Budget Lessons

Alexandria’s Farmers Market set to open for the season

The Campbell County Farmers Market will reopen in its usual location in the parking lot of the Southern Lanes Sports Center on Friday, May 20.

The hours of operation will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and continue through October, 28.

They have good fresh vegetables and purchases support our local farmers and the local economy.

Other locations include Highland Heights and Newport.

The market in Highland Heights located in the parking lot of the Campbell County Senior Center is already open for flower sales every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will continue through May 29.

Vegetable sales will begin Tuesday, May 17 and continue every Tuesday through October 25.

The farmers market in Newport, at 709 Monmouth St., next to the Pepper Pod Restaurant, will begin Saturday, July 2, with sale hours running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through Oct. 1.

Will Nixle system alerts come to an end in Alexandria?

NIXLE is a communication service that allows local, county and state law enforcement and government agencies to connect with local residents over cell phone, email and web with information delivered in real time to a geographically targeted audience. The information is to alert the public about things of an urgent nature such as traffic disrupting auto accidents, missing persons, crime developments and other important time sensitive public safety announcements.

The great part about this service is that it was available at no cost to the governmental agency or the subscriber.

It appears the no cost part has come to an end.

Without previous notice, the service sent the Fort Thomas Police department an invoice for $3,000.

According to the blog Fort Thomas Matters a message from Lt. Ken Fetcher of the Fort Thomas Police department states:

“The Fort Thomas Police Department regrets to advise that Nixle is not going to be a viable avenue of communication. This change took place April 26th. Nixle has announced that Departments using Nixle will be charged $3000.00 per year for their service. They will allow us to continue free, but we would ONLY be able to use it for emergency crisis situations. Fort Thomas Police Department is not immune to the current economic difficulties, and our agency is unable to budget for this service.”

Fort Thomas, a much larger city than Alexandria has decided that they will no longer participate in the service due to cost.

Let’s see what Alexandria with a much smaller budget than Fort Thomas decides to do.

Sections of East Main Street to be closed for 6 to 8 weeks

Beginning today (May 9, 2011) sections of East Main Street between US27 and Riley Road will be closed for 6 to 8 weeks.

Contractors are installing a new 24" water main 7 to 9 feet deep in the center of the road. Large construction equipment will be moving in and out along with heavy gauge pipes. Hazardous conditions will exist during operational hours and it is advisable to seek alternative routes.

Traffic closures will start sometime between 7:00 am and 9:00 am in the morning and opening back up between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

Local traffic will be maintained to St. Mary, Bishop Brossart and Campbell County Middle School although traffic backups may occur. Arrive early and be patient when leaving.

Attached is a map of the affected area for the next several weeks.

If you are not sure of alternate routes of travel, please contact the Alexandria Police Department assistance.

City Brew Coffee is moving

The City Brew Coffee kiosk which has been doing business in the Alexandria Shopping Center’s parking lot is relocating to Village Green Shopping Center.

Their new location will be in the area where Harry’s Dinner once stood.

A large crane will literally pick up the small building and with an escort from the Alexandria Police Department it will be moved to its new location.

They’re hoping to be open in Village Green by May 16.

We hope they continue the cruise-ins that they promoted at their previous location.

We wish them well and hope for their success.

Alexandria extends start time for mega housing development

How are things going in Alexandria?

It’s been 4 months now since the new administration has taken charge.

Are things going as you expected?

Are you happy with the change?

We’ve been quiet for a while to give the new administration time to settle in. We think 4 months has been more than fair.

Are there any comments or concerns that you would like to share?