NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING 26 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

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OPEN HOUSE TODAY FOR RENOVATED COVINGTON HOMES

You can check out five newly renovated homes in Covington today from 5:00-700PM as the City of Covington and its partners at Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, the Center for Great Neighborhoods, Huff Realty, Sibcy Cline, Coldwell Banker West Shell, and Century 21 show off their latest effort to increase home ownership:

The City of Covington along with its partners, the Center for Great Neighborhoods, Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, Huff Realty, Sibcy Cline, Coldwell Banker West Shell and Century 21, proudly invite you to tour 5 of its newly renovated and constructed homes in the 900 block of Banklick Street and Berry Street in Covington. An Open House tour will be hosted by the Realtor Partners on Thursday, July 26 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. These 5 homes are near completion and are ready for purchase.

As part of a grant from the Kentucky Department for Local Government for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), the City of Covington was able to take 14 home sites, restore them, and offer them for sale to qualifying buyers. Three of the sites are new construction while the remaining 11 are full restorations. To date, one home has been sold and two more are under contract.

The NSP program offers potential homebuyers financial incentives that include paid closing costs, sizable grants, and half of the down payment. Buyers must meet income guidelines to qualify for the program. Information on the program can be found at www.makecovingtonhome.com or by calling the City of Covington Community Development Department at 859-292-2147.

Please join us for this Open House event to experience these exciting new homes and discover the quality construction, convenient location and positive impact this project has given the City of Covington. Refreshments will be provided.

More details: Click Here
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1 MILLION IN KENTUCKY TO GET INSURANCE BECAUSE OF OBAMACARE

A new report predicts that one million people in Kentucky who were previously unable to attain health insurance will be covered when part of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) goes into effect in 2014:

“I think this brings peace of mind to those families who have been denied coverage for so long because of pre-existing conditions," said Mitchell. "I think when we speak to a lot of Kentucky families there’s not really anyone I have spoken to that has not been affected by pre-existing conditions,” she says.
The clause will allow those who’ve had illnesses like cancer, diabetes or other sickness to get insurance coverage, Mitchell says.

WFPL 

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COVINGTON FIREFIGHTERS MEET VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

Vice President Joe Biden addressed the International Association of Firefighters convention in Philadelphia Wednesday:

In an emotional speech to a quiet room here in Philadelphia, Biden declared to the International Association of Fire Fighters that the GOP views them as "the community's problem," and quoted Romney's pledges to cut spending deeply.
"This new Republican Party looks at you as both the reason for and the solution to this godawful recession we inherited," Biden said. "They look at your ranks and they see an easy place to cut budgets to accommodate their priorities — not just you, but cops, public workers generally. Don’t take my word for it. Just listen to what Gov. Romney — who by the way, is a good family man, a guy who means well, I think part of the problem is, I don’t think he just gets you."
Biden repeatedly argued that Romney is out of touch with the values of firefighters and other middle-class voters, telling his audience that the GOP's intent to focus on slashing budgets and keeping upper-income taxes low would hurt their communities.
"He said, I quote, guaranteeing the government will keep its fire, police and teachers intact is not an effective way to get the economy rolling again. Tell that to the store owner who, without you, may lose everything they own," Biden continued. "He further said — referring to Gov. Romney — my own view is that right to work is the right way to go, and I’d like to see it on the national level as well. Did you think that we’d be fighting these fights again in 2012?"

Full story: Politico 
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The executive board of Covington's firefighters union, IAFF Local 38, shared this photo on their Facebook page:

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NORTHERN KENTUCKIANS WANT TAX REFORM TO BOOST EDUCATION

More from this week's public meeting on tax reform in the Commonwealth at Northern Kentucky University. Via cn|2:

Brent Cooper, owner of a small tech company in Covington and chairman of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, said he had concerns about the lack of tax credit for angel investors in start up businesses. The General Assembly failed to enact legislation this year to allow such tax credits other states have.
Cooper told the commission, “imagine you are a new startup and someone comes to you and says I’ll give you $200,000 for your idea, but you’ve got to move four miles north, because I get a 25 percent tax credit in Ohio and we don’t get that in Kentucky. That is not just made up. That is happening. Tax policy in Kentucky is costing us jobs.”

