by Michael Monks
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KENTON CO TREASURER RESIGNS
What is going on out at the fiscal court?
In her letter of resignation, Livesay wrote that “various forces” within county government have prevented her from “adequately performing the role of treasurer as (she) would have hoped.” She characterized her seven-month association with Kenton County government as “very tumultuous” and wrote that she was “ill prepared for the many obstacles” presented by the current administration. Livesay also wrote that she was especially troubled by what she perceived as “the deliberate manipulation of financial information from within this organization.”
Read the whole thing. Hot mess alert.
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COVINGTON FACES $2.5 MILLION DEFICIT; BRIDGE TO IMPACT PARK
Tuesday night's Covington City Commission caucus meeting was a mix of optimism and concern. The City may face a $2.5 million deficit for the next fiscal year; The New Brent Spence Bridge will claim part of Goebel Park including the basketball court; Plus, an effort to streamline communication for new businesses at City Hall: "There's a lot of City staff that isn't sure who's in charge of things." Click it.
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CITY HOPES TO REMOVE BENCHES WITH ADVERTISEMENTS
Covington won in the Court of Appeals against the company that makes and places those ubiquitous street corner benches hocking the wares of divorce lawyers and pawn shops.
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GAMBLING AMENDMENT INTRODUCED, NKY RIVERFRONT EXCLUDED
GAMBLING AMENDMENT INTRODUCED, NKY RIVERFRONT EXCLUDED
Governor Beshear is closer to seeing the people of Kentucky vote on expanded gaming:
Calling it “the best way to keep hundreds of millions of dollars here at home,” Gov. Steve Beshear and Sen. Damon Thayer announced their plan to introduce an expanded gaming bill in the Senate today. The bill would authorize a statewide vote to amend the state’s constitution to allow expanded gaming in up to seven locations in Kentucky.Press Release
“We’ve been debating this issue in Frankfort for more than 15 years. The citizens of our state are clamoring to have their voices heard,” Gov. Beshear said. “Two recent polls show more than 80 percent of Kentuckians want to cast a ballot on gaming. Are we going to listen to them or not?”
The bill would allow Kentucky voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would authorize up to five casinos at racetracks and two at stand-alone locations at least 60 miles from the nearest racetrack. Revenue from the gaming facilities would be spent for job creation, education, human services, health care, veterans programs, local governments, public safety and support of the horse industry.
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That 60-mile rule would eliminate the riverfront's ability to place a casino since Turfway Park is expected to be boosted by expanded gaming:
That disappoints the city managers of Covington and Newport. Both said while they didn’t have specific plans for casinos on their riverfront, they don’t like the idea that it would be prohibited.Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman
“I think it removes one potential revenue source off the table that would otherwise be available as opposed to just raising taxes,” said Covington City Manager Larry Klein. “It is an economic development tool taken off the table. We’re losing employers and struggling in this economy with mounting infrastructure needs.”
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Also, Sen. Damon Thayer may not be the only politician in Frankfort with a conflict of interest involving the gambling issue:
(Senate Democratic Floor Leader R.J.) Palmer, of Winchester, is a banker at Ross, Sinclaire & Associates, which sells bonds for government projects. Murray Sinclaire, the firm's chief executive officer and president, co-owns Thunder Ridge Raceway, a harness track near Prestonsburg that could be eligible to apply for a casino license if expanded gambling is approved.Herald-Leader/John Cheves
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RESULTS OF COVINGTON PARKING SURVEY RELEASED TODAY
The River City News will be there to cover this:
The City of Covington is asking for feedback from residents, business and property owners regarding parking in the central business district by way of a parking survey. Survey results and preliminary recommendations will be reviewed/shared at a Public Parking Input Session to be held February 15 at 6:00 pm in the City of Covington Commission Chambers, 638 Madison Avenue, Covington, Kentucky.
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JUDGE DISMISSES LAWSUIT AGAINST COVINGTON POLICE
Another victory for the City in the courts:
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit in which a man claimed two Covington police officers tried to frame him for the burglary of Frank’s Men’s Shop five years ago.Read the rest at the link.
