Editor’s Note: The NKyTribune is offering one free op-ed posting to NKY candidates in major races in which there is opposition for the November 2 General Election. All candidates may send op-ed’s of 1000 words or less to be published before November 1. The commentary should be positive about the candidate and his/her positions. Candidates are asked not to wait until the last minute — submissions will be published in the order in which they are received.
Public service is about more than attending meetings and voting on ordinances. It is about listening to residents, bringing people together, addressing difficult problems, and advocating for the long-term interests of the community we serve.
As a Newport city commissioner, I have tried to make that principle the foundation of my work. Looking back on my years of service, I am proud of the progress we have made, but I also recognize that important work remains to be done.
My commitment has always been to make Newport a safe and desirable place to live, work, and play. That commitment has required persistence, collaboration, and a willingness to take on difficult issues.
One example is the effort to address the problems associated with RMR’s open-top hammer mill shredder. Residents raised serious concerns about the impact of the operation on the peace, quality of life, and well-being of our neighborhoods. Working alongside residents, neighborhood groups, civic leaders, the city, and the Environmental Protection Agency, I helped keep this issue at the forefront of public discussion and action. The operation of the open-top hammer mill shredder has since been eliminated. This was an important outcome for our community and a reminder of what sustained public advocacy can accomplish.
Education has been another long-standing priority of mine. Approximately ten years ago, I wrote a white paper proposing the creation of the Newport Education Task Force. My belief was that the city and the Newport Independent School System could accomplish more for our children by working together rather than treating education as solely the responsibility of the school district.
Over the years, the task force has produced three reports and generated recommendations intended to improve educational outcomes and strengthen cooperation. That work has helped foster a better relationship between city government and the schools, supported initiatives such as the Read Ready program, and encouraged greater collaboration around the needs of Newport’s children.
Education is fundamental to Newport’s future. The progress made through this effort demonstrates the value of bringing people together around a shared purpose. We must continue that work.
Looking ahead, I believe three priorities deserve particular attention. First, we must strengthen accountability for public funding.
When the city provides taxpayer dollars to outside agencies and organizations, residents have a right to understand how that money is being spent and what results it is producing. Public funding carries a public responsibility. I will continue to advocate for transparency, clear expectations, and meaningful accountability from the organizations that receive support from Newport.
This is not about discouraging partnerships. It is about ensuring that those partnerships deliver value to the residents who ultimately pay for them.
Second, Newport must have a stronger voice in regional decision-making. Southbank Partners plays an important role in the economic development and future of Northern Kentucky’s riverfront communities.
Newport and the other River Cities must be full partners in that work, not simply
communities affected by decisions made elsewhere.
I believe that requires meaningful representation on the Southbank Partners board and a genuine role in shaping regional priorities. Newport has its own needs, opportunities, and challenges. Our participation in regional organizations must translate into a clear voice for our residents and a fair consideration of our community’s interests.
Regional cooperation is essential, but it must be a partnership in which every community has a meaningful seat at the table.
Third, we must pursue a fair regional funding solution for the Purple People Bridge. The bridge is an important connection between Newport and Cincinnati and a valuable part of our riverfront.
As discussions continue about its future and the prospect of a new bridge, one principle should guide us: Newport taxpayers should not be expected to shoulder the burden alone.
A project that serves a regional purpose deserves a regional funding strategy. I want to continue working with our neighboring communities and regional partners to develop a cooperative approach that distributes responsibility fairly and recognizes the broader benefits of the bridge.
Finally, I want to address an issue I have heard directly from Newport residents: access to the new General James Taylor Park being developed at the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers.
This park represents an exciting opportunity to create a public space that residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come. But a public asset is only as useful as people’s ability to reach it. I want to pursue a practical access solution through a floodgate beneath the Fourth Street Bridge, allowing pedestrians to reach the park more easily and take advantage of the resources and recreational opportunities it will offer.
I believe this proposal deserves serious consideration as we plan for the park’s future. These priorities share a common theme: Newport must advocate for itself. We must be responsible stewards of public money, insist on meaningful representation in regional decisions, seek fair partnerships to fund shared assets, and listen to residents when planning public improvements.
None of these goals can be achieved by one person acting alone. They require cooperation, persistence, and a willingness to work with others while remaining firmly committed to Newport’s interests.
That is the approach I have tried to bring to public service, from addressing neighborhood concerns to building stronger relationships with our schools. It is the approach I intend to continue.
As the November 3 election approaches, I ask residents to consider both my record of advocacy and my vision for Newport’s future. I would be honored to receive your vote and the opportunity to continue working on your behalf.
Newport deserves a city government that listens, acts responsibly, and never stops advocating for the people it serves.
Ken Rechtin is seeking reelection as Newport City Commissioner