NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY EVENING 14 AUGUST

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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COVINGTON OFFICIALS RESPOND TO BRENT SPENCE CHANGES

The City of Covington raised its voice and was heard in regards to desired changes for the Brent Spence Bridge project which originally intended to remove northbound I-75 access to the City's Fifth Street access among other concerns whenever the new bridge should be built. News arrived this week that a new design was adopted with Covington's changes in place. "Covington keeps its Fourth and Fifth Street exit from Ohio as well as new direct access to Main Street/Mainstrasse via the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge hooked on the interstate," City Commissioner Steve Frank wrote at The River City News Facebook page, calling the news a "shameless victory". "This will bring more business to Mainstrasse and allow us to put the IRS in a tower and redevelop our large riverfront. We needed the Clay Wade Bailey to enable this extra traffic. That is what the fight with Cincinnati was about over bringing their streetcar to Covington via the Clay Wade Bailey. We could have a streetcar or keep our existing Southbank Shuttle and begin plans on an exciting new riverfront."

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"Additionally, until this final word on the bridge redesign, no one we've been talking to would commit to Covington. Now there should begin to be progress on the economic front, economy willing."

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City Manager Larry Klein agreed. "I think it certainly bodes well for existing businesses and for any new business in the future, especially along the riverfront and RiverCenter," Klein said Tuesday. "For existing businesses, it didn't matter if that bridge is built in two or ten years, it means there will be a northbound exit so they don't start making decisions to move."

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Klein credits the city-wide effort to urge transportation officials on both sides of the river to consider Covington's needs. In addition to city leaders, members of Congress and the US Senate, Frankfort legislators, leaders from surrounding cities and counties, civic and neighborhood groups, the people of Covington joined in the fight. "I think that's what won the day," Klein said. 

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A celebrating City Commissioner Shawn Masters also posted on RCN's Facebook. "We are the C-O-V," he said. "It's high time we leave the negativity behind and let's start selling the hell out of this City. Onward and upward!"

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Meanwhile... The Facebook page called Build Our New Bridge Now sent out this photo today to remind folks of the congestion and the need for a new bridge NOW:

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DECISION REACHED ON HOW TO PAY FOR CONSOLIDATED DISPATCH

The Kenton County Fiscal Court deadlicked again on Tuesday morning on paying for a consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center through a $6 fee on all Duke Energy bills. Following the 2-2 vote, the second time a tie locked up the fiscal court on this issue, the Judge-Executive and County Commissioners voted to assess the charge to property owners:

Property tax bills in Kenton County will go up by $85 per year to pay for a consolidated 911 emergency dispatch system, replacing the 911 fee on telephone landlines. Kenton County Fiscal Court voted Tuesday to impose the new fee in January, to replace the monthly dispatch service fee on telephone landlines, which an average of 3 to 4 percent of users have been phasing out each year.

Covington's dispatch center is slated to close around the end of this month or early September.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder  
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EXCLUSIVE
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SPECIAL ELECTION MAY BE NECESSARY TO FILL SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
A bizarre turn of events shaped the filing deadline for candidates intending to run for the Covington School Board. With three of five seats up for grabs in November, ten candidates have filed for the race. However, an eleventh candidate showed up to file but not to compete against the ten. Mark Young believes that the Denise Varney's seat, which is now open because of her resignation earlier this month but was not slated for election again until 2014, has to be filled through a special election and not an appointment as originally planned. Read the full story at the link.
Full story: The River City News 
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SEE ALSO: Candidates for school boards across Kenton Co Cincinnati Enquirer 
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SEE ALSO: Candidates for city offices across Kenton Co Cincinnati Enquirer 
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DON'T MISS TUESDAY MORNING'S NEWS
Downtown Covington bank robbed, suspect flees, jumps from bridge to his death; Covington's outrage over Fifth Street exit scored a big change in Brent Spence plans!; Plus, on a list of bets places to live in the future, how does KY fare?

