Mayor April DeFalco and the Falmouth City Council pose for a group portrait after receiving the Oath of Office from Pendleton Country Magistrate Stacey Wells at Kennett Tavern Council Chambers on December 30, 2006. (L-r) Jason Gregg, Mary Ann Pittman, Darryl Ammerman, April DeFalco, Mark Hart and Rick Mineer. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Mayor and Council take Oath of Office

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Swearing-in ceremonies for Mayor-Elect April DeFalco and the Falmouth City Council were conducted in Kennett Tavern Council Chambers at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2006. Before the ceremonies began Falmouth City Councilman Mark Hart told those in attendance that Councilman-Elect Rob Yelton had resigned his seat on city government before taking the Oath of Office. Mr. Yelton's job as a Northern Kentucky University peace officer posed the possibility of a conflict of interest. Based on advice from legal counsel Yelton had withdrawn from the elected position. Mark Hart explained that the mayor and the council would appoint an individual to fill the vacant council seat within 30 days after taking office. (In the January 2 issue of The Falmouth Outlook it was reported that the next highest vote getter for council from the November 2006 election would automatically move into the vacant seat, but that statement was an error.)

Former County Attorney, C. Donald Wells addressed the gathering. He reviewed the history of Falmouth and gave advice to the city legislators regarding the future of the city. Wells congratulated the newly elected officials and wished them the very best.

Before administering the Oath of Office, Magistrate Stacey Wells pointed out that April DeFalco had already achieved historical significance by being elected the city's first woman mayor. Everyone applauded. Then, Magistrate Wells concluded the ceremonies by swearing-in the mayor and the council.

Fiscal Court Resolution honors the late Magistrate Paul Dickison

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

At the conclusion of the special December 28 Pendleton County Fiscal Court session Judge/Executive Henry Bertram read the following resolution: "Whereas, Paul Dickison, late of 4147 Highway 22 West, Falmouth, Kentucky, served the County of Pendleton for four years as magistrate of the justice of the peace district three; and, Whereras, Paul was not only hard working, but dependable, discreet and discerning throughout his years of service to his community; and, Whereas, throughout his distinguished career, though clearly deserving and uniquely qualified, Paul was always quick to express that it was a privilege and that he was grateful for the opportunity to serve his community; and, Whereas, Paul was an outstanding leader for all Pendleton County citizens, as well as a devoted deacon in his church, who has left an enviable legacy by virtue of the foregoing; and further,

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that this Pendleton County Fiscal Court has been in mourning since the passing of Paul Dickison, esteemed public servant and valued friend of the third district and Pendleton County. Be It Further Resolved, that the Clerk of this Fiscal Court shall make this resolution a part of the minutes of its meeting of 28 December 2006, and that a copy hereof shall be transmitted to his beloved family.

Be It Further Resolved, that upon the adjournment of the Pendleton County Fiscal Court on 28 December 2006, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect for the memory and life of Paul Dickison."

Other business conducted by the Pendleton County Fiscal Court in the December 28 meeting:

Attorney Timothy Theissen discussed his zoning ordinance proposal with the court, Butler Mayor Delbert Reid, Falmouth Mayor-Elect April DeFalco, members of the Butler and Falmouth City Councils, as well as, members of the Pendleton County Planning Commission and Community Development Director, Bill Mitchell.

The court approved a motion to employ Attorney Timothy Theissen to draft a county zoning ordinance proposal.

The fiscal court reviewed an ordinance to assist the city of Butler with the purchase of two fire trucks.

Magistrate Jack Sumpter said goodbye to the court and stated that he had enjoyed and was proud of his 13 year membership in the legislative body. Judge Bertram and Jack Sumpter's fellow magistrates expressed their appreciation for all his hard work and many accomplishments. Everyone said they would miss Magistrate Sumpter.

APRIL DEFALCO

Falmouth mayor settled in to her office and new duties

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

For the last five years, April DeFalco has had several titles, one of which is "mom" to her daughter. But as of January 1, 2007 April answers to a new title and that is Madame Mayor. She was elected to the office of Falmouth Mayor in the General Election this past November.

She made history for the city of Falmouth by being elected the first woman mayor since the town was settled in 1793. In fact, she may be the youngest female mayor in the state. We are still researching this.

Miss DeFalco was raised in Falmouth and is a 1998 graduate of Pendleton County High School.

She, her daughter, Skylar, and Derrick Butler reside on Barkley Street in this city.

Miss DeFalco attended Gateway Community and Technical College and opened her own shop, Massage Therapy, four years ago.

A little over two years ago she and a friend opened Exchange Unlimited, a consignment shop that takes in new and slightly used clothing, shoes, jewelry and resells them. That shop is located in the same building as her other business in the Wyatt's Riverside Shoppes.

In high school, she was a DECA member. Since then she has helped get adults to purchase new clothing and toys for children needing them at Christmas and helped with other events in the community.

Before being elected as Mayor, April worked part-time at The Falmouth Outlook for two years. There she worked in the circulation department and sold advertising.

She has balanced her duties as an owner of two businesses and worked part-time at another. She is on leave from the paper.

Miss DeFalco shadowed the former Mayor Gene Flaugher a few days before he left office. She also has visited with each city department and its supervisor making herself familiar with how they operate.

"I will work with the county," she stated. "I have already met with Judge/Executive Henry Bertram."

"I will give 110% to make our city a better place to live and work," she added. "I have many resources to use to help me gain more knowledge about projects the city will be engaged in. I am not afraid of hard work and I will work hard to take the city forward," stated Miss DeFalco.

