring a man for sex, only to kill him with a friend? Awful awful awful.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

GOOD LUCK, CHUCK: COVINGTON'S NEW MAYOR IS NAMED

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

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.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY LUNCH EDITION

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

IN SPITE OF $28 MILLION PROFIT IN THIRD QUARTER, OMNICARE WILL STILL MOVE INTO GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED OFFICE SPACE

Just weeks removed from the announcement that it would move from government-subsidized office space in Covington to government-subsidized office space in Cincinnati, Omnicare announced today a profit of $28 million in the third quarter. The Fortune 500 company that will be bailing on the RiverCenter tower, its home office since the late 1990s when Kentucky lured it here from Cincinnati with the promise of generous tax breaks, held a live webcast today to announce the windfall profit and to project 2011 total revenue at $6.1 billion. That's billion, with a B. And then, the whole room laughed at all of us.

Click here for webcast replay: Omnicare

For More: Yahoo Finance & Business Courier

GOOD LUCK, CHUCK

Today at 4:00PM, Covington's city commissioners will vote to name businessman Chuck Scheper as mayor to replace Denny Bowman. Following the vote, the commissioners and the new mayor will answer questions at a press conference. The River City News will be the only Covington blog there to bring you the story firsthand.

ZOMBIE STORY #1

The Centers For Disease Control want you to be prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse.

We continue to reach and engage a wide variety of audiences on all hazards preparedness via Zombie Preparedness; and as our own director, Dr. Ali Khan, notes, "If you are generally well equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse you will be prepared for a hurricane, pandemic, earthquake, or terrorist attack." So please log on, get a kit, make a plan, and be prepared!

CDC Zombies
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ZOMBIE STORY #2
zOMG! Zombies are already here! They're protesting at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse Downtown! Thank goodness Jeff Ruby's Waterfront washed away, otherwise the zombies may be descending on Covington, ruining our New Mayor Day.
PETA
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FINALLY, A PARK DEDICATED TO 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY'
Did you know that song was written in Louisville? Louisville did. Now there will be a part devoted to it. Does that mean it's time for Covington to create a park in honor of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" writer Haven Gillespie?
STORY: Courier-Journal
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CHRISTIAN LAETTNER NOT UNFORGETTABLE IN NEW WIN OVER KENTUCKY
The former Duke and NBA star infamous in the Bluegrass for a last second game-winning shot in the 1992 East Regionals of the NCAAs against Kentucky, took on UK again. And won.
Herald-Leader

A VERY SPECIAL NEW MAYOR ROUND-UP

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

SCHEPER TO BE NAMED MAYOR, COVINGTON'S 5TH SINCE 2000

Chuck Scheper

Charles R. Scheper will be named Mayor of Covington by city commissioners today at 4:00PM. The 59-year old former CEO, COO and current Board Chairman will replace Denny Bowman, who resigned for the second time in eleven years at the end of September. Scheper, 59, lives in Licking Riverside. The River City News will be the only Covington blog at City Hall with live updates of the press conference through Facebook & Twitter and a comprehensive original report to follow right here on the website.

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In the meantime, watch our next mayor in this video from February:

Last night on the Facebook page, we discussed whether the addition of another wealthy resident to the commission was representative of the city, which is statistically among the poorest in the state and region. You can read the accompanying report here: How Much Good Could a Good Chuck chuck?

DID YOU KNOW...?

Covington has had five mayors since the year 2000. Denny Bowman (resigned), Jim Eggemeier, Butch Callery, Denny Bowman (resigned), and now Chuck Scheper. Maybe we just love that new-mayor smell?

'AT LEAST WE'RE NOT THAT COVINGTON'

And now a new feature where we look at what's happening in other American hamlets that also have the great fortune of being called Covington.

DATELINE: COVINGTON, GEORGIA

Bobby Sigman

Take a look at Bobby Sigman. He's running for mayor in Covington, Georgia. I know what you're thinking. "But Michael, that picture looks like a mugshot." To that I say, good eye, lad! Good eye, indeed. It is a mugshot. The 70-year old Sigman was arrested after police say they found him stealing the campaign yard signs of his opponent, Ronnie Johnson. Police performed a sting operation after being tipped that Johnson's signs were disappearing:

The 70-year-old Sigman said the video showing him picking up a pile of signs “were signs I found on the right-of-way, and I planned to return them” to Johnston. “I did not steal any of his signs,” Sigman said.
(snip)
He said earlier this week that he was quitting the race, telling Channel 2 Action news he was “tired of seeing my supporters raked over the coals for nothing.”

