By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
A day after celebrating the approval of a needle exchange program in Newport, area residents visited Covington’s commissioners to pass the baton.
“A lot of people haven’t heard of this,” Newport resident Simon Powell told city commissioners before their legislative meeting Tuesday.
Powell, who is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America of Metro Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, cited the need for the program because of spikes in cases of HIV and Hepatitis C.
Almost two years ago, the City of Covington voted to allow a needle exchange program with hopes that another city would follow suit. Monday, Newport voted unanimously to approve the program, which will be located in a mobile unit at St. Elizabeth Urgent Care in South Newport.
“Covington set the tone a while back when they passed their resolution,” Newport city manager Thomas Fromme said. “We’re willing to assist the health department and St. Elizabeth in any way that we can.”
Health officials have voiced concern in the media that the sharing of dirty needles will cause an epidemic of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis-C.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reports that syringe exchange programs, which have existed since 1988, “provide links to critical services and programs, including substance-use disorder treatment programs, and overdose prevention education.”
Powell said this is a problem facing “everybody in the region.” He urged commissioners to move forward with the program and become a “national example” of fighting the epidemic.
Also Tuesday:
- Commissioners appointed five members to the new Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority, effective March 1, 2018:
- Paul Weckman, one-year term
- Ray Hardebeck, two-year term
- Kelly Charleton, three-year term
- Lauren Wolff, four-year term
- Ron Washington, four-year term
But not everyone is thrilled with the idea of a Parking Authority. Covington resident John Flesch spoke briefly to the commission on the topic, and urged them “to carefully scrutinize the newly-created Parking Authority.”
Flesch seemed particularly concerned with the amount of power the authority could wield. However, Mayor Joe Meyer did reaffirm that City Manager David Johnston would serve as head of the authority, while the authority’s budget would also be approved by the city commission.
- Commissioners heard a resolution celebrating Covington Professional Firefighters Local 38 and the 100-year anniversary of the International Association of Fire Fighters, whichwas established on Feb. 28, 1918. “I’d like to thank all of the previous members,” said Tyler Cherry, secretary/treasurer of the Covington Firefighters Association, “for their effort and dedication” which made Local 38 “a source of pride for its citizens.” Local 38 now boasts 118 active members.
- Commissioners heard a first reading of an ordinance to change Jefferson Ave. – less than 100 feet between 19th Street and Highland Pike – from a two-way street to one-way northbound, according to Public Services Director Rick Davis.
- Commissioners moved forward to accept a $100,000 federal grant (with a 25 percent match) to install a sidewalk and improve aesthetics from west of the Brent Spence Bridge to Route 8.
- Commissioners tabled a new proposed Social Media Policy that calls for disabling citizen comments on city posts. The policy will be reviewed again at the city’s next legislative meeting, due in part because one of the main opponents to the idea – Commissioner Tim Downing – was absent Tuesday night.
The next Covington Commission meeting will be a caucus meeting held at 6 p.m., March 6 at the Covington City Hall at 20 West Pike St.
Contact the Northern Kentucky Tribune at news@nkytrib.com
