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.

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.

Thought you might like to know that we recently signed a new lease for the former Steamin' Bean Coffee shop at 1875 NW Highway 7. Thus, the location didn't remain vacant for long. This free-standing building is located out in front of the Dickinson Theatre location.

The building will become a new Subway restaurant. Having a drive thru will be a relatively unique feature among area Subway units.
Sincerely,

Marty Hugo
Real Estate Dynamics, Inc.
6045 Martway, Suite 101
Mission, KS 66202
Phone: 913.432.8800

www.RealEstateDynamics.com

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.

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...

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.

More...

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.