Committee Profiles
Bridge Committee
President: Karen Shinkle
First Vice-President: Henry Peters
Second Vice-President: Mark Roberto
Recording Secretary: Grace Hudleston
Treasurer: Lou Hodge
Historian: Don Heinrich Tolzmann
Directors: Ardath Abel, Carl Abel, Brenda Armstrong, John Banner (Past President), Mark Armstrong, Paul Collett, Robert Hans, Anne Huddleston, Sherry Roth, Ann Wiethe, Ralph Wolff, Marc Hult
Past Presidents: Ed Wimmer, Sr. (founder), Pat Dammert, Pat Coleman, Ed Wimmer, Jr. , Julia Langsam, Robert Carter, Robert Wolnitzek, Ardath Abel, Mark Wolnitzek, Bob Armstrong, Ray Noll, Chris Payne, Carl Abel, Gerry Roberto, John Banner, Ralph Wolff, Anne Huddleston, Bob Armstrong
The committee formed in 1975 when the bridge was designated a National Historic Landmark. To honor its historical significance the committee received approval from the Commonwealth of Kentucky (bridge owner) to privately fund the flying of our national and state flags atop the bridge towers. The proposal was approved on the condition that the committee assumes full responsibility for installation and maintenance of the facilities necessary to sustain flying the flags in a continuing basis.
Led by Ed Wimmer Sr., the committee incorporated in Kentucky as a non-profit organization dedicated to general purpose of preserving and enhancing the bridge and for the specific purpose of the flag program. Led by Julia Langsam and Ben Bernstein, the corporate charter was amended in 1984 to include the installation, maintenance and continued operation of the bridge beautification lighting.
Organization
The Committee is a totally volunteer organization of local citizens.
Officers are elected by a Board of Directors for two-year terms. The Board is composed of nine members who serve three-year terms. These terms are staggered so that the terms of three directors end each year. The Board meets at least four times each year.
Annual events have included an Ohio River boat ride on the weekend nearest Flag Day in June, and a holiday party in December. In 2003, the boat ride was a dinner cruise aboard the historic P.A. Denny riverboat during Tall Stacks in October.
Tax status
The Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee hereby certifies that we received official 501(c)3 status by the Internal Revenue Service allowing contributions from donors to qualify as tax deductions. Donors may deduct contributions to our organization as provided in section 170 of the code. Bequest, legacies, transfers, or gifts to our organization or for its use are tax deductible from federal and state gift tax purposes under provision 2055, 2106, and 25222 of the code. A determination letter issued in March 1982 granted our organization exemption from Federal and State taxes under our tax ID #31-0925693, section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. That letter is still in effect, and is accessible in the IRS book 78 under the charities and foundations qualifying for 501(c)3 status with the Internal Revenue Service.
Finances
The Committee’s activities are underwritten by membership dues and donations. Membership dues are intended to cover member services, administrative costs, and sponsorship of public and school programs. Donations are used exclusively to sustain the flag and lighting activities at the current annualized cost of $20,000; this includes an annual set aside in a reserve fund to cover major replacement costs on a ten to fifteen year basis. The committee is undertaking a major capital project to replace the lights.
