COVINGTON — An unprecedented seven Kenton County mayors will face challenges in the Nov. 5 election.

        Mayors in Crescent Springs, Elsmere, Erlanger, Fort Mitchell, Lakeside Park, Ludlow and Villa Hills have opposition this fall.

        In fast-growing Independence, where Mayor Tom Kriege is not seeking re-election, council members Chris Moriconi, 35, and Isaac “Ike” Gabbard, 72, a former mayor, are vying for a four-year term as mayor.

        “Usually you'll have one or two (mayors) at the most who will have opposition,” said 4 1/2-year Fort Mitchell Councilwoman Beth Ruttle Rose, 53, who is running against incumbent Mayor Tom Holocher, 60. “This is unusual.”

        For the most part, Kenton County's mayoral challengers say they have no major problems with the current leadership. They just think it's time for a change.

        “After 12 years on the Erlanger-Elsmere Board of Education, I don't want to get where I'm not effective,” said Gloria Grubbs, who is running for Elsmere mayor. “I think change is good. It's good to have new blood come in with some fresh ideas, as long as they're doing it for the right reasons.”

        Mrs. Grubbs, 46, is challenging first-term Mayor Billy Bradford, 67.

        Mr. Bradford, Northern Kentucky's first African-American mayor, has served in Elsmere city government off and on for about 30 years. Also running for Elsmere mayor is Robert Northcutt, 40, now in his 10th year on City Council, who pledged to bring leadership and a sense of direction to his city of 8,139.

        In Crescent Springs, former two-term Mayor George Stewart, 77, co-owner of Irene's and Irene's Too, is running against first-term Mayor Claire Moriconi, 65.

        “I enjoyed being mayor before, and I think there are things in the city that need to be done that aren't getting done,” Mr. Stewart said. “I know the city pretty well, and I think I can help.”

        Mrs. Moriconi, a longtime resident who served on council nine years before becoming mayor, cited her administration's record of accomplishments. They include the completion of Crescent Springs Community Park and the rebuilding of three streets — Lorraine, Horton and Ritchie — by the end of the year at minimal cost to taxpayers.

        Other mayors facing challenges are two-term Lakeside Park Mayor Frank L. Smith, 75, who has opposition this fall from Karen L. Gamel, 45. In Erlanger, Councilman Bill Howard, 49, is challenging longtime Mayor Marc Otto Sr., 41.

        Ludlow Mayor Ed Schroeder, 72, a former Kenton County sheriff and circuit court clerk who was appointed mayor when Tom Stacy, under pressure because of health and legal concerns, resigned in May 2001, has filed to keep the mayor's job.

        He has opposition from political newcomer David Earl Jasper, 34, who says he presents an alternative to the city's present leadership, and former councilman and mayoral candidate Fred Brooks, 65, owner of Ludlow Chevron Inc., who pledged to run the city like a business.

        In Villa Hills, Mike Sadouskas, 46, faces a challenge from political newcomer Charles “Chuck” Fieger III, 41. Mr. Sadouskas, who was elected to council in 1996, was appointed mayor in March 2001, when Steve Clark resigned under pressure.

        Mr. Fieger said he brings a background of civic involvement, including coaching girls softball and soccer, and is active at St. Joseph's Church in Crescent Springs.

        “Running for mayor is something I've always talked about and thought about,” said Mr. Fieger, who was among Tuesday's last-minute filers. “It's not any one issue that I'm running for or setting my sights on trying to solve. I just thought, "Maybe it's time for a change. People need a choice.”'

        Mayors in Crestview Hills, Edgewood, Bromley, Fairview, Fort Wright, Park Hills, Kenton Vale and Ryland Heights are unopposed. Covington Mayor Butch Callery is not up for re-election this year.

Lists of candidates: Campbell | Boone & Kenton
More candidates, more competition

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