After just one year inside the Wedding Mall on Madison Avenue, Greek To Me Prassino closed Tuesday. The restaurant previously operated at The Point at Pike & Washington and has had a location in Erlanger since 2000 and recently opened a new location in Downtown Cincinnati. The restaurant's departure from the Wedding Mall follows that of Eros Salon which moved to Pike Street.
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Greek to Me's Covington location was adjacent to City Hall on a block that features the emptying Wedding Mall, the former Rima's Diner (which still has a sign on it that says "temporarily closed" and which operates a successful Crescent Springs location), and the long-vacant Mutual building. Affordable Wedding Creations is the sole commercial entity still operating on either side of the street.
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PHOTOS OF A BLOCK IN NEED OF ATTENTION FROM CITY HALL (WHICH SHOULD BE EASY SINCE CITY HALL IS ALSO ON THIS BLOCK):
Wedding Mall next to City Hall
Greek to Me's front corner location at
the Wedding Mall
The Mutual building, one of the City's
most beautiful. Very empty.
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. _________________________________________________________________ 2 NOTORIOUS COVINGTON CRIMINALS ARE PUT AWAY THIS WEEK
Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders had a busy week. In addition to the run-of-the-mill convictions, his office put away murderer Samantha Mayse and career criminal Michael Kidd. On Mayse, the office writes:
Sanders told the jury that Mayse deserved a life sentence so, even if she one day receives parole, she will have to report to a parole officer for the rest of her life and can never forget what she did to Davis. After 2 hours and 20 minutes, the jury returned a sentence of Life In Prison Without Parole for 25 Years. Sanders called the sentence "significant and appropriate" but lamented that it's hard to feel happy considering the tragic facts of the case and loss of Davis' life.
And on Kidd, the office writes:
Sanders also said the case highlights Kentucky's need for sentencing reform. "Kentucky keeps letting felons out of prison faster and faster, long before they have learned their lessons. This guy should never have been on the streets to begin with!" said Sanders. This time, however, Kidd won't be so lucky as he must now serve at least 20 years before being parole eligible.
For the full story on how Mayse was involved in one of the most brutal murders in Covington in the past ten years, and how Kidd's most recent crime involved a high speed chase through Covington, click the link below. you'll also find... ...the mugshots of the week
Lots of sad tales from our community. You may remember a couple of grandmothers convicted a while back for stealing from a charity. They were sentenced this week too. For the full list, and the stories referenced above, click the link. This Week in Kenton Circuit Court
The holiday celebrations continue in Mainstrasse Village today starting at 2:00PM with the Candy Cane Hunt for children at Goebel Park! ALSO:
Give back this season! Support our Hats & Mittens Drive to Keep Covington Kids Warm. Drop off new hats and mittens at the MainStrasse Village Association Office (406 W Sixth Street) or donate $1 by purchasing paper mittens at MainStrasse Village participating businesses. Donations will be distributed to Covington’s kids through Covington Partners in Prevention.
Mainstrasse Village Association | BELLEVUE HOSTS 'HOLIDAY ON THE HILL II' HOME TOUR First, please make sure you do a great deal of shopping, holiday or otherwise, on Bellevue's wonderful Fairfield Avenue. There is great energy over there. Secondly, check out some of their historic homes tonight during this tour. Click the link for details. Bellevue Neighborhood Association | HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS FROM COVINGTON POLICE
Says the department:
Car break-ins and purse snatchings pick up this time of year and it is not just the loss of your presents or your money; people can get seriously hurt.Thieves have no regard for anyone but themselves. Everyone is vulnerable. That is why it is important to be vigilant when hitting the stores.
For the safety tips from Covington Police, click here.
________________________________________________________________________ win tickets to the nutcracker from frisch's! Click Here for Details
________________________________________________________________________ THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA CLAUS Eventually, the conversation happens between child and parent. But what's the best way to explain the magic of Santa, and what's the best way to ensure that younger siblings keep the faith? A mother has written a beautiful explanation of how she handled The Truth About Santa:
Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch. It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments. Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy.
