Alexandria’s lake a bountiful spot for fishing

Alexandria’s lake is extra fishy, and people like it that way. With 11,150 fish being added in 2011, the lake has become a destination for people who not only like to fish, but to also catch something.

Alexandria mayor taking on code issues

Alexandria’s new mayor says he hasn’t forgotten about three buildings in various states of disrepair, and the city is preparing to take action soon.

Camp Springs residents push SD1 to change plans

More than 50 residents of Camp Springs crowded into a their local firehouse Wednesday, Feb. 23, to be heard and also hear from Sanitation District No. 1 of Northern Kentucky.

Scrapyard raided by FBI and IRS

A raid was conducted and a federal search warrant was executed about 9 a.m., Thursday, February 24 by the FBI and IRS on a copper and sheet metal scrapping business.

An IRS spokesperson said only that the FBI and IRS are conducting an unspecified joint investigation at Garden Street Iron and Metal, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio in conjunction with Blue Ash Police, Alexandria Police and Campbell County Police.

As this story plays out we think some folks in and around A-Town will be in for a big surprise from what we’re hearing. But then again maybe not. Stay tuned.

Award for service from the Mayor and Council

At the last council meeting a plaque of appreciation, signed by the mayor and council members, was presented to an ex-member of council in appreciation for his one term (2 years) of service to the city.

Overlooked was the ex-mayor who served three terms (12 years).

We wonder what was the criterion used for receiving (or not) a plaque.

NKY smoking ban overturned

Campbell County Fiscal Court voted 3-1 Wednesday night to overturn the smoking ban that was to take effect in April.

Commissioners Brian Painter, Pete Garrett and Ken Rechtin voted to overturn the ban with Judge-Executive Steve Pendery voting to keep it in place.

Vote on smoking prompts Campbell County to put TV in lobby

As reported by Chris Mayhew on Campbell County Connects we think you best get there early to get inside the meeting room.

We think that all of the outside crusaders will pack the room and the concerned citizens of the county will be relegated to watching the proceedings on TV in the lobby.

Alexandria’s First Mayoral Coffee Klatch

When Alexandria Mayor Bill Rachford was running for office one of the campaign promises he made was that he would be accessible to the citizens. He is making good on that promise.

He was in council chambers Saturday morning February 5^th from 10:00 a.m. till noon providing his ear along with coffee, cookies and donuts to anyone who wanted to stop by and chat.

Prior to the event he said he wasn’t sure if people would drop by or he would set there alone for two hours drinking coffee by him self. He wasn’t disappointed as there was a steady stream of citizens coming and going for the full two hours.

He was joined by a couple of council members, ethics committee members and planning and zoning commission members to lend a hand if anyone might have comments or questions for them.

We declare this a successful event and time well spent.

No meeting, no agenda, no decisions made. Just honest and open government.

It’s a breath of fresh air for Alexandria and we like it.

KY 536 extension to the AA Highway

In a report to the mayors January 25 Campbell County Administrator Robert Horine said that the total cost estimate of the Ky. 536 extension from U.S. 27 to the AA Highway south of Alexandria has increased from $44 million to $51 million. To reduce the costs, the state is attempting a redesign of the road as two lanes with added turn lanes and deceleration lanes as needed instead of a full three-lane highway. Horine said that the project officially remains on hold until more money is allocated.

Smoking ban repeal

In a recent article on Campbell County Connects the Vote on repeal of Campbell County indoor smoking ban is February 16 and will take place at the county administration building in Newport.

It was our understanding that this vote originally was to be held at a meeting at the Campbell County courthouse in Alexandria but we suppose this would too inconvenient for the pro-ban, non-resident outsiders to attend.

Free trash cans available in Alexandria until Jan. 31

Chris Mayhew of the Reporter Newspaper reminds Alexandria residents that they can receive a new 96-gallon “Waste Wheeler” and a 65-gallon wheeled recycling container by calling Rumpke at 877-786-7537 or emailing them at southeast.market@rumpke. The request must be made by January 31 and is for Alexandria residents only. There will be no charge for these containers over and beyond the yearly assessment that residents pay when they pay their annual city property taxes.

