LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 1, Issue 24 - May 5, 2023

VOLUME 1,ISSUE24—MAY5,2023

Your primary election guide:

What to know before you vote

Want to avoid Election Day lines? Here's how to vote early p8

What do governors do, and how much power do they have? p9

Back in Bellevue: Streetscapes returns to Fairfield Avenue p28

We are grateful to all LINK’s Partners - those organizations in the community who believe strongly in what we are doing, and have thrown their full support behind us. These NKY institutions are helping bring a voice back to our community.

Good journalism isn’t free

BY LACY STARLING | LINK nky PRESIDENT/CEO

PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Mark Collier

MANAGING EDITOR Meghan Goth

PRINT EDITOR Kaitlin Gebby

SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison

The LINK nky Kenton Reader is a weekly newspaper. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending, permit number 32 in Covington, Kentucky. The LINK nky Kenton Reader office of publications and the Periodical Pending Postage Paid at 700 Scott St., Covington, KY 41011.

For mailing address or change-of-address orders:

POSTMASTER: send address changes to

The LINK nky Kenton Reader: 621 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011 859-878-1669 | www.LINKnky.com

HAVE A TIP? News@LINKnky.com

WANT TO ADVERTISE?

Marketing@LINKnky.com

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE?

Send a check for $31.80 ($25 trial rate plus 6% Kentucky sales tax) to our principle office or scan this QR code below

No part of this publication may be used without permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings, and omissions. If, however, an error comes to your attention, please let us know and accept our sincere apologies in advance.

Correction

TThat’s what it cost LINK to design, print and mail this election guide to every household in Northern Kentucky - all 165,000 of them.

By far, that’s the single-largest expense we will incur this year, outside payroll, and we’re going to do it again in the fall.

Why would we spend all this money on a print edition? Because Northern Kentuckians deserve comprehensive information about the candidates on the ballot in the primary and the general election.

Covering NKY isn’t cheap

Running Northern Kentucky’s largest newsroom (by a mile) costs over $1 million per year. This year, it will be closer to $2 million because we’ve added more reporters and editors and added coverage of the statewide elections.

We have three ways we pay for all this. Advertising and sponsorships are the biggest part of our budget, subscriptions to the print edition make up a small fraction of revenue, and then there’s donations to the NKY Community Journalism Fund.

That’s where you come in.

We need your help to keep covering NKY

We’re asking our readers who find our work valuable to consider donating to the NKY Community Journalism Fund in order to support our public-interest journalism. Our goal this year, to pay for our regular reporting and election coverage, is to raise $400,000.

Donations don’t have to be big. We have plenty of folks who donate $50 a year or $5 a month, or whatever amount they can afford. Those small donations add up quickly, and also show us that the community supports what we’re doing.

(And of course, we have generous community donors, like St. Elizabeth and Central Bank, that chipped in to help offset the costs of this print edition.)

You’ll pay for what’s important to you

When I donate my hard-earned dollars, I want to be sure that they are being spent wisely. Donations to the NKY Community Journalism Fund are tightly controlled, and can only be spent to support certain things.

Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky is our fiscal sponsor, and it holds all donations to the NKY Community Journalism Fund. We have to write grants asking for specific dollar amounts, for specific projects or salaries, and we are subject to an annual audit to make sure we spent the money on what we said we would.

We can’t use funds to pay for rent, or executive salaries, or coffee in the $20 Mr. Coffee machine in the office. (We can’t buy a new coffee machine with that money, either.)

We also can’t use those funds to pay for sports, arts or entertainment coverage. We can only use it for covering topics like education, government, business, health care and housing.

We are creating sustainable news coverage

When the Kentucky Post shut down in

2007, NKY lost its dedicated news source, and as a community, we felt it. Coverage of our metro fell off quickly, eventually leaving us with a few digital outlets that covered specific parts of the three counties, but no organization telling the story of our whole region.

LINK is here to fix that, and our mission is to make sure that Northern Kentucky always has a newspaper covering us. Your donations help us secure our future, and the future of news in NKY.

LINK by the Numbers:

Annual LINK nky Budget: $1,800,000 NKY CJF Fundraising Goal: $400,000

Full-time public interest journalists: 8

Part-time contributors: 24

Weekly digital stories: 100

Weekly newspapers mailed: 20,000

Weekly news podcasts: 3

Photo illustration by Erin Sendelbach, LINK nky graphic designer

on the cover

In the April 14 edition, the LINK Reader misidentified Erlanger City Councilmember Jennifer Jasper-Lucas as a nurse. LINK nky regrets the error.

A guide to the 2023 Kentucky Primary Election

BY ROBIN GEE | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

While much of the country is focusing on who will or won’t run for president in 2024, Kentuckians are gearing up for the 2023 primary. Ours is one of a handful of states that hold off-year elections. Only three states are electing a governor this year – Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi.

In addition to the governor, Kentuckians will vote on lieutenant governor (as part of the gubernatorial ticket), attorney general, secretary of state, agriculture commissioner, auditor and treasurer. The primary election is May 16, and the general election is Nov. 7.

The pros and cons of off-year elections

Why hold an election in an off year? There are pros and cons, said Ryan Salzman, an associate professor of political science at Northern Kentucky University and a Bellevue City Council member. One key reason is that Kentucky laws prohibit a candidate from appearing more than once on a ballot. Running in an off year allows someone in office to run for a different office without risk.

“It enables candidates who would be up normally for re-election … to run for these races without giving up their seat,” Salzman said. “If you are a state representative and you have to run every two years, it would be impossible for you to run for governor or secretary of state if the election was held in an even election year, because then you would appear twice on the ballot.”

However, there’s a cost, as well, he said. “You can’t piggyback, basically, on other

races that are going on, on other get-outthe-vote campaigns that are happening locally and nationally," Salzman said. "When you have mayors and judge execs and state senators and the president all running, there’s a general wave and general momentum.”

In the regular election year, people canvassing for a presidential or congressional candidate could also be given materials for a state race.

“You’re able to take advantage of these electoral machines that are going,” Salzman said. “When you have an election in an odd year, there are only these few offices that are up, and that means that these campaigns have to do it all by themselves.”

On the other hand, having only a few campaigns running means they won’t get lost in the noise and dominance of federal and

state legislative elections. This, too, can be a double-edged sword. Because there are fewer races, people pay less attention. Voter turnout is traditionally lower in off-year elections.

According to Fair Vote, a nonprofit that advocates electoral reform, “In recent decades, about 60% of the voting-eligible population votes during presidential election years and about 40% votes during midterm elections, with 2020 and 2018 marking the highest presidential and midterm turnout in over a century.”

In real numbers, looking at Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in the 2019 (offyear) and 2020 presidential elections, this holds true. State Board of Elections data shows turnout for the general election in 2019 was 40.6% for Boone, 39.7 % for Campbell and 40.3% for Kenton. For the 2020 election, turnout was 59.7% for Boone,

61.2% for Campbell and 58.2% for Kenton.

Turnout for the primaries in 2019 averaged 12% for the three counties; for the presidential election primary, turnout averaged 26.5%.

The parties and the primaries

“There’s a lot of misunderstanding around the role of states and primary elections,” Salzman said. “Because the state election system gets activated for the general election, it’s also mobilized to support the primary election. But it’s really just a support.”

The state has a vested interest in encouraging elections. It has the system and technical apparatus in place to help, he said, but the duty of selecting party nominees is the responsibility of the parties. But it’s not practical for the parties to run primary elections themselves.

In other words, the two main parties are ultimately responsible for determining whether a primary is needed and how the nominee is selected. The operation and certification of the election are in the hands of the state and county boards of election.

“Can you imagine if the Republican Party of Kentucky or the Democratic Party of Kentucky had to figure out where to put machines into every single precinct and had to recruit precinct workers and all that?” Salzman asked. “It would just be impossible for the parties to have effective nominating elections. And so the states help out in most places.”

It’s worth noting, he said, that primary elections are only one way to determine a

Voters cast their ballots on Election Day 2022. Photo by Abigail Shoyat | LINK nky contributor

party nominee. In some states, the major parties hold nominating conventions.

“That’s the historical way political parties would do this – they would all gather into a convention, and they would nominate their candidate,” Salzman said. “It was very much an elite-driven process. But in the mid-20th century, we tried to democratize that part of the process.

“You ended up with all of these states initiating primary elections that look a lot like general elections, although they do vary widely,” he said.

A petri dish for democracy

Different states have different methods and rules for selecting party nominees. Some are open or semi-open primaries, in which voters do not have to declare a party affiliation ahead of time or can do so the day of the election. Others, like Kentucky, hold a closed primary, in which voters must declare their party affiliation when they register. Kentucky voters may vote only in the primary of their party affiliation. Regis-

tered independents can’t vote in primaries.

The rules in Kentucky are strict. If voters wish to switch party affiliations, they must do so by the end of December in the year prior to the primary election.

There’s also a wide variety of ways party nominees can be chosen in different states. They can be selected through rank-choice voting, in which voters rank candidates from most to least preferred. A top-two primary system puts all candidates together, and the two top vote-getters are the nominees regardless of party affiliation.

“We like to say that the United States is a petri dish for democracy,” Salzman said. “Different states use different processes. … The only thing that remains consistent is that the general election is held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. Outside of that, it’s all over the place.”

The two major parties are in control when it comes to primaries in most states, making it difficult, if not impossible, for third

parties to make it onto a primary ballot. The threshold to qualify can be high. In Kentucky, only the two main parties are officially recognized and appear on the primary ballot.

Who’s in charge?

“The state board of elections and the secretary of state, at the direction of the General Assembly, set the policies and procedures for how statewide elections are conducted,” said Shane Noem, chairman of the Kenton County Republican Party. “And that’s the framework for which all Kentucky elections operate. Then the county clerks are responsible for actually executing the election.

“Voting locations and some processes can vary from county to county, but they are governed by state law in Kentucky,” he said. Counties must submit an election plan to the state board of elections for approval. The county plan can be rejected for a number of reasons, Noem said. For example, there might be too many or too few locations, or the locations might not be convenient.

“One of the big things is the availability of space,” he said. “We’re being increasingly limited. It used to be easy to find a phone booth and cycle 100 or a couple hundred people through in a day. But in suburban areas and with the growth we see in our region, we need bigger locations.”

When that is coupled with staffing and workforce challenges, along with the plethora of rules, it gets more complicated.

“The Voting Rights Act (and) the Disability Rights Act dictate what kind of spaces you can use,” Noem said. “When you hear counties consolidating, it’s rarely ever, ‘We want less locations.’ It’s more, ‘We don’t have the

manpower, and there aren’t the locations that meet the rules that govern this.’ ”

How we vote

The question of which voting machines and paper ballots are used falls to the county board of elections, with approval by the state.

Counties are in charge of their own election equipment, and they are required by law to use a public bidding, request-for-proposal process, Noem said.

“Poorer counties will purchase more prosperous counties’ old equipment to save money,” he said. “All the machines used in Kentucky are safe, secure and are not connected to the internet.”

Beyond equipment and location, administration of the election is another critical factor. That’s where poll workers, also known as precinct election officers, come in. Qualified registered voters, these workers are hired, trained and paid by each county. They must be at least 18 and cannot be candidates or relatives of a candidate on the ballot in that precinct.

