Here is Covington attorney Bob Sanders's remarks on why he will not run for Congressional seat being vacated by Republican Geoff Davis:
FINAL DECISION: I will NOT be running for Congress. Thanks to everyone who weighed in with advice or encouragement. There are a number of factors that influenced my decision, but the biggest were that if I happened to win, it would require me to abandon my law practice; and it would not have been a very good decision for my family. As I lawyer, I know I can change the world and have a positiveimpact-- even though its usually just one client at a time. There are cases in our pipeline in which we represent good people who are depending on me to be there for them. I can't abandon them. The family impact, too, would be considerable. Being a serious candidate for or member of Congress would dominate my life and require me to be away from my family most of the time. It's the very reason that Geoff Daviis is giving the seat up! Just take a look at my profile picture for one of several reasons I don't want to be absent at this time of my life. I missed a lot of my children's childhoods because I was working day and night to get a career going. I don't want to miss my Grandchildren's childhoods, too. I hope that both parties field good, well qualified candidates--and that whoever wins will work for the good of our Country and all her citizens. I'm sure there is a part of me that will always regret this decision and ask, "what if. . .," but that's just how it will have to be. Again, thank all of you for your advice-- and for being my friends!
The message was posted to his Facebook page. Sanders was recently honored for Lifetime Achievement by the Kenton County Democratic Club. No Democrat has announced a run for the seat that Davis has held since 2004. On the Republican side, State Rep. Alecia Webb-Edgington and Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore have announced their intention to run.
The Saturday Magazine 3 DECEMBER 2011 __________________________________________ "LIKE" The River City News on Facebook by clicking here. "FOLLOW" The River City News on Twitter by clicking here. _________________________________________________________________
KENTUCKY VS. LOUISVILLE
2011 will end with a bang as the Kentucky Wildcats host the Louisville Cardinals at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
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HOUSE DIVIDED
My house has always been divided during this annual game, but now that my brother has a new baby, the number of fans on both sides is equal. For that story, click the link.
The man who led the efforts of the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee to raise $450,000 to replace the lights on the aging Roebling Bridge, passed away this week. Bob Armstrong was 63. In addition to his maintenance of Covington's signature structure, Armstrong was a member of the 1960s doo wop band The Casinos and played keyboard on the group's top ten hit "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye." For more on that story, click here.
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Armstrong was also a regular presence at the annual fundraiser for The Carnegie, "Suits That Rock". The video below was shot backstage by local author Rick Robinson at the event in 2010. Thanks to Rick and also to Jason Dudas of the Telecommunications Board of Northern Kentucky for finding and editing this clip. It's of Armstrong and former member of Pure Prairie League, Judge Micky Folgier:
When Covington schools return for the second half of the school year, the City's new daytime curfew ordinance goes into effect. It requires that all school-aged children be in class or at home and not out wandering the streets where they would face being stopped and questioned by police.
TODAY IS LAST CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON CENTER CITY ACTION PLAN
The latest plan to revitalize Downtown Covington is seeking your input through an online survey. Today is the last day to participate before the data starts to be compiled. Click the link for that.
The crime happened in Cincinnati, but various law enforcement agencies descended upon an unidentified Covington home to find the stolen toys:
St. Bernard Police say they and the Erlanger and Covington Police served search warrants Friday evening at a home in Covington and have detained two males for questioning in a recent burglary from the U.S. Marines' Toys For Tots office in St. Bernard. Police say they got tips from two different people that pointed to the same Covington address.
FOX 19 | FORMER BENGAL TANK JOHNSON ASKS FOR ROB SANDERS'S HELP Have I mentioned how much I love Twitter? You just never know what's gonna pop up next. Former Bengal Tank Johnson got himself in trouble over some guns a few years ago. Here's a little backstory from the somewhat reliable Wikipedia:
On February 17, 2007, Johnson's lawyer contested a Lake County Circuit Court to drop Johnson's unlicensed weapons charges. His attorney claimed that since Johnson is a resident of Arizona, he does not have to abide to gun registration laws of Illinois. On March 15, 2007, Johnson was sentenced to a 120 days in Cook County Jail and fined $2,500 for violating his probation. Johnson entered a plea of not guilty on 10 counts of possessing a weapon without the proper state-required ID. On April 30, Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge as part of an arrangement with prosecutors that will keep him from serving additional jail time.
It would appear that those charges are coming back to haunt him, so Johnson has asked Kenton Co Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders to help:
FORMER GOV PAUL PATTON RESIGNS FROM STATE ED BOARD
He did not want to create a conflict of interest as the Commonwealth considers adding the University of Pikeville to the state system. Patton is president of the school.
