Stop for a moment and think about the city services paid for with our tax dollars. Most of us give little thought to the services our city provides that enhance the quality of our lives.

Really, when you think about it that is exactly the way it should be. When the services we need are readily available, we tend to take them for granted. Our city provides a long list of community services. Basic items include water, sewer, streets, lights, parks and police.

Recently, Wanda and I graduated from the Citizen’s Police Academy. We were participants in the “Fifth Element” class, a name the class gave ourselves to designate that we were the fifth class to complete the program. This program, conceived by Chief Wayne McCoy in response to recent citizen surveys and supported by City Administrator Eric Johnson and Mayor Carson Ross, provides each of us the opportunity to learn about our police department and the services it provides to make each of us safer. It also instructs us on ways we can help to make our police department even more effective by providing citizen support.

The classes include training on report writing, evidence collection, courtroom procedures and building search techniques. Demonstrations of the capabilities of our tactical team (STAT), K-9 officer and bike patrol are also part of the training. Participants get the opportunity to study real-life threat situations in the Fire Arms Training Simulator at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River and to receive first-hand firearms training on a live firing range. Upon completion of the coursework, participants will have completed the training to receive a concealed carry weapon permit. Additionally, each student participates in a ride-along with an officer.

I am proud to have completed the course and to live in a city that has such dedicated professionals. At our graduation, we shared our favorite memory of the classes. The common thread was a realization that our Police Department personnel love their jobs and work hard to serve our community professionally and respectfully.

If I have piqued your interest, consider attending the academy. Contact Sgt. Allen Kintz at (816) 220-4576 to have your name placed on the waiting list. There is also a new Youth Police Academy beginning on April 13 for youth ages 14 to 18. Contact Officer Doug Heishman at 228-0178 or go to www.bscpa.org for more information on this new class.

On the recommendation of a friend, Wanda and I had lunch today at a new restaurant that has opened in north Blue Springs.  “Real Jalisco” is located at 1414 NW Highway 7 near Ross Miller Cleaners.  This authentic Mexican fine dining restaurant has some tasty meals available.  The owner is enthusiastic and really wants to showcase the cuisine from his part of Mexico.  The service was excellent and the recommendations he made were excellent.  I am certain we will be visiting this restaurant again.  The restaurant is open Mon-Sun 11am-10pm.  You can reach them at (816) 229-8200.

The Blue Springs Historical Society

a non-profit (501c 3) organization formed in 1976

Supports Jackson County 4-H  

YOU are invited to help the Historical Society accomplish our mission to

Preserve, Promote, and Educate citizens about the history of Blue Springs

By Participating in Our

Informational Historic Exhibits, Speaker Programs, a 1906 Educational Heritage Garden, Youth community service projects, Eagle Scout projects, Archives, other Activities, and membership. 

The 1906 Dillingham-Lewis House Museum is open to the public on                                             Sundays from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. April through December or by appointment.

1906 Dillingham-Lewis House Museum, 101 SW 15^th Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015

P.O. Box 762, Blue Springs, Missouri 64013                  www.BlueSpringsHistory.org

Mary Potter, President       Contact info: 816-797-4870  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nicole Stevens, 816.836.8189

Grants Available to Eastern Jackson County

Nonprofit Organizations

HEARTLAND NEWS (March 4, 2010) – As the Community Foundation has done every year since 1994 we are pleased to announce that grants will be available again this year to Eastern Jackson County nonprofit organizations through its Community Grants Program. The Community Grants Program is a competitive grantmaking cycle established by individuals and corporations who wanted to support the future needs of our Eastern Jackson County region. Last year, the following charities were awarded grants totaling $163,000 to provide services and programs throughout the Eastern Jackson County community:

American Heart Association

Angel Flight Central, Inc.

Baptist Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation

Blue Springs School of Economics

Blue Springs Wall that Heals

Boys & Girls Club of GKC

Cancer Action

City of Independence – Palmer Center

Community of the Good Shepherd

Comprehensive Mental Health Services

Developing Potential, Inc.

Gillis Center, Inc.

