Idea for Ft. Thomas Rec. Dept.

Darrin has talked extensively about more family friendly events that Ft. Thomas could incorporate into their family night events. Updating and using the amphitheater has been something that he has detailed that would be a huge draw.

Dave Buerger, director of the Ft. Thomas rec. dept is looking for ideas to revamp family night. (HAT TIP TO AMANDA JOERING ALLEY).

"We're stepping back and taking a look at what else we can offer and ways to get more families to participate," said Dave Buerger, director of the recreation department. "Our focus with the family nights is to bring families together and get them involved."

Taking a page from Newport of the Levee's Progressive Dinner , why not a Ft. Thomas Progressive Dinner this Spring? Appetizers at The Midway, followed by dinner at Ft. Thomas Pizza and dessert at Sarelli's?

Newport's version cost $30. I'm quite sure this could be organized and done for less that that. Thoughts?

Hope everyone has a good weekend. If you need help digging out, and live between Tower Hill and St. Catherine on N. Fort Thomas, let me know if I can help.

Renassaince District Making a Push Beyond Streetscape Improvements

I wanted to provide a quick update on efforts by the Renaissance Board in Fort Thomas to get some momentum for the Midway district beyond streetscape efforts that have been under construction for some months now.

2010 Renaissance goals focused on the Midway District include:

• filling the district with thriving businesses 
• creating more walking customers 
• maintaining the businesses we already have.  

Each of the four committees (Design, Promotion, Organization, and Economic Restructuring) will be working on some facet of creating a vibrant business district.  The group has reached out to the Small Business Management program head at NKU for some additional support.  Debbie Buckley, the Renaissance Manager, would also love to hear from you the reader if you have any good ideas - feel free to let her know in the comments section below.


Among the specific development activities that are in process include:

• A Midway Business District color brochure is being prepared to entice perspective owners with the goal to fill each and every available storefront in 2010.  
• An application has been submitted for nearly $20,000 in grants through the Main Street program to bring signage to the District as well as signs on I-471.  Grants will be awarded in February.

Debbie indicates that "developing pride in the district is first and foremost in our minds.  We hope to change that mentality and create something that the entire City of Fort Thomas can be proud of and invite friends and family to visit."

"Our new museum is drawing dozens of people--largely from other areas of the tri-state.  Wouldn't it be great for museum workers to point out the district to those patrons and they would also become patrons of our businesses?  We have created the tourism draw--now it's time to create the business district that will entice them to return over and over again."

I do hope we are putting our hope on other draws beyond the museum.  While that may be drawing some traffic I have to think that those biking the trails in Tower Park could be an even bigger draw.  Additionally, upgraded programming at the amphitheater would bring families with children and tie-ins with Midway businesses could be a key part of that strategy.  Continued focus on the Earth Mother Market will also continue to draw people but only as long as they can continue to pull in vendors and expand hours of operation.

I applaud the efforts and it is important to have groups like this that include mostly volunteers and organized by a highly energetic Debbie Buckley that can be the driving force behind positive changes.  Elected officials and the city manager have shown an inability to get these districts moving in the right direction and it is up to the energy of this group and the creativity and connections of those serving on these groups to sustain the momentum.

Common Sense

Kudos to Fort Thomas officials on two common sense initiatives, which ended up saving citizen tax dollars.

The City Council voted against a citizen's request to re-join the Campbell County Cable Board. I can see how public access shows can add to the community, but I applaud the decision to keep priorities aligned and the $100,000 savings in residents' pockets.

Along those same lines of improving communication for residents and saving money, the police department recently unveiled a community information service that allows officers to send alerts, advisories and notifications through e-mail or text message to anyone who signs up for the service.

"Nixle" is similar to the formerly used Citizen Observer Program, but comes at no cost to the department and is a better way to get only the information people want to them, said Lt. Ken Fecher.

Basically, after signing up at www.nixle.com and searching "Fort Thomas, KY" residents will be able to get information via police officers regarding problems with roads, an accident or can alert parents if anything is happening with local schools.

It's good to see common sense being applied - now if we could just get the city to be better in touch with a Ft. Thomas retail district.

Random Notes

Here are a few notes on some very disconnected topics:

1. I confirmed with the Campbell County courthouse today that Mary Brown is running unopposed this year for mayor and the current incumbent council members have 1 challenger - Jeremy Cantor.  Jeremy ran last time but did not run an overly effective campaign.  Here is to hoping that he makes a better run at the current group.
   
2. I received an offer from the Bluegrass Swim Club (located in Fort Wright) offering those on the very lengthy waiting list of the Fort Thomas Swim Club a discount on membership.  Of course the email did not indicate what the discount was - I will pass that along to anyone interested once I receive the update.  I would wager a guess that there will not be many takers since proximity is an issue.
   