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Hear from outgoing NKU President James Votruba and the university's student government president about the importance of solving the tuition and higher education funding problems at the link: cn|2 

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SEE ALSO: Governor Beshear makes appointments to higher education board, including the President of EW Scripps to the NKU Board of Regents press release 
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QUICKIES

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Banking scandal could be hurting Kentucky's pensions WFPL 

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Tax increases, program cuts could help boost pensions cn|2 

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Pension reform is still troublesome Daily Independent 

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Governor Beshear to promote Kentucky on trip to Europe press release 
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Kentucky Secretary of State heads to Afghanistan to help troops vote press release 
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Drug money funds voter fraud in Kentucky FOX News 

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US Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) named best in Congress for working people press release 
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US Rep. Geoff Davis passes off his signature cause, the REINS Act, to a colleague since Davis won't be around to see it passed WFPL 
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Good news for wine lovers: the grape harvest is ahead of schedule WPSD 
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Governor Beshear orders flags at half staff in honor of victims of Colorado movie theater shooting press release 
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Bengals say "no" to new TV blackout rule Business Courier 
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Kentucky low on list of creative class population The Atlantic Cities 
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COVINGTON SCHOOL BOARD MEETS TONIGHT

The Covington School Board will meet Thursday at 7:00PM inside the Board of Education. No agenda has been made public yet, but it is expected to include discussion of the three bids sought to reconstruct the playground at Sixth District Elementary School that was partially destroyed by fire in June. Also, board member Mike Fitzgerald returns after missing a couple meetings due to an illness that kept him in the hospital for an extended period of time. The River City News will have it covered for you.

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FEMALE TEACHERS & MALE STUDENTS SEX SCANDALS IN THE AREA
Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati have had their share of teacher-student sex scandals:

Fox19 Legal Analyst and former Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen added that society's double standard also makes it tougher to prosecute offenders.
"If the male teacher is the defendant and there's a female student, that person is probably going to prison," said Allen. "If on the other hand, it's a female teacher and a male student, you're not seeing that many stiff sentences."

See the video report here: WXIX 
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COVINGTON CITY ARBORIST EXPLAINS DANGERS OF EMERALD ASH BORER

Jason Roberts, the City of Covington's urban forester, certified arborist, and municipal specialist discusses the fight against the emerald ash borer in Devou Park through this video produced by NKU:

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A HEROIN ADDICT'S STORY
Heroin is a growing problem in our City and region:

Once the scourge of the 40's, 50's and 60's, heroin is back. And though it has an inner-city reputation, experts say it's gone suburban, even rural, perhaps next door to you. Cooking up in a spoon: It's what many heroin addicts do, what they live for, dream about. The god they worship. 

(snip)

Some people don't think that could happen to people they know, but pay attention to the addresses that recovery expert Jeff Duell of the Awareness and Recovery Group has seen at his recovery center. "It's Ft. Thomas, Newport, Covington, Ft. Mitchell, Villa Hills," Duell said.

Full story with video report: WCPO 
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SEE ALSO: As pain pills change, abusers move on to new drugs WFPL 
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KY MAN ACCUSED IN ANTI-GAY ATTACK CHALLENGES FED HATE CRIMES LAW
After he and an accomplice were charged with beating up a man in Eastern Kentucky because the man is gay, Anthony Ray Jenkins, 20, and his cousin became the the first ever charged under a new federal hate crimes law:

Part of the hate-crimes law is unconstitutional because it impermissibly creates special protection for a class of people based on the sexual orientation of victims, Anthony Jenkins' attorney, Willis G. Coffey, argued in the motion filed Wednesday.
There is no compelling interest in providing more protection for gay crime victims than for others, and the Constitution bars doing so, the motion said.
The federal hate-crimes law once included protection based only on race, color, religion and national origin.

Full story: Herald-Leader/Bill Estep 
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MORE QUICKIES
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What Penn State football can learn from Kentucky basketball after scandal The New York Times 
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Whooping cough cases on the rise and could get worse here WLWT 
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Man finally charged for causing a violent scene at a Salvation Army Christmas Dinner in Louisville WDRB 
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KENTUCKY MAN INDICTED FOR STEALING FROM BODY AT FUNERAL HOME
Ugh:

William Mitchell, 33, has been indicted in Grayson County. Police say he took a ring off the woman's finger at the funeral home in Caneyville, then broke into a car sitting outside.

