State "Hot Spots"
From, The Kentucky Citizen Digest, Novemer/December, 2001.

Covington
   
The Covington Human Rights Commission is considering a new anti-discrimination ordinance that would not only prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, but would, for the first time, include provisions to penalize people who violate the law.
   
Within the next six months, the group is expected to recommend that the Covington City Commission revise its ordinance to protect the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals and, perhaps, people of Appalachian descent.
       
Covington
   
Some members of the Covington City Commission claim the commission has no option but to make room for sexually oriented businesses (SOBs), falsely believing that the United States Supreme Court has ruled that the First Amendment protects SOBs. The planned red-light zone would run the entire block on the west side of Madison between Fourth and Fifth streets, and halfway down the block on the east side.
   
Opponents feel that if Covington adopts new zoning regulations that designate nearly six acres for strip joints downtown, it will be a roadblock to redevelopment and a threat to the city’s “rebirth.” This is partly because Madison Avenue is a key link to draw visitors and tourists from the hotels on the river front and the Northern Kentucky Convention Center to restaurants and shops downtown.
       
Owensboro
   
Land-based casino gambling is illegal in Kentucky, but that hasn’t deterred plans by Western Kentucky businessman John Bays who wants to bring a Las Vegas-style casino and entertainment complex to the quiet town of Owensboro
   
Bays, a multi-millionaire and the owner of the Executive Inn Hotel, has made extravagant promises to the community if he’d be allowed to build a casino, among them, he says he’d eliminate property taxes and give $1 million a month to the city, schools and churches.
       
Louisville
   
The Kentucky Racing Commission recently met in Louisville to discuss among other agenda items the possibility “to bring slots to the racetracks,” according to Jay Wethington, chairman of the state Charitable Gaming Advisory Commission.
   
Kentucky’s horse racing industry is reeling from next years projected foal loss of up to 3,000 thoroughbreds, and racing officials say Kentucky tracks are losing business to out of state parks with on-track slot machines.
       
Glasgow
   
Castle of Love, a lingerie and novelty shop, was set to open near the square in downtown Glasgow when city commissioners moved quickly to enact an ordinance than sent its owner packing.
   
The ordinance, which passed its first reading overwhelmingly, mandates that “no ‘adult establishment’ shall be located in… the central business district… or within 1,000 feet of any public or private nursery, elementary, junior high, or high schools or places of worship.”
   


 

Key Family Foundation Contacts: Kent Ostrander , Executive Director Martin Cothran , Senior Associate Policy Analyst