Differing opinions, and the discussions that come as a result, contribute to our society and provide a necessary vehicle to reaching a good decision. As I read Michael Freeman’s Op-Ed column in Saturday’s Examiner, I realized that it presents an excellent opportunity to discuss the difference between personal opinion and representative leadership, along with the attributes that we should seek in our elected officials. I encourage you to read his article, “Quibell column distorts trash debate”. http://bit.ly/mf201008  ( My original column can also be read at http://bit.ly/jq100825)

Over the years, I have occasionally been critical of our elected officials in my articles, primarily for two reasons. The first is when I view behavior that appears disrespectful to the people coming before the council in order to do business with our city. The second is for pre-determination of their positions on the important issues that they decide for our citizens. The first is an issue of common courtesy. The second is a matter of state law.

Mr. Freeman presumes that I have made up my mind on the issue of trash hauling and even goes so far as to suggest what my opinion might be. He, like some I have criticized in the past, appears to have made up his mind before he has all the facts. Personally, I value our freedoms and prefer to have the right to choose my own trash hauler. I have used several over the years and like the locally based company that I currently use.

Our elected officials, if they are following the law, do not have the freedom to predetermine their decisions. They are obligated to consider all of the facts presented to them and make their decision based on the facts, representing the best interest of our citizens. Our finest elected officials sometimes find themselves voting opposite of their own personal opinion when the facts support a different conclusion. Regardless of the decision they make, it is impossible to please everyone. At times, they even disappoint themselves.

I am flattered that Mr. Freeman considers me as an Uncle, although I can confirm that we are not related. As for Councilman Fowler, while we do not always agree, he is a passionate elected official who has served our city for many, many years, and certainly not someone I would characterize as evil. City Councils exist to work out the differences between competing interests and to make the best possible decisions for their citizens. It is sometimes thankless work and often opens the official up to public criticism.

My encouragement to our City Council is to obtain and review all the facts, and then and only then, make the best decision for all involved. This decision will affect all of our citizens, the businesses who serve them, and the employees of those businesses who live in and around our community. Like many, it is a complex issue when viewed outside the bubble of personal opinion. I am confident that this Mayor and Council will keep those things in mind and do their job with integrity and in the best interest of all.

It seems some in our community, both residents and elected officials, are passionate about trash. It is interesting how certain issues generate such passion. The topic of discussion at the most recent City Council meeting is trash hauling in Blue Springs. Should it be managed by the city or left to the individual?

Trash disposal issues have come up before. In 2008, the city reviewed a trash transfer station in an industrial area on the north side of town. Passionate citizen discussion followed, and ultimately the project went away.

The city surveys the citizens, usually about once per year, to help the council set policy direction on a variety of issues. In the last survey the question was asked “How supportive would you be of having your city coordinate your residential trash and recycling services?” Seventy-three percent of respondents were supportive while only 10 percent were not supportive. When a survey shows that level of support, it is important for our council to further examine the issue and consider how best to respond.

Appropriately, the city’s Solid Waste Management Commission began studying the issue and made a preliminary presentation to the council last week. Councilman Fowler, who serves as council liaison on the commission, seemed out of sync with the report of the commission and, in a public e-mail to the rest of the council, seemed unsupportive of the commission’s work. In fact, Mayor Ross even reminded Fowler of his role on the commission. Fowler expressed concern that trash haulers would be put out of business if the commission’s initial recommendations were adopted.

Some areas of our city have already consolidated control of trash hauling. For example, the Sherwood Village homeowners association made the decision several years ago to manage the contracting of trash pickup, periodically bidding the contract to local trash companies.
No one knows the commission’s final recommendation, but it is important for everyone to keep an open mind, allowing the commission to complete its study, with public input. By law, our council members should not predetermine their response to this issue. It will be interesting to watch our mayor and council, both new members and those more experienced, as they examine the issue, seek residents’ input and reach a consensus. If you have an opinion on this or any issue affecting our community, please contact your City Council representatives. You can find their contact information at http://bit.ly/bscouncil.