Helping Hands Therapeutic Riding Ctr

IBS Industries, Inc.

Jackson County Free Health Clinic

KACICO Dance

Kansas City Hospice

Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Lee’s Summit Downtown Main Street

Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation

Lee’s Summit Social Services

Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault

Midwest Foster Care & Adoption Assoc.

Missouri Humanities Council

Mother’s Refuge

Northwest Community Development Corporation

Nutra Net, Inc.

Rainbow Center

Raytown Christian Church

Raytown Emergency Assistance Program

St. Mary’s Outreach Program

St. Mary’s Medical Center

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

StandUp Blue Springs

Sunshine Center, Inc.

The Family Conservancy

Victorian Society of the Vaile Mansion

The good news for charities is that THCF makes the application process simple. Each year, the Community Foundation Board of Directors invites area nonprofits to submit a 1-page letter of interest describing the proposal for which funding is sought and indicating how that proposal satisfies the important needs in our region. If, after thorough review, the Board of Directors would like to move forward with the charity’s proposal, a full application is requested to further describe the program. Members of the Board review the applications through the summer, and announce funding decisions in November. Information collected from nonprofit organizations during our Community Grants Program is also circulated among our donor family so that donors can support the programs of particular interest to them.

For nonprofits interested in applying for a grant from the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, the latest Guidelines for Grantseekers is now available for download at www.thcf.org. The deadline to submit your letter of interest is Thursday, April 1^st, 2010. This year, additional dollars are available for charities which serve patients receiving Alzheimer care, hospice care, or cancer treatment.

Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a public charity committed to “improving area communities by promoting private giving for the public good”. After 28 years of service, THCF continues to serve the region with assets reaching $25 million and annual grants surpassing $3 million. THCF provides a wide range of services to donors and grant seekers alike. For more information on charitable giving, visit us online at www.thcf.org or call the office at 816.836.8189.

###

As I observed this past Monday’s City Council meeting, what struck me once again regarding certain members of the City Council is how they repeatedly seem to excel at being an embarrassment to our community. 

At first glance, one might see a thread of logic in some of the questions our District 3 councilmen asked of Blue Springs EDC President Brien Starner regarding Missouri Innovation Park. But when you drill down into the facts several inconsistencies arise that leave one wondering about the nature of their true motives.

Councilman Solon asked whether the EDC had ever paid a sitting councilman for services rendered.

One would hope our EDC would choose, whenever feasible and appropriate, to utilize local business services in Blue Springs.  Several councilmen, current and former, own businesses in our community. It would be no surprise that such activity might have occurred. 

My company has helped the EDC on a number of occasions with computer network issues since my service as a city councilman. Prior to engaging my company, the EDC did its homework to ensure that the services it was purchasing would be delivered at a fair price and at the professional level it required. We participated in a competitive bid process and were awarded the work based on the bid submitted.

I am proud we were able to provide the quality service to meet the needs of the EDC.

Councilman Solon suggested that the city should consider placing Innovation Park on a 100-acre tract north of I-70 on Adams Dairy Parkway.  She seemed puzzled as to why a 250-plus-acre project would not fit on a 100-acre tract.

Why is she so determined to promote that land and so opposed to the current location? Didn’t she state during her campaign for the City Council that she wanted to bring “real jobs” to Blue Springs? Why is she opposing a project that will achieve her own stated objective?

In the fall of 2009 Councilman Solon led a comprehensive plan review task force. Her task force’s recommendation to the council was to amend the comprehensive plan to establish a land use category for Missouri Innovation Park and recommended tracts of land, approximately 250 acres surrounding the Adams Pointe Golf Course, for that designation.

While claiming Monday that she had not received an update on MIP since May 2009, Councilman Solon apparently forgot her Sept. 16, 2009, council briefing prior to her recommendations that were adopted in October 2009. 

In the end, it was exciting to learn that the University of Missouri would be accelerating its entrance into our community by almost two years.

It should come as no surprise that the current economy has slowed capital investment in the project, but by coming to Blue Springs early, MU is demonstrating its commitment to the project and to its eventual success!

