Fort Mitchell - City of Fort Mitchell KY

F ort Mitchell
www.fortmitchell.com
Volume 20 - Issue 4
December 2013
Published By The City Of Fort Mitchell
2355 Dixie Highway
Fort Mitchell, KY 41017
FO CU S
Dear Residents:
As we head into the winter months, we are reminded that the holidays are quickly
approaching. The City tree is adorned with lights, the building festively decorated, and our
Light Up Fort Mitchell event is right around the corner on December 8.
We are again conducting the Best Seasonal Home Decorating Contest.
If you are interested in nominating any home or business, please call or
email the City Clerk, Linda Carter, with your nomination from
December 1 through December 23. I also wanted to take the time to
congratulate the Beechwood Marching Tigers on yet another State
Championship!
As always, our Recreation Department has done an outstanding job
of organizing new activities and some old favorites. More information
is included in this newsletter. Also, as we have updated the City’s
website, please feel free to visit and look at the Calendar, which has a
listing of the various events and meetings, along with a host of other
information available to our residents and increase transparency. You
may note on the website’s financial section that last fiscal year your City has again
managed its finances in such a way as to come several hundred thousand dollars under
budget, and not raise taxes, while continuing to provide you the best possible service.
I also wanted to remind you that, as winter approaches, so does inclement weather. If the
weather is severe enough, the City will declare a snow emergency, which will be sent to
local media and posted on our City website – in that event, please remove your vehicles
from city streets so that we can clear the roads of snow and enable emergency vehicles
easier access to our residents who may need assistance.
We wish you and your family a safe and Happy Holiday season and a Happy New Year.
We are excited for the many things we hope to announce – and accomplish – in 2014. As
always, we remain committed to serving you – let us know how we can be of assistance.
Chris Wiest
Mayor
Tax Reminder
Holiday Trash Pickup
Tax payments were due October 31.
Please pay them ASAP if you have not
yet done so. Late bills are assessed a
one time 15% charge and a monthly
interest of 0.05%. We want to prevent
you from being assessed another
monthly interest charge.
When your trash collection day falls on
Christmas Day or New Year’s Day your
trash will not be picked up. It will not be
collected until your next regular trash
collection day. For any questions related to
trash pick up or recycling, please contact
Best Way Disposal @ 859-372-4900.
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HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Cookie Extravaganza
Family Holiday Pottery Night
Join us on Thursday,
December 5 from 6:30 - 8:30 at
Beechwood Commons for an
evening of creative and unique
holiday treasures. Paint holiday
decorations or ornaments to be
exclusively yours or to use as
gifts! Pottery pieces will range
from $4 - $12. Paint with your
family one night and pick up
a week later -it’s easy and it’s
fun! No registration necessary.
Learn how to bake and taste the most
wonderful homemade cookies with
your little helper.
On Tuesday, December 10, from
4:00 - 6:00 PM, at Fort Mitchell
Baptist Church. Fort Mitchell’s very
own Bake Master, Carolyn Bergs, will
be demonstrating and teaching baking skills to you and your child, grandchild or young friends, just in time for
the holidays.
You will need to bring a cookie sheet,
a rolling pin and an apron.
Family Ice Skating Night
Fort Mitchell goes skating!
Please join us at the Northern
KY Ice Center on Sunday,
December 22, from 7:30 - 9:30
for a night full of family fun.
What a great week to spend
time with family and friends.
FREE skating and skate rental!
No registration necessary.
Email: [email protected] to
register for the class.
* FREE
BOWLING
December 27
Three sessions to choose from: 10:00 - 12:00, 12:00 - 2:00, 2:00 - 4:00. Fee: $2.00 per bowler due at registration
Fort Mitchell residents can Bowl at LaRue Lanes in Highland Heights (2443 Alexandria Pike Highland Heights, KY)
Everyone will get to play and complete 2 games of bowling ONLY. Shoes included!
