Press release from Dearborn County Commissioners

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - For several years, Dearborn County has been a part of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.  In fact, Dearborn County is the reason for the “I” in OKI.  OKI is federally mandated and funnels about $40 million in transportation funds to construction and planning projects throughout its eight-county, three-state region that includes: Ohio’s Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties; Kentucky’s Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties and Dearborn County Indiana.   It is a council of local governments, business organizations and community groups committed to developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs to improve the quality of life and  economic development potential of the Tri-State.

On January 10, 2013, the OKI Board of Directors sent a very positive message to the citizens of Dearborn County.  They elected Dearborn County Commissioner Kevin Lynch as Second Vice President on their Executive Board.  With this appointment, Commissioner Lynch has a “seat at the table” and will play a bigger role in helping lead transportation planning in our region.  Despite the fact that Dearborn County represents only a small portion of the stakeholders involved in OKI across the region, Commissioner Lynch said “this certainly puts to rest concerns that OKI is not committed to being an important partner to Dearborn County in helping us plan for the future of our county, receive INDOT funding, and gain regional support for infrastructure improvements.”

This selection of Commissioner Lynch for such a high level board position on the OKI Executive Board reinforces the positive dialogue that has occurred in recent months between the Commissioners, leaders in the municipalities of Lawrenceburg, Aurora, and Greendale, and executives at OKI.  Moreover, it shows the commitment OKI has made to increasing the depth and quality of its partnership with Dearborn County.  Following today’s Dearborn County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Lynch said “I am honored to have been given this opportunity to raise the level of awareness in the Tri-State region for the value Dearborn County brings to its citizens, potential businesses, and our neighbors in Kentucky and Ohio.”

Commissioner Lynch joins a group of quality regional leaders on the OKI Executive Board.  The 2013 elected officers for the OKI Board of Directors include:

• President: Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune

• First Vice President: Kenton County Fiscal Court Judge Executive Steve Arlinghaus

• Second Vice President: Dearborn County Commissioner Kevin Lynch

• Treasurer: Resident At-large Member Kenneth Reed

• Past President: Clermont County Commissioner Edwin Humphrey

Incoming OKI Board President, Todd Portune said, “Focusing on bettering our roads, highways, waterways, bike and pedestrian paths will continue to be our main charge at OKI.  We have an historic opportunity to create a seamless, integrated, multi-modal transportation system that efficiently, economically and reliably moves people and goods throughout the region. One hundred years from now people will be studying the decisions we are making that are transforming the region.”