Newport board meeting highlighted by retirement of key staffer, promotions of eight policemen

By Don Owen

NKyTribune reporter

The retirement by a key staff person in the fire department and the promotions of eight police officers highlighted the Newport Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night.

The board recognized Barb Heck, an administrative assistant who is retiring after 25 years of service. Heck served under five different fire chiefs since 1994.

“Barb has been an outstanding worker and meant a great deal to this department,” said Chief Bill Darin, who presented Heck with a Newport Firefighters helmet as one of her retirement gifts.

Darin later gave a report about a massive blaze that Newport Firefighters fought last week. The three-alarm fire that destroyed a home in the 400 block of Washington Avenue also caused Newport City Commissioner Tom Guidugli some anxious moments.

“I had just come across the bridge, heading for home, when I received a call indicating that my house was on fire,” Guidugli said. “It’s not a good feeling to hear your home is on fire. In addition, we’re currently renovating our home and are nearing the finish line, readying ourselves to move into this house.

“When we arrived and learned it was not our home, it was a huge relief. However, seeing the severity of the fire made me feel badly for our neighbors, and the difficulty the fire was going to bring on them. Clearly, they would not be able to live in the home, and they are a good family.”

Guidugli said the same house had been struck by lightning several years ago, causing a fire, and it resulted in the relocation of that family for a year while they rebuilt the home. “I wish them well and hope they are able to get the place back in order,” he said. “It’s a beautiful, historic home with incredible character and if restored, it will be a huge benefit to that block.”

Guidugli praised the work of the Newport Fire Department as well as the assistance of crews from seven other cities and the Red Cross.

“My son counted the pieces of equipment at the scene, a combination of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks,” he said, “and there were more than 20 there as the block was shut down.”

Guidugli also said the destructive blaze, combined with the hot temperatures, made the battle even more difficult for the firefighters.

“The fire department was there until late in the evening, making sure the fire was out, and they did a tremendous job,” Guidugli added. “It’s a difficult environment for the firefighters, plus the weather was very hot — it was in the 90s. The work they do is very much appreciated and valued by myself and our citizens.”

In other items Monday:

• Two weeks ago, Chris Fangman was selected as Newport’s Police Chief. On Monday night, eight Newport officers — Herschel Day, Paul Kunkel, Kevin Drohan, Adam Brown, Daron Arnberg, Brandon Haffey, Jeffrey Kohls and Lawrence Hoppius — received departmental promotions.

“Chris has the unique opportunity to continue the progress of the Newport Police Department, and I think he’s looking forward to working with the group of officers who were promoted tonight,” Newport City Manager Tom Fromme said.

Day, a 19-year veteran of the department, was promoted from captain to lieutenant colonel. Kunkel, who has been with the department for 21 years, was promoted to captain. Drohan, another 21-year veteran with the force, also was promoted to captain.

Brown, who has been with the department for 16 years, was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. Arnberg, in his 16th year at Newport, was also promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. Haffey (16 years with the department), Kohls (10 years at Newport) and Hoppius (18 years with the force) were all promoted from sergeant to lieutenant.

• The City Commission unanimously authorized the issuance of $45 million in bonds to assist the Ovation project at the west-end site in Newport. Ovation is a 25-acre mixed-use development, comprised of more than 900 residential units, restaurants, retail, hotels and offices.

According to Corporex officials, the Ovation’s music venue will accommodate indoor audiences of up to 2,700, with an outdoor capacity for summer shows of up to 7,000 people.

The facility is expected to attract up to 400,000 fans annually. The concert hall, with its unique sweeping roof design, will sit atop a 550-car structured parking garage. Corporex officials also expect to hold more 180 events per year at the music venue.

The Newport Board of Commissioners will next convene in a caucus meeting on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.