Christmas is finally here! Have a Happy Holiday weekend. See you on Monday.
DECEMBER 24, 2009
Emma
Emma is over at the building today. Did the threat by the city, first reported by Russell Street News, to issue a teardown order cause her to reconsider and decide to sell to a developer? Hope so.
Petition? For what?
Someone has a petition to ask the city/county/state to investigate the fire. To what end? So the petitioners can feel self-important again?
I mean, most people around here wouldn't even cough up $65 to help preserve the building.
Here's the bottom line: Restore it or tear it down. Get over this ridiculous self-importance. The future of the building is up to the victims and, increasingly, the city of Covington. The neighborhood no longer has a say, if ever.
Start your own
neighborhood blog
An item below noted that the Old Seminary Square Facebook page came and gone rather quickly. Lack of participation by residents in the neighborhood killed it. So here's the challenge:
Start your own neighborhood blog or website, and frequently update it. Seriously. I'll be happy to link to it.
DECEMBER 23, 2009
Old Seminary Square Facebook
page inactive
 Staying power. Apparently the residents of Old Seminary Square don't have it. No holiday tour. Unwilling to contribute dollars to save the building. Won't water street flowers during the summer. Nor help kill the weeds growing in the sidewalk cracks.
The latest discovery is the Facebook page that was set-up for the residents. It's been kaput for almost 2 years, after a short life.
Whomever said this is an active neighborhood is wrong. Dead wrong.
Oranges for Sylvia
 What do you give very special neighbor Sylvia for Christmas? She's a health nut who always lectures me on watching my weight.
It had to be something healthy, so I brought back fresh oranges. A tangy gift!
DECEMBER 22, 2009
Looks like no action
this week on building
With city crews all over the burnt-out building property last week, a decision was expected yesterday on its future.
But it looks like Covington will stick to its original plan and wait until after the holidays.
Just noticed the
Old Seminary Square sign
OK, OK. I'm glad the Old Seminary Square neighborhood sign has finally been planted after being uprooted a couple years ago.
But, it may be in the wrong place. It's down by the Pulse Apartments and off to the right, next to the Pulse sign. Hard to see.
DECEMBER 21, 2009
Regina S!
Before this past weekend, the last time I had exchanged emails with Regina S was last summer.
We finally caught up via email on Sunday and, yes, Regina has moved to Chicago.
I have always thought that she could play an important role in the Russell Street neighborhood and told her so last summer. But, alas, it's not to be. Best wishes, Regina. Much happiness and success in Chicago.
DECEMBER 18, 2009
Barriers, perhaps,
around burnt-building
Since getting here from Florida, I have made several calls to different people and departments inside City Hall concerning the burnt-out building.
That's why you may have seen city crews walking around on Thursday. They're getting ready, or at least considering, placing barriers completely around the sidewalk. The remains of the building are a serious safety hazard.
UPDATE: Code enforcement officers are over there (3:47 pm, Friday). They're walking around and taking pictures. I had emailed/talked with the Covington Department of Code Enforcement earlier.
Tick tock: Should I or
shouldn't I file charges?
The police spent about a half an hour yesterday, telling me that I have every right to file charges. Should I or shouldn't I?
I mean, does anybody want a charge of terroristic threatening on their record?
Police say I have a year to decide. And, yes, all those gadgets on cell phones really do come in handy.
Actually, I would settle for a written apology. Hope it comes soon.
DECEMBER 17, 2009
Here's what caused
the Groob code violation
Couldn't figure out where all the water was coming from in the back yard.
Turns out, it is a downspout pipe that's spewing the water. It's tucked underneath a wooden fence on Mrs. Groob's property.
After writing to her two months ago about this, and not getting a response, I finally called the City of Covington. Code enforcement promptly declared a code violation.
The officer is also worried that the water barrage will / could / has undermined the foundation of my garage. I'm going to call in a structural expert and if there's a problem, there will be hell to pay.
I hope it doesn't come to that. She has 10 days to redirect the water, or penalties could begin.
DECEMBER 16, 2009
Kathy Groob hit with
building code violation
Got word yesterday that our favorite politician has been hit with a building code violation by the City of Covington with regard to her property at 1023 Russell Street.
Not a good thing for a politician to have on permanent record, especially when it involves a neighbor's property.
The city's code enforcement division declared the Groob property "in violation of City of Covington Code of Ordinances, Chapters 92 Nuisances and/or 152 Property Maintenance Code, and/or 158 Zoning." [Quote taken directly from the violation notice.]
I'll explain further as time allows. If not today, then tomorrow morning.
