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by John Unrein The Rooney Rule in the National Football League was established in 2003. Its namesake comes from former Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney. The intent of the rule was to ensure that minority candidates would be considered for head coaching and senior football operation jobs through requiring interviews of minority candidates when those positions became available.
The 2002 firings of head coaches Dennis Green of the Minnesota Vikings and Tony Dungy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drew the ire of United States civil rights activists and attorneys. Green had posted his first losing record in ten seasons. Dungy was fired despite a winning record during his final season with the Buccaneers. Much debate has occurred since the Rooney Rule was established in 2002. Fourteen non-white head coaches were hired under the first 12 seasons of the Rooney Rule in the league. Many lost their jobs after just a few seasons at the helm though. Only one of eight 2019 NFL head coaching vacancies were filled with a minority coach. Opposition to the rule has argued that every head coach knows they are being hired to eventually be fired by the franchise that employs them. That the NFL is a volatile working environment were a short losing stretch during a season or the perceived undesirable atmosphere of the team can lead to a head coach’s removal. Negative opinions of affirmative action that is a push of the Rooney Rule has not set well with those who resist its principles. Anthony Lynn of the Los Angeles Chargers, Ron Rivera of the Washington Redskins, Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins are the only four minority head coaches currently in the NFL. This is in a league with the makeup of its players dominated by minorities. According to a 2017 TIDES NFL report, approximately 70 percent of the players in the league were African-Americans. Starkly opposite of that were the 100 percent of CEO/Presidents that were white. All of this has led to the Rooney Rule getting a makeover for the 2020 season. NFL owners agreed on May 19th that they will expand requirements for teams to interview minority and female candidates for on-field and off-field positions, including coordinator, head coach, general manager, and other front office positions. The NFL has announced amendments to the Rooney Rule policy that came out of the meeting the owners held virtually. One minority candidate must now be interviewed for offensive, defensive, and special teams coordinator positions. One minority candidate must also be interviewed for general manager and senior operations positions. Furthermore, now at least two external minority candidates (instead of one previously) must now be interviewed for head coach openings. Owners also agreed that the amendments should include this rule now being applied to league office openings in New York as well. The inaugural inclusion of the rule applying to females will also happen in 2020. Women must be considered for positions from club president, through franchise executive roles in human resources, sales, security, football operations, marketing, finance, and communications. Art Rooney II, the son of the late Art Rooney issued a statement about his thoughts on changes to the Rooney rule. “These policies show a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the NFL,” Rooney said. “The development of young coaches and executives is a key to our future. These steps will assure coaching and football personnel are afforded a fair and equitable opportunity to advance throughout our football operations.” “We also have taken important steps to ensure that our front offices, which represent our clubs in so many ways, come to reflect the true diversity of our fans and our country.” by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society If the calendar on the wall is correct, this photograph was taken in April, 1924. The barber is Charlie Johnson. He was the son of Harvey and Permelia Johnson, born on April 13, 1896.
A World War I veteran, Charlie enlisting on June 5, 1917 in Battery E, 129th field artillery, 35th division and was discharged on June 6, 1919 having fought on the front lines for 89 days. When he returned home he married Ruby Huff on September 15, 1919. That same year he opened the barber shop which he ran for 16 years. I remember a barber shop in the basement of the old Sni-A-Bar Bank building, but I have no idea where this shop may have been located. In 1935, Charlie became the acting postmaster of Grain Valley. Four years later on January 1, 1940 he became the postmaster, third class, where he served until transferring to rural carrier on Route 1 in August of 1944. He retired in 1957, having served as the rural carrier for 13-years under 2 different postmasters, Iva Gosney and Ruth Fine. I remember Mr. Johnson and his wife Ruby from the 1950s when they had a basement filled with over 400 boxes of red wiggler worms. They began raising worms as a hobby to keep them busy after retirement. The worms were sold to fishermen and to individuals for composting and soil conservation. Mr. Johnson died in 1971. His wife, Ruby was the 1978 Centennial Queen. Both were life-long residents of Grain Valley and they are buried in the Perdee Chapel Cemetery south of town. Visit www.grainvalleyhistory.com to learn more about the Grain Valley Historical Society and “like” the Historical Society on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@grainvalleyhistory). I remember my last ticket. It was in 2016. It was a day of lasts. It was my last day on the air at Life 88.5 and I was transitioning to the pastorate at First Baptist Grain Valley.
