Sept. 6, 2012 Volume 2 • Issue 42 75 cents Send your news to gladstonenews@npgco.com
City tax levy unchanged
Big Shoal Country Fair this Saturday Farm plays host to day of family activities
$350 million in total assessed property in Gladstone
By Ryne Dittmer
By Kathy Crawford The Atkins-Johnson Farm is inviting the public to spend the day on its grounds this Saturday, Sept. 8, as part of the annual Big Shoal Country Fair. The free event, beginning at 10 a.m., includes a lineup of music, food, crafts and contests reflecting the history of the site. “This is a great event to get the family out to,” said Erica White, the city’s museum manager. “It is an opportunity to show off old crafts and baking methods along with other activities.” Artisans will be demonstrating and selling their crafted goods throughout the day. Additionally, a children’s craft area will allow the younger visitors to the fair the opportunity to utilize their own creativity. Several vendors from the Gladstone Farmer’s Market will also be selling their produce. “It’s just like going to an old country fair,” Richard King, Gladstone public information coordinator, said. “We’re going to have live music and old-time carnival games.” The public is also welcome to enter one of many judged contests the fair is hosting. “People are welcome to bring their baked goods, home canned items and homemade crafts for judging,” King said. The Big Shoal Country Fair is also an opportunity to showcase the renovations the Atkins-Johnson Farm has recently
Gladstone Dispatch file photo
Vendors from the Gladstone Farmer’s Market will be at the Big Shoal Country Fair again Saturday, Sept. 8. Admission to the event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the historic Atkins-Johnson Farm, is free. undergone. “There have been a lot of renovations happening. We have completed many on the inside of the building. We’re also building an outdoor restroom and improving the visitor entrance,” White said. Funding for the farm’s renovations have come with the support of the Friends of the Atkins-Johnson Farm who organize the fair each year. “The Friends of the Atkins-Johnson Farm have been a wonderful volunteer group,” said White. “They have been a voice and advocator for preserving the house.” With continued support, the city hopes to open the farm’s museum and education center in spring 2013.
The Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce is in search of young boys and girls to represent the 33nd Annual Gladfest as:
LITTLE MR. & MISS GLADFEST 2012 &
GLADFEST PRINCE & PRINCESS 2012
Gladstone City Council members held two public hearings during their regular meeting Aug. 27 before approving the property tax levy for 2012 and a special-use permit for a home bakery. Gladstone Director of Finance Debra Daily recommended the City Council’s approval on setting the tax levy at $0.9290 per $100 valuation. “There is no change (from the 2011 tax levy),” Daily said. She said the city’s valuation for total assessed property, provided by Clay County, was $350,536,388. Real property saw a decrease of a mere 0.27 percent. “The slight decrease in real estate is a reflection of the stabilizing of property values after the correction related to the housing bubble,” Daily wrote in a memorandum addressed to City
Manager Kirk Davis. Personal property increased just more than 2 percent, which Daily wrote was due to an improving economy and motor vehicle sales promotions. Council members also approved a special-use permit, subject to conditions, to Gladstone resident Alicia Hommon for the operation of a bakery business located at 5710 N. Michigan Ave. “We are new to Gladstone,” Hommon said. “I want to have a small bakery in my home.” The Gladstone Planning Commission held a public hearing Aug. 20 and recommended the City Council approve the permit with some contingencies. In addition to city and state licensing, a permit from the health department and meeting fire safety requirements, the Planning Commission wanted assurances that neighbors would not notice any changes. No structural changes
will be permitted to the house other than partitioning the garage in order to have space for preparing and baking. Specifically, the property is to “maintain its residential character” for the duration of the specialuse permit. “(The Planning Commission) proposes a one-year ordinance,” Gladstone Planning Specialist Chris Helmer said. He told City Council members that Hommon is the only employee and no exterior signage will be used for the business. Hommon will deliver the custom bakery goods to her customers. “There will be no visual changes to the house,” Hommon said. “No noise changes due to traffic. Neighbors won’t notice anything if they look out other than they might get a cupcake.” Hommon will reapply and reappear before the Planning Commission every year to renew the permit.
EVERYTHING’S ON SALE! JOIN US IN CELEBRATING 8 YEARS!
Must be a Northland resident 3-5 year olds compete for Gladfest Prince & Princess 6-8 year olds compete for Little Mr. & Miss Gladfest Contest will be held Fri., Oct. 5 at 6:00 p.m. No entry fee
Sale Dates Sept. 6 through 16, 2012
2011 winners are not eligible Dress according to theme “Adventures at Sea!”
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION CELEBRATION SAT., SEPT. 8, 2012 PRIZES • LUNCH • HELPFUL INFORMATION
Winners must be available for Gladfest Parade on Sat., Oct. 6 at 10:00 a.m. Recite a simple poem, nursery rhyme or song a capella ENTRY FORM
Child’s Name:_________________________ Age on Oct. 5, 2012:____ Boy or Girl (circle) Parent(s) Names:______________________ Address:_____________________________ Daytime Phone: __________________________
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