I read your information regarding ADP. YES, I live in the area where walmart was trying to put in a 24hour super store with gas pumps. No major highways were in this area, it would be very close to a local school, and no infastructure for the increased traffic on what are local housing roads had been considered. I as well as all my neighbors highly protested, loudly and long not to have a Walmart with the constantly arriving Semi's, traffic, sound and light polution in my bedroom community.

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2) I thought the bids were out for completing south section of ADP -- what's the hold up?

We will research these.

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I believe there should be an ordinance requiring all trash be bagged, at least the residential. The longer I live in B.S. the more littered and unattractive the city becomes. I personally have observed on trash pickup days when trash is collected by BFI disposal, whatever falls on the ground stays there and I'm sure the other collectors are equally guilty. If all trash was bagged before it was placed in the containers, we could all enjoy a much cleaner city. Thank you for considering my suggestion.

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So far I'm impressed with all I've read and believe every bit of it....

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Sure need a supermarket on the west side! A past inquiry about a traffic light at Woods Chapel and Castle drive resulted in a sarcastic reply from the traffic department.

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Great site, it's nice to see that there are people who are willing to stand up for keeping this city a nice place to live. I have heard from too many people who are in the process of moving to Lee's Summit to be in a city that is not only growing, but has been able to keep their main corridors (such as 291) from turning into the depressing wasteland that 7 highway is. (Why is that nasty Texas Tom's building still there, anyway?)

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I will take a sign, and more ONLY ,if this will get a BETTER MAYOR for my town !!!!!!!!!!!

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Please keep me informed about the new Walmart Supercenter. We are very anxious to have it on our end of town. The North has been forgotten to long.

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Please send me email updates on what's going on. Your site is very informative. It's a good idea.

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I commend your efforts at trying to educate people and make them aware of community activities and policies. I would advise you to better edit your website (there seem to be quite a few typing errors) and wish you luck on getting those statistics you requested. I am particulary interested in seeing more specific data on the crime rates - what is qualified as a violent crime? just how many people are there in Blue Springs and how many incidents are we talking about? Where were these crimes (at businesses like in the WalMart parking lot or in residential neighborhoods or in apartment complexes)?

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We do not edit letters to the editor or submitted comments. They are posted as submitted-spelling errors and all.

Keep up the good work and let the people know the truth.

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Our family moved here in 1966 when my husband retired from 25 yrs. in the U.S.Air Force. We have traveled extensivily during that time and have never seen as good a town as Blue Springs. The friendly people, everything, made us feel at Home! Over the years of course, there have been many changes and I know there will always be, but I only pray we don't lose the feeling of closeness we have here. I know we are growing but lets not get so "uptown" we won't know our neighbors. Love Blue Springs. My husband passed away in 1998 and I would never think of leaving here. Miss "Brownie" too!! God Bless!!!

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As your website plainly states there are so many problems that need to be dealt with, and I doubt that a simple change in administration can completely abolish all our woes. I commend your effort to educate the people of this city. It has gone a long way in reminding me why we should remain personally involved in democracy - both on the national and local levels. Keep up the great work.

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I am not interested in taking any part with people who hide their own identities.

Two prominent individuals have volunteered to be the face and voice for those who fear payback from government officials and employees.  One is Dale Baumgardner, former Mayor of Blue Springs and former Jackson County Executive.  Mr. Baumgardner left a legacy of being open and fair-minded, spurring growth in Blue Springs in the eighties.  Mr. Baumgardner’s co-chair is Howard Brown, former Chief of Police for the Blue Springs Police Department.  Chief Brown retired in November 2001 after 36 years of service.  Chief Brown grew with the police department from when the city had a population of 2,000 and needed only 2 officers to 2001 when the department boasted over 100 personnel. 

Mr. Baumgardner and Mr. Brown, along with many friends and long-time citizens believe it’s time to work for a better quality of life in Blue Springs.  It’s time to ask questions and get involved, regardless of the answers to those questions. 

Overall, I think if your mission is to educate and engage the citizenry it is a good idea, but you must be vigilant to include all voices, not only those who embody what Blue Springs is traditionally. I look forward to your group's work as the elections approach.

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We do our best to clarify and decipher the information that is given to us. The volume of information is overwhelming. We are striving to get as much information out to the public as possible.

Good for you people. I would like to received information. We moved from San Francisco and it is the first time that I read something that move me to interact. I really would like to now better my new environment, and people. Find things to do (art,ceramic, painting, native information from the Midwest, traditions, and things that would be helpful for all of us. CONGRATULATIONS FROM ME AND MY FAMILY.

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This sounds like a web site that Preston Smith has something to do with. Why dosen't he just move. The City would be alot better off.

Rest assured that Mr. Smith has had absolutely NO input or influence in either the creation, concept, or operation of ABetterBlueSprings.org

Nor will he ever.