A few more details: WKYT 

CHUCK NORRIS TALKS ABOUT HIS RETIREMENT FROM COVINGTON FIRE DEPT

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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Chuck Norris was just sixteen years old when he was part of the many firefighters called to the scene of the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire in Southgate in 1977. At the time, Norris was learning the ropes of being a fireman with the department in Taylor Mill and shortly after the devastating fire, the third most deadly nightclub fire in American history, that he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. "I was sixteen years old (at the time of the legendary tragedy) and that's a lot and after time I kind of blocked that out for a while," Norris said. "I don't know how to explain it. It was life changing."

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"Most people search for quite a long time before they figure out what they want to do," he continued. In 1984, Norris joined the Covington Fire Department and knew from day one that someday he wanted to be Chief. Though he spent time as acting chief in 2005 and again in 2010 (as well as a stint in 2008 as interim public works director), it was August 1, 2011 that that dream was fully realized as Norris was appointed to lead Covington's department permanently. After one year in his dream job, however, Norris has decided to retire, effective July 31.

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"While it's only been a year, it's been quite some time as a department director and working for the City and it's been a fantastic experience," Norris said. "There are hard-working people in every part of the City as well as all the people connected through the neighborhoods, the community groups. It's been fantastic."

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Norris's time as leader of the fire department has run concurrently with tightening budgets at City Hall and cuts that have angered firefighters and their union leading to several heated exchanges online and in City Commission Chambers. In addition to guiding the department through the leaner times, the retiring chief has had to deal with his personal relationship with the employees he oversees, members of the same union that he was part of before becoming a manager. "Whenever you are put in that position, especially during negotiations, it causes some friction," he said. "It's a delicate situation to be in as department head but we've worked well together. The majority of the department understands it's part of the position of being fire chief in the City. There are times where you get put in a situation where it's uncomfortable, but that's all part of being a department head."
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Recently it was the chief himself who had a somewhat heated exchange at City Hall. During the presentation of Covington's then-proposed budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year, the fire department was asked to cut $500,000. Norris became upset that potential higher revenue from ambulance fees were to be redirected to the City's general fund instead of the department, a maneuver he hoped would offset some of the half million he needed to cut. "That was one of the ways we saw as a department to overcome the half million, that was part of our plan and by that being moved to the revenue column, that was taken away from our plan," Norris said. The potential increase in ambulance fees has since been reduced from $441,000 that day to about $147,000, "which I think is much higher than we'll be able to obtain even with some of the changes but we're not done with discussions yet, whether that counts toward the half million dollars."

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Norris was able to save up to $127,000 recently. The department was given approval from the City Commission to spend that much on new computer equipment for its vehicles but instead was awarded a grant to cover that cost. Norris hopes those savings will be applied to the department's half million in cuts.

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Meanwhile, the overall reorganization at City Hall as recommended by Management Partners, the Cincinnati-based consulting firm that reviewed each of the City's departments, played no role in Norris's decision, he said. "It's just time and July is the best month," Norris said. July is a common time for public workers to retire and there will likely be others from the department joining the chief on their way out. Norris also said that some of the department's savings plan includes not filling vacant position.

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His retirement is expected to be accepted by the City Commission at next Tuesday's meeting.

CONSULTANTS: COMBINE 2 FIREHOUSES, PRIVATIZE AMBULANCES

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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Management Partners, the Cincinnati-based consulting firm contracted to audit each department within the City of Covington, admits that its recommendations about the Covington Fire Department do not refelct the best accepted practices in the industry. Instead, their suggestions are offered because in their estimation, "the current operations plan is not financially sustainable." Management Partners' team interviewed employees in the fire department as well as administrators at City Hall and members of the City Commission to glean information that led to its final report on how best to operate the department and its 119 employees, all but one of which is a sworn firefighter. 

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The report notes, "The geographical configuration of Covington, long and narrow, and the winding and narrow roadway system makes it unusually expensive to meet travel time requirements for the initial attack phase of fire suppression. Given that Fire Department cost is approximately 33% of the non-debt service portion of the operating budget and the stagnating revenue base, it is clear that the current operations model is not sustainable."

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Because employee costs take up 95% of the fire department's $12 million budget, Management Partners offered recommendations on how best to eliminate personnel spending: Contract with a third-party vendor to provide emergency response (ambulance) services or remove EMS from the Fire Department and create a separate agency in the City; Close fire stations 1 & 2 (Robbins Street & Botany Hills) and combine them in a new firehouse; And then ultimately move toward a regional fire service operation.