Read the full exchange (through letters) of this mother and her young, curious daughter, by clicking here.
________________________________________________________________________ in the news... | MAN GUILTY IN COVINGTON BANK ROBBERY This guy was acquitted on murder and robbery charges just three years ago. Cincinnati Enquirer/Brenna Kelly | HOLMES TECH STUDENTS FIND NICHE WITH ORNAMENTS A very cool story about the kids at the Chapman Career & Technical Center at Holmes. Cincinnati Enquirer/William Croyle | COLLEGE STUDENTS AND PIZZA CONTINUE THEIR LOVE AFFAIR A new pizza place called Toppers had NKU students camping out in front of its doors this morning. NKY Spot
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The #1-ranked Kentucky Wildcats travel to Bloomington this evening for a date with the Indiana Hoosiers in a game that many observers think may reignite this stale rivalry. | IU FANS TRY TO KEEP HOT TICKETS AWAY FROM UK FANS Turns out, the rivalry spreads off the court, into the box office:
"Don't lose your vacation money or your kid's scholarship fund, but if you're buying tix to the IU game, don't tell them you're w/ UK," Calipari wrote in a Tweet. In a second one he said, "Show up in red w/ blue underneath & don't take it off until our intros. U can leave the red shirt in the arena when u leave."
Indianapolis Star | COACH CAL WILL NOT STAY AT UK LONGER THAN TEN YEARS From the horse's mouth. USA Today
________________________________________________________________________ THE COV GETS LOVE... ...IN A TOM WAITS SONG This isn't necessarily news, and perhaps many of you were already aware of this, but while searching for unrelated information, a video popped up from Grammy winner and Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer, Tom Waits. It seems to me to be a song about a slave escaping, and at the end of the song, Covington and other Kentucky cities feature prominently in the lyrics. It's a difficult listen because of Waits's interesting vocal style, but check it out!
Put me on a flat boatDover, down to CovingtonCovington to LouisvilleLouisville to HendersonHenderson to SmithlandSmithland to MemphisDown to Vicksburg toNatchez put me on aFlat boat Dover DamTo Covington, Covington toLouisville, Louisville to Henderson....
don't go into that barn, and we'll see you tomorrow for The Sunday Edition!
MORE EVIDENCE THAT NKY TEA PARTY IS GUNNING FOR GEOFF DAVIS
First, right-wing blogger Marcus Carey and the NKY Tea Party were upset by fellow Republican Geoff Davis's alleged remarks during a meeting in Boone County:
Davis then said that he had received a letter from a TEA party person asking him to support Rand Paul's position. When questioned why he wouldn't support Rand Paul as the letter from the TEA party member requested, Davis, according to eye witnesses, went too far by saying: "How dare that person question ME on this issue. I don't see stars on his shoulder!"(snip)When Davis aligns himself with John McCain, joins the Council on Foreign Relations, insults Rand Paul and castigates a voter for "daring" to ask him a question if he doesn't have "stars on his shoulder", he makes a pretty good case for forced term limits.
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Now they've done more than confront the Congressman online, they've confronted a Geoff Davis staffer in person:
Davis staffer Rachel Jacobs stood up and said that she was with Davis in Boone County and that Davis never said that that a member of the TP had no right to question him because he had no stars on his shoulders. But three men who were present in Boone County Saturday night and eye witnesses to Davis' statements stood up an told her they were right on the side of him and that's exactly how it happened.
More Bluegrass Bulletin |
But the plot thickens when blogger Carey reveals his sources in the comments section at his blog:
I can tell you that those who said they were present, heard Davis' comments and confronted his staff were Bob Klette, Bryan Miller and Bob Flaig. Also witnessing that event was Terry Donoghue as well as the others in attendance. With this many eye witnesses, why do I need to call Geoff Davis?
