NEWS ROUND-UP #2 -- THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER

Compiled by Michael Monks

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter
|

"PROTEST SOCIALISM. OCCUPY A JOB."

That's the Twitter message from Michigan Chamber of Commerce President Rich Studley. I only saw it because NKY Chamber President Steve Stevens retweeted it. That's not necessarily an endorsement of the comment but in any case, I don't get the reference. A Michigan guy telling people to occupy jobs? Wow.

@NKYCHAMBERPREZ on Twitter

|

COMMISSIONER FRANK MAKES 'WORST WEEK EVER'

This is usually a pretty funny column. Check it out.

CityBeat

|

SINCE WE'RE PLAYING ON TWITTER...

NKY leaders weigh in on Trade deal. Chamber President Stevens applauded via Twitter the passage of a Trade bill in Congress that was supported by NKY Congressman Geoff Davis (R-Hebron): "Great news for business in passage of Free Trade agreements with Columbia, Panama and S. Korea. Thanks to Congressman Davis and KY Senators." Stevens was also quoted in a Davis press release on the matter:

"In 2010, Kentucky exports supported more than 52,000 jobs and generated more than 19 billion dollars with Northern Kentucky representing one-fourth of the State’s total exports.  Almost half that amount was linked to countries where the U.S. has trade agreements.  Last year, we hosted delegations from Panama and South Korea to build trade relationships.  Congressman Davis’ support of the Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea is much appreciated by businesses in Northern Kentucky and will further enhance our opportunities to do business together.”

Davis says:

“In addition to the mutual economic benefits, these agreements are important to our national security by improving our relationships with three strong U.S. allies in strategically important parts of the world.”

But if it's such good news, why does one Senator say it forces American workers to compete with the lowest wages on Earth? How do two parties look at the same set of facts and reach such highly different conclusions? Is that why the country is in the shape it's in? Sen. Sanders calls the Trade Bill passage a good deal for Kim Jong Il:

|
OCCUPY WALTON, KY: LOWER TURNOUT THAN EXPECTED
“We envisioned the streets of Walton packed,” said Occupy spokesman Vince Salitoro. “From the Dairy Hut to the Tractor Supply store and all the way over to the Porter family’s fishing hole. What we ended up with was, well, significantly less than that.” LOL.
Derf Magazine
|
MORE THAN A RIBBON-CUTTING TODAY
After the presentation of the newly renovated RiverCenter Plaza, the Covington Business Council wants you to head over to Roebling Point. "...walk up the street to Molly Malones, 112 E. 4th for the CBC Talk and Tour highlighting all the great work by the Roebling Point Business Association. We'll be visiting the different bars/restaurants in the Assn."
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Covington-Business-Council-and-Foundation/109160892153
|

SMOKING BAN DEBATED AT NKU
Student Government at NKU wants to know if a smoking ban without designated smoking areas (which is what the current ban has) is something the university should enact. Take the poll:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/NKU-Student-Government-Association/110482035664459
|
Maybe they don't know how hard it is to quit, even if you're a kitty:
Watch this hilarious/sad video of a nicotine addicted cat.
|
Hat tip: RJ Caldwell from The Avenue Lounge
|
MORE CANDIDATES COMING TO COVINGTON
"Next Wednesday, you'll have a great opportunity to meet Mayor Jerry Abramson, Treasurer Todd Hollenbach, Auditor Candidate Adam Edelen, Agriculture Commissioner Candidate Bob Farmer, and former Congressman Ken Lucas - as they stop in at the Covington Frisch's, as part of their statewide bus tour next week! Join us for a great breakfast, or just stop by to greet our excellent team of candidates, and show them a big Northern Kentucky Welcome!"
Frisch's Restaurant (5th Street) Wed. Oct. 19 - 8:45 A.M. 520 W 5th St, Covington, KY

Kenton County Democrats

SEE ALSO: Herman Cain In Cincinnati Today/Enquirer

|

I KISSED A GIRL AND I LIKED IT (SO DID 42% OF YOU)

But an astonishing 27% were unsure whether they liked kissing a girl. Public Policy Polling reports on politics usually, but managed to squeeze in a Katy Perry question. In this poll, you'll find that info and also a nugget that Americans aren't too fond of the Tea Party or the Occupy Wall Street crowd (though if forced to choose, they side with the Occupiers).

PPP

|

THE NEW REGIONALISM: CINCINNATI POACHES HUNDREDS OF JOBS FROM COVINGTON

by Michael Monks
Email Michael
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-River-City-News/244172412265645
@theRCnews on Twitter

UPDATE: 5:45PM I just spoke with Covington City Manager Larry Klein. "There's no doubt that this (Omnicare's departure) will have repurcussions on the budget," Klein said. "With the pending loss of Nielsen, we'll have to revisit our budget again. We've yet to be successful on labor contracts. Once again there's only one place to look and it's personnel costs." Klein remains optimistic about Covington in spite of Omnicare leaving. "I think there's a lot of good things we all see over the horizon. They're not going to be next week or next year. When you look at the Gateway project, convention center expansion, IRS beginning to make some movement, it all bodes well," Klein said. "There's light at the end of the tunnel, it's just a rather long tunnel."
ORIGINAL POST:
The long rumored move of Omnicare from Covington's riverfront to that of Cincinnati is now the reality. A press conference Monday afternoon sealed that deal as Ohio Governor John Kasich, Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory and Omnicare CEO John Figueroa shook the hands of one another and smiled for cameras and reporters on a high floor of Atrium One, Omnicare's new home, that offers a view of Covington, the city on the other side of the river, and on the other side of this "good news".

"This was an easy decision because it does involve a national headquarters and a great number of people," Kasich said. "It represents a company that has a great growth potential." The pharmaceutical giant was looking for new digs to accomodate a planned move to bring all of its area employees under one roof. Though Omnicare was courted by Covington and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear with a hefty incentive package to stay, Kasich's offer was higher and more aggressive.