The Voice - February 2021
/City Update
Submitted by City Manager Tom Fromme
At the Board of Commissioners Meeting Monday, January 25, the Virtual Ceremonial Swearing-in event was held. Pledging to continue the prosperity Newport has enjoyed over the last decade, Thomas L. Guidugli, Jr., was sworn in as mayor, filling the office held for 12 years by Jerry Peluso. Commissioner Frank Peluso was appointed vice mayor, and city commissioners were also sworn into office.
Peluso, who was term-limited as mayor, was elected to the Newport City Commission in November and was also sworn in along with fellow city commissioners Beth Fennell, Frank Peluso Sr., and Ken Rechtin. All three were re-elected last year.
Financial Assistance Program (FAP): The City of Newport has been the recipient of CARES Act funds via the Commonwealth of Kentucky. These funds have given the city the opportunity to offer financial assistance to more than 80 businesses in excess of $160,000 to help meet the needs of their day-to-day activities. Our business owners are the backbone of the city’s economic development, providing 40% of the city’s budget through occupational licenses and payroll withholding taxes.
Support Local Businesses: Your support is needed to help keep our brick-and-mortar businesses open and our storefronts occupied. During these difficult times, most businesses have pivoted to offer online, pick-up and curbside service. Please join me in supporting our local business owners. Gift cards make perfect gifts and provide much needed income!
Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) License Renewals: In an effort to support our bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, the city’s Licensing Department waived the annual ABC renewal fee for all businesses in compliance with ABC Guidelines for one year. This is another example of the city helping its business owners.
Public Works: The city’s Public Works crew has been busy the past couple of weeks maintaining streets during our ice/snowstorms. We appreciate your patience as crew members follow their schedule to address state routes first, hills in the Clifton area and the various neighborhoods.
Sidewalk Project: The city-wide 2020 sidewalk replacement project is completed.
The Newport City Building continues to remain closed to the public. During the City Building’s closure to the public, all departments continue to function, processing occupation licenses, tax payments, certificates of appropriateness (COAs), development project requests, sign requests, public works projects, the Newport Forward Comprehensive Plan, etc., to keep the city moving forward.
Most required applications are available on the city’s website for processing via email or the city lockbox inside the entry doors at 998 Monmouth Street.
Meetings of the Board of Commissioners, Board of Adjustments, Planning & Zoning, and Historic Preservation will be available for viewing on the city’s Facebook page. Please check the city’s website for dates and times of meetings.
City Website: http://www.newportky.gov/
City Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofNewportKY/
As always, if you have questions, please email bholiday@newportky.gov or call my office at 859-292-3687. Great things are happening in Newport! Thanks for your efforts to continue to make Newport a great place to live, work, shop and play.
As always, if you have any questions, please email bholiday@newportky.gov or call the office at 859-292-3687.
Newport’s Online Resources:
City Website: http://www.newportky.gov/
City Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofNewportKY/
Newport History Museum @ The Southgate Street School’s Facebook page.
Thanks for making Newport a great place to live, work, shop, dine and play.
Executive Board Positions Open: Get Involved and Help Shape the Future of the East Row
Submitted by Robert Weiler
Our East Row neighborhood is unique, filled with history, walkability and friendly people. You have an opportunity to support our community by getting involved in the East Row Historic District (ERHD). We welcome your participation!
Every year, the ERHD elects new officers. Due to the current COVID situation, we request that nominations be submitted via email. If you or someone you know are interested in participating in the advancement of the ERHD, please submit your name and contact information to the Nominating Committee members below. The term of office is one year, May 2021 - May 2022.
Positions open are:
Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Gateway Representative
Mansion Hill Representative
Please give some thought to serving the East Row through your participation in the ERHF! Just submit your name or nomination to the following members listed below by February 20.
Feel free to contact the Nominating Committee with any questions. Thank you for your continued support of the ERHD.
Nominating Committee Members:
John Morrow: kjohnmorrowjr@yahoo.com
Jeff Richardson: demondeke87@gmail.com
Corey Siddall: travelbuddies@fuse.net
Robert Weiler: robertaweiler@yahoo.com
NBA Meeting and Panel Discussion is February 24
Submitted by Bev Holiday, NBA Vice President
Join members and guests of the Newport Business Association (NBA) for a panel discussion on Wednesday, February 24, 8-9 am. This virtual meeting via Zoom will focus on COVID-19 updates. Use the NBA Facebook link below to access the event.
