The Voice - July
/Citizens Police Academy Applications Available
Submitted by City Manager Tom Fromme with Chief of Police Christopher Fangman
Over the years, the City of Newport has been proud to conduct a Citizens Police Academy, offering insight into the function of law enforcement within the city. As a former Newport Police Chief, I enjoyed interacting with the citizens of Newport as it was an opportunity to teach interested residents the various functions of the police department.
Starting with this class, we want to offer an opportunity to educate the participants on what our city government has to offer, as well. We are expanding the academy program to include all facets of our city operations and responsibilities. The course syllabus will include the inner workings of everything from the function of my office to all other branches of our city.
Over a 14-week period, a group of up to 15 Newport residents can see our streets and neighborhoods through the eyes of a Newport police officer. They will walk through buildings to identify potential fire safety hazards with Newport fire personnel, have questions answered, gain insight into the operations of the Finance Department, and the list goes on! I promise it will be an exciting experience from which you will receive a certificate, and most importantly, a better idea of how your city government operates and the many obstacles we face on a day-to-day basis.
Our plan is to begin the Fall 2020 Citizens Police Academy on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 with each weekly class lasting from 6 to 9 pm, with pizza and drinks provided at 5:30 pm. As we all know, due to COVID-19 the dates and times are fluid and can change rapidly. It would be optimal to follow the planned dates as stated, however. We will do everything we can to keep our residents and employees safe. With that being said, please understand if changes need to occur due to state mandates and/or other factors. Applications are available on the City of Newport’s Official Website and Facebook page, as well as on the Newport Police Department’s Facebook page. We plan to continue our academies twice a year with fall and spring sessions. If attendance is at capacity, there will be further opportunities!
Speaking for the mayor and Board of Commissioners, we are proud to work with so many great people who identify as public servants. We pride ourselves on working at maximum efficiency and doing all we can for the people we serve to make our city better. This is a great course for those that are interested in how city government operates, especially for the aspiring next generation of city leaders. So, to all of the civic-minded people out there, please join us in this exciting adventure!
If you have any questions, please contact me at 859-292-3637 or email Joy Rovno at jrovno@newportky.gov or Bev Holiday at bholiday@newportky.gov.
Thanks for making Newport a great place to live, work, shop, dine and play.
Urban Magic: The True Story of the East Row Fairy Doors
Rhonda Atkins, our local visual storyteller, routinely documents the countless fairy families that have made themselves at home in newport.
By Paula Brandon with Fan Newport
Walk down any East Row sidewalk, pay careful attention and you are sure to see tiny doorways tucked next to trees, porches, steps and curbs, all leading to the magical homes of our neighborhood fairy families. To learn the details of this unusual migration, The Voice made contact with the fairies’ confidant, Fan Newport. Although Fan has a popular Facebook presence focused on East Row fairy doors, his or her human identity is a closely guarded secret. Years ago, our fairy families needed a human ambassador – and Fan stepped up to help, anonymously.
Here’s what we learned when we interviewed Fan to uncover the story behind our local fairy doors and families.
How did fairy families pick the East Row as their home? Like most humans who live here, fairies love the architecture and history, and enjoy the convenience of nearby shopping and businesses. Many may be surprised to learn that fairies are greatly concerned about climate change and are working diligently to reduce their carbon wing print. Newport is in close proximity to where many are employed, so it’s an ideal location. Oh, and just recently the Newport Levee has reached out to us about locations!
Fairies are very careful about choosing humans to work with to find housing locations. We were lucky to get a recommendation from other fairy services that the local human realtor, Michael Jackson, was a safe contact. After reaching out to him and learning that Newport would be welcoming, we set up the East Row Fairy Relocation Service and Realtor Group. Along with finding homes where small humans live, he has been helpful with locations that may not have small humans but are nonetheless welcoming to fairies.
Have fairies ventured into any other areas of Newport? Fairies have also been moving to the West Side of Newport. Although their contacts are not as strong with West Side families, with the Facebook page and group, we are hoping to add more fairy locations on the West Side. Just for informational purposes, currently fairies are only moving north of 11th St., on the East and West sides of Newport.