IMPORTANT: You need to pre-register by coming to the City Building to get an assigned time slot and lane number. There will be no
more than 4 - 5 players per lane. Please plan accordingly as to how many lanes your group will need.
Pre-registration starts on Monday, December 16, at the City Administrative offices and will remain ongoing until we fill all time slots.
LASER KRAZE
December 30, 10:00 – 12:00
Fee: $5.00 per player
Come join us for a Krazy day of Laser tag and enjoy Northern Kentucky’s only indoor trampoline park.
You will get 2 (two) laser tag adventures and 20 minutes in the trampoline arena for one low cost of only $5.00. We
will have 3 (three) groups of players rotating throughout the day, so if you want to play together, you will have to enter
together.
Space is limited to 100 guests. You will be able to get tickets for this activity at the city building beginning December 16.
Guests will not be allowed on the trampoline park without a completed waiver. Guests under 18 must have their own
parent / legal guardian complete the waiver for them. Anyone over 18 can complete the waiver themselves but will need
to present a photo id (driver’s license, state id or passport). The waiver can be printed in advance by clicking on the
following link: http://www.lazerkraze.com/gallery/Lazer%20Kraze%20Waiver.pdf or we will have copies available if they
need to sign them when they arrive. Also, everyone must have socks since they will get a special pair of shoes
to wear while jumping. We only offer sizes 2-14, so if anyone wears a size we don’t have, they must
wear their own clean gym shoes.
A WAIVER MUST BE SIGNED BY PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN!
PLEASE BRING THE WAIVER SIGNED!!
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NO EXCEPTIONS!
Winter recreation guide
Introduction to
Technology
January 16, 23, 30, and
February 6
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Beechwood High School
Computer Lab
With all the new technology
popping up everywhere,
do you feel a little
overwhelmed? Well, you
are not alone. To help
you gain knowledge and
experience with this new
technology, the City of Fort
Mitchell is offering an Intro
to Technology class.
This will be a class for
beginners and will cover
topics such as how to use
your computer, what is
all the hype about ipads/
tablets, and using and
connecting your digital
camera.
The internet will also be
covered with topics like
internet safety-buying
and selling, Ebay,
Facebook, Twitter, Skype
and online games
Jump Zone Fun
Come join us for Northern Kentucky’s only indoor
inflatable playground. You will enjoy 9 massive
inflatables including obstacle courses, slides, and
bouncers. This is a great physical activity that all
Fort Mitchell children will not want to miss!! You will
be required to fill out a waiver upon entry and children
must wear socks at all times.
Monday, February 17
4:30 - 6:30 PM
$3.00 Per Child
5765 Constitution Drive,
Florence, KY 41042
Paintball
Come with your friends to Die Hard Paintball on
Thursday, January 2 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM and
enjoy a fun game of paintball! You must register at
[email protected]. Space is limited and will fill up fast!
All equipment is provided. Cost is $20 per person. A
participation wavier must be completed.
Die Hard Paintball
4936 Mary Ingles Hwy
Highland Heights, KY 41076
Snow Tubing At Perfect North
Come snow tubing at Perfect North Slopes January 5,
1:00 - 3:00.
$15 CASH ONLY! RSVP by January 3 at
[email protected]
All new TEEN TUBING NIGHT!!!
Sunday, January 19, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
$15 CASH ONLY
Totter’s Otterville
Come to Totter’s Otterville, formerly Johnny’s Toy
Store, to join your little playmates for a morning full of
fun. Chaperones must accompany little tots at all times.
Children may come to Totter’s Otterville,
Thursday, January 2 anytime between 10:00 - 12:00
FREE
FOR POSSIBLE CANCELLATIONS DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER CALL: 331-1212, 222
Hope everyone has a fun and safe Winter Season!!! Kim Stoll, Recreational Director
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Fort Mitchell Police Department
A message from Chief Eldridge
Please allow me this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season! My hope is that no one has their
holiday ruined by a thief or by any other form of criminal activity. I know that folks get tired of hearing the same
requests from law enforcement, but it is very important not to leave items in plain sight in your vehicles. Lock
your homes, set your alarms, and please contact the Police if you are leaving the area over the holidays so we
can check on your home while you are away!
