FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: December 5, 2011
CONTACT: Chris Lievsay
Cell: 816.674.5108
Email: CLievsay@msn.com

Blue Springs City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem Chris Lievsay Announces Candidacy for new Missouri House of Representatives District 31

On Monday, December 5, 2011, Blue Springs City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem Chris Lievsay announced his plans to run for Missouri House of Representatives District 31 as he filed paperwork to create a committee with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

“The new District 31 created by the judicial apportionment commission provides an opportunity to address issues that are unique to the Blue Springs area, including Lake Tapawingo, and the areas just south of Colbern Rd. The residents of this new district deserve a strong voice in Jefferson City to represent their interests on the state level. I hope to continue to fight for the values of my friends and neighbors as I have on the City Council,” Lievsay said.

In his elected position Lievsay currently serves as a Blue Springs City Councilman,
Mayor Pro-Tem, liaison to the Planning Commission, Historical Preservation Commission, and the Downtown Review Board. He has grown up in Blue Springs, attended Blue Springs schools, and received his Associate of Arts from the local Metropolitan Community Colleges, and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Columbia College.

In addition to his elected role, Lievsay has shown his continued commitment through involvement in many areas of the community. He is a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Blue Springs School District, is currently participating in the Chamber of Commerce Blue Springs Leadership class, President of the Blue Springs Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Second Vice-President of the Blue Springs Historical Society, as well as a Local Board Member for the Federal Selective Service System and along with his wife Grace has been a long time active member of Cornerstone Church in Blue Springs. He is also Past Chairman of the Blue Springs Public Safety Citizens Advisory Board, a member of the NRA and the State Historical Society of Missouri, and worked on the Blue Springs Sign Code Task Force.

“My passion for this community is unmatched and I hope to have the opportunity to express that on a broader scale in Jefferson City. I will continue to lead with the conservative values of lower taxes and targeted spending on essential government services, protecting the interests of the families in our community and our great school district, and create opportunities for businesses to operate without the interference of unnecessary government regulation.”

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2011

Notice is hereby given to the registered qualified voters of Jackson County, Missouri, that
the Jackson County Legislature has called a Special Election, pursuant to Ordinance Number 4334, to be held in said County on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

QUESTION
Shall a retail sales tax of one-eighth of one percent (1/8%) be levied and collected for the benefit of the Kansas City Zoological District, which shall be created and consist of the county of Jackson and the counties of Cass, Clay, and/or Platte, if approved by such other county’s voters, for the support of zoological activities within the district?

Another election day has come and gone, and the voters of Blue Springs have spoken. I am honored to once again represent District 1 residents as their voice on the city council. I will continue to provide information and updates on issues of concern to the residents of Blue Springs through my newsletters on www.AboutBlueSprings.com and articles in our local newspapers. As we work together to make our city the best it can possibly be, interaction and discussion with the citizens is crucial. Please share your thoughts with me; 816-223-2865 or jeffq@cprosinc.com.

I am eager to work with the Mayor and other members of the Council. Significant effort will be required to realize the vision of Missouri Innovation Park, the revitalization of our downtown area and the continued redevelopment on MO-7Hwy and US-40 Hwy. Progress, at times, seems painfully slow. However, I believe that we are moving deliberately and conscientiously forward in the direction of our goals for Blue Springs.

The plan for the expansion and upgrade to the Woods Chapel corridor now includes a 3 million dollar grant that will extend the road improvements from Duncan Road just North of I-70 south to Walnut Street, just past Old Mill Park. The timeline for full completion of this critical project extends into 2013, and includes significant enhancements to the corridor that will encourage quality development of this gateway into our city. We are all anxious to see this project advance as quickly as possible.

In future articles, I will address these and many other issues that are facing the city, along with items of interest as they arise. Thank you for the wonderful support over the years and for the opportunity to again be of service to the citizens of Blue Springs!

Thank you for your support of our community!

“Always leave your campsite just a little better than how you found it.” Adult Scout leaders often shared this fundamental principal with my scout troop. As I completed the requirements for Eagle Scout, it became a foundation for my beliefs and goals as an adult and later as an elected official.

I have visited thousands of homes in Blue Springs and have found residents very consistent in their expectations. They want their elected officials to find ways to make our city just a little better than how they found it. This basic philosophy of improvement is important to the long-term health of our community, and I feel very strongly that it is important for our elected officials to pursue such a worthy goal.

