Point of View

One day a man walked past a camp of elephants. Looking closer, he was surprised to see that these mighty animals weren’t held in cages or kept in chains. The only thing stopping them from escaping? A thin rope tied from one of their legs to a simple pole in the ground. Confused, he asked the trainer why they weren’t attempting to run away. The trainer replied, “As baby elephants, we use the same system. But, at that age, the rope is strong enough to stop them from escaping. They grow up believing they can never break the rope.” Moral of the story: Our personal beliefs are powerful beyond measure & often dictate our outcomes. They can work for or against us.

CDC recommends > age 5+ get vaccinated.

Monday, 6PM - City Council

Thursday, 8:30 AM - Communities for All Ages Recognition - ZOOM

City Council will establish municipal filing dates for April 5, 2022 election. Filing will open between December 7 - 28, 2021; consider 1st reading toward adoption of 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 510.010), Chapter 535.100 Fire Protection, & Chapter 545 Swimming Pools, 2nd reading scheduled in 90 days; consider reversal of property purchased @ tax sale on Ley Street in error; & consider recommendations for rate changes at the golf course.

Celebrating work anniversaries this week: Police Communications Supervisor, Carol Hunter - 36 Years; Community Center Child Watch Attendent, Madison Buckman - 4 Years; & Police Officer Jacob Swann - 1 year.

2022 Community Grants awards were announced this week. Eleven applications requested $42,684 in funding, 3 were for Festivals & Events, 8 were for Projects. There was $15,000 available to award. The objective of the grant program is to encourage projects that contribute to community life, to assist the city accomplish its strategic goals for downtown or economic development, recreation & community wellness, & tourism. Recipients are:

• DEP Real Estate Development Plan awarded $1,500 for a business recruitment plan to include retail/residential recon, space utilization of indoor/outdoor space, consider needs of vacant or underutilized property & marketing recommendations.
• Friends of the Wells - Soda Well Restoration Project awarded $2,000 to determine the viability of the well to be returned to use.
• DEP 2nd Fridays awarded $1,500 with focus on entertainment & added features like sidewalk chalk, bubbles, fire demonstrations, vendor, alley parties, & more.
• DEP Video Marketing awarded $2,500 to strengthen marketing efforts around Visit Excelsior campaign & brand.
• Chamber Little T Free Shuttle awarded $5,000 to provide transportation on weekends for residents & guests within shopping districts.
• Chamber awarded $2,500 for Water Fest 2022.

Cities, counties & states across the country have received funds from the American Recovery Program Act (ARPA). Funds must be spent responding to the public health emergency, or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, & nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, & hospitality. To provide essential workers premium pay; allows revenue replacement; or to make necessary investments in water, sewer, transportation or broadband infrastructure.

Another place you must see in Excelsior Springs is their local museum, downtown in a historic building that used to be an exquisitely appointed bank. It's worth visiting even just to see the architecture & the glorious old bank vault. The collections include lots of water-belia, such as old bottles & even older jugs, photographs, & a miscellany of antiques from local donors. Everything in there is fascinating & real. Read opulentopossum.blogspot.com

Email: mmcgovern@excelsiorsprings.gov
Website: cityofesmo.com
Location: Hall of Waters, 201 E. Broadway, 64024
Phone: (816) 630-0752