Now Sigman says he's staying in the race.
Read the whole hot mess at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

DATELINE: COVINGTON, LOUISIANA

Richard Palmisano

The police chief of our namesake in Cajun Country is on paid administrative leave because he can't seem to get along with the mayor. Richard Palmisano refused to reisgn when Mike Cooper was elected and expressed an interest in starting with a "clean slate" in the police department. As you can imagine, they've been the best of friends ever since. So much so, that the mayor was able to figure out a way to suspend the chief by initiating an internal investigation:

The attorney general determined that the city's charter, which gives the mayor the right to appoint his own department heads, is trumped by state civil service laws, which require that termination be in "good faith" and "for cause." The opinion added that firing Palmisano could violate the due process protections provided by the state and U.S. constitutions.
Cooper on Friday said he couldn't elaborate on the suspension, adding: "I'm following the rules of the civil service board."

Have your second helping of hot mess by reading the rest at the New Orleans Times-Picayune

DATELINE: COVINGTON, MICHIGAN

Not really any crazy news coming out of this tiny town on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. However, it is worth noting that not only does our city share its name with this one, the Michigan Covington was actually named for our Covington! It's true, according to the fine folks at Wikipedia:

Covington was first settled by French-Canadians around 1885, and was named for the postmaster's home town of Covington, Kentucky. The community was a stop along the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway.

I know, right? Oh, and one more thing. The photo you see here is listed on Covington, Michigan's Wikipedia entry as "Downtown Covington". Downtown Covington. See? It could be worse.

Monday, October 24, 2011

HOW MUCH GOOD COULD A GOOD CHUCK CHUCK

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter
(CORRECTION 11:15PM - Commissioner Steve Casper was elected as a resident of Licking Riverside but no longer lives there. He now lives in Seminary Square.)

We are less than twenty-four hours from having a new mayor in Covington and business leader Chuck Scheper will get the nod at a 4:00PM special legislative meeting of the city commission. Here's what Covington's leadership would look like made up of Scheper and the four current commissioners.

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THE ALLIANCE

After a long series of 4 - 1 votes on the commission (with ex-Mayor Bowman always cast as the 1), it will be interesting to see how long the unity lasts. Without Dick Nixon to kick around anymore, will it be 5 - 0 or will the lines be drawn in a more partisan manner. Here's an interesting thought: most of Scheper's campaign contributions have been to Republicans and we know that Commissioners Steve Casper & Steve Frank are Republicans (and recipients of contributions from Scheper). This makes a majority Republican commission in Kenton County's only true Democratic stronghold with Commissioners Sherry Carran and Shawn Masters as the minority Democrats. True, the commission is technically nonpartisan but this would still be an historic lineup of officeholders in Covington.

THE 1% BECOMES 40%

That's right. Members of the wealthy 1% of Americans would make up 40% of Covington's City Commission. Steve Frank is a declared millionaire and Scheper, who was Chief Operating Officer at Great American Financial Resources and is now Chairman Bexion Pharmaceuticals, isn't hurting either. Two out of five members on the commission would rank among the wealthiest percentage of Americans, in a city in which more than a quarter of children live below the poverty line, where nearly every public school student is on free or reduced lunch and in which nearly 20% of the entire population live below the poverty line. As for the other three members of the commission, they are not one-percenters, but they are at the very least upper middle-class if not higher than that.

Also, this commission would not have one member that lives south of 12th Street/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Three of them would have their roots in Licking Riverside or the neighboring Ascent (CORRECTION 11:15PM - Commissioner Steve Casper was elected as a resident of Licking Riverside but now lives in Seminary Square).

There are no racial minorities on this commission, or any commission since Pam Mullins in the late 1990s, even though African-Americans make up ten percent of the population. At ten percent, with the number of people that have served on the commission since 2000, mathematically there would be an African-American at some point. Sherry Carran is the sole female even though women outnumber men in the city. In the last campaign, including the primary, Carran was the only female in the race and there were no racial minorities.

CAN A COMMISSION THAT IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF COVINGTON, EFFECTIVELY REPRESENT COVINGTON?

That's the most important part of any discussion concerning City Hall and its elected leaders. It would appear that the new commission with Chuck Scheper at the helm moves even further away from being a body truly representative of the city as a whole. Geographically and economically, these folks are far apart from the average Covingtonian.

