point of view

Milwaukee's essay contest theme was "Working Toward a World of Peace." Peace is like an unsolved puzzle, wrote fifth grader Mahogany Hill who won first place in her grade category. We each hold the missing pieces ― of peace, love & collaboration ― that are needed to complete the image, Hill explained. "When we assemble our pieces, we will be closer to having the peace that Dr. King wanted for us all," Hill wrote. "We didn’t come this far, to only come this far! Dr. King reminds us that completing our puzzle will not be easy, but he tells us to pick up our pieces with courage. Every piece, big & small, is needed. Our puzzle for world peace is waiting for your piece!"

Sunday - Wednesday - Missouri Municipal League Annual Conference

Monday, 2:30PM - Hospital Board of Trustees; 4PM - Capital Improvement Authority; 6PM - Planning & Zoning

Tuesday, 4PM - Community Foundation; 4:30PM - Municipal Court

Wednesday, 11:45AM - Employee Appreciation Luncheon; 5PM - Historic Preservation Commission

Thursday, 11AM - Urban Redevelopment Corporation; 6PM - DEP Annual Benefit Dinner

Friday, 7:30AM - City Council Work Session

Saturday/Sunday: Young Eagles Special Event @ Airport

Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Senior Center Coordinator Jeff Barge & CC Business Office Coordinator Nikayla Glidden - 5 years; CC Building Monitor Ruth Armstrong - 2 years, Child Watch Attendant Sierra Bush & Police Officer Secilia Sanchez - 1 year.

• Hospital Board of Trustees will hear officer reports, review financials, budget, & review/approve policy
• Capital Improvement Authority will review financials, consider replenishing building maintenance fund, establish emergency preparedness allowance, discuss mineral water history
• Planning & Zoning will consider application by DHTC Development for consideration of final plat approval of the Flats at Coach Crossing located at the SE corner of Tracy Ave & US 69 @ 1117 Tracy.
• Community Foundation will consider new business
• Historic Preservation Commission will review administratively approved COAs: roof @ 311 S. Thompson, 409 E. Excelsior St., & 522 Elms Blvd., & paint @ 518 Isley Blvd & 436 E. Broadway. Commission will consider COA applications for updates to interior & exterior @ 525 Benton; replacement of siding @ 436 E. Broadway; various exterior alternations, regrading/fill @ 311 S. Thompson; shed @ 522 Elms Blvd., roof mounted solar panels @ 402 E. Excelsior St.
• Urban Redevelopment Corporation will review status of approved projects & new project @ 426 Isley Blvd.
• City Council agenda under development includes the FY 2024 Budget, Closed Session

High point of the week was closing on the sale of 22 lots in the Golf Hill Subdivision. We are pleased to work with Paradise Development as they achieve their goal to continue bringing quality housing options to our community. In order to address the poor condition of the Golf Clubhouse to support the golf business, a TIF was created. TIF is short for Tax Increment Financing. There is not a separate TIF related tax imposed as a result of TIF, which is a misunderstanding for many. TIF refers to capturing taxes on property improvements that are generated from property that was not generating taxes before the improvement. When the new houses are built, the taxes that are generated from the new houses will be captured by TIF until 2040 to pay for the clubhouse & subdivision.

Low point of the week is the struggle our trash collector continues to have after changing the routes to one-day/week service. Please continue to let us know if your service is missed & we will continue to work to resolve the conflicts.

Evelyn Cowsert served the last of patrons before closing the doors to the Mill Inn restaurant. From near to far, people swarmed the Mill Inn family restaurant to eat one more meal & bid farewell. Thank you for serving our community for so many years. You are appreciated.