One of the projects the city is in the process of starting is the building of a new sewer plant. After the 1997 flood the state had placed a moratorium on the city that would not allow any more sewer and water taps. That order limited new growth in the city. The grant that put new waterlines south of town helped some, but the new plant will allow the city to grow and better serve the other water districts dependent on them.

Mayor DeFalco and council will fill the vacant council seat created when Rob Yelton had to resign due to conflicts with his job at NKU.

That vacancy, created by Mr. Yelton, will probably be filled at the next regular Falmouth City Council meeting on Thursday, January 18, 2007. Council meetings are held in the council chambers in Kennett Tavern.

Pendleton School Board members to be honored

The administrators, faculty, staff, students and other local citizens will salute the members of the Pendleton County Board of Education at their meeting on Tuesday, January 16.

More than 800 local school board members are being honored statewide by the Kentucky School Boards Association and locally by their communities during Kentucky's January observation of School Board Member Recognition Month.

The members of the Pendleton County Board of Education are Chairperson Steve Thomas, Vice-Chairperson Dr. William Verax, III, Daryl Mullins, Brigitte Blom-Ramsey, and Mark Ross.

"We're proud to celebrate achievement in our schools, whether it comes in test results, college scholarships or success by our academic and athletic teams," said Superintendent J. Robert Yost. "We mark the contributions made by our teachers, bus drivers, office workers, administrators, parents and volunteers. But none of those success stories could be as meaningful as they are without the work done by our board members."

In the Pendleton County Schools, Board of Education members develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues - issues that impact the entire community.

For more of this story, see this week's Falmouth Outlook

Butler Lions Club contributes to Pendleton Athletic Park

Butler Lions Club President, Gary Veirs, left, presents a $500 check to Pendleton Athletic Park Project Director, Larry Sutton, right, on December 26, 2006. The donation will be used as a local match for installing lighting on Softball Field Number 4. "We are very pleased to make this contribution to the Athletic Park," said President Veirs. Other community support services provided by the Butler Lions Club include: the collection of old eye glasses for donations to Lions International, the purchase of eye glasses for needy persons, contributions to Project Graduation and Kincaid Regional Theatre, the awarding of three scholarships to graduating PCHS seniors, and supporting the Lions/NKU Tip-Off Tournament.

Motorist beware! Pendleton County Road Maintenance schedule

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6 Superintendent Terry Courts announc-ed the following maintenance activities in Pendleton County for the week of January 8-12:

Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 8 and 9: A crew will be repairing shoulders on KY 10 from the Campbell County line to the Bracken County line. A crew will be repairing a culvert on US 27 in between the 2-3 mile marker which is near Blanket Creek Road and Ambrose Wright Road. A crew will replace a culvert on KY 1054 in between KY 330 and KY 22.

Wednesday, Jan. 10 a crew will be repairing shoulders on KY 8 from the Campbell County line to the Bracken County line. A crew will be ditching with equipment on KY 1054 from KY 330 to KY 22.

Thursday and Friday, Jan. 11-12 a crew will continue to ditch with equipment on KY 1054 from KY 330 to KY 22.A crew will be repairing shoulders on KY 154 from the Campbell County line to KY 8.

For more of this story, see this week's Falmouth Outlook

Con artist asking for donations for Pendleton Search & Rescue

Pendleton County Search & Rescue would like to inform the public that someone is asking for donations on behalf of their department. He is not a member of their department and this matter is under investigation.

If you have anyone come to your door, please feel free to contact Mark Hart at 654-4278 or contact the Sheriff's Department at (859) 654-4511.

Antrobus Indicted by Grand Jury

The Grand Jury charges that on or about November 26, 2006, Dale Lee Antrobus, DOB: 5/5/61, committed the offense of Burglary in the Third Degree when, with the intent to commit a crime therein, he knowingly entered and remained unlawfully in Southern Elementary School; charges that on or about November 26, he committed the offense of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree when, having no right to do so or any reasonable ground to believe that he had such right, he wantonly damaged or destroyed three vending machines located at Southern Elementary School, causing pecuniary loss of $1,000 or more; charges that he is a Persistent Felony Offender in the Second Degree in that he is more than twenty-one years of age, has been convicted of a felony previously, was more than eighteen years of age when he committed his previous felony, completed service of the sentence imposed for that conviction within five years of the date of the offense for which he now stands charged, and has not received a pardon for his felony conviction from the Governor of the Commonwealth of Ken-tucky. Bail is set at $5,000. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 1/17.

Souper Bowl Bash at PHS vs. Brossart ballgame, January 18

Pendleton County Future Business Leaders of America is sponsoring its fifth annual Souper Bowl Bash from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, January 18. Fans attending the PCHS vs. Bishop Brossart basketball game can purchase a $5 ticket ($2 for Pendleton County students) to sample and vote for their favorite soup that has been prepared by school personnel, government officials and business and community leaders.

The Pendleton County Souper Bowl Champ will be announced at half-time of the varsity game. The proceeds from the project will go to the American Cancer Society. Please come out and support this worthwhile cause.

Additional items this week:

Dry Ridge Post 6 of KSP will get a new captain later this month

P.C. FEMA Board awarded emergency food and shelter money

Health Department gives suggestions for New Year's Resolutions

Mary Ann Pittman achieves Senior Kentucky Assessor Designation

Ladycats defense dominates Nicholas County

Cats pick up 1 win and 3 losses over holiday break

Thomas McMullin enters guilty plea

and more!!