News Happenings Around Town
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A monthly message from your Mayor and City Council
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It's November Blue Springs, which means the holidays are right around the corner.
But first, I want to take a minute to brag on the amazing young people of this community and region. A few weeks ago the
Blue Springs South High School
Jaguar Pride Marching Band placed 12th and the
Blue Springs High School
Golden Regiment Marching Band placed 2nd at the St. Louis
Bands of America
Region Semi-Finals. Both bands did a phenomenal job and put on great shows! I also want to give a shout out to the Grain Valley Eagles High School Marching Band who also placed in the finals of this very prestigious competition, which had 75 marching bands from the mid-west compete over a two-day period. Congratulations!
That same weekend, the Blue Springs South High School Softball Jaguars defeated Troy Buchanan 2-0 in the Class 4 championship game to win South’s first state title in softball. Congratulations and well-done ladies!
There are so many other great accomplishments made by our youngest citizens. I wish I had the time and space to recognize everyone who deserved it.
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Blue Springs South High School Band during the Bands of America Finals on Oct. 27.
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Blue Springs High School Band in the Bands of America Finals on Oct. 27.
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Blue Springs South Jaguars Softball Team after winning the State Tournament on Oct. 27.
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Plaza Heights Christian Academy's Varsity Volleyball team after their state tournament win on Oct. 27.
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Community Prayer Breakfast
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On Nov. 2 our community came together for a special morning to celebrate faith and leadership at the Community Prayer Breakfast. We heard an outstanding message from Dr. Joe Pettigrew and I even got a lesson in softball from one of our Blue Springs South State Champions. Thank you so much to the volunteers and sponsors who work so hard every year to make this a wonderful event for our community.
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Historic Train Depot Museum Now Open
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On Oct. 13 we celebrated the grand opening of the 1926 Chicago & Alton Depot Museum. The Depot was moved from downtown near the railroad tracks to Central Park in Blue Springs to save it from demolition by the railroad company. The museum features artifacts from the Chicago & Alton Railroad line and is owned and operated by the Blue Springs Historical Society. Visit their Facebook page for Museum hours:
https://www.facebook.com/bluespringsdepot/.
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MCC- Blue River Honors the late Sgt. Al Lyons
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On Friday Oct. 26, the
Metropolitan Community College-Blue River
Police Academy selected to honor the late Sgt. Al Lyons of the Blue Springs Police Department with an Honor Run from Blue Springs High School to the Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building. At the Public Safety Building, the class presented flags to family members. Members of the Blue Springs Police Department also participated in the run and the ceremony that followed.
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We had beautiful weather on Oct, 27 for The Blue Springs Parks and Recreation's Spooky Springs event at Adams Pointe Golf Course and the Downtown Blue Springs Trick or Treat Main Street. I love seeing all the great costumes and creativity of those in our community. For more photos from both events visit the Blue Springs Parks and Recreation
Facebook Page
and the Downtown Blue Springs
Facebook Page.
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Central Jackson County Fire Protection District receives highest ISO rating
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The Central Jackson County Fire Protection District (CJC) has received the highest possible rating from the Insurance Service Office.
In October, a presentation was made to the CJC Board of Directors by the Insurance Service Office (ISO), awarding CJC an ISO Public Protection Class (PPC) of 1, the best rating possible and effective Jan. 1, 2019. This is based on evaluation of response, water supplies, training, fire prevention, and other capabilities to determine a risk class for residential and commercial properties, which can affect insurance costs. This new rating could have implications for residents and business owners, with lower insurance rates. It can also be of benefit to community development as lower insurance rates can make Blue Springs and Grain Valley more attractive to new businesses and allow existing businesses to stay.
Of the approximately 47,000 fire departments looked at, CJC is one of only 329 awarded a Class 1 rating and one of only 4 in Missouri.
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Commemorative WWI markers placed in Blue Springs
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Veteran's Ceremony at Blue Springs Cemetery Nov. 11.
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Blue Springs has been honored to receive two commemorative markers that honor World War I veterans. The Adopt-A-Monument Committee of KC is placing 16 markers throughout the metro area to honor those who served and those who were lost in the Great War. Markers have been placed at the WWI and WWII Memorial in Blue Springs Cemetery and Veterans Way Memorial in Pink Hill Park. Information about the monument locations is available at
www.kcfountains.com
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More than 20 million people were killed in World War I and 116,000 were Americans. The official end of the War was November 11, 1918, commonly called Armistice Day. Five WWI heroes are listed on the WWI Memorial in Blue Springs Cemetery including Pvt 1
st
Class Charles Denver Barger who was one of three veterans in the State of Missouri to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor during the Muese-Argonne Offensive.
A special commemorative ceremony is planned for 11 a.m., November 11, at the Blue Springs Cemetery to honor veterans who served in World War I. The event, sponsored by the Blue Springs Chapter Daughter of the American Revolution, has arranged for a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to be presented to Blue Springs Cemetery during the event.
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Reminder: City Office Holiday Closings
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City of Blue Springs offices, Municipal Court and Vesper Hall will be closed in observance of the Veterans Day holiday on Monday, November 12. The Blue Springs Fieldhouse will be open on Monday from 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Public Safety staff will continue to perform normal operations, but the Police Department offices will be closed to the public in observation of the holiday. Call 911 for emergencies and (816) 228-0151 for non-emergency police services. Blue Springs Water Services and Municipal Court customers can access the City’s online pay portal 24/7 via the City’s website: www.bluespringsgov.com.
City Offices will also be closed November 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving. Please visit www.bluesprings.com or follow us on social media for more information.
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First Watch scheduled to open Nov. 12
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According to the sign in the window, First Watch in the White Oak Plaza is set to open to the public on Monday, Nov. 12.
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Sunset Plaza gets upgrade
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In July, the City Council approved a Community Improvement District for Sunset Plaza that will allow the strip mall to undergo a huge facelift. Businesses located in the building have primarily remained open during construction.
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What's Happening in Blue Springs
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November 27 - Public Safety Citizen's Advisory Board Forum
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December 4 - Mayor's Christmas Lighting Ceremony
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Please keep yard waste out of the storm drains
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Each year Public Works responds to numerous complaints of clogged catch basins and roads littered with yard debris. These calls generally peak during the fall as leaves and other plant debris start to pile up.
The debris causes problems for neighborhoods by clogging stormwater basins and increases the chances of flooding in the streets, creating hazards for motorists. Yard waste can also be harmful for the environment; any material deposited in the street eventually finds its way into the stormwater and this polluted water runs into storm drains and empties into neighboring rivers and lakes.
To prepare for a flood, you should know if your property is in a flood hazard area by calling Community Development (816-220-4538). Also, ask your insurance agent about insuring your property against floods. Permanently protect your property by elevating valuables, utilities, and even your building above the base flood elevation. Make sure you obtain the right permits from the Community Development Department before you begin building. Lastly, designate an evacuation route and rendezvous point for your family, in case of a flood event. Never attempt to cross a flooded road or area, just go around on higher ground.
The easiest way to keep our neighborhoods clean, people safe, and protect our waterways is to clean up and properly dispose of debris from yard work. You can r
eport any issues to Public Works Department at 816-228-0195.
The Eastern Jackson County Yard Waste Collection Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday from April through November.
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Blue Springs Point Of View
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Check out what's new and going on in Blue Springs by watching the monthly Blue Springs Point of View (POV) episodes. You can also stay informed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by tuning into CTV-7 on Comcast Cable channel 7 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99.
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Contact Your City Councilmember:
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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 of our City and hope you join us for the next issue of News Happenings.
Sincerely,
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Carson Ross, Mayor
City of Blue Springs
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