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CONTRACTING AMBULANCE SERVICES

Management Partners claims that the City could possibly, but not definitely, save money by contracting with a third party provider of ambulance services as many municipalities across Kentucky do. The firm recommends that the City put together a request for proposals from possible contractors and it attempted to gain information from such a provider, Rural Metro Inc, which offers ambulance services in other cities in the state. Rural Metro would not offer a price estimate without detailed meetings with City officials but the report notes that if a company "could provide the current service quality level for less than a price of $1,500,000 (the City's cost in providing ambulance services each year) there would be an economic benefit." 

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It continues, "The current number of four pumper companies for fire suppression purposes should remain in place since there would be a loss of six potential fire fighting personnel if the fire department no longer has EMS personnel to deploy." Contracting with a company to provide EMS would reduce the daily minimum staffing in the fire department from twenty-seven to twenty-one since three two-person ambulances would no longer be needed. 

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Management Partners recommends the third party ambulance service as a first option but failing that, suggests the creation of a City-operated ambulance service outside the fire department in a move that they say would save nearly $500,000. The report notes, "The advantage of this plan is that since the ambulance crew would not be required to suppress fires, the City’s pension contribution would be reduced by over $9,000 per person.  In addition, the shift schedule could be changed from a 24-hour tour to an eight-hour tour, allowing a reduction of ambulance crews on duty during the low demand hours each day."

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"The cost difference of nearly $500,000 is a result of having three fewer personnel due to flexible scheduling to match demand and the non-hazardous duty pension cost.  This would maintain the current service quality level for most hours of the day but could result in longer travel times during the hours of 2 a.m. to 7 a.m."

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The report also notes that there may be difficulty in creating a separate department for EMS from a labor relations point of view, particularly if Covington firefighters do not transfer into it making it necessary to recruit from the outside. Additionally, the report offers, "The logistics of staffing if there are few transfers from current Covington firefighters could be time‐consuming and complicated.  An incentive should be considered so that any current firefighter who does transfer would gain automatic preference to fill a vacancy in the fire department."

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SOUTH COVINGTON FIRE STATION SHOULD STAY OPEN FOR NOW

The firehouse in South Covington is the least utilized in the City averaging less than one run per day and Management Partners studied whether it should be closed in favor of automatic mutual aid agreements with the Cities of Taylor Mill and Independence. In the hypothetical scenario, the pumper housed in South Covington ("Company 5") would remain there and be used by the EMS crew to respond to fires. 

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Management Partners concedes, however, that this move would increase the amount of time it takes for firefighters to reach the scene of an active blaze: "Pumper Company 5’s service area is closer to Taylor Mill and Independence Fire Districts than to other Covington fire stations.  However, the Independence station cannot reach the majority of Pumper 5’s service area in the four minutes or less travel time currently achieved. The Taylor Mill station is a combined (career service and volunteer augmented) service. The Taylor Mill station has two-person staffing around the clock. However, the response protocol is that their company does not leave the station until four minutes after initial tones in order to allow volunteers time to reach the apparatus before it leaves the station. When this time is added to the travel time, most of the Pumper 5 service area would see response time standards significantly degraded from those currently achieved for initial attack. Travel time for sustained operations should not experience a detrimental impact since those resources would be drawn from Covington stations as is the case currently."

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Management Partners reports that in order for the plan to work Taylor Mill would have to change its protocol of waiting four minutes before leaving the firehouse. The report notes, "This alternative has the greatest impact on service quality of all options. Even with the optimum automatic aid agreement possible with current station locations and configurations there will be a degradation of initial attack standards compared to the current service level.  Covington officials must be prepared to have a justification for this seeming disparity of service levels among Covington neighborhoods. And, over time, Covington would be subject to the impact of decisions made by Taylor Mill and Independence Fire District officials regarding plans and operations that are not the most favorable from Covington’s point of view.  Taylor Mill and Independence Fire Districts could agree to the plan initially and then want to negotiate payment terms that could wind up being unfavorable for Covington, resulting in the need to backtrack."

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Ultimately, Management Partners concludes that this option would not be in the best interest of Covington and that instead the City should initiate discussions about creating a regional Fire & EMS operation across Northern Kentucky. 