The RC News: Tuesday Morning Round-Up 

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KY REPUBLICANS QUESTION THE TEACHING OF EVOLUTION

The debate over evolution versus creationism in Kentucky classrooms has arrived:

"I would hope that creationism is presented as a theory in the classroom, in a science classroom, alongside evolution," Sen. David Givens, R-Greensburg, said Tuesday in an interview.
The new requirements — college-readiness testing, end-of-course exams and more national norms — are part of Senate Bill 1, a 2009 bill developed and pushed by Senate Republicans to marry Kentucky's testing program to national standards for better comparisons of student success.
"Republicans did want the end-of-course tests tied to national norms, now they're upset because when ACT surveyed biology professors across the nation, they said students have to have a thorough knowledge of evolution to do well in college biology courses," said Rep. Carl Rollins, D-Midway, chairman of the House Education Committee.

Full story: Herald-Leader/Linda Blackford 
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QUICKIES
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Police ID suspected Covington bank robber that jumped to his death from Clay Wade Bailey Bridge WKRC 
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Out-of-state anti-abortion activists file to run in KY elections, including the 4th Congressional race here in NKY WLWT 
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Federal judge: KY's liquor laws are unfair to grocery stores Business First 
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Gov. Beshear makes appointments to alcohol law task force, including State Rep. Dennis Keene Bluegrass Politics 
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Republican state senator expresses support for medical marijuana in Kentucky cn|2 
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Police find 150 marijuana plants in Jessamine Co WKYT 
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9 die on KY roadways last week KSP 
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KY State Police looking for teen drivers for program KSP 
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CVG adds candy store to Concourse B Business Courier 
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More reaction to the death of the Governor's Chief of Staff, including from State Senator Damon Thayer cn|2 
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Survey finds fewer affordable homes available WLWT 
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Dish Network could cut WSTR/Star 64 from your line-up; Hear from both sides: Cincinnati Enquirer 
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GM recalls big vans WPSD 
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NY harness track to buy interest in Ellis Park Herald-Leader 
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American Idol auditions to come to Bowling Green Friday WBKO 
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Tubby Smith's contract at Minnesota on par with nation's best because of his time at Kentucky FOX Sports 
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KENTUCKY HEADLINE OF THE DAY...
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Man arrested on tractor for DUI WPSD 

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/08/14/2298914/gop-lawmakers-question-standards.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=cpy

CRACKS EMERGE IN UNIFIED COMMISSION DURING SPECIAL MEETING

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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Round two of the public meetings at City Hall to discuss its reorganization plan as recommended by Cincinnati-based consulting firm Management Partners was mostly like the first one that focused on the police and fire departments. This one, with an emphasis on code enforcement, housing, and community development, started with a presentation by the firm's Wayne Chapman who recapped some of its recommendations followed by many comments from the public, mainly in support of strengthening code enforcement, not outsourcing it as recommended. 

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But then the City Commissioners weighed in. "A huge number of people are afraid of retaliation and that's why they are not here," said Commissioner Sherry Carran, triggering gasps and outbursts from the packed Commission Chambers. "That's not easy to say but what my personal experience has been." Carran noted that she and her husband have made substantial investments in their Botany Hills neighborhood having torn down eleven troubled properties. "Outside of where we're investing not much is happening (in terms of blight in the neighborhood)." Much of Carran's ire was focused at developer Wes Bitlinger whose had a colorful exchange online with Commissioner Steve Frank who posted photos of several of Bitlinger's properties online.
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Commissioner Shawn Masters was not happy with Carran's remarks. "I want to say I am sorry to the employees who were questioned for retaliation. That pisses me off," Masters said. "I think we have some of the finest staff." He accused the City Manager and others of already having their minds made up about what to do with code enforcement. When the code enforcement director was told to cut $500,000 from his department's budget, "That by God tells you something."

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The tense turn the meeting took contrasted greatly with most meetings since Mayor Chuck Scheper was appointed to take over for Denny Bowman who resigned last September. A common refrain at commission meetings and other civic engagements is that this city commission is unified, often voting unanimously on most of the pressing issues facing Covington. That changed during Thursday night's special meeting.
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"For five years I have lived next to some of the biggest hell holes around and guess who owns them? The City of Covington!" Masters, who lives in Covington's Westside, spoke passionately for several minutes about the blighted properties and other issues. "Until we take care of our problem, how can we hold others accountable?"

