Jeff Quibell’s Blue Springs Newsletter, March 6, 2008 – A Trusted Leader Who Listens

Today, I attended the 2008 Boy Scout Patron Luncheon in downtown Kansas City. I was reminded of the words I first spoke in December of 1969, “On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” Four years later, I stood in Municipal Auditorium and accepted my Eagle badge from my mother. It is hard to believe that 39 years have passed since I first spoke those words and the positive impact that they have had on my life. When asked why I am running for Mayor, while we may end up talking about things I believe our citizens’ would like for me to do for our city, the reality is that my willingness to serve is rooted in this oath I took so many years ago.

On March 1st I volunteered at the city’s first electronics recycling event. The cars started lining up at 7:15am and continued almost non-stop through noon. We collected 83 tons, filling six semi trucks full of old computers, console televisions, monitors, batteries, and items too numerous to mention. This is an event that we will continue as we consider other ways for our city to be more “Green”. A gallery of pictures is available on my website at http://wwwjeffreyquibell.com/Photos.aspx?AlbumID=9.

At the March 3rd council meeting we approved an exciting development within the Chapman Farms community on the south side of Blue Springs. The Kansas City Star on Wednesday reported that this development “echoes Disney’s famous Celebration subdivision in Orlando”. This development will provide Chapman Farms its own downtown component of restaurants, retail, live/work buildings with commercial first floor and lofts above, and high quality brownstone style row homes. I have to admit I was taken aback when District 3 Councilmen Ron Fowler and Sheila Solon attempted to change part of the project to multi-family zoning, but in the end the project went forward as proposed. If you would like to watch the meeting, you can find it on the web at http://www.bluespringsgov.com/index.asp?NID=230. Click on the March 3, 2008 link to view the meeting.

Last night I had an opportunity to meet with a group of residents to listen to their concerns and talk about how I would work to meet their goals for our city. We had a great discussion including such issues as housing choices, smoking regulations, recycling opportunities, and coordination between the city and the school district.

This week I announced plans for a new Citizens Academy to encourage more Citizens to become engaged with their city government. As an elected official, I have made a strong commitment to truly engage our citizens. The Citizen’s Academy is a proven method utilized by other cities throughout the nation to listen to citizens and help them become more fully informed about what is going on inside their government. To read the entire press release go to http://www.jeffreyquibell.com/PressReleases/PressRelease20080304.aspx.

Some of you may have heard that David Cook, a Blue Springs native, is a contestant on American Idol. If you want to vote for David, the main number is 1-866-IDOLS xx (866-436-57xx). You will need to watch the program on FOX TV to get the exact number to call to vote.

Please join me on Saturday afternoon as we work together to proclaim “We Are Here!” at the Horton Hears You Hometown Challenge. The event will be at Sports City, 425 NE Mock Ave, starting at 2pm.