I was prepared for my exit, but I knew it would be an emotional day. After working in broadcasting for twenty-five years, I was ready to hang up my headphones. I just knew it would be a tough day. I didn’t sleep much the night before and was up at my normal time—before 4 AM. So many thoughts were going through my head and I was pretty antsy. As I headed west, I wasn’t late, but I was in a hurry to get there. While driving down I-70, I got stuck behind a tractor trailer doing 55 mph. I’m not really one to speed, but I do like taking full advantage of the speed limit. I want the full experience. I was excited when I saw my exit at I-470. However, I was miffed when the tractor trailer in front of me merged into the exit lane also. There was no way around him—so I would have to wait, but it wouldn’t be patiently. On the exit curve, he slowed down to about 25 mph and by this time, I was fit to be tied. Like a caged animal, freedom beckoned from the great beyond. I methodically planned my escape. Once we hit I-470, I would make my move. With precision timing, I stepped down on the gas with enough force to dent the floor. The engine roared to life and any plan he might have had to deter my escape quickly dissipated. I couldn’t wait to get around him and give him, “the look.” Roaring past him, I felt a surge of energy. Freedom at last! Like a bad dream, from out of nowhere, I saw the flashing lights behind me. I wondered who the poor victim would be this time and I pitied the soul. To my surprise, the police car pulled behind me. “Surely, he’s not pulling me over” I thought. Although I did dart out from behind the truck, it was with the accuracy of a professional racecar driver. True, I didn’t use my blinker, but who has time for such trivial affairs at a time like this? I looked down, and yes, I was going a little over 70, but it was only so I could pass the truck. I quickly surrendered, put on my flashers, and pulled over. I knew the drill and placed my hands on the steering wheel in plain sight of the officer. He approached my vehicle and asked, “can I see your driver’s license and registration?” “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I thought. Naturally, I didn’t say that out loud. “Yes sir,” I said and forfeited my personal documents. After a few moments he returned and said, “Sir, you were doing 70-mph in a 55-mph zone.” I was shocked. “That can’t be right,” I thought. But I knew better than to argue. I would take this one to the Supreme Court if I had to. He was clearly in the wrong and, knowing his error, he probably wouldn’t even show up. I was compliant and respectful and the last thing I wanted was a ticket. I wanted to tell him of my admiration for police officers. I wanted to tell him that he was likely mistaken about the drop in the speed limit. Perhaps he didn’t sleep well either. I wanted to tell him we had several police officers in our family. I wanted to tell him it was an emotional day and if he did not give me a ticket, he would be helping my emotional well-being. But I said nothing but, “Thank for your service. I appreciate what you do in keeping us safe.” I was mad the rest of the day and couldn’t wait to come through that area again to justify my behavior. Several days later, I drove back that way, and sure enough, a speed limit sign was there that said 55-mph! At first, I thought that maybe he snuck out that night and put it there, but I knew better. I just missed it. He was not wrong. I was. Bottom line: If I was doing the speed limit, I would not have gotten a ticket. The fact that I was unaware of this fact is irrelevant. Laws are in place for society “as a whole” and not necessarily to benefit me personally. It’s not about me. It’s about us. The fact that I don’t agree with the law or don’t think it’s fair is irrelevant. The Bible talks about obeying the law. In Romans it says this: “Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself. For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority? Then do what is good” (Romans 13:1-3, NIV). The only time a Christian is permitted to “defy” a law is when the law violates the Word of God (perhaps the subject of another article). However, obeying the speed limit does not fall into that category. God gives governmental authorities the right to impose regulations for the good of society. I am always a little disappointed when I read social media posts that undermine the work and character of law enforcement. Phrases like, “Cops just ain’t got nothing better to do but harass people,” are completely unfair and, I believe, detrimental to society. Having several family members and close friends in law enforcement, I know that they are not just out to harass people. But, they are sworn to uphold the law—whether they like it or even agree with it. That’s the power of law. The officer that pulled me over might have thought, “hey man, sorry, this is really dumb to be 55 mph right here, so I’ll let you off,” but opinions are meant to be shared over coffee. His job is to support and enforce the law. Police officers and pastors have a few things in common when it comes to engaging with the public. For one, everyone I meet is a saint. When they find out that I am a pastor, they apologize for their salty language and immediately put up a shield saying, “sorry Reverend.” The same is true with those in law enforcement. Everyone they pull over has done nothing wrong and they try to justify their behavior. Another thing that we have in common is that we generally see more of the “bad” in people than the good. We see incredible hurt, sadness, and pain. We’re lied to and taken advantage of constantly. We carry this burden alone, sometimes to our own detriment. I pray daily for a close family member who is in law enforcement. I pray for his physical safety, but I also pray for his heart. I don’t want him to become jaded or bitter because of the constant negativity coming at him. He has to deal with people who don’t like what he does, he gets torn up in the media, and he is belittled on social media. True, there are a few “bad eggs.” But, there are also bad auto mechanics, teachers, politicians, plumbers, and even preachers who take advantage of the system and other people. It’s an unfortunate part of life. Most of those in law enforcement are good people. These men and women are serving a calling and protecting us. Like us, they are human beings with feelings and families. Law is in place to protect everyone. And, there are people out there who are lawbreakers. As an organized society, those who break the law must be dealt with. We trust those in law enforcement to do that. Through conversation with family and friends, I’ve heard stories of those who were pulled over for a minor violation, protesting that they were innocent of any wrongdoing, only to find out that they were hiding a serious offense. The easiest way not to get in trouble with the law is to obey the law. If you don’t like the law, go through the proper channels and change it. Until then, please understand, an organized society needs to support those who enforce the law. Police officers are not just hanging around looking to cause the average person terror or misfortune. They are just doing their job. A job that we have empowered them to do. I am thankful for them. It’s not a law, but it would be good if, we as a community, we would support those who protect us. I’m hoping that my last ticket was, indeed, my last ticket. One thing I can promise you is, whenever I merge onto I-470 west from I-70, I drop down to 55. After all, it’s the law. Dr. Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer. The Grain Valley Price Chopper has been open since January of 2018. It is owned by the Cosentinos and is one of more than 50 Price Chopper stores that exist in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Recently, you may have been greeted as you enter the store by an employee who had just finished cleaning carts that had been returned for customer use. If you were fortunate enough to have Harold Whittlesey greet you, no doubt a “hello” was offered along with a positive comment and a smile. The smile would be visible through the mask Harold wears due to the creases around his eyes turning up and the chuckle that would come out from behind the cloth. Grain Valley News has received nominations to highlight Whittlesey in our Community Profile section. The nominations included mention of Whittlesey’s commitment to his job and possessing a happiness that would be hard for someone to steal. Whittlesey attributes his happiness to his parents and his faith. “My mother saved my report cards from school. Teachers stated they enjoyed having me in class because I was always smiling and happy. That’s the best way to go through life because it extends your life. Having a close relationship with the Lord has also played a part,” Whittlesey said. The Grain Valley resident believes cheering up others brings him happiness. Whittlesey attributes his caring nature being instilled in him by his mother. The work ethic the 77 year old still possesses on display at Price Chopper as a sacker and greeter was promoted by his father who worked two jobs to provide for the family. Whittlesey works part time at Price Chopper to stay active and to keep the “wolves from growling at his door,” as he puts it, to make things a little easier financially. The former millworker, interior door trimmer, and aerospace worker has been retired for 13 years. Whittlesey has also enjoyed watching and participating in sports his entire life. The former member of the Kansas City, Kansas Comets semi-pro baseball team relished the opportunity to travel and compete against other 12 man teams in the area during his younger working days. Refereeing was also a passion for Whittlesey. High school baseball and basketball games are on his officiating resume, as is college volleyball and softball. Being a lifelong learner is something that Whittlesey preaches and has practiced. It took him 41 years to complete, but his bachelor’s degree from Ottawa University in Physical Education is proudly displayed in his home. Whittlesey has also tried to pass on the things he’s learned in his life to other people. “My favorite part of customer service is getting to tell people to have a fantastic day. If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours is what my Dad use to say,” Whittlesey said. Learning to find sliver linings in all things is a lesson that is not lost on Whittlesey as well. The current coronavirus pandemic was framed from Whittlesey’s perspective when asked his thoughts on the matter. “We all realize it’s a problem. If the house is burning down, why would you jump into the house regarding people who have ignored social distancing guidelines and have congregated in large groups anyway,” Whittlesey said. “Hopefully, people have enjoyed increased time with their family. My wife and Dad have grown close because they are spending more time together. Attending church and worship on Sunday through YouTube has been new and enjoyable.” Whittlesey finished, “Being aware of best way to support others is a good way to defeat the I and me attitudes we encounter. We live together in this world and not alone, so sharing and being happy will make it the best. Try to find positive people and associate with them. Sharing life with people is important. If you make one person a day less sour, then you improve the world.” by Mayor Mike Todd, City of Grain Valley Hello Grain Valley! I know that these last several weeks have been a time of uncertainty and stress for everyone. However, there has been much positivity with neighbors helping each other by picking up necessities, countless birthday “drive-bys,” sidewalk chalk art, signs in some of your yards and teddy bears in windows to lift the spirits of a passersby. Our homes have become classrooms and offices. Families have spent more time together than they typically do, bringing many great moments with new memories made. We have faced challenges as well trying to keep children occupied and interested in their schoolwork, while many of us work from home.
