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by Michael Monks
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PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITS CINCINNATI TODAY
EXPECT TRAFFIC TIE-UPS ON BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE
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| PHOTO: President Obama visits Cincinnati last fall/RCN file photo |
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SEE ALSO: Kentucky is largely a bystander in the 2012 election Courier-Journal
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"NON-PARTISAN, EDUCATIONAL, VOTER AWARENESS" GROUP OPENS IN TOWN
Align America has opened its doors in Covington. Here is the organization's announcement:
Align America, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, has officially launched its efforts as an educational and informational resource, providing unbiased and non-partisan services focused on improving Americans' political and social comprehension, creating a united vision, aligning businesses and organizations through common goals, and connecting the American people more directly with their elected representatives.
Align America provides information and tools through AlignAmerica.com and through a volunteer force providing citizens with direct electronic access to their members of congress; educating people of all ages about the operation of government; and providing members of congress with input on issues based on information received from members.
Retired Covington businessman and longtime community activist Jim Kudera today announced the launch calling it “..a civic education and voter awareness program designed to educate and empower voters while providing connectivity between citizens and their elected members of congress.” Kudera continued, “My wife Helen and I just decided that we had to do something to educate, motivate, and engage people in the political process. The fiscal security of this country is at stake and we are dedicated to making certain our children and grandchildren have the opportunities to succeed in life as we have. This has been a significant undertaking and I am delighted at the support we have received in the community for the concept of making a difference in shaping the dialogue in such as way as to improve the quality of life in the country.”
Mr. Kudera, who will serve as Chairman of the Board, has engaged the services of Covington businessman Steve Mullin to serve as Executive Director / CEO.
Mr. Mullin said, “I am a firm believer that provided with clear, factual, and unbiased information, the people of the United States will select the best candidates and make good voting decisions.” Mr. Mullin continued, “We have to encourage personal accountability and responsibility and rekindle political participation in this country. Our country has an unrealistic view of the American Dream and our elections are participated in by less than half of registered voters and influenced by thirty-second sound bites. Our mission is to provide civic and political education and connectivity between the people and those elected to represent them. Well informed Americans will make more sound decisions - that’s what we are working toward.”
Align America is a non-partisan organization focused on education and will not become involved in the endorsement or advocacy of individual candidates. Its goal is to be the bridge between the electorate and the elected by removing the gridlock we see in the political process today. The organization is currently operational, and seeking financial contributions to enable it to provide information to the American people and develop educational materials to reach the youth and expand their awareness of the political process.Kudera was once the Mayor of Independence and was on the shortlist to become Mayor of Covington (he lives here now) after Denny Bowman's resignation last autumn. Mullin is co-owner of the Merlot Group, along with City Commissioner Shawn Masters. Website: Align America
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COVINGTON/NKY QUICKIES
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Covington woman dies in Florence crash WKRC
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Body pulled from Banklick Creek WKRC
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Senour Road intersection at Taylor Mill Road opens early Cincinnati Enquirer
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Covington Partners hosts golf outing today in Hebron press release via WXIX
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VAN CRASHES THROUGH UTILITY POLE, DRIVER FLEES SCENE
A van making its way east on Pike Street crashed into a utility pole slicing it in half and knocking out power to the entire block. Then the driver flees on foot, but Covington Police catch up to him. More details and photos at the link!
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WHAT CONSULTANTS RECOMMEND TO MAKE COVINGTON MORE EFFICIENT
The City of Covington released to the public the findings of Management Partners, the Cincinnati-based consulting firm contracted to review each department at City Hall. Their recommendations will continue to be vetted and discussed in the coming weeks and months, and possibly, years. Check out the links below for the full story.
UNHAPPINESS AT POLICE DEPARTMENT REFLECTED IN SURVEY
A survey of employees within the Covington Police Department finds a majority that believe politics play a too big a role in decision-making and that morale is, for the most part, low. Full details at the link.The River City News
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CONSULTANTS: COMBINE 2 FIREHOUSE, PRIVATIZE AMBULANCES
Shutting down the firehouse in South Covington is worth looking into, according to a consulting firm. Trouble is, even they conclude that response time would be greatly increased by using services from Taylor Mill or Independence. Management Partners' suggested changes for Covington's Fire Department, at the link.
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REPORT: REDEVELOPING COVINGTON WILL TAKE PUBLIC/PRIVATE WORK
"The City government does not have the personnel and financial resources to develop the City; private/public partnership is essential." Plans to redevelop Downtown Covington cannot be done by the City alone according to an outside consulting firm. Click the link for the full story.|
REPORT: CREATE HOUSING STRATEGY, CHANGE CODE ENFORCEMENT
If the City and the Housing Authority cannot improve their working relationship, the Housing Authority should go away, according to a consulting firm. Also, regarding code enforcement, "No one wants to develop in a rundown area," the report says. Click the link for the full story.|
DON'T MISS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF COVINGTON'S WEEK
It was another busy week of news in the Cov. A police officer saves the day during a fire; Firefighters blame budget cuts for slower response time; Racist flyers emerge in City Heights; And more... Take a look back at the week that was and a look ahead to the week that will be, inside The Sunday Edition at the link!The RC News: The Sunday Edition
Who's waking up this Monday morning in jail? Click the link to see who was convicted and sent to prison or put on probation last week in Kenton County Circuit Court.
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CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UPWho's waking up this Monday morning in jail? Click the link to see who was convicted and sent to prison or put on probation last week in Kenton County Circuit Court.