This year, residents are sharing with me their excitement about new shopping and dining opportunities that have come to our city, but they are concerned about the economy and looking to our elected officials, both locally and nationally, to find solutions. They are looking for a return to prosperity in the housing industry, and especially interested in insuring that the housing provided for our citizens is of high quality and yet affordably priced. The hope for older businesses to update their facilities and empty buildings to be better utilized continues, while recognizing that progress has been made in this area, there remains much to be done.

Missouri Innovation Park continues to move forward with small steps of accomplishment. I am committed to assisting with the facilitation of this project and to the quality jobs that will come as a result of its success. With new business and new employees, increased demand for housing and increased revenue for existing business will result in a stronger economy for our city.

Current city policy prevents or limits the renovation of many existing business facilities in Blue Springs. Many years ago, zoning policies were enacted that designated the location of specific industries within certain business corridors; car dealerships placed along the Outer Road, as an example. The unintended consequence of those policies is that existing businesses are prevented or limited in their options to improve their buildings when their location is inconsistent with existing zoning. Fixing the problem will require revised policies that will allow existing businesses to improve their properties, while still requiring new businesses to locate in the appropriate corridors of the city. This is a beginning step in the necessary process of addressing the blight and vacant buildings, and will show support and appreciation of the existing businesses that have sustained our community for many years.

I am excited about the opportunity to assist in finding solutions to all of the issues facing our city. Please remember to vote on April 5^th. I will work hard to make our city better than it is today.

A fundraiser for Citizens for Jeffrey Quibell
Candidate for Blue Springs City Council, District 1

$25.00 Chili Contestant Entry

Submit your entry form and $25 fee to Citizens for Jeffrey Quibell
by January 19^th, 2011

Contestants should provide 3 gallons of chili for tasting and judging. Electrical power will be provided, please bring your own crock-pot or chafing dish.
Contestants may arrive with their chili beginning at noon on January 23^rd.
Contest will be open to the public from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Questions: Contact Mike Parker at 816-678-9181 or Jeff Quibell at 816-223-2865

Event Location
The Cotillion
1717 Burdett Crossing
Blue Springs, MO 64015

Chef’s Name or Company:______________________________

Address: ____________________________________________

City, State, Zip: ______________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Team Name: _________________________________________

Name of Chili: _______________________________________

Category: ___ 4-Alarm Firehouse Chili (spicy-hot)

___People’s Choice Chili (average)

Submit entry form and check to: Citizens for Jeffrey Quibell
601 NW Jefferson, Ste 4, Blue Springs, MO 64014

Election filing for the April 5^th election opened this past Tuesday morning, and I waited eagerly for the doors at City Hall to open. It was good to see familiar faces, people that I had worked closely with during my prior service on the council. Kathy Richardson, the city clerk, verified that I had provided all the proper documentation: voter registration, declaration of candidacy, financial disclosures, and proof of payment of taxes and fees. I am officially a candidate for City Council District 1.

Serving as a councilman is an important part of our local government, as the council sets policy for the city. The economy is showing some signs of improvement in certain areas, but our leaders need to continue to set good policies to keep our city one of the most desirable to live, work, play and raise our families.

One Issue that the council will be addressing in the near future includes primary job creation through efforts like the Missouri Innovation Park. This project will bring more high paying jobs to the community and directly impact other developments in our city. More jobs means more people, more people means new quality homes to be built. The resulting growth of our city will draw attention to our business districts and create opportunities to fill empty buildings and refurbish old existing structures along our business corridors.

The council will also soon address a pressing need created by a mandate of the federal government. It is way past time for the modernization of our public safety communications system. We are blessed to have a great police department in Blue Springs, but we must upgrade our radio systems from analog to digital or our officers will be unable to communicate with dispatch or each other after December 31^st, 2012.

Working to solve these issues and helping our city progress in positive ways is very important and my goal will be to work together with the Mayor and the other members of the city council to further the core values of our community.

I will work hard for the residents of District 1 and I am hopeful that they will once again honor me with the opportunity to be of service to them and our entire city. You can reach me by email at jeffq@cprosinc.com or by phone at 816-228-1831.

I'm honored to have received the 1st endorsement of my campaign for Blue Springs City Council. Thanks so much to IAFF 3133 (that's our Firefighters and EMS workers) for their support! http://www.iaff3133.org/index.cfm?zone=%2Funionactive%2Felection_list.cfm