July 5, 2012 Volume 2 • Issue 33 75 cents Send your news to gladstonenews@npgco.com
Council hears complaints of feral cats
Henry Grayum opened Chocolaterie Stam in 2010 after spending 30 years working in information technologies. Opening the store has been a fulfillment of a lifelong dream for the Gladstone resident.
By Kathy Crawford
RYNE DITTMER/ Special to Gladstone Dispatch
Europe’s finest comes to Northland with help of Gladstone chocolatier Business fulfills lifelong dream By Ryne Dittmer Each workday Henry Grayum, owner of Chocolaterie Stam in Zona Rosa, prepares and sells an assortment of European chocolates, gelato and espresso drinks. Framing his work and the chocolates are a series of mismatched golden chandeliers, carpets and deep purple walls. “Much of the things in here are repurposed,” Grayum said. “The chandeliers and carpets are all reused. We wanted to have an elegant, Old World feel in here, and the colors are those
Chocolate logs are one of the many items the store sells. The assortment of bonbons and other chocolates are changed seasonally. of European royalty.” Much like the assembled items of the store, Grayum’s professional career has been repurposed in a way of its own. Previously, Grayum worked
in information technologies before his job was eliminated, leaving the Gladstone resident with the opportunity to fulfill CHOCOLATIER/Page A12
Feral cats have disrupted the lives of one Gladstone neighborhood, causing some of its residents to consider moving out of the city. “It’s a pathetic situation,” Gladstone resident Donna Hoover said. “My house is going on the market because I can’t do it anymore. It’s disgusting.” Hoover was not alone as she aired her grievances about a colony of feral cats to Gladstone City Council members during their June 25 meeting. “I’m not talking two or three cats,” Hoover said. “I’m talking at least 30.” Councilman Brian Hill recommended that city staff members remedy the situation quickly. But it’s not that simple, according to Gladstone residents Ellen and Mike Henderson, who said they contacted Gladstone Animal Control and Gladstone Public Safety. “There is no Gladstone ordinance to control cats,” Ellen said. Mayor Carol Suter said city staff was working on the problem. “Every city in America has problems like this,” Suter said. “It seems to have reached a crescendo.” Hoover, who has lived in her Gladstone home for 33 years, said a woman in the neighborhood has
made matters worse by providing the untamed cats food and water. And the cats are unhealthy, according to Hoover. She said her dogs have become ill from the cats. “But the biggest thing is I can’t bring my grandchildren into the front yard because of the feces,” Hoover said. “You cannot believe the stench.” Mike said that in addition to unhealthy conditions, the cats are becoming aggressive. He said he tried to trap one legally without any luck. “You won’t let me kill them,” Mike said. “I understand that, but I don’t want this to escalate.” Suter said she always encourages people who are encountered by a dangerous animal to call the police. Ellen said they live very near the cat colony, and she recently counted two litters of kittens and about 26 cats. She told City Council members that the extinction of 30 cats may not be politically correct, but something must be done. “I hope and pray you will come to a solution,” she said. Gladstone City Manager Kirk Davis said the homeowner in question was cited. He said conversations had taken place among himself, the police and animal control. “We’re coming up with a way to deal with the feral cats,” Davis said.
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