Thrusday, January 07, 1999
From 'backwater' to beltway
Northern Kentucky arrives in D.C.
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WASHINGTON — The Ronald Reagan Republican Center is a small but impressive building not far from the Supreme Court and just across the way from massive Union Station here in the nation's capital.
Wednesday afternoon, just a few hours after Southgate Republican Jim Bunning was sworn into the Senate, there was a reception at the center in his honor.
Were it not for the presence of other senators, some lobbyists and members of Mr. Bunning's staff, the room looked like an event at the Four Seasons Country Club in Crestview Hills or Covington's Metropolitan Club. You couldn't move without bumping into a Northern Kentuckian.
Some of the region's biggest community, business and political leaders were there to sip champagne and cocktails, eat some extremely rich and fancy munchies and celebrate Mr. Bunning's ascension into the Senate from the U.S. House, where he had served since 1986.
Not worried about partisan politics or appearances, most of the same folks who toasted Mr. Bunning headed to a Pennsylvania Avenue Italian restaurant for a Wednesday night dinner for Boone County Democrat Ken Lucas.
About the time Mr. Bunning was being sworn in inside one end of the Capitol, Mr. Lucas was raising his right hand in the other end of the building and taking the oath of office for Mr. Bunning's old House seat.
So Wednesday was a big day for Northern Kentucky in Washington. But not just because two Northern Kentuckians were sworn into office and lots of people from back home were here.
It was because Northern Kentucky has arrived.
Envied by its neighbors
“Northern Kentucky is finally being recognized as a political powerhouse all over our state,” U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Louisville Republican who has always runs extremely well in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, said during Mr. Bunning's reception.
“I'd have to say Northern Kentucky is a full-fledged partner, if not the leader, in the political power structure of Kentucky. It should make you feel very good,” he told the Northern Kentuckians at the reception.
Just a generation ago, Northern Kentucky suffered from an identity crisis and a lack of respect. Cincinnati looked at it as a Bluegrass backwater, a place where mobsters and crooked politicians once ran the show and where out-of-towners and others could sneak across the bridges to watch women disrobe. It was an adult, nocturnal playground for some times illegal and often seedy activities.
Those in Kentucky south of the three northern counties looked at the region as a Cincinnati suburb that wasn't really a part of the commonwealth. Frankfort took tax dollars and gave back little.
But now Northern Kentucky is envied by Cincinnati, praised by Frankfort and recognized as a political and economic dynamo by much of the rest of the state.
More success predicted
The airport; the jobs that continually pour into the area; the new attractions, office buildings and commercial development; and a new brand of leaders who for the most part do what's best for the good of the whole region, rather than playing parochial political games, are all parts of Northern Kentucky's success story.
The change did not happen overnight. It took years of hard work, planning, commitment, money, luck and more to get it done.
But a clear sign of that progress happened here Wednesday. Mr. Bunning became the first Northern Kentuckian ever elected to the Senate. Mr. Lucas took over Mr. Bunning's House seat after 30 years as a political officeholder, businessman and community leader.
And the region wins.
“We've come so far in Northern Kentucky over the several years,” said Erlanger attorney Bill Robinson, who came here to see his two friends take the oath of office.
“Jim and Ken have had a lot to do what has taken place in Northern Kentucky over the years, but now with two Northern Kentuckians in Congress, I think some of our best days are in front of us. They'll do all they can to help the people of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky,” he said.
“You stop and think about it and it's just great,” said Ralph Drees, who started a Northern Kentucky home-building business two decades ago that is now one of the largest in the country.
“Nobody used to give a damn about Northern Kentucky. They do now.”
Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for The Kentucky Enquirer. His column appears Thursdays and Sundays. He can be reached at 578-5581, or (502) 875-7526 in Frankfort, or by e-mail at crowleys@cinci.infi.net
Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for the Enquirer. He can be reached at 578-5581, or (502) 875-7526 in Frankfort.
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