Thank you Mr. Baumgardner and Chief Brown. You are getting done areas that most of us would not know how to obtain. This is a good town with many good people and we are frustrated when we see the growth elsewhere. We have people who could use the income from jobs created with businesses. I've questioned many times the situation of Adams Dairy Parkway. Thank you and I am here when you need to count support.

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As a 30+ yrs resident, I have seen the City go from a growing, thriving, advancing city to a stagnating city due to the craziness of the Zoning & Planning Committee. Due to its antidevelopment/antideveloper attitude, no new business wants to locate in Blue Springs and long term business are leaving, ie MeraVic. Who appoints these idiots anyway? The landscaping requirements on new residences are stupid and costly.

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I received your postcard in the mail and signed on to the site. I applaud what you are doing but who is behind this? Who organized it who runs it?

The purpose of the website is to provide a perspective that might not otherwise be available to the public through mainstream media or government-sponsored propaganda.  While many citizens from a variety of walks of life have given input and support to our goals, most do not want to be recognized for fear of retribution. 

Two prominent individuals have volunteered to be the face and voice for those who fear payback from government officials and employees.  One is Dale Baumgardner, former Mayor of Blue Springs and former Jackson County Executive.  Mr. Baumgardner left a legacy of being open and fair-minded, spurring growth in Blue Springs in the eighties.  Mr. Baumgardner’s co-chair is Howard Brown, former Chief of Police for the Blue Springs Police Department.  Chief Brown retired in November 2001 after 36 years of service.  Chief Brown grew with the police department from when the city had a population of 2,000 and needed only 2 officers to 2001 when the department boasted over 100 personnel. 

Mr. Baumgardner and Mr. Brown, along with many friends and long-time citizens believe it’s time to work for a better quality of life in Blue Springs.  It’s time to ask questions and get involved, regardless of the answers to those questions. 

I received a card from Mayor Grounds' campaign promoting all of the new businesses he played a part in bringing to Blue Springs. Among those mentioned were Sports City and the Lunar Bowl. I am curious why he did not list the most prevalent of the new businesses in Blue Springs: Payday Loan Operations. Why is it that the city can grant licenses for these businesses to operate in Blue Springs, yet the Planning Commission shot down Family Video's plans and they were well within the law. Nothing against the Payday Loan places, they serve a purpose. It is very similar to XXX businesses along I-70. There sure are alot of them. I wonder where Blue Springs ranks in Payday Loan businesses per resident? Maybe that is why the City Council went back and passed the Multi Family Housing issue as in their perception there would be a need for additional payday loan facilities in Blue Springs. How about a new city slogan. Instead of the "City of Cooperation" let's have the "Payday Loan Capital of the World" on our Welcome Sign?

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It is time for a change in city government - from the top down

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I have enjoyed reviewing your website. The information provided was enlightening. Considering that is your stated purpose I would say you have succeeded, at least in my case. I appreciate the effort you have undertaken for the Blue Springs community and will continue to follow your efforts. I must admit however that my knee-jerk reaction to your mailings was suspicious. I understand your desire to promote the message and not the messenger but the message in these days of information overload is only as trustworthy as the messenger who brings it to you. I have been swamped with politically motivated information during the past few months, some local, and some national. As you have my name and address judging from the mailed card I received it would be only fair for you to reveal to me the source that you turned to for that information. I am interested to know what public or private organization is selling my identity, if that is the case or if you simply used a digital phone book to find me. Again I appreciate your efforts on my behalf. I will take your enlightenment with a grain of salt, a measure of suspicion and weigh it carefully against the other more traditional sources of community information I have and surly will continue to receive.

Thank you for your comments. It is evident that they were well thought out and were of some concern to you.

Your name and address are a matter of public record and are available at the Election Board.

Your knee-jerk suspicious reaction was right on. We believe that you should be suspicious of unsolicited information. May you always be questioning. It is through questioning and debate that the truth emerges.

For too long we have not had the information to question or debate. We are changing that.

Whether you agree with our positions or not is out of our control. It is satisfaction enough for us to know that you are questioning.

I was wondering if you could tell me who owned the land before the city bought it for the lake near the parkway.

We are researching your question.

Great work folks, and it's good to see hard work pay dividends.
The best of luck in the future!

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Don't think I remembered to tell you how much I love the name--The Shovel. Boy, if some of the new people get into office this time, we will certainly be doing a lot of that. Glad to hear you were able to get the papers you requested. My only thought was "I wonder how much Fred doctored them up?" Keep up the good work.

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This is good stuff. Please keep me informed. Thanks

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This is a GREAT website and I hope it will get more people involved in what is going on here in Blue Springs. I would also encourage you to find out what and who is behind the ownership of the parking lot behind the First Country Bank and the other business' there on Main Street. The city allowed it to be sold and the owner of it holds it hostage and tows away those who park on it.

Another issue is the street light that was supposed to be put in on Woods Chapel Road at the Sonic and Taco Johns. Both had to pay for a light to be put there when they began building. Years later...where's the light? The problem with our current leader AND city planners is that there is NO VISION and we have allowed 7 Hwy to turn into a run-down Noland Road instead of a beautiful growing Lee's Summit.

