Ups and downs in Covington

Thumbs down: To the idea of putting 20 cafe tables in the median of Sixth Street in Covington's Main Strasse entertainment district. Last week, state officials put a stop to serving at the 20 cafe tables owned by the Cock & Bull English Pub and Dee Felice Cafe in the wide median. A final ruling is pending. As often happens in Covington politics, there are lots of differences of opinion and charges of hidden agendas.

Maybe this would be fine for special events when the streets are closed to vehicles. But, really, doesn't it just seem dumb to be serving alcoholic beverages to people seated on a median between two lanes of moving traffic that include drivers who have been drinking?

Thumbs up: To Covington developer Bill Butler, for pledging $1 million through his Corporex Cos. to be the catalyst for a "catalytic development corporation." The idea is to raise $10 million to start a fund pool that could be used for a variety of urban improvement projects. Butler also is recruiting other private investors and banking support. This is one of many worthwhile ideas emerging from the Vision 2015 blueprint for Northern Kentucky's future. Other groups are actively pursuing everything from bike trails to job creation. Unlike many such efforts, Vision 2015 doesn't appear to be a report that gets initial attention and then gets dusty on shelves. That's important, because there is no guarantee that the prosperity of recent years is automatic for the future.

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