KENTON VALE — For possibly the first time in the 51-year history of Kenton Vale (population 154), there will be a contested race in a city that more closely resembles a neighborhood.

        Seven people, including two couples, have filed for two-year terms on the four-member Kenton Vale City Commission.

        Kenton Vale Commission er Kenneth Cain's wife, Betty, has said that she will be pulling out of the race because of personal obligations. However, local officials are still thrilled with the interest in a race that's often decided by write-in votes.

        On Nov. 7, incumbents Kenneth E. Cain, 64; Ronald L. Flack, 57; and Ruth T. Coleman, 76, will be joined on the ballot by challengers Patricia Flack, 58; Johnny Glisson, 36; and Marsha Patrick, 37. Commissioner Joseph Forrester is not running.

        “In the past, we've actually had to beg people to run,” said Mayor Mike Pendery, who is not up for re-election. “It's nice to see this kind of interest.”

        Mr. Cain and Mr. Flack said the crowded ballot in this year's election is partly due to their arm twisting. Each persuaded his wife to run.

        Interest also was sparked by the commission's adoption last year of a state building code used by most Northern Kentucky cities. The code regulates such things as maintenance and repair of private property and rundown properties owned by absentee landlords.

        “To write your own code would be entirely too expensive for a city this size,” Mr. Pendery said. “By adopting this code, it gives the city the power to go in and force the owner to clean it up and bring it up to our standards.”

        Mr. Pendery said city officials adopted the code to have a standard for dealing with blight when complaints are lodged. So far, no complaints have been made.

        “Our interest was in keeping property values up and keeping the community a nice residential area,” Mr. Cain said. “All the little communities around here have it, but some people (in Kenton Vale) got very upset.

        “If the older people had trouble doing some cleaning or repairs or maintenance, we'd do it for them,” Mr. Cain said.

        Mrs. Patrick, an 11-year resident, said she decided to run in part to offer a choice, and also to bring change to the city.

        “They are picking on some people in regards to maintenance of their property,” said Mrs. Patrick. “I just want to see that maintenance and general services are provided equally to everyone.”

        In this city of 52 homes and four streets, commissioners often can be found planting trees, cutting grass and blowing leaves off city streets when they're not attending the monthly city meetings at a floral shop for their $15-a-month pay.

        “I'm not sure that any one person would be upset if they weren't elected,” Mr. Pendery said. “Most of the people who run for office here do it because they like the city.”

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