Poll workers are in high demand. Elections run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day, and poll workers are required to be on-site all day. To learn more about becoming a poll worker, visit your county’s website or go to elect.ky.gov and click on the Voters tab.

Kentucky law also provides for “poll challengers” to be present at the polls.

“It allows for political parties or candidates to go into the polls and watch and challenge something if they see something off,” Noem said. “In my opinion, it’s kind of redundant

Continues on page 6

An American flag is reflected in the window of a car on Election Day 2022. Photo by Abigail Shoyat | LINK nky contributor

with poll workers, because poll workers are also designated by political parties to go work in the polls. If they see something, they have even more authority.”

Challengers, on the other hand, are very limited, he said. “You can’t touch a book, you can’t talk to anybody. You can observe and then file a report with the county clerk. Really, what those positions are used for is getting estimates on how many people have voted.”

Voting options

During the pandemic, states got creative about providing options and workarounds for voters. For the most part, elections have returned to pre-pandemic voting options, but some changes have become permanent.

“What has changed due to the pandemic is early voting,” Salzman said. “We had instituted multiple weeks for early voting during the 2020 election, but then the Legislature adopted standing early voting days in the aftermath of the pandemic. It’s three days – Thursday, Friday and Saturday – prior to the election.”

“No-excuse absentee” status has gone away, but a person can request an excused absentee ballot for a number of reasons, including being disabled, in the military, living overseas, a college student living on campus and many more situations. While the time to request an absentee ballot for the primary has passed, voters can visit govote.ky.gov or contact their county clerk’s office to find out if they are eligible to vote absentee.

Who can vote?

In Kentucky, most citizens over the age of 18 can vote. Those who turn 18 by the general election may vote in the primary. A photo ID is required.

Laws have changed to restore the right to vote to people who have been incarcerated for certain crimes. In the past, the only option to regain the right was to petition the governor.

“It was a person-by-person project,” said Jason Worms, a volunteer with Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC), a statewide organization devoted to promoting voting and democracy.

“In 2019, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order that automatically restored voting rights for people who had certain criminal records,” he said. “If they had finished their sentences, they automatically had their rights restored. They did not have to petition the government.”

According to the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, 175,000 people who have served their time for felony convictions are eligible to vote.

“One of KFTC’s biggest pillars is grassroots power,” Worms said. “From KFTC’s perspective, when you have thousands of Kentuckians who do not have the right to vote because they have a felony in their background, that is not grassroots power, that’s suppressing grassroots power.”

To learn more, visit civilrightsrestoration@ ky.gov. A call to your county clerk’s office can tell you if your rights have been restored.

Getting to the polls and more information

Kentuckians for the Commonwealth provides rides to the polls on election day. To set up a ride or to volunteer to drive people

to the polls, visit kftc.org/rides to sign up.

For more information on the upcoming primary and general elections, visit govoteky.com. See also the League of Women Voters website at Vote411.org or the KFTC Voter Guide at kentuckyelection.org.

To find out where to vote, check the website of your county clerk’s office. You will need your precinct number, which the office can help you find.

For additional questions, call the Kentucky State Board of Elections at 502-573-7100.

Express Vote machines:

In Kenton County, polls are equipped with Express Vote machines, a federally approved voting option that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The machines are designed for people with disabilities, providing voice guidance, zoom screens and contrast modes for those with visual impairment, and touch screens. They can be used by anyone; if you use the machines, you can vote at any polling location in the county.

Will wait times be shorter in NKY this election?

BY NATHAN GRANGER | LINK nky REPORTER

Election Day is May 16, but Northern Kentucky voters have a handful of ways to vote, including expanded early voting and absentee access.

Still, many in the region prefer to vote in person on the day of the election. There are 121 standard, in-person polling places in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties for the 2023 primary election: 53 in Boone County, 34 in Campbell County and 34 in Kenton County.

Election Day in Northern Kentucky was not without controversy in 2022, much of which resulted from counties’ attempts to consolidate the number of places to vote. Kenton County’s consolidation, in particular, stoked ire from several local leaders.

Kentucky law grants local, county-based election boards the power to propose voting precincts and polling locations to the state board of elections based on the counties’ geography, population, availability of locations and availability of poll workers.

If a county fails to provide a plan to the state board before the deadline, it defaults to a polling plan in which there is a single polling location in each of the county’s voting precincts.

Boone County saw a decline from 63 polling locations in 2018 to 53 this year. Campbell County’s locations declined from 50 in 2018 to 34 in 2022 and 2023.

Jim Luersen, Campbell County clerk, told LINK nky that the consolidation from 2018

was because of changes in polling equipment, which allowed for the tracking of ballots in multiple precincts. The consolidation was an attempt to make the county more fiscally conservative in its operations, he said.

Kenton County saw the most aggressive consolidation, reducing polling locations to 24 in 2022 from the 47 it had in previous elections. As a result, long lines and wait times plagued the county last November, which led to vocal criticism from several Kenton County leaders.

Independence Mayor Chris Reinersman said there were significant crowds throughout the city, with people waiting up to three hours in some locations.

“There certainly can be some lines, but this is the worst I recall seeing,” he said

In a letter to both the Kentucky Board of Elections and the Kenton County Board of Elections, Covington Mayor Joe Meyer and the five-member City Commission called for a stop to additional consolidation.

“Believing voting to be a sacred right that must be protected, we ask that the Kenton Board AND the State Board of Elections move toward better voter accessibility and provide at least one voting location in each precinct,” the letter read.

Following criticism, Kenton County Clerk and Chair of the County Board of Elections Gabrielle Summe addressed previous election operations issues at a meeting of the

Kenton County Mayors Group on Feb. 18.

Summe attributed the problems in 2022 to a lack of willing poll workers and polling sites, as well as requirements that sites meet accessibility standards in the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, she said, the ballot was exceptionally long, sporting two constitutional amendments and 12 judge races, which may have extended the time voters spent in the polling booth.

Summe submitted a revised consolidation plan in March, increasing Kenton County’s polling places to 34 for this year’s election. Although that’s an increase from 24 in

2022, it still doesn’t approach the nearly 50 locations in past elections, and the consolidation remains a sore spot among many county leaders.

“In 2014, the City of Erlanger had a total of 13 precincts and 13 polling locations for 13,607 registered voters,” Erlanger Mayor Jessica Fette wrote in a letter to Kentucky Election Board Chair Michael Adams in February. “By 2016, there were 14,010 registered voters yet still the same number of precincts and polling locations. However, for the 2022 elections, the City of Erlanger now has 15,807 registered voters and has been consolidated into 6 precincts and 2 polling locations.”

This map lists the polling locations throughout Northern Kentucky. Map created by Erin Sendelbach | LINK nky graphic designer

Here’s how to vote early or absentee in Kentucky

BY NATHAN GRANGER | LINK nky REPORTER

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been some changes to the way early voting works in Kentucky. Here’s what to know if you’re not planning to vote in person on May 16.

Absentee Voting

Any resident from any county who wishes to vote using an absentee ballot can request a ballot by visiting govote.ky.gov and clicking on the first option on the menu. The website also has information about polling locations, registration status and sample ballots. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot was May 2 at 11:59 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by local boards of election by 6 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.

Northern Kentucky residents who wish to vote by mail should follow the instructions given to them in the ballot packets they receive in the mail upon making a ballot request.

Residents can also drop their absentee ballots into marked drop boxes at the locations below if they would rather not mail their ballots.

Boone County absentee ballot drop boxes:

• Boone County Clerk’s Office at 2950 Washington St. in Burlington

• Florence Government Center at 8100 Ewing Blvd. in Florence

Campbell County absentee ballot drop box:

• Campbell County Clerk’s Office at 8330 W. Main St. in Alexandria

Kenton County absentee ballot drop boxes:

• Kenton County Government Center at 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington

• Historic Kenton County Courthouse at 5272 Madison Pike in Independence

Excused Early Voting

Excused in-person voting refers to cast-

ing an absentee ballot in person, rather than submitting it via mail or dropping it in a drop box. In order to cast an in-person absentee ballot, a person must meet the normal requirements for casting a mail-in ballot, such as living outside of one’s county of permanent residence or being actively deployed in military service.

Northern Kentucky residents can cast absentee ballots in person at the following locations.

Boone County excused in-person voting:

• Boone County Clerk’s Office Registration Department at 2950 Washington St. in Burlington from May 3 to May 10 during normal business hours, which vary depending on the day of the week. To see business hours for the Boone County Clerk’s Office, visit https://www.booneclerk.com/our_office/locations_and_hours.php.

Campbell County excused in-person voting:

• Campbell County Administration Building at 1098 Monmouth St. in Newport from May 3 to May 10 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Kenton County excused in-person voting:

• Kenton County Government Center at 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington on May 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Normal Early Voting

Not eligible for an absentee ballot? That’s OK; residents can still vote early in their

county of residence at one of the locations below. Residents can vote at any of the locations in their county.

Boone County early voting:

• Boone County Enrichment Center, lower level at 1824 Patrick Drive in Burlington

• Thursday, May 11, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.

• Friday, May 12, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Saturday, May 13, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Campbell County residents can vote early at the following locations from May 11 to May 13 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.:

• Campbell County Administration Building at 1098 Monmouth St. in Newport

• Cold Spring Branch of First Baptist Church at 4410 Alexandria Pike in Cold Spring

• Southern Campbell County Fire Department at 1050 Race Track Road in Alexandria

Kenton County residents can vote early at the following locations from May 11 to May 13 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.:

• Kenton County Library Covington Branch at 502 Scott St. in Covington

• Lakeside Christian Church at 195 Buttermilk Pike in Lakeside Park

• Kenton County Government Center at 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington

• Calvary Baptist Church at 3711 Tibbatts St. in Covington

• Independence Senior Center at 2001 Jackwoods Parkway in Independence

Voters arrive at the Boone County Courthouse in May 2022. Photo by Abigail Shoyat | LINK nky contributor

“Is it possible to treat the whole me, and not just my cancer?”

- Sue, Ft. Thomas, KY

“Of course. The most important part of your cancer treatment is —YOU.”

Dr. Lauren Castellini Oncology

What do governors do, and how much power do they have?

BY MARK PAYNE | LINK nky REPORTER

It’s possible many Kentuckians didn’t think about the power a governor has until Gov. Andy Beshear told residents of the commonwealth when and where they had to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every four years, Kentucky holds a gubernatorial election. This year, the commonwealth will choose to either elect a new governor or re-elect Beshear, a Democrat.

Governors act as chief executives of the state, with the power to pardon criminals, fill vacancies on commissions, sign or veto laws and issue executive orders.

But what else can a governor do, and what powers do they have? LINK nky talked with University of Kentucky political science professor D. Stephen Voss, Ph.D., about the power of Kentucky’s executive branch.

“Kentucky governors historically have held more power than their peers in most other states,” he said. “The most important source of gubernatorial strength has been the short legislative sessions required by Kentucky’s constitution, combined with the governor’s monopoly over when the state can hold special sessions and what legislation those sessions could consider.”

However, during Beshear’s tenure – with supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature – Republicans have dictated more of the legislative agenda than usual in the state. During the 2022 legislative session, they upstaged the governor by releasing their budget ahead of Beshear – a first

in Kentucky history.

