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The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of June 3-9, 2020.
As Missouri continues to reopen under the Show Me Strong Recovery effort and businesses resume operation, the Missouri Department of Labor’s (DOLIR’s) Division of Employment Security (DES) announces the return of unemployment requirements.
Work Search Activities Resume Beginning with the week of July 5, 2020, individuals wishing to continue to receive unemployment benefits (including the $600 federal supplement available through July 25, 2020) will be required to perform work search activities that had been lifted for those that had filed a coronavirus-related unemployment claim. Work search activities are required for programs including regular Unemployment Insurance (UI), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Extended Benefits (EB), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). Individuals with an employer-submitted recall date, in approved training, and those employees on the Shared Work program will be exempt from the work search requirement. All other claimants will be required to perform and report three work search activities per week to remain eligible for benefits. Union members with a hiring or referral hall may contact their hall three times per week or attend training for the required number of work search activities. Qualified work search activities include, but are not limited to, filing an application (online or in-person) with an employer or through job posting sites or attending a job fair, job interview, reemployment service or skills workshop. Part-time employment performed during a week is credited on a per-day basis. Missouri Job Centers are available to assist unemployed workers with these requirements by providing customized job searches through jobs.mo.gov, job fairs, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) appointments, workshops to help develop and refine skills and other training programs. Employers are encouraged to post job openings on MoJobs. For more information about services available through the Missouri Job Centers, visit jobs.mo.gov. Employer Account Charges Will Resume Also beginning July 5, 2020, employers will once again be charged for unemployment claims against their account. Employers wishing to reduce the amount of charges being made against their accounts are encouraged to report employees that either refuse to return to work or are receiving pay through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Employers can report those instances through their UInteract account or by visiting labor.mo.gov and clicking on “Report Employee Work Refusals” or “Report PPP Wages Paid to Employees.” Separately, guidance will be provided related to the Shared Work program and any continued waiver of employer account charges. Waiting Week Resumes for All New Unemployment Claims For those filing for unemployment in Missouri on or after July 5, 2020, a waiting week requirement will again be imposed. The waiting week is the first week of a claim for which the individual is eligible for unemployment benefits but during this week, such individual is not paid benefits. Individuals who are approved for benefits may receive compensation for the waiting week as the last payment on the regular unemployment claim. The DES reminds unemployed workers that they should report any earnings (including PPP payments) and any work refusal when filing their weekly request for payment. Failing to do so will result in an overpayment of unemployment benefits. Any overpaid benefits (including the $600 federal supplement) will have to be repaid before an individual can receive any future unemployment benefits. Additionally, failing to report earnings and work refusals can be considered fraud and the individual could be subject to fines of up to 100 percent of overpaid amounts and criminal prosecution. For questions regarding Missouri unemployment, please utilize the DES virtual assistant at labor.mo.gov and visit labor.mo.gov/coronavirus In a press conference held June 17th, Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr., in coordination with the Women’s Foundation, announced a paid parental leave policy for public employees.
The executive order establishes up to 12 weeks of guaranteed paid parental leave for all eligible County staff following the birth or adoption of a child. The new paid parental leave policy, which adds an additional seven weeks to the current policy of five weeks, extends to same sex parents and takes effect immediately. “Many people struggle to care for their families, go into debt or even lose their jobs for simply having a baby. Today, we’re sending a message that families come first at Jackson County. We’re sending a message that quality of life is important to us,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr said. “Our new, expanded paid parental leave policy is equal, adequate and accessible. It ensures our Associates, no matter their job, salary or status, have the opportunity to be there for the most precious moments of their lives. With the support of the Women’s Foundation, we are proud to be a leader in this nationwide effort and encourage others to join us by taking a stand for working parents to build stronger families.” The County’s new paid parental leave policy includes the following highlights: Up to 12 weeks of leave at 100% of the eligible staff member’s pay. Applies to mothers and fathers equally, and to both parents if they are eligible County staff. Can be taken all at once or intermittently. An eligible staff member must start the paid leave within 12 weeks following the birth or adoption of a child. Allows County staff who have experienced an eligible birth or adoption within the 12 months prior to the policy’s effective date to access additional paid leave. “Childbirth and parenting a newborn are physically and mentally hard. It takes time to heal, time to get on a schedule, time to prepare for childcare, time to care for a partner,” Whitney Miller, new mother and Department of Collection Director said. “New parents deserve the time to put all of their energy into their new baby so they can return to work feeling more prepared and focused. This new policy gives associates at every level of County employment just that and I hope today’s action by the County Executive encourages other public entities to follow his lead.” “When children are born, it’s all hands-on deck for families. Having time to spend together and support each other makes the lives of mom, dad and baby less stressful and more joyful,” Matt Davis, father of two and Jackson County Associate said. “This new policy demonstrates that Jackson County values their associates and their families, is considerate of their health and well-being and is forward-thinking about policies to make this organization a better place to work.” Expanding access to paid parental leave has been a top priority of the Women’s Foundation, which has been working to educate public officials on the importance of the benefit, advocating for 12 weeks of paid parental leave at 100% pay for state employees. As a result, the Women’s Foundation has helped secure paid parental leave to more than 100,000 state employees in Missouri and Kansas. "Paid family leave empowers women, their families and helps build thriving communities,” Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO said. “The commitment County Executive White and his team have made to strengthen Jackson County’s economy and associates' families sets a new standard for both state and local governments.” Women’s Foundation research, commissioned in partnership with the University of Missouri Institute of Public Policy, found that paid leave programs prevent families from falling into poverty, reduce reliance on public assistance, recruit and retain talented employees and increase worker productivity. It also found about 35% of the country believes expanding paid leave should be a top government priority. County Executive White’s announcement today comes on the heels of the County fully implementing the recommendations from a compensation study that ensured all county associates are making a competitive and living wage. by Megan Callahan, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian Are you drinking enough water? To figure out how much water you need each day, take your body weight in pounds and divide that in half – that’s how many ounces of water per day that you should be drinking for your body to function properly.
