THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks
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QUESTIONS, UNCERTAINTY AT CITY HALL AS BUDGET VOTE LOOMS
A million dollars (and possibly more) need to be cut from Covington police & fire according to Tuesday night's budget presentation at City Hall. Fire Chief Chuck Norris urged the commission not to "dig (his) hole any deeper" while the code enforcement director predicted the end of his department. Full story at the link. |
MORE NOTES FROM THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING:
- Interim Police Chief Spike Jones appears to be the frontrunner for the permanent job. Candace Witte of Licking Riverside turned in a petition with 136 signatures in support of Jones while Bennie Doggett of the Eastside also spoke in favor of the interim chief. "Your support of Spike does not fall on deaf ears," said Commissioner Steve Casper. "I think you're in the same direction that we are." It was indicated that a decision would be made by the end of the month and that the City is not conducting a national search as it had planned to do when former Chief Lee Russo exited last month.
- Commission endorses Kentucky's effort at allowing second-class cities like Covington to establish "entertainment destination centers". Kentucky's alcoholic beverage control (ABC) board is considering a new regulation that would allow for common areas to be created in cities of the second class. Think, Fourth Street Live in Louisville. There will be a public hearing on the issue "coming up", according to City Solicitor Frank Warnock.
- Purchase of two new street sweepers approved with one vote against. The commission voted 4-1 in favor of spending $351,000 on the new sweepers following a presentation by city engineer Tom Logan that demonstrated a purchase of the sweepers now would save money later. Commissioner Shawn Masters was the lone "no" vote, saying later, " I can't consciously vote to spend $300,000-plus when we're talking about cutting more from public safety. Yes, a clean city is important, but I believe our old equipment would do just fine. It would have been money well spent on beautifying the gateways into our city." The public improvements department cleans 16,000 curb miles in Covington each year.
- Additional notes: Vacating a portion of the right-of-way on Bush Street near the Cathedral Basilica was approved to make way for planned developments by the Diocese of Covington; A roofing contract was rescinded after the contractor, Heitzman Construction, was unable to secure the necessary insurance (negotiations with second-lowest bidder are underway); Approval was granted to "narrowband" the public safety communication towers; More city employees will now be authorized to sign documents related to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program; $66,000 was approved for a HOME Consortium renovation in Newport (Covington administers the funds for the river cities); Angelia Wallace's resignation from the dispatch center was accepted; Interim Police Chief Spike Jones was appointed to the City's ABC board; Michael Monks (er... I) was reappointed to the Human Rights Commission; Theodore Harris was appointed to the Linden Grove Cemetery Board; Nicholas Brammer and Chas Branner were appointed to the Devou Park Advisory Committee.
ONE MORE NOTE OF INTEREST: Spike Jones and Julie Geisen Scheper, the wife of Mayor Chuck Scheper, were among the most recent inductees to the Holmes High School Hall of Distinction. Others included Franklin Duff, PhD, Dr. David Kumpe, and attorney Bob Sanders.
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SEE ALSO: Interim Chief Jones will host his first police chief community forum tonight at 7:00PM (this event has been pushed back to June 27 at 7:00PM) at police headquarters (20th & Madison).
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KENTON COUNTY CORONER'S PRESCRIPTION POWER RESTRICTED
Dr.David Suetholz's ability to write prescriptions has been restricted by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure:
Suetholz released a written statement through St. Elizabeth Physicians, where he now practices, stating he looks forward to continuing to serve patients who don’t have a need for controlled medications. The medical board’s actions do not affect Suetholz’s role as county coroner, an elected position he has held for more than a decade.Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah
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HISTORIC HOME DRAPED IN CAUTION TAPE HAS DATE WITH CODE BOARD
We may finally know what the real deal is with this property on Garrard Street:
The two owners and former business partners will appear before the code enforcement board Wednesday afternoon.
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FORMER BROCK FURNITURE BUILDING TORN DOWN
The former JE Brock Furniture building was being torn Tuesday afternoon to make way for a parking lot. It had fallen into serious and dangerous disrepair. Click the link for details and for some up-close photos of the demolition. 
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FUN FACT: The man who bought the Brock building purchased it from the Jehovah Witnesses who wanted to build a Kingdom Hall there but were denied by the city. Did you know that a former president of the Jehovah Witnesses was from Covington? Wikipedia
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Frederick William Franz |
QUICKIES
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PHOTO: Congressman Geoff Davis presents honors to family of Covington sailor killed in World War II Geoff Davis
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CEO of Omnicare resigns after company settles $50 million suit with government USA Today But he gets a fat paycheck of $3.37 million for leaving! Cincinnati Enquirer
|Is $350/hour a bargain? Highlights from state contracts cn|2
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Concrete developed in Kentucky could save lives WFPL
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Watch KET's gay marriage debate via WFPL
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Creation Museum billboard is drawing criticism of trying to lure children with images of dinosaurs AP via WKRC
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Attorney General Conway urges you to keep your kids "cyber safe" this summer press release
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COVINGTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION HONORS "PERSON OF THE YEAR"
American Bar Association President William Robinson III was recognized Tuesday afternoon as the Covington Education Foundation "Person of the Year":
Robinson has served as board president for the Redwood School and Rehabilitation Center, a trustee for Thomas More College and a professor at the Salmon P. Chase College of Law. ''Bill's leadership is the personification of the Covington Education Foundation Person of the Year Award," said Butch Callery, board president of the education foundation. "It is our privilege to award this honor to him." Robinson said he is humbled and honored to receive the award. ''The mission of this organization to advance education through scholarships is vital to the cont inued success and vitality of our community."Photos from the event (courtesy of Chuck Eilerman/used with permission):
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COVINGTON TREASURE FOUND AT ANTIQUE MALL
On a trip to Oakley's Duck Creek Antique Mall I spotted this gem of a find! It's a promotional tape measure handed out by the old Mutual Fire Insurance Company that operated in the big, beautiful corner building at Pike & Madison. The tag dates the item to 1918 and it was on display with similar promotions from other companies. It's for sale at $50.
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COVINGTON AFTER HOURS TODAY
Join in on the fun at the Advantage Tent & party Rental (190 West 43rd Street in Latonia). There will be complimentary appetizers. Have fun! Click Here for more details.
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Monte Casino Neighborhood meeting today This neighborhood is trying to create a neighborhood association so if you lvie there, check it out! Click Here
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Coach John Calipari's Dominican National Team wins at NKU Cincinnati Enquirer
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Coach Cal & Co will be at the Bank of Kentucky Center again tonight and Cal sent out this tweet:
I'm also bringing the championship trophy with us for anyone that wants to see it or touch it.UK fans are amazingly weird. Go Cats!
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