Please don’t let any criminal element ruin your holiday season. Be aware of your surroundings at all times,
especially when in the parking lot of your favorite mall or grocery store. Thieves will be patrolling these places
looking for the easiest targets they can find. Ladies, do not leave your purse unattended while shopping, even
for a split second, and also remember to lock your purse inside your vehicle before loading your groceries or
packages.
If you are going out of town for the holiday, please fill out a Vacation House Check form online or pick one up
in person at the City Building. This will allow us to check on your property while you are away. If you have
alarms, arm your home while at home and away if the system allows you to do so. Don’t leave your garage
doors open overnight or unattended during the day.
Finally, report any suspicious or known criminal activity immediately to the Police by calling
911! I know that many residents like to call the City Building to report crime or suspicious activity because
“that’s how it has always been done”. I want to explain why that is a bad idea. If you call the City Building for
an emergency, you are not speaking to a professional Dispatcher who knows what call or calls the officers are
on or what their current locations are at the time of your call. Let me take you through a scenario to hopefully
demonstrate my point.
You make the call to the City because you have an emergency. The phone is answered by one of the
employees working at the window who listens to your situation. They then get up from whatever job they are
doing, walk over to the Police Department to find an officer; they don’t find one, all of the officers are out doing
their jobs patrolling and answering calls for service. They walk back to their work area and tell you that they
were unable to locate an officer which, I am sure frustrates you, a person with an emergency. They then get
on the radio to call for an officer on the City channel and yes, you guessed it, they aren’t monitoring the City
channel because they are already busy on a call. Let’s continue the scenario with the City employee
asking you to call Dispatch (859-356-3191) which you reluctantly do only to find that the call the officers are on
is just around the corner from you. Think about how much time was lost by calling the City first. The
Dispatcher would have called the officer off their current non-emergency call to come to your aid immediately.
Remember, minutes seem like hours when you are faced with an emergency situation, and a split second
may make the difference between life and death! That’s why calling 911 makes sense and why it was implemented. Please don’t take offense to this. We simply want to provide you with the absolute best and quickest
service possible. You deserve nothing less!
I hope all of you have a great Holiday! Should you have any question or concerns, call, email or stop by the
office.
Thanks, Chief Jeff Eldridge
VACATION HOUSE CHECK FORM
To access the “Vacation House Check Form” on the City website, go to
www.fortmitchell.com, hover your mouse over “Government”, hover over
“City Departments”, click on “Police”, click on “Forms”, then click on “Vacation
House Check Form”. You can fill in your information and click “Submit”.
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FM FIRE DEPARTMENT
Christmas Tree Fire Facts
One of every three home Christmas tree fires is caused by an electrical problem.
Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are
more likely to be serious. A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one
in every six of the fires.
Christmas Tree Safety
• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched
• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2 inches from the base of the trunk
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like
fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit
• Add water to the tree stand daily
• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory (some lights
are only for indoor or outdoor use)
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb
connections.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed
Citizens Fire Academy
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a firefighter?
The Fort Mitchell Fire Department will be hosting our first Citizens
Fire Academy beginning on February 27, 2014 through May 1, 2014.
Applications are available at the City Building, or by contacting
Firefighter Adam Fuller via email at
[email protected]
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Notes & Quotes
From the Fort Mitchell Park Board
I hope you have enjoyed another great year at the Fort Mitchell Parks. The fall
athletic seasons have come to an end, and the parks in Fort Mitchell closed in
November. During this time the Fort Mitchell Parks Department will be doing its
yearly winterizing of the parks. Fort Mitchell Park looks beautiful during this time
of year. Please feel free to come to the park during our “down” time, but
remember that the bathrooms will not be open.