“Kentucky governors do have one major limitation on their power, which is that veto overrides only require majority support in the legislative chambers,” Voss said. “Now that the governor represents a different party from the Legislature, veto overrides suddenly have become a major feature in Kentucky politics, eroding gubernatorial power compared to when the governor was the highest-ranking member of the party controlling the legislative branch.”

During the last two legislative sessions, Republicans have exerted control by overriding the governor’s veto on major legislation – such as an omnibus abortion bill and a bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

Beshear, on the other hand, exercised his power during the pandemic by issuing executive orders to close businesses to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With

legislators unable to call themselves back into session — something they attempted to change via a failed 2022 constitutional amendment — they were left on the sidelines until the Legislature could reconvene.

“For most of the year, Kentucky governors could exploit their discretion, especially their emergency powers, to set policy without needing to consult with elected representatives,” Voss said. “Kentucky’s part-time legislators typically lack both the resources and the time necessary to rival the executive branch’s policy knowledge and influence.

“Kentucky’s legislative branch periodically tries to gain some policy leverage over the governor, for example, by funding a relatively professional Legislative Research Commission and by organizing interim committees so that they will be ready to hit the ground running when legislative sessions officially start.”

But for the first time in 2022, Republicans saw statewide party registration flip over Democrats. Typically, the latter party has held power in Kentucky, though Kentucky Democrats have been more conservative than elsewhere in the country. Kentucky Democrats have traditionally been anti-abortion, for example.

“The governor’s lopsided power mostly relied on the same party, generally the Democratic Party, dominating the statewide elected offices and the General Assembly,” Voss said. “Kentucky’s recent shift toward divided government, not just between the executive and legislative branch but also across the statewide constitutional offices, undercut some of the reasons why governors could dominate the state.”

Voss thinks that if a Republican wins the office in November, the power that has shifted toward the Legislature and other constitutional seats – attorney general, agriculture commissioner, secretary of state, state auditor, treasurer – could be transferred back toward the governor’s office.

“Republican legislators have used their supermajority to pass legislation that shifts the balance of power in their direction, but so far they have used their new strength modestly, overruling Gov. Beshear on specific policies but only eroding the power of the governor’s office modestly,” Voss said. “Should a Republican take the governor’s mansion, I would expect that we will see the pendulum shift back toward strong governors, although probably not to what Kentucky used to have in the late 20th century.”

A photo of the governor’s mansion. Photo by Mark Payne | LINK nky

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear was one of the most popular state leaders in the country as of April, according to a Morning Consult poll.

The organization's poll shows the governor with a 59% approval rating among voters ahead of the 2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election.

Forty-six percent of Republicans approve of Beshear’s handling of the state. Further, 49% of independent voters and 87% of Democrats approve of the governor.

“Public sentiment in Kentucky about Gov. Andy Beshear remains overwhelmingly positive as the Democrat prepares to defend his seat this year,” the report reads.

Despite his popularity, Beshear will face an uphill battle in the gubernatorial election, according to the poll. Kentucky has a history of electing Democratic governors but has voted overwhelmingly in favor of Republicans on the state and federal levels over the past two decades.

“He flipped the seat in 2019 thanks in large part to former Republican Gov. Matt Bevin’s unpopularity, an advantage he will not likely have this fall as he faces a slate of potential Republican challengers, including state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, former U.S. ambassador to Canada and the United Nations Kelly Craft and Agricultural Commissioner Ryan Quarles,” the poll reads.

Bevin’s unpopularity was the only significant advantage Beshear enjoyed, with

Meet the candidates for governor

BY MARK PAYNE | LINK nky REPORTER

Bevin carrying a lot of baggage inside and outside his party, according to University of Kentucky political science professor D. Stephen Voss.

“Beshear still needed to establish credibility with voters who normally do not support Democrats, a challenge made easier by his father’s brand name, but that still resulted in a very narrow victory,” Voss said, referring to Andy’s father, Steve Beshear, who was governor from 2007 to 2015. “This time, Beshear will be entering his re-election contest with all of the benefits that come from a successful run as governor.”

With Beshear likely to move forward from the primary – he faces challengers Peppy Martin and Geoff Young – most Kentuckians are focused on the GOP primary, which features 12 contenders.

Here are the 12 candidates vying to become the Republican nominee.

moves involved referring audit findings of Kentucky State University to state and federal prosecutors.

The move came after the audit found that the university had a confusing budget situation that led to financial disarray at the small Franklin County college.

Before that, he served in the Kentucky House of Representatives and was vice chairman of the House Standing Committee on Tourism, Development and Energy.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: against

• Sports betting: against

• Abortion rights: against

• Income tax cuts: supports

https://mikeharmon.com/

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles

Departments of Agriculture, president of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture and chairman of the Republican Agriculture Commissioners Committee.

In March, Quarles began releasing the main points of his “commonsense” plan, detailing his stance on key issues in the race.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: supports

• Sports betting: supports

• Abortion rights: against

• Income tax cuts: supports

https://ryanquarles.com/

Harmon is serving his second term as auditor – a term-limited position, meaning he will be moving on from that role at the end of 2023. He was the first to launch his campaign against Beshear.

As auditor, Harmon is responsible for the transparency and accountability of how Kentucky’s government spends state tax dollars. One of Harmon’s most high-profile

Like Harmon, Quarles is term-limited in his role as agriculture commissioner and will see his term expire at the end of 2023.

Quarles said he launched his campaign because he wants to unite Kentuckians at a time when the state is further divided along party lines.

Before becoming agriculture commissioner, Quarles served in the Kentucky House of Representatives. He has served as president of the National Association of State

Former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft Craft’s entrance to the race came after months of speculation. The former ambassador to Canada and the United Nations under President Donald Trump, Craft is running a campaign around what she calls the “kitchen table.”

The theme focuses on what’s important to everyday Kentuckians. She came under fire for her “empty chair” speech – a reference to an empty chair at a table caused by the fatal overdose of a loved one. Craft later clarified her campaign stance, saying her daughter has a drug addiction and, while she was sitting at the table, she wasn’t fully

State Auditor Mike Harmon

present. Hence the empty chair.

Craft’s campaign also hits hard on the push for coal as a primary energy source, despite the state’s move away from the once-important commodity. Her husband is billionaire coal magnate Joe Craft, who regularly contributes to Republican campaigns across the country.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: unclear

• Sports betting: unclear

• Abortion rights: unclear

• Income tax cuts: unclear

https://kellycraft.com/

Attorney General Daniel Cameron

While Kelly Craft served as a U.N. ambassador under President Donald Trump, Daniel Cameron received the endorsement from the former president in this race.

Trump endorsed Cameron last June – nearly a year before the May primary. In his endorsement message, Trump said Cameron is tough on crime, strong on issues important to the military and veterans, a fierce defender of the border and a protector of the Second Amendment.

“A young star is born before our very eyes, his name is Daniel Cameron,” wrote Trump in a statement. “The Attorney General of the great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and he has just announced he is running for governor.”

Cameron’s campaign has focused on at-

tacking Beshear for closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and solving the state’s fentanyl crisis.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: supports

• Sports betting: supports

• Abortion rights: against

• Income tax cuts: supports

https://cameronforkentucky.com/

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck

Keck joined the race in November of 2022 – the last of the current crop of candidates.

Keck lists his faith and family as his top values and cites education, the economy and public safety as his priorities.

In the first GOP gubernatorial debate in March, Keck differentiated himself from the other top candidates in the race by saying he supports exceptions to abortion rights in the cases of rape and incest.

“You know, as a dad of three girls, the abortion rights issue is incredibly challenging for me,” Keck said. “I’m pro-life. I want you all to know that. But when it comes to violent crime, you know, I think we have to give consideration to the woman that was affected, and these decisions aren’t made in a vacuum.”

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: supports

• Sports betting: supports

• Abortion rights: against — with exceptions for rape and incest

• Income tax cuts: supports

https://www.keckforkentucky.com/

Former attorney Eric Deters

Deters brings his reputation as a firebrand to the gubernatorial race as what he calls the only “self-funded” candidate.

While Cameron received President Trump’s endorsement, Deters invited Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump to his farm last fall for Freedom Fest. Deters called the one-day event –which celebrated conservatism and Donald Trump – on his family’s Independence farm a “political Woodstock.”

The former NKY attorney often makes headlines for the myriad of legal issues he’s involved in – including a guilty plea to menacing his nephew and a lawsuit against former Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: supports

• Sports betting: supports

• Abortion rights: against

• Income tax cuts: supports https://detersforgovernor.com/

Jacob Clark

An outspoken liberty-aligned Republican – another name for Libertarian Republicans – Clark said that if elected governor, he will use executive orders to accomplish his legislative agenda.

He lost a GOP primary to state Rep. Samara Heaven (R-Leitchfield) in 2022.

Clark calls himself an inventor, machinist, welder, engineer and all-around problem-solver.

“He has run for office twice before,” according to his website. “He has been an activist and a voice for the average American who is fed up with our bloated and wasteful government. Clark believes there are many voters who are also fed up and are ready to do something about it.”

Clark, who petitioned to have Beshear impeached during the COVID-19 pandemic, said he would ban lockdowns of the kind Beshear enacted during that time. Beshear publicly called out Clark for a Facebook post in 2021 that featured Clark making veiled threats against the governor and showed a gun in the background of the picture.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: supports

• Sports betting: unclear

• Abortion rights: against

• Income tax cuts: supports

https://clarkforky.com/

David Cooper

Independence resident David Cooper is an Army National Guard member and an ordained minister. He has served in the Guard for more than 22 years.

Cooper said he is running because Kentucky needs genuine leadership.

Receive the following when you sign up for FREE: Earn validated parking OR Free Merchandise from our Moer Store

1 POINT EARNED PER $1 SPENT IN RESTAURANT (see website for complete benefits and rules)

“A strong, even-tempered, bipartisan, steady leader who can work with Senate and House members on both sides of the aisle is what’s going to unite Kentucky together again, and I believe I am that leader who can make it happen,” according to his website.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: supports

• Sports betting: supports

• Abortion rights: against — with exceptions for rape, incest or dangerous pregnancy

• Income tax cuts: supports

https://cooperforky.com/

Bob DeVore

Devore has run for office multiple times in Jefferson County. He previously ran for a seat in the 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and for Louisville mayor.

DeVore has not made additional information available about his campaign.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: unclear

• Sports betting: unclear

• Abortion rights: unclear

• Income tax cuts: unclear

Robbie Smith

• Abortion rights: against

• Income tax cuts: supports

https://www.rsmith4gov.com/

Dennis

Ray Ormerod

Ormerod is a Louisville native. There isn’t much known about his campaign, and he doesn’t have a website.

Johnny

Ray Rice

Rice is from Berry. There isn’t much known about his campaign, and he doesn’t have a website.

About the three Democratic candidates

Gov. Andy Beshear

Beshear has navigated the state through the COVID-19 pandemic, Western Kentucky tornadoes, and Eastern Kentucky flooding. During the pandemic, he maintained an ever-present voice during his weekly Team Kentucky updates.

During his tenure, the state has experienced windfalls in the budget, but the majority of the surplus comes from federal emergency funds received during the pandemic. Both Republicans and Democrats in the statehouse take credit for the positive financial outlook.