We are researching your suggestion.

I have been directed to this website by friends who too want more for Blue Springs. I have strong convictions in the matters of this town and the way our government is being run. Greg Grounds has been economically damaging for long enough. Not to mention backhanded, should I mention Don Lograsso. I support your efforts and would love to help in any way I can on a volunteer basis.

Thank you for your comments.

ABetterBlueSprings.org is only an endeavor to educate the citizens of Blue Springs on what is affecting our quality of life. 

We do not support candidates or specific ballot issues.

We encourage everyone to  become informed members of our community and participate in the process.

We thank you for your offer to volunteer. We will be in contact.

I am impressed with your efforts to date. Let us hope that your efforts will not only dwell on the past. Many things have been handled poorly but much of it cannot be changed.

The more important things for us now is how things will be handled for the future. All I hear is how all the current candidates will work hard for a better Blue Springs, but none of them are telling us just how they are going to do this.

It is time for them to put more commitment on the line. Many of the incumbents have done a poor job. Will new blood do any better? They have not convinced me they even know how too!

Thank you for your comments.

ABetterBlueSprings.org is only an endeavor to educate the citizens of Blue Springs on what is affecting our quality of life. 

We do not support candidates or specific ballot issues.

We encourage everyone to  become informed members of our community and participate in the process.

You need to investigate the cost and benefits of the police department becoming CALEA Certified. With the limited staff a Captain, Detective, and secretary have been assigned to full time "standards" department. The CALEA recognition costs $7500 to apply plus all the manhours writing papers to meet the "standards". Then it costs $35,000 to apply for full certification. And more paper to generate. I have seen "true cost" in the range of $125,000 to $250,000 to get the full certification plus the reduction of productivity in the department because of all the rules and investigations of the officers. The Feb 2004 Law Enforcement Technology magazine has and editorial on the last page that indicates that certification is probably a waste of resources and time.

We are researching your suggestion.

It is my understanding the requirements for obtaining a occupation license in the city of Blue Springs for plumbing, hvac and electrical contractors are as follows: Experior Block master testing certification, Kansas City masters license or Independence masters license.

The following certifications are also acceptable to Blue Springs, journeyman licenses from Kansas City and Independence. A journeyman's license in Kansas City and Independence allow the holder of that license to work unsupervised on a project in those jurisdictions. A journeyman's license is not a master's license and would not be accepted has certification to obtain an occupation license to do business in those cities. I wonder why it is acceptable to Blue Springs?

We are researching your suggestion.

Green space and walking trails would be a poor substitute for a knowledgeable and accurate inspection system.

We are researching your suggestion.

I think you should disclose ALL the names of your "group" IMMEDIATELY on your website. That would give the impression that this website is the product of more than just one nut case with a lot of time on his hands.

The purpose of the website is to provide a perspective that might not otherwise be available to the public through mainstream media or government-sponsored propaganda.  While many citizens from a variety of walks of life have given input and support to our goals, most do not want to be recognized for fear of retribution. 

Two prominent individuals have volunteered to be the face and voice for those who fear payback from government officials and employees.  One is Dale Baumgardner, former Mayor of Blue Springs and former Jackson County Executive.  Mr. Baumgardner left a legacy of being open and fair-minded, spurring growth in Blue Springs in the eighties.  Mr. Baumgardner’s co-chair is Howard Brown, former Chief of Police for the Blue Springs Police Department.  Chief Brown retired in November 2001 after 36 years of service.  Chief Brown grew with the police department from when the city had a population of 2,000 and needed only 2 officers to 2001 when the department boasted over 100 personnel. 

Mr. Baumgardner and Mr. Brown, along with many friends and long-time citizens believe it’s time to work for a better quality of life in Blue Springs.  It’s time to ask questions and get involved, regardless of the answers to those questions.   

03/02/04

Since the inquiries I have seen are from one individual saying they are for his personal use, I assume some there is someone that really doesn't want a better Blue Springs within your organization. You certainly can't stand for open and fair as you refuse to tell us who is in your organization. If you were for quality of life and encourage participation in the process, I think you would be happy to tell us the names of those involved in your organization, what city they live in, and make all of your meetings open to the public. The City meetings are all published, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Pardon the delayed response. It has been very hectic lately. 

We find it somewhat troublesome that some elected officials are more concerned with the messenger than they are with the message! One of the great freedoms of this country is the freedom to associate with whomever we choose without government interference. As an elected official, you should know this.  

Some of our supporters choose to remain anonymous. This is their right. Perhaps if more time was spent on the message instead of the messenger there would not be a need for an organization like “abetterbluesprings.org”.

03/01/04

Do you have a name(s)? I would like to know who is sending out the e-mails. Anyone can set up an e-mail address and not even live in our city. This is kinda like receiving thousands of dollars from out of state contributors.