point of view

Regional Variations of American BBQ - As barbecue grew in popularity, regional variations began to emerge across the US. Each area developed its style based on local traditions, ingredients, & techniques, but KC BBQ is the best:

• Kansas City BBQ: Known for its thick, sweet tomato-based sauces & a variety of meats, including ribs, brisket, & burnt ends.
• Texas BBQ: Characterized by smoked brisket, often seasoned only with salt & pepper, with a focus on the meat’s natural flavor.
• North Carolina BBQ: Famous for its vinegar-based sauces, with a divided tradition between Eastern & Western Carolina styles. Eastern style uses the whole hog, while the Western variant focuses on pork shoulder.
• Memphis BBQ: Renowned for its dry rubs & slow-cooked ribs, Memphis BBQ often features pulled pork sandwiches & is recognized as one of the most flavorful styles.

Monday, 4pm - Capital Improvement Authority

Tuesday, 9am - Farmer's Market; 10am - Public Safety Sales Tax; 4pm - Municipal Court; 6pm - Special Council Meeting to continue hearing on Request for Reasonable Accomodations

Wednesday, 11:45am - Employee Appreciation Luncheon; noon - Westside CID; 4pm - Farmer's Market; 5pm - Historic Preservation Commission

Thursday, 11am - Urban Redevelopment Commission

Friday, 7:30am - City Council Worksession & Budget Review;

~~WEEKEND ACTIVITIES~~

Capital Improvement Authority will consider purchase of mowing equipment for ESGC [$340,000 over 5 years], funds for blight abatement @ Wyman [$500,000], request for audio system updates in Council Chambers [$3,900], allocation for MO-10 Fence Repair near VFW [$24,058], & elevator modernization in the Hall of Waters, [additional $156,000].

Farmer's Market @ Community Center, Tuesday 9-11:30am & VFW parking lot, Wednesday 4-7pm.

Special Council Meeting to continue hearing on request for Reasonable Accomodations. A hearing on July 22nd provided opportunity for the City Council to hear supporting testimony from the applicant on the request for reasonable accommodations for a residential alcohol treatment facility @ 21 Dawn. The hearing was continued to August 12 to provide time to review all of the information provided at the hearing. The Council will consider whether the information provided supported the request.

Employee Appreciation Luncheon to express appreciation for the work of our city employees. We will honor Debra Asher, Preston Washburn, Jae Juarez, Laura Mize & Lisa Morgan for 5 years of service; Sarah Davis & Marla Ellison for 10 years; Nate Conyers for 20 years & Joe Maddick & Brad Smith for 30 years of service.

City Council Work Session & Budget Review - agenda items under development include presentation of the 2022 Audit, Ameren Franchise Agreement renewal, bids for elevator modernization, fence replacement, golf equipment, blight removal, Declare Board Vacancies to be filled, plat of the Museum & nearby properties, sidewalk cafe ordinance, July Financials. Budgets under review include special funds - Federal Forfeitures, Capital Improvement Sales Tax, Transportation Trust Sales Tax, Elms Event Fee, Construction Services, Grant Management, Public Safety Sales Tax, Elms TIF, Golf Clubhouse TIF, Cemetery & Revised Refuse Funds.

Weekend Activities - The Museum is conducting a Rummage Sale @ the old bank building & DEP is sponsoring the BBQ Festival & Fly-in in downtown when contestants begin coming into town & setting up Thursday, 5pm to Saturday; 6pm. Friday is the Whiskey on the Rocks Stroll downtown & the Airport is providing an Introduction to Personal Aircraft; Saturday is the Home Brew Contest downtown & Tunes on the Tee (7-10pm) with George Arbuckle @ Golf Course Pavillion + pulled pork sandwiches, mac/cheese, & cole slaw.

Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Nathan Stark, Street Maintenance - 3 years; Cooper Bishop & Emily Jack, Wellness Cafe, Zoey Bush, Fitness Attendant - 2 years; Nicholas Hurst, Fitness Attendant - 1 year.

The City's Comprehensive Plan has been under development for the last year/half & will serve as a guide for our future. Key elements of the plan are:

• future land uses, housing options, economic development strategies,
• transportation & mobility opportunities that enhance connectivity,
• outdoor recreation & enhanced entertainment options.

The plan asks the question - Who do we want to be? The answer is...Our values support a vibrant downtown, promotes active & healthy lifestyles, & foster a thriving, close-knit community. The values that came through the planning process are -

• We are a vibrant community - ES embraces a vibrant spirit that energizes... We celebrate creativity, local enterprise, & active lifestyles... Our vibrancy is reflected in the events we host, the businesses we support, & the pride we take in our smalltown charm & historic character.
• A community rising and thriving - Our community is where people, business, & public spaces flourish. We are committed to fostering a healthy, resilient & forward-looking environment... By investing in wellness, education, local enterprise, & inclusive opportunities, we ensure that our community continues to grow stronger, more connected & more vibrant - while embracing our past & current spirit that defines us.
• We are accountable - We are committed to transparency, integrity, & responsible stewardship. We hold ourselves accountable to our residents by making informed decisions, communicating openly, & measuring progress toward our shared goals. Through leadership, community involvement, & continuous improvement, we ensure that public trust is earned & maintained in everything we do.
• A connected community - Excelsior Springs values strong connections - between neighbors, generations, local businesses, & natural environment. We foster a sense of belonging through inclusive engagement, accessible public spaces, & open communication. By strengthening ties within our community & with the broader region, we ensure that ES remains a welcoming, collaborative, & forward-thinking place to live, work, & visit.

I'm so proud to live in ES, where people are still neighborly. Where kindness still shows up unannounced. Where we know each other's names, keep an eye out for each other, & lend a hand when needed. It's no surprise to me that our town was recently recognized as the most neighborly community in the state - we've know it all along. Read it on FB.