360 Fireworks Party

Saturday, August 18, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- SATURDAY 18 AUGUST


THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THREATENED OVER SCHOOL BOARD SEAT
The saga of the vacant school board seat takes another turn as it appears there may be yet another change to the ballot and a lawyer is threatening a class action lawsuit on behalf of Covington voters. Hear from the County Clerk and the attorney at the link.
Full story: The River City News 
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DON'T MISS FRIDAY'S NEWS!
School board candidates (and an attorney) engage in debate over sudden election for vacated seat; Check out some of the awesome items on the menu at Piper's (opening in Mainstrasse soon); Plus, are you ready for some high school football? It's back tonight with defending champs Holy Cross in action.
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WILL WRITE-IN CANDIDATES SLOW THE REPORTING OF ELECTION RESULTS?
Yes. With the news that Alan "Chip" Terry has decided to enter the race for Covington City Commission as a write-in candidate and the enthusiasm with which the announcement was received possibly making him a viable candidate, election results reporting could be slow on November 6. In fact, Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe tells The River City News that we won't know how many votes Terry and other write-in candidates receive until possibly the next day. Terry's addition to the race gives Covington nine choices to fill the four seats available. Other potential write-in candidates for any local office have until October 26 to declare their candidacies.
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JUDGE-EXECUTIVE EXPLAINS $85 FEE TO PAY FOR NEW DISPATCH CENTER
Kenton County Judge-Executive Steve Arlinghaus penned an op-ed piece for the Cincinnati Enquirer to explain how property owners will now be saddled with an $85 fee to pay for the consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center since the proposed $6 monthly fee on all Duke Energy bills was shot down by the County Commission:
I, along with Commissioner Jon Draud, voted to place the fee of $6 per month on every electric bill in the county to pay for 911 dispatch services. Doing so on the electric bill would allow us to capture the largest number of users, property owners and renters alike in order to keep the cost as minimal as possible.
Duke Energy and Owen Rural Electric argued we lacked authority to place such a fee on utility bills, that only the state could do so. Our County Attorney Garry Edmondson disagreed, arguing we are a branch of state government, which I too agree. That being said, I still needed the majority of the Fiscal Court to agree.
Two commissioners, Kris Knochelmann and Beth Sewell, did not agree with placing the fee on the electric bills, and both voted against it. Their blocking this ordinance required the less appealing option of placing the $85 annual fee on real property parcels and granting renters in this county a free pass.
Covington's dispatch center is expected to "go out of business" next month and join the Kenton County operation.
Full story: The Cincinnati Enquirer 
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WORK TO BEGIN THIS WEEKEND ON PLAYGROUND THAT BURNED
Here is an update on the Sixth District School playground which was destroyed by arson earlier this summer:
Due to the nature of insurance coverage and the safety issues surrounding the area that was burned, the decision was made to have a local company come in and take care of the re-construction of the area where the re-build will take place, as well as the installation of the new structures and new ground covering. The company will not only be adding a new structure to where the destroyed section of the playground was, but they will also be slightly expanding the space and adding additional play "stations" and activities around the entire perimeter of the complete playground so that there are more things for the kids to do.

This weekend, the US Navy Seabees, Unit NMCB26, will be installing a brand new swing set! The kids at Sixth will now have 10 swings instead of just 4! We are so thankful that the US Navy has volunteered to help us with this engineering feat!

We anticipate that the new playground and swing set will be ready to enjoy by early September!

We do plan to have a Grand Re-Opening Event after school starts. We want to make sure to include the children of Sixth District in our celebration, as well as the community, our sponsors and community partners, and city officials. Details and invitations will be sent out once we start the event planning process. Look for announcements in late September/early October!

More projects planned for this year include an educational black top mural, new litter prevention and recycling program, and a raised-bed learning garden! We also plan on repairing the marquee in front of the school and continue the beautification through additional planting and gardens throughout the park and playground area. We will keep you informed as these projects are planned and hope that you will join us!
The message came from Heather Abbott, chairperson of the BEST partnership between Sixth District and Gateway College.
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QUICKIES
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Gov. Beshear sets special election to replace US Rep. Geoff Davis for the same day as the general election Herald-Leader 
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New NKU President: We will compete Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Black eye for state worker safety enforcement I Watch News 
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More details on Kentucky-India coal deal WFPL 

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Video: Gov. Beshear discusses tax reform commission YouTube 