As always,anyone is welcome to respond to any comments at Russell Street News. My email address is listed at the top of the page.
DECEMBER 15, 2009
Paying a visit
A lot of people on Russell Street do not realize that I'm sort of a visitor to the neighborhood.
Seriously, had I intended to live in the region full-time, I would have bought a big, big house overlooking the Ohio River, not some hut on a busy street.
My pre-approved mortgage allowed me to spend up to $1.1 million.
But I bought the little house on Russell Street for family reasons, to keep an eye on my parents who had been seriously ill.
Just a place to hang my hat when I'm in town.
So here I am
So, I'm back on Russell Street.
My first impression last night was how dark and dreary the street looks. The holiday garland on the fences look nice, and that helps to pretty things up. The little candles in the windows at the Ashbrook look fantastic!
I'd noticed that many on the street have decided to not use twinkling lights this year. Last year, I had lights in the window and along the sidewalk. Had a couple small Christmas trees on the porch. I'll pass this time around. Not planning to be around for too long.
Better get going
with the building
Someone in the know at City Hall told me that the city will give the owners of the burnt-out building until after the holidays to come up with a plan to save it -- or Covington will issue a teardown order.
The source said most fire-damaged homes have only two weeks "if there are no plans in place" before orders are issued. The city has been patient because it's "sensitive to the historical nature of the building."
Chop, chop everybody. For those most of you who refused to cough up just $65 to help save the building -- just go back to your selfish lives. Nothing to see (literally).
Pike Street in 1915
A very interesting photo of Pike Street in 1915. Notice anything? Pike Street got it's name because it was the beginning of the Lexington Pike, now US 25.
DECEMBER 11, 2009
Debris was flying off the building
Got a call yesterday that debris was flying off the burnt-out building, a dangerous situation for passers-by and perhaps even vehicles.
So, I did what any good neighbor should do: I called Covington police at 3:48 pm. on Wednesday. Had a brief discussion about closing down that segment of Russell Street until the wind storm ended. The police department promised to send an officer to check out the situation.
( Kind of a shame that someone 1200 miles away had to call the police concerning a potential safety problem, rather than a local person. )
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Russell and Ninth Streets
The caption on the photo above says the log cabin was the first house built in Covington. In 1798. It was located at Ninth and Russell Streets (others say it was at Eighth and Russell) until the mid-1930s.
Madison, north of Pike
Motch Jewelers has been around for a long, long time.
Busy Pike and Madison
An early 1900s, turn of the century look at this busy intersection. Many of the buildings still stand today.
12th and Banklick
A colorized photo of 12th and Banklick
in horse and buggy days.
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DECEMBER 8, 2009
Power outage in Covington
Electricity went out -- mainly in Covington and the northern portions of Florence -- around 7:30 p.m., Monday. "This is not normal," said a Duke spokesman, stating the obvious. [ Link ]
Albro House in 1930
That's the historic Albro House at 1041 Russell Street in 1930.
This Italianate townhouse is one of the largest homes built
in this district following the Civil War.
Of brick construction
with stone trim, the Albro House is noteworthy for
the inspiring bay windows that grace its front façade. In
addition to its interesting architectural elements, the house
is said to be haunted.
Rumor has it that the lonely widow of
Henry Albro still walks the floors of this stately old mansion,
dressed in full Victorian splendor.
DECEMBER 7, 2009
Jenny & Jason
Got word this morning that Jenny and Jason have moved their belongings out of the garage, and are getting ready to settle down at a new house in Triple Crown.
What a crazy two months for them. I'm going to miss them, the neighborhood will miss them.
PS I'm still in South Florida. Still wearing shorts, it's warm again.
Suspension Bridge lights going
dark, perhaps permanently
 The necklace lights on the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge that have shined since 1984 will go off at 8 p.m. Monday.
They won't be turned back on unless money can be raised to replace them.
Maybe the Politician can do something about it. After all, she knows everybody. Even the fire crews know her name, as she pointed out during the fire last October, in the midst of death and
heartbreak. [ Link ]
Yet another fire
on Russell Street
Four residents were displaced by a fire in the 1400 block of Russell Street early Friday. [ Link ]
DECEMBER 3, 2009
Covington hillside development
Like it or not, Northern Kentucky's hillsides have become a valuable commodity, one that becomes more precious as flat areas in the region become developed, Eric Russo of the Hillside Trust told an audience Wednesday at Notre Dame Academy.[ Link ]
Intersection's pavement is crumbling
It's unsightly, and it's been that way for some time.
The pavement on the east side of W. Robbins and Russell Streets is crumbling and is in woeful need of repair.
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