REDISTRICTING MAY SLICE COVINGTON INTO MORE PARCELS
When the Kentucky General Assembly kicks off its new session on Tuesday, the redrawing of boundaries for Congressional and State Legislative House & Senate districts will be a top priority. Covington's State Rep. Arnold Simpson (D-Covington, Ludlow, Bromley) may represent less of the city and Rep. Dennis Kenne (D-Wilder, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton) may have a slice of Northern Kentucky's capital city. The Covington City Commission will likely pass a resolution at its next meeting Tuesday in opposition of any redistricting in the city. The River City News spoke with all four commissioners and Rep. Keene. For that story, click the link.
3) Holy Cross was the pride of the City after winning its first state football championship. The River City News was the only media present when the team returned to Latonia (Dec 3)
1) Seriously! This shows how much that window display at Sims Furniture meant to the community. This story lit up like a wildfire as soon as it was posted. (Nov 22)
But which stories were the most important for the year? A lot of them are the same as above, but with further analysis and more links for background:
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The staff of The River City News (ha ha) put together a list of the top 10 stories from 2011 in order of their effect on the city. For that compilation, click the link:
"Can you hear him," my brother asked over the phone as huge cries erupted from a tiny, new body. "That's your nephew." Of course I could hear him and thanks to Facebook I could also already see him as pictures of this slimy creature flooded my newsfeed seconds after he was born. The birth of David Monks, Junior on December 26 meant more to our Old Kentucky Home than just a new member. It meant also that the scales had finally balanced for the Louisville Cardinals in our divided house, just five days before the annual rivalry game with my beloved Kentucky Wildcats. There are now eight people in the family and now leading up to the game, at the buzzer no less, the score is tied: 4 Kentucky fans to 4 Louisville fans. (My brother would insist that his girlfriend is a Louisville fan, but anyone can see the fear and truth in her eyes!)
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My brother is an insufferable man, but this was not always the case. Usually, we had an unwritten agreement in the household: we cheer for Kentucky and we cheer for Louisville except for one game each year when we quite possibly hate each other. In 1997, for example, when UK was in its second straight (of what would be three straight) NCAA Finals against Arizona, my younger brother David and I rushed in excitement from TV to TV, unable to sit in one room during this thrilling game. As it went to overtime and ultimately ended in defeat for the Big Blue Nation, we both sat on the edge of our parents' bed (latchkey kids with both parents working overnight for local law enforcement) and he consoled me in what would be Rick Pitino's final appearance as UK's head coach. In recent years though, especially since John Calipari took over at Kentucky, my younger brother David has reveled in ecstasy each time the Wildcats suffer a setback. He loves to watch them to lose.
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Now that Rick Pitino is leader of Louisville, the rivalry is more heated than ever since it was revived by chance in the 1983 NCAA Tournament after 24 years apart. I was born in 1980, David in 1982. The fact has never been lost on us that both schools waited till each of us was born to rekindle the annual match-up. Through an act of the universe, today's game may very well be the fault of the Monks brothers.
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When the ball is tipped at noon today, one side of the room will be blue with our Dad, David's girlfriend (I know the truth!) and their oldest girl, and me decked in Wildcat garb. On the other side, red with Mom, David, his 3-year old daughter (who had no choice!) and now, Little David, who already has a Louisville outfit just for the occasion (and who also had no choice). Four to four. A tie that I am not allowed to break with my actual cat, a natural ally in this fight. We're going to overtime.
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That is probably the way it should be. And I know this much: When I get to hold little David Junior today, Cardinals onesie and all, it will be proof that a Kentucky fan can love a Louisville fan. Now if only big David Senior can learn the same thing, there will be less tension during the annual trip out to the parents' house for chili and basketball. And by March, when Kentucky makes another run at the Final Four and Louisville makes its annual exit in the first round of the tournament, we'll all be happy for each other.
EXCLUSIVE: REDISTRICTING MAY CHANGE COVINGTON'S REPRESENTATION
The Covington City Commission may pass a resolution at its next meeting (January 3) to state their position against changing the boundaries of State Rep. Arnold Simpson's district in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Speculation is that Rep. Dennis Keene (D-Wilder)'s district would be altered to come across the Licking River and swallow up most of Covington's urban core. Simpson, meanwhile, would likely watch his district drift south or west in territory unfriendly to Democrats. This change could hurt Covington's top legislative priority in Frankfort: funding for Gateway College's Urban Campus. Click the link for more.