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"I am offended that a city commissioner would say that our own employees would retaliate," Masters continued. "There has been a lack of communication and respect between certain people on this dais and code enforcement." The two-term, commissioner who is not seeking reelection, said that union employees were brought to the table to discuss changes in their departments but that that has not been the case for code enforcement. "If we do away with code enforcement this will be a death blow to this city."
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Masters moved on from code enforcement but was not finished with his remarks, many of which were met with applause. "While I was on vacation there were across the board raises given to every single non-union employee. Raises of $80,000 to $100,000 (total) backdated to last January." The heated words were followed with a warning. "I'm going to be letting people know exactly what is going on."
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City Manager Larry Klein explained the raises, saying these employees had gone without pay increases for three and a half years and that the 1.5% increase for one year may not even be repeated next year. "(These employees') health care plan saved the City money for a long period of time," Klein said, adding that the employees do not get overtime and are not even paid extra for their work at commission meetings. 

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"Show me someone who requested a raise," Masters barked.
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"One employee in public improvements came up a couple weeks ago and thanked me for their seventeen cents-a-week raise," Carran answered.

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Masters shot back arguing, "We can't give a merit raise because the City Manager hasn't given any evaluations yet!"

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Between the arguing on the dais and the unsolicited outbursts from the audience the room was at a tipping point of becoming out of control. Mayor Chuck Scheper began to wind the meeting with a calm conclusion. "Everyone in this room cares about this city," the mayor said. "I wish we could have a resolution soon. This is a terrible situation for folks in this world of not knowing what's going to happen."

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Asked after the meeting to elaborate on her position that code enforcement employees could potentially retaliate against those who spoke against them, Carran said she has heard of more code citations being written against targeted residents and on other occasions code enforcement breaches confidentially by revealing the sources of code complaints to the people who are cited. Former president of the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative, Terry Simpson, backed up Carran saying that he personally had been revealed as the source of a code enforcement complaint on one of his neighbors.  

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NOTE: More on the substance of the meeting will be detailed in a separate article.

SPIKE JONES SWORN IN AS COVINGTON'S CHIEF OF POLICE

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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Chief Spike Jones takes in a standing ovation

When he was nineteen years old, Michael "Spike" Jones sat in the office of the Covington Police Chief and asked what he needed to do to become a police officer. Twenty-seven years later an aspiring cop could wander into the police chief's office and find Jones still sitting there, but this time on the other side of the desk. Jones was sworn in as Covington's Chief of Police Friday before a packed crowd inside the City Commission Chambers at City Hall with enthusiastic, unanimous approval from city leaders.
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"I am happy and thankful to bring Spike on as the new police chief of the City of Covington," said Mayor Chuck Scheper, who admitted that before his appointment to the office last October, he had only known Jones from TV news appearances. Jones, as assistant chief, spent several years as the face of the department, always ready to answer media inquiries. On Thursday, less than twenty-four hours before officially assuming his new role, he performed both tasks, guiding invited media around town as multiple units rounded up more than thirty suspected drug dealers. 

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Mayor Chuck Scheper pins the badge on newly
sworn-in Chief Spike Jones

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"We have a lot of work to do and challenges to overcome, both economic and operational, but one thing we cannot lose sight of is who we are here to serve, the people of Covington," Jones said after being sworn by Judge Doug Grothaus and having his badge pinned on by Mayor Scheper. "I am proud and honored to take this position but most of all I am honored to be a Covington police officer."

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The pride was shared by all members of the City Commission. "This is a good day for all of us," said Commissioner Sherry Carran. Commissioner Casper recommended a headline for media coverage: "Covington Spikes It Rich".

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"This is my happiest to do something this wonderful for this town," said Commissioner Steve Casper. "I can't think of a better way to end this week," said Commissioner Shawn Masters, adding that Friday was the proudest day of his term. Jones's swearing-in ceremony was drummed into reality by the Eastside Drummers, a group of kids mentored by the new chief, a former member of the marching band at Holmes High School from which he graduated in 1984. From there he earned degrees from Eastern Kentucky University, the FBI National Academy, and a master's degree from Northern Kentucky University.

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Also beaming with pride in the large crowd was Spike's father, Jack Jones, who remembered his son wanting to be chief for as long as he could remember. "It means a lot to him and to me, and a lot to our neighbors," said Jack Jones. "We're very, very proud of him. It goes back to his first year on duty. The police chief told me that Spike would have his job someday."

