Ross is ready to put his stamp on the city

For all his campaign talk about connections, Mayor Carson Ross appears as if he wasn’t just playing politics.

During a campaign forum in March, Ross hinted at the possibility that Blue Springs might see another employer on the horizon. After a little more than three weeks in office, Ross said that possibility is growing.

A local acquaintance of his is believed to have met with a company owner in Washington D.C. last week. If talks were positive, a site inspection in Blue Springs might be forthcoming. Ross said in March the new employer could bring as many as 500 jobs to the area.

“It’s a manufacturing company based in Michigan,” Ross said, declining further details. “The Michigan economy is in pretty bad shape now and (Blue Springs) may be a good option.”

One can easily guess what Ross himself might say to the company owner. He might use words and descriptions once utilized during his campaign to describe Blue Springs.

“There’s a lot of positives going on here,” he said. “I think this city is on the verge of a big change.”

Ross, looking relaxed and poised in his office at City Hall, has had a full schedule since he assumed office April 21. In the two weeks that have followed, he’s met with all department heads and staff; he’s met with residents and fielded several phone calls.

“If I hadn’t served in public office for as many years as I have,” he said, “maybe I’d be surprised. But I’m not.”

Certainly he’s surprised at the number of people who recognize him on the streets and in restaurants. But when it comes to phone calls he receives at City Hall, nothing so far has caught his eye. If anything, many of the calls he has received have only affirmed the issues he felt were important when he campaigned.

“Someone called me up the other day and asked if I’d driven on Adams Dairy Parkway recently,” he said. “I told her I didn’t, that I avoid it because of its condition.”

Issues like streets are at the top of his list, as is communication efforts between the city and the public. On a more practical level, Ross has recommended that City Council members dress more appropriately and address one another using courtesy titles.

“Addressing one another by last name, by saying Mr. and Mrs... it’s a way to keeping the business at hand professional,” Ross said. “Effectiveness is lost when you stop doing that.”

Having served as a Blue Springs alderman in the 80s, Ross said becoming mayor has been a bit like returning home, back to his roots.

A former member of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ross said he’s taking his experience in Jefferson City and applying where he can.

Many of the original issues Ross campaigned on, including the number of multi-family homes versus single family homes, are still in his sights. While he said he wants to reduce the number of multi-family homes, he does support more assisted living and senior citizen homes.

Still, if government doesn’t make its mark on the city – at least there’s David Cook, the “American Idol” contestant who may very well put the city on the map.

The city welcomed Cook home Friday with a parade and a packed stadium at Blue Springs South High School for a short appearance by the Idol frontrunner.

“This will put Blue Springs on the map,” Ross said. “This will make the city nationally recognized.”