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Proposed law would end battle between state and Christian health care exchange WFPL 

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KY Agriculture Commissioner fires leftover official from Richie Farmer's administration Courier-Journal 
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Kentucky Sikhs hope to spread understanding Courier-Journal 
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Coach Cal, Kentucky Sports Radio raise serious cash for West Liberty's tornado recovery efforts WKYT 
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WNKU drops late night host Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Kentucky man to attempt world record ax juggle WXIX 
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Gettin' lucky in Kentucky: After a lucrative Powerball ticket was sold in Erlanger, a $250,000 winning lotto ticket was sold in Florence right after WXIX 
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273.3 LB watermelon wins Kentucky blue ribbon WKYT 
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SO, WHAT'S UP WITH THE CANTALOUPES TRYING TO KILL US ALL?

Look out:
Public Advised to Avoid Eating Melons Grown in Southwestern Indiana
The Department for Public Health (DPH) today reported that cantaloupes tested in the state public health laboratory carry the same strain of Salmonella associated with a statewide outbreak that health officials say is still ongoing.
The salmonellosis outbreak, which has sickened at least 50 Kentuckians and been associated with two deaths, began in early July. Through an epidemiological investigation and confirmatory lab testing, Kentucky public health officials determined that cantaloupes, which evidence indicates were grown in southwestern Indiana but purchased in Kentucky, carried the same strain of Salmonella determined to be the cause of an ongoing outbreak of infection. Salmonellosis cases caused by the outbreak strain have also been reported in other states. In addition, investigation is also continuing into other clusters of salmonella cases in Kentucky, which may be linked to cantaloupe or watermelon consumption.

“Foodborne illness is a serious threat to public health. Consumers are advised to avoid eating cantaloupes from southwestern Indiana, especially if they are at heightened risk for complications from salmonella infection,” said acting Public Health Commissioner Steve Davis, M.D. “In addition, healthcare providers are encouraged to be mindful of patients who may have symptoms consistent with salmonellosis and report all cases to the local health department.”
Read more: press release 
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GO TO THE COVINGTON FARMERS MARKET TODAY!
There will be a canning demonstration, orange safety flags passed out for wheelchairs, Josh Eagle and the Harvest City perform, and nearby at Roebling Point Bookstore is a storm drain marking class. And don't forget that the Covington Farmers Market participates in the WIC program. Thanks to the hard work of the NKY Health Department and the ACHIEVE grant, the market provides matching vouchers to double the spending power for WIC participants.
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COVINGTON QUICKIES
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C-Forward donates funds to early childhood education Facebook 
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PHOTOS: Kenton County Library Covington branch renovations Facebook 
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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Holy Cross 69, Dayton 20
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HOW GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE COULD BRING MOVIES TO CINCINNATI
Film production is likely to pick up in Greater Cincinnati this year according to this report:
And while money is a major factor in where movies get made, experts assured me it’s not the only one. Another big way to lure movie production to town is through good, old-fashioned customer service, said Joe Bessacini, vice president for film and TV production incentives with Cast and Crew Entertainment Services, an entertainment industry payroll company in Burbank, Calif.
“Everyone knows everyone here in the industry,” Bessacini told me. “They talk to each other, and as long as they had a positive experience, I think that definitely helps.”
Full story: Business Courier/Lucy May 
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SINGING IN THE CAR MAKES YOU A WORSE DRIVER
Bad news for... me:
The research suggests that singing along requires more mental activity – which draws away some of your attention from the road. Singing drivers were more likely to vary their speeds and to drive at an overall slower rate. Interestingly, the research also shows that singing drivers had significantly less movement within lanes than those not listening to music.
Full story: The Atlantic Cities 
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Seems like a good opportunity to post this hilarious video about singing in a car to an annoyingly popular and catchy hit:

CLASS ACTION SUIT THREATENED IN VACANT SCHOOL BOARD SEAT CASE


THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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The day-to-day monitoring of how a vacant seat on the Covington School Board will be filled has taken another turn. As of Friday afternoon, Mark Young remained the sole candidate in a separate election to fill the seat vacated by Denise Varney August 2 after Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe decided that state statute does require an election since Varney has more than a year left in her term and since the resignation came before the filing deadline of the next November election. Summe explained her rationale in an interview with The River City News Friday afternoon. 
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"My putting it on the ballot was purely based on two things: one there had obviously been a tendered resignation and then somebody obviously relied upon something to go forward and advertise that there is a position," Summe said, referencing the legal ad run twice now by Covington Independent Public Schools promoting the vacancy and soliciting applicants to seek an appointment, as mandated by the first part of the state statute in question. "So I then said the second part of the statute really triggers which is if there is an unexpired term for a year or more, then it needs to be on the ballot."
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The Covington School Board attorney and possibly also the Kentucky Department of Education do not believe that an election is required because Varney's resignation has not been accepted. That has created a legal dispute over when a resignation goes into effect: at the time it is issued and received or at the time that it is formally accepted, and then, what does it mean to be formally accepted? Questions also arose following Young's placement on the ballot because his name was added until after the filing deadline. Young's application to run was initially denied because the County Clerk's office had not been notified of a vacancy on the school board. Summe explained that the law gives her twenty-four hours to research any issues related to races and candidates before finalizing the list. 
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"I received an email from Mr. Young's attorney telling me that they will be filing suit against me and he brought up the issues and I said, well, a lawsuit isn't going to sway me one way or another, but I will look into the issue," Summe said. "The next morning I called the state Board of Elections, the Department of Transportation, and as I gathered facts, I confirmed with (Kenton County attorney) Garry Edmonson and we concluded based on the timing and based on the presentation of facts, that there seemed to be acceptance (of Varney's resignation) based on advertisement of the open position and it was four days prior to the (filing) deadline." At that point, Summe said, the second part of the state statute regarding school board vacancies went into effect, requiring an election.
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Young's name being added to the ballot has been met with criticism from at least one candidate in the regular school board election in which ten people are running for three open seats. Young is the sole candidate running in a separate election to replace Varney. "This is unfortunate for those who properly applied for the appointment and that's where I know there may be some kind of suit pending," Summe said, "because frankly, they didn't have an opportunity to file." Write-in candidates wishing to compete against Young have until October 26 to declare their candidacy.
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Summe also warned that a possible stop to the separate election could occur if an emergency injunction is issued as the legal case weaves its way through the process. "I really didn't call a special election, I just applied facts of statute that required me to put it on the ballot," she said. "So, we'll see what happens from there and see what their reaction is."
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Whatever their reaction was, their being a reference to opponents of the legality of Young's candidacy, a change came late Friday night. Brandon Voelker, the attorney representing Young, issued a letter to both Summe and Edmonson, the county attorney, with a case file attached that he claims the Kentucky Department of Education supplied to Mary Ann Stewart, the attorney for the Covington School Board who does not believe an election should be called. The case attached, from 1962, involves a Carter County superintendent versus the Kentucky State Board of Education. Part of the judgment in that case concluded, "Resignation of public officer, in absence of statute, does not become effective until accepted by proper authority or by equivalent action such as appointment of successor."
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Voelker does not buy it. "The superintendent at a board meeting advised the public of the opening and in fact had, per instruction from KDE, caused to be published in the paper the notice of vacancy to seek the appointment. To adopt that argument would require that the Commissioner can seek candidates to fill the position, but simply not accept the resignation to avoid an election," Voelker wrote. "As elected officials in Kenton County, I hope that the County Attorney and County Clerk do not believe that advising the public of an opening, but then not "accepting" a resignation to avoid an election is proper. I have discussed with my client and will file suit, I have also been contacted by voters, willing to file a class action against the clerk's office for seeking to thwart a proper election being called and allowing governmental actors to avoid having an election held where a resignation was more than timely tendered to allow the people, not buearacrats to decide their representative. I have known both of you a long time and I cannot believe that this what you believe is truly right and proper toward the voters of Covington."
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The message there implies that a change has occurred involving Young's status as a candidate but as of this writing, that remains unconfirmed. Voelker's letter also references attorney Mary Ann Stewart as not only representing the Covington School Board but also that she serves as counsel to Summe. Voelker wants Stewart removed from the process. 