Recently, Wanda and I helped our youngest daughter, Ashley, move to Lexington, Mo., into a house she is renting, as she prepares to teach early childhood/special education there this fall.

It surprises me how quickly time passes. It seems only yesterday that Wanda and I moved to Blue Springs. I remember our progression from apartment dwellers to home renters and finally homeowners. My parents were there to help with each move, and Wanda and I are pleased to be able to help our girls as they take their place in the adult world.

For our community to be inviting, we need to provide for the entire cycle of housing choices that most people require as they make the transition from apartment rental to home ownership, and retirement or assisted living choices. As a community, we must ensure that quality housing is accessible at each step along the way.

In Blue Springs, we have an appropriate mix of housing for our citizens to choose from, with rental opportunities, starter homes, move-up housing and retirement options. Last week the City Council expanded the options for qualified buyers by establishing a first-time home buyers program.

District 1 City Councilman Dale Carter ran for office on a platform that included developing this type of program. Just four months later, he succeeded in receiving the unanimous approval of the council to establish a fund for first-time homebuyers using federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

Wanda and I own a rental duplex townhome in Blue Springs, and over the years, we have rented to many young families who simply didn’t have the resources to make a purchase when they first became our tenants. We have found it typical that our tenants will stay for a few years, and then they are able to accomplish their goal of home ownership and purchase their first home. We are always thrilled to see this transition and ready to provide a home for the next family that is just one step away from home ownership.

Dale’s program will make it easier for our city’s renters to take that next step and as a result provide buyers for those wishing to move to their second or third home. Without those first-time buyers, the cycle of home purchasing stagnates and the pool of buyers is reduced, which can cause home values to decline. So while the program provides a direct benefit for a limited number of homebuyers, the indirect benefit is much wider. Soon, with the development of Missouri Innovation Park, it will be possible for even more of our citizens to live, play, and work right here in Blue Springs!

Congratulations to Councilman Carter for demonstrating effective leadership and for working with the mayor and the rest of the council to continue to keep Blue Springs the best place in the nation to raise a family!

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.

Sometimes hope is found in the simplest of places. Monday evening, the Blue Springs City Council unanimously passed a consent agenda containing hope that the K-Mart building at 40 and 7 Highways may soon find new life and new opportunities.

Since 2003, the vacant building has been a frustration for residents and city officials, as many looked for ways to eliminate the blight that K-Mart’s closing brought to that intersection. One of the challenges in addressing the situation involved the bankruptcy proceedings that continued for several years after the store closed. It was not until late in 2006 those Tri-Land properties purchased the site and began the process of exploring options with the city regarding possible redevelopment. Several years have again passed, leaving people to wonder if anything is ever going to happen. More...

Blue Springs, Mo. – The Blue Springs water tower located at 1100 SW Smith Street is currently undergoing cellular communications mounting upgrades and repainting resulting in the loss of 21 parking spaces.  The primary parking lot at the Howard Brown Public Safety Building will be closed until the project is completed in September.

Temporary parking will be available to visitors of the Blue Springs Public Safety and the Community and Youth Outreach Buildings, Municipal Court, Planning Commission, and City Council meetings on the east side of 11^th Street.  Handicap accessible parking will be available in the municipal parking lot at 200 SW 11^th Street.  Signs are posted at the entrance of the temporary lot for ease of identification.

The parking lot is also used for the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons and will be unavailable for parking.  Visitors will need to use on-street parking when the Farmers Market is in session.

For more information, contact Chris Sandie, Assistant Director of Public Works at (816) 228-0195.
* * * * * * *

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

When I began my term on the City Council in 2005, I quickly discovered I had a lot to learn about many diverse subjects. The Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation was just beginning to take shape, and one of the most challenging issues we faced at that time was how to improve the economic development environment in Blue Springs, effectively and efficiently.

