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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 10 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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WELCOME TO YOUR NEW GOVERNMENT
A nice piece explaining how public-private partnerships are working in other cities, and worth reading as Covington moves toward the creation of something similar:
But what are the stakes of ceding public sector work to non-profits? Some argue that if private organizations like this one aren’t making sure trash is picked up and the neighborhood is promoted as a positive place to invest, the jobs won’t get done — and neighborhood will languish. On the other hand, communities cede a certain amount of accountability when private hands, whether a community development corporation like Midtown, Inc. or a for-profit company, take charge of public services.
Is there a risk when common-good public services are — at least some of the time — defined by neighborhood borders rather than city ones? De facto or otherwise, will cities be less likely to make high-quality services and innovation available to all its neighborhoods, or will some be left (perhaps all too literally) in the dark?
(snip)
The growing influence of today’s CDCs, particularly those in cities that are strapped for cash, speaks to larger trends of governments outsourcing what had once been their own jobs. There is some precedent for this: For years, non-profit conservancies have “adopted” city parks in Detroit in order to provide consistent maintenance and programming that City Hall could not, unintentionally resulting in a diffused system of authority for parks and recreation in the city.
FULL STORY: Next American City/Anna Clark 
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COVINGTON CITY COMMISSION TO MEET TONIGHT
Two Covington Police officers will have their requests for retirement accepted at Tuesday night's Covington City Commission meeting. Captain Dennis Sparks is set to leave the department August 1 while Officer Dennis Wesseler's retirement officially took place July 1. Other items of note on the agenda for Tuesday night:
  • The City is to renew its contract with Dr. Paul Spellman for services for the Covington Fire Department
  • For consideration, the approval of a "state bid" proposal from Ohio Caterpillar for the purchase of a new 299D XHP skid steer loader in the amount of $74,645 (50% payable from Devou Park Trust Fund, 19.3% payable from Drees allocation for equipment, 9.3% payable from Devou Trust tree removal allotment, and 21,4% from City capital improvement funds
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New piece of equipment will look similar to this
  • Consideration for approval of $85,500 for new Panasonic toughbook computers, payable from asset forfeiture fund
  • Promotions for several employees in the police and fire departments
  • A presentation on the Latonia Banner
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TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA: The Covington Human Rights Commission will honor the City Commission for its move to offer health insurance benefits to the same-sex partners of city employees.
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NOTE: The Kenton County Fiscal Court meets Tuesday (today) morning at 9:00AM. The merged 911 dispatch center is part of one item on the agenda. To see the full agenda, click here (PDF)
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COLLEGE GRADUATION GAP WIDENS FOR LOW-INCOME KENTUCKIANS
While more Kentuckians are earning degrees, the gap between graduation rates of middle to high income students has widened eight percentage points over low income students:
In those two years, the graduation rate of low-income Kentucky students fell from 46 percent to 35 percent, according to an annual accountability report from the Council on Postsecondary Education. In comparison, the graduation rate of moderate- to high-income students dropped four percentage points, from 57 percent to 53 percent.
The gap between graduation rates for rich and poor students increased from 10 percentage points to 18.
The gap is connected to a bad economy, higher tuition rates and less state aid, and it's a big problem, according to one expert on the economy and higher education.
FULL STORY: Herald-Leader/Linda B. Blackford 
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MEANWHILE: Kentucky shows gains in degrees and credentials press release 
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PREVIOUSLY AT THE RIVER CITY NEWS:
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CITY RESPONDS TO RACIST FLYERS POSTED AT CITY HEIGHTS
"In order for the white race to survive, race mixing must be stopped!" Racist fliers posted around Covington's City Heights public housing community triggered a meeting there Monday with neighbors, the Covington Human Rights Commission, and the Chief of Police. Full story at the link.

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HELP IDENTIFY TROUBLESOME INTERSECTIONS IN COVINGTON
Ever been stuck on Greenup Street waiting for that annoyingly long green light on Eastbound 20th Street to change? And then when it does, Greenup's green light is less than 10 seconds long! Help The River City News select Covington's most annoying, dangerous, ridiculous, and/or most troublesome intersections. Check out the link and then weigh in!
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MONDAY MORNING HEADLINES
Our City shows off its best traits for the international stage; State Rep. Simpson (D-Cov) fights for alcohol sales on election day; Kenton Co tweets more about beer than church, but Boone is the opposite (chart); Plus, two Covington places will now be serving gourmet hot dogs. Click the link!
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MAN SOUGHT ON PAROLE VIOLATION MAY BE IN COVINGTON
Keep an eye out for the fellow:
Kevin Meade
Kevin Meade is wanted by the Parole Authority of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for absconding (fleeing) parole. He is believed to have been hanging out on the 700 block of Madison Avenue in Covington. He is about 5'7" and 165 pounds. If you see him, call Police (911) or Crime Stoppers at 513.352.3040. Meade was convicted of possession of a forged instrument, receiving stolen property, theft, and bailjumping.
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UNION NEGOTIATOR HOPES TO BRING KY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOGETHER
One of the Commonwealth's new state representatives that will take office next year is a former union negotiator who hopes to smooth over the notoriously dysfunctional General Assembly. Via cn|2:

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QUICKIES
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Housing Authority of Covington seeks HOPE VI appraisers Building-Cincinnati 
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New gambling venues net Ohio $23.5 million Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Raising the minimum wage: help or harm? WFPL 
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Rep. Geoff Davis: Poor reports indicate need for new jobs bill Geoff Davis 
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Why is Sen. Mitch McConnell so nervous? The New York Times 
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CVG offers upgraded terminals Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Wiseguy Henry Hill (of Goodfellas film fame) hid out in Independence, KY Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Energy efficiency grants for local KY governments announced press release 
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NEW KENTUCKY LAWS GO INTO EFFECT THURSDAY
Want to see all the new laws that go in effect on Thursday after being passed this year by the General Assembly? Click Here 
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1,000 BABY CHICKENS DIE FROM HEAT AT LOUISVILLE MAIL CENTER
One fifth of the 5,000 chicks mailed from Iowa through Kentucky died from what postal officials as heat exposure:
Shipping live animals via mail is common, Walton said. Chicks are usually shipped in cardboard boxes with breathing holes cut out.
The shipment was carried by truck, Walton said.
When the chicks arrived Saturday in Louisville, workers at the USPS processing plant on Gardner Lane noticed that the chirping common from the boxes was absent in some, Walton said.
Courier-Journal 
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COVINGTON POLICE HOST BLOOD DRIVE
On Monday, the Covington Police Department welcomed the Hoxworth Blood Center to its headquarters to collect blood:

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CHECK OUT THE COMPLETED DEVOU PARK CONCESSIONS STAND
The new concessions/restroom facility debuted in Devou Park Saturday night during the World Choir Games concert at the Bandshell:

MORE QUICKIES
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Got 4 hours to spare during a layover at CVG? What would you do? Here's a take from some outsiders who passed through YSNP 
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John Calipari's future with Dominican Republic team up in the air ESPN 
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Interesting: 5 UK players drafted in the NBA in the last few years were signed by former UK coach Billy Gillespie SRSLY Herald-Leader 
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LOL: Photos: 1990s problems
More 1990s problems: Huffington Post 

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