Friday, August 17, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY MORNING 17 AUGUST


THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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ELECTION TO FILL VACATED SCHOOL BOARD SEAT TRIGGERS DEBATE
The River City News Facebook page lit up with debate Thursday night and Friday morning as school board candidates and the attorney representing Mark Young (who managed to get his name put on the ballot to fill the seat vacated August 2 by Denise Varney) chimed in on whether there should be an election at all. The debate continues this hour and you can read the comments by clicking here.
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The story that started the debate...
Suddenly, no one at the Kentucky Department of Education can comment on the election called to fill the vacated seat on the Covington School Board because it has become a legal issue. Meanwhile, the sole candidate in the special race promises to fire the school board's attorney who responds at the link below.
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So who's responsibility is it to notify the County Clerk that there is a vacant school board seat?
According to a document from the Kentucky Department of Education, the Commissioner of Education's designee for local school board member appointments shall "notify the Secretary of State, Kentucky School Board Association, KDE Communication Services, and appropriated County Court Clerk that a school board vacancy exists." According to the document, the Covington Independent Public Schools followed its appropriate procedures in advertising the vacancy but Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe not being informed of the vacancy appears to be the fault of the Kentucky Department of Education. On Tuesday, The River City News spoke with the Commissioner of Education's designee for local school board member appointments who said he had just returned from a thirty-day vacation which may explain why no action was taken. The question that remains, however, is who should have notified the Kenton County Clerk in his absence and why did no one do it? As it stands, an election will be called and Mark Young will be the only candidate whose name is on the ballot. 
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DON'T MISS THURSDAY EVENING'S OTHER HEADLINES!
Hear from the retired Covington firefighter who just launched a write-in campaign for a spot on the City Commission; Also, see which order the candidates will be in on November's ballot; Plus, a popular rock band's tour stops in Cincinnati, but they ordered from a Mainstrasse restaurant.
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QUICKIES
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Covington Independent Public Schools' new staff members take tour of City Facebook 
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Origin of cancerous "green salt" found on Dept. of Energy's KY campus still unknown The Washington Times 
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Gov. Beshear is open to hybrid pension/401K cn|2 
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Private EMS company will appeal suspension WKYT 
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State Auditor offers update on his effort to look into the books of special taxing districts cn|2 
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KY coal foreman pleads guilty to putting miners at risk Herald-Leader 
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KY officials seek input on list of polluted streams WKYT 
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Family meets Lexington man who got teen's heart Herald-Leader 
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ANOTHER ENDORSEMENT FOR DEMOCRAT BILL ADKINS
Just hours after scoring the endorsement of Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police, Democrat Bill Adkins announced that he has the backing of the Kentucky Hemp Initiative in his bid to replace Geoff Davis in Congress. The Williamstown attorney faces Republican former Lewis County Judge-Executive Thomas Massie in November (in a race that will likely appear twice on the ballot since a special election must be called following Davis's resignation). Read the endorsement letter:
Click to enlarge
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PIPER'S PREPARES TO OPEN IN MAINSTRASSE
This place is going to be an awesome addition to the Mainstrasse Village. Here are the details on this exciting new establishment set to open in September:
It is time for something different, or so say the owners of Piper's Cafe, opening in September at Hamelin Square, corner of 6th and Philadelphia Streets in Covington's MainStrasse Village. Piper’s Cafe offers traditional fun food, drinks, soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt, with a local and nutrition conscious flair.Located in close proximity to Goebel Park’s iconic Carroll Chimes Bell Tower, Piper’s and Hamelin Square derive their names from the ancient tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The story is portrayed by mechanical puppets on the Carroll Chimes clock tower every hour daily, except during winter.  