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REPLACE FIRE STATIONS 1 & 2 WITH NEW, COMBINED STATION

Management Partners recommends closing the Boatany Hills firehouse and the Fire Department's headquarters on Robbins Street and constructing a new facility. From the report: "Because a relocated station would provide better travel time coverage for pumper companies, it would not be a first priority to staff a fifth pumper during those occasions when the minimum staffing is exceeded due to low leave usage periods.  If Covington continues to provide EMS through the Fire Department rather than an alternative model, an additional ambulance could be staffed since EMS has fivefold higher demand than fire runs.  If Covington uses an alternative to the current EMS model, excess staffing could be placed on the reserve quint. Our research indicates that a new fire station should be a two-story 20,000 square foot building that would cost approximately $2.9 million to construct. We understand that Covington has already received a $300,000 grant to purchase the land. Options for funding the cost of construction are available to the City.  Tax exempt municipal bonds with a 30-year life at 5% interest would require annual debt service of approximately $190,000 or about 17% of the annual cost of a pumper unit.  Another alternative to explore would be for a private owner to construct a station and enter into a long-term lease agreement with Covington."

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Other recommendations:

-Make the positions of fire inspectors open to civillians instead of sworn firefighters. Currently the department uses captains to conduct fire inspections, but Management Partners concludes that hiring three civillians at $35,000/year with benefits worth $8,635/year would save the City $119,000.

-Develop a written training and monitoring protocol. The report notes, "The training program is not as robust as we have seen in other career departments.  Training tools and programs are not state-of-the-art. The upside is that command staff recognizes the need for improving the programs and tools available for training.

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The firefighters also responded to an internal survey and you can see the results at the end of the full Management Partners report: Click Here (PDF) 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY MORNING 6 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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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. 

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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! 

The RC News: Thursday Evening Round-Up 

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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.

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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.
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.” 

FULL EDITORIAL: Here 
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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

To listen to the podcast, click here and scroll down to episode 5.

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QUICKIES

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Is your personal computer among the tens of thousands vulnerable to shutting down on Monday? WLWT 

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Reaction mixed to legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky WXIX 

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Governor Beshear inaugural fund still has more than $280,000 Herald-Leader 

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Odds of fainting are low when driving a car through a pull-up flu shot clinic UPI 

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Rick Robinson: Is "Fast & Furious" President Obama's Watergate? The Daily Caller 

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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!

Click Here 

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LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB? Gateway College's bookstore is hiring Click Here 

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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.

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. 

Holliday explains all seven components at the link.
Kentucky Teacher
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SEE ALSO: Kentucky's Project Graduate, which helps college students finish school, wins award AP
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COVINGTON E-NEWS:

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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. 

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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!
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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.

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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.

NKY Emergency Shelter Newsletter 

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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.
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.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Lisa Bernard-Kuhn
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PHOTO: Fences removed from Washington Park Facebook 
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One highlight will be the interactive water fountain. Check out this video that explains how the technology works:

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CELEBRATE YOUR INDEPENDENCE -- SHOP LOCAL TONIGHT!

That's the message from Bellevue:

Click to enlarge

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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:

"Like" Kentucky for Kentucky on Facebook 

COVINGTON FIREFIGHTERS UNION URGES AGAINST CHANGES

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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The union representing Covington firefighters went public today urging citizens to contact City Hall and the city's elected leaders to stop rumored and/or recommended cuts to the department. Local 38 of the International Association of Firefighters posted this to its Facebook page:

The Covington City Commission is considering more cuts for the Covington Fire Department. "Friends" please read and repost on your page these facts of how losing Fire/EMS protection will affect the citizens and business of Covington.

DON'T LOSE YOUR COVINGTON FIRE/EMS PROTECTION
1. This job of firefighting requires firefighters. Hoselines won’t deploy themselves, and there’s no firefighting robot we’re currently aware of that can function at or above a human firefighter’s level.2. Time affects life. By reducing the amount of time it takes to perform fireground tasks—specifically, deploying a hoseline—the better the outcome for the victim and the firefighters.3. Time directly correlates to the number of firefighters available. The more firefighters on the fireground, the less time it takes to complete a task.
All of the above facts also directly apply to Medical Emergencies such as Heart Attacks, Strokes and Trauma (injuries from Car Accidents, etc.). 

