In This Issue
Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.
Human Relations Commission Logo Contest
Reduce Your Risk: Consumer Tips
D.A.R.E Graduation
Contact Your
 City Councilmember

District 1

 Jeff Quibell   
 
District 2  
 District 3
 Susan Culpepper 
 
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Safety First: Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Car Theft 
policebadge
The Blue Springs Police Department has some easy steps that will help keep you and your vehicle safe this winter!

 

1. Always lock your vehicle.
 

2. Never leave your vehicle with the engine running and always take your keys out of the ignition - no matter how briefly you are stepping away.

 

3. Close all the windows and your sunroof.
 

4. Avoid leaving valuables or personal information visible in your vehicle.

 

5. If you can, park in your garage to protect your vehicle.
 

6. Consider investing in extra security such as remote starts, auto alarms or automated GIS locator systems. Thieves are reluctant to steal a vehicle if they know it can be recovered quickly. Insurers may offer discounts for these types of systems.

Upcoming Events

  A "Chilly" Dog's Night Out

Blue Springs Dog Park Silent Auction Fundraiser
January 24, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Vesper Hall, 
400 NE Vesper Street

Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children 4-12 and children 3 and under are free.
 
Come out for plenty of food, K-9 demonstrations, a silent auction and plenty of prizes!
 

Youth Sports & Recreation Expo
January 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Adams Pointe Conference Center
1400 NE Coronado Drive
                
This event is free!

Join us to learn about all of the youth sports and recreation resources within the Blue Springs community.

Staying Safe While Staying Warm
  

The Central Jackson County Fire Protection District has shared some tips to avoid fire hazards while trying to keep warm this winter.

 

With the cold weather setting in, the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District has shared some safety tips you can use to avoid fire hazards. 
 

Space Heaters: 

  • Be sure your heater is in good working condition and inspect exhaust parts for carbon buildup.
  • Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case the heater is tipped over.
  • Keep young children safely away from space heaters, especially when they are wearing nightgowns or other loose clothing that can be easily ignited.

Fireplace: 

  • Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned, especially if it has not been used for some time.
  • Do not use a flammable liquid to start or accelerate any fire.
  • Always burn seasoned wood (wood with higher moisture content); never burn trash in the fireplace. 

Furnace: 

  • Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition. A yearly inspection by a qualified specialist is recommended.
  • Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists; do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified.
  • Clean the furnace prior to use in the fall and change your filter monthly. 

For a more detailed list of safety guidelines, click here.

Winter Recycling Program

tree recycling

 Sunday, Jan. 18

 Pink Hill Park

 

Hurry! This Sunday is the last day to drop off your Christmas tree, boxes and strand lights.

  

 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.

 Let's Move! Saturdays!


Club 7 Fitness
  1241 SW Highway 7
January 17, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join us: kids Fit Boot Camp, fitness

activities, open gym for adults


Thunderdome Fitness
2401 B SW Highway 40
January 17, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 
Join us: kids speed and agility clinic;

adult weight loss clinic


Gage Center
1101 NW Jefferson
January 24, 10:30 a.m. to Noon
 Join us for Bump City, martial arts  
City Government on
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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 
City of Blue SpringsNews 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.
 

In this issue, I wanted to highlight the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. celebration and share some safety tips to protect yourself and your homes.  

 

Also, if you haven't disposed of your Christmas tree yet, think about disposing of your tree at Pink Hill Park until this Sunday, January 18.

 

As always, please continue sharing this timely publication and spreading the word about the good things in the City of Blue Springs.

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

We as a nation will be celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 19 and City offices will be closed in observance.
 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a day of reflection and remembrance.  I invite you to join me at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 18 at the First Christian Church of Blue Springs located at 701 NW 15th Street.  I will have the pleasure of continuing a ten year tradition as one of the guest speakers for their annual Community Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration.

