Once again, it’s election time, as you can tell by the proliferation of political signs, letters to the editor, and junk mailings filling up our mail boxes. There are politicians who say they represent our interests, politicians who say they aren’t politicians, and opinion column writers, current and former politicians. How do we weed out the facts from the spin and make good decisions in selecting our next leaders? It’s difficult if not impossible to effectively verify the statements made by politicians in a timely manner. We often believe what we read or hear, especially if we know or trust the source.

As I read the letters to the editor and added my own comments to several, it occurred to me that those letters have been written with the best of intentions, usually to help friends with their efforts to win an election. Letters of support to express our own individual opinion of the person, not necessarily that the person we are supporting will in the end vote the way we think they should. Our elected officials surprise us at times with their comments, and their votes not always in sync.

So how do we as voters figure out whom to cast our vote for? Whom do we believe? The answer is simple and hard at the same time. We should make every effort to learn more about the people we are supporting, and we should dig more deeply than just our personal relationship with that person. Friendship is one thing; voting is another.

I really wasn’t surprised when I read Ron Fowler’s letter to the editor supporting Sheila Solon, as they are longtime political friends with similar positions on local issues. Ron wrote about how Sheila voted against multi-family housing complexes. What he didn’t mention is that she votes for them as well. Right or wrong, she is inconsistent on this issue. Once in February 2003 she voted to put multi-family zoning on Adams Dairy Parkway and twice that I recall in 2007 while I was on the council serving with her.

Ron also talks about Sheila voting against sales taxes. Those votes were actually against the new retail development on Adams Dairy Parkway. The next time you sit down for dinner at Olive Garden or shop at Target or Gordman’s, consider that she fought hard to stop Adams Dairy Landing from coming to town. Just before she left city office, she worked very hard to scale back Missouri Innovation Park from its original 500 acres to just 100 acres. Her actions would have restricted job growth in Blue Springs at a time when we need more high-quality jobs. Again, she is inconsistent after making “real jobs” a focal point of her council campaign.

Former Councilman Solon, as pointed out by Mayor Ross in a recent article, was very ineffective as an elected official while on the City Council. I expect it would be no different in Jefferson City. Fortunately, the voters have a choice on Aug. 3. I would recommended giving strong consideration to Mike Parker. I’ve spent some time getting to know him and believe that he will best represent the interests of his constituents and will be an effective leader.

The past few weeks have been an adventure, one that I have dreamed of for 30 years. Last summer we purchased a Gold Wing motorcycle from Dell’s Powersports, setting the stage for a touring vacation.

We spent 12 glorious days exploring North and South Dakota, culminating in the Smidt family reunion in White, S.D. My two great aunts, 96 and 101 years young, along with many members of my maternal grandfather’s family, enjoyed a great reunion. Our travels took us to the Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore, Needles Highway, Spearfish Canyon, Standing Rock Indian Reservation, the Corn Palace, Laura Ingalls Wilders’ Homestead and Pageant, and the cities of Brookings and White. What a truly remarkable country we live in!

When we arrived in Brookings, a city of about 20,000, we spent a little time seeing the sights and discovering hidden treasures. Tree-lined streets with sidewalks set far back from the right of way enhanced the walk-ability and attractiveness of the community. Their downtown is vibrant and focused on local business, dining, and entertainment. Like many cities along an interstate highway, their business community also included national chain stores and restaurants at their interchanges. Similar to Blue Springs, Brookings has its own economic development corporation collaborating with the city to achieve balance, as it pursues opportunities for growth and development.

Blue Springs was again recently honored by Money magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live,” ranking us 49th out of a total 100 cities honored. Our low cost of living, nationally recognized schools and low tax rates helped us stand out among the 746 cities considered for recognition.

It is a blessing to live in one of the best cities in America, but that blessing requires commitment from our residents and our elected leaders. One of our long-standing challenges is the revitalization of our downtown. The city has adopted a blueprint for that revitalization that will allow our downtown to grow to a size that is appropriate in relationship to our current population. Our downtown business owners, city government and Chamber of Commerce continue to work hard to provide and promote events that encourage residents and visitors to the downtown area. These events help to generate the synergy necessary to make our downtown thrive.