3. I also got an inquiry from someone who recently moved into the Villa Grande subdivision by Fisher Homes wondering why residents of that neighborhood (which is technically in Fort Thomas) is not in the Fort Thomas Independent Schools district but must attend instead Campbell County Schools.  Anyone out there understand why this is?
4. The Highlands Bluebird Blog has some good updates on Bluebird football players with offers.  In addition to Collinsworth's commitment to Notre Dame, Tyler Grubbs has committed to Miami of Ohio and Bardo & Roller have military offers.
   

Fort Thomas 2010 Election Update

I spoke with the county today and the following candidates have registered for city council and mayor respectively:

• Eric Haas
• Jim Doepker
• Roger Peterman
• Tom Lampe
• Jill Steller

Mary Brown is the only candidate that has registered for mayor. Does this mean Jill Kelly has had enough and is moving on or is she just waiting until the last minute to file papers?  I would be interested to see if Barbara Levine is interested in running again - she definitely enjoyed serving and was disappointed with the loss 2 years ago.  What if a sixth candidate does not file, will council be able to choose someone and who could that be?

 

This response is of course a far cry from two years ago when there was a clear desire to see some change.  Is the lack of response an indication of apathy, did the re-election last year of mostly incumbents keep newcomers from registering again?  Is there a lack of any real issues this election cycle? 

Of course the registration deadline is Saturday so there could still be a couple surprise registrations.  I would love to see a few new entrants to make things interesting again.  Of course paper ballots this year may be the only thing necessary to make this election an interesting one in Campbell County.

Ft. Thomas' Next Broadcast Star

While cruising Facebook a few weeks back and adeptly avoiding invitations for “Yo- Ville” and messages from a classmate from Econ 201 who I haven’t seen in 5 years, a group invitation actually caught my attention: “I Want Will Chambers in the Reds TV booth!”

Chambers is a Highlands graduate of 1997 and someone I’ve been keeping tabs with since college. I knew Will was climbing up the treacherous mountain of sportscasting glory, but that Facebook group, with over 800 members strong peaked my interest enough to catch up with him.

“The Reds thing was me just hoping to get attention that might induce FSN Ohio to give me an interview,” said Chambers. “Didn't work out, but my experience doesn't exactly fit their criteria for what they were looking for.”

He’s on his way. In 2009, Chambers was recognized by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America as one of the Top 20 Collegiate Sports Broadcasters in the country. I knew Chambers had been doing play-by-play for Georgetown College football and basketball, but he’s also producing/anchoring/reporting for the NKU Sports Show.

“This journey is as rigorous as it gets, but it's in pursuit of the life that I chose. I alone said, this is what I want and I'm not stopping till I get it."

Chambers would be following a prominent line of national broadcasters from Fort Thomas, including Cris Collinsworth and Merril Hoge, but unlike Collinsworth and Hoge, Will is a homegrown “cake eater.”

“I talked with (Coach) Dale Mueller several times in the off-season,” Chambers said. “He loves the fact that two Fort Thomas (residents) are on TV, but was particularly hoping to get a true Bluebird product on the national stage, which I thought was very touching.”

Maybe it’s the fact that when I am watching John Wall slice through opposing defenses, I am secretly commentating the game in my head, or perhaps it’s because when he makes it, I’d like to say, “I knew him when…” Regardless of any of those, like Coach Mueller, I’m rooting for Chambers.

“This job and the work I put into it is what defines me,” said Chambers. “I have given my whole life to this. My family and I hope and believe the work will pay dividends very soon."

Retailers' Responsibility for a Vibrant Retail Scene

I have been critical in the past on this blog about those that I feel have not fully supported retail development in Fort Thomas.  This has included the city, property owners, and zoning.  One group that has avoided the criticism has been the business owners themselves.  An event recently emphasized the business owners' role in the lack of momentum that has been sustained by Fort Thomas business districts and they should not escape responsibility.

A few weeks ago during a Bengals football game a few buddies and I got together to watch the game and decided to order pizza.  In an attempt to support local businesses we called up Fort Thomas Pizza only to realize that they were closed and did not open until 4pm.  Business owners of course have the right to set whatever hours they like and the cost of keeping a business open during down periods can mean the difference between a profit and loss.  However, I can't believe that during football season the local pizzera would not be open for business.  To underscore the impact of not being open during this typically busy period I found a press release from Domino's Pizza related to Super Bowl Sunday that talks about football's impact on pizza sales:

• During football games, respondents are more likely to order pizza before a game starts (65 percent) as opposed to halftime (27 percent) or between games (8 percent)
• 68 percent of football fans make pizza their choice for a game-day meal.
• Domino's Pizza sees higher sales when the game is close and competitive. With closer games, people are more likely to stay glued to the tube.

10 of the 17 Bengals games started at 1pm in the 2009 season.  Also, many of the games this year came down to the final play in regulation or went to overtime.  How many sales are they missing out on?

I don't intend to make this a Fort Thomas Pizza bashing session but they happen to be a recent example of the problem with businesses in Fort Thomas.   I wrote about another recent example after Donuts and Coffee opened and were not open when I went by at 10:30am.  Having hours that are convenient for people to shop and having reliable hours are key to having a thriving business and this has been spotty at best.