 

On that following Monday, January 19, I will be attending the 11th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy and Scholarship Awards with First Lady Eloise Ross. This celebration will honor the memory of Dr. King and the lasting impact of other Civil Rights pioneers.

 

Congratulations to fellow Mayor Peggy Dunn, this year's Legacy Award recipient. It is a distinct pleasure to see a woman so involved in various aspects of her community being recognized for her work!

Human Relations Commission Logo Contest  

I am excited to share that the Blue Springs Human Relations Commission has opened a contest to find a new logo!  

 

Established in March 2014, the commission is fairly new and was created to promote inclusiveness and communication among diverse community members. I worked with the City Council to appoint seven residents who embody diversity and I am glad to say we will be looking for two Blue Springs School District students to serve in the near future. Our Blue Springs Police Chief Wayne serves as their staff liaison.

 

When creating your logo idea, keep in mind that the winning logo must reflect diversity, inclusion, the City of Blue Springs and represent the mission of the commission, click here to view. The logo should be emailed to [email protected] no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 16, 2015. For more detailed submission specifications please click here.

 

This is an awesome chance for you to show your creative skills and contribute to a lasting representation of our City's effort to promote opportunity, growth and conversations among and people of all cultural backgrounds; I look forward to seeing all of the creative submissions. Good luck!
Reduce Your Risk: Consumer Tips 
 

The harsh weather conditions common for this time of year can cause damage to your home. Below are some helpful tips to keep your money safe and keep you informed when hiring a contractor.

 

Do Your Research. Before hiring a contractor, ask your friends or family for recommendations. Get written bids from three or more contractors and do a close comparison of what work is included and what building permits or materials will be required. Remember, the lowest bid is not always the best bid.

 

Be Informed. Contact the Missouri Attorney General's Office at (800) 392-8222 or click here to see concerns from other consumers about a particular contractor. You can also file a review, good or bad, by clicking here.

Get Everything In Writing. After selecting a contractor, insist on a written agreement that clearly states the work to be done, when the work will be done and the final cost. The contract should outline payment schedules and require your satisfaction before final payment. You should also consider if the contractor requires lien waivers and ensure that material suppliers and sub-contractors have been paid before issuing the final payment.

 

Door-To-Door Home Repair. Be wary of door-to-door repair offers. They may state that they "Just happen to be in your neighborhood." or "Can see from the street that you need a new roof."  Typically, these offers turn out to be scams that result in inadequate work by unlicensed contractors - leaving you as consumers with little recourse when you are unhappy with the results.

 

If you experience a problem you cannot resolve with your contractor, file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Unit by clicking here.
Five Years of Blue Springs School District Broadcasting
  

I would like to congratulate the Blue Springs School District for five years of broadcasting the BSSD Radio and BSSD TV. 

 

 Our school district boasts of two studios, one located at each Blue Springs high school. Thank you to Pete Grigsby for your dedication to creating an environment where students can express themselves while learning about television and radio! 
 

You can always tune in to BSSD radio by clicking here for a 24/7 stream of commercial free music. To view JAG TV or WILDCAT TV, click here.
D.A.R.E. GRADUATION  

I would like to again congratulate our recent 2014-2015 D.A.R.E. graduates of William Bryant Elementary, Cordill-Mason Elementary and the students of St. John LaLande Catholic School!

Thank you to our D.A.R.E. officer Charlie Waites for leading this great program and Sgt. Colby Lalli for his continued participation. Keep up the good work!
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 of our City and hope you join us for the next issue of News Happenings
 
Sincerely,
 
 Ross sig
Carson Ross, Mayor
City of Blue Springs
Our
Mission 
The City of Blue Springs is a unique community where families, visitors and businesses share a special quality of life and an abundant spirit of community closeness and cooperation. 

 

Our number one goal is to ensure that our residents, visitors and patrons receive quality customer service and attention with every program and service the City provides. Just as you stand by a community that strives to meet your family's needs, we promise to do our best to meet these needs and anticipate what's best for you and our community, to the best of our ability.