By working together, we have the ability to make this happen. There are those in our community with the available resources to bring more business opportunities into our downtown. However, they need the confidence that we will support those businesses once they open their doors. We need to focus on local innovation and creating a unique mix of businesses that will make our downtown a destination for residents and visitors alike.

If you haven’t tried out the disc golf course at Young Park its time to get out and give it a try.  This multi-year project is now open to the public and receiving rave reviews.  Following are samples of some of the letters the city has received regarding the course:

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My name is Ken F. I have been playing disc golf for nearly 10 years and play this game professionally on the PDGA tour. I'm ranked in the top 70 in the world.
I recently relocated to the KC (Midtown) area about 7 months ago. I've lived on both coasts and the midwest, played hundreds of courses around the country and Blue Springs is vastly becoming one of my favorite! I'm excited to have a league night now. I have friends that drive in from Topeka, just to play leagues on Wednesday evenings.
I'm so thankful to have such a well thought out and maintained course, to play golf on...
Thank you for all your efforts and team work, working with John Theiss on this course!!!
Ken F.
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I am a local disc golfer from Overland Park and I had a chance to play the Young Park course a few weeks ago. I had a great time and the course, in my opinion, is one of the best in the metro already. I wanted to write the Parks & Rec Department to thank them for all their development and maintenance efforts thus far. It appears that the City of Blue Springs truly understands and believes in community strength. Makes me want to move east.
Thank You So Much!!!
Seth W.
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I just wanted to let everyone know what a great job the Parks and Rec have done at Young Park disc golf course. I have received tons of compliments about the course. We have been running league at the course and we are getting folks from BS and LS and as far as 2 hours away. We had a Pro player that drove 2 hours just to play in the league because he loves the course. Pros are saying the this course is in their top three courses in KC. That is a huge compliment because Water Works DGC is one of the best in the world and Cliff Drive is also the most balanced course in the city. We are also getting some of the better players in the area out to play in the league which means they are skipping the other league held at Rosedale Park on Wednesdays. I am not sure what type of feedback that the parks dept is getting, but it has been overwhelming positive. Many folks that I have seen and spoke with are driving from downtown, North of the River , and Kansas to play. That is great news for the course and for Blue Springs. These people will stop and spend money in our town.
Just wanted to send this because I am getting positive compliments from all types of players, beginners to pros . Keep up the great work BSPR.
Thanks,
John T,

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My name is Michael K., and I just wanted to let you all know what a wonderful job you did installing the disc golf course at Wilbur Young Park. My children attend William Yates Elementary where John Theiss was also instrumental with the small course that when into the school yard there, and that's how we first discovered this great sport. When we heard a course was being installed at Young Park, we were simply delighted! Now that the course is finished and we've had the chance to play it a few times, we could not be happier with how it turned out. The disc golf course at Young Park is one of the most beautiful and well-designed courses we have seen, and we are so excited to have such a world-class course within short driving distance from our home. Just one look at this course makes it apparent that the Blue Springs P&R department did it the right way, with close attention paid to all of the important details! Congratulations to the Blue Springs P&R and everyone else involved with this course on a job well done. Thank you so very much from the bottom of our hearts.
Best Regards,
Michael K. and Family
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Hello:
I played in the Eastern Front event this past weekend and wanted to provide some feedback regarding the course at Young Park.
Wow! You folks have really done things right out there. I have lived in Gladstone for close to 15 years and don't know that I have ever been to Blue Springs for anything in the past. I will be coming there on a regular basis in the future for league play and just to play the course casually. Area restaurants and such will be getting business from me. I consider the course there one of the best in the KC area and I know that others agree. John Theiss did a great job designing the course and it is obvious the Parks Department was on the ball in getting it ready. I heard that new grass was put down already since the tourney!!
Thank you and I look forward to spending more time in the Blue Springs area.
Ted K.
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My name is Steve G. I am a member of the Kansas City Flying Disc Club with an uninterrupted 15-20 years of membership. I live in Ks. My drive time to the park is about 45 minutes. Its well worth the trip. I love all the water shots!!!
First I want to thank the city for putting forth the efforts and getting the grants and making sure the project was first rate.The commitment I have seen put forth from the city on this project thus far has me really excited about revisiting this course because its only going to get better.
I especially want to let you know how special John Theis and his family are.
As you know there was a tournament there the day after the ribbon cutting ceremony.
His wife, mother and father were all present helping run the tournament.
Now here is the really impressive thing that happened during the first round. We guess one of the tee signs was missing a lock stud. It was breezy that day and the wind tore the sign off hole 7. When I reported it to John he immediately responded it was already fixed. His dad is a fix it guru and got the stuff needed to take care of the problem. The city should be thankful for all their sacrifices. I know I am.

