The Baldwin Beacon
Volume 31, October 5, 2022
October looks good on us, Baldwin City. Let’s wear it with pride.
Citywide Cleanup
This Saturday, October 8th, is Citywide Cleanup out at the Public Works facility. Proof of residency with a Baldwin City address required, but you do not have to reside inside city limits. Call Mattie with any questions at 785-594-6907.
Brick Streets & Sales Tax
Did you know there will be local issues on the November 8th ballot, as well as state and national?
Baldwin City Council has designated 14 blocks of brick streets as Phase 1 for a restoration project. Up to 70% of the cost of restoration for the blocks identified in Phase I may be funded through grants. City staff is working with consultants to identify and pursue these opportunities. Even so, the cost to restore -- or even replace -- these blocks will need to have a designated, reliable funding source.
City Council is asking all citizens of Baldwin City to vote on a .5% sales tax increase on the November 8th ballot. The funds generated will be legally designated for general public infrastructure improvements, including repair, replacement, or improvement of existing brick streets within the City.
Stop in at the Library from 5-7pm on October 6th or 24th to chat with city staff and elected officials and get your questions answered.
Maple Leaf Festival
Baldwin City locals, it's time for a little Maple Leaf Festival chat. It's right around the corner, the weekend after this one to be precise. It's a good time, a busy time, sometimes a stressful time. We need to take this opportunity to remind you that pets are not allowed at the Maple Leaf Festival, per city ordinance.
Come down and get your Christmas shopping done, grab a soup mix or 5, take the kids to the bouncy houses and kids' zone, and get your turkey drumsticks and cider donuts. But only you and your human companions, not Fido. We love our pets too, but they are not allowed at the Maple Leaf Festival. Please don't bring them. Thank you very much and happy Festival month. 🍁
The City Code reads:
Ordinance 2-601: Animals at events prohibited.
The presence of animals of any size, whether on a leash or not, shall be prohibited at all special events on public property within the corporate limits of the city.
Ordinance 2-602: Special events defined.
Special events shall be any event where the city or any public or private individual, club or organization has promoted an event that is open to the general public intending to attract, or resulting in attracting, visitors to the city. Specifically, this includes (but is not limited to) the annual Maple Leaf Festival.
65 Years of Maple Leaves
Sixty-five years is more than a generation, long enough for most of us to not remember the “before time.” The Lumberyard Arts Center is hosting an exhibit again this year, celebrating the 65th annual Baldwin City Maple Leaf Festival. Visit the opening reception on Friday, October 7th, to kick off the celebration.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
October 6 — Townhall Meeting: Brick Streets & Sales Tax
October 7 — Sky Speed at Sullivan Square & Maple Leaf History Exhibit
October 8 — Citywide Cleanup
October 11 — City Council Worksession
October 15 & 16 — Maple Leaf Festival
October 18 — City Council Meeting
October 22 — Maple Leaf Gravel Grind plus Maple Leaf Beer, Wine, & Spirit Fest
October 24 — Townhall Meeting: Brick Streets & Sales Tax
City meetings are posted to our website, as well as council documents and videos. The buttons below will take you directly to the correct page.
Now we know Kansas is nowhere near the Smoky Mountains, but take a look at this fall foliage prediction tool. How much color do you think we’ll have for Maple Leaf Festival this year? or will the Gravel Grind the next weekend be a better viewing time?
As far as this City Communications person is concerned, I’ll be enjoying the in-between time — the leaves and prairie still alive and vibrant, just leaning into the change, with crisp mornings and evenings and shorts weather during the day. The October blue skies are enough to make me want to live every day to its fullest potential in any case. Thanks for reading, and Happy October!