As a special education teacher for the Blue Springs School District, I know that our students have missed out on many of their typical spring school experiences, but I am amazed at the manner in which the Grain Valley School District and community have shown support to both students and teachers. Thank you to the Grain Valley School District for their quick response to the Stay-at-Home order when it was first put in place in March. They’ve provided nearly 450 meals daily (Monday-Friday) for students over the last several weeks and will continue a similar program through the end of June. Students were engaged with a variety of resources available to them from the school district and even some fun social media challenges. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2020! I wish each and every one of you the best as you move into your future. I know that this has not been the graduation season that you dreamt of, but this community is so proud of you as evidenced by the great support shown with yard signs, special gifts and the graduate parade. Our City staff has been working diligently to keep you informed of precautions and changes in County restrictions. Jackson County recently released Phase 1 of the Recovery Plan which will be evaluated for the appropriate next steps, sometime in the last week of May. It is unknown at this time when we will be able to proceed to the next phase. The County will rely on many factors, including results of mobile testing sites, which they (along with Truman Medical Centers) have made more available over the last two weeks. We hosted one in the Community Center parking lot a couple of weeks ago. There have been several additional testing sites throughout the area, with one scheduled at Delta Woods Middle School in Lee’s Summit, Friday, May 22nd from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. This testing is free to all Jackson County residents. Please, if you are experiencing any symptoms such as fever, coughing, shortness of breath or any other flu-like symptoms in nature, call 816-404-CARE to register for testing. We know that these last several weeks have been challenging for many of our local businesses. I encourage you to support them as often as you can and please be patient, as they are limited by social distancing guidelines as to how many customers are allowed inside each establishment. I am hopeful that the lengths and sacrifices made since March have helped to flatten the curve, but I implore you to please continue moving forward with precaution. Please practice social distancing at all times and wash/ sanitize your hands frequently. Visit cityofgrainvalley.org or our City of Grain Valley Facebook page to stay up to date regarding COVID-19 response, testing and information about moving forward as we proceed over the next several weeks. Jackson County Health Department (jacohd.org) is a great resource as well with tips on how to keep your family safe. by Tracey Shaffer, RDN, LD Have you heard of the Mediterranean diet? It’s the diet getting all the buzz about being one of the best eating plans to promote health and prevent chronic disease. Scores of leading scientists have rated this way of eating as one of the healthiest in the world. What makes the Mediterranean diet so healthy? It is a way of eating based on traditional cuisine of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Though there is no single definition of the Mediterranean diet, its foundation is made up of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds and olive oil. The main components of the Mediterranean diet include: Daily consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy fats Weekly intake of fish, poultry, beans and eggs Moderate portions of dairy products Limited intake of red meat It isn’t a vegetarian diet, but rather a plant-based diet with meals centered around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds with moderate amounts of dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood. Red meat isn’t eliminated but eaten only occasionally. What about wine? The Mediterranean diet typically allows red wine in moderation. Health recommendations for wine are drinking no more than one glass of wine per day for women and no more than two glasses per day for men to reap the benefits. How to get started eating the Mediterranean way: Eat lots of vegetables – add them to every meal whether as a side or main dish, soup or salad Change the way you think about meat – If you eat meat, have smaller portions Include some dairy – plain Greek yogurt is a great source of protein Eat seafood twice a week – fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, herring and sardines is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fats Cook a vegetarian meal at least one night a week – not all meals need to contain meat to be complete Use good fats – olive oil, nuts and avocados are a few examples of healthy fats Switch to whole grains – whole grains are higher in fiber, protein and essential nutrients Choose fruit for dessert – save sweets for special occasions by Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, University of Missouri Extension May has been cool so far. We should not have any temperatures lower than 50 at night according to the latest weather forecast for our region. So that means it is