Panelists will be from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, NKY Health Department and the City of Newport. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Newport Business Association Facebook page, and saved for later viewing. Please use the link https://www.facebook.com/NewportBusinessAssociation/.
Please Note: As concerns about COVID-19 continue and in the interest of public health and safety, we are offering NBA meetings virtually. It is still important to remain vigilant against the spread of infectious diseases. Please mask up and practice social distancing.
Mission statement: Newport Business Association serves the local businesses through its problem-solving forum, unified voice to policy makers, and through its member support, education and networking.
Hop Into Spring with March Programs at the Campbell County Public Library
Submitted by Mackenzie Manley, PR Coordinator, Campbell County Public Library
March is shaping up to be a busy month at the Campbell County Public Library, with programs at various branches scheduled for all age groups. Please note that masks are required for age 6 and older. Social distancing is expected and all in-person programs will be cancelled if the county is in the red zone for COVID-19.
The Programs: Spring thaw brings a new array of opportunities for learning, growing and fun at Campbell County Public Library branches. An array of classes are scheduled on a variety of topics. Teens will be able to learn how to code, children will learn about science while making color-changing slime and adults will practice yoga and meditation online through Zoom. Of course, there’s much more! The Cincinnati Museum Center will present an online program, Incredible Insects, that allows children to see the world through the eyes of a fly while learning about insect defense, including camouflage and mimicry.
Book clubs, discussions and coffee and conversation are also waiting for you.
Check out the full schedule for all age groups for February and March on the Campbell County Public Library website.
Honor Your Furry Family Members with a Dog Park Brick
jake sandhage demonstrates why our expanded newport dog park is such a great addition to the east row. There’s nothing like a spirited run through the snow to put a smile on your face! (Photo credit: Jason Sandhage.)
Submitted by Paula Brandon
What better way to honor a dog- or cat-loving friend or family member? Another round of bricks will appear at our dog park when enough orders have been received for the next section. Let’s get those orders in now to be part of this legacy. Here’s how to order:
$75 Donation – 4x8 in. brick
$500 Donation – 12x12 in. brick
Visit PolarEngraving.com/NewportDogPark
PayPal or checks accepted
New Riff community bourbon barrel bottles are available for purchase: The limited edition 225th anniversary bottles “Proudly Celebrating Our Diverse Past & Making History Every Day” are available for purchase in the New Riff Distillery Gift Shop at 24 Distillery Way. Thanks to New Riff’s generous donation, a portion of each bottle sold will benefit the 225th Anniversary Celebration of Newport’s History.
The Newport History Museum @ The Southgate Street School is offering for purchase a limited supply of architectural pieces from the former 1936 Fourth Street School. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the promotion and interpretation of the 225-year history of the City of Newport. Items include:
Terra Cotta Decorative Block - $55
Slate Deli Cheese Board - $28
Oak and Brass Stair Railings - $75
Newport 225 coasters and magnets are also available, locally handcrafted by Studio Vertu.
Coasters - $10
Magnets - $6
Contact Scott Clark at sclark@newportky.gov to order items from the former Fourth Street School.
Thank you for your continued support of the Newport History Museum!
Virtual Event: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation
Submitted by Scott Clark, Historic Preservation Officer & Newport History Museum Executive Director
Snow or no snow, there’s a virtual event happening Tuesday, February 16, 6-7:30 pm:
Six@Six Virtual Series: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation by Author, Steve Luxenberg.
Presented by The Scripps Howard Center For Civic Engagement @ NKU.
In support of Black History Month, join Steve Luxenberg, author and associate editor of the Washington Post, for a talk and Q&A discussion on his critically-acclaimed 2019 book, Separate, a myth-shattering narrative of how a nation embraced "separation" and its pernicious consequences.
RSVP required: sixatsix.nku.edu. This Six@Six lecture will be presented via Zoom and a link will be sent to you before the event.
The Newport History Museum @ The Southgate School continues to be closed to the public due to COVID-19. Thanks to the Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement for its continued support of sponsoring events from the Newport History Museum.
The Voice
Editor: Paula Brandon
Send articles to voice@eastrow.org. The editor reserves the right to edit or reject submissions due to length or content.