When did fairies start moving into the neighborhood? After making contact with Michael Jackson, the first fairy family moved into the location at the East Row Pool and Social Club in 2016. After being so welcomed by neighbors, and especially the small humans, they spread the word and other families started to arrive in the spring of 2017.
Unfortunately, in the early years most of the families were choosing poor locations along the curb. Between the street cleaner and some fairy nonbelievers, many homes were deliberately removed or damaged. In late 2017 and 2018, fairies started finding safer locations at homes with local families on their doorsteps or foundations.
The fairy doors are all so unique and special. Can you describe the process? Since all of the doors are handmade and painted, when we know the interests of the small humans living in the home, we try to cater to their needs. Recently we learned of a family who has the boy type of small human visit in the summer, so we located a fairy family that wanted to live near a boy small human and helped with their move. It was an unusual request because most fairy door requests have been for the girl type of small human.
What do you think of the occasional breakage or disappearance of fairy doors? Other than one true fairy nonbeliever in the neighborhood who removed and disposed of countless doors during the first year, I do not think the damaged or missing doors are by humans that are unwelcoming to the fairies. They are likely the result of normal decay and medium-sized humans being mischievous or just wanting their own fairy family.
Early on when we would learn about missing fairy doors from homes and parks, we were upset, but the small person that often helps with location and building reminded me that there are probably small humans who see them and do not know how to request one or think they can’t afford one, so taking it appears to be the only way to acquire one for themselves. This is the main reason we set up the Fan Newport Facebook page and the Newport Fairy Door Group.
As for decay, we have learned that like most human homes, some materials in the fairy doors hold up better than others. We went through several different types of glue/epoxy before settling on our current choice, which is a fairy secret recipe.
How do you manage to help the fairies move in without being seen by people? Well, the East Row Fairy Relocation Service and Realtor Group scouts locations during daylight hours but the fairies do not move in until dusk, after the small humans are asleep. We have been caught once or twice but work hard to be stealth fairy movers.
Since the East Row has had their fair share of mischievous humans also out during the evening, there are times we have run into the bigger humans watching us, wondering what we are doing. So far we have not been approached.
We know your identity is a well-kept secret. Would our human neighbors be surprised to know who you are? Yes, I’m sure some humans would be surprised to find out, but let’s hope they don’t. To obtain access to various locations, some important figureheads in the East Row had to learn our identity, but we do our best to keep our anonymity. So, if you know, shhhhhh!
What motivates you to stay involved with the “moving in” of East Row fairies? Honestly, it is fun. We enjoy making the doors, helping the East Row Fairy Relocation Service and Realtor Group find locations and, especially, helping the fairies set up house.
We truly enjoy seeing the smaller humans in Newport find our homes. As long as we are welcomed by the humans of Newport, we plan to stay.
Do you believe that there is REAL magic in the East Row? Absolutely, yes!
Newport Business Association Meet & Greet, 7/29
By Bev Holiday, NBA Vice President
The Newport Business Association (NBA) will host a Social Meet & Greet on Wednesday, July 29 from 4 to 6 pm at Hofbrauhaus, 200 East 3rd St. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be provided along with a cash bar. The meeting is open to the public.
COVID-19 Update: As concerns about COVID-19 continue and in the interest of public health and safety, we are taking necessary precautions about upcoming scheduled events. It is still highly important to remain vigilant against the spread of infectious diseases. Attendees are asked to wear a mask at this event.
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.
NewportFORWARD Public Forum
By Larisa Sims, Assistant City Manager
I am not a native of Newport. I’m proud of my hometown, but many times I wonder what it might have been like to be a part of the history of this great city. As an adult, I had a choice where to live, work and raise my family and as I considered my choices, much like many of you, I looked for a place that was safe and affordable, a place that had character and fun activities for all ages, and that valued diversity and the environment…a place in which I could invest my future.
I’m a planner by nature and by trade. I believe you cannot achieve your vision if you don’t have goals – measurable goals – that are realistic and attainable, but not always easy to achieve. These goals must be followed up with strategy and action, and collaboration with those who have the same goals in mind.
If you’re like me, if you are invested and care about your community, these things I’ve outlined are the same reasons that you should participate in the NewportFORWARD Comprehensive Planning Process. Below are listed the draft goal statements for the city’s plan update. Please take some time and give us your feedback. Are these your values? As residents and business owners, do you have different ideas on what we should accomplish together? TELL US!