Adams Dairy Landing continues to add new tenants.  If you want to keep up to date on the happenings at the Landing you can sign up as a VIP on their website at http://www.adamsdairylanding.com/register.asp.  Following is the latest information about stores and restaurants in Adams Dairy Landing in Blue Springs Missouri:

Now Open...Target, Gordmans, Olive Garden, Petco, Famous Footwear, Sally Beauty, GameStop, Maurices, Gap Generations, Chipotle and Mattress Firm.

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Tuesday May 18, 2010 marked the opening of the Mizzou Center in Blue Springs as a part of Missouri Innovation Park.

Disk Golf Course to open May 22 at Wilbur Young Park

Blue Springs, Mo. – Blue Springs’ first disk golf course will officially open May 22 at Wilbur Young Park, 1100 SE Adams Dairy Parkway.

Based on traditional golf, disc golf is a fast-growing sport where players throw a flying disc into a metal basket with catch chains. The player that completes the course making the fewest number of throws of the disc wins. The discs are specially designed for various shots of the game – from drivers to mid-range discs to putters.

The Young Park Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole median length, technically difficult course.  The course is geared for both the family and more skilled players. Located in the woods of the north end of Wilbur Young Park, the course is challenging as players must maneuver their shots around trees and over water.

This course is free to the public and open daily from sun up to 10 p.m.  Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department will host instructional clinics, lessons and tournaments annually.  Score cards can be downloaded from the City’s website at www.bluespringspringsgov.com/scorecard.

Blue Springs received a $49,500 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund of the National Park Service and $6,500 from the Blue Springs Rotary Club for construction of the course; in addition the City Council approved $18,263 from City funds.  Dr. Brouse of the Blue Springs School District assisted in writing the grant application and the Kansas City Flying Disk Club assisted in the course and signage design.  The Building Trades class of Blue Springs High School helped construct the tee pads and the Boy Scouts of America Troop # 58 and Blue Elk District helped in the construction of a bridge and mulching the paths.  Parks Maintenance staff provided labor for general construction.  Special thanks goes to Blue Springs resident John Theiss, who volunteered countless hours in the planning and layout of the course and City of Blue Springs employee, Randy Cooper for coordinating volunteer efforts with the Boy Scouts of America.

The disc fling and unveiling of the entry sign will officially open the Wilbur Young Park Disk Golf Course at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, at Wilbur Young Park.  Souvenir disks will be given to attendees of the dedication.

The first tournament, “The Eastern Front” will be held Sunday, May 23.  The tournament is a double-round and each participant will get a special collector disc.  Check in is at 8:30 am with event beginning at 9:45. To register for the tournament or for information, visit www.kcfdc.org or call (816) 471-3472 (Disc Golf World).  

For more information on this new facility, contact Roscoe Righter, Director of Parks and Recreation at (816) 228-0137 or email to rrighter@bluespringsgov.com.

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Blue Springs parks offer great diversity, with a variety of recreational opportunities for all ages. Located throughout the city, tucked into quiet neighborhoods as well as larger, sports-oriented parks, they are truly one of the treasures of Blue Springs.