Klette has written for the NKY Tea Party, and Bob Flaig is husband to Kathy Flaig, President of the NKY Tea Party and recently announced GOP Primary challenger to State Representative Addia Wuchner. Donoghue is the fundraising chairperson for the NKY Tea Party. Is this the beginning of a possible GOP primary for NKY's Congressional seat? | BENEFIT FOR WOMEN'S CRISIS CENTER TONIGHT Yadda Club on Pike Street sponsor Snowball Dance 2011 with proceeds going toward the Women's Crisis Center. Dress to impress, says the invitation. Facebook Event | TRAFFIC ISSUES RETURN TO COVINGTON TONIGHT It's the usual mess on the nearby interstate, but the mess over in Botany Hills continues to plague that neighborhood and Ludlow. A new date for completion has been issued for the repairs on Kentucky Route 8/Highway Avenue (which has been reduced to one lane for roughly six weeks, two longer than expected): December 15. | Taylor Mill Road contruction resumes:
Construction is beginning on Taylor Mill Road (KY 16) between Sunbrite Drive and Kleete Road. All traffic patterns will remain in their current location at this time. The speed limit throughout the project will be reduced to 30 MPH. Please watch for flaggers and construction traffic entering and leaving the roadway. A signed detoured is in place for the Oak Ridge Baptist Church to use Clubhouse Drive.
Taylor Mill Road - Northern End - KY 16 (From Blackstone to I-275) -Beginning December 5, 2011, watch for utility and work crews as clearing operations begin and continue throughout the winter during daytime hours.
KY 1120 (12th Street/MLK Blvd.) - Both directions are open for traffic, but watch for construction crews and possible lane closures as they do some off pavement work.
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KEEP COVINGTON BEAUTIFUL PARTY
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******************************************************* DON'T MISS NEWS FROM THIS MORNING OR AFTERNOON!
How Covington's fire union-versus-City Hall battle mirrors the one in Lexington (except that no one here has dismantled a Christmas tree... yet); KY Human Rights Comm releases report -- wait, smokers are protected class but not gays?; & Covington Police applaud passage of daytime curfew. Those stories and much more at the link!
A Covington man is arrested on child pornography charges; The suspected robber of a Gateway College bookstore is 68-year old student, busted at casino; NKU vs Ohio State could happen next season; Is the NKY extreme right wing turning on Rep. Geoff Davis?; And Covington & NKY tattoo artists speak out on new regulation of their business. Those stories and more at the link! News Round-Up -- Friday Morning *********************************************************
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KENTUCKY ENTERPRISE FUND IS OPEN FOR START-UPS
Great news: money is available in the form of grants up to $30,000 and investments from $250,000 - $750,000.
According to Casey Barach, vice president of entrepreneurship at Northern Kentucky Tri-ED and director at the Northern Kentucky ezone, there is no limit to the number of companies that might be awarded funds or to the amounts awarded. It’s all based on the quality of applicants and the types of awards requested, he said.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Laura Baverman | AND IN CHIP NEWS... | BAD NEWS FOR THE GUYS THAT WANT THE PRINGLES BRAND FROM P&G Their stock keeps falling:
Diamond is the San Francisco-based company that has a contract to buy Procter & Gamble Co. ’s Pringles brand. The companies have delayed the sale’s closing until next year because of accounting issues involving payments to walnut growers. As we reported Nov. 23, some think Diamond’s falling share price could cause the Pringle’s deal to fall apart.
Fall apart? And to think, all these years we've been told that once we pop, we can't stop. Cincinnati Business Courier
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DEAR GOD, DORITOS... CAN'T YOU LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE?
Clam chowder? Yep:
Frito Lay’s other attempts at jamming a tasty flavor into a chip-powder usually turn out to be the kind of food that only a drunk high school JV football player can ingest right before he barfs. I tried the Late Night All-Nighter Cheeseburger Tortilla Chip once and found it boldly disgusting. (snip) At first glance chips flavored like clam chowder—clam anything—sound horrifying, like the kind of thing even people who love the McRib would classify as freak-food.
