THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
|
|
by Michael Monks
|
COMMISSIONER TO FIREFIGHTERS: 'I'D ADVISE YOU NOT TO PROVOKE US'
The union representing Covington firefighters blasted recommended changes and proposed cuts to its department Thursday evening (SEE: Covington Firefighters Union Urges Against Changes). That prompted a lengthy debate at The River City News Facebook page involving several firefighters/EMTs, citizens, and Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank who said:
Frankly its coming. There is a mutually beneficial silution, a seperate EMS service where no one loses employment, pay, or union protection or there is another alternative before the Commission. Id advise you to not provoke us.And:
Privatized EMS saves the city $1,500,000. Separate service EMS saves us $500,000. If I am such a villain who onlt cares about saving money and screwing the workers, why would I first and foremost want to forgo the extra million in savings? I really do not care what their opinion is any longer. My only concern is protecting the people at a price we can afford. Right now I believe that we should keep the level of service we have grown used to such that if economic times change, a future commission could reintegrate EMS with the fire department. However if we are only going to get treated to the back of the firefighters hands, only 12 of the 120 members actually live in Covington, I and the rest of the Commission are not afraid of taking a more permanent step. The bottom line is that Covington needs to save more money and I'd prefer to do it in the least objectionable way to both our workers and our citizens. I can be persuaded to go for the extra million in savings. There are at least 4 to more than likely 5 votes for having a separate EMS service to save money and I am the swing vote about just plain laying off the workers and going with a privatized EMS service. I again would advise those kicking up the dirt that I am more than willing to think the decision through with a sympathetic bias towards keeping our workers employed even if it costs us an extra million. I won't be intimidated however and I think it's about time those at large understand that all five of us are bound and determined to do what is right by the citizens of Covington.And:
We have had local government of, by, and for the fire department. If you doubt mre, go ask the police or public improvement department who have been holding the short end of the employee stick.|
DON'T MISS THURSDAY NIGHT'S NEWS
Fire breaks out on Covington roof during July 4 celebrations; Kentucky stands to benefit the most from "Obamacare"; A local TV reporter finally clears up his unfortunate "sex offender" issue; Plus, what to do this weekend in Covington. Those stories and more at the link!
|
NEW PAMPHLET PROMOTES DOWNTOWN COVINGTON
Renaissance Covington, the non-profit Downtown Covington advocacy organization housed at City Hall, has a new brochure to promote the Center City. Take a look:
You can pick one up at City Hall and participating businesses. This one came from Pike Street Lounge.
|
MORE REPORTING THAT CITY LIVING IS ON THE RISE
From the Columbus Dispatch:
No one suggests that, nearly a century after the automobile and the highway sent middle-class Americans heading toward open spaces in droves, the suburbs are losing their attraction. Most likely the majority of Americans who are able to buy homes in suburban neighborhoods will choose to do so.FULL EDITORIAL: Here
The difference now, at least in central Ohio, is that people have a choice; those who fancy stylish urban living have a place to go other than “some other city.”
|
THE STORY OF THE ROEBLING SUSPENSION BRIDGE
From Urban Cincy:
On the fifth episode of The UrbanCincy Podcast, we listen to a talk given by Clifford W. Zink, titled Public Works Should Educate Public Taste: John A. Roebling’s Design of the Cincinnati-Covington Bridge. The talk, given at the Society for Industrial Archeology 2012 annual conference, provides an interesting look at both John A. Roebling and the bridge that now bears his name. C. W. Zink is an historic preservation consultant and author of several books, including The Roebling Legacy.
 |
| File Photo from The River City News |
|
QUICKIES
|
Is your personal computer among the tens of thousands vulnerable to shutting down on Monday? WLWT
|
Reaction mixed to legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky WXIX
|
Governor Beshear inaugural fund still has more than $280,000 Herald-Leader
|
Odds of fainting are low when driving a car through a pull-up flu shot clinic UPI
|
Rick Robinson: Is "Fast & Furious" President Obama's Watergate? The Daily Caller
|
HELP THE LIBRARY WIN A CONTEST FROM LEGO:
From the Kenton County Library:
Help us win money for Legos. Please help KCPL to win a Duplo LEGO/ALA contest. You do not need to register. Just complete the pull down menus. Kenton County Public Library pops up as a choice after you’ve chosen the state and city - Kentucky / Covington. Please share on your page and encourage your friends to vote. You can vote once a day. Thank you!
|
LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB? Gateway College's bookstore is hiring Click Here
|
BIG PICTURE OF KENTUCKY'S EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION
From Education Commissioner Terry Holliday:
The implementation of 2009’s Senate Bill 1, the work of which is now called Unbridled Learning, is becoming a reality.Holliday explains all seven components at the link.
As is the case when undertaking major change or a series of changes, day-to-day challenges and pressures can become our focus and the larger picture or goals can become less clear. That is understandable given the amount of work involved with Unbridled Learning and the ongoing financial challenges faced by our state.
But it also is good to stop and remember the bigger picture, and how all of the components of this new system work together to help us reach our goal. In the case of Unbridled Learning, here are seven components that interact to produce results. With Unbridled Learning, we are trying to address all seven components.
Kentucky Teacher
|
SEE ALSO: Kentucky's Project Graduate, which helps college students finish school, wins award AP
|
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COVINGTON E-NEWS:
|
Holmes grads earn more than $500,000 in scholarships
Graduation at Holmes High School was a little different this year. Students selected Covington employees to hand them their diplomas. Each student chose an employee who made a difference in their educational lives. Students selected elementary and high school teachers, counselors, bus drivers and instructional assistants.
