Class Act

You can’t help but notice the American flags on about every other utility pole on the western side of Alexandria Pike (US 27) in Cold Spring extending from Crossroads Boulevard north to Martha Layne Collins Boulevard.

Stick to city business

Once again Council member Rogers insisted on using a council meeting as a political forum. He insisted on giving Alexandria’s individual precincts tally of votes for the primary election, attempted some analysis and asked for the results to be posted on the city’s web site.

Not that this isn’t interesting but this is fodder for the news media.

Mr. Rogers just doesn’t get it concerning council meetings.

They are for attending to the city’s business and not intended to be used as someone’s personal political commentary session.

City Boards and Commissions

Ever wonder who serves on the city’s Ethics Board or Planning and Zoning Commission in case you would like to contact them?

They’re not listed anywhere on the city’s web site.

Cold Spring sues League of Cities

Good job Cold Spring. This whole debacle does not seem to bother the leadership in some other cities.

COLD SPRING - The city of Cold Spring has filed a class action lawsuit against the Kentucky League of Cities, alleging the group breached its fiduciary duty to member cities and asking its board of directors to reclaim hundreds of thousands in misspent funds.

Click here to read more

Minutes of city meetings posted on the city’s web site

On April 2, 2010 a comment to one of the posts on this site questioned why the minutes for city meetings held in March were not posted to the City of Alexandria web site.

Some dialog ensued that jumped to conclusions concerning the reasons.

Karen Barto, the City of Alexandria Clerk, responded to set the record straight saying “that minutes are not public record until they are presented at a meeting thus, the minutes cannot be posted until they are made a matter of public record. For instance, March 4th Council minutes were not presented or made public record until the April 1st meeting since the March 18th meeting was cancelled. Then they are to be signed, scanned and put on the website.”

Thanks to Ms. Barto for clearing up any confusion anyone may have had concerning this topic.

The Open Records and Open Meetings Acts

The Open Records Act

In 1976, the General Assembly enacted the Open Records Act which establishes a right of access to public records. The General Assembly recognized that free and open examination of public records is in the public interest. All public records, whether they are stored in a computer or on paper, must be open for inspection unless the records are exempted by one or more of fourteen exemptions found in the Act. You may inspect any nonexempt public record regardless of your identity, and you may seek enforcement of the Act if you are denied this right.

The Open Meetings Act

In 1974, the General Assembly enacted the Open Meetings Act which establishes a right of access to public meetings. The General Assembly recognized that the formation of public policy is public business, and should not be conducted in secret. The Act requires that all meetings of a quorum of the members of a public agency where public business is discussed or action is taken must be public meetings. Public meetings must be open to the public at all times, unless the subject of the meeting falls within one or more of the thirteen exceptions found in the statute. You may attend any public meeting, and you cannot be required to identify yourself in order to attend.

For in-depth information concerning these two acts click on Links here, or at the top of the page, and go to The Open Records and Open Meetings Acts.

Alexandria’s Mayor/Council form of government

Ever wonder just what the mayor’s or council’s job is.

The City of Alexandria operates under the Mayor-Council form of government.

The mayor-council plan has a clear separation of powers between the mayor (executive) and the council (legislative).

The city council may enact ordinances, levy taxes, adopt a budget, and set compensation, in addition to other legislative duties.

The mayor's principle function as chief executive and administrative officer of the city is to oversee the management of the city's daily affairs. He or she serves no legislative function and may only vote in order to break a tie.

For more detail concerning the duties and authority of the Mayor and Council click here or on Alexandria’s form of government at the top of this page.

Political Signs – Let the fun begin

You may have already noticed. The campaign signs in Alexandria have been sprouting like spring flowers. Along with the signs controversy concerning them has already started.

A little game of politics anyone?

Retired minister and Alexandria resident Jim Korpik took to the floor Thursday evening (March 4, 2010) during the open discussion period of the Alexandria City Council meeting.

Council says “Inform us”

The following article appears on the nky.com web site. What it fails to mention is that the Mayor of Alexandria vigorously opposed this ordinance during council’s discussion at the council meeting on Tuesday, February 18.

Mayors influence diminishing?

It has become apparent that the Mayor’s ability to influence and control city council is a thing of the past.

Rachford files to run for Mayor

City councilman Bill Rachford has filed to run for Mayor of the City of Alexandria.  The election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.

Welcome to the Alexandria KY blog

It is the goal of this blog to publish helpful information, news and reports concerning city government that might not be available elsewhere.

On Thursday, November 19, 2009 this blog was created to follow the issues surrounding the election of Mayor and City Council members on November 2, 2010.  Their terms begin January 1, 2011.

The outcome of the election has been decided, so that part of the mission is complete.

We also wanted to bring you news of interest in and around the community of Alexandria and we will continue to do so.

We will be watching the newly elected officials with optimism.  We will report on issues facing the city and report on how our elected officials perform.

We believe Alexandria is a great place to live and raise your children.

We may not be posting every day but rest assured we will be posting.

We hope you enjoy the blog and encourage your participation by encouraging your comments on the articles posted.

Revised Saturday, November 27, 2010