Frequent exercise is beneficial for our health and mental wellbeing, and walking is a great choice. The Blue Springs parks system includes many walking trails. One of the newest is located at Gregory O Grounds Park at the northeast corner of the Adams Dairy Parkway and the I-70 interchange. This new paved walking trail is ten feet wide and encircles Lake Remembrance, and is a beautiful tree-lined trail, with excellent views of the lake. As you walk along the Eastern side, you pass one of the other popular features of this park, the Blue Springs Off-Leash Dog Park.

The dog park is resulted from the efforts of a small group of citizens who attended a leadership seminar hosted by StandUp Blue Springs in 2005. This group formed an organization called RUFF (Responsible Unleased Fun for Fido, www.ruffbluesprings.org) which developed a relationship with the Blue Springs Parks department and set about the task of raising private funds to share in the cost of the development of the dog park. The city of Blue Springs provided the land, the parking lot and the clearing of the woods and brush, with support from RUFF for amenities such as water fountains, park benches, upgrades to the fencing, the dog wash area and the new small dog area recently added.

With the addition of the small dog area, the park now has two separate unleashed areas, one for average to large dogs and one for dogs that weigh less then 25lbs. This allows for better safety for the smaller dogs, and both areas include water fountains and park benches. You can access the larger park from the walking trail or from the parking lot on 20^th street.

For the 5^th year, RUFF will hold its main fundraiser, Pooches on the Parkway, at Wilbur Young Park near Blue Springs South High School on Sunday May 16^th from 11am to 4pm. Funds raised at this event will be used to improve the pond attached to the park, providing better access and water quality for the dogs that enjoy swimming and exploring. A complete schedule of events and activities is available on the RUFF website. Please bring your 4-legged companions for a walk on the parkway to raise funds to improve this special asset in our city.

Wilbur Young Park also offers one of our newest park features in Blue Springs, a disc golf course. This 18 hole disc golf course will open later this month and will host its first tournament on May 23, 2010. You can find more information about the course and the tournament at http://bit.ly/bsdiscgolf. You can find information about all of the parks Blue Springs has to offer on the city website at http://bit.ly/bsparks.

Free admission - Bring your dogs – Held rain or shine!

Sunday, May 16, 11 am to 4 pm Wilbur Young Park, 1100 SE Adams Dairy Parkway

(adjacent to Blue Springs South High School)

• 1, 2, & 3 Mile Fun Walk starts at 1 pm (fee required)

• Dog Contests—Best Licker, 11:30 am; • Flyball Demo, 3pm Costume, 12:30 pm; & Stupid Pet Tricks 2:30 pm. • Sheep Herding Demos

• Agility Clinic, 12 pm & 2 pm • Doggie Speed Trap

• Good Citizen Tests • Dog Products & Services

• Designated Off-Leash Dog Park • Dog Adoptions

• KC Disc Dogs Demo, 11 am & 2:15 pm • Concessions available

Fun Walk fees include a commemorative T-shirt and hospitality packet. To pre-register & receive reduced fees for the walk and for additional information contact Blue Springs Parks & Recreation at (816) 228-0137 or go to the Parks & Recreation Web Page at www.bluespringsgov.com/parks.

KC DISC DOGS DEMO

Watch as these dogs defy gravity and make amazing in-flight Frisbee catches. Time, 11:30 am & 2:15 pm.

FLYBALL DEMONSTRATION

This is a great new relay competition for dogs that is quickly gaining popularity across the country. Made of 4 dogs per team, watch as they race relay style, to the finish line. Time, 3:00 pm.

How to REGISTER

To enter the Fun Walk, Good Citizen Test, Agility Clinics or Dog­gie Speed Trap:

• Mail to: Blue Springs Parks & Recreation 903 West Main Street Blue Springs, MO 64015

• Register On-line at: www.bluespringsgov.com/parks

• In person at: Parks & Recreation City Hall, 903 West Main Street Hours are Monday—Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

• By phone with Visa, Discover, or MasterCard 816-228-0137

• On the day of the event: Wilbur Young Park, 1100 SE Adams Dairy Parkway

FUN WALK Bring your pooch along and choose between a one-mile, two-mile, or three-mile stroll down Adams Dairy Parkway. This walk will benefit pond improvements for 2010 at the Blue Springs off leash dog park. Entrants will receive a T-shirt and a “goodie bag.” (Those registering the day of the event are not guaranteed a shirt.)