Luckily, this flavor is Japan's problem only. Death & Taxes
KY HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT: SMOKING STATUS PROTECTED, BUT NOT GAYS?
The Kentucky Human Rights Commission released its annual report today (Disclaimer: I am an City Commission-appointed member of the Covington Human Rights Commission with a term that expires in January)but the most interesting piece of information by my estimation is that smoking status is listed under "protected classes" but sexual orientation is not. Is that why so many of my gay friends smoke? Anyway:
This year the commission filed 333 discrimination complaints for people alleging they were victims of discrimination in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This number is just up from 329 complaints in 2010 and 322 in 2009. The 2011 number reflects an improvement in the number of complaints filed compared to 423 complaints in 2007 and 421 complaints in 2008. (The years of 2007 and 2008 marked the highest number of discrimination complaints in the commission’s 51 year history.)(snip)Just as in every year since the Kentucky Civil Rights Act was passed in 1966, the highest number of discrimination complaints in 2011 were based on the protected class of race. Discrimination was most often alleged in the area of employment.The commission closed 422 complaints during the 2011 reporting period. Three-hundred-thirty-seven of these did not reveal during investigation sufficient evidence to prove discrimination. Twenty-five complaints resulted in conciliation agreements (similar to settlements). Complainants received various sums of money from respondents as part of their agreements.
KY Human Rights Commission via Lane Report Read full report by clicking here (PDF) | COVINGTON POLICE APPLAUD PASSAGE OF DAYTIME CURFEW ORDINANCE From the department's Facebook page: "We are extremely supportive of this ordinance. It will go into effect in about 2 weeks and will give us another tool in curbing daytime delinquency committed by truant juveniles." Read about the curfew here: Covington Approves Daytime Curfew for Minors | HOW LEXINGTON MIRRORS COVINGTON RIGHT NOW Two stories out of Lexington today match similar developments in Covington: Firefighters blasting brownouts and the study of a possible Business Improvement District. Firefighters Propose Signs For Brownouts Check out what the LexFD Union Local 526 tweeted:
Business Improvement District (BID) Considered in Lexington
Just like the one proposed in Covington:
"A management district would function like a mall association where, if you have a business in a mall, part of your rent goes into a pool that provides joint services that benefit everyone," said Renee Jackson, president of the DLC, a membership organization with downtown property owners, business owners and residents."We hear time and again that downtown needs marketing. These funds could go into a marketing campaign, but also for many other projects to boost the vitality of downtown," Jackson said. "Marketing is a top priority, but not the only one."The DLC proposes an assessment of 10 cents per $100 of property valuation for property inside the boundaries of the proposed district.
This will be a development worth watching in our town and theirs. |
FIREFIGHTERS REMOVE CHRISTMAS TREE FROM CITY HALL IN LEX
Maybe it's their revenge for the brownouts? Or:
The Lexington fire department advised city officials Thursday that the tree constitutes a fire hazard and violates a state regulation prohibiting live or natural trees in places of public assembly.
Battalion Chief Marshall Griggs said his department received a complaint about the tree, insisting that removing it has nothing to do with firefighters' recent disagreements with Mayor Jim Gray over health insurance.
The Covington Fire Department union Local 38 and City Hall have certainly had some clashes, even ending up in court, but Lexington is a absolute battlefield. Herald-Leader | MORE EMBARRASSMENT FROM KENTUCKY'S ELECTED LEADERS IN DC Here's what Rand Paul is excited about today, via his Twitter feed:
That's right. Excited that a business refuses to hire until the President is no longer the President. It'll be tough for that business to wait until 2017...
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IS MITCH MCCONNELL AGAINST... VOTING?
