Banta sworn in
Rep. Kim Banta who was elected to fill the seat vacated by Diane St. Onge’s resignation was sworn in by Kenton County Magistrate Katherine Shumate as husband Tom Banta holds the bible.
Rep. Banta represents the House 63rd district which includes parts of Boone and Kenton counties.
Kim Banta, Tom Banta and Katherine Shumate
Kenton County Government Academy
As an outreach service to the constituents of Kenton County, citizens are invited to take an inside look into the workings of their county government by participating in the Kenton County Government Academy.
Beginning in early January, this ten-week course will educate participants about all facets of county government. The program features presentations from local elected officials and administrators, and provides unique “behind-the-scenes” tours of vital governmental facilities. Some of the topics and visits include: Fiscal Court, Judicial Branch, Planning and Development Services, School Districts, Health District, Library, Animal Shelter, Property Valuation, local fire and police departments, Kenton County Detention Center, Northern Kentucky Water District, Sanitation District No., Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and much more!
“Our goal is to continue a process where the average citizen will have a clear understanding where their tax dollars go, and how the money gets spent.” said Kenton County Attorney Stacy Tapke.
Over 350 Kenton County residents have graduated from this program. While all have gained valuable knowledge, some have gone on to become city council and committee members, volunteers, and leaders within their own communities.
An application can be found online. For more information, contact Susan Topmiller, Executive Director for the Kenton County Attorney at 859.491.0600 or stopmiller@kentoncoatty.com
Discussing technology in construction
STACK Construction Technologies, the industry’s leading cloud-based preconstruction platform for contractors, suppliers and building product manufacturers, announced today their CEO and founder, Phillip Ogilby, was a featured witness called before the U.S. House of Representatives House Committee on Small Business to discuss ‘Smart Construction: Increasing Opportunities for Small Businesses in Infrastructure” at a hearing last week at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington D.C.
Ogilby, a former commercial contractor, was invited to discuss the importance of technology in the construction industry as well as urge further inclusion of small businesses in American infrastructure.
“As a contractor, I dealt with inefficient processes day-in-and-day-out,” Ogilby said. “From evaluating plans and specs to takeoff and estimating to project management, so many of our processes were time-intensive, paperwork-heavy and often costly. While technology was becoming a staple in our personal lives, the construction industry itself was resistant to change and slow to adopt new ways of doing things. It’s just in the past few years that the sector has really begun to embrace innovation solutions.”
The hearing offered an in-depth look at advanced construction technology, while also exploring opportunities small businesses can play in improving America’s infrastructure. Other witnesses included Lennart Andersson, RA, director of virtual design, construction & operations at LiRo Group; Ryan Forrestel, president of Cold Springs Construction; and Chris Shepard, vice president of Construction Solutions Group. Andersson testified on behalf of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Construction Institute, LiRo Group and Pratt Institute.