Martin

A former Republican gubernatorial candidate, Martin is now running for office as a Democrat 24 years after her first attempt in 1999.

Martin lost to Paul Patton in the general election after she made questionable comments at that year’s Fancy Farm. She called U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s marriage to former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao his “Chinese connection,” prompting McConnell and Chao to leave the event.

She also ran for president in 2000 under the Reform Party.

In 2003, she ran for the GOP nomination for auditor, finishing second.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: supports

• Sports betting: unclear

• Abortion rights: unclear

• Income tax cut: unclear

https://peppymartinforkygov.wordpress. com/

Geoff Young

Smith, a high school math teacher from Madison County, said he is running because the current crop of Frankfort politicians isn’t addressing the needs of Kentuckians.

“I’ve sat back, feeling helpless, as the elite have run our Commonwealth; making decision after decision that either punishes or neglects us hardworking Kentuckians,” according to his website.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: unclear

• Sports betting: unclear

While Beshear has helped navigate the state through tough times, he has seen his power limited by Republican supermajorities that override any gubernatorial veto. The Legislature also upstaged the governor by releasing its budget ahead of the governor during the 2022 legislative session – a first in Kentucky history.

While the Legislature works to limit the executive branch’s power, Beshear took executive action during the pandemic and on the issue of medical cannabis.

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: supports

• Sports betting: supports

• Abortion rights: supports

• Income tax cuts: against – though he did sign the latest cut into law https://andybeshear.com/

Young ran against Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in the 6th Congressional District in 2022. He came under fire for comments about Ukraine, saying its government is controlled by Nazis.

Beshear and the Kentucky Democratic Party said they wouldn’t support him in his run for Congress, with Beshear saying Young “needs help.”

Key issues:

• Medical cannabis: supports

• Sports betting: unclear

• Abortion rights: unclear

• Income tax cuts: unclear

https://www.young4ky.com/

Peppy

What does Kentucky’s secretary of state do?

BY MARK PAYNE | LINK nky REPORTER

When former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that President Joe Biden stole the 2020 election, the move placed a greater emphasis on the integrity of elections in the U.S.

In each state, the secretary of state serves as the chief election official and, consequently, the position came under increased scrutiny after Trump’s claims.

The position is now a hotly contested battleground with increased prominence in elections.

Every four years, Kentucky holds elections for the state’s constitutional seats, including secretary of state. In 2023, Kentuckians will have the choice to elect a new secretary of state or re-elect Michael Adams.

But what does a secretary of state do? LINK nky talked with Michon Lindstrom, the communications director for Michael Adams, about the role.

What does a secretary of state do?

ML: Most notably, the secretary of state is the chief election official. All statewide (and) judicial (candidates) or candidates who represent more than one county must file with the office in order to run. In addition, the secretary of state serves as chair of the State Board of Elections.

Second, the secretary of state is just that: He is literally the secretary of the state. He

is responsible for keeping a register of all official acts of the governor. This is the Executive Journal. The Executive Journal contains pardons, restorations of civil rights, requisitions and extraditions, appointments, proclamations and reorganizations.

The secretary of state is also the filing agent for enacted legislation and legislation that is vetoed by the governor after sine die. (Sine die is the last day of the legislative session.)

Third, the secretary of state is the chief business official of the state. All businesses must register and renew their registration with the office.

Finally, the secretary of state is responsible for housing records pertaining to Kentucky land patents, including those issued prior to 1792 when Kentucky was part of Virginia.

Editor’s note: A land patent is a legal document assigning official ownership of a piece of land by a sovereign entity, like the US government.

Has the position changed in recent years, and if so, why and how?

ML: Yes, the secretary of state was removed as chair of the State Board of Elections in 2019. The chair position was reinstated by legislation in 2022.

Editor’s note: The office was put under probation in 2019 after former Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes was inves-

tigated on charges of using the state’s voter registration system in a “power grab” that gave her sway over the State Board of Elections. The Legislature then took an emergency measure to remove the secretary of state as the chair of the State Board of Elections.

Across the country and in Kentucky, we’ve seen attempts in recent years to discredit election integrity. Now, the secretaries of state – including Kentucky’s – are charged with fighting back against this onslaught. How has that changed the role of what the

ML: Not in statute but in practice. The Secretary of State and (his or her) employees spend a lot of their time correcting or dispelling misinformation. The disinformation about the election process that has gained prominence since 2020 has elevated the position of SOS to become more notable. It is important that the public know the SOS and other election officials are the only source of trusted election information.

The inside of the Kentucky statehouse. Photo by Mark Payne | LINK nky secretary of state does?

Meet the candidates for secretary of state

BY MARK PAYNE | LINK nky REPORTER

Elections in the United States have come under scrutiny in recent years, with former President Donald Trump falsely claiming Joe Biden stole the 2020 election. That puts greater pressure – and scrutiny – on secretaries of state, who chiefly oversee state elections.

In Kentucky, multiple candidates requested recounts in 2022 to attempt to prove problems in Kentucky’s election system, despite losing by significant amounts. Those recounts proved there were no errors in the voting systems.

In 2023, Kentucky will elect a new secretary of state or re-elect Michael Adams. The topic of election integrity will be frontand-center in this race.

With only one Democrat, Buddy Wheatley, running, whoever moves on from the GOP primary will face the former state representative in the fall.

Here is a look at the candidates running for the Republican nomination for secretary of state in the commonwealth.

Secretary of State Michael Adams

Incumbent Republican Michael Adams expanded in-person early voting, has worked to clean up the state’s voter rolls and is widely considered to work well across the polit-

ical aisle. He even worked with Wheatley on voting legislation when the latter was at the statehouse.

Adams also regularly fends off accusations against election impropriety in Kentucky’s elections.

“We’ve done more in three years to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat than our predecessors were able to do in 200 years,” Adams said. “My campaign welcomes support from all Kentuckians. I do not take this race for granted, nor should anyone who wants fair, free, accessible and secure elections.”

With several state legislative candidates requesting recounts over alleged election impropriety in 2022, Adams regularly spoke out against “election deniers,” including Jessica Neal, former Republican candidate for NKY’s 24th Senate District. Adams called such lawsuits frivolous.

“If Ms. Neal had evidence of impropriety, she could provide it to the court, law enforcement and election officials, but she has failed to do so,” Adams said at the time. “She should not bring a frivolous lawsuit to challenge an election whose outcome she admits will not change.”

Adams does have critics in the Republican party, with the Boone County Republican Party censuring him – a symbolic act with no repercussions – over election recounts.

“The BCRP believes that Secretary of State Michal Adams, a high-ranking Republican officeholder, has publicly disparaged

Republican candidates, has deliberately shirked his duties under the law, and abused the public trust in order to validate his own personal interests and Beliefs,” the group said in a statement.

Read more about Adams at his website: https://michaelgadams.com/

Former Erlanger City Councilman

Stephen Knipper

Knipper, one of Adams’ chief critics, claimed there is widespread fraud in Kentucky’s elections. He previously ran against Adams for secretary of state.

During the recount brought by Jessica Neal, Campbell County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Zalla wrote in a ruling that Knipper and others who claim election fraud are inconsistent in their public statements vs. what they said under oath on the issue.

Knipper also served as chief of staff to former Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton. He operates the “Restore Election Integrity Tour” with Kentucky Sen. Adrienne Southworth (R-Anderson), which claims there is widespread election fraud.

When questioned under oath, Knipper said there isn’t any evidence of impropriety in the election.

Knipper appeared on Mike Lindell’s Mo-

ment of Truth Summit last year and suggested that the ballots in Campbell County were stuffed. Lindell is the founder of My Pillow Inc. and a vocal proponent of overturning the 2020 presidential election results.

When asked why he’s running, he said it’s pretty obvious. He has run for the position in the past and said there are a lot of questions. When pressed about what those questions are, he said people will need to stay tuned.

“There’s a lot of unanswered questions, and we’ll just discover them and go along as we did last time,” Knipper said.

Read more about Knipper’s campaign at: https://integrity4ky.com/

Allen Maricle

Maricle served as a state representative from 1994 to 1998. He is running on a ticket that claims there’s election fraud throughout the state and country.

“We have polling locations consolidated and shut down,” he said in a statement. “We have come to rely too much on technology when much technology is in question or potentially flawed. We must reopen all polling locations, and we must ensure the process we use for our elections is, without question, secure and accurate.”

What is a state treasurer, and what do they do?

BY BRADEN WHITE | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

Who oversees state funds and spending within the state of Kentucky? What are the day-to-day responsibilities as treasurer?

Kentucky’s treasurer could be most closely compared to the state’s CFO, said Ryan Salzman, an associate political science professor at Northern Kentucky University and Bellevue City Council member.

When Kentuckians pay their state taxes, that money goes through the treasurer,

Salzman said, likening some of the responsibilities of a treasurer to being a bookkeeper for the state – overseeing and tracking all funds and revenue.

“When you pay your taxes, you cut your check to the treasurer,” he said. “The actual money comes in to them, and then they reconcile when the money goes out to the other agencies and departments. They keep the books for the state.”

The treasurer is part of the statewide constitutional offices. Other such offices in-

clude governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer and attorney general.

According to Salzman, the state treasurer has a lot of oversight power.

“They would recommend to people, like the attorney general, if they think that something untoward has been happening in, say, an agency,” Salzman said. “The treasurer may catch what’s happening, much like your bookkeeper or your accountant. Then they would have a direct line to the other offices that would have the power to fix those things, more than likely, so it’s mostly oversight.”

The state treasurer’s duties could include providing transparency for Kentuckians about financial budgets and spending, similar to an auditor.

“They have some powers of being able to request information from people, much like an auditor,” Salzman said. “The treasurer, in the hierarchy of power among constitutional offices, is toward the bottom.”

The day-to-day role of treasurer could include many responsibilities, including managing and moving money from properties to other state agencies, he said. Another duty is overseeing unclaimed property – or abandoned financial assets –which could include payroll checks, old life insurance policies and many more.

Typical daily duties include bookkeeping with state funds and revenue.

“Even though you and I pay our state income tax once a year in the spring, there are a lot of businesses that have to pay their taxes to the state,” Salzman said. “Whether it’s sales tax or different kinds of business taxes like payroll taxes, they are being collected by the state.”

Allison Ball, the current state treasurer, is involved with a good deal of public outreach and education as part of the role. She has worked with a multitude of groups around the state since being elected in 2015, and the financial literacy programs she helped design are mandatory for high school students to graduate in the state of Kentucky.

“That’s been a big lift that she’s done,” Salzman said. “The treasurer can be involved in some economic development issues as well, but I would probably cite that financial literacy piece as being one of the biggest ones.”

One significant issue the treasurer would oversee is the ongoing digitization of how businesses and residents pay revenue to the state.

“The biggest deal over the last 10 or 20 years has been the continued automation and digitization of all governmental processes,” Salzman said. “That’s not unique to the treasurer, but when it comes to people paying revenues and sending things in, shifting things and digitizing things has probably been a pretty big task for them.”

A voter prepares to cast his ballot. Photo by Abigail Shoyat | LINK nky contributor

– Michelle Tillman Owner/Director of The Best Part Family Child Care, LLC

“The support and training I receive from our amazing Family Child Care Network and partnering agencies are priceless. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else that brings this much joy and satisfaction into my life on a daily basis.”

