By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Democrat Ken Rechtin says his leadership and accomplishments as a Newport City commissioner are reasons he should be elected to an open seat on the Campbell County Fiscal Court.

Republican Terry Rasche says that isn't good enough.

Mr. Rasche said Mr. Rechtin is not offering enough specifics to truly articulate what he will do for the county.

"I'm more specific," Mr. Rasche said. "You need to offer something more sophisticated other than saying you'll provide leadership. That's too vague."

Mr. Rasche said his platform includes simplifying the occupational tax, or business license, in the county. According to Mr. Rasche, business people have to pay for separate licenses in each of the county's cities. He would push for a uniform license administered by the county.

He also would push for joint planning. And Mr. Rasche, a real estate agent from Woodlawn, said he would work to establish a reverse annuity mortgage program. Popular with seniors, the mortgages offer homeowners a way to get cash out of their home without making regular payments. Instead, the mortgage is paid off when the property is sold.

Mr. Rasche has also been critical of Mr. Rechtin and the Newport City Commission for taking of private property through eminent domain for private developments such as Newport on the Levee and the Newport Promenade.

But Mr. Rechtin said state laws do not allow counties to use eminent domain in the same way as cities.

"It's not an issue because it doesn't apply to the county, and it won't be used if I'm elected," Mr. Rechtin said.

Mr. Rechtin said Mr. Rasche should not dismiss his leadership in Newport, which helped bring projects like Newport on the Levee.

"The window is open right now to look at a lot of different things in Campbell County. Everything is on the table," he said. "I'm a consensus builder. I did it in Newport, working in conjunction with my fellow commissioners and the city staff; and we can do it in Campbell County with recreation, tax collections, safety and development. We need to sit down and determine where we want to be in the next couple of years, and then come up with a way to get there."

Mr. Rechtin also said in Newport he "exhibited a good balance protecting historic properties while bringing new growth to the city."

Mr. Rasche has also been active in restoring historic properties in Newport, Dayton and Bellevue. He helped start the Rehab-a-Ramas in Newport and Dayton, which showcase rehabbed homes. And he wants to bring a Findlay Market-style facility to Campbell County.

E-mail Patrick Crowley at pcrowley@enquirer.com