Covington City Solicitor Frank Warnock applauded the dismissal of Steven Scott’s suit and defended the actions of the two police officers, Sgt. Gwendolyn Kelley and Detective Corey Warner.
“These are good police officers,” Warnock said. “They are very dedicated. They are conscientious. They did not mean any ill will.”
Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah
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GRAFFITI REMOVAL EFFORTS CONTINUE TODAY ON ROEBLING BRIDGE
From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet:
John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (KY 17) - On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, KYTC District 6 will be conducting a bridge graffiti removal project on the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. Crews will be working from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM. Motorists should watch for flaggers, single lane closures and equipment. Maintenance activities are scheduled on a tentative basis and are subject to change depending on weather conditions, emergencies and other factors beyond the control of the Department of Highways.
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IT WAS A ROUGH TRIP TO COVINGTON FOR OHIO POLITICIAN
Apparently, former Clermont County Commissioner Archie Wilson used to have better times in NKY:
A former Clermont County Commissioner entered a plea of "not guilty" for charges that he traded drugs and money for sex. (snip) Wilson is charged with drug trafficking and soliciting prostitution. Wilson resigned on February 2, one day before Kenton County officials filed charges.Local 12
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It gets worse... Wilson may face federal drug charges in his home state:
One clue is the type of drug found in a woman who failed a drug test in Ohio-a woman who says she spent a lot of time with Wilson. Amanda Lay was on probation when she flunked a drug test and ended up in the Clermont County jail. That's when she says she found out the identity of her so-called "sugar daddy". Lay says she saw a photo of Commissioner Archie Wilson.|
Meanwhile, Wilson's conservative politics earns him some embarrassment at the national level:
Oh good, the Family Values club of GOP politicians can finally add another tally mark to the heterosexual column on their crowded “hookers ‘n coke scandal” scorecard! It’s a lonely column, that one. What a marvelous ledeCincinnati.com has: “Bible toting Clermont County politician Archie Wilson surfaced from drug treatment Tuesday to answer charges he traded drugs for sex at a bed bug infested motel.” Sexy!Wonkette
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KY SUPREME COURT PUTS REDISTRICTING ON FAST TRACK
Let's get this over with... there are actual problems to tackle.
The state’s highest court said all responses to all motions in the case must be filed with its clerk by noon Friday. State legislative leaders are appealing Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd’s order that requires state election officials to use district lines drawn in 2002 in this year’s state legislative elections.Herald-Leader/Jack Brammer
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MORE FROM FRANKFORT...
Charter schools get hearing:
If approved, charter schools would operate as public schools in Kentucky, meaning they could receive public funds. And House Bill 77 allows for charters to be approved either by local school boards or a new state oversight agency. If a charter doesn’t turn things around in a district in five years, it can be shuttered.WFPL/Kenny Colston
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Senate approves ultrasound-before-abortion bill:
Senate Bill 103 also would require doctors to show the pregnant woman an image of the fetus but she would not have to look at it.Herald-Leader/Jack Brammer
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Audit reveals problems with state personnel system:
The annual audit of Kentucky’s state government on Tuesday revealed glaring weaknesses with the state’s personnel and payroll system and continued problems withe state treasurer’s office, among 62 major findings in the first major audit released by new Auditor Adam Edelen.cn|2/Ryan Alessi
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'I love mountains' rally:
“Why are we here today?” asked Steve Boyce, chairman of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, which organized the rally. “We are here as part of a growing new (clean) power movement that stretches from the Appalachian Mountains to the tar sands of Alberta and beyond.”Courier-Journal/James Bruggers
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Tea party leader to run as... Democrat?
...the 27-year-old waitress has been a registered Democrat her entire life and political observers are eager to see how she will run a campaign as a Tea Party Democrat. Caswell says the Tea Party movement can’t be defined by party affiliation and is about following the U.S. Constitution.WFPL/Phillip M. Bailey
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CVG AIRPORT SHOWS OFF MORE IMPROVEMENTS TO CONCOURSE A
See more at the link.
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MEANWHILE, ACROSS THE RIVER...