Not exactly, but he calls the American popular vote, "dangerous". Seriously.
Rather than embracing the NPV as a way to solidify the Constitution’s guarantee of “one man, one vote,” McConnell lambasted the plan, calling it a “genuine threat to our country.” Though McConnell admitted that the notion of a popular presidential vote where the candidate who receives the most votes wins is “appealing,” he called the idea “absurd and dangerous.”
Think Progress | KY ATTORNEY GENERAL URGES MCCONNELL, PAUL TO APPROVE CORDRAY Jack Conway, who lost his bid to represent Kentucky in the US Senate last year to Rand Paul, urges Paul and McConnell to approve President Obama's choice to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Conway tweeted:
Sens McConnell & Paul - stop the political games. Confirm my friend, former OH AG Richard Cordray, as CSFB director. #ConfirmCordray #CFPB
Neither listened. Though a majority of US Senators approved of the appointment by a margin of 53 - 45, because this is American and nothing makes sense, the motion failed:
Plain and simple -- just like we experienced a few months earlier with Elizabeth Warren (whose potential nomination was derailed by the same band of robber barons) -- Mr. Cordray is the newest roadkill on the conservative superhighway, and the American people have been hosed yet again. Now, you might not realize this, because you're about to witness a cable news cycle full of Republican senators prattling on as to why their vote was really about accountability and good government.Don't buy it, my friends.Thursday's vote was a simple win for greed and gridlock. Republicans didn't need to win (actually they lost, 45 to 53). To secure their next round of campaign contributions from their financial patrons, all they needed to do was stall. And in that respect, they hit the ball out of the park. Thursday's vote assures that a whole host of banks and other non-banking financial services companies won't have a real cop on the beat until at least November 2012, when the next presidential election is decided. Furthermore, the GOP is counting on the fact that when the smoke clears in January 2013, they will be running the show so that they can stamp out all of this consumer protection rubbish once and for all.
Huffington Post | NKU PRESIDENT DR. VOTRUBA DEFENDS COST OF MOVE DIVISION I Says the good Doctor:
NKU President James Votruba said $1.5 million to $1.8 million will be shifted within the university to cover the costs. But he said he and the board of trustees evaluated whether the cost to jump to Division I and the Atlantic Sun Conference would jeopardize other university programs and functions. They determined it wouldn’t, Votruba said.
Two videos of Votruba's comments at the link: cn|2
SEE ALSO: The athletic director at new NKU conference foe Florida Gulf Coast says NKU will be a division-one powerhouse:
“They’re a sleeping giant,” McAloose said of NKU. “I think they’re going to be a powerhouse in Division I, to be honest with you. They’re in a great area, their facilities are remarkable. The administration is outstanding and they’re really established at the top of Division II right now. It’s not that big a jump, to be honest with you. You can see that from FGCU’s success. Very similar programs, the difference being (NKU) is established where FGCU was not.
This is a good article from a Florida paper, other than the quick moment where they refer to NKU as UNK. Naples News | NORTHERN KENTUCKY GETS TWO SHOUT-OUTS IN ONE WEEK AT ESPN Well... sort of... First, and obviously, the big news of NKU moving to the highest level of NCAA competitiveness merited its own column: Getting to Know Northern Kentucky/ESPN
| Also, a popular columnist at ESPN.com earlier this week gave a shout-out to Lexington's Goodfellas Pizzeria which will open its third location (and first outside of Lex) in Covington's Mainstrasse Village:
Goodfellas Pizzeria, Lexington, Ky.: If you're ever taking a leisurely stroll through downtown Lexington and want to engage in a little binge eating at, say, 2:30 a.m., make sure to stop in Goodfellas. Standing in a crowded entryway -- which I'm guessing is about the size of a Texas Tech "storage closet" -- amid french-kissing couples and inebriated college kids is worth it when you bite into your crispy slice of pizza, fresh out of the oven. My fellow scribes and I were so smitten with its goodness that we got back in line and ordered a second slice. The Goodfellas employee behind the counter laughed and told me I was funny. "What do you mean, I'm funny?" I said. "Funny how? Funny like a clown? Do I amuse you? Do I make you laugh? What do you mean, I'm funny?" OK, that part didn't really happen. But it would've been cool if it had.