Facts and Figures 

• In November 2010 the City of Covington signed a Memorandum of Understanding promising to staff the Fire Department at 30 personnel/day (10 below NFPA recommendations). In August 2011, the City of Covington knowingly violated the MOU and reduced manning to 27 personnel/day, ‘browning out Engine Co. #1 on a frequent basis.
• Prior to Engine Co. #1 being ‘browned out’, Covington had 5 completely staffed stations totaling 5 Fire Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue, 3 Ambulances and 2 Ladder Trucks. 30 firefighters 24/7/365. We now have been running with 27 personnel on days that Engine Co. #1 is browned out (26 of the 30 days in June 2012). The National Fire Protection Agency suggests that a fire department the size of Covington should be running with 40 firefighters/day.
• The Insurance Services Office (ISO) gave a Covington Fire Department a Class II rating, keeping insurance rates low for citizens. In order to accomplish this rating the department uses it’s 3 ambulances as firefighting apparatus as well as EMS. The EMT’s and Paramedics on these ambulances are trained as firefighters, go to fire calls and join crews off fire engines/trucks in order to have the amount of personnel needed to fight a fire.
• In May 2012 the Fire, Police, and Public Works labor unions all signed new 4 year collective bargaining agreements saving the City of Covington $10 million.
• In June 2012 the City introduced the idea of separating the EMS from the Fire Department reducing the manning (once again) to 21/day
• OSHA has federal mandates that state that firefighters must have a 2 man team in order to enter a structure fire and a second 2 man team on stand-by for their safety. This is referred to as “2 in – 2 out”. If a fire engine arrives with only 3 personnel this mandate cannot be met and the firefighters will have to remain outside until more arrive. With no ambulances and only 21 personnel/day this will happen more frequently. The most affected neighborhood would be South Covington (Company #5). The next due company is 10 minutes away and with no firefighting ambulance, there would only be 3 total firefighters until the next due arrived.
• In order to combat this, the City suggested use mutual aid from Taylor Mill to supplement staffing. Taylor Mill is a majority volunteer fire department and has no guarantee of how many (if any) firefighters they could provide. Should citizens of Covington pay the tax rates set by the city and have their fire protection provided by another fire department that is staffed with volunteers?
• Structure fires more than double in size and severity every minute.
• Flashover – an explosion caused by the build-up of gases – occurs 5–8 minutes after a fire begins. Once a flashover occurs all contents are fully involved in fire and any life (human or animal) cannot be saved.
• The “Domino Effect” is real, and company brownouts leave our city with too few resources. South Covington and West Covington are most affected because their Fire Companies have been required to respond further away from their neighborhoods on a more frequent basis.
• Each fire engine and each ambulance has a paramedic and full ALS equipment for medical responses. As well as eliminating ambulances from the fire department, the City of Covington has suggested removing paramedics and ALS equipment from fire engines as well.
• Your chance of surviving a cardiac arrest falls 7 to 10% for every minute between collapse and arrival of advanced life support.
• The American Heart Association recommends cardiac defibrillation within 5 minutes of cardiac arrest.
• Brain death can occur within 4-6 minutes of cardiac arrest.
• Severe trauma needs to be in the operating room of a level 1 trauma center (University of Cincinnati CEC) within 1 hour.
Falling ShortNFPA recommends response times to be 5 minutes 35 seconds 90% of time. With company brownouts response times will increase beyond this recommendation. Also, with another agency providing ambulance service, this response recommendation may not be met and the City of Covington will have no authority to enforce quality service. 

Recent Run Totals
• 2009 10,492 

• 2010 10,928 

• 2011 11,319 

• 2012 11,970 (projected) 

Calls for service are increasing while staffing levels are decreasing. 

Contact Your Mayor & City Council  

638 Madison Avenue  

Covington, Kentucky 41011

859.292.2160 

859.292.2127 

Larry Kline – City Manager lkline@covingtonky.gov
Chuck Scheper – Mayor cscheper@covingtonky.gov
Sherry Carran – Commissioner scarran@covingtonky.gov
Shawn Masters – Commissioner smasters@covingtonky.gov
Steve Casper – Commissioner scasper@covingtonky.org
Steve Frank – Commissioner stevefrank@covingtonky.gov