Freedom Center to merge with Museum Center:
In Cincinnati, leaders of both organization promise the merger will improve the finances of both and create opportunity to reach new donors and develop new exhibits.Cincinnati Enquirer
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Kellogg to buy Pringles from P&G:
Diamond Foods Inc. and Procter & Gamble Co. have called off their $1.5 billion deal for Diamond to buy the Pringles brand. Cereal maker Kellogg Co. is swooping and made a $2.7 billion deal to purchase the brand.AP via Local 12
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WORLD CHOIR GAMES POSTER SHOWS HAPPY SINGERS IN COVINGTON
The World Choir Games unveiled its official poster Tuesday:
I heard someone say recently, "The best view of Cincinnati is in Covington, but the best view is in Cincinnati." I love, love, love that.
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HOT MESS ALERT #2: LANCASTER, KENTUCKY
The city council wants the mayor to resign, the mayor wants the city council to resign:
The Lancaster City Council gave Mayor Brenda Powers until yesterday to resign from office. Today, she says not only is she staying put, she's asking them to resign.WKYT
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HOW CRAZY ARE UK BASKETBALL FANS?
Crazy enough to pack a mid-week intra-squad scrimmage tonight:
"This is arguably the best team we've had since our national championship team," exclaimed John Ritter, a UK Student happily displaying his ticket to us. "I wanna see them every chance I get!"Oh, and there's another chance for them to get their hands on the highly coveted Anthony Davis poster.
"I mean, it's an awesome experience," Spencer Smith said while he was picking up his ticket at the window of Memorial. "It's kinda cool to see the team up close and personal."
WKYT
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YOU CAN NAME THE NEW COLT BORN TO RACHEL ALEXANDRA & CURLIN
Give it a shot:
“We cannot think of a better time than Valentine’s Day to further share this experience with the fans by welcoming name suggestions for our precious bay colt with a bright white star, striking resemblance to his mother and grand spirit,” said Banke, who took over Stonestreet’s operations upon the death of her husband, wine mogul Jess Jackson. “We are looking for a very special name for our special colt that reflects the vision and celebrates the memory of Jess.”Courier-Journal
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ALSO: Happy birthday to late legend Seattle Slew who was born on this day in 1974. Here is his Kentucky Derby victory en route to a Triple Crown:
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TICKETS FOR THE BLAKE SHELTON CONCERT AT NKU GOING FOR $22
Sit in the bleachers pretty cheaply.
Take advantage of this great deal now at The Bank of Kentucky Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets including select Kroger stores, online at Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000!
This has been my favorite song going on one year:
You be my little Loretta, I'll be your Conway Twitty <---Greatest lyric ever.
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GREAT NEWS FOR NKU AND NKY!
I can't find a link but UpTech says NKU's Griffin Hall won Lab of the Year honors from R&D Magazine:
Congrats @nkuedu! Griffin Hall named lab of the year by R&D Magazine. UpTech applicants- this is your future playground!...
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NKU'S SPRING SPEAKER SERIES TO MAKE A STOP IN COVINGTONSave the date:
The research of Lyon, Harris and McPhail will appear this spring in a Northern Kentucky Law Review article title "Digital Divides, Racial Injustice and the Limits of Social Informatics in the State of Georgia vs. Troy Anthony Davis." They will also present a free public conversation sponsored by the Northern Kentucky Forum at 6 p.m. on Feb. 29 titled "Making our Voices Heard" at 9th Street Baptist Church in Covington.NKU
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NKU HOPES TO SET WORLD RECORD FOR... TEETER TOTTERS?
The event will attempt to establish a record for most people on teeter totters at one time and make the Guinness Book of World Records. Funds raised will be used to purchase BigBelly Waste and Recycling containers for campus.
To set the record, 100-plus teeter totters must be tottering at the same time. The event will also include tables hosted by various campus and community "green" organizations and vendors. The tables, music, raffle, games and prizes will all encourage people to choose a "balanced" lifestyle.
Every effort is being made to see that this event is both sustainable and inclusive from start to finish. A local school, Charles E. McCormick Vocational, is building all 100 teeter totters as part of a class project and numerous local businesses are supporting the event by donating materials and sponsoring teeter totters. At the conclusion of the event, teeter totters will be made available for use by NKU organizations for fundraising. Materials from unclaimed teeter totters will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Proud to be an NKU grad.
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