by Michael Monks
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THREE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES TO RUN AS A SLATE
With Tuesday August 14 marking the filing deadline for candidates seeking a spot on the Covington School Board, some declared candidates are already hitting the pavement. Everett Dameron, Tom Miller, and Jo Rogers spent Saturday afternoon campaigning together at a picnic in Helentown, even passing out shared campaign material. Under the slogan, "Destination Education - We Can And Must Do Better", the piece reads: "We support a new direction for Covington Schools: increase the quality of education for all students; reduce administration cost, conserve taxpayer dollars; increase money in the classroom for books and supplies; set goals for students and staff and support achievement; increase communication with parents and the community; establish a strong early childhood education program." The campaign piece says it was paid for by E. Dameron.
Dameron, Miller, and Rogers have all been active in the Facebook group "Fix Covington Schools" which has been active since the spring. Other candidates that have filed or stated their intention to run include Christi Blair, Kerry Holleran, and Rebecca Pettigrew. Incumbent Mike Fitzgerald has also indicated his intent to run again while fellow board members Glenda Huff and Krista Powers have yet to confirm. The rest of the field will be known Tuesday afternoon after the filing deadline passes. Three of five seats on the school board are up for election in November with a fourth seat now vacant following the resignation of Denise Varney whose term, which runs through 2014, will be filled by an appointment approved in Frankfort.
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COVINGTON TEEN'S SUICIDE STORY TO BE FEATURED IN NEW VIDEO
It has been nearly a year since Sam Denham, 13, shot and killed himself inside his family's home. The Woodland Middle School student's parents say young Sam had been tormented by bullies. Now his story is being told by Lexington Fairness:
It was meant to be a collection of stories from the community, said Fairness chairman Craig Cammack. That was in 2008. Over the years, the project grew to include the video and the certification and training of 28 people to carry the message into the community with the hopes of training school staffs, civic leaders, church groups — basically anyone who asks — how to best handle bullying.
As with all non-profit efforts, raising money has been the most difficult task.
The group has raised $19,000, including a $5,000 grant from JustFundKy, a non-profit dedicated to ending discrimination of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people in Kentucky.
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/08/11/2295520/fairness-group-produces-video.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=cpy
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MIKE FINK FLOATING RESTAURANT TO REOPEN?
After years of serving the Covington riverfront as a popular dining destination, in recent years the Mike Fink has deteriorated into a floating eyesore in the front yard of one of the City's finest neighborhoods. Its presence has been a point of controversy in recent months as many more residents raise their voice, wanting it to go away if it shall remain dormant. However, the old boat may finally be close to reopening. Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank tells The River City News that one of the Bernsteins (the family that owns the Fink and BB Riverboats) told the Covington Rotary Club that the restaurant may reopen. In fact, an update from the Bernstein family is expected to be presented to the Historic Licking Riverside Civic Association next Wednesday, August 22. Stay tuned.
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COVINGTON'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE WEEK IN REVIEW
Don't miss The Sunday Edition! Heated arguments at City Hall, Food Trucks to roll in town again, School Board moves away from raising taxes, a Covington strip mall is full again, this year's most beautified homes are honored... wow, another busy week for news in Covington. The week in review and a look ahead to this week -- at the link.
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CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP
Who's going to prison, who got probation, and who's still on the run? Details on all the action inside the Kenton County Courthouse last week -- at the link. |
TICKETS SPORTS CAFE TO REOPEN THURSDAY, ACCORDING TO OWNERS
Tickets, the once popular sports bar located in an old Covington firehouse, will be back in business this week. In fact, it was expected to reopen last week but posted this message on its Facebook page:
We have been working very hard to get Tickets up and running for tomorrows games, however, there just has not been enough time to get everything done! We have decided to move the re-grand opening from 08-09-12 to 08-16-12! Tickets will NOT be open for this weekends games. We appologies for any incomvenience this may have caused anyone!
In any case, welcome back, Tickets.
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ERLANGER CRITICIZED FOR USING 911 FEES TO PAY SALARIES
Interesting:
Erlanger is paying its own employees with about half the money it charges other cities to use the municipality’s 911 emergency dispatch center.
