Thursday, December 09, 1999
Mayor wants to be rec director
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Mayor Denny Bowman said Wednesday he is among 40 to 50 candidates who have applied for the Covington recreation director's job.
“At the end of next year, I'd have to step down as mayor anyway,” said Mr. Bowman, who is prohibited by state law from seeking a third term as mayor. “My biggest love in my job as mayor has been whatever I can do for children.”
Should he be hired as recreation director, Mr. Bowman, a 50-year-old sales representative for Marshall Dodge, would have to resign the $18,000-a-year mayor's job. That would mean three of the four city commission members — including three who have expressed an interest in running for mayor next year — would choose his successor.
City Commissioner Jerry Bamberger said any speculation about Mr. Bowman's successor would be premature, until city officials hire a recreation director. He and Commissioner Butch Callery said that Jim Eggemeier, Covington's vice mayor, would likely be chosen to fill the remaining year in the mayor's term.
City Manager Greg Jarvis said staff has begun reviewing candidates for the recreation director's job, and will soon bring three or four finalists before the city commission for its consideration. The job will pay $45,000 to $50,000.
The job is a department head position, and the director is in charge of more than 20 parks, softball fields, basketball courts and competitive runs the city may have, as well as green space.
The new director will replace Chod Hobbs, who resigned last month, after being placed on two weeks' paid leave, while the city investigated allegations of administrative misconduct.
While a 1985 Covington ordinance calls for the vice mayor to become mayor if a vacancy occurs, the current city commission is not bound by that, City Solicitor Joe Condit said.
A state statute allows a city commission to decide who fills a mayoral vacancy, and a local ordinance can't supersede state law.
“It's a very interesting time in Covington,” said City Commissioner J.T. Spence.
He is the only Covington commissioner who has not expressed interest in running for mayor.
Mr. Callery has said he is running for mayor, and Mr. Bamberger and Mr. Eggemeier also are considering making a run for mayor.
Others expressing interest in the mayor's job include Bernie Moorman, a former Covington mayor and Kenton County commissioner, and Ray Murphy, a Kenton County deputy sheriff and 23-year Covington police veteran, who formally announced his mayoral candidacy two months ago.
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