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Jacob Violand, 9, helps The Pet Castle Animal Rescue.
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Court discusses dispatch funding
Volume 135 Number 18 © 2011 The Community Recorder ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Can you guess the Mystery Photo?
This week’s “Mystery Photo” is shown here. Can you identify the location and community? The first person to identify this location will be mentioned in next week’s Recorder. E-mail your answer, along with your name and community, to ndaly@nky.com. Please put “Mystery Photo” in the subject line. You may also call 859-578-1059.
Calling all Boone weather watchers
When wintry weather hits Boone County, the Recorder wants to talk to people most knowledgeable about snow depths and road conditions. That could very well be you. If you have an interest in weather, we invite you to join our “Recorder Weather Panel.” We’re compiling a list of sources we can call during harsh weather. We’ll ask panelists to provide their observations on what’s happening in their part of the county. Those interested are asked to write an e-mail to ndaly@nky.com. Tell us where you live and whether you prefer to be contacted by phone or email (please provide both). You may also call Senior Editor Nancy Daly at 578-1059 to express your interest in joining the Weather Panel.
Valentine dance to cherish memories
Cris Suesz of Burlington watched her father, Charles McQueen, suffer with Alzheimer’s disease for nearly 10 years before his death in 2005. On Feb. 12, the sixth annual “Cherish the Memories” Valentine’s Day Dance will be held in honor to raise money to fight the disease. LIFE, PAGE B1 For the Postmaster
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By Stephanie Salmons
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PATRICIA A. SCHEYER/CONTRIBUTOR
Paws to Read
Seven-year-old Ethan Connett of Union reads a book to Wilma, a 3-year-old German Shepherd belonging to Linda Miller of Alexandria, during the Paws to Read program at the Scheben branch of the Boone County Library Jan. 22. This was Ethan’s first time reading to the dogs, and he really liked it.
Boone library offering MP3s By Stephanie Salmons ssalmons@nky.com
Music enthusiasts have one more reason to take off their headphones and head to their local library. With a Boone County Public Library card, customers can access, and download, three free MP3’s a week from thousands of songs in Sony’s music catalog, thanks to BCPL’s subscription to the music service Freegal. Downloads are done at the
library’s website, www.bcpl.org. “We’re aware a lot of people are moving to a more digital way of life, whether it’s digital music or e-book readers,” said public service coordinator Carrie Herrmann. “We look around at how the library can go to where the customers are,” she said. The program began Jan. 3 and has already seen more than 500 downloads, Herrmann said. “I love the fact it’s new music, old music, kid music, teen music,”
Farmer wins statewide honor By Stephanie Salmons ssalmons@nky.com
Farming has clearly changed in the 60 years since Bob Maurer of Burlington first moved to his East Bend Road farm in 1950. Despite the changes and challenges, he’s still raising sheep and because of his farm’s conservation practices, Maurer was recently awarded the 2010 Small/Limited Resource Producer of the Year award – presented by the Kentucky chapter of the National Organization of Professional Black Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees. Maurer was nominated by Natural Resources Conservation Service District conservationist Ed Thompson Jr. He received the award in November. He knew that he was nominated for the award, but was surprised that he took home the prize. “I could hardly believe it,” Maurer said. “I thought it was a pretty good thing for Northern Kentucky, to win it in our part of the state when you consider there are 120 counties.” He rotates pastures and fences off creeks around his property so the animals can’t get down to the
PROVIDED
Burlington farmer Bob Maurer, far right, was named 2010’s Producer of the Year for conservation efforts on his farm. From left are Natural Resources Conservation Service District Conservationist Ed Thompson Jr., Betsy Weissman, Jay Weissman, Marie Weissman, Doug Weissman, Margaret Maurer and Bob Maurer. Bob and Margaret’s daughter Betsy and her husband, Jay, are an integral part of the sheep operation. Other family members assist with the operation as time allows. waterways which could cause erosion and water contamination, Maurer said. There’s also a natural filter in place, a fenced-off area that’s not pastured, that helps clean manure and other farming residues from water runoff before the water gets back into the creek, he said. According to information from the Boone County Conservation District, Maurer was a member of an Agricultural District and Boone County Farm Bureau President. He “worked diligently to introduce
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she said. People can download songs from any library or even at home, according to Herrmann. Three songs a week equal 156 free downloads a year. “This will save everyone money,” she said. “If you go to iTunes and purchase a song to download, you’re saving $156 a year.” According to a release from the library, the songs will never expire and will play on any MP3 player.
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legislation to protect farmers from being overcharged for public water line extensions through their property,” the statement reads. The Maurers also make their farm available for educational open houses. Maurer also serves on the Boone County Extension District Board, Boone County 4-H board, and the Boone County Farm Initiative. Through these services he works to improve agriculture and conservation programs in the county, the statement says.
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Boone County leaders are moving forward with discussions about concerns highlighted in a recent 911 emergency communication system funding study. The study, presented in early December, came from a committee appointed by Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore and Florence Mayor Diane Whalen to examine funding issues, County Administrator Jeff Earlywine said at the Jan. 18 Fiscal Court meeting. “There are a number of concerns regarding funding equity and fairness, sustainability, (and) really the ability to support our 911 system in the long term,” he said. The issue came to the forefront last year when Florence officials complained that city residents were charged twice for emergency services. In the past, the service was 75 percent funded by the county and 25 percent funded by Florence. City taxpayers were paying twice through their city and county property taxes, Florence leaders said. Findings of the joint study show the current Public Safety Communications Center funding model is inadequate and unsustainable. Without changes will likely require “greater operating subsidies.” It also confirmed Florence residents fund the operations disproportionately compared to elsewhere in the county. Revenues from landlines are also down as more individuals eliminate traditional telephone services, the study reads. Florence has only committed to $300,000 in funding for the current fiscal year, half of its normal allocation, Earlywine said. “If that’s all they contribute this year, we have some work to do with the existing budget to make some adjustments and appropriations to make sure our budget balances by the end of the year,” he said. The county will have to know how much, if any, funding Florence may allocate for the next year before preparing the 2012 budget, Earlywine said. Some reserve funds are available to cover any discrepancies in the operation funds the next six months, Moore said, but it’s not a long-term solution. It’s time the county communicates with other emergency serv-
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