Jack Jones raises his hand when recognized by his son

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LOTS MORE PHOTOS FROM THE CEREMONY BELOW, JUST CLICK THE LINK!

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SPECIFICS WILL COME LATER FOR COVINGTON'S NEW BUDGET

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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City Manager Larry Klein

"It rains an awful lot and having a rainy day fund that is less than one week's payroll is not much of a rainy day fund," said Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper at Thursday night's special meeting of the City Commission. "A city our size should have a reserve of five-percent of its general fund, or $2.5 million." But as the 2011-12 fiscal year comes to a close at the end of this month, there is far less than two-and-a-half million dollars. There is a paltry $449,080 or less than one week of the City's payroll expenses. Worse still, had the City not adopted Commissioner Shawn Masters's long proposed tax amnesty plan which generated roughly $400,000, there would be less than fifty-thousand dollars in the City's checking account.

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While there was a technical vote on the agenda to approve the moving-around of some line-items from the 2011-12 budget, this meeting was about the approval of next year's budget, one that hopes to bear little resemblance to the shaky one that ends Sunday. But before the new budget could be presented, the old financial wounds of the past year were reopened and reexamined one last time. City Commissioner Steve Frank even dusted off his familiar refrain about what inspired him to run for the office, a stint on the City's audit committee. 

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"We saw this train wreck coming and our warnings were not heeded," Frank said. "It's unsustainable what we've been doing for many, many, many years. We're going to put this last travesty of a budget to bed." And then, nearly one year to the day that the budget was originally passed, the 2011-12 budget was voted on and approved one last time. 

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Specifics will come later

The new budget for fiscal year 2012-13 was unanimously and enthusiastically adopted by the City Commission following its presentation by City Manager Larry Klein and finance director Bob Due. This is a budget that aims to do more with less, so that more will be available to the City in the coming years. Klein emphasized that there are no and will be no tax increases. In fact, the City's payroll tax will be lowered from 2.5% to 2.45% and while Covington's coffers will likely collect $600,000 less in that area than it did last year, to Klein, it is a good thing, for now. "Payroll tax rates play a role in where companies look to locate," Klein said. 

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Additionally, the budget calls for $2 million in infrastructure spending, which is $500,000 more than last year. Members of the current City Commission have frequently accused previous administrations of not spending enough in that area in order to balance their books. The numbers back up that accusation. From 2007 through 2011, only half a million was spent annually on road repairs and the like. The amount was increased to $1.5 million in 2012. 

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But what about the other anticipated cuts and the recommended reorganization of City Hall and its departments presented by an outside consulting firm Tuesday night? No one knows for sure. The budget was passed with a high amount of generalities and a low amount of specifics. What is known for sure is that 2012-13's budget is projected to have $2 million less than 2011-12's and that cuts are going to come from somewhere, including personnel. 

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"I feel sorry for the people in a state of limbo because it's a time of uncertainty and we will be deliberate about that," Mayor Scheper said. "We're going to do it with open eyes and open ears." To filter out the consultants' recommendations and planned cuts the mayor promises to meet with department heads in the next two weeks, and to schedule public hearings within the next thirty days, and then within the next sixty days more specific details will be known. "We still have work to do and we're going to do it as quickly and thoughtfully as possible to put this city on a better path to the future. Doing more of the same won't solve the problems of today or tomorrow."

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Commissioner Steve Casper referenced this week's bankruptcy filing by the City of Stockton, California, the nation's largest municipal bankruptcy ever. "We here in Covington are not letting it happen. It is tough, but for you all to have jobs and streets to work on we have to do this and we'll be better for it in the long run," Casper said to the city employees at the meeting. He invited suggestions from all employees. "We're all ears," Casper said. 

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Commissioner Sherry Carran also described the forthcoming decisions as tough, but said that she is confident in the changes that are to happen. "(NKU President) James Votruba was at a legislative caucus earlier this year and said the number one responsibility of leadership is to accept reality and that's what this is, this is reality," Carran said. "This budget is addressing infrastructure needs and at the same time, is getting us to a better spot where we'll be providing services more effectively. We have to change in order to stay ahead of the times. In a year or two years from now we're probably going to be better than we've ever been."

