THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks
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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.
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
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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).
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.
"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.
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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! 
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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. |
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
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
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
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.|
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.|
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
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