Lakeside Park councilmember Mary Ann Thaman announced Monday night at the regular April council meeting that there will be an Armed Forces 5K walk and run on Saturday, May 21. The race will start at Crescent Springs park at 8:30 a.m. Active and inactive military personnel are eligible to join in the military cup challenge.
“I just wanted to add on that 5K run/walk for the Kenton County veterans memorial, just wanted to invite all council, residents and the mayor,” said Councilman Dave Wolfer. “There is a cookout that Friday before, which would be May 20. We do have some troops coming up from Ft Campbell, so if anybody is interested in the meet and greet, I think we are going to start to cook out at about 5 o’clock. It is at that park right there at Buttermilk and Collins. Any participation from the mayor and council is appreciated.”
There is a registration cost of $20 before the race, and $25 the day of the race, but all proceeds go to the Kenton County Veterans Memorial. There are several divisions of runners and walkers for the race, and the top male and female runner will be recognized as well as the top three runners and top three walkers in the male and female division will be recognized. The top military runner will receive the Military Cup.
Reports of meetings
Councilman Rob Grimes reported on the Municipal Government League meeting on April 7 which outlined the plans for a companion bridge to the Brent Spence bridge.
He said Bob Yeager, from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet district 6, told them that in his 40-year career, this is the closest they have ever been to the goal of replacing the bridge.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear have each committed $250 million to the project, which is predicted to cost $2.8 billion overall.
Grimes explained that the new bridge is supposed to be built next to the current Brent Spence, and he said he thought one will be north bound and one south bound. The project of the new bridge should extend two miles into Ohio, and five miles into Kentucky.
There were some problems brought up by the cities of Covington, Ft Wright, and Ft Mitchell, in particular, because a motorist traveling north has to make a decision to exit the interstate at Buttermilk Pike, to visit those cities or any other cities like Park Hills, or stay on the interstate to go directly over the river into Ohio. Those cities are concerned businesses and EMS services could be impacted.
He said more information is on brentspencecorridor.com. The final design should be ready to go in the fall of 2023, and the actual construction should start soon after, possibly early 2024. The project is estimated take five years.
Mayor Markgraf appreciated Grimes report on the bridge meeting, adding that he and Councilmember Thaman had also attended, and felt that it is a major step forward for the area.
Other agenda items
Council passed the second reading of an ordinance adopting a text amendment which allows childcare as a conditional use in all residential zones, and refines the definition.
Fire Chief Danny Slusher gave a report on the fire department, and he said that Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Stanton, and now retired firefighter EMT Paul Griffith were given an award by St Elizabeth hospital because of their swift treatment of a stroke patient, getting the patient to the hospital in a short amount of time. Time is of the essence for a stroke patient because sometimes the stroke drugs can reverse some of the damage.
Council member Tyler Gastright brought up the fact that the last project that the construction company, JPS Construction, did in the city left a little damage to some properties. The company has disbanded due to a death in the family. Gastright thought the city should hold back an amount of the payment on a job until a check list is done. Mayor Paul Markgraf agreed and promised to watch that they hold a section of payment back until the job is done to their satisfaction.
Councilmember Thaman said the first bingo for senior citizens, held in conjunction with the city of Ft Mitchell since it was discontinued after the pandemic shut down, was a great success. They want to hold another one, with the combined cities, on Thursday, June 9, but this time they will hold it at the Lakeside Park city building.
She also told council there will be a Community Preparedness class for Active Shooter Threat on April 26 at 6 pm.
“I would encourage all council members and employees to please attend,” said Mayor Markgraf. “It usually takes one hour. It is very informative. I know I went through a briefer version of this I’m looking forward to this. I’m going to be sending out an email to all the members of our boards. Just in the unlikely event that something would happen, I would like everyone to be prepared. It is eye-opening. The chief does a wonderful job with that.”
