Sunday, February 27, 2000
Mayors' monthly sessions pay off
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Five years after it was formed to fight consolidation of city and county services, the Kenton County Mayors Group has evolved.
It is now primarily a forum where city and county leaders share ideas and lobby to increase Northern Kentucky's legislative clout.
For Kenton County mayors and administrators in about a dozen cities, the third Saturday of the month is reserved for an informal breakfast meeting in a member city. One or more members of Kenton Fiscal Court also try to attend.
“I've found it very worthwhile,” said Edgewood Administrator Roger Rolfes. He has been in his job only four months, but he started attending the group's meetings years ago when he was Florence city coordinator, to keep abreast of regional issues.
“It's basically an informal group of elected and appointed people who sit down once a month and talk shop and have a good exchange of ideas,” Mr. Rolfes said. “It's a great opportunity to have a general discussion on things that are coming up, both at the county level and in Frankfort.”
“It's informal, it's open, and it's very well-attended,” said Fort Wright Administrator Larry Klein, who left a county position for his current job in December 1998. “For me, as a newcomer, it's been very useful. You can go to these meetings and get educated on a number of issues.”
Meetings cover a variety of topics — everything from efforts to build a salt dome for Kenton County and its cities, to adoption of uniform subdivision regulations, to the feasibility of a county skateboard park, and updates on the installation of a countywide storm warning system.
Last year, the group successfully lobbied for adoption of uniform political sign laws in cities bordering Dixie Highway to eliminate some of the visual clutter and make regulations less confusing for candidates in races spanning two or more Kenton County cities.
As a result of a suggestion at a mayors meeting, Kenton County officials also organized a fire and emergency medical services summit earlier this month to discuss how best to provide those services in light of declining volunteerism.
When the Kentucky General Assembly is in session, each meeting also includes an update on how recent legislative proposals will affect Kenton County and its cities.
The tradition of countywide mayors meetings began in the 1960s, when Kenton County mayors met to fight the loss of local planning and zoning authority.
After that issue was resolved, the group disbanded until 1990, when former Kenton County Judge-executive Clyde Middleton set up monthly Saturday lunches with mayors.
The present-day group can trace its beginnings to 1995, when several Kenton County mayors and administrators began meeting regularly to oppose Mr. Middleton's efforts to consolidate some services shared by the county and its cities. Many city officials saw the consolidation study as really being about a county takeover of their cities, a claim that Mr. Middleton denied.
“The way the bill was written, it wasn't fair to the citizens who lived in the cities and had built them up,” said Fort Mitchell Mayor Tom Holocher, the current chairman of the mayors group. “We just felt the people should have a voice in how it happened, or whether it even happened.”
When consolidation efforts were defeated after a two-year battle, the group continued meeting monthly.
“It's a very congenial, hard-working, information-sharing group,” said Taylor Mill Commissioner Afton Kordenbrock. “It's a great way to have a good working relationship with your peers.”
Cincinnati turns out for McCain
McCain blasts foes' 'underhanded stunts'
DeWine has a ball in McCain campaign
McCain is a 'Zonie thing
Cop killer wants freedom
Ex-sheriff's deputy accused in slaying
February going out like a lamb
Infant mortality jumps after four-year decline
Home visits fight to improve infants' chances
Family proud to be off welfare
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Students retrace slaves' steps to freedom
No sparks fly over hot swimsuit issue
GOP flexes muscle, KOs gas-tax hike
Poems soothe teen souls
Cammys honors career of Big Joe Duskin
CCM's 'LaMancha' powerhouse of talent
GET TO IT
Go ahead, you can spend $45 million
Maestro Santora reviews CCO
Museum Center exhibits prizes
Orchestra blooms under Carlos Kalmar's baton
Readers like movie captioning
Young Ringling ringmaster in 'right place, right time”
Peck saw talent in 'Malcolm'
'Beach Boys' actors look authentic thanks to Bridgetown native
115 take icy dip for disabled
Bateman hopes for return next month
Bush toast of GOP at gathering
Fireman may admit DUI
Heartland battles 'brain drain'
Housing project 'connects'
Leaks plague shelter
Mason relishes business boom
Mayors' monthly sessions pay off
Pool's chlorine level sends kids to hospital
Residents get their say on planned runway
Syrup producers rare in area
Traficant's bills would aid friend, paper says
TRISTATE DIGEST