This brings me to another point about an article I read in Fast Company this past fall about Panera Bread.  The article was primarily about the recent strong performance of the company but there were a few keys to their strategy that Fort Thomas business owners would be smart to listen to:

1. "In many ways, we're renting space to people and the food is the price of admission," says CEO Ron Shaich
2. "A diverse stream of customers flows around him, settling throughout the airy café: a study group (with sandwiches, salads, and soda), a bride-to-be chatting with her wedding photographer (lattes, lemon Bundt cake), two businessmen with laptops"

I have written in the past about the dearth of third places in Fort Thomas but it is not a Fort Thomas only problem which has led to Panera's phenomenal growth.  Where can you go for a neutral place to meet others for business, or catch up with that friend you met at the Y or while picking up your child from school.  Sometimes inviting someone into your home just isn't comfortable or you want to get out of the house for an hour and clear your head.  Where do you go?

Update on Military Homes in Tower Park

The Enquirer tells us today that at Monday's council meeting there was concern about the city's ability to secure the houses from the VA - largely based on price.

A few thoughts:

1. The concern seems to be based on no new information.  Council is concerned that they can not make a deal work based on the $3.7 million estimate given over 2 years ago.  The article mentions that the VA is in the process of providing a new market assesment which is scheduled to be delivered next month so I am not sure why they are spending energy on it now.  I really do not know why they think the assessment will not be significantly less than it was on the previous review given the additional weathering and wear / tear as well as the complete deterioration in the real estate market.
   
2. If there is a legitimate concern about the $3.7 million price (which would be difficult to make a deal happen) then why are they just now springing to action?  Why have they not contacted both US senators and our representative to pressure some action from the VA?  Why have they not contacted developers about possibilities to be ready for action once the sale is readied?
   

Update on Historical Marker in Evergreen Cemetary

As an update to a story I mentioned a couple months ago about an effort to raise funds for a historical marker for the Evergreen Cemetery I received this press release over the weekend:

On Saturday, January 23, a group of Campbell Countians will unveil a new Kentucky Historical Highway Marker on US 27/Alexandria Pike outside the Evergreen Cemetery in Southgate. The marker commemorates the four US Congressmen, including Brent Spence, and one Confederate Congressman from Northern Kentucky who are buried in the historic cemetery.

Money for the marker was raised from friends of the late John Eidemiller and Ray Roberts, US military veterans and well-known community volunteers. The marker will be dedicated in their honor with Mrs. Sue Eidemiller and Mrs. Laura Roberts taking part in the unveiling ceremony.

The program will be emcee’d by State Representative Dennis Keene and will include remarks by committee chair and Kentucky historian Paul Whalen and former Congressman and current Kentucky Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Ken Lucas.

The public is invited to join in this important commemoration of Northern Kentucky history

Kentucky State Politics & Fort Thomas Impacts

My last post focused on local races but I would be remiss to not at least mention the races for the state house.  Both the local state senator and local legislator are up for re-election this November.  The stakes are high in this election as well.  By way of a brief summary here are few of the issues that will impact everyone in Fort Thomas:

1. Possibility of rolling back sales tax on goods to 5% and expanding it to services.  Would likely raise taxes overall and impact businesses in Fort Thomas that are not taxed today. This is of course one of the options that have been discussed to close the nearly $1 billion potential shortfall in the budget over the next 2 years.  Some estimates have placed the potential deficit as high as $1.5 billion.
   
2. Gambling will no doubt back on the agenda as a potential means of closing the above mentioned deficits.  Of course I think this ship has sailed now that nearly all neighboring states have some form of casino gambling legalized.  Indiana has had legalized gambling for some time and are now unencumbered by restrictions on where.  Ohio just legalized and could have one of their largest casinos less than a mile from the riverfront. 
   
3. School funding is always a big one and should be a critical issue for those voting from Fort Thomas.  Cuts have occurred over the past couple of years and with the funding situation in Fort Thomas how they solve this one will be critical to the future of Fort Thomas schools.  We all know how difficult it is for Fort Thomas Independent Schools with the current state funding formula and that could only be made more difficult by the budget issues and how they plan to solve it.
   

 As a little background you may want to get to know our current representatives and their voting records:

1. Joe Fischer - legislator serving Fort Thomas since 1999.  Served in Fort Thomas city government for nearly a decade prior to serving in the state house.  Here is a good summary of his voting record.
   
2. Katie Stine - state senator serving Fort Thomas since 1999 (served 3 years in the legislature prior to moving to the Senate) and currently serving as the President Pro Tem of the Senate and hasn't had to raise money for re-election since 2001.  Appears to have delivered a few items to the Pendleton County portion of her district through infrastructure funds but no tangible benefits to Fort Thomas.

Once the dust settles on who may be running against the incumbants after the January 23rd filing deadline we will be back to discuss further.