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Applications Now Available for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Class
 Would you like to be better prepared for an emergency?
The Central Jackson County Emergency Management Agency (CJCEMA) is now accepting applications for the upcoming CJCEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class.
WHEN: Classes begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2015
WHERE: Central Jackson County Fire Protection District Training Center
4715 W. Highway 40, Blue Springs, Mo.
CERT training is available at no cost for residents of Blue Springs, Grain Valley and Lake Tapawingo.
The 10-week training program, developed by FEMA and taught by CJCEMA personnel,
is a great opportunity to become prepared for a range of crisis situations including abductions, fire safety and natural disaster response.
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Winter Edition of the Blue Springs Magazine Now Available
I invite you to take a look at our most recent magazine highlighting our community accomplishments in 2014.
The winter 2015 issue is now available online and at City Hall. Featured articles include the Woods Chapel Road Updates, our Human Relations Commission's logo contest and the fifth annual 'My Blue Springs Photo Contest!' winners.
To view the Blue Springs Magazine, click here. If you would like to learn more about the Blue Springs Magazine or review past editions, click here.
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Shop With a Blue Springs Cop
 
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On Saturday, December 13 at the Adams Dairy Landing Target store, the Police Department, Blue Springs School District officers and members of the Blue Springs Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association participated in the fifth annual 'Shop with a Blue Springs Cop' event. This event was hosted by Target as part of their Heroes and Helpers Program.
This event partnered Blue Springs School District students with Blue Springs Police Officers providing at-risk children an opportunity to socialize with officers in a positive atmosphere and reinforce that police officers are friends in the community.
Each year, I am amazed by our community's
support for this wonderful program. Thank you again to all the event sponsors and volunteers that helped make this event possible!
To see photos from the event, click here. You can view a video of the event below
 | | Shop with a Blue Springs Cop Event 2014 |
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Christmas Tree Recycling Program
 Friday, Dec. 26 through Sunday, Jan. 18
Pink Hill Park
Make plans to drop off your Christmas tree, boxes and strand lights at the same time!
Each day, you can drop off your tree from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Pink Hill Park and your boxes & lights from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m on Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays to the Pink Hill Park Recycling Center.
This free program is a safe and environmentally friendly way to dispose of your Christmas tree. Commercial vendors may also participate for a fee.
For more information, contact Parks & Recreation at 816-228-0137.
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Let's Move! Saturdays!
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Blue Springs Family YMCA
1300 Adams Dairy Pkwy
January 3, Noon to 3 p.m.
Join us: open swim with adult photo ID. Kids five and under must have a parent in the pool. Parents must supervise kids for the duration of the event.
Dynamic Dance
1901 SW Highway 40
January 10, 11 a.m. to Noon
Join us for a retro dance party.
Rink Ratz
513 SW Keystone Drive
January 10, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Join us for open roller skating.
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City Government on
CTV-7
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Watch Comcast Cable
Check out what's new and going on in Blue Springs, 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
Check out the City of Blue Springs YouTube Page
If you want to catch up on videos of past Blue Springs events, check out the City's YouTube page by clicking here
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 News Happenings
Around Town A bi-weekly message from your Blue Springs Mayor and City Council |
Greetings!
Hello and welcome to News Happenings Around Town; your one-stop source for City information and news updates including those items most important to you.
I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Buy Blue Springs Receipt Reward Contest! According to the contest, a total of $97,044.19 was spent at various Blue Springs businesses between Nov 24 and Dec. 15! Thank you for Buying Blue Springs!
We have had a few recent updates within our City's infrastructure. You can read more about ongoing improvements to our sidewalks and the opening of a new roundabout as part our Woods Chapel Road Phase II construction.
While ringing in the New Year, please make your own safety and the well being of others a top priority - celebrate responsibly.
As always, please continue sharing this timely publication and spreading the word about the good things in the City of Blue Springs.
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Buy Blue Springs Receipt Reward Contest Winner!
Congratulations to Roscoe Righter, the winner of the Buy Blue Springs Receipt Reward Contest! On December 16 I pulled Roscoe's name from a random drawing and he won $500 in American Express gift cards.
This contest, administered by the Buy Blue Springs committee through the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, is designed to reward people who chose to spend their money in our community. There was an overwhelming response with 2,502 receipts entered in the drawing, representing 220 different Blue Springs businesses. The total amount entered in this contest was $97,044.19 - AMAZING!
Congratulations again to Roscoe and thank you to everyone who participated! Thank you again for 'Buying Blue Springs!'
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Introducing the Blue Springs Fieldhouse
I am excited to share with you the improvements being made to the new Blue Springs Fieldhouse. In August, the City purchased the Sports City complex and we will be making significant renovations to the more than 76,000-square-feet of indoor recreational space.
Renovations include a 6,500-square-foot fitness center to replace the current batting cages and open seating for spectators in place of the current bar area. For a more detailed list of changes, check out the video below.
 | | City of Blue Springs-Introducing the Blue Springs Fieldhouse. |
In January, we expect to begin our bidding process with construction beginning in March of 2015 and completion scheduled in August of 2015.
Again, I would like to give a special thanks to Linda Edison, a long-time Blue Springs resident and former Park Commission chairman for her significant donation making this purchase possible.
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Roundabout Now Open at Woods Chapel Road and Walnut Street
On December 23 the City opened the new roundabout at the Woods Chapel Road and Walnut Street intersection.
 | | Driving through the Woods Chapel Road Roundabout |
By creating this roundabout we have lowered the number of conflict points seen in traditional intersections from 20 to eight and we hope to decrease the possibility of crashes by as much as 75 percent. These are great numbers when talking about safety on our roads.
A little more on how roundabouts work:
- As drivers approach a roundabout they slow down and yield to traffic already circulating; stopping vehicles from clogging up the circle and allowing other vehicles to enter when there is an opening
- When a gap in traffic appears on the left, drivers enter the roundabout by turning right and following the circle until they reach their exit
- Splitter islands and lane stripes help keep traffic moving in the right direction
Here are a few tips for using our City's roundabout:
- Slow down before you enter the roundabout
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Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout
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Only enter in front of a vehicle already in the roundabout if you have enough space to do so safely
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Vehicle speeds should be 20 mph or less
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Vehicles in the roundabout do NOT yield to entering traffic
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If you miss the exit DO NOT STOP! Simply travel around the circle again and exit onto the appropriate road
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Do not block emergency vehicles
Our crews will continue working through the winter installing new water and sewer lines adjacent to the road. Substantial completion is expected in fall 2015.
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60 Day Comment Period: Sidewalk Repair 
The City has drafted a sidewalk repair and transition plan to address infrastructure repairs and meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. The plan is available for review during a 60 day comment period on the City's website, click here to view.
Blue Springs contracted with TranSystems to complete an evaluation of the City's 168 miles of sidewalks, 3,190 curb ramps and 1,276 street crosswalks for general infrastructure condition and ADA conformity.
The draft plan proposes that the City should prioritize sidewalk improvement based on a scale of worst to best areas and included prior grievances from residents and other applicable issues such as accessibility and proximity to City services, schools and hospitals.
We would like to hear from you! Submit comments during the 60 day period from Monday, Dec. 29, 2014 through Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 to [email protected] or by calling (816) 228-0121.
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I hope you have found this issue of News Happenings Around Town to be both informative and timely for your City information needs. Is there anything we missed? Do you have questions about any of the articles from this issue? Share your thoughts with me and the City Council by calling City Hall at (816) 228-0110. Know that we truly value your time and support for our City and hope you join us for the next issue of News Happenings.
Sincerely,
Carson Ross, Mayor
City of Blue Springs |
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