Please SAVE THE DATE:  StandUp Blue Springs’ annual Princess Party to benefit Dental for Kids will be held Saturday, Oct 2, 2010 at Valley View High School in Blue Springs.  We need 200 volunteers and many donors, so please commit today to assisting with planning, fundraising, Friday set up and/or the Saturday event. 

The Princess Party is held on the same weekend as this year’s Wall That Heals.  Please consider supporting both events in some way.  We realize it will be a busy week, but StandUp anticipates more than 700 little girls and their adult royal companions to join us for the Princess Party, which requires 2 days’ set-up, 200 volunteers and a two-story castle façade!  While we are not competing for the same “audience,” we will both draw adult and student volunteers from the Blue Springs community.  Both are worthwhile events; we hope you can support both.

http://www.standupbluesprings.org/events/

Missouri - February 22, 2010 - Calling aspiring business people! The Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship (MADE) is proud to present the 2010 MADE in Missouri State Entrepreneurship Competition, an event that will highlight new and aspiring businesses through a competitive and educational business development process.

The competition will provide new and potential business owners in Missouri an opportunity to put their business ideas up against others throughout the state. Participants start by answering a questionnaire about their business idea, and will be provided with tips and suggestions as to how to improve their businesses. Finalists will present their products and services at the Missouri State Fair on August 19, 2010, in Sedalia, Missouri, with cash prizes awarded for startup capital to the winners.

Registration is open to any potential business owner or current business owner in operation three years or less. There are Youth and Open categories for participation, and entrepreneurs considering going into business for the first time are welcomed. Participants do not have to be in business yet to compete.

Submissions for the preliminary level are due April 10, 2010. For more information and to register, go online to www.mvcaa.net/made.php, or contact:

Cheryl Zimny

Community Development Manager

Missouri Valley Community Action Agency

1415 S. Odell

Marshall, MO 65340

660-886-7476

zimnyc@mvcaa.net

The Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship (MADE) is a project facilitated by Missouri Valley Community Action Agency of Marshall, Missouri, a not-for-profit organization.

###

MADE

Missouri Valley Community Action Agency

1415 S. Odell, Marshall, MO 65340

660-886-7476; Fx: 660-886-5868

www.mvcaa.net/made.php

Blue Springs and Eastern Jackson County is blessed to have many generous philanthropists. Truman Heartland Community Foundation is just one of the organizations that works to connect philanthropists with non-profit organizations.  Following are the guidelines that an area non-profit would follow to apply for grants with the Truman Heartland Community Foundation.

For more information, please contact: Director of Programs and Donor Services Truman Heartland Community Foundation 300 North Osage Independence, MO 64050

Phone: (816) 836-8189 Fax: (816) 836-8898 Email: mcclure@thcf.org

Truman Heartland Community Foundation Community Grants Program Guidelines

Overview

It is the mission of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation to improve area communities by promoting private giving for public good. Since its beginning in 1982, Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) has taken a needs-based approach to philanthropy. Conducting annual needs assessments in the communities it serves, THCF has become an expert in listening and responding to community needs by providing creative charitable solutions and resources.

From its community-wide assessments THCF has prioritized funding to address the many community needs; funding priorities are detailed in these grant guidelines. Today, THCF manages more than $35 million in assets, comprised of over 550 charitable funds established by individuals, charities, businesses and municipalities. THCF’s family of charitable fundholders make annual grants totaling more than $3 Million to benefit the local, national and global community! It is the generosity and commitment of THCF charitable fund advisors that enables the foundation to respond to community needs. THCF has established affiliate foundations in Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Lee’s Summit and Raytown and supports three foundation initiatives: THCF Charitable Reinvestment Foundation, Jackson County Free Health Clinic and THCF Youth Advisory Council. Nonprofit Business Solutions, a supporting organization, joined THCF in December of 2005.

While THCF charitable fund advisors award grants year-round at their discretion, THCF awards grants from its unrestricted funds during one annual session. At the donors’ requests, these grants are limited to the following guidelines.

More...