Portune's new aide

The woman who helped Todd Portune retain his Hamilton County Commission seat in 2004 now will be his administrative aide.

Portune, in need of an aide for several weeks following the departure of former aide Karen Ball to work for the county-owned Metropolitan Sewer District, just announced the hiring of Kathy Binns.

The Mount Lookout resident will be paid $52,000 per year -- $3,400 per year less than Ball was making. Her first day on the job is Monday.

The salary range for commissioners' aides is $42,620-$58,011 per year, but two of the three commissioners -- Portune and Phil Heimlich -- have said they need to review those ranges because they may be too low.

Binn described herself as a "proud, card-carrying member of the AARP." She also volunteers for the Wellness Community and Hospice.

Portune, a Democrat, may be the least well-known of Binns' bosses. She formerly was an aide for Tennessee Gov. Ray Blanton and has helped direct and cast several movies as well as a recent music video for county music performer Kenny Chesney.

The aides for the two Republican commissioners and their salaries:

• Rob Seddon, Heimlich's aide, has an annual salary of $52,520;
• Lisa Webb, Pat DeWine's aide, is paid $54,059 per year.