Stonebridge HOA

Mayor's Insight Newsletter from Steve Steiner

- October 28, 2004

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Welcome to my fifth Mayors Insight newsletter!

This semi-monthly email will help keep you informed concerning all the great things happening in our city while giving you an inside look from my perspective as mayor.


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Downtown "Boo" Springs Harvest Fest!!! - The downtown merchants are sponsoring a fun day of family activities for children of all ages this Saturday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to be held rain or shine. These activities include pumpkin painting, face painting, a fun maze, and treats! More information.

Skateboard Park to Open! The long-awaited dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Blue Springs first skateboard park will take place this coming Sunday afternoon, October 31, at Burrus Old Mill Park (Walnut and Woods Chapel Road), beginning at 4 p.m. Since spring of this year our local teenage skateboarders have been actively involved in this project by helping select the equipment. More information.

Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - This year's annual Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will move back to the downtown area and will be held on Tuesday, December 7, 6:30 p.m. The event will feature music from local elementary schools, free popcorn, hot chocolate, Christmas treats provided by the Blue Springs Business Association, and a visit from Santa arriving via a Central Jackson County Fire Protection District fire truck!

Annual Santa Train - The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express will arrive in Blue Springs on Saturday, December 18. The downtown merchants have planned several other activities during the evening that both parents and children will not want to miss. Mark your calendars and watch for more details about specific times.

Adams Dairy Parkway Nearing Completion! - Last week our Public Works Director, Oliver DeGrate and his assistant, Jeff Sell gave me a tour of different areas of the city, including several new housing subdivisions and
the construction work being done on Adams Dairy Parkway. I was happy to learn that the Parkway project from 40 Highway south to Willow Tree subdivision is nearing completion and should be open to traffic after Thanksgiving.

A Local Impact - With the holiday season rapidly approaching, I am reminded of the service that several local organizations provide to help assist families with food, utilities, and clothing. Earlier this month Kim Danley, the director of Impact Ministries, gave me a tour of their facility and operations. As mayor, I want to say a big "Thank You" to Impact Ministries and the other local service organizations that help many of our citizens each month.

Eagle Scouts - This past month I have had the privilege of signing several proclamations for Eagle Scout honors. I have personally presented three scouts their awards at two different Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremonies this past month, including John Lundquist, Corey Morris, and Jonathan Tyc. Corey and Jonathan represent Scout Troop # 332, and are two of more than 125 Eagle Scouts the troop has honored since the mid-1960's! I also want to thank city councilman, Mary Potter for attending many scout honor ceremonies over the past four years.

Mayor's Community Prayer Breakfast - Tickets are going fast for my first Mayor's Community Prayer Breakfast honoring our veterans to be held on Friday, November 5, at 7 a.m at the Adam's Pointe Conference Center. Naval Commander Scott Waddle will be the featured speaker. The event is sponsored by the local chapter of the Christian Businessmen's Committee. Tickets are $12.50 each and may be purchased by contacting J.C. Hunter Realty (228-8888) or the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce (229-8558).

Volleyball Officiating A little-known fact concerning your mayor. I work many evenings during the months of August through October as a junior and senior high school girls volleyball referee. I am proud to say that our two local high school volleyball programs are two of the best in the greater metro area. This week high school districts will begin and I want to wish the best to both Blue Springs and Blue Springs South High Schools.

Thanks to Blue Springs South I want to thank the students and staff of Blue Springs South High School for allowing me to ride in their homecoming parade last month. I had a great time participating and I am happy to announce that my arm has completely recovered from all of the waving!

Shakespeare or Melodrama?- Both of our high school drama departments have been busy this fall. My wife, Celia and I appreciated an evening of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet at Blue Springs South earlier this month and last week Celia enjoyed Blue Springs Highs melodrama production of Dogsbreath Devereaux, the Dastardly Doctor or Nurses! Foiled Again! If you have an opportunity, you should definitely support our local high school and community theatres. Not only are they economical and entertaining, but your presence will be encouraging to our local thespians.

Former Mayor Celebrates This past Sunday afternoon, John Michael, one of Blue Springs former mayors, and his wife Linda celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary! Congratulations John and Linda!

Fish in Lake Remembrance - This past month the Missouri Department of Conservation stocked 27,000 blue gill and over 5,400 catfish in our new Lake Remembrance. Next spring they will add another 5,400 bass and an assortment of red ear sunfish. Although fishing is now now permitted, anglers are required to follow the Missouri Department of Conservation rules including fishing permits and limits, and it will probably be three years before most of the fish are regulation size. Signs will be posted on site as to number, type, and size of fish that are legal to possess.

Police Ride-Along This past Friday I took a Ride-Along with two of our Blue Springs police officers. I want to thank my two guides, officers Stacy and Eric for the interesting and informative time. We have great officers working for our department and I am extremely proud of the job they do.

Snow Plow Rodeo Our Blue Springs Public Works Department recently participated in the 17th Annual American Public Works Association Snow Plow Rodeo held in Gardner, Kansas. Several of our employees won awards in the competitions, including Chris Mann, Brian Heublein, Brian Leighow, Mike Hensley, and Doug Hooper. Great job guys!

Vote! Vote! Vote! It is indeed a privilege and a duty of every American citizen to exercise their right to vote. Next Tuesday, November 2, we will have the opportunity to vote on a variety of different candidates and issues. I encourage you to do your homework and cast your vote next Tuesday.