The city examined ways to shift the function of economic development from a city department into a public/private partnership that would engage the business community. Business and development leaders worked collaboratively with city staff and elected officials to focus on finding solutions to the issues that were holding back our city.

As the EDC officially structured its organization, private businesses became investing partners by pledging financial support and leadership resources. Founding members included business leaders from all over the area. A complete listing of the current investors of the Blue Springs EDC is available at http://bit.ly/bsedcinvestors.

Wanda and I discussed the opportunity of investing and decided to make a three-year commitment to the organization through our company, CPros. We have since renewed our investment for a second three-year commitment, in support of the EDC and recognition of the success it is achieving as our city restores the focus on positive development, and the quality of life in our city continues to improve.

My business, CPros, is a local company, but over the years, I have learned that my business is not easy to understand. CPros was begun in 1987 by Glenn Beasley, providing custom computer programs for businesses. I joined Glenn in 1994, and our mission has always been to help businesses increase their profitability through computer automation. For example, if you take a music lesson or rent an instrument from Meyer Music, our software helps them manage that process. If Ryan Lawn & Tree takes care of your yard, our software creates the invoices you receive.

CPros expanded about 10 years ago, adding computer network-support options for our customers. We maintain computers and networks for small- to medium-sized businesses, serving as an IT department. We also sell computers, including desktop systems and servers.

Mayor Ross has appointed me to serve on the EDC board of directors, as a representative of the city. As a local public/private partnership, there is always the possibility of conflicts of interest when serving in such a capacity, and I feel it is important that I disclose my company’s affiliation with the EDC. CPros provides technical support and maintains the EDC’s computer network. I take my representation of the city very seriously and will recuse myself from any discussion or vote that might involve my company’s service to the EDC or any conflict that may arise from our business relationship. I appreciate the opportunity to represent our city in this capacity and for Mayor Ross for appointing me to serve on this board.

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.

###

Honored Monday evening for their service to the Blue Springs community, outgoing Councilmen Sheila Solon, Lyle Shaver and Sissy Reed each received a clock commemorating their service, along with proclamations from the city, the county and the state legislature.

Each councilman spoke briefly, remarking on the positive and negative aspects of public service. Sissy Reed, who leaves after 17 years on the council, expressed her gratitude to city staff and to the many friends she made while in office. These transitional City Council meetings are a wonderful opportunity to honor those leaving office, while welcoming the newly elected.

Former Mayor Grounds spoke briefly about each outgoing councilmen, commenting, “Sometimes when you vote, everybody is not going to like you.” It takes special people with a passion for our community to serve, knowing that the decisions they make will not always be popular. I would like to join with Mayor Ross and County Legislator Grounds in thanking former Councilmen Lyle Shaver, Sissy Reed, and Sheila Solon for their service to our community.

The city clerk, Kathy Richardson, then swore in the three new councilmen. They join with the remaining councilmen to represent the citizens as they govern our community’s future. We have an obligation to communicate with them, keeping them informed regarding our thoughts and opinions on important issues they will face. Mayor Ross reminded everyone Monday evening that, “You never learn anything by talking.” Our new councilmen are ready to listen, learn and take action to achieve the desired results.

Following the meeting, I spoke with each of our new councilmen and found them to be excited about their opportunity to serve. Dale Carter spoke of his desire to encourage a pro-business attitude and to continue to work on bringing tax revenue back into the city. Chris Lievsay spoke of his passion to improve public safety and to focus on Woods Chapel and downtown redevelopment. Grant Bowerman spoke about the humbling experience of meeting the citizens in his district and visiting with them at their homes. He is eager to work on developing new business opportunities and ensure that our police officers have the best and most current technology available.

The potential of this new council is exciting. Such a diverse group will bring an expansive range of ideas, while working collaboratively and positively. Contact information for all of the Blue Springs City Councilmen is available at http://bit.ly/bscc2010 It is an honor to have the opportunity to know these new community leaders, and I encourage you to communicate with them on issues of importance to you.