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SEE SLIDES FROM THE BUDGET PRESENTATION BELOW, JUST CLICK THE LINK!

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 19 JUNE

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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WHAT IS TO BECOME OF CODE ENFORCEMENT?

We are one week away from Mayor Chuck Scheper's speech to the City on the progress of his 10-point plan and what steps will be taken next. At last week's city commission meeting, the budget for code enforcement was gutted and the director of that department predicted its death. Two days after Scheper's speech, on Thursday, the commission will vote on the 2012-13 budget and we may know by then what and who survives this round of cuts. 

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There are two possibilities floating as to what could happen to Covington's code enforcement should it be discontinued at City Hall. 

• The task could be outsourced to the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission
• Also being explored is the possibility of creating a regional code enforcement consortium with neighboring cities also struggling to pay their bills

Interestingly, during the formulation of the Center City Action Plan, one of the top concerns expressed by neighborhood groups was code enforcement and how it should be beefed up. This will be an important decision by the elected officials and city administrators at City Hall. 

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THE STATE OF THE UNIONS

A report from NPR rings familiar in Covington as governments across the country are renegotiating agreements with its union workers: 

On the same day as the tumultuous recall vote in Wisconsin, two California cities — San Diego and San Jose — were voting on measures to force city workers to pay more for their pensions. In San Jose, Democratic Mayor Chuck Reed took on the unions.
Reed pushed for a new law requiring workers to pay more for their pensions. He estimates that in the first year the measure would save the city about $25 million a year, but it would eventually save billions in the long run. It passed resoundingly, but the unions say in a lawsuit that the measure is anti-union.
(snip)
"I think this is a choice that is very difficult for Democrats to make," he tells Lyden. "But it is a choice between providing services to the people or providing benefits to our employees.

37% of all public workers are represented by unions while only 7% in the private sector have such representation. Read (or listen to) more here: NPR 

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RELATED: As union membership in America has declined, so have middle class earnings (but the wealthiest Americans got wealthier). 

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SEE ALSO: Fort Thomas eliminates assistant city administrator and recreation director Cincinnati Enquirer

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ELSMERE TAPS COVINGTON'S MATTINGLY FOR TOP JOB

Assistant City Solicitor Alex Mattingly will be leaving Covington to become the first city administrator in Elsmere. "Alex's skills are a perfect match for Elsmere," said that city's mayor, Marty Lenhof, in a news release. "It was very apparent during his interview that he had the energy and knowledge to take the city to great heights."

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"Elsmere is a wonderful city where great things are happening," Mattingly said. "I am looking forward to serving the residents and businesses, and working with city staff." Mattingly starts his new job on July 9. He has been with the City of Covington since February 2006 and has served as assistant city solicitor since October 2007. 

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HISTORIC BUILDING TO BE TORN DOWN IN FAVOR OF PARKING LOT

This building is likely more than 150 years old but Legacy Financial wants a parking lot and at Monday's meeting of the urban design review board it was determined that the building is not economically viable. Click the link for the full story. 

Historic Building to Be Razed to Make Way for Parking Lot 

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Meanwhile... another historic home is back one the market:

Take a look inside an historic Covington home that hits the market today. There is a lot of history and character in the Harriet Albro house on Russell Street. Click the link for details and lots of photos!  

Stunning Historic Covington Home Hits Market 

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HIGH COST OF COVINGTON EDUCATION ADDRESSED AT RETREAT

The often criticized "cost per pupil" at Covington Independent Public Schools was addressed over the weekend during the school board's retreat. The district's administration highlighted its barriers and successes in a special Saturday meeting. Click the link for details. 

The River City News 

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Additional notes from the school board retreat: 

• The $14,000 cost per student is truly an average, according to CIPS administrator Janice Wilkerson. She explained several scenarios using real students and their situations to illustrate how for some students, the cost is much higher. Because of the high concentration of special needs students in Covington, particularly those with psychological or behavioral issues, the cost to educate some kids is more than $40,000 annually. Their are added costs of special transportation, psychologist visits, and more. 
• It was also argued at Saturday's retreat that CIPS spends more on students by average because the administrators work so hard at securing categorical and competitive grants. In the 2011-12 school year, CIPS scored $2.7 million from Title 1, $1.2 million from IDEA and IDEA B, $1.2 million from KERA Kindergarten, $600,000 from FRYSC, $600,000 from 21st Century Community Learners, $440,000 from Title 2, and $330,000 from Fitness Rocks

