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Governor signs housing bill By Jason Brubaker jbrubaker@nky.com
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Kentucky Rep. Tommy Thompson, D-Owensboro, glanced around as he delivered a joke about the somewhat remote location off Narrows Road in Erlanger for the ceremonial signing of House Bill 3. “Trying to get here, I felt like I was going in circles but not really moving forward ... kind of like working with legislation sometimes,” he joked. “But it is really a privilege to be a part of a bill that is so significant, and I’m really glad to be here.” Thompson, who sponsored the bill, was one of several local and state dignitaries to join Gov. Steve Beshear for the bill signing at a newly built BOLD home on Buckhill Drive. The bill, which will go into effect on July 26, will allow Kentuckians who purchase a newly built home to receive up to a $5,000 tax credit if they meet qualifications. “Owning a home is really a rite of passage for many people, and this is something that we hope will allow them to achieve that dream,” said Beshear. “This are tough times, but this is a step toward helping people out as we look to move forward.” Under the regulations of the bill, the home must never have been occupied, and the buyer has one week from the closing date to submit a credit application for the tax credit. The buyer must occupy
jbrubaker@nky.com
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the home for two years, and can’t already have received the federal first-time home buyer tax credit. The program will run for one year, or until the $25 million cap is reached. Mike Kegley, the president of BOLD Homes, thanked Beshear for his “progressive recovery plan.”
The city is currently working on any lingering issues with the waste collection service after switching over to CSI Waste Services on July 1. City administrator Linda Carter said the city has been receiving calls from residents since the switchover, with complaints ranging from not having received the 96-gallon container from CSI to not knowing what days collection occurs. She said some residents are also upset that there is only one
collection each week now, rather than the two weekly pick-ups the city previously had with Bavarian. The cost for service is now $8.65 per month, with an optional recycling add-on for $4. Carter said the city notified all of the residents through a postcard about the transition, and the information was posted on the city’s Web site as well. “We did everything we could to get the word out to people short of going door-to-door, but we’ve still got some people who aren’t pleased, so we’re working to get everything going,” she said. “It’s just a different system, so there’s
“It’s a tremendous step forward for the industry, and we’re very grateful for the support of Governor Beshear and the state legislature with this,” he said. For more information about the tax credit, contact the Department of Revenue’s Income Taxpayer Assistance Sections at 502-5644581.
going to be a few hiccups along the way.” According to Carter, among the biggest issues is the delayed delivery of some cans to certain areas of the city. As part of the contract, CSI agreed to provide each household with a waste container, and residents could select different sizes depending on their needs. However, they were unable to initially deliver one to each household with the amount of cans they had in stock. “CSI did have to order more cans, but they’re getting them out there now and everyone who
doesn’t have one already should have one on the way,” said Carter. “But they did tell us they will pick up any cans that people have, so residents can still place their trash by the curb even without the CSI can.” Like with any transition, Mayor Tom Rouse said there are always a few bumps in the road. “There’s always going to be a few things that come up, but we’re certainly aware of them and we’re working to get it all taken care of,” he said. For more information about CSI, including service questions, call 513-771-4200.
Basketball goals up at firehouse, open to public By Jason Brubaker jbrubaker@nky.com
With the recent passing of an ordinance that prohibited basketball goals from being placed on sidewalks and in the streets, the city announced that a basketball goal behind Fire House No. 3 on Narrows Road is open to the public. The city recently passed the
ordinance out of safety concerns for children playing in the roads, as well as the potential dangers of the goals toppling over during storms on cars. However, knowing that the ordinance would take away playing space for children, the city agreed to place a few more basketball goals at parks as an option for those children.
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“Thanks to the vision and support of Governor Beshear, we’re taking steps toward economic prosperity,” he said. “More new homes being built means more jobs being created, so this is going to be a benefit to all of us.” Glenn Perkins, presidents of the Home Builders Association of Kentucky, agreed.
Erlanger working on waste collection By Jason Brubaker
A tradition
JASON BRUBAKER/STAFF
Gov. Steve Beshear signs House Bill 3 in front of a home on Buckhill Drive in Erlanger. The bill calls for Kentucky residents who purchase a newly built home to receive up to a $5,000 tax credit.
“I just want to make sure we have someplace for them to go, if we’re going to tell them they can’t play in the street anymore,” said council member Renee Skidmore previously. At their July 7 council meeting, councilman John Dunhoft said the city probably won’t place another goal in the Spring Valley area until next spring, wanting to see how
much use the goal behind the fire house will get. Several of the city parks feature basketball goals already. “But that goal is open for people to use, so we hope to see a lot of people playing on that,” he said. For details about the ordinance, or to locate a park, call 727-2525 or visit www.friendshipcity.com.