Saturday, December 10th, 2:00 p.m. at Goebel Park. Mainstrasse Village Association | ******************************************************* DON'T MISS THIS MORNING'S NEWS! A Covington man is arrested on child pornography charges; The suspected robber of a Gateway College bookstore is 68-year old student, busted at casino; NKU vs Ohio State could happen next season; Is the NKY extreme right wing turning on Rep. Geoff Davis?; And Covington & NKY tattoo artists speak out on new regulation of their business. Those stories and more at the link! News Round-Up -- Friday Morning ********************************************************* | TIME LAPSE VIDEO OF CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE Very cool: Merry Christmas!
Another arrest is made thanks to Attorney General Jack Conway's cyber crimes unit. This time the arrest is in Covington. Glenn Hurtt pleaded not guilty this week.
GATEWAY COLLEGE ROBBERY SUSPECT IS 68-YEAR OLD STUDENT
Kids these days...
Officers say 68 year old James Summers Jr. of Fort Thomas robbed the bookstore at Gateway Community College in Florence Thursday morning. He was arrested early Friday morning. Summers allegedly went to the bookstore just before 10 a.m. Thursday. He asked for a printer cartridge. When the manager told him they didn't carry them, Summers pulled out a large knife and demanded cash.
Fort Thomas and Dayton signed on to the interlocal agreement this week, bringing all 8 government entities (2 counties and 6 river cities) on board:
The project recently started a two-year, $700,000 feasibility study with U.S. Army Corp of Engineers that will analyze water-related issues along the riverbank including habitat restoration, flood risk management and bank stabilization.Moreland said while the study is going on, he hopes to complete some of the project work that affects areas further away from the riverbank, including connectors to local parks, shopping areas and entertainment attractions.
BELLEVUE HIGH SCHOOL BILLBOARD CASE TO COURT OF APPEALS MONDAY
The school just wanted to make some money, God Kentucky forbid. The stat etransportation cabinet and department of highways came down on Bellevue for placing a billboard on school property. Check out some background on the case that is argued in the Court of Appeals Monday in Lexington:
Summary: Civil. The commonwealth is appealing a judgment that prohibits it from enforcing the Billboard Act against one of its own political subdivisions. Also at issue is the judge’s ruling that a commercial lease constitutes a “government function” by a local school district. The school district is cross-appealing. The Kentucky Chapter of the American Planning Association and Scenic Kentucky have filed friend of the court briefs in the case. A friend of the court is a person or organization that is not a party to a case but volunteers to offer information to assist a court in deciding a matter before it. Judge Caperton will preside.
Campbell County judge who presided in the case – Judge Julie Reinhardt Ward
Appellant’s attorney: Richard Deters
Appellee’s attorneys: Philip Taliaferro III, Robert Winter Jr. and Stephen Wolnitzek for the Board of Education
Attorneys for the Kentucky Chapter of The American Planning Association and Scenic Kentucky: Timothy Butler and Paul Whitty
It could be Norse vs. Buckeyes as early as next season now that NKU has been accepted into the Atlantic Sun Conference. What an historic day for this region! Check out coverage here: The RC News: History! NKU Joins NCAA Division I
According to today's Enquirer, NKU is talking to Ohio State about scheduling a match-up:
Men’s basketball coach Dave Bezold said NKU will try to schedule at least one game a year against a national powerhouse. Those games can bring as much as $100,000 in revenue into the program. “We want to get our name out there,” Bezold said after the announcement at the Bank of Kentucky Center here. “Every kid, when they’re little they want to play Division I basketball.”