You can participate by visiting our online public forum at https://stories.opengov.com/newportky/published/5JEDK2NSE to review and comment on the entire list of draft goals and objectives for the city’s future plan, or simply email me your thoughts at cityofnewport@newportky.gov. Thank you for your time and your voice.
NewportFORWARD Draft Goal Statements:
Strong Vibrant Neighborhoods: Newport’s neighborhoods are part of our unique identity. A system of strong, vibrant neighborhoods with a variety of housing options and quality of life amenities is the foundation to retaining existing residents and attracting newcomers.
Meaningful Connections: Newport will be a strong community that takes pride in its history, appreciates and celebrates the many cultures that make up our community, and maintains our diversity through frequent dialog and interactions. We aspire to retain the individual identities of our neighborhoods and business districts AND establish a cohesive and unified identity for Newport in a way that enhances our sense of community. Preserve and restore historic places, landmarks and architecture.
Economic Prosperity and Resilience: Newport’s economy will be a balance of vibrant retail districts with lively music venues for local and regional visitors, and office/commercial areas that are home to contemporary jobs that provide a living wage for residents and a solid tax base for the community. Maintain and strengthen attractive and vibrant business districts.
Well-Connected, Multi-Modal Transportation Network: Newport will have and maintain a well-connected and safe multi-modal transportation network that increases people’s ability to reach destinations that can influence their health and well-being. Such a network is characterized by accessible and seamless bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, direct routing for cars and trucks, and few physical barriers. Improve and maintain infrastructure so residents of all ages can move easily throughout Newport.
Sustainable Environment: Newport values the numerous contributions that natural resources make to human well-being, and recognizes the importance of protecting and enhancing the natural environment. We will conserve and manage our natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure their long-term health. Protect and enhance our natural resources including the Ohio and Licking Rivers, hillsides, and urban tree canopy (e.g. Increase tree canopy throughout all areas of the city.)
Healthy Community: Newport will offer a high quality of life and a community that fosters healthy and active lifestyles by utilizing its valuable open space assets to gather, exercise, recreate, and provide local food sources.
Good Government: Newport will continue to provide effective local governance in order to foster an overall high quality of life for our citizens. Good governance is characterized as being accessible, open, and fiscally responsible; continually looking for ways to improve and collaborate for the benefit of the community.
Campbell County Libraries are OPEN!
By Kiki Dreyer Burke
The Campbell County Public Library opened to the public on Monday, June 15. Hours at all four of our branches are 11 am–7 pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 1-5 pm on Saturdays. Hours for at-risk patrons are suggested from 11 am – noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
All library branches – Cold Spring, Alexandria, Carrico/Fort Thomas and Newport – will continue to offer and encourage the use of curbside services for quick pick up of library holds. Patrons are asked to limit their visits to one hour so the library can accommodate as many visitors as possible while maintaining occupancy recommendations. Computer use is limited to one hour, but reservations may be made online at www.cc-pl.org/coronavirus or by calling the preferred branch. Printing/scanning, faxing, and document shredding services are also available.
Meeting and study rooms are currently unavailable for public use. These rooms are being used to quarantine returned materials and to store furniture removed to meet social distancing guidelines. No fines for overdue materials are being assessed since quarantined items are held for four days before patron accounts are cleared.
All staff will be wearing masks and plexiglass shields have been installed at information and patron services desks. Keeping our staff and patrons safe while providing the services our community expects is our top priority. For more information on what services will be offered and other safety precautions, visit www.cc-pl.org/coronavirus.
Fundraising Efforts Underway
By Scott Clark, Historic Preservation Officer and Newport History Museum Executive Director
New Riff Community Bourbon Barrel Bottles Available for Purchase: The limited edition 225th anniversary bottles “Proudly Celebrating Our Diverse Past & Making History Every Day” are now 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.
Own a Piece of Newport 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 Available for Purchase:
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
Delivery within Newport will be arranged. Please contact Scott Clark at sclark@newportky.gov for ordering items from the former Fourth Street School. Thank you for your continual support of 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.
