point of view

“Do you think it’s true,” the first leaf asked, “do you really think it’s true that other leaves come & replace us when we’re gone, & then others come & even others after them?” Quote by Felix Salten, Austro-Hungarian writer/critic. Felix has a surprising resume, author of Bambi: A Life in the Woods. The book rendered Salten famous; the movie, which altered & overshadowed its source material, rendered him virtually unknown. And it rendered the original “Bambi” obscure, too, even though it had previously been both widely acclaimed & passionately reviled. The English-language version, as translated in 1928, was enormously popular, earning rave reviews in the dozen-plus years before the film came out. The original version, meanwhile, was banned & burned in Nazi Germany.

Monday, noon - Hospital Board of Trustees

Tuesday, 4pm - Community Center Board; 4:30pm - Municipal Court; 6pm - Parks & Recreation

Wednesday, Point in Time Count

Thursday, 10am - Housing Authority; 11:30am - Westgate Regional Meeting

Hospital Board of Trustees will hear reports from CEO, CNO, CFO, annual appointments of hospital officers, 2023 infection prevention annual summary, & medical staff reports,

Community Center Board will hear outdoor pool development update, staff reports for 1 on 1 division leadership meetings, new programs coming, policy updates, & maintenance updates

Parks & Recreation will review financial reports, staff reports, new business will consider dump bed truck & working genius certification

Westgate Regional Meeting - Presentation of KC FIFA World Cup Host City 2026

Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Jerry Clark, 911 Communications Officer - 11 years; Anna Tucker, Lifeguard - 2 years; Isaiah Bruley, Community Center Front Desk - 1 year.

Extreme temperatures this week impacted heat at the Hall of Waters. After the holiday weekend, staff returned to work with temperatures in the 30s in their offices; the water lines to the boiler froze shutting down the boiler. We worked half the day, but had to leave to warm up, returning the next day to normal temps. Water line break on Seybold forced an emergency repair, which is always inconvenient, but risky for staff members exposed to the cold. We understand, several businesses were also impacted by cold weather related issues.

As the outdoor pool construction is nearing completion, I'd like to recap a little about the project. The outdoor pool will be open to the elements 4-5 of the warmest months every year & under the dome from around October to May every year. It is our desire to use the pool year-round to achieve our goals to encourage everyone to learn to swim & to enjoy swim as exercise or sport. We were disappointed that the tunnel connecting the dome to the building was unable to be completed this winter to continue the use of the pool as the seasons changed this winter, but we turn our attention to uninterrupted use as soon as the tunnel is complete. We are looking forward to finding the right balance between scheduling the pool for dedicated uses & open uses desired by our members. A recap on the finances, there is a one-cent sales tax that is dedicated for 25-years to pay for the mortgage, so to speak, on the entire complex. In 2039, the tax will end. The memberships pay for the cost to operate & staff the facilities. We believe the center will be successful if we can appeal to community members of all ages & abilities. We welcome members both from inside & outside our city limits equally, because we know this facility & what it can offer its members is possible due to its broad appeal.

Best answer to what do you love about living in ES -- no traffic...at least compared to "the city" small town feel in the local shops & restaurants....being able to be a "regular" where everyone knows your name!! Get involved & make this town your home!! You won't regret it!!! read it on Facebook