Boone County sample ballot Campbell County sample ballot

PURSUANT TO KRS 424.290, “MATTERS REQUIRED TO BE PUBLISHED,” THE FOLLOWING RACES WILL APPEAR ON THE VOTING MACHINES AND PAPER BALLOTS IN THE PRECINCTS LISTED IN BOONE COUNTY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION, MAY 16, 2023.

PURSUANT TO KRS 424.290, “MATTERS REQUIRED TO BE PUBLISHED,” THE FOLLOWING RACES WILL APPEAR ON THE VOTING MACHINES AND PAPER BALLOTS IN THE PRECINCTS LISTED IN CAMPBELL COUNTY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION, MAY 16, 2023.

ALL PRECINCTS

ALL PRECINCTS

ALL PRECINCTS

ALL PRECINCTS

Ballot printing made possible through a donation by

Kenton County

Democratic sample ballot

PRIMARYELECTIONHELDFOR KENTONCOUNTY,KENTUCKY

TUESDAY,MAY16,2023

DEMOCRATICPARTY

INSTRUCTIONSTOVOTERS: Tovoteforthecandidateofyourchoice,completelyfilltheovaltotheleftofthenameofthe candidate.

Governor (Voteforone)

Andy BESHEAR

Peppy MARTIN

GeoffreyM."Geoff" YOUNG

CommissionerofAgriculture (Voteforone)

Mikael MALONE

SierraJ ENLOW

Kenton County GOP sample ballot

PRIMARYELECTIONHELDFOR KENTONCOUNTY,KENTUCKY TUESDAY,MAY16,2023

REPUBLICANPARTY

INSTRUCTIONSTOVOTERS:

Tovoteforthecandidateofyourchoice,completelyfilltheovaltotheleftofthenameofthe candidate.

Governor (Voteforone)

Kelly CRAFT

Eric DETERS

Bob DeVORE

Mike HARMON

Alan KECK

DennisRay ORMEROD

Ryan QUARLES

JohnnyRay RICE

RobbieC. SMITH

Daniel CAMERON

Jacob CLARK

DavidO. COOPER

SecretaryofState (Voteforone)

Michael ADAMS

StephenL. KNIPPER

Allen MARICLE

AuditorofPublicAccounts (Voteforone)

Derek PETTEYS

Allison BALL StateTreasurer (Voteforone)

Andrew COOPERRIDER

MarkH. METCALF

O.C."OJ" OLEKA

CommissionerofAgriculture (Voteforone)

Jonathan SHELL

Richard HEATH

Typ:02Seq:0001Spl:01

Typ:01Seq:0001Spl:01

Great auto rates for any budget.

Meet the candidates running for treasurer

BY BRADEN WHITE | LINK nky REPORTER

As the primaries are gearing up, here is what you need to know about the three Republican candidates running for Kentucky treasurer.

State treasurers can serve for up to two terms of four years. The Republican candidate with the most votes will face the Democratic nominee later this year. The primary election will take place May 16.

Voters will choose from Republicans OJ Oleka, Mark Metcalf and Andrew Cooperrider, who come from different backgrounds that influence their campaigns and policies.

LINK nky: Why are you running for this office, and if elected, what will be the most important thing on your agenda that you’d like to get done?

Oleka: “I’m running because the Treasurer’s Office needs a proven conservative to continue the good work of Allison Ball, who has endorsed me in this race. As Kentucky state treasurer, I’ll defend pro-life, pro-family values, stand up for liberty, prioritize legal and efficient spending, improve budget transparency and promote financial empowerment. To accomplish anything in this office, you need an experienced conservative who knows the office’s constitutional duties and how it works, and I’m the only person in this race who fits that description. The most useless tool is one put in the hands of someone who doesn’t know how to use it; of the three choices, I’m the only person who understands what a powerful tool the Treasurer’s Office can be to promote fiscally conservative values and financial transparency.”

Metcalf: “Protect tax dollars from the greedy hands of career politicians, divest state resources from woke businesses, crack down on illegals siphoning tax dollars away from lawful Kentuckians and return money to

the hard-working taxpayers of Kentucky,” according to Metcalf’s campaign website.

Cooperrider: “I am a husband, father and businessman – not a career politician. I am running for Kentucky state treasurer because I am sick and tired of corruption running rampant in our government. We need a constitutional watchdog to hold politicians like (Gov. Andy) Beshear accountable,” according to Cooperrider’s campaign website.

LINK nky: What approach would you take to manage state funds and spending?

Oleka: “Integrity and honesty will be at the center of everything I do as state treasurer to protect Kentucky values and serve families. On my first day, I will fight back against the radical woke ideology that is trying to invest your money to fit a political agenda, not to receive the best return. I will monitor for banks and financial institutions that don’t align with Kentuckians’ values and ensure ESG (a regulatory framework for environmental, social and governance) doesn’t threaten your family’s future. As the only candidate in this race with real experience in the Treasurer’s Office, I’m ready to get to work and deliver for your family. I will also eliminate every possible physical check that is printed and mailed from Frankfort, modernizing and improving efficiency within our disbursement processes and saving taxpayers nearly $3 million that can instead go toward funding law enforcement, education and our state government rainy day savings fund.”

Metcalf: “Mark will pay only those bills that are authorized by the General Assembly and are consistent with constitutional and statutory authority,” according to his campaign website. “Mark will work to quickly identify and return all unclaimed properties to their rightful owner, the Kentucky taxpayers.”

Cooperrider: “The Commonwealth of Kentucky is facing enormous issues due to government overreach and out-of-control spending. Career politicians are using (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, COVID

and social issues to hide their incompetence, and I am here to hold them accountable,” according to Cooperrider’s campaign website.

LINK nky: What experience do you have that makes you qualified for the position?

Oleka: I am a proven conservative leader who will bring a new generation of Republican leadership and will deliver for Kentucky. I served as deputy treasurer under current Treasurer Allison Ball, who has endorsed my campaign along with Kentucky Right to Life. I’m the only candidate with experience as a watchdog for Kentuckians’ tax dollars, and I have a proven record of efficient spending. I proudly returned millions of dollars to Kentucky families, and I know how to do it again. In the private sector, while running a statewide association for private colleges and universities, we decreased our budget and increased revenues without raising dues by a single penny. I’ve honed my experience in the private and public sectors and will be ready to do the job on Day One.

Metcalf: “Mark H. Metcalf has practiced law for 37 years as a private practitioner, state and federal prosecutor, and as a judge on the US Immigration Court in Miami, Florida. He was selected Kentucky’s Outstanding County Attorney in 2013 and has twice represented Kentucky before the US Supreme Court as Special Assistant Attorney General. Mark is a combat veteran who served as Command Judge-Advocate for the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Combat Support) in Richmond, Kentucky and holds the rank of lieutenant colonel. In civilian life, Mr. Metcalf serves as Garrard County Attorney in Lancaster, Kentucky,” according to Metcalf’s campaign website.

Cooperrider: “Andrew Cooperrider is a business owner who employs dozens of Kentuckians across his companies. Having built successful businesses from scratch, Andrew understands budgeting, cash flow, and ensuring proper investments for long term financial viability. More importantly, Andrew has actually had to sacrifice and pull himself up by his bootstraps to achieve the American Dream. For this reason Andrew takes the spending of your tax dollars very seriously. You worked hard for what you have and we need someone like An-

premiums and budgets will vary by customer.

applicants subject to State Farm® underwriting requirements.

drew who understands that,” according to Cooperrider’s campaign website.

LINK nky: What things would you like to change, if elected, to better serve the citizens of Kentucky?

Oleka: In addition to fighting back against the out-of-touch elites who want to impose their ESG agenda on Kentucky, I’ll work to save Kentuckians’ money with efficient reforms. For example, replacing paper checks with a more efficient disbursement process would save Kentucky taxpayers nearly $3 million a year. I will also work with county governments to develop a statewide initiative that helps county governments increase cash flows by making sound investments by pooling together assets. Due to my relationship with other state treasurers who have implemented similar initiatives, I know this type of initiative can find hundreds of thousands of dollars so local governments can cut taxes, provide better services and launch economic development projects to unleash Kentucky’s economy from the ground up. Because of my time in a leadership role in the Treasurer’s Office, I am the only candidate in this race with a firsthand understanding of what works and what can be improved.

Metcalf: “Mark will work to quickly identify and return all unclaimed properties to their rightful owner, the Kentucky taxpayers,” according to Metcalf’s campaign website.

Cooperrider: “In the midst of government mandates, fiscal policy failures resulting in inflation, and skyrocketing gas prices, our families have been struggling. Government created these issues and they have failed to solve them. Power should not belong in the hands of the few. Returning power to the household is the only way out

2023 Gateway to Greatness Awards Luncheon

Honoring St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Ms. Jeanne Schroer

of this,” according to Cooperrider’s campaign website.

LINK nky: Why do you think voters should choose you?

Oleka: Kentuckians deserve an experienced constitutional conservative with integrity and a clue about how to achieve anything in the Treasurer’s Office. I will protect our tax dollars, uphold conserva tive values and fight to preserve the idea that liberty creates prosperity. As part of a new generation of Republican leadership, I will work to preserve the American Dream for everyone in Kentucky, because my fam ily has lived it. There are three choices on the ballot, but only one of us would have any idea what to do if they were fortunate enough to win election. Vote for someone with the right values and the right experi ence.

Scan to secure your sponsorship

media sponsor

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Drees Pavilion

2023 Gateway to Greatness Awards Luncheon

Honoring St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Metcalf:

Sponsorship Levels

Veteran, Conservative, Frankfort outsider to watch over their tax dollars,” according to Metcalf’s campaign website.

Cooperrider: “With your help, we can get the job done in Kentucky. I am asking for your vote because united we stand, divided we fall. Working together, we can deliver relief from overtaxation and overregulation, balance the budget, protect life, and preserve liberty,” according to Cooperrider’s campaign website.

Scan to secure your sponsorship

For tickets, visit

All event proceeds support scholarships and Gateway student support programs such as the campus food pantry and the student emergency fund. 2023 event honorees are

$12,000 Platinum

• Establishment of a named scholarship

•Two corporate tables with preferential seating (

•Recognition of sponsorship on all literature

•Recognition on Gateway’s website

Candidates Mark Metcalf and Andrew Cooperrider did not respond to requests to be interviewed for this article. The information included here was pulled from their official campaign websites.

•Media exposure (LINK Media)

•Logo in event advertisements

•Distribution of company literature on all attendees’ seats

$5,000

$2,500 Bronze

A voter receives a sticker on Election Day 2022 in Northern Kentucky. Photo by Abigail Shoyat | LINK nky contributor

Despite the stodgy title, the Kentucky auditor of public accounts holds one of the most important jobs in the commonwealth.

The auditor of public accounts is an elected constitutional officer that is responsible for conducting audits of the state’s government agencies. In other words, the auditor serves as a watchdog for Kentucky taxpayers – ensuring public funds are accounted for and used appropriately in accordance with state laws and regulations. The auditor is elected to a four-year term and is only allowed to serve two consecutive terms.