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RELATED: Project Graduation boosts number of adults completing diplomas press release 

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RELATED: KY Education Commissioner to host Twitter Town Hall Herald-Leader 

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QUICKIES

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Gov. Beshear launches initiative to get businesses to hire veterans Business First 

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Jim Huff elected chairman of Kenton County Airport Board Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Personnel Board may consider Richie Farmer audit in July Herald-Leader 

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KY GOP leader still hopeful for tax reform cn|2 

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Small businesses give Kentucky a score of "B-" Business First 

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Former NKY police chief faces 20 years in prison for credit card fraud Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Fort Thomas Schools reach capacity for several grades Cincinnati Enquirer 

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EPA pursuit of pollution fines in KY reaches $1.5 million WFPL 

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Americans fascinated with Hatfields & McCoys Herald-Leader 

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100 fish turn up dead in Kentucky pond WKYT 

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Another Louisville TV station begins negotiations with cable company WFPL 

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Louisville mayor to help with finding new theme park deal Courier-Journal 

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Health departments throughout Kentucky grapple with budget cuts Herald-Leader 

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KY panel to examine middle school sports WBKO 

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MORE POLITICS

Rep. Davis's column on his perceived barriers to affordable health care Geoff Davis 

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Sen. Rand Paul wants to privatize airport screeners press release 

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KY tea party sells "Yup, I'm a racist" T-shirts Wonkette 

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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MAINSTRASSE PARKING LOT TO START CHARGING SOON?

A question was posed at The River City News Facebook page:

Do you know anything about the MainStrasse Village 5th Street parking lot being restricted to 3 hour parking on weekdays from 9-5? There were signs up when I tried to park at noon today. 

City Commissioner Shawn Masters responded (after several others had commented): 

Actually, the city did indeed contact the MSVA, and is working with them to get information to businesses so that business owners and employees, including residents, may get passes to park in the lot. Enforcement has not begun yet, and warnings will be issued for some time before actual tickets. It is the only lot in Covington that is free. Be thankful today, because not too far down the road that lot will be 'free' to no one. 

 

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Looks like there is some big news to report from the Catalytic Development Fund: 

Capital Investment will break ground on Vu 180 in Newport KY this Thursday! Vu 180 is a 93 unit upscale apartment project located next to the SouthShore condominium project. This is the first major new development in the NKY River Cities since 2007. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 21 at 9:00 AM. Look for the tent next to SouthShore. 

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From Covington Arts: 

Our Covington Arts Interim Art Director Katie Rentzke has departed and Natalie Bowers is now back from maternity leave. A HUGE Thank You to Katie for holding the fort for eight long months. We will see her again, as Guest Curator for the FotoFocus exhibition in October, and hopefully many more times than that. 

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PHOTOS: Suits that Rock at The Carnegie Click Here 
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PHOTOS: Friends of Covington awards banquet Click Here 
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FABULOUS FURS FALL PREVIEW VIDEO
Covington's Fabulous Furs is revealing its new looks for fall: 

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Here's a cool idea...

Giuseppe's Pizza (at 26th & Madison -- and delicious!!!) makes an effort to incorporate ingredients from the Covington Farmers Market each week. Here's their message from yesterday: 

Every Monday we have a lunch special using ingredients purchased at the Covington Farmers Market & other local farmers! This week The Farmers Market Club Sandwich & The Farmers Market Summer Salad!!! (It has strawberry jam & white balsamic vinaigrette Dressing!!!!) 

Follow Giuseppe's on Facebook to find out what they whip up next week! 
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Take an historic tour of the Roebling Suspension Bridge and the surrounding areas...
At RoeblingFest on Saturday, you will have a chance to learn more about our signature bridge, the river murals, and Licking Riverside. Check out the schedule of walking tours by clicking here 
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Some talented Covington kids and the Center for Great Neighborhoods have collaborated for some terrific neighborhood photos...
Go to the link below and select a neighborhood from the "neighborhoods" tab at the top of the page -- and enjoy! 
Art By Covington's Future 
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ENTIRE FACEBOOK STAFF LAUGHS AS MAN TIGHTENS PRIVACY SETTINGS
LOL: 

"Look, he's clicking 'Friends Only' for his e-mail address. Like that's going to make a difference!" howled infrastructure manager Evan Hollingsworth, tears streaming down his face, to several of his doubled-over coworkers. "Oh, sure, by all means, Jason, 'delete' that photo. Man, this is so rich." 