Fort Mitchell council cited that fact as part of the reason it passed a resolution Monday to quit using the Erlanger dispatch center. In July of next year, Fort Mitchell intends to switch to the consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center that will be created this fall when Kenton County takes over Covington’s dispatch operations.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah & Cindy Schroeder
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QUICKIES
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Gov. Beshear's Chief of Staff Mike Haydon dies suddenly Courier-Journal
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Beshear statement:
“Jane and I are shocked and devastated by the sudden death of my chief of staff and good friend, Mike Haydon. Mike’s deep experience in state and local government and his vast knowledge of the issues that really matter to the people of this state made him an invaluable leader in our administration and a strong advocate for local governments. Jane and I will always be grateful for his dedication, counsel, knowledge and sense of humor. We have not only lost a man who dedicated his life to improving the future for Kentuckians; we have also lost one of our best friends.
But the pain of our loss pales in comparison to that of his wife, Lisa, and their three children, Blair, Kate and Ben, as well as the many members of his extended family. Mike was a dedicated husband and father, and he was never happier than when he was with his family. We grieve with them now, and are praying for them."
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House Speaker Greg Stmbo:
"He had a great understanding of the issues both locally and at the state level, and that experience helped him and those he worked with immensely. On behalf of the Kentucky House, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Haydon family. He will be missed.”
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NKY Congressional candidates have different reaction to Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's selection of Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate.
For Republican Thomas Massie's take: cn|2
Democrat Bill Adkins:
Four months ago I was asked by Ryan Alessi about the Ryan Budget. What I said then still holds true -- the Ryan Budget will cost the nation trillions in added national debt and it will destroy our Medicare system. Tom Massie supports the destruction of Medicare and simplistic Tea Party economic theory would destroy our economy.
For Adkins's interview: cn|2 (6:00 mark)
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Pill mill bill affecting legitimate doctors and patients Cincinnati Enquirer
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Fancy Farm organizers react to Lt. Gov. Abramson's remarks that the picnic is outdated Bluegrass Politics
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101st Airborne marks 70th anniversary Herald-Leader
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Three accused of trying to traffic pot through mail Herald-Leader
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Reducing the black-white achievement gap Herald-Leader
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You can learn a lot from the Kentucky Historical Society's new iPhone app Herald-Leader
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Anthony Davis's gold medal in basketball is storybook ending WDRB
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CAN EMINENT DOMAIN SOLVE OUR MORTGAGE WOES?
Interesting:
MRP wants to let cities use eminent domain to take control of the mortgages. Here's how it would work: cities would condemn "underwater" homes that meet this criteria. Under the law, they would then pay mortgage holders (the trusts) only the "market value" of the home, or the value the house is worth today.*
Then, instead of booting the residents, the city would allow them to refinance their mortgage and pay a new, lower rate. This would reduce the principal the mortgage owners owe, saving them money that could, ostensibly, be spent on things like dishwashers and vacuum cleaners.
"What you do is you find a way for that mortgage to move from the trust to community," says MRP Executive Chairman Steven M. Gluckstern.
It's a clever idea. But is it legal? "It's very unusual," says Thomas W. Merrill, a law professor at Columbia University who specializes in property law. But, he notes, "this doesn't mean it's unconstitutional."
Full story: The Atlantic Cities
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DOOR-TO-DOOR DAIRY PRODUCT DELIVERY RETURNS TO KENTUCKY
The milkman is back:
Ehrler, 54, is now the only person in Kentucky licensed to sell dairy products door to door. He launched his business, Ehrler's Micro Dairy, in May. Since then, he has attracted more than 40 customers - he said his goal is to add 30 per month - and expanded his delivery route from one day a week to three.
He handles most of the business himself, from fielding calls to making deliveries, but said he plans to hire the company's first full-time employee soon.
He credits the local food movement for inspiring a renewed interest in local milk - especially among consumers who are willing to pay more for the sake of supporting local producers who provide a high-quality product.
Full story: Courier-Journal/Matt Frassica
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BACK TO SCHOOL BACK TO SCHOOL BACK TO SCHOOL BACK TO SCHOOL
Summer is just about over, kids! Kenton County Schools is first to return with students reporting to class on Wednesday, August 15. Holy Cross goes back this week with classes starting again on Thursday, August 16 followed by Covington Latin which returns Friday August 17. Covington Independent Public Schools heads back on Wednesday, August 22.
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Check out this beautiful video of Covington Latin:
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/08/13/2297186/door-to-door-delivery-of-dairy.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=cpy