The duty of the auditor is to conduct financial and performance audits of state agencies, local governments and special districts – essentially any public or private entities that receive state funds, including school districts, prisons and public works departments. Additionally, the auditor investigates allegations of fraud, waste and abuse of public resources and provides recommendations for improving government operations and accountability.

In total, 47 individuals have served as state auditor. The Kentucky Legislature established the position during the state’s founding in 1792, but it didn’t become an elected position until 1850 after the adoption of the state’s third constitution. Kentucky’s first auditor was William McDowell of Danville, who was appointed by Gov. Issac Shelby. He served from 1792 to 1796.

Initially, the auditor served as the state’s official bookkeeper, primary tax-collecting

What does Kentucky’s auditor do?

BY KENTON HORNBECK | LINK nky BUSINESS REPORTER

entity, comptroller and general administrative officer.

The Reorganization Act of 1936 shifted the office’s focus, transforming it into an impartial and independent agency tasked with auditing the accounts and financial transactions of Kentucky’s spending agencies. Duties like tax collection were transferred to other agencies. As time went on, the role evolved to include more modern duties such as conducting technology audits.

Currently, the office is held by Mike Harmon, a Republican from Harrodsburg. Harmon has been in office for seven years. A former state representative of 13 years, he ran unopposed in the 2015 Republican primary for auditor. He went on to defeat incumbent Democrat Adam Edelen in the general election after garnering 51.9% of the vote. He was re-elected in 2019, defeating Democrat Sheri Donahue with 55.7% of the vote.

Term-limited from seeking re-election as

auditor, Harmon decided to run for governor, becoming the first Republican to announce their candidacy in the now-crowded primary field of 12 candidates.

Looking to fill the vacancy on the Republican side are current Treasurer Allison Ball and business owner Derek Leonard Petteys, who face off in the primary. Democrat Kimberly Reeder, a lawyer and teacher, awaits the primary winner in the general election.

A voter receives an I Voted sticker on Election Day. Photo by Abigail Shoyat | LINK nky contributor

Two candidates are facing off in the Republican primary for auditor of public accounts. Current Auditor

Mike Harmon is term-limited from running again, and has declared his candidacy for governor.

Current Treasurer Allison Ball is running against central Kentucky business owner Derek Petteys. The winner advances to the general election, where they will face Democrat Kimberly Reeder, a lawyer and teacher from Rowan County. The Democratic primary was canceled because Reeder faced no opponent.

Ball is a known political entity in Kentucky, having served as treasurer for more than seven years. She was first elected to office in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. In comparison, Petteys has participated in one prior election. In 2022, he lost the U.S. 6th Congressional District primary to incumbent Republican Andy Barr.

Meet the candidates for auditor

BY KENTON HORNBECK | LINK nky REPORTER

The auditor is elected to a four-year term and is only allowed to serve two consecutive terms. Election Day is May 16.

LINK nky sent a questionnaire to both candidates. What follows is based on their emailed responses.

Derek Petteys

Derek Petteys has worked as a project manager in central Kentucky for approximately 30 years. In this role, he managed budgets, contracts and capital resources. On his website, Petteys advertises himself as a “citizen candidate” and “constitutional conservative.”

He holds an undergraduate degree in public administration from Western Michigan University and an MBA from Northern

Kentucky University. He also has training as a fraud examiner, which he says will be beneficial for criminal investigation cases.

What do you think are the key qualities and experience needed to be an effective auditor of public accounts, and how do you believe your own qualifications fit this profile?

Petteys: “Everything the government offers is a service TO the taxpayers paid for BY the taxpayers. Ideally, the auditor should be someone from outside the political world who is experienced in finance, management and client services. My professional career and education covers these areas and would allow me to pragmatically find and fix problems without fear or favor.”

Can you discuss any specific policies or initiatives you would prioritize if elected as auditor of public accounts, and how these would benefit the state and its citizens?

Petteys: “Numerous counties have recently changed political leadership and discovered significant operational shortcomings and financial irregularities. I intend to travel the state extensively to work directly with local leaders to address those issues and work toward more efficient and responsive government services. My office will also publish an annual ‘Waste Report,’ which will identify those agencies and officials which must ‘do better’ for the taxpayers.”

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the state of Kentucky right now, and how do you think your role as auditor of public accounts can address these issues?

Petteys: “Currently, Kentucky is facing a $13 billion deficit in its pension fund. The state must honor its promises to retirees, but not at the expense of taxpayers. By eliminating waste and improving efficiencies, we can address this shortfall while improving gov-

Continues on page 22

ernment services. Also, I intend to closely analyze school district budgets to ensure that funding focuses on student outcomes rather than social agendas.”

Allison Ball

Allison Ball is the current Kentucky treasurer. During her two terms in office, Ball returned more than $142 million of unclaimed property, launched a website for transparency in government spending and established a savings and investment program for Kentuckians with disabilities called STABLE Kentucky.

Prior to her role as treasurer, Ball practiced bankruptcy law and also served as the assistant Floyd County attorney. She holds a law degree from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University.

What do you think are the key qualities and experience needed to be an effective auditor of public accounts, and how do

you believe your own qualifications fit this profile?

Ball: “It is the auditor’s duty to protect taxpayer dollars and good government by ensuring that all areas of government use state money correctly and that processes follow the law. To that end, the state auditor must have the qualifications to prepare him or her to investigate and hold people accountable. You must be able to understand fiscal and legal matters. My track record as treasurer demonstrates my commitment to these principles. Prior to being treasurer, I practiced bankruptcy law for two years and also served as a prosecutor for four. I have the ethical, financial, legal and investigative tools to successfully serve as state auditor.

As treasurer, I have protected taxpayer dollars from unconstitutional spending, fraud and abuse. I have protected pension dollars from being invested politically and have ensured these dollars only be invested to achieve the best returns possible for state retirees. Additionally, I have stopped millions of dollars of fraud attempts at the Kentucky Treasury.

In addition to having the skills to do the job, I believe it is also important that the auditor is impartial and unbiased in carrying out his or her duties. During my time as treasurer, I have demonstrated a commitment to following the law, no matter what.”

Can you discuss any specific policies or initiatives you would prioritize if elected as auditor of public accounts, and how these would benefit the state and its citizens?

Ball: “As auditor, I want to find creative ways to save money and streamline processes. I particularly want to focus on lowering the cost of audits on local governments by consolidating services and finding ways to partner with others, including the private sector. I have had great success doing this at the Kentucky State Treasury.

I have talked with many local elected officials, and I think there is an opportunity for the state auditor to work with county and city officials on the front end before audits occur to improve local accounting practices and increase government transparency and accountability. I believe this can be especially beneficial to newly elected county and city officials who are learning the correct procedures for government services and accounting for the first time.

By lowering fees for local municipalities and working with them to improve the understanding of best practices, we can have a direct impact on our state by saving municipalities and in turn, taxpayer money.”

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the state of Kentucky right now, and how do you think your role as auditor of public accounts can address these issues?

Ball: “Kentucky continues to have one of the worst-funded pension systems in the nation. Having a poorly funded pension system means not only that our state employees’ future retirements are in jeopardy, but it also threatens the financial future of our state as a whole. We have seen in recent years that this unfunded liability has even caused the state’s credit rating to be downgraded.

As treasurer, I have fought to protect state pension dollars from being invested in ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate

Governance) funds that place political objectives above solid returns. I championed the passage of HB 236 this year, which makes it clear that Kentucky law does not allow pension dollars to be invested for objectives other than good financial returns.

I also supported the passage of SB 205 in 2022, which directs the state treasurer to create a list of companies that are boycotting fossil fuels. The law then directs state governmental entities to begin divestment from these companies. This work has been imperative to ensuring that our already strapped pension plans are not utilized to fund political agendas while losing money. It has been especially important at a time when ESG funds are being strongly outperformed by fossil fuels.

The state auditor sits on the Public Pension Oversight Board and is directly involved in working to improve the solvency of these plans. As state auditor, I will continue my fight to ensure that state employees’ retirements and the financial livelihood of the commonwealth are protected.”

A voter casts her ballot on Election Day in 2022.

Photo by Abigail Shoyat | LINK nky contributor

Did you know the commissioner of agriculture is in charge of gas pumps? Neither did we

BY GRACE TIERNEY | LINK nky REPORTER

The Kentucky commissioner of agriculture is an elected state executive position tasked with protecting and promoting the state’s farming industry. Those elected serve for four years and are limited to two terms.

“As commissioner of agriculture I helped expand markets for our family farms, support our farmers' markets, continue our growth of industrial hemp, grow ag related jobs and economic development,” said Ryan Quarles, interim commissioner of agriculture who is campaigning for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in the May primary election. “I also supported conservation efforts and encouraged our young people to choose ag as a career through ag education and safety programs. It was also my job to protect against consumer fraud at our gas stations and expand international trade opportunities.”

The office-holder helms the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, which directs activities and provides information for and about farming in Kentucky, one of the state’s largest industries. Other responsibilities include expanding agricultural markets, encouraging rural economic development and promoting Kentucky agricultural products.

William Snell, a professor at the University of Kentucky, describes the position as equal parts broad and important. The position, Snell said, provides leadership in the

“The ag commissioner works closely with farm organizations, universities, national, state and local policymakers and various agencies on all ag food related issues,” Snell said. “Other duties include education and promotion of Kentucky agriculture and its products domestically and abroad along with overseeing various regulatory duties ranging from checking weights and

volumes, like gas pumps, to ensure safety on rides at amusement parks and county fairs.”

Some of the main things Quarles said he has focused on as commissioner of agriculture are fighting hunger across the commonwealth. He also cited his work with 4-H, a youth development organization, and FFA, a youth leadership through agriculture organization.

“Our youth programs have flourished, our

livestock safety protocols are maintained, and everyday Kentuckians have access to local, nutritious KY Proud produce, " said Quarles.

The candidate who is elected will also be responsible for promoting the Kentucky Proud program, which has a mission of cultivating a connection to Kentucky’s farms.

Commissioners of agriculture must be at least 30 years old and a resident of Kentucky for at least the last two years.

A person pumps gas. Photo provided | Erik Mclean via Unsplash agricultural community among farmers, agribusinesses, and food consumers. Basically, everyone.

Meet the candidates for commissioner of agriculture

BY GRACE TIERNEY | LINK nky REPORTER

The Kentucky commissioner of agriculture position is up for grabs after Ryan Quarles’ eight years in office.

Four candidates are vying for the position: Democrats Sierra J. Enlow and Mikael Malone and Republicans Richard Heath and Jonathan Shell. The commissioner is elected to a four-year term and limited to serving two terms.

The candidate who takes home the nomination will be responsible for expanding agricultural markets, increasing rural economic development and promoting the Kentucky Proud program, which will cultivate a connection to Kentucky’s farms.

A theme of this year’s candidates is that they were all born and raised farmers. Shell, from Lancaster, still works on his family’s farm as a fifth-generation farmer. Shell Farms and Greenhouses in Garrard County raises cattle and grows flowers, corn and pumpkins. His campaign touts him as “pro-life, pro-second amendment, pro-growth and pro-farmer.”

In 2012, Shell was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives, becoming the youngest member of the General Assembly. A year later, his colleagues elected him Kentucky’s first Republican House Majority Floor Leader, where he developed and executed legislative strategies leading to enactment of a right-to-work law, prolife legislation, support for farmers and a crackdown on opioid traffickers.