The Onion 

DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS APPROVED FOR COVINGTON

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter 

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WHEREAS the City of Covington is a city that embraces diversity;

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It was a surprise resolution added to the city commission agenda moments before Tuesday night's meeting. Covington City Solicitor Frank Warnock handed out copies of the resolution just as the meeting was about to get underway and just shortly after he finished drafting the legislation. In a unanimous five to zero vote, the Covington City Commission approved domestic partner health insurance benefits for unmarried and same-sex couples, a piece of legislation promised last October and one nearly nine years removed from the passage of the city's human rights ordinance which offers protections from discrimination to its gay citizens. 

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WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners is dedicated to implementing fair and impartial personnel policies;

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"This city is all about diversity and all-inclusiveness," said City Commissioner Shawn Masters, the board's only openly gay member. "It follows the heart of what this city is all about." Months ago during a gay pride celebration, Masters and Commissioner Steve Frank stood before a crowd at the Artisan Enterprise Center and promised that Covington would soon offer benefits to its gay employees. 

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WHEREAS; the City has implemented a human rights ordinance that is recognized as a model that attempts to provide protection for all individuals within the city from discrimination in certain contexts because of disability, age, sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, marital and/or parental status and place of birth.

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"We have an equal rights law on our books but we have not practiced what we preach," Frank said Tuesday night. 

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The enthusiasm for the legislation was shared by Mayor Chuck Scheper and Commissioners Sherry Carran and Steve Casper. "This is another example of Covington celebrating its diversity," Carran said. Casper concurred, saying the vote proved that Covington is a "progressive community" and that he was "proud to do it." 

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Scheper acknowledged that discussions of domestic partner benefits began before he assumed his role as mayor late last year but that the path was cleared for the vote by the timeliness of new working agreements with the city's three public employee unions. Coincidentally, the third and final union contract was approved Tuesday night as well. Those new working agreements were finally agreed to after nearly two years of negotiations with health care benefits and the employee contributions for such being the main sticking points. When this new policy goes into effect on July 1, employees will still follow the newly enacted rules for health insurance which include the stipulation that spouses eligible for health insurance elsewhere must not be part of the city's plan. 

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Covington joins Louisville as the only Kentucky cities to offer domestic partner benefits to city employees and the laws in both cities go into effect on the same day. Across the river, Cincinnati is not far away from extending benefits to its employees. "You just beat the deadline," said Covington resident Charles King to the commissioners in reference to the city becoming the first in the region with such a policy. "You are the first in the area."

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY MORNING 30 APR

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter 

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ERPENBECK SCANDAL STILL STIRS EMOTIONS

The home building scandal that ended a Northern Kentucky company and a local bank happened ten years ago, as remembered in this Enquirer piece that features a former Covington Police officer ripped off by Bill Erpenbeck: 

“You hear about Bernie Madoff,” Mitchell, 74, said. “That was the rich ripping off the rich. This was different. This was a rich guy ripping off a bunch of people like me. Erpenbeck hit the working class right in the gut. He tried to take our American dream away.”
That’s because Erpenbeck’s scheme left about 211 homebuyers with second mortgages on their homes, said Mitchell’s attorney, Brandon Voelker.
“They were scared,” Voelker said of the homebuyers. “They thought they were going to lose their houses.” 

Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah 
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AUDITOR TO RELEASE REPORT TODAY ON STATE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
This will be big. Kentucky State Auditor Adam Edelen will speak to the public at 10:00AM to announce the findings of his investigation into the Agriculture Department when it was led by Republican Richie Farmer. The current Commissioner of Agriculture, Republican James Comer, asked for the investigation. 
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POLITICS 
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NKU hosts Republicans fighting for the nomination in the 4th Congressional District tonight NKU
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WOOPS: Thomas Massie would not be able to opt out of his Congressional pension cn|2
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Super PAC "Liberty For All" to back Massie in 4th District cn|2
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It's a give-and-take world with Jim Bunning endorsements Courier-Journal 
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POLITICS IS KING IN KENTUCKY ROAD FUNDING 

To fully understand the latest blow-up in the legislature, and the evolution of politics in Kentucky road-building, let’s start at Manntown in southern Russell County, which was never really a town (many Manns lived there) but is where state Senate President David Williams wants to build a road and a bridge, so those points are the beginning and end of our story. 

