Quick 4: Michael Freeman, Blue Springs Mayor candidate

Police visibility. While going door to door, I am hearing the number one concern is cars being broken into. These are not isolated to just one neighborhood; I am hearing this across the city. We need to increase neighborhood patrols of officers.

Increase communication between citizens and the mayor. We need regular town hall meetings to make sure every citizen has a chance to voice their issues. I am planning one March 27 at Moreland Ridge 6:30-7:30 p.m. before the election.

Stop tax-and-spend agenda. Since 2008, property taxes have been raised three out of four years, while at the same time the city debt has increased 200 percent. We need to quit giving sales tax dollars back to the developers.

I believe it is more than a full time job. It is making a promise and a dedication to the citizens. Issues don’t happen between 9-5, and as mayor I will be available 24-7 as needed. My job offers flexibility, and I will put in the hours needed to run this city.

Let the citizens talk. If someone has something to say before a vote, let them. Why did the council vote on awarding a contract to Miles Excavation and then let the lower bid KAT Excavating talk afterwards? It was pointless and disrespectful.  Stop abusing special sessions: if a special session is needed, then it needs to be recorded and televised to prevent he said/she said scenarios. In 2011 property taxes were raised in a special session, without citizen input and no recording to go back and view. In March of 2010, $14 million in bonds were issued to RED Development – and again, without citizen input and no recording to go back and view. 

Missouri 7 is being overwhelmed with blight. We are seeing a dramatic increase in tobacco shops, Payday Loans, and tattoo parlors. Let’s put as much focus on Missouri 7 – the main corridor of the city – as we have in Adam’s Dairy and the Woods Chapel corridor.