This arrangement is possible due to the contract that was negotiated with Rumpke by former Mayor Dan McGinley for waste collection charges.

If you purchased these from Lowe’s on-line the cost would be $96.40 for a 96-gallon size and $72.45 for a 64-gallon size for a total of $168.85.

This offsets the $168.00 a resident pays for trash collection this year.

A pretty good deal.

Now if we could just prevent a few of our residents from allowing their friends or relatives who live in the county from bringing their trash to Alexandria, our waste collection fees might rise at a slower rate. The county has waste collection available for a fee but participating is an option.

Click here to read the article by Chris on Campbell County Connects.

Comments on this article can be read or made by clicking on “comments” below this line.

Campbell / Kenton / State Anti-Smoking issue articles

After Campbell County was manipulated by Kenton County to vote first on the smoking ban now Kenton County does not want to be the only county with the ban. Can we guess why?

All this would be amusing if it were not so goofy.

Thanks to Campbell’s new fiscal court for undoing what the coward lame ducks waited until after the general election to do.

Also this posting lists what is going on in Frankfort on this issue.

We should all be glad that Greg Stumbo relies on his wife for his legislative ideas.

Hey look at me!

Campbell County takes first step toward repealing smoking ban

It’s refreshing when elected officials do what they say they will during their campaigns –

The Campbell County Fiscal Court's new members took steps at their first meeting to revoke the countywide smoking ban their predecessors approved in December.

At the end of a standing-room-only meeting that earlier had been attended by several dozen opponents of the ban and some proponents, the court's three county commissioners, led by newly elected Pete Garrett, indicated they plan to revoke the ban, likely within the next two meetings.

On Garrett's motion Fiscal Court voted 3-1 to direct new Campbell County Attorney Steve Franzen to write legislation repealing the ban so it can receive the first of two required readings during their Jan. 19 meeting in Newport. The second reading and vote likely would happen Feb. 2 in Alexandria.

Click here to read the rest of the article

Comments can be posted here by clicking on “comments” below this line.

Alexandria’s new mayor takes office

Incoming mayor Bill Rachford used a large Bible and an oversized gavel at his first council meeting as mayor Thursday, Jan. 6.

Happy New Year

It’s January 1, the city has a new mayor and the people rejoiced.

Smoking ban passes

Members of the Campbell County Fiscal Court voted 3-1 at the Wednesday evening, December 15, 2010 meeting to create a comprehensive indoor smoking ban.

Voting for the smoking ban were Commissioners Dave Otto and Mark Hayden who were attending their final fiscal court meeting and Judge-Executive Steve Pendry. Commissioner Ken Rechtin voted against the ban.

There was an amendment to the bill that would have exempted bars under certain circumstances but it was not adopted.

Anti-smokers cheered as the bill was passed but with two new commission members Brian Painter and Pete Garrett taking office January 1, the ban may be reversed before it takes affect on April 15.

Painter and Garrett were elected to the commission to replace Mark Hayden who did not run for re-election, and Dave Otto who was defeated in his bid for re-election. Painter and Garrett have both indicated that they are not in favor of a smoking ban.

We don’t think the dust has settled on this issue yet.

You may leave comments by clicking on “comments” below this line.

Changed council making plans

The following article appeared on NKY.com and is reprinted here for your convenience.

Something worth considering?

Cold Spring hired a full-time city administrator in November 2008.

Upon review the city decided that this position as full time was not necessary.

The current city administrator decided he did not want to be a part time employee and so has decided to move on.

Cold Spring is looking to fill the position on a part-time basis saving the city money while providing the current level of service.

The full-time position paid $60,000 a year (we imagine that would be plus benefits). The part-time position will pay between $25 and $35 per hour for 25 hours per week.

Mayor Mark Stoeber said the salary will be closer to the $25 per hour wage.

Should it be time for the City of Alexandria to follow suit and analyze if it is possible to reduce expenses while still delivering the current quality of services?

Click here to read the complete article on NKY.COM.

You may post a comment by clicking on “comments” below this line.

Opposition to smoking ban grows

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies.   --  C.S. Lewis

The following article appears at NKY.COM and is reprinted here for your convenience.