The Fort Mitchell Park Board recently renovated the soccer field at General
Ormsby Mitchel Park. The Board also replaced and added new water lines on
the soccer field. We hope to have the soccer field ready to go in the spring, but
please pay attention and follow the signs at the park. Please stay off the soccer
field this winter so that we will be able to use it in the spring.
Spring Baseball, Play Ball !!!
Well, it may not be time to oil your gloves just yet... but plans for the spring
season will soon be underway. Any Fort Mitchell baseball teams, with Fort
Mitchell children, seeking to use public fields next spring need to contact the Park
Director, Kyle Bennett (331-1212 ext. 333) between
February 15 through March 1. To use our facilities teams must
have the following criteria:
1. League roster with names, addresses, and ages must be
turned in. Over 50% of the players must be from Fort
Mitchell to use the field.
2. Fill out and turn in the baseball contract with team and
manager information.
3. The field is to be used for practices, not games. Teams will be given an hour
and a half time slot and most games cannot be played within that time frame.
Usually the time slots are 5:00-6:30, 6:30-8:00, 8:00-9:30.
It is cold outside now, but this is the time to look forward to and plan spring
sports!
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Reserve the Park Pavilion
Please mail or drop off your request to the City building during the period of
Monday, February 17 to Friday, March 7. The reservation request should
include the following information:
#1: Your name, address, and phone number
#2: Your list of 4 dates you wish to reserve the pavilion in order of preference.
The first date should be the preferred date; the second date should be the
next acceptable alternate date and so on for the remaining 2 dates.
#3: Enclose your check for $30.00 (security deposit) with a self-addressed
stamped envelope. Please make checks payable to the “City of Fort Mitchell.”
If your reservation cannot be completed, your check will be returned. Dates will
be assigned on Saturday, March 8th at the Fort Mitchell City Building at 12:00. It
is important that someone representing your party is available at this time for us
to phone in the event that alternative dates must be discussed. Residents are
welcome to be present for the selection process, to observe, or discuss alternate
dates. Please be apprised that certain dates will be pre-approved for City
organizational groups. (This information will be available at a later date.)
***Send priority reservation requests (Postmarked after February 17th and
to be received by March 7th) to:
Park Pavilion Reservations
c/o City of Fort Mitchell
2355 Dixie Highway
Fort Mitchell, KY 41017
If you have any questions or concerns about the parks, you can contact me at
859-331-2536 ext. 333. This line will also have all park information & updates.
The City of Fort Mitchell has three wonderful parks and we need your assistance
in keeping it this way. If you see others defacing the park or doing things they
should not, please contact Gary Smith (the park caretaker) who lives in the house
at the park (859-341-0329). We take great pride in our parks, so please make a
conscious effort to pick up after yourself when you use the park. We want Fort
Mitchell Park to be the cleanest, nicest, and safest park in Northern Kentucky.
Kyle Bennett
Park Director
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SNOW REMOVAL
Snow season is here once again. We ask that you remove all
vehicles from the street when significant snowfall is anticipated.
Even if a snow emergency is not yet declared remove your vehicles
from the street. Remember all streets in Fort Mitchell are snow
emergency routes not just those with snow emergency signs.
When a snow emergency is declared it will be announced to TV and
Radio stations and notification will be placed on the City’s website
at fortmitchell.com. If a significant snowfall is expected, a snow
emergency may be declared in advance of snowfall to give you
adequate time to move your vehicles.
Important Phone Numbers:
Police/Fire/EMS Emergency 911
24-Hour Dispatch 859-356-3191
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Fort Mitchell City Administration & Public Works 859-331-1212
Fort Mitchell Fire Department 859-331-1267
Fort Mitchell Police (Office) 859-331-2823
Animal Control - Dog Warden 859-3191
Best Way Disposal 859-372-4900
Duke Energy 513-421-9500
NKY Area Planning 859-331-8980
NKY Water District 859-578-9898
Sanitation District 859-578-7450
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LIGHT UP
FORT MITCHELL
Sunday, December 8, 5:45 - 8:30 PM
Again this year the City will be combining two holiday traditional favorites
and putting them into one fun and fabulous, festive night! The festivities
begin at the City building with a dedication ceremony and the official
“LIGHTING OF THE TREE!” A special jolly plump visitor will join us
immediately following the tree lighting. Special musical groups will also
be entertaining throughout the evening. Then it is off to our streets as we
“LIGHT UP FORT MITCHELL.” The tradition lives in Fort Mitchell as we
light our luminaries and take carriage rides to enjoy the festive holiday lights
and luminaries.