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KY LAWMAKERS DIVERT MILLIONS FROM STUDENT AID, EVEN AS POOR STUDENTS ARE TURNED AWAY
Feel like being angry on this Monday? Then read this:
The General Assembly routinely raids funds from the Kentucky Lottery that are supposed to be used for student financial aid. Kentuckians approved the lottery in 1989 on the understanding that 100 percent of its proceeds would go to education. Instead, legislators suspend the law that directs lottery money to education and use it for other programs — to the tune of $90 million since 2006.Unbelievable. Or maybe not "unbelievable", which makes the story even more enraging. Read the whole thing: Herald-Leader/Linda Blackford
In addition, funding for financial aid is based on estimates of lottery proceeds rather than actual lottery sales. Since 2006, the lottery has produced $78 million more than was estimated, but the extra money went into the state's General Fund budget instead of paying for financial aid.
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Meanwhile... Kentucky's education commissioner warns of "devastating federal funding impact":
Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday warned school district superintendents of the negative consequences of an upcoming federal spending reduction process that includes sequestration, or the cancellation of budgetary resources.Full story: Education Commissioner
“These spending reductions will have a devastating effect on Kentucky’s public school budgets,” said Holliday. “Without any federal legislative action to address the cuts, they will begin as early as January 2013 and continue through 2021. They will have a direct impact on jobs, students and the abilities of districts to provide services through federal programs.
“We are reviewing the timing of the reductions and will provide support and assistance to school district leaders,” Holliday said. “Meanwhile, I encourage school officials to monitor the situation closely, plan and conservatively budget. They also may wish to reach out to their U.S. Congressional delegations.”
According to calculations from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), federal funding for Kentucky’s public schools will be reduced up to $61 million per year for the next 10 years, affecting more than 1,350 jobs and nearly 130,000 students. The CBO predicts 7.8 percent cuts, and the CBPP predicts 8.4 percent cuts. These reductions will impact funding for Fiscal Year 2013, which begins Oct. 1, 2012.
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QUICKIES
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A must-read follow-up to the scandal at the Campbell Lodge boys' home Cincinnati Enquirer
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KY columnist: Maybe class warfare is what we need right now Herald-Leader
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Municipal bankruptcies in California not seen as a trend The New York Times
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Sen. Mitch McConnell's re-election war chest grows Business First
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KY Dept. of Fish & Wildlife wants you to report any diseased deer you may come across WKYT
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Days of tax-free online shopping may be coming to a close WPSD
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KY mine inspectors were lax in Harlan Courier-Journal
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Massey coal company's settlement couldn't pay enough for son Courier-Journal
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Pikeville woman wins Miss Kentucky pageant Herald-Leader
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KY high school basketball hall of fame is as iconic as it gets Herald-Leader
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UK basketball fans upset over weak schedule Courier-Journal
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WHAT IS REALLY BEHIND THE TV BLACKOUTS? STALLING PROFITS
Insight/Time Warner dumps WLWT/Channel 5 and Direct TV dumps Viacom in disputes. Why?
Media companies such as Viacom and Disney have become steadily more profitable since the gloom of the recession lifted in early 2010. But the cable and satellite providers that pay to carry their channels have seen profitability virtually stagnate as they fight each other for subscribers.AP via WXIX
The squeeze has prompted distributors such as Dish and DirecTV to revolt against higher programming costs. Consumers are left in the crossfire.
DirecTV subscribers haven't been able to view Viacom channels such as Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and VH1 since Tuesday, when the two companies failed to reach a contract agreement over content fees. The companies are still negotiating, but the channel blackout for consumers has continued through the weekend.
The industry's cost pressures mean such fights are likely to continue.
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CINCINNATI'S LIGHT IS SHINING
After the smashing success of the World Choir Games, Cincinnati leaders are looking toward the City's next act:
Whatever comes to town next will see a changed city.Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Cliff Radel
“Fifty years from now,” said Nick Vehr, the Games’ managing director, “people will look back and reflect on what happened here in the last seven to 10 years. They will see the development of the riverfront, the revitalization of Downtown and Over-the-Rhine, and the impact of the World Choir Games. And, they will see that something changed in the psyche of Cincinnati.”
That change is for the better. And it cannot be denied.
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Covington's own Brotherhood Singers perform at the Games:
From the video description:
Eric Riley of The Brotherhood Singers singing "It's Alright" during the World Choir Games Friendship Concert at the Shilitos Loft on July 12. We were honored to share the floor with the Rocky Harmonists from Alexander, Germany and a young Children's Choir from Russia.
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BOONE CO. IS BIRTHPLACE OF PALEONTOLOGY
The world had never seen the likes of the fossils pulled from the ground at Big Bone Lick:
The Boone County bones even led to a debate that touched on America’s national pride: Given that mammoths and mastodons were extinct, could it be that North American soils or climates were inferior to those of the Old World, as French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon suggested?Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Mike Rutledge
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Meanwhile...
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HENDERSON POLICE OFFICER RESUSCITATES NOT ONE, BUT TWO KITTIES!
Hero officer:
The Henderson Police Department 11-year veteran officer was fostering some kittens this spring for New Hope Animal Rescue Center when one of the kittens was apparently inadvertently smothered by the others. On that March day, Blanford's daughter, Keely, came running out of the house, bringing the limp kitten to the pasture where Leslie was working. Seeing that the kitten nicknamed Runt wasn't breathing, Blanford decided that her only hope was to perform mouth-to-mouth on the tiny kitty. "I covered her little nose and blew in her mouth. I saw a little life in her eyes, so I kept giving it to her," Blanford said.Evansville Courier-Press
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