|
|
|
Blue Springs, MO —
A typical state of the city address is a bit ho-hum.
But Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross had plenty to work with Thursday during his annual address at the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
For starters, the city was recently named one of the best places to raise children in the United States. In fact, it was the only city in Missouri to make the list this year, which was featured in BusinessWeek Magazine.
“And a lot of that has to do with our great school district,” Ross said before a large audience.
The city, ranked 26, was praised for its low cost of living, schools, parks, hiking trails and its central location.
“The award was not solicited, either,” Ross added. “(The magazine) did its own research and made the decision on its own.”
Most of Thursday’s speech focused on the city’s public survey, an annual gauge that the city mails out to random residents at the beginning of each year. City staff and City Council use the information to make decisions that affect the approximate 55,600 people living in the city.
According to the survey, 78 percent of residents are pleased with police services; 83 percent feel safe in their neighborhoods, and 72 percent are pleased with response.
Ross emphasized police services and the overall satisfaction with it. He said that’s one of the critical areas people look for most when choosing a place to live. This year the city added three new officers, and the newly established Citizen Police Academy, entering its fifth class, introduces and trains regular citizens in many police techniques.
Overall, satisfaction with city services increased in Blue Springs by about 6 percent – even while most cities decreased significantly.
Joining overall satisfaction with city services was the city’s unique honor of calling a winner of the popular contest American Idol a native.
Ross said David Cook “was our city’s stimulus package,” a fact he told the rocker himself when he stopped by in the summer.
“I’m sure that people drive down Interstate 70 and see the signs and stop in town and have a burger,” he said.
Ross mentioned other projects, including an ambitious waste/water treatment plant addition and improvement; road improvements along Woods Chapel Road, as well as a forthcoming interchange, one of only two like it in the country; and the extension of the Moreland School Road.
Ross also mentioned that he was notified Thursday morning the city has received a critical grant needed to fund a recycling center at Pink Hill Park. That’s expected to be built next year.
“It will take glass, too,” he said.
Several people were on hand Thursday, including Independence Mayor Don Reimal, Rep. Gary Dusenberg and several aides to local representatives (and a few hopeful candidates).
In the end, Ross congratulated many people, including city staff and City Council – even the Blue Springs resident, calling upon everyone to do what they could to help the city enter into the future.
“I don’t ever want to the city to be complacent,” he said. “We’re committed to staying out in front.”
A typical state of the city address is a bit ho-hum.
But Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross had plenty to work with Thursday during his annual address at the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
For starters, the city was recently named one of the best places to raise children in the United States. In fact, it was the only city in Missouri to make the list this year, which was featured in BusinessWeek Magazine.
“And a lot of that has to do with our great school district,” Ross said before a large audience.
The city, ranked 26, was praised for its low cost of living, schools, parks, hiking trails and its central location.
“The award was not solicited, either,” Ross added. “(The magazine) did its own research and made the decision on its own.”
Most of Thursday’s speech focused on the city’s public survey, an annual gauge that the city mails out to random residents at the beginning of each year. City staff and City Council use the information to make decisions that affect the approximate 55,600 people living in the city.
According to the survey, 78 percent of residents are pleased with police services; 83 percent feel safe in their neighborhoods, and 72 percent are pleased with response.
Ross emphasized police services and the overall satisfaction with it. He said that’s one of the critical areas people look for most when choosing a place to live. This year the city added three new officers, and the newly established Citizen Police Academy, entering its fifth class, introduces and trains regular citizens in many police techniques.
Overall, satisfaction with city services increased in Blue Springs by about 6 percent – even while most cities decreased significantly.
Joining overall satisfaction with city services was the city’s unique honor of calling a winner of the popular contest American Idol a native.
Ross said David Cook “was our city’s stimulus package,” a fact he told the rocker himself when he stopped by in the summer.
“I’m sure that people drive down Interstate 70 and see the signs and stop in town and have a burger,” he said.
Ross mentioned other projects, including an ambitious waste/water treatment plant addition and improvement; road improvements along Woods Chapel Road, as well as a forthcoming interchange, one of only two like it in the country; and the extension of the Moreland School Road.
Ross also mentioned that he was notified Thursday morning the city has received a critical grant needed to fund a recycling center at Pink Hill Park. That’s expected to be built next year.
“It will take glass, too,” he said.
Several people were on hand Thursday, including Independence Mayor Don Reimal, Rep. Gary Dusenberg and several aides to local representatives (and a few hopeful candidates).
In the end, Ross congratulated many people, including city staff and City Council – even the Blue Springs resident, calling upon everyone to do what they could to help the city enter into the future.
“I don’t ever want to the city to be complacent,” he said. “We’re committed to staying out in front.”