The Fun Walk will start and end at the entrance to Wilbur Young Park. There will be water/rest stations along the way. The cost for the Dog Walk is $20 due by May 10, or $25 day of the event.

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN TEST If your dog has some basic training and good manners, he or she may be eligible for an award from the American Kennel Club. The C.G.C. Program is designed to reward dogs that have good manners. The program stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic manners for dogs. Dogs that pass receive a certificate (suitable for framing) from the AKC. Your dog must pass all 10 exercises (www.akc.org) to become a Canine Good Citizen. Rabies certificate is required. The cost is $4 in advance and $6 day of event.

AGILITY CLINICS No Experience Necessary! Here’s your chance to introduce your dog to all the fun they can have in this fast-paced sport. This 45­minute “hands- on” clinic will introduce you to the obstacles, rules, safety practices, and training techniques; everything you need for you and your dog to start in Agility! The cost is $8 in advance and $12 day of event.

Agility Clinic #1……………….12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Agility Clinic #2 ………….…… 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

DOGGIE SPEED TRAP This new fun event gives you the opportunity to see just how fast your dog can run. One dog handler will take the dog down a 30—40 foot enclosed run. Another handler calls the dog and as he runs, a speed gun is used to ‘clock’ his running speed. A “Speeding Ticket” will then be issued. This event will be on go­ing from 11:00 am—4:00 pm. Cost is $2.00

Entry Form Follows:

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Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Chipotle, Panera, Sonic, Panda Express, Taco Bell, Planet Sub. The addition of these eight restaurants, along with new retail shops like Petco, Gamestop and Maurices in the developments surrounding Coronado and Adams Dairy Parkway have provided opportunities for residents and visitors alike to have greater options for shopping and dining.

How very different this area looked just five short years ago. The area along R.D. Mize consisted of deteriorating homes, with the majority of the area along the parkway largely undeveloped for well more than a decade.

These developments have not come easily or without conflict. Our District 3 City Councilmen have continued to look for ways to stop these developments from progressing, in spite of the overwhelming support for new retail development in our citizen surveys. As I drove through the area after lunch at Olive Garden, I observed the restaurants and shops, all teeming with customers, and I simply could not comprehend why anyone would want to impede such progress.

Our council members must continue to open their minds to the opportunity inherent in these developments and look for ways to encourage the refurbishment of older shopping and business districts throughout our city.

New restaurants have recently opened in both the northern and southern areas of Blue Springs; we have seen progress in our downtown district; and the redevelopment of Woods Chapel Road is under way from Interstate 70 to the railroad tracks. The majority of our council members are eager to continue the positive momentum of the past several years. They understand the commitment they are making to finish what began and reap the benefits for our community.

Much work remains. On April 6, each district in our city will elect a council member. This is a privilege and a sacred responsibility. Those whom we choose to represent us will influence the future of our city.

Over the past several weeks, I have encouraged each of you to be an informed voter. Citizens willing to serve are a blessing, and we are fortunate to have two candidates to choose between in each district. The following are my endorsements for City Council:

District 1 – Dale Carter will listen to his constituents, consider the facts and ramifications before making a decision, and seek collaborative solutions on the important issues facing our city.

District 2 – Sissy Reed has served our city well for many years and will provide an experienced voice of coherent reasoning. Her calm leadership and respectful decision-making will guide the rest of the council members and facilitate support for continued development of all areas of our city.

District 3 – Grant Bowerman has a clear understanding of the issues facing our city. His positive demeanor, his passion for the community, and his intelligent evaluation of the challenges facing our community will serve the citizens of District 3 well.