point of view

Missourians once again demonstrated the power of neighborliness during MO Good Neighbor Week, an annual statewide celebration of everyday kindness & connection coordinated by University of Missouri Extension & supported by the Hopeful Neighborhood Project. Reports were submitted from 110 cities & 86 counties, showing that the movement to "know, love, & serve your neighbors" has taken deep root across both urban & rural Missouri. More than 100 Missourians took the Engaged Neighbor Pledge, committing to ongoing efforts to get to know their immediate neighbors & care for their local communities year-round. Organizers noted that the week continues to grow not just in participation but in intentionality. More cities are integrating the event into existing community plans, while individuals are moving from one-time service to ongoing relationship-building. It's no longer just a week of service - it's becoming a lifestyle of neighboring. When people get to know their neighbors, communities become safer, more caring, & more resilient. That's what we're seeing in every corner of Missouri. [Created by David Burton, Community Development Specialist, University of Missouri Extension & officially recognized by the MO Legislature in 2022; introduced to ES by Laura Mize, City Neighborhood Specialist ]

Monday, 6pm - City Council Meeting

Tuesday, 4pm - Municipal Court

Wednesday, 4pm - Farmer's Market

Thursday, 6pm - West Gate Civic Leadership Banquet

Saturday, noon - 5pm Witch Way to the Wine & 3-3:45pm - Bill Payne Halloween Parade

City Council will issue two proclamations - Business Women of Missouri Week & World Polio Day. Consideration of agreement with ESRI, a software application to support mapping, data anaylsis, & community development functions across several departments, 3 year agreement for $20,600/year. [Funding: Water, Sewer, General $6,867/each], Street Sweeper purchase from Red Equipment, 3 year lease agreement [Transportation Trust $120,388 annual lease payment + $47,144, 5 year warranty agreement], bid from Johnson Granite Supply for Crown Hill Cemetery Columbarium will provide space for up to 419 cremains with 72 niches & 275 cremain ossuary [Capital Improvements $140,000], contract with Blast Monkey to sandblast the ductwork above the indoor pool to remove the peeling paint & restore the ductwork to original condition [Community Center Sales Tax $19,500] & September Revenue Report & Financials for review. Closed session for real estate.

Farmer's Market @ VFW Parking lot, Wednesday 4-7pm

West Gate Civic Leadership Banquet is a tradition to honor community leaders who have made outstanding contributions to your city. Each mayor is asked to select an honoree - this year's honoree is Excelsior Springs Hospital Chief Executive Officer Kristen DeHart.

Witch Way to the Wine, Noon - 5-m, This event involves a wine-tasting walk at over 20 local businesses, where participants can sample regional wines while dressed in costumes.

Bill Payne Halloween Costume judging & Parade begins in the Hall of Waters circle, parade to VFW

• Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Ryan Dowdy, Police Lieutenant - 12 years; Elaina Hurst, Front Desk Clerk - 2 years; Gregory Schmidt, Building Monitor & Jacob Langford, Pollution Control Maintenance - 1 year.

• Congratulations to Jason & Courtney Cole on receiving the Commitment to Caring Award from the Hospital Foundation.

• Robbie Farabee was awarded one of the 20 most engaged neighbors in Missouri! These awards highlight everyday Missourians whose commitment to their neighborhoods strengthens community bonds & creates belonging across the state. There were 138 nominations from across the state. Robbie invests time & care into building connections in ES with a smile & a friendly hello. But it is his sidewalk chalk drawings that have made his entire community a friendlier & more supportive place to live.
• Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept 28-Oct 4) set new records this year! There were 42,134 acts of neighboring reported! Also, there were 4 Missouri businsses named as most neighborly across the state, including Other Trails Coffee Shop in ES. Business owners turned a local coffee & book shop into a true "third space," where neighbors meet for friendship, games, gatherings & support. Each of these businesses prove that investing in relationships is not only good for people - it's good for MO businesses. Demonstrated practices how commerce & community can thrive together when kindness is part of the business plan.
• ES is proud to accept Most Engaged Neighbor in Missouri again for the 2nd year. Though each community's methods differ, each honoree shares a commitment to connection, hospitality, & service that transforms neighbors into friends & streets into communities. Most Neighborly Cities for 2025 are: Springfield, Manchester, Fremont Hills, Excelsior Springs, Houston, Lee's Summit

• Good progress is being made at Wyman to remove lead-based paint & asbestos containing materials; development proposals will be reviewed after the building is clean.
• Public Forum is being planned for 10/28 from 6-8pm to address questions about annexation
• Dry Fork Greenway work is in the final stages - installing traffic signs, establishing final grade, removing rocks & trees, planting trees, replace railing on Caldwell, correct driveway grade, estimate reopening by 11/3
• Completing preliminary design on sewer relining project
• Thank you to DEP's Merchant Mingle to highlight ways the City & downtown businesses can work together to protect a high quality experience in our historic shopping district.
• Excelsior Springs sent 4 delegates to the Community of Resilience & Excellence Conference, Greg Broadbest, Laura Mize, Molly & John McGovern. Appreciate opportunities to present Thrive Excelsior success stories & hear inspirational speakers.
• Pool closures are possible in the next few weeks as we replace the Pool Pack on the roof at the Community Center and update finishes in the indoor pool area that are damaged.

Melinda Mehaffy shared comments received this week, after presenting about Thrive Excelsior at the KU Conference on Civility with her Certified Public Managers Class. She shared our collective sucess at the Connecting Entrepreneur's Conference & how we knew Thrive was working from some of the comments we received. A city administrator spoke up during the Q/A session & talked passionately about his city clerk's experience at the conference held in ES. She came home so excited about what we were accomplishing & announced she wanted to bring the conference to Cottleville. Melinda also had people approach to let her know they are interested in Thrive! An overnight success that was only 8 years in the making.