Again this year there will be refreshments and carriage rides at three
different locations in the City. Those locations are Sunnymede, Iris Park and
Longmeadow.
5:45
Tree lighting ceremony at Firehouse
6:15 - 7:30 Santa visits at Firehouse
6:30 - 8:30 Light up luminaries and carriage rides at all locations
“Light up Fort Mitchell” Luminary Kit Order Form
Light up your sidewalks, driveways, porches or yards. A luminary is a bag weighted
down with sand and illuminated by a candle. Each luminary kit is available for $10.
Kits contains 24 bags and candles, sand and assembly directions. Checks should
be made payable to “City of Fort Mitchell” Order forms can be mailed to the City
Building and will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, December 3 between
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Cut and return this portion with you payment to : City of Fort Mitchell City Building, 2355 Dixie
Highway, or mail this portion with your check payable to “City of Fort Mitchell” to 2355 Dixie
Highway, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017
Name: Telephone: Address:
No. of Kits: X $10.00 = Amount Enclosed (Due November 30th)
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City of Fort Mitchell
2355 Dixie Highway
Fort Mitchell, KY 41017
Foster Technology Group
Your Trusted Internet Partner
Chas F. Hungler, CEO
513.265.6069
[email protected]
www.FosterTechGroup.com
Attention Fort Mitchell Businesses
In an effort to promote our businesses, and underwrite some of the
cost of publishing the Focus, the City will be offering advertizing
space on the last page of the Focus for our businesses for future
copies of the Focus. The requirements are that the business be a
Fort Mitchell business. For pricing and other information, please
contact the City Clerk, Linda Carter.
Dates Inside to Remember
December 3 4:00 - 6:00
December 5 6:30 - 8:30
December 8 5:45 - 8:30
December 10 4:00 - 6:00
December 22 7:30 - 9:30
December 24 All Day City
December 25 All Day City
December 27 10:00 - 4:00
December 30 10:00 - 12:00
January 1
All Day
January 2
10:00 - 12:00
January 2
1:00 - 4:00
January 5
1:00 - 3:00
January 16
6:30 - 8:30
January 19
6:00 - 8:00
January 23
6:30 - 8:30
January 30
6:30 - 8:30
February 6
6:30 - 8:30
February 15
February 17
February 17
4:30 - 6:30
February 27
Luminary kits available for pick-up
Family Holiday Pottery Night, $4 - $12
Light Up Fort Mitchell
Cookie Extravaganza, Free
Family Ice Skating Night, Free
Administrative offices closed
Administrative offices closed
Bowling, $2 (Tickets available, at City Building, beginning December 16)
Laser Kraze, $5 (Tickets available, at City Building, beginning December 16)
City Administrative offices closed
Totter’s Otterville, Free
Paintball at Die Hard Paintball, $20 (Register: [email protected])”
Snow Tubing at Perfect North Slopes, $15 cash only (Register by January 3: [email protected])
Introduction to Technology Classes, Free
Teen Tubing Night at Perfect North Slopes, $15 cash only (Register: [email protected])
Introduction to Technology Classes, Free
Introduction to Technology Classes, Free
Introduction to Technology Classes, Free
Start taking reservations for Fort Mitchell baseball fields (Kyle Bennett 859-331-1212)
Start taking reservation request for Park Pavilion
Jump Zone Fun, $3
Fire Academy starts (email: [email protected])
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