time to plant tomatoes, our favorite warm season crop! Tomatoes are a versatile and nutritious vegetable and an important ingredient in so many of the dishes we like to prepare. Tomatoes are originally from South America. They were first domesticated and cultivated as a crop in Mexico and Central America so they prefer warm climates. They grow well in our hot summers and produce until late fall. While not trouble-free, following some basic tomato tips will help you have a good chance at success: Plant in full sun. Tomatoes need 8-10 hours of sun to produce a good harvest. Choose well-drained soil. Mulch around the plants by mid-June. Mulching with compost, dry grass clippings, or straw keeps the soil moist and soil temperatures moderated during summer heat. Mulch keeps the soil from splashing onto the plant leaves, which helps prevent fungal diseases. Apply a maintenance fertilizer when soil is prepared and before planting tomato transplants. Work it into the soil to the depth of about 6 inches. A fertilizer with less nitrogen is best for tomatoes. Plant tomato transplants deeper than they were growing in the pots or plastic trays. Plant tomatoes at least 2 to 3 feet apart. Good air circulation between plants helps prevent diseases. If we do not get at least 1 inch of rain per week, supplemental irrigation is needed. Water tomatoes deeply, about once a week, around the root zone of the plant. Less frequent and deep watering is better than shallow frequent watering. Indeterminate tomatoes will keep growing and producing tomatoes until they are killed by a fall freeze. Determinate tomatoes grow about 3-5 feet tall and stop growing after producing a crop. Studies show that tomatoes grown on stakes, in cages, or on trellises produce more high-quality tomatoes than tomatoes left to trail on the ground. Give one or two side dressings of fertilizer at one-month intervals after you notice green tomatoes, about 1/3 of mature size, on the plants. Watch for tomato hornworms and other insect pests that can damage the plants and fruit. Gardeners have a wide range of methods for insect pest control, from hand picking of pests, strong sprays of water, organic pesticides, to synthetic pesticides. Be sure to read and follow label directions for any pesticides you use. Here is a link to a MU Extension guide sheet on growing tomatoes which will give you more information for tomato crop success-https://extension2.missouri.edu/catalog/product/view/id/4591/ Mid-May to early June is also a great time to plant other warm season crops such as sweet peppers, hot peppers, eggplant, and sweet potatoes. Contact Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, University of Missouri Extension, 816-482-5850 or 816-252-5051, bylinowskic@missouri.edu if you have more questions about tomatoes or other vegetable crops. Join MU Extension Field Horticulture Specialists for free Home Horticulture Town Halls on Wednesdays, 11:00am to 12noon, via Zoom- https://extension2.missouri.edu/events/home-horticulture-town-hall. Hear the latest information on a wide range of gardening topics and get answers to many gardening questions. Have a good time gardening! Image courtesy University of MO Extension
As TV cook Sandra Lee puts it, “Cookies are the sweetest little bit of comfort food.” Family and friends of Justin Triplet, owner of The Sweet Spot in Oak Grove, understand this and know a good cookie when they taste one. “My butterscotch cookies got me going in this business. Everybody loves them. I couldn’t understand why everyone went crazy over them. They’re just cookies. But I had co-workers paying me $20 a dozen for them,” Triplett said. Triplet’s modesty about his baking skills didn’t fly with his family. After taking a leave from his previous job in insurance, Triplet’s family encouraged him to pursue a baking business. “I love to cook. Always have. I’ve always worked in customer service and enjoyed my work, but I’m finding I really enjoy this as well.” Triplet opened The Sweet Spot in September, baking up a variety of treats and delivering locally. Business has grown steadily since then, and a store front on Broadway in Oak Grove is under construction. Popular items with customers include cookies, pies, and cinnamon rolls. “The cinnamon rolls are a 3rd generation family recipe. People are in love with them. It’s become a top selling item.” Triplet has grown his business steadily and financed it himself along the way, buying one piece of equipment for his storefront at a time and focusing on his online business. “I received great advice along the way to not get myself into debt growing the business. I just bought my last piece of equipment and cannot wait until the store front is ready.” The store front will include a coffee shop and the menu will feature a number of new items and a list of 22 pies available for purchase. Triplet has found his key to success has been to be genuine and kind. “Simply being kind is so important. I’ve had business brought to me because of that. It’s pretty simple. Be kind and create a quality product.” Triplet requests two days’ notice for local deliveries. Orders can be placed online at www.thesweetspotog.com/shop or customers may call 816-627-9249. The Sweet Spot can also be found on Facebook at The Sweet Spot OG.
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