Dennis Maines, principal at Holmes, said made the change because he wanted to make graduation more meaningful for students and also to show staff the impact they have on students. Students were thrilled about having someone they know give them their diplomas.
Lynn Siry, a teacher at Latonia Elementary School, was honored that two of her students - Shannon Sullivan and Nicole Lang requested her. She taught them in the third and fourth grades.
"It's the best thing that could ever happen to a teacher,'' said Mrs. Siry, who has taught at Latonia for 18 years. "This is pretty exciting. Tears did come to my eyes. It's like a dream.''
Students in this graduating class were awarded more than $600,000 during Honors Night. Students will be going away to college - some as far away as Florida, some throughout the state, Union College, Western Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University of Louisville, University of Kentucky and while others will stay close to home, selecting Northern Kentucky University, Cincinnati State and Gateway Technical and Community College.COVINGTON POLICE BLOOD DRIVE
The Covington Police Department, in cooperation with Hoxworth Blood Center, is sponsoring our annual summer blood drive on Monday, July 9, 2012. The Donor Bus will be at Police Headquarters from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on 7/9/2012.|
During the summer months, there tends to be a shortage of blood donations and a higher amount of usage. The Covington Police Department is once again partnering with Hoxworth in the hope of helping them achieve their goal of increasing the amount of blood donated during the summer months. Hoxworth's blood donations are given to local area hospitals to save lives.
And this year, as a special thank you to our donors: Every person who donates will receive a Hoxworth summer t-shirt!
To schedule an appointment to donate, please contact Michelle Robinson-Wilson at 859-292-2241. APPOINTMENT TIMES ARE GOING FAST! CALL NOW TO SECURE YOUR DONATION TIME!
Requirements to donate (and what to bring):
1. Bring a photo ID.
2. Eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids before and after donating.
3. You must be 17 years of age (16 with signed parental consent).
4. You must weigh at least 110 pounds.
5. To check additional eligibility guidelines (medical, RX, travel, piercing/tattoo restrictions), please call Hoxworth at 513-558-1304.
There is always lots of good information in the monthly Covington E-News as compiled by City Ombudsman Suzanne Gettys. To read the entire issue, click here and don't forget to subscribe!
|
11 "GRADUATE" FROM NKY EMERGENCY SHELTER THIS SUMMER
From the Emergency Shelter:
We now have a total of 11 "graduates" from our shelter during this summer season. We define a graduate as someone who has resided in our shelter while working on income, financial stability and better health with the end result of of obtaining housing. In the month of June we had four men who obtained employment, started a bank account, saved money and moved into housing. One of those four men, a young man only 18, was able to move back in with his parents which was truly a positive decision for him. We also had two men, permanently disabled move into their own apartments and who saved their money from Social Security Disability Income.
In the coming month we will be seeing more people recover from homelessness... we currently have several men employed and at the stage of opening a bank account and saving anywhere from 60 to 70% of their income to acquire housing.
|
The Emergency Shelter also has news on a collaboration to help end homelessness, an introduction of its new board members, and a list of needed supplies if you can help! Read all about it at the link.
|
HAPPY DAYS IN CINCINNATI
Not only are The World Choir Games rocking, but this morning the City of Cincinnati will open its renovated Washington Park:
The ribbon cutting marks the end of a nearly 20-month-long construction project that has expanded the park from 6 to 8 acres and added a full menu of amenities including a dog park, interactive water fountains, refreshed public restrooms, a concession building and 450-car underground parking garage.Cincinnati Enquirer/Lisa Bernard-Kuhn
For 3CDC, which led the plan in partnership with the Cincinnati Parks Board, a remade Washington Park is key to anchoring the nonprofit developer’s work to revitalize Over-the-Rhine. In the last six years, 3CDC has invested $162 million in the neighborhood, delivering more than 250 renovated condominiums and apartments and 85,000 square feet of storefronts.
|
PHOTO: Fences removed from Washington Park Facebook
|
One highlight will be the interactive water fountain. Check out this video that explains how the technology works:
|
CELEBRATE YOUR INDEPENDENCE -- SHOP LOCAL TONIGHT!
That's the message from Bellevue:
 |
| Click to enlarge |
HOW DO COUNTRIES DECIDE WHICH SIDE OF THE ROAD TO DRIVE ON?
Curious? Check it out:
According to some sources, about a quarter of the world drives on the left, as they do in Britain. This isn’t too surprising, since at one time Britain owned about a quarter of the world. Traveling on the left side of the road was a practice that started with the feudal societies of Western world, like the proto-British empire – back in the day, you never knew who’d you pass on the road, so best to keep your sword arm between you and them. In 1300 AD, Pope Boniface VIII codified the practice with a law that decreed that pilgrims headed for Rome should keep on the left.Other possible reasons addressed: the England/France rivalry, Napoleon, Hitler, a left-handed driver's seat... Read the full story at the link. Mental Floss | WHAT UP LIL KICK ASS KENTUCKIAN? A popular Facebook page titled Kentucky for Kentucky shares many photos that they refer to as "Kick Ass Kentuckians" and this one is particularly kick-ass. It's lucky enough to be born in Kentucky, but to be surrounded by all that great stuff? Awesome:
No comments:
Post a Comment