COVINGTON, Ky. - In his over 30 years in public service, Covington City Manager David Johnston has chaired committees, served on boards, and been asked by community groups to do a wide variety of things - all to make the community the best it can be.

 

But he's never had to dance.

 

Never ... until he came to Northern Kentucky.

 

Now Johnston finds himself not only about to dance ... but to do so before a large crowd, in a competition.

 

But it's all for a great cause.

 

Johnston is one of eight local "celebrities" who will perform with professional partners on May 31 in the 2018 Dancing with the CLC Stars event, the annual dance competition & fund-raiser benefitting the Children's Law Center.

 

"I'm having fun with this," Johnston said. "My wife and I have taken about three years of ballroom dance classes, so I only have 1½ left feet instead of the proverbial two. And of course the 12 dance lessons with my instructor Carrie from Arthur Murray Dance Studios certainly will help."

 

(To see Johnston's progress as of the third lesson, CLICK HERE.)

 

Johnston plans to show off his version of the rumba, danced to "Ring My Bell" by Enrique Iglesias.

 

But for all the fun and amusement, Johnston said he's constantly reminded of the purpose of the event: To raise money to help Children's Law Center, Inc. The non-profit agency, located on Russell Street in Covington, advocates for the rights of children in Northern Kentucky dealing with abuse, neglect, the effects of bad parenting and crises involving legal issues, lack of housing and other critical needs and challenges.

 

"This isn't about Covington's City Manager trying to be the next Gene Kelly - it's about helping an important agency advocate for the rights of a vulnerable population," Johnston said. "The Center can be a ray of hope for youth during the dark times of their lives."

 

To that end, the Dancing with the CLC Stars event has a webpage that allows the public to "vote" for their favorite dancer by purchasing votes, tickets and sponsorships.

 

Dancers will be competing both to raise the most money and also with talent on the dance floor.

 

To support Covington's City Manager in the financial part of the competition, or any of the eight dancers, or buy tickets to the event, CLICK HERE.

 

Dancing with the CLC Stars will take place 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. May 31 at Receptions Conference Center at 1379 Donaldson Road in Erlanger.

 

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