REGARDLESS, THERE IS MUCH WORK TO BE DONE

But this is the team we have now until the next election (Scheper indicates to the commissioners that he will not seek to be elected to the office in 2012) and they have giant tasks ahead of them. I look forward to meeting Mr. Scheper tomorrow and hope that he, along with the commissioners, can help move this city forward. The River City News will be at City Hall tomorrow and as always will have comprehensive coverage of this new government and along with you, will watch every move it makes.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY LUNCH EDITION

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

Cincinnati Chocolate Festival announcement

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DATE SET FOR MARCH AGAINST VIOLENCE IN COVINGTON

Mark your calendars for Monday, November 21 to gather as a community and march against the recent spike in violent crime in our city. Organizers want to gather at 6:00PM at the Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center at Scott Boulevard & Robbins Street. The march will then visit various locations of recent violent crimes and ultimately end at The Hub in Helentown at 15th & Garrard. For background on the formation of this event, see this link: Violent Crime Increase Prompts Rally & March

For the Facebook event: Click Here

NO ANNOUNCEMENT YET FOR DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS ORDINANCE

Twenty-three days have passed since Commissioners Masters & Frank announced that the City of Covington would move to introduce domestic partner benefits for city employees. From The River City News Facebook page just moments after the announcement:

BREAKING: Covington City Commission to pass domestic partner benefits for health insurance coverage, announced Commissioners Frank & Masters at today's Covington Night Out.

Not a peep on the issue since. I'm sure the attention being paid to finding a new mayor has stalled many plans. I bring this up simply because the Cincinnati Enquirer asked Cincinnati City Council candidates for their position on domestic partner benefits. There are varied responses and you can read them here: Cincinnati Enquirer
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ABOUT THAT NEW MAYOR
A press conference is called for Tuesday at 4:00PM. This may be the big announcement that the four commissioners have selected their choice for mayor. A vote would likely follow on Tuesday, November 1 during the commission meeting. The River City News will continue to follow and bring you the latest as it happens.
UPDATE (11:30AM): There will be a special meeting Tuesday prior to press conference in which mayor will be selected and then a press conference will follow.
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COVINGTON BAKERY WINS TOP HONORS DESPITE BEING CLOSED

AJ Creations, the gluten-free bakery that was operating on Pike Street, took top honors at the Cincinnati Chocolate Festival. In fact, the bakery that officially closed October 1 (according to its Facebook page) won two awards: "Best of Show" and "Best Chocolate Truffle". On September 1, Amber Jones wrote of her bakery, "After a firm evaluation of AJ Creations and more importantly, of my family, we have decided to close the business temporarily. We are currently looking at closing down completely for 2 years. During that time I will be working on a cookbook as well as a gluten free cooking/ baking blog. I will send this information once it is established." In any case, we congratulate AJ Creations for their success at Sunday's event.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED...
This morning's news round-up includes details on a piece of property for sale at a bargain price -- on eBay! Plus, a racist doll pops up at the Mainstrasse Antiques sale. Click the link.
Monday Morning News Round-Up
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'HIGH HOPES FOR HOUSING IN COVINGTON'
The Cincinnati Enquirer's Mike Rutledge profiles the development that will replace the Jacob Price Housing Project.
Cincinnati Enquirer
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NEIGHBORHOODS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH
'Better Neighborhoods Rival Medicine In Obesity Battle', reads the headline from Wired.

If you’ve begun to pack on the pounds, your doctor may recommend that you get up and move around. But a new study suggests that it’s not just your body you should be moving. Researchers have found that relocating people out of poor neighborhoods can be as effective as drugs in reducing their chances of becoming overweight and developing diabetes.

Read the whole thing here: Wired.com

Hat tip: Andrew Sullivan

DON'T MISS THE LT. GOVERNOR DEBATE TONIGHT

This should be a nice opening act for the main event. God bless KET.

WKYT

ROB SANDERS & COMPANY DON PINK TIES

'Pink Tie Monday' at the Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney's Office. Click link for photo.

KYprosecutor's Twitter

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SPEND HALLOWEEN AT THE HAUNTED BOBBY MACKEY'S?

The Northern Kentucky Paranormal Society is giving you the chance. Yikes... terrifying.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=253564574693800&id=122548453000

SPEAKING OF MACKES AND HALLOWEEN

The Kenton County Library put a picture out today that shows a 'Haunted House' in Covington from the late 1970s. It features local news anchor Trica Macke's husband, Chris (an attorney) and others. Recognize anyone? Click the link.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10527894&l=672da009a3&id=162811581284&media_url=http%3A%2F%2Fa8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F314917_10150427893966285_162811581284_10527894_1058104340_n.jpg

BUT WHAT'S SCARIER THAN THAT?

Christian Laettner is IN KENTUCKY TONIGHT. Remember him? The Duke basketball star that dashed hopes and broke hearts that still haven't healed even though it's been nearly 20 years since this:

Ouch. Still hurts. Laettner will be at Rupp Arena no less in the role of a villain. Why? Click the link.