Courier-Journal/Al Cross  
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Term limit talk is prominent in campaigns (but not likely to happen) Cincinnati Enquirer 
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45 incumbents in Kentucky face no opposition this year Herald-Leader
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Two newcomers hope to continue trend of young faces in the state house WFPL 
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THE SUNDAY EDITION
If it happens in Covington, you read about it here at The River City News. Did you miss a moment last week? Get caught up in The Sunday Edition at the link. 
The RC News: The Sunday Edition 
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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MONDAY MORNING MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

From Covington Independent Public Schools Superintendent Lynda Jackson: 

I continue to search for ways to define engagement. I think the best definition comes from the work of Phil Schlecty (1994), who says students who are engaged exhibit three characteristics: (1) they are attracted to their work, (2) they persist in their work despite challenges and obstacles, and (3) they take visible delight in accomplishing their work.

We see signs of engagement daily - during a project, presentation, or lively class discussion. We catch glimpses of the inspired inner world of a child, and hoped to sustain this wonder, enthusiasm, and perseverance every day. How can we provide a practical model for understanding what our students want and need? 

More at the link. 
Lynda Jackson  
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CITY COMMISSIONER MASTERS APPOINTED TO NKY YOUTH FOUNDATION BOARD
From the NKY Youth Foundation: 

Shawn Masters, co-owner of The Merlot Group and a Covington City Commissioner, joins the Northern Kentucky Youth Foundation as a member of its Board of Directors. Mr. Masters sees a need to engage our youth in activities, especially in our urban cities, that will challenge their creativeness and create an environment where they can express their individuality through various forms of programs. Secondly, he believes the NKYF can be a more collaborative conduit for addressing the issue of bullying in our schools. With his strong desire to see youth excel, and his continuing lobbying for education efforts to curb bullying, the Northern Kentucky Youth Foundation believes his experience and knowledge will only add to the already strong regional support. Welcome to the Board, Mr. Masters!

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QUICKIES
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Somebody robbed the Newport Taco Bell Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Hopkinsville is the largest city in Kentucky without some form of  a smoking ban but the mayor wants to change that NECN 
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Kentucky hospital offers baby-name generator Herald-Leader 
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Potential new owner plots comeback of Kentucky-based Dippin' Dots ice cream Business First 
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Drama over the closure of a Perkins restaurant in Lexington Herald-Leader 
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Derby winner Animal Kingdom poised for a comeback Courier-Journal 
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COULD THE KENTUCKY-INDIANA BASKETBALL RIVALRY REALLY BE OVER?

The schools are at an impasse over where to play the games: at campus sites or on neutral courts... 

“We can do it in Louisville, Lucas Oil, both teams benefit," Calipari said. Crean rebutted saying, "It's got to be a two-way street and taking it off campus isn’t anything that people here are excited about or behind." 

Just leave Louisville on the schedule, please. 
ESPN 

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LOUISVILLE BASKETBALL IS NUMBER ONE IN "INTRINSIC VALUE"

So what the heck does that mean? 

"When you look at the revenue being produced from men's basketball, the University of Louisville is far outperforming everyone else," Brewer said. "It's not just Kentucky."
For fiscal year 2011, Louisville reported net revenue from men's basketball in excess of $27 million. UK reported some $6.5 million in men's hoops revenue. 

Herald-Leader  
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URBAN PLANNER STUCK IN TRAFFIC MESS OF HIS OWN DESIGN
LOL: 

"A direct path to I-279 and wider on-ramps would have helped, for starters," Rothstein said, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. "Sure, a six-lane street wouldn't look as nice as that tree-lined square with the fountain—Jesus, lady! Move!—but with six lanes, I wouldn't be sitting here breathing fumes." 

The Onion 

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/04/28/2168453/mark-story-louisville-basketball.html#storylink=cpy