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T h u r s d a y, A u g u s t 2 7 , 2 0 0 9
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Annexation ‘not likely’ for streets
Volume 13 Issue 44 © 2009 The Community Recorder ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
School days
Private and public schools are back into full swing this week after a long and lazy summer. Whereas some might expect a little doom and gloom from students heading back into the classroom, most classrooms rocked out with smiles, bubbles and balloons. See photos from around Kenton County as students and staff get back into gear. SCHOOLS, A5
Father Lou
Read what Father Lou has to say in his regular weekly column relocated into the A section this week. This week Father Lou discusses how crises arrive in our life and what we can do about them. SEE PAGE A6
Battery Hooper
See photos and read about last weekend’s Battery Hooper Days hosted in Fort Wright. With much fanfare and with reenactors on hand, visitors to the James A. Rammage Museum got to relive some of the Civil War. NEWS, A4
Welcome back
Secretary of State Trey Grayson is greeted by Turkey Foot students Katherine West, Walker Engelhard and Patrick Haney on Aug. 18. Grayson, a Turkey Foot alum, was in town to tour the new school, which is currently under construction.
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By Jason Brubaker
Edgewood or Erlanger?
jbrubaker@nky.com
Edgewood city administrator Roger Rolfes said a potential annexation of two Erlanger streets into Edgewood isn’t likely to happen at this time. Rolfes and Erlanger city administrator Linda Carter said that residents from Kruer Court and Karlenia Court have approached both cities with a petition requesting the annexation, feeling that their location made them better suited to be considered a part of Edgewood. The two courts are located back off Charter Oak Road in Edgewood. “We have no problems at all with the city of Erlanger, but considering where we are, it just makes more sense to be a part of Edgewood,” said resident Walt Nordloh, who lives on Kruer
Dudley Road Charter Oak
Edgewood
Laurel Oak Glenview Court Kruer Court
Garden View Karlania Court
Bullock Pen Road
Erlanger
DOE RUN LAKE
KEITH BARKLAGE/STAFF
Court. “We use Edgewood parks, and everything around us is Edgewood, so it’s just common sense.” However, if the two streets were annexed, Carter estimated Erlanger would lose close to $75,000 in property and insur-
given tax rules and regulations. And while he said Erlanger has yet to make a formal proposal of that nature, he said the trade scenario appears to be unlikely. “It just doesn’t appear it’s going to happen at this time,” he said. “Something certainly could change down the road, but right now, it doesn’t look like it will work out for both cities.” But despite not being able to reach an agreement, both Carter and Rolfes were quick to point out that the two cities still maintain an excellent relationship. “Both cities just have to do what is in their best interests,” he said. “With the boundaries the way they are in Northern Kentucky, sometimes you’ll have some odd situations like this. But we have a great parternship with Erlanger, and we look forward to continuing to work with them.”
Readers’ Choice Awards announced By Jason Brubaker jbrubaker@nky.com
The people have spoken. In June, The Community Recorder presented readers with a ballot of 100 categories so they could choose t h e i r favorites ranging f r o m Americ a n vehicles to produce to women’s clothing. And readers responded, filling out newspaper and online ballots with their choices. You can find the complete list of Readers’ Choice favorites in today’s special section. We’ve talked with some of our readers’ top choices about how they keep their customers coming back. • Jenny Engelhart, General Manager of Barleycorn’s Restau rant, 2642 Dixie Highway, Lakeside Park (Friendliest Restaurant) “What an honor,” said Engelhart. “We go out of our way to meet new people and develop new relationships.” Engelhart said it wasn’t unusual for regular customers to visit the restaurant once or twice a day. Great service, relaxed atmosphere, quality food and live music keep them coming back, Engelhart said. “We just go out and get to know our guests and make them feel like they’re a part of our family,” she said. For more information on Barleycorn’s Restaurant, visit barleycorns.com • John Goderwis, Manager of
REGAN COOMER/STAFF
Barleycorn’s Restaurant was voted “Friendliest Restaurant” in the Community Recorder Readers’ Choice Awards. Here Anthony Best, Gus Halpin and Chris Best share a lunch at the Lakeside Park Barleycorn’s Tuesday Aug. 18. Don’s Garage, 39 Erlanger Road, Elsmere (Best Auto Repair Shop) Goderwis, one of four brothers to work at the garage, attributed their success to a family atmosphere that has grown up with the community. Started in 1961, the shop has become known for its great service and friendly staff. “I think because we’re a part of the community, people feel comfortable coming in here,” he said. “We get to see a lot of family and friends in here, and it’s great for us to see people keep coming back to us because they had a good experience.” As for the vote of support from
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ance premium taxes. There are currently 24 homes and seven undeveloped lots on the two streets. “I understand the residents’ perspective, but we can’t just give away that kind of money, because it puts a burden on the rest of our taxpayers,” she said. “We’re certainly willing to work out some kind of deal with Edgewood, but with the economy where it is, we can’t afford to give away tax dollars like that.” At an Aug. 18 committee meeting, Carter said the city could work to arrange a “trade” with Edgewood, taking back some Edgewood property to help alleviate the tax dollars they would lose. However, Rolfes said Edgewood doesn’t have any residential property that would make sense to swap, and trading commercial property would be more difficult,
the public, Goderwis said they’re honored. “It’s pretty awesome to know that people voted for us,” he said. “Customer service is huge for us, so it feels great to be recognized.” • Daniel Nikolich, Manager of Furniture Fair, 2932 Dixie Highway, Erlanger (Best Furniture Store) Nikolich likes to say the store has been “selling to generations,” citing their long relationship with the community. The Erlanger location opened in 1963, and there are now six locations in Greater Cincinnati. “We see a lot of people who used to come in with their parents
now coming back in with their own kids, and it’s neat to see that,” said Nikolich, adding that he remembers his parents buying furniture when he was younger in the store he now runs. “I think people are just really familiar with us because we’ve been here for so long and we really enjoy being a part of this community.” He said the store emphasizes customer service above all else. “Our best advertisement is people out there talking about us,” he said. “To be voted to best furniture store is really an honor for us, and that speaks to how we try to do business around here.”