BELLEVUE
FrOM the MayOr
COMMUNITY NEWS
March, 2020
Volume 42, Number 12
Bellevue CeleBrates 150 years as a City MarCh 15 in a cake decorating con- the Memorial Day Parade by Tina Neyer
It’s time to practice saying “Ses-qui-cen-ten-nial,” the term for 150 year anniversary of a city. We have so much to be proud of in the city of Bellevue, and since our founding on March 15, 1870, our town is the best it’s ever been. From the merchants on Fairfield Avenue to our beautiful homes, we continue to build a unique community filled with caring, can-do people who give of their time to help one another. On March 15 we will kick off our year-long celebration with a ceremony and Cincinnati Reds Vintage baseball game. YOU ARE INVITED to this fun, free event. Join Mayor Charlie Cleves welcome dignitaries from around the region to proclaim Bellevue a great little city. School age children are involved
test, and the winners will be announced just before the baseball game. Stay for the game on the newly renovated field at the Bellevue Vets. The Cincinnati Reds Vintage Baseball team will square off against a team of Bellevue’s best players including council people, school officials, police and firefighters, as well as a few family members from Bellevue’s past. It’s a family affair just like the founders would have loved. In 1870, a group of citizens wanted this special little .9 miles to become a city, so they petitioned the state and became our Bellevue. March 15 is only the beginning. In May, we have a designated Historic Preservation week filled with historic tours, a preservations awards ceremony, culminating with
on May 25. Then be sure to join the fun during Bellevue Days, June 28 through the Fourth of July, with a seersucker bicycle ride through town, Bellevue Day at Behringer Crawford Museum, and an old fashioned picnic, concert and fireworks on Independence Day. We will celebrate with a Gala on October 10. During the year, smaller events will pop up around town, beginning with Historic Happy Hours at various homes and businesses to highlight the history and work that owners are doing to preserve these gems of our history. During the summer Porch Parties give everyone an opportunity to come out and meet your neighbors. Bellevue is a special place and this is our year to shine.
CuB sCOuts CeleBrate sCOut sunday
A Scout is reverent. The twelfth point of the Scout Law, reverent, is one that most people may not associate with Scouting. In February of each year, The Boy Scouts of America celebrates this essential part of its heritage and its future. Cub Scout Pack 17 at St. John United Church of Christ in Bellevue celebrated Scout Sunday on February 23, 2020. The Scouts eagerly participated in the worship service, and they recited the Scout Oath and Law for the congregation. They
STEAK & SEAFOOD
859-360-5573 See page 8
also helped collect the offering. Grandview Elementary School third-grader, Owen Andreassen, read the morning’s scripture. After the service, Pack 17 held its Pinewood Derby race, the most anticipated event for every Cub Scout. Over the last several weeks, the Scouts worked a small piece of pine into a finished
car. They took the blocks through designing, cutting, sanding, finishing, painting, and weighting to present 5ounce high-speed wedges. The races were a huge success, and we had some outstanding designs! Pack 17 serves the northernmost river cities in
see sCOuts COnt’d
On page
2
3-6-20 by Mayor Charlie Cleves Making Center Street one-way west The City is in the process of turning the 200 block of Center Street into one-way west. The one-way area on Center will begin at the corner of Center and Taylor, and run just past the Bellevue High School to Lafayette Avenue. The proposal includes leaving parking on both sides of the street on Center. So far, the overwhelming response to this proposal has been positive. City Administrator Frank Warnock and I marched Center Street on a sunny morning recently and passed out a memo explaining the proposal to Center Street and adjoining residents. We did not, however, go into the yard with the large barking dog. I hope the neighbors inform them of the proposed change. We talked to at least 30 or so people in the area, and they all seemed to welcome the proposal. The logic of making Center one-way west is based on safety and efficiency. When the high school begins its day, the traffic flow can be challenging. When school lets out, the challenge repeats itself. And, when there are events at the high school, the challenge of ambulating up and down the street remains. The drivers play the game of stopping in narrow spaces, and letting the oncoming vehicles coming at them pass before they can proceed. We also thought that going west would be more efficient for drivers dropping off students in front of the high school. They can exit on the high school side of the street, and not have to cross the street.
We are somewhat concerned about those notorious “unintended consequences” by making the change, but I say let’s give it a try, and if it does not work, we’ll blame Frank and go back to square one. We sent out the memo, have discussed the issue with Police, Fire and Public Services folks, at staff and Council meetings, and posted the notice on our social media. The change should make it safer for our large fire trucks traveling on Center. I know I will hear, “Why didn’t you tell me about this before you did it?” Where is the magic that makes everyone happy. I’d like to find it. One of our goals from the February visioning session was to re-energize the Taylor Avenue business district, or at least make the effort to do that. Changing Center Street to one-way is a start. If you have an opinion about Center Street, feel free to let us know. Covert Run We have had several meetings recently with the cities of Dayton and Newport to discuss how our three cities can work together to alleviate the storm water issues on Covert Run. TV personality Clyde Gray came to the City and introduced VS Engineering. They are working on a proposal. We are trying to remove and control some of the storm water on Covert Run at various points. The road starts in Fort Thomas and goes through Dayton, the County, and Bellevue, and impacts Newport. We want to slow down the flow before it gets down near the Newport and Bellevue High
see MayOr
DMITCHELL COnt’d
On page
3
Since 1972
Windows • Doors • Kitchens • Bathrooms• Roofing • Remodeling • Fully Insured • Free Estimates RESIDENTIAL
• All Types of Roofs • Box Gutters
513-520-5133
COMMERCIAL