Covington Mayor Joe Meyer, left, shares the “City Government of the Year” award with the City’s volunteers. At right is Kentucky League of Cities Executive Director J.D. Chaney.

League crowns Covington at reception for volunteers

COVINGTON, Ky. – Six months after being named “City Government of the Year” in Kentucky, the Covington received its “trophy” on Friday – an 11½-inch obelisk made of black marble.

City officials had delayed the formal presentation from the Kentucky League of Cities so it could take place at the annual reception held to thank the many volunteers who serve on City-appointed boards and commissions.

Covington Mayor Joe Meyer said he wanted those volunteers to be able to share in the excitement of the award because it was a “team effort.”

“To those of you who have raised your hands and agreed to volunteer and serve, we express our deep appreciation,” Covington Mayor Joe Meyer said. “This is external validation of the quality of the work that (you and) your City government are doing.”

At a reception, held at the Drees Pavilion in Devou Park, Meyer gave brief remarks recapping the initiatives and progress made in Covington on everything from creating jobs to helping small businesses to a public Wi-Fi project to workforce development.

Then he gave the mic to J.D. Chaney, executive director/CEO of the League, a member organization founded in 1927 that advocates for and serves some 400 cities.

Chaney called Covington’s accomplishments over the last two years “truly impressive” – especially given the challenges and roadblocks erected by the pandemic -- and praised the “spirit of community” that pervades the city’s personality and its public officials’ work.

“Of all our 416 cities, Covington is unique,” Chaney said. “Covington does things a lot differently than so many of our cities do. … There’s a social aspect of what the city does to serve its citizens, to lift its citizens up. … (The Mayor) is right to take a victory lap.”

# # #