His Republican opponent, Heath, also grew up on a farm and farmed to pay for his college. Heath ran the Graves County co-op,

where he built barns, tool sheds and other buildings for farmers every day.

“I’ve lived the farm life,” said Heath. “I know how important farming is to the commonwealth.”

Heath is a six-term state representative and chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. In 2015, he narrowly lost the GOP Primary for commissioner of agriculture. This time around, he is campaigning with more of a focus on his experience in both farming and as an agricultural leader

in Frankfort.

Enlow, from LaRue County, grew up on a multi-generation family farm. She later attended the University of Kentucky to earn a degree in community and leadership development and agricultural economics. She went on to receive her master’s degree in agricultural economics in 2012.

In her role with Louisville Forward and Greater Louisville Inc., Enlow has developed strategies focused on supporting tech-enabled businesses and co-working spaces as Louisville Metro Government adapted to the new economy of work.

She is currently on the board of directors for the Kentucky Association for Economic Development and serves as an economic development consultant to communities and companies as they evaluate opportunities to grow and expand.

Democratic candidate Malone is set to be on the ballot but was unavailable for comment and does not have a campaign website.

Sierra J. Enlow Richard Heath Jonathan Shell

It’s getting warmer – time for farmers markets!

BY ROBIN GEE | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

Boone County

Burlington

Boone County Farmers Market

6028 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington

Open now, seven days a week through October, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Summer hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day); 859-586-6101.

Campbell County

Alexandria

Campbell County Farmers Market -

Alexandria

7634 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria

Open starting May 19, Fridays through October; 3-6 p.m. (accepts WIC, SNAP and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program)

Bellevue

Bellevue Beach Park Farmers Market

Bellevue Beach Park, 643-665 Frank Benke Way, Bellevue

Third Sundays: July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (features music and animals)

Fort Thomas

Fort Thomas Farmers Market

801 Cochran Ave., Fort Thomas (Mess Hall in Tower Park)

Open through December, 3-6 p.m.; (hours extended to 7 p.m. June through September; accepts SNAP)

Highland Heights

Campbell County Farmers Market -

Highland Heights

3504 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights (Highland Heights Senior Citizens Activity Center)

Open starting May 16, Tuesdays through October, 3-6 p.m. (accepts WIC, SNAP and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program)

Newport

Campbell County Farmers MarketNewport

709 Monmouth St., Newport (next to Pepper Pod Restaurant)

Open starting May 20, Saturdays through October, 9 a.m.-noon. (accepts WIC, SNAP and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program)

Kenton County

Covington Covington Farmers Market

Braxton Brewery, 27 W. Seventh St., Covington

Open Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (parking at Hotel Covington, 24 E. 7th St.; participates in the Kentucky Double Dollars program for SNAP and accepts WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. )

Crestview Hills

City of Crestview Hills Farmers Market 2718 Dixie Highway, Crestview Hills (at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church)

Open May 30 through Labor Day, Tuesdays, 2-6 p.m.; 859-341-7373.

Erlanger

Dixie Farmers Market

116 Commonwealth Ave., Erlanger (at Erlanger Baptist Church)

Open through October, Thursdays, 2-6 p.m.; 859-727-2525 (accepts WIC)

Fort Mitchell

The Market at Fort Mitchell 75 Orphanage Road, Fort Mitchell

Open starting May 6, Saturdays through October, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; 859-393-8477.

Independence

Independence Farmers Market 2001 Jack Woods Parkway, Independence

Open starting May 6, Saturdays through October, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Farm fresh food is on the plate in Northern Kentucky with a host of farmers markets, like this one in Fort Thomas. Photo provided | Fort Thomas Farmers Market

Notre Dame trying to gain momentum after slow start thanks to weather

BY MARC HARDIN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

The Notre Dame Academy softball team is ready to play, rain or shine. Unfortunately for the Pandas, they experienced more rain than shine during the first month of the season with almost as many rainouts as games played.

"When we played our eighth game, we had lost seven games because of weather and one due to illness," said Notre Dame coach Joe Stephenson, whose team won five of those first eight contests despite the weather and the majority of his youthful squad playing new positions.

Stephenson reached the 200-win milestone last season. His teams have won nine straight 35th District championships and three regional titles while advancing to the regional tournament final five times in 10 years. But the lack of sun has been putting the brakes on this season's hard-fought momentum.

One Panda who's been able to shine despite inclement weather is left-fielder Tori Danneman.

The left-handed leadoff hitter batted a team-high .517 during the first month, giving Notre Dame a nice 1-2 punch along with Ava McKinley, who bats fifth. Danneman, one of three seniors along with catcher Rachel Finke and infielder/outfielder Kayla Northcutt, also led the Pandas in plate appearances, hits, doubles, triples, stolen bases and runs scored after the first month. McKinley, one of two juniors, was second in batting average, doubles, RBI and steals.

"I like to lead in encouragement. And making sure we're all bonded," said Danneman, also a soccer player at Notre Dame. She played for a U.S. national softball team in the Netherlands in January. "But missing games is frustrating. I just try to get in some extra hitting."

It shows. She hit .342 last season batting mostly in the cleanup spot.

"I like it at leadoff," said Danneman, who enjoys setting the tone. "I want to bring up that fire for them."

Her top season batting average is .444 as a sophomore. Her career average is solidly

north of .400. She was rarely below .500 in April while showering base hits on the opposition.

"Tori is having a great year," said sophomore ace Abby Turnpaugh, the winner in each of the first five victories with an earned run average around 1.20. "She gets on. She gets around. And we knock her in."

In addition to the rain and mental pain Turnpaugh is inflicting on baffled batters, Danneman's baserunning has also been a team theme. She was on base 15 times in her first 32 plate appearances and scored 12 times, thanks in part to six stolen bases in six attempts.

"She's got good speed and she's one of our stronger players. She hit two home runs (each of the last two years) so she's got some pop in her bat," Stephenson said. "And she is a great teammate, always encouraging the girls."

Danneman is the latest in a line of family members who have attended Notre Dame. Her grandmother, three aunts and some cousins also went to the academy.

"I am following in my family's footsteps. I was very influenced because they had such positive experiences at Notre Dame," said Danneman, who calls Fox19 TV Sports Director Joe Danneman "Uncle Joe".

Joe Danneman is a graduate of Covington Catholic.

"Yep, he's my uncle," she said. "My Aunt Lynsey played soccer at Notre Dame. My Aunt Amy cheered."

Tori Danneman is adding to the family legacy in all-around fashion. As a member of the school's Teen Leadership Club, she recently provided a few hours of service at Matthew 25: Ministries sorting medical supplies to be sent overseas. She joined a group of Notre Dame students and more than 100 others from the Diocese of Covington at the Catholic Convention of Kentucky in Frankfort.

She would like to add to the Pandas' softball trophy case, which holds six regional championship crowns, all of them won,

oddly enough, in odd-numbered years: 1987, 1989, 1999, 2013, 2015 and 2017.

It's not lost on the Pandas that this is another odd-numbered year.

Turnpaugh was 10 years old when Notre Dame last won the region.

"Ever since I got to the school, that's been the main goal," the sophomore said.

The Pandas haven't been to the regional final since 2019. They've been outscored 4917 in their last four regional tournament elimination games. That's something they hope to remedy this year.

But, first things first. They need to qualify for the regional by advancing to the district tournament final. Stephenson is taking nothing for granted even though the Pandas entered the season with a 54-game winning streak against 35th District opponents.

He's hoping lineup mainstays Turnpaugh, Northcutt, Ava Auberger and Emmy Martin will come around at the plate once they get more games under their belts. Finke, the RBI leader after the first month, and Addie Zinser were holding their own at the plate. Finke was seeking improvement as the No. 2 pitcher.

"We need to see more live pitching, and we'll eventually get it as we make up games," Stephenson said. "Auberger, our new shortstop, hit .377 last year, so we know she can hit. But she's still learning a new position after playing second base for us as a freshman. We have practically a whole new infield that just needs to settle in and play more games to reach its potential."

The Pandas are allowing less than five runs per game, vital for a team with eight of their 13 players underclassmen. Photo provided | NDA Athletics

CJ Fredrick headed to Cincinnati

University of Kentucky senior guard CJ Fredrick entered his name in the transfer portal on April 21.

On April 24, he found his new home.

The Covington Catholic alum announced his intentions to transfer to the University of Cincinnati via his Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Fredrick has spent the last two years at Kentucky after playing two seasons at Iowa. He appeared in 26 games and made 15 starts during his time in Lexington, missing the first year due to an injury.

When healthy, Fredrick was one of the best perimeter shooters in the country, the nation’s leading returner in career 3-point field-goal percentage (46.6%) with a minimum of 150 attempts after his two seasons at Iowa.

Fredrick is set to graduate in May and will head to Cincinnati with a year of eligibility remaining.

He’ll have the opportunity on Wes Miller’s squad as a lot of minutes have become available for the Bearcats. Rob Phinisee and David DeJulius are out of eligibility while Landers Nolley declared for the NBA Draft and Jeremiah Davenport transferred to Arkansas.

Fredrick picked Cincinnati over West Virginia, Xavier, North Carolina, Indiana, St. John’s, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma, according to 247 Sports.

Taphouse resigns as Ludlow football coach

The Ludlow Panthers football team will have a new football field with red turf in the fall – and they’ll also have a new head coach.

Greg Taphouse resigned from his position after six years at the helm, the Panthers finishing 35-32 during his tenure. They won three playoff games in his stead, their first postseason wins since 2011.

Taphouse is also a physical education teacher at Ludlow and shared the director of athletics responsibilities with volleyball head coach Jodi Schmidt and head baseball coach John McMillen.

Taphouse said he resigned for personal reasons.

On top of a new coach and a new field, the Panthers will also play in a new district. Ludlow was realigned to the Class A, 4th District under KHSAA’s new football realignment, paired with Bishop Brossart, Holy Cross and Trimble County for the 2023-24 seasons.

Villa Madonna taps Hesse to take over for Demler as AD

Steve Hesse will become Villa Madonna’s newest athletic director.

Hesse teaches social studies at the school, and this is the first AD position he’s held in his 20 years in education. He’s served as a principal at Shawe Memorial Junior/Senior High School in Madison, Indiana, and has coaching experience. He coached tennis and served as an assistant football coach at Carroll County before ending up at Shawe Memorial.

Hesse said he’s aware of the challenges of building the programs at Villa Madonna. He admitted the Vikings may only be competitive with the likes of 34th District opponent Dixie Heights once every 10-15 years in many sports. But Hesse said he likes Villa Madonna’s no-cut policy and noted 75% of students participate in extracurricular activities.

Villa Madonna has had some success in recent years in various sports. The cross-country teams have been in the running for the Class A state championship for the last few years. The softball team won the All “A” Ninth Region crown and made it to the region quarterfinals in 2021 and 2022. The girls soccer team also made the Ninth Region Tournament in 2021 for the first time since 2012.

Jim Demler, the current AD at Villa, will finish the year and then head to St. Henry in June.

Norse will have plenty of new faces next season

The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team will be filled with new faces as nine players from last year's team departed for either exhausted eligibility or transferred out of the program.

