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!