SEE ALSO: ESPN offers a "Get to Know Northern Kentucky" profile ESPN
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IS NKY'S EXTREME RIGHT WING TURNING ON CONGRESSMAN DAVIS?
Seems as though the conservative litmus test gets tougher every day:
Davis then said that he had received a letter from a TEA party person asking him to support Rand Paul's position. When questioned why he wouldn't support Rand Paul as the letter from the TEA party member requested, Davis, according to eye witnesses, went too far by saying: "How dare that person question ME on this issue. I don't see stars on his shoulder!"(snip)When Davis aligns himself with John McCain, joins the Council on Foreign Relations, insults Rand Paul and castigates a voter for "daring" to ask him a question if he doesn't have "stars on his shoulder", he makes a pretty good case for forced term limits.
| The extreme right-wingers of the NKY Tea Party commented on the article: "Wish i lived in Kentucky so I could vote against this arrogant SOB.", "Speaking as his BOSS!!! I would say he has a terrible work attitude!!!", "Davis might have more political, experience but Rand Paul has something more valuable, common sense! I wish he would run for president." | DOES DAVIS KNOW WHAT "BIPARTISAN" MEANS? Following this week's passage of Davis's REINS Act (Google it), Rep. Davis issued a press release lauding the "bipartisan" support:
Today, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Geoff Davis’ bill, H.R. 10, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, by a bipartisan vote of 241 to 184.
But here's the thing: of those 241 that voted for the bill, only 4 were Democrats. Is that what DC has come to? You get four members of the opposing party on your side and the legislation is "bipartisan"? Pathetic. Here's Speaker Boehner taking a victory lap after passing the REINS Act (which somehow becomes a "jobs bill" in the warped world of the GOP) and taking aim at Democrats (he does congratulate Geoff Davis):
Bipartisan, indeed.
Newport, Fort Wright, Alexandria, and other local governments endorsed Davis's bill, according to an article by Scott Wartman:
“The idea does not sound consistent with the tradition in this country of regulatory agencies adopting regulations that implement the law as part of the executive branch,” said Col Owens, chairman of the Kenton County Democratic Party. “The idea of taking them back to Congress and having Congress micromanage those regulations, it is just impossible.” Davis disagreed and said it would keep the executive branch from going around Congress and hold them accountable. “Every executive branch and president tries to exert its will beyond Congress,” Davis said. “It is a challenge we’ve had for decades.”
SPEAKING OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, NKY TATTOO ARTISTS SPEAK
Turns out that KY's ink industry is not as regulated as our neighbors to the north:
Local 12's Joe Webb says at Arts Link on Madison in Covington, Mark Arts and a couple of other artists work in an environment that is licensed by the health department, but not as regulated as Ohio or Indiana. Last night, the health department voted to toughen things up and require every tattoo artist to take a class and be certified on blood-born diseases.
The Welcome House says that it got a donation from "Payless Gives" which will put new shoes on the feet of 50 children. Great news!
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BUT... COVINGTON SHELTERS STILL NEED ATTENTION
So give to and help them whenever you can. The Emergency Shelter in particular is among the best in the region, helping when others will not:
35% of our guests served this year have been over the age of 50. Another guest was given a referral for the Respite Center for the Homeless in Cincinnati which is a rehab hospital for people without insurance and who are homeless. This gentleman stayed with us for a little over a week with a colonoscopy bag and our shelter was the only place he had to go until this referral went through.
Plus, the Emergency Shelter shares many success stories:
A Veteran, "Ken" who has been working full time for several weeks has saved enough money and connected to funding through Brighton Center to access housing in Newport, KY. He should be moved in by next Friday. And, a guest who is 62 will be moving into senior affordable housing next Friday... he's been homeless for four years. He's on cloud 9.
The Shelter keeps a running tally of the guests it serves at its website and also frequently updates with blog entries. Rachel Winters does a great job. NKY Emergency Shelter