After a deal is struck between Kentucky and Indiana to build a bridge project in Louisville/Southern Indiana, talk about tolls turns to the new Brent Spence:
The idea of imposing tolls on the Brent Spence Bridge replacement has met fierce opposition from some local political leaders and members of the public, especially those in Northern Kentucky. But leading backers of the project say tolling must at least be part of the discussion about how to come up with the local funds that will be needed for construction. Replacing the overcrowded and functionally obsolete Brent Spence is estimated to cost $2.3 billion.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Amanda Van Benschoten | GEOFF DAVIS'S REINS ACT MIRRORED BY BILL IN KENTUCKY Outgoing Congressman Geoff Davis (R-Hebron)'s REINS Act (which will never become law) now has a Kentucky version filed in Frankfort:
A similar bill sponsored by Wuchner and Fischer in the 2011 regular session of the General Assembly didn’t pass the Democratically-controlled House. The new bill differs in that any new regulation deemed to cost the “regulated entities” more than $500,000 would require specific legislation from the General Assembly to become law. The previous bill would have delayed implementation of new regulations costing $500,000 or more so the legislature could review it.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman | IF CRIT LUALLEN RUNS STATEWIDE, IT WOULD BE FOR GOVERNOR The popular outgoing Kentucky State Auditor is perennially rumored to be seeking higher office. In 2014, it won't be for the US Senate seat held by Mitch McConnell:
“At this stage in my career, I think the next race for me if I decide to run for statewide race would be for governor,” Luallen said. “It would be difficult for me to do the work that I have done and attain the stature that I have attained over the last eight years and not feel like I was moving up.” Luallen didn’t close the door on running for U.S. Senate in 2014 against U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, but she made it clear that she was looking more at the 2015 governor’s race.
More, including a video interview, at the link. cn|2 | ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT TO TAKE CENTER CITY ACTION PLAN SURVEY Your input is an important part of this process. The CCAP is the latest plan to revitalize Downtown Covington, and you can help play a role in making sure that this one works:
If you come to Covington now, have ever come to Covington in the past or have never been to Covington, we need your input! We are asking for input and opinions from multiple people regarding Covington in general. The more responses to the survey from diverse groups of people, the better information and input we will have to act on the Action Plan and attract and retain visitors and residents.
BB RIVERBOAT CRUISE TO REMEMBER '37 FLOOD If you want to take a day long boat ride (8:00AM to 8:00PM) then here's your ticket:
Departing from Newport Landing, the boat will stop in Rabbit Hash and Rising Sun, Ind., before heading back to Newport. Breakfast and an evening meal will be provided. The cruise will feature activities on all three decks of the Belle of Cincinnati including lectures by historians, videos, oral history, photos, river music, recollections of the flood’s destruction and stories of community heroism.
Though the vagueness of "an evening meal" causes concern, this sounds like a neat trip. Cincinnati Enquirer/Stephanie Salmons | PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS ALREADY WRITTEN OFF KENTUCKY The President's campaign manager has issued a video demonstrating six (of forty) possible paths to reelection, and not one includes winning Kentucky's eight rootin'-tootin' electoral votes:
Didn't Kentucky just sweep five Democrats to statewide office? Isn't the Bluegrass State at least worth a shot?
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'PROGRESSIVE' IS MOST POSITIVELY VIEWED POLITICAL LABEL
Not kidding:
The poll found that the term progressive is viewed positively by a majority of all partisan groups — including 55 percent of Republicans, 68 percent of Independents, and 76 percent of Democrats.
The most negatively viewed label is 'socialist'. Interesting that both terms are interchangeable in the right wing media. Check out the full results at the link. Think Progress
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ANYBODY GOT OVER 312 MILLION CHAMPAGNE FLUTES?
That's how many Americans will be on Earth on January 1, 2012.
STAR 64 IS SAVED! INSIGHT STRIKES DEAL WITH SINCLAIR BROADCASTING
The UK games and all your favorite judge shows will continue to air in Northern Kentucky:
Northern Kentucky - I'm glad to report that Insight and Sinclair Broadcasting have reached an agreement to continue to deliver Sinclair's WSTR STAR 64 in Northern Kentucky to Insight's customers. Both companies decided to put customers first by avoiding an interruption in programming, and signed a deal that will guarantee continued carriage. Too often, these negotiations between broadcasters and television service providers break down, leading to a programming blackout. I am pleased we were able to reach a win-win solution for our customers. Michael Willner - CEO, Insight Communications
Ok, so now that that's settled, can we please get HBO GO? What are we? Barbarians? Let's Keep It On
9 HARVARD DROPOUTS NOT NAMED 'ZUCKERBERG' OR 'GATES'
Woah, Bonnie Raitt went to Harvard?
8. Bonnie Raitt
Raitt enrolled at Radcliffe College, Harvard’s then-coordinate college, in 1967. The daughter of a Broadway musical performer, Raitt planned to major in African studies and travel to Tanzania to help “undo the damage that Western colonialism had done.” Those dreams were sidetracked when Raitt, a skilled guitar player, met blues promoter Dick Waterman in Cambridge. Waterman introduced Raitt to established performers such as Son House and Fred McDowell. Though Raitt had every intention of graduating, she took a semester off during her sophomore year to explore the possibility of a musical career with Waterman and became a star. Raitt signed a recording deal with Warner Bros. in 1970 and released her debut album in 1971. Raitt won four Grammy awards in 1990 and received Harvard’s third Arts Medal in 1997. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
Now that's something to talk about! Full list at the link. Mental Floss