For example, a 150 lb. person needs 75 ounces of water per day. You need even more water if you exercise or have a very active job or if you work outside in the heat. When you sweat and breath, you lose tiny droplets of water and all of that needs to be replenished. Other liquids can contribute to your water intake (i.e. milk, coffee, tea), but water should be the main liquid you drink throughout the day. Every system in our body needs water: It regulates our body temperature, helps eliminate waste, carries nutrients and oxygen to our cells, helps lubricate our joints and keeps our organs functioning properly. Water is crucial for our immune system, quality of sleep, memory and our mood. If a person is just 5% dehydrated, he or she will feel sluggish and may experience a lower mood and concentration level. Infusing water with fruit and herbs is a refreshing way to make drinking water more exciting, and perhaps help you reach your daily water goal. To enjoy a refreshing strawberries and thyme combination, here’s all you do: Add 7 sliced strawberries and 3 sprigs of thyme to 1 quart of water. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight for a more intense flavor. Strawberries are high in vitamin C, which helps support our immune system, and thyme is known for its herbal calming properties. Another wonderful “spa-like” combo is lemon and cucumber. To make this, here’s all you do: Slice ½ cucumber and ½ lemon and add them to 1 quart of water. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight for a more intense flavor. Cucumber are high in water themselves with an earthy flavor, and lemon is high in vitamin C and is a gentle diuretic which helps “cleanse” the body. Another tip to help you stay hydrated: Eat fruits and vegetables that have a high water content such as cucumbers, watermelon, pineapple, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, blueberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, grapefruit and pears. This is yet another benefit of eating fruits and vegetables each and every day. If you’re drinking enough water – congrats! Keep up the good work! If you’re not drinking enough water, think about what steps you could take to accomplish this. You could fill a pitcher with water and your favorite fruit or veggie and herb combo, place it in the fridge and set a goal to have consumed your recommended amount by the end of the day. Or keep your favorite water bottle available and decide how many times you need to drink and re-fill it throughout the day. Write down your goal and track how many days you achieve that goal. Make it fun! Involve your friends or family in your endeavors. Enjoy summertime and soak up the heat – but remember to provide and replenish your body with all-so-important water. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. Megan Callahan is one of your Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitians. She is dedicated to helping people live healthier and happier lives. Megan received a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Missouri State University. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where she also received her Master of Science degree in dietetics and nutrition. Megan has been working with Hy-Vee full-time for 10 years. With a passion for nutrition and wellness, Megan is dedicated to educating customers and promoting healthy lifestyles to our Hy-Vee community. Megan lives in Lee’s Summit with her husband Matt, and their 2 children Kennedy (4) & Carsyn (2). by John Unrein One hundred and three miles separate Grain Valley from Columbia, Missouri. Interstate 70 that sits between the them has and will be a familiar jaunt for the newest and only current University of Missouri Women’s Basketball recruit for the Class of 2023, Grace Slaughter.
