By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
To a person, each said they were not happy to agree to it. But also, to a person, they did — each commissioner and city official approved the retirement of Covington Police Chief Robert Nader, after five years of serving in the role.
“Rob truly understands the importance of making sure that everybody in our community feels welcome and a part of our city,” City Manager Ken Smith said at the beginning of the Commission’s regularly scheduled legislative meeting. “He was always known as a Patrolman Chief because patrol is the most important part of our Police Department — where officers are out on the street and interacting with their citizens keeping an eye on things and making sure that our citizens are safe. This commitment to the department and the city is evident daily in his actions and his personal interactions with the police, the city staff and the public. He’s often found answering calls or being on the radio and he frequently drives around town taking notice of anything.”
Lt. Col. Brian Valenti was named interim chief.
“I’m honored to have held the position,” Nader said. “It’s been a rewarding responsibility and leaving is bittersweet.”
Commissioners applauded Nader’s vision and accomplishments.
“When I first joined the city in an official capacity, I met with you and sat down and we had a very candid conversation about what we wanted to do, what your vision was and how we wanted to implement it,” Commissioner Tim Downing said. “And as much then as today, I continue to be impressed at how much you care about this city and how much you have dedicated to it and to its growth and to the community. I think you leave very large shoes to fill.”
Commissioners Ron Washington and Shannon Smith offered their thanks, but Commissioner Michelle Williams said it was too hard to comment, and said she would have to speak with Nader afterward.
“You’ve done a terrific job as chief, providing leadership,” Mayor Joseph U. Meyer said. “The reputation of the Covington Police Department has never been higher, the quality of service that we provide to the people of Covington has just been excellent. Most of all, the Police Department has been effective. We are a very safe community and people can feel safe in their homes, walking the streets, and you know it takes great leadership to instill those values and practices.”
In the end, Nader said his reason for leaving is financial.
“I have committed my entire heart soul and attention to serving the Covington public and keeping it safe, and I’ve done so — as has every police officer in this room and currently working the beat right now — at the expense of time with my friends and family,” he said. “With all those long days at work, the unpredictable hours — they had me turning on the radio, slapping on my badge and slipping out the door — and then there’s the financial sacrifice. No one gets rich being a police officer, at least in Kentucky …. To wrap it all up in general, I’m leaving to take better care of my family financially and mentally.”
Property tax rate decrease
Commissioners approved a property tax decrease for the fiscal year 2022-2023 to $0.271 upon each $100 valuation of all assessed or assessable real property and $0.328 upon each $100 valuation of all assessed or assessable personal property subject to taxation for municipal purposes.
Mayor Meyer said it’s “the lowest it’s been in at least 50 years and probably longer.”
Warneford also retiring from Public Works
After three years in the position of Public Works director, Chris Warneford is also retiring from his position.
Keith Bales has been hired as his replacement.
Hires, resignations, promotions and appointments
Commissioners also approved the hires of:
• Andrew Wilhoite as Director of Special Projects and Inter-Governmental Affairs
• Frank Schultz as Assistant City Solicitor
• Tonya Baldwin as Human Resources Specialist
• Prince Baker as Laborer
• Ryan Gribble as Laborer
• Vincent Mangin as Laborer
• Ryan Ricky for Laborer
Commissioners also approved the resignation of:
• Cassandra Zoda as Senior Assistant City Solicitor
• Mark Guttridge as firefighter/paramedic
Commissioners also approved the promotion of:
• James Johnson to driver
Commissioners also approved the appointment of:
• Stephanie Coyle to the Housing Authority of Covington for a three-year term, effective Aug. 15, 2022, to Aug. 14, 2025.
Carnegie contribution
Commissioners also approved the annual contribution to the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center, for $60,000.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Covington Commission meeting will be a legislative meeting held at 6 p.m., Sept. 6, at the City Building at 20 W. Pike St. in Covington. The meetings can be followed live on Fioptics channel 815, Spectrum channel 203, the Telecommunications Board of Northern Kentucky (TBNK) website, the TBNK Facebook page @TBNKonline, and the TBNK Roku channels.