Herald-Leader

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY MORNING 24 OCT

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

One of These Dolls is Not Like the Others

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MAYOR SEARCH: PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY
UPDATE (11:30AM): There will be a special meeting Tuesday prior to press conference in which mayor will be selected and then a press conference will follow.
ORIGINAL POST: The city commissioners will hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon at 4:00PM, likely to announce their choice for mayor. There is no commission meeting scheduled for that evening, so the earliest the chosen candidate could be approved is the following Tuesday, November 1, still within the maximum thirty days the commission had to replace former Mayor Bowman. The River City News will have it covered for you. If you want background info on the search and the candidates, check out The Sunday Edition (link below).
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YOUR TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Did you catch up on the busy week in Covington? It may be Monday, but The River City News Sunday Edition is still available for you to read!

The Sunday Edition

RACIST DOLL FOR SALE AT MAINSTRASSE ANTIQUE EVENT?

It was just lying there on a blanket with a bunch of noncontroversial items. Is it racist? Signs point to yes. One thing is for certain, the "golliwog" doll isn't an antique, so what was it doing on the 6th Street Promenade in Mainstrasse during the antique sale? Click the link for the full story, context and background.

OWN A PIECE OF COVINGTON FOR SALE ON EBAY

You can buy a lot of junk on eBay, but now you can own your very own piece of Covington thanks to the online auction site. That beautiful 6-unit apartment building you see in the photo is for sale at the bargain basement price of $5,500. The property is on East 8th Street between Scott Boulevard and Greenup Street. A few of my favorite notes on this property include, "PayPal option available", "Buyer is responsibile for all current and delinquent taxes and any and all liens, assessments, and other encumbrances", and "total closing cost is $199". Though my favorite note is that "local pick-up available". What if I prefer delivery? PVA records indicate that the property was bought at auction and is owned by a company called Tax Ease Lien Investments in Dallas, TX. The building has been a vacant eyesore here in Covington for a long time and was even featured in 2002 as one of Cincinnati CityBeat's "blight of the week":

How could a defunct court reporting company still own a building? On the surface, that seems to be the case with this white, boarded-up three-story structure just off Scott Street in Covington. But the records at the Kenton County Property Valuation Administration are misleading. They say the Les Whitling Reporting Service Inc. owns it, but that business hasn't operated in Northern Kentucky in 20 years, according to Whitling's wife, who moved with him to Russell, Pa. more than 20 years ago. Around that time they sold the building to C.J. Vieth and the CJV Reporting Company of West Fourth Street in Newport. Vieth is now negotiating the final details of a sale that would relocate his office to the building. Vieth says he doesn't know if the building will be used for housing as well, but he seemed sure the building will not remain vacant. "It's not going to be a blight on the community," he says. "It's going to be renovated and redeveloped."

So much for that. Here's the eBay listing: 6-Unit-Apartment-Building-Covington-KY
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MAINSTRASSE GOES TO THE DOGS!

What an awesome event -- hundreds of dogs in costume turn out for the tenth annual Paw-rade. For the complete rundown on the winners including photos, click the link.

Mainstrasse Dog Paw-rade Winners & Photos

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TREY GRAYSON GOES ALL HARVARD ON US

Trey Grayson is one of the brightest political minds weighing in on Bluegrass issues today. He left his post as the Commonwealth's Secretary of State to become Director of the Harvard Institute of Politics (after losing badly to Rand Paul in the GOP US Senate primary). He seems to be liking New England. This is his latest tweet:

Great day so far. Watched Harvard beat Princeton in FB w/Nancy & girls. Then Head of the Charles. Now a capella concert w/ Pitches & Dins.

Boy, is he fitting in up there or what? Follow Trey Grayson on Twitter here: @KYTrey.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

ONE OF THESE DOLLS IS NOT LIKE THE OTHERS

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

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While walking through the 4th Sunday Mainstrasse Antiques sales on the 6th Street Promenade, I noticed a dealer selling dolls. They were all lying on a blanket on the ground. One stuck out for obvious reasons. See if you can pick it out:

I mean, really? This just gets thrown on the blanket with the rest of the dolls as if no one will notice? What the hell is this doll anyway? Is it the same doll that required an apology from Queen Elizabeth II when she learned that a gift shop at one of her estates was selling it? Why, yes it is:

MAINSTRASSE DOG PAW-RADE WINNERS & PHOTOS

by Michael Monks

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter
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The tenth annual Mainstrasse Dog Pawrade drew hundreds of puppies and big dogs to the Village and almost of all of them were in the Halloween spirit. Mainstrasse seals its reputation as a walkable, dog-friendly neighborhood with this well-attended, cheery event. This year's theme was "Famour artists and artwork". Take a look at the photos below, starting with the winners in three categories:

1st Place, Theme: "Izzy" as Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup

2nd Place, Theme: "Crash" as Vincent Van Gogh

1st Place, Store Bought: "Molly", "Sam", "Gus", & "Lily"
as Little Bo Peep

2nd Place, Store Bought: "Peanut" as Caterpillar
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1st Place, Original: "Sadie" as Pupweiser

2nd Place, Original: "Teddy" as Biker Dog