The basic menu includes hamburgers made from single source, no antibiotic, no hormone, grass fed cattle, provided by the humane operations at Marksbury Farms in Lancaster, Kentucky. Naturally flavored, cane sugar sweetened artisan soft drinks such as Virgil’s and Jones will be featured, along with newcomer healthier refreshments like Switch, and Sparkling Ice. The all natural, all beef hot dogs are made with minimum sodium added, and only that which comes naturally from celery and sea salt. 
That is only the beginning for the different approach at Piper’s. Signature menu items like hot dogs, hamburgers and Goetta Guinness Chili will always be available, but fresh fruit and vegetable inspired feature sandwich recipes, sides, or salads will change with the weather. A new chicken salad recipe might be great for next summer, but look for fresh roast beef with Kentucky made, unpasteurized cheese melted on top this winter. Natural cut, fresh “rat tail french fries” will also be a staple in the Piper’s kitchen soon. A breakfast menu is planned for launch in October.Piper’s Cafe is strictly a carry out operation, but tables and chairs will be provided in the tree shaded garden, and on the deck. For telecommuters and folks that just want to hang out on nice days, secure, high speed wifi is available for a nominal charge. 
Owner entrepreneurs Chip Adkins and Charles Killian are both fans of Jamie Oliver, and his Food Revolution. It is their philosophy that good nutrition principles can be applied to fun food in more creative ways than is usually seen these days. A big part of their business model is to use as many local, fresh products as possible, and not be anchored to a fixed menu. They believe most people will enjoy stopping in to see what is new and different from month to month. Killian worked in the meat packing industry during his teen and college years, and after several different careers in the entertainment industry, held a management position at Key West’s Hog’s Breath Saloon for 3 years. Chip Adkins is well known by many local foodies as the gregarious Chef d’cuisine for 4 years at Chez Nora Kitchen and Bar in MainStrasse. Prior to that position at Chez Nora, Adkins was Sous Chef, and then Executive Chef for Warner’s Restaurant in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky. 
Piper’s Cafe is still under construction, but they plan to open at this year’s MainStrasse Village Oktoberfest, starting September 7. For the remainder of fall, they will be open daily, 10:00 a.m. until dusk. Call them at 859-291-RATS for more - the web site is under construction, too!
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ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER MAP
Gallup recently conducted an interesting poll:
Residents of Hawaii, Utah, and South Dakota were the most likely to be "thriving" in the first half of 2012 based on how they rate their lives today and their expectations for their lives in five years. Residents of West Virginia and Maine were the least likely to be thriving.
Unfortunately, Kentucky ranks in the bottom ten of the fifty states. Get thriving Kentucky!
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       ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?
High School Football is back tonight and the Holy Cross Indians kick off their defense of the state title with a 7:00PM match-up against the Dayton Devils. 
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The Scott Eagles start their season tomorrow afternoon with a trip to Leslie County while the Holmes Bulldogs play their first game next Friday hosting Scott. 
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NKY Sports Blog is now nkyFAN.com
This terrific resource for NKY high school sports news just got bigger:
nkyFAN is going to be a combination of the same great web content that has always been at NKySportsBlog, combined with a weekly print publication that we will be giving out at select Skyline and LaRosa’s locations. In addition to my coverage, I’ll also be joined by Bill Aseere, who has covered the local preps scene for the Journal News in the past. I fully expect it to be the best high school sports coverage this area has ever seen, and I’m grateful and excited about our partnership with the local Skylines and LaRosa’s.
And look who's on the cover of the first print edition:
That's Jalen Beal of Holy Cross. Click the link below for details on where to pick up a copy.
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IS TRINITY'S DOMINANCE BAD FOR KENTUCKY?
Trinity played Highlands last week and at halftime led 51-0. 51-0. Against Highlands. This season, the Shamrocks aim to win their tenth state title in twelve years:

"Trinity winning nine of the last 11 titles, that's not healthy in my opinion. Neither is Highlands winning five in a row."
But that's how it is in Kentucky, where established powers in each class hoard most of the big trophies.
(snip)"Something needs to change," McKee said. "And it's not, 'You all need to work harder.' We're working our tails off."
Full story: Herald-Leader 
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TBNK will air one game each week this season starting August 31. Check out the schedule here.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY 16 AUGUST


THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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BALLOT POSITIONING ANNOUNCED FOR COVINGTON RACES
The Kenton County Clerk's office determined Thursday afternoon where candidates will be placed on November's election ballot. Here is the order for Covington Mayor:
  • Sherry Carran
  • Steve Casper
For Covington City Commission:
  • Steve Frank
  • Mildred Rains
  • Greg Paeth
  • Michelle Williams
  • Neil Gilreath
  • Chuck Eilerman
  • Edwin Faulkner
  • Roger Hamilton
For Covington School Board:
  • Rebecca Pettigrew
  • Joyce Baker
  • Everett Dameron
  • Joseph Petty
  • Glenda Huff
  • William (Mike) Fitzgerald
  • Josephine Rogers
  • Christi Blair
  • Tom Miller
  • Kerry Holleran
For the election to fill the Covington School Board seat vacated by Denise Varney, candidate Mark Young will be the only name on the ballot. (See related story below.)
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RETIRED COVINGTON FIREFIGHTER TO RUN AS WRITE-IN CANDIDATE
Alan "Chip" Terry who retired as assistant chief from the Covington Fire Department in late July announced Thursday that he has filed as a write-in candidate for the Covington City Commission. Terry, of Licking Riverside, knows he faces an uphill battle as a write-in candidate but is up for the challenge. He spoke with The River City News Thursday afternoon. "With all the difficulty the city is having and all the issues with budgeting and departments and thing they're talking about cutting, I didn't feel that some of the ideas, some of the topics, some of the concepts to get the budget back in line were appropriate," Terry said. "I felt they were focusing too negatively on the situation, talking about cutting employees, departments, and not looking at other areas that may be viable options for that and I felt like there was a basic lack of leadership. I got motivated and felt that I could contribute to that discussion in a more positive way."
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Alan Terry (L) at his retirement
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Terry and his wife have six children including two adopted daughters from Haiti. As the City Commission voted to accept his retirement in July, he spoke at City Hall and even off-handedly remarked that he may soon be sitting at the commission's dais. "I feel like politics, especially local politics, should be bottom up and not top down," Terry said. "I have a lot of relationships within the city, employees, department heads, and also outside the city structure itself, in the neighborhoods. We know a lot of people interested in seeing the city go in a more positive direction. I'm not afraid to work. I've worked hard all my life and I'm passionate about the city. I'm certainly not afraid of putting in time and effort to making the city better."
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MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS FOR VACANT SCHOOL BOARD SEAT
Suddenly, no one at the Kentucky Department of Education can comment on the election called to fill the vacated seat on the Covington School Board because it has become a legal issue. Meanwhile, the sole candidate in the special race promises to fire the school board's attorney who responds at the link below.
Full story: The River City News 
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DON'T MISS THURSDAY MORNING'S NEWS
Is there a connection between creativity and entrepreneurship? (Yes); How is that Kentucky ranks so high in obesity... and state pride?; Plus, what to do in and around Covington this weekend.
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DROP OFF UNUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO COVINGTON PD
From the Covington Police Department:
GOT DOPE? We want your unused or expired prescription drugs! You can now drop pills in the lobby of Police Headquarters at 20th and Madison in Covington. We will take care of the rest. PLEASE, NO NEEDLES, Bio-hazards or other controlled substances. We only want prescription pills. Thanks.
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QUICKIES
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Former Kenton Co church youth leader sentenced to 15 years for molesting 13-year old boy WKRC 
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Ft. Wright teen pranksters behind recent string of peeping Tom incidencts WKRC 
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KY jobless rate rises to 8.3% WKYT 
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Democrat Bill Adkins endorsed by Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police in NKY Congressional race Bill Adkins 
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Gov. Beshear's alcohol task force will have limited agenda Bluegrass Politics 
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Lawmaker's potential gain from Kentucky-India coal deal raises concern WFPL 
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Beshear: State must decide if Kentucky Kingdom site should be theme park Courier-Journal 
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Kentucky Kingdom investors: We do not have luxury of time WFPL 
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National political blog takes on KY GOP over efforts to force creationism into the classroom Wonkette 
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Yikes: Freak accident inside Kentucky auto shop WKYT 
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Kentucky attempts to reduce fatalities in horse racing The Blood-Horse 
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Seasonal flu cases confirmed in Kentucky press release 
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New Downtown Cincinnati bar will serve Cincinnati-style food Business Courier 
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$1 MILLION WINNER POWERBALL TICKET SOLD IN ERLANGER
Via WCPO:

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TOURING ROCK BAND VISITS CINCI, BUT EATS IN COVINGTON
Popular rock bank Black Stone Cherry (which formed in Kentucky) came to Cincinnati but ordered dinner from Covington's Goodfellas.
Image via.
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TV SHOW TO FILM AT MAINSTRASSE BAR
Mr. T's Tavern is scary and possibly haunted so a TV crew is on its way. Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer 
| ALUMNI FURIOUS OVER HIGH SCHOOL'S CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT
LOL:
"Of course they wait until we leave to install a bunch of frozen yogurt machines!" alumnus Adam Nelson said after speaking on the phone with his younger brother, TCHS sophomore Ryan Nelson, who told him about the new vending devices.
Full story: The Onion (satire)

MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS WITH VACANT COVINGTON SCHOOL BOARD SEAT

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is no longer talking publicly about the vacant seat on the Covington School Board. Two officials within the department declined further comment Thursday telling The River City News that the issue is now being handled by its legal department. What that means is unclear but what is known is that as of Thursday evening Mark Young is still listed as the sole candidate to fulfill the remaining two years of the term vacated by Denise Varney who resigned August 2. Young, after initially being denied the opportunity to run for the seat by the County Clerk's office because no election for the seat was announced, was declared a candidate by Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe after the 4:00PM filing deadline.
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**********************************
SEE ALSO: The original story here.
**********************************
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The Westside resident issued a scathing statement regarding his candidacy Thursday. "I was shocked to learn that the Covington School Board attorney, Mary Ann Stewart, of Adams, Stepner, Wolterman, and Dusing and Superintendent Lynda Jackson announced that the unexpired seat would be advertised in the newspaper before receiving official notification that board member Denise Varney's resignation had been formally accepted by Commissioner of Education Terry Holliday," Young wrote. "I am also shocked that the proper steps were not taken to insure that the election to fulfill Mrs. Varney's unexpired term was placed on the ballot in compliance with state statute."
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Stewart, the board's attorney, told The River City News Thursday that the responsibility of notifying the County Clerk of a vacancy on the school board falls on the Kentucky Department of Education. "In this case, Commissioner Holliday's office was notified of Mrs. Varney's resignation. However, the commissioner's office proceeded as if this would be an appointment," Stewart said. "What is not clear is whether the commissioner's office has declared a vacancy and that's the question being posed to the commissioner's office."
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Young's attorney, Brandon Voelker, previously told The River City News that the moment the school district ran an ad promoting the vacancy that the statute governing elections for vacant school board seats went into effect. By law, the school district must advertise the opening two times in the region's highest circulated newspaper so that interested parties can apply. The first such ad ran in the Cincinnati Enquirer last Friday and has to run again within seven days. However, the same law goes on to say that if more than one year remains in the term of the board member who vacated his or her seat, then an election must be held at the next November election with the winner assuming the seat, even if someone was appointed to it.
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"In the past, the commissioner will file or send in writing a letter of some sort to the county clerk notifying them that there is a seat up for election and that there is a vacancy," Stewart said. "That did not occur here because the commissioner had not yet acted on the resignation and so that's how we wound up where we are."
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In his statement, Young places the blame squarely at the feet of Stewart and Jackson and announces his intention to end Stewart's contract if he is ever to become a member of the school board. "The Covington school district pays Ms. Stewart approximately $160,000 annually as the board attorney, far more than surrounding districts pay their attorneys," Young wrote. "Any reasonable person would assume that the school board attorney would know the state statute and would advise the Board of Education accordingly. This is an embarrassment to the city. Our city and our schools deserve better. If and when I am sworn in to fill this seat on the Board of Education, my first action will be to move to terminate 
the contract with Board attorney Mary Ann Stewart and the law firm she represents."
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"The board attorney is hired by the board and that certainly is the board's prerogative," Stewart responded. "With respect, I don't know who Mr. Young is, I've never spoken to Mr. Young. He's welcome to come meet with me and discuss the services that our firm provides for school districts. We are paid on an hourly basis and we have been the school board attorney for over ten years."
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Stewart maintains that the school district acted properly. "The information which the superintendent received from the Commissioner of Education was that a special election would not apply and that this would be an appointment. With other school districts in the past, KDE has to declare that there is a resignation and their position was that there was no vacancy."
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Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe could not comment Thursday but said she would be available to discuss the issue Friday morning. Brad Hughes of the Kentucky School Board Association, based on the information provided to him by RCN, is unsure whether Young is a valid candidate. "I would speculate that since (Varney's resignation) was twelve days before the filing deadline that there wasn't any way that the wheels of bureaucracy would have had that (vacancy) notice back to the county clerk in that short period of time," Hughes said. "It is possible that this could be something that the Kenton County Board of Elections would take, they would have the definitive answer. I don't think when the law was passed about filling vacancies that they could envision all the possibilities such as someone resigning so close to the filing deadline. I'm sure there is nothing in there that calls for an emergency announcement."
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Col Owens, who was appointed to the Covington School Board in 1992 and served for sixteen years and currently Chairman of the Kenton County Democratic Party, thinks that Young's candidacy is not fair to other interested parties. "This needs to be undone," Owens said. "They need to let the commissioner's process go forward, that is advertise the vacancy and give people direction on how to apply for it."
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Owens, an attorney who now lives in Fort Mitchell, does not believe that Young will appear on the ballot in November under the current circumstances. "If (Summe) tries to set that election up, she cannot preclude other people from filing to run for that race. I think the sequence of events has been extremely confusing, without any malice on anybody's part, but all of my legal experience and analytical process tells me that you cannot have a deadline to file for an election that does not exist and declare it to exist afterwards."