On the Issues
A vision for our city. As a city, we have made great strides in economic development along the I-70 and M-291 corridor. The Little Blue Expressway has great potential. A strong commercial base can help our city improve its basic services. We have many older neighborhoods in need of revitalization. There are several tools the city has used successfully to accomplish this. We cannot let the deterioration in some areas worsen.
Neighborhoods. Over 80% of Independence residents surveyed said they were worried about the declining condition of some neighborhoods. City government must work more closely with neighborhood leaders and address their concerns on a regular basis. We must also continue to support code enforcement to protect our citizens' property values. Our home is the most valuable asset we own. We must protect our investments.
Citizens living in aging or deteriorated neighborhoods in Independence should be offered economic development tools and assistance in order to maintain the attractiveness, livability and value of their largest investment. I led and organized a neighborhood improvement plan that established a prototype for funding resources. This plan can be utilized by any neighborhood desiring positive change.
Revitalization of our historic districts is vital to the quality of life of city's full spectrum, from young families establishing their roots to senior citizens wishing to age in place living in familiar surroundings.
Safety. In 2003, I led a group of citizens committed to upgrading our police and fire facilities and equipment. As a result, $61 million will be spent over the next several years
for necessary capital improvements in Independence.
Voters approved expenditures for the equipment,
facility, vehicle, and communications needs of our police and fire personnel. I
intend to further enhance our police and fire protection by supporting
recruitment and retention of high level professional
officers and firefighters to protect the citizens of Independence. I am
committed to supporting competitive wages and benefits so that qualified
applicants will be attracted to working in our city. We need to support neighborhood policing efforts and enforce the "disorderly house" ordinance to help keep peace in neighborhoods that deal with problem properties and multiple police calls.
The police department's zero tolerance policy on drug offenders and domestic
violence should also be extended to zero tolerance for the predators and
offenders threatening our children.
Modern Development.
TIF must be used wisely. Its best uses are for redevelopment in older areas and
in new development where there are extraordinary special circumstances. Remember
that our schools and libraries operate through funding by property taxes.
Download the City's TIF report in PDF (Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Eminent Domain can be both bad and good. It is a precision tool that should be utilized only after careful consideration of the ultimate benefit to Independence, not to a developer. I will continue to monitor the discussions of the city council and the professional city staff and advocate for clear definitions and guidelines for property owners impacted by eminent domain.
Professional and industrial workforce should be actively recruited. This can be done by incentivising commercial, manufacturing and professional development.
Education
ALL children in Independence deserve an equal opportunity for quality education
- including those who live in western Independence.
While I applaud Senator Victor Callahan’s efforts in proposing long-overdue changes in Missouri’s statutes for the benefit of Western Independence, I believe continued dialogue with residents, law makers, and education professionals is the best method for achieving superior education in all of the schools in Independence.