The Norse made waves recently by adding three via the transfer portal and made two incoming freshman signings official. It puts their roster at 12 scholarship players with two walk-ons and gives them flexibility with another scholarship and walk-on spot open.

The busy offseason started by snagging Marquette transfer Keeyan Itejere to Highland Heights, the 6-foot-9 forward spend-

ing two years at Marquette before hitting the portal. He was rated as a three-star prospect out of the GRACE Christian School in Knightdale, North Carolina.

The next addition was Green Bay’s Cade Meyer, a Horizon League foe who will now make NKU his home. Meyer averaged 9.8 points and 4.7 rebounds, averaging 25.8 minutes per game during the 2022-23 season. He shot 52% from the field and 69% from the free-throw line.

Xavier Rhodes’ replacement looks to be Michael Bradley, a transfer from Division II Mercyhurst. Bradley is a 6-foot guard who brings a plethora of experience, 1,117 points, 386 assists, 305 rebounds and 131 steals in 101 games played.

The last two to be made official are incoming freshmen Fiston Ipassou and Bryce Darbyshire. Ipassou is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard and a native of Australia and played for the North Adelaide Rockets in Australia’s highest semi-pro league, the National Basketball League 1.

Darbyshire hails from Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, where he averaged 10.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Aviators in his senior season. The 6-foot-4 hybrid guard/small forward shot 50% from the field and 33% from the 3-point line in his senior campaign. The two join a four-member freshman class that also includes Lloyd Memorial’s Jeremiah Israel and Randall Pettus II out of Bessemer City, North Carolina.

NKU went 22-13 in the 2022-23 season, winning the Horizon League Conference Tournament for the second time in four years and earning an NCAA Tournament berth.

Presented by:

As a reminder, our honor is available to any athletics team from any sport at any level – from high school and collegiate to youth to recreational and beyond. Readers can scan the QR code to head to linknky.com to vote for the next Team of the Week.

EACH WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS Dixie Heights girls track and field team

LINK Streetscapes: Fairfield Avenue

Powered by Merk and Gile, Injury Attorneys, 513-481-5678

BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

Public Notices

Legal Ad

The City of Dayton, Kentucky, has adopted Ordinance 2023#2, an ordinance amending section 95.01 of the Dayton Code of Ordinances recognizing Monument Park and Riverfront Commons as city parks in the City of Dayton, Kentucky. The ordinance may be viewed in full at www.daytonky.com and at the Dayton City Building, 514 Sixth Avenue, Dayton, KY, or by calling 859-491-1600.

Legal Ad

The City of Dayton, Kentucky, has adopted Ordinance 2023#1, an ordinance establishing an entertainment destination center in the City of Dayton to apply for an Entertainment Destination Center License from the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control; and further establishing the requirements for a licensee to sell alcoholic beverages within the common areas of the Entertainment Destination Center. The ordinance may be viewed in full at www.daytonky.com and at the Dayton City Building, 514 Sixth Avenue, Dayton, KY, or by calling 859-491-1600.

1980 Liberty Cara 14' x 54' Mobile Home, VIN 16170, Donald Young, 7 Helen Drive, Alexandria, KY 41001; 1991 Clayton Winford 14' x 70' Mobile Home, VIN CIM051739T, Edgar T. Rowland, Sr. and Joanne Rowland, 13 Helen Drive, Alexandria, KY 41001 and 210 Evergreen Drive Southgate Kentucky, 41071; 1995 INDI Sultan 16'x72' Mobile Home, VIN ALI6721959296, Stephen Manning, 27 Helen Drive, Alexandria, KY 41001; will be sold to the highest bidder on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Noon, at 732 Scott Street, Covington, KY 41011 for rent, reasonable storage charge, clean-up costs and utilities. Seller, The Cardinal Corporation reserves the right to bid.

This segment of Streetscapes revisits an old friend: Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue. The thoroughfare has endless options for shopping, dining, drinking and, of course, dessert. In this installment, we’re heading back to the hub of Bellevue and visiting spots we missed the last time.

Bellevue Bistro

Bellevue Bistro was serving savory breakfast and brunch years before brunch became the social activity in our society. As a well-established breakfast business, Bellevue Bistro proves that sometimes it’s not about the bottomless mimosas or fancy avocado toast (they have that, too), it’s just about quality food.

Bellevue Bistro is best known for its bakes, which are essentially breakfast hashes served in sizzling hot skillets. All bakes come served over potatoes with two eggs, and there is a huge variety of options. For patrons looking for classic comfort food, the namesake the Bellevue – with goetta, cheese and onion – is the perfect option.

The restaurant also serves a variety of hot browns and benedicts and a full lunch menu.

While the space is small, it feels quaint and cozy. Bellevue Bistro also offers outdoor seating for those wanting a side of sunshine with their breakfast.

Avenue Brew

Not all coffee shops are built the same. Case in point: Avenue Brew. The foundation of Avenue Brew is, of course, coffee, and it’s one of the strongest foundations out there. From creamy lattes to frothy cappuccinos and ice cold frappes, they have it all. With just about every flavor imaginable, the sky’s the limit for your coffee fix. And thanks to coffees of the month, patrons never get tired of the same old drink.

Food options are much more plentiful than typical coffee shop pastry offerings, including an all-day breakfast menu, so even late risers can enjoy pancakes.

Darkness Brewing

For the night owls and beer lovers, Darkness Brewing is an oasis out of this world. As its name implies, Darkness Brewing specializes in dark and experimental beers. It’s a neighborhood brewery, so patrons won’t find Bud or Miller; however, they’ll be treated to unique, eclectic beers that will have them forgetting all about those famous beers.

Ample outdoor seating makes this a must-visit in warmer months, but be sure to check out the interior to see where the brewing happens. Neon lights and astronaut murals bring some light to darkness, along with a little fun. Darkness often hosts live music, trivia and other events to keep guests entertained.

Cork N Crust

Tucked back toward the end of Fairfield Avenue, Cork N Crust is one of the newest eateries to join the already impressive lineup in Bellevue. It marries an upscale bar with a casual pizzeria for a combination that is trendy and homey.

Cork N Crust specializes in gourmet pizza and flatbreads, as well as smoked wings. Pizza and wings are traditional pizza joint staples, but its unique offerings set it apart from the rest. Wings are slow-smoked then fried, making for a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. Gourmet pizzas paired with a glass of wine will transport you to Italy with each bite or sip. The Chardonnay pizza – with garlic-infused olive oil, roasted garlic, roasted mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, provolone and rosemary – makes one feel a bit more sophisticated than eating a traditional pepperoni pizza.

Cork N Crust also offers charcuterie boards and an extensive wine menu. The “experience,” a board and wine-flight pairing, is a great starter to enjoy on the patio this summer.

This newly renovated space offers an intimate atmosphere ideal for a date night, but guests with a mixed-age group or families, fear not. The vibe is welcoming and family-friendly. Cork N Crust also offers a vegetarian and vegan menu, so regardless of diet, everyone can find something delicious.

What to Know If You Go:

Bellevue Bistro

Location: 313 Fairfield Ave.

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed Wednesdays

Website: http://www.bellevuebistro. com/

Phone: 859-581-5600

Avenue Brew

Location: 310 Fairfield Ave.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Website: http://www.avenuebrew.com/ index.html

Phone: 859261-4381

Darkness Brewing:

Location: 224 Fairfield Ave.

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 3-10 p.m.; Friday, 3 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, noon- Sunday, 19 p.m.

Website: https://darknessbrewing.beer/

Phone: 859-815-8375

Cork N Crust

Location: 710 Fairfield Ave.

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-8 p.m.

Website: https://corkncrust.com/ Phone: 859- 431-2675

Darkness Brewing is one of the best spots to enjoy a beer outdoors.

Villa Madonna sends four to Governor’s summer programs

a program for outstanding high school students in Kentucky.

NewCath junior to attend Entrepreneurs proram

Cold Spring hosts May 12 Pups in the Park event

the World Trade Center with guided tours by a New York City firefighter who responded to Ground Zero on September 11, 2001.

Four Villa Madonna Academy juniors will participate in a residential summer program to boost their academic, leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Students Adam Kolar of Edgewood, Adam Hassoun of Hebron and Adam Brandstetter have been accepted into the Governor’s Scholars Program. Xavier Thomas of Edgewood will attend the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs. The Governor’s Scholars Program celebrates its 40th year this year providing

Newport Central Catholic High School junior Ben Bucher will attend the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs program this summer. Students from across the state attend the three-week residential program hosted by Northern Kentucky University. The program offers a highly competitive experience where participants focus on product innovation and business model design. Students are matched with skilled peers to develop business plans and product or service prototypes. The program culminates in an intensive pitch competition.

For a barking good time, check out Cold Spring’s Pups in the Park event on Friday, May 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Municipal Park, 5694 E Alexandria Pike. Vendors catering to dogs will be on hand. Enjoy doggie-related contests, giveaways, photo booth and raffles. Admission is free with an item donation for the local animal shelter. Needs include puppy pads, cleaning supplies, canned pumpkin, non-clumping cat litter, canned cat food, dog treats and toys. Leash laws apply.

Tunnel to Towers 9/11 mobile exhibit to visit Florence

On Saturday, May 6, Florence will welcome a traveling exhibit featuring artifacts from

The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET exhibit travels the country educating Americans about what happened that day. The 83-foot tractor-trailer transforms into an 1,100-square-foot exhibit featuring artifacts including World Trade Center steel, aluminum building façade, radio transmissions from first responders and items found in the rubble after the Twin Towers collapsed.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation hosts a run/walk and annual climb of One World Trade Center in NYC. Its Smart Home program provides technology to injured vets.

The mobile exhibit is on view from noon to 6 p.m., May 6 through 14, at the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Boulevard in Florence.

Villa Madonna students from left Adam Kolar, Adam Hassoun, Adam Brandstetter and Xavier Thomas. Ben Bucher, a junior at Newport Central Catholic High School, is on his way to the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs this summer.

Contemporary custom-built home in Fort Mitchell

Address: 115 Beechwood Rd., Fort Mitchell

Price: $699,000

Bedrooms: Four

Bathrooms: Three-and-a-half

Square feet: 3,800

School district: Beechwood Independent Schools

County: Kenton

Special features: This home features a spacious open-concept living space, ideal for entertaining indoors and out. Butcher-block counters and a large island in the well-appointed kitchen along with extras like a wine refrigerator and a pantry that opens to the dining room make this a great space for guests to gather, as does the the outdoor covered deck and finished lower level with a wet bar and fireplace. Primary bedroom suite with adjoining luxury bathroom is located on the first floor, as is the laundry for added convenience. Use the flex room as a home office or study or kids play room. The wooded lot has an invisible electric fence and is a short walk to Beechwood School and Swim Club.

Recent NKY Home Sale Data

Street view of 115 Beechwood in Fort Mitchell. Photo provided | Kim Nachazel with Sibcy Cline Realtors

View of the kitchen highlighting the butcher-block counters and a large island. Photo provided | Kim Nachazel with Sibcy Cline Realtors

Large covered deck offers a great space to relax or entertain.

Photo provided | Kim Nachazel with Sibcy Cline Realtors

Owners Lisa and Kris Knochelmann John Knochelmann, Sr. Rudy Schneller