Slaughter helped lead the Lady Eagles Basketball team to the Class 4, District 14 Championship as a Freshman. Her stat line for her rookie campaign was equally as impressive with 23.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. The varsity stage was not too big for Slaughter and that led her to receive NCAA Division I Basketball recruiting attention as a Freshman. Twitter was the format used by Slaughter to unveil her commitment to Mizzou. “First off, I want to thank everyone who has helped me get to this point. My parents and sister, Olivia, who are my biggest fans and push me to be the best basketball player I can be and version of myself,” Slaughter said. “Coach Greg, Reggie, Jordan, Nick, Draper, and Taber for coaching me, and helping me become a better teammate and person as well. And God who has blessed me with this opportunity and the gift of basketball, which is my way of spreading his word. It has been a lot of fun and hard work to get to this point, but there is so much more work to be done.” “God has opened this door and it is time for me to step through it. With that being said, I am so happy to announce I am committed to the University of Missouri!” Slaughter made her phone call to Coach Pingeton, who heads the University of Missouri Women’s Basketball program with her grandparents at her side, and went to her sister’s softball game before heading to Habanero’s to celebrate afterwards for good measure. “I was raised loving Mizzou and watching their basketball and football games. Being recruited was amazing. Mizzou has developed a good relationship with me along the way. Coach P (Pingeton) is just not there to teach you basketball, but life skills and women’s leadership as well,” Slaughter said. “I’m definitely excited and have prayed about it (her commitment) the last few weeks and I don’t want to continue talking to other coaches if I want to wear the black and gold of Mizzou. Slaughter is confident in her choice as well as relieved in that she can turn her full attention back to training and conditioning for high school basketball. A sense of normalcy returning for Slaughter is something she also longs for as well. With gyms and parks being closed during quarantine, Slaughter turned to her neighbor’s barn that has a cement floor and two basketball goals along with a three point line to get her basketball fix in the past months. “Getting back on the court and seeing my teammates will be a welcome sight. I haven’t been able to see the girls for too long. Attending church and socializing is something I also look forward to as well,” Slaughter said. Mizzou’s campus in Columbia will be three years away for Slaughter. However, Pingeton has been there since 2010 and continues to build positive things with her program. In her eleven seasons at Mizzou, Pingeton has led the Tigers to seven postseason births, including four appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The 2019-20 season saw the emergence of Freshman Aijha Blackwell and Hayley Frank who each earned All-SEC Team honors. The University of Missouri Women’s Basketball website reveals Blackwell and Frank became the first duo in program history to average double figure scoring outputs in the same season. The pair backed up their five-star, top-30 national rankings and proved to be pieces to build around for the future of the program. For now, Slaughter will be surrounded by her own solid supporting cast. Lady Eagles Head Coach Randy Draper will return eight players from last season’s roster, including six of which who were Freshman. Basketball fans in Grain Valley have a lot to look forward to. Auditor Butch Beeman with Troutt Beeman & Co, PC, presented the annual audit report to the Board of Aldermen during its June 8th meeting, and praised the City for a clean audit and reduction in its debt of 20% ($3.4 million) in 2019.
Pointing out that many surrounding cities are facing a grim financial picture due the impact of COVID-19, Beeman stated Grain Valley is fortunate to end the year in a strong position. Beeman also pointed to the increase in sales tax by 11.5%, indicating continued improvement in retail activity. In other business, the Board approved an ordinance amending zoning regulations pertaining to definitions on building line, yards, and requirements for fence setbacks on corner lots. The Board also approved the final development plan and final plat approval for the Lofts at Old Towne Market Place. In staff reports, Chief James Beale thanked the Board and City staff for their support of the department during a time when the nation is grappling with protests surrounding issues of racism in social and criminal justice systems. Beale was contacted by residents seeking to hold a peaceful gathering in support of those seeking justice following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The peaceful gathering was held Sunday, June 7th at Armstrong Park. “Instead of fighting against it, we were going to be supportive of it. Our School Resource Officers were made available Sunday. We provided water and mingled among the crowd. I’d like to say it went off really well with no incidents. Thank you for all the support you have provided,” Beale said. Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Davies reported the Community Center is fully reopened and has resumed normal hours of operation. The pool will open at Noon on Saturday, June 13th with restrictions due to capacity limits. All pool loungers and chairs have been removed from the pool area. Guests are invited to bring their own chairs or towels and maintain social distancing. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at City Hall on June 22nd at 7:00pm. The Planning & Zoning Commission met via video conference June 10th with a light agenda and a reminder from chair Debbie Saffell regarding social media best practices for committee members.
With no previous or new business to discuss, the Commission considered and approved final plat plans for the Rosewood Hills subdivision. At the conclusion of the meeting, chair Debbie Saffell read from social media guidelines set for elected officials and reminded members to consider these guidelines before posting committee news and personal opinions on social media. Saffell explained that the guidelines were set to ensure communications were coordinated with City staff, and that committee members were welcome to share developments announced through proper City channels. Saffell further explained the guidelines expect those serving in elected and appointed positions conduct themselves responsibly as representatives of the City. “When in doubt, don’t post it,” Saffell said. Member Scott Shafer indicated he had no intention of backing off of discussing issues related to zoning and sewer issues he has raised related to resident Dale Arnold, and volunteered to step off the board if needed. “I’ll step off the board if I have to, to continue this battle,” Shafer said. Saffell and Shafer agreed to discuss the matter further by phone at the close of the meeting. The next meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission will be held July 8th at 6:30pm. The Grain Valley Fair and Grain Valley Partnership have teamed up to present Food Truck Friday Nights at the northwest corner of Walnut and Main beginning June 19th.
Mayor Michael Todd said the idea came to him watching the excitement around food trucks visiting the Rosewood Hills subdivision during the stay-at-home orders. “Having a larger selection of places to eat is something we have heard for years. The city has worked really hard on getting new places, but unfortunately with COVID-19, I think we are going to see a lot of those expansion plans for restaurants slow down. I saw this is a way to get some already established places (food trucks) to come to town,” Todd said. Trucks scheduled for June 19th include The Tasty Unicorn, Rolling in the Dough, and Hero’s New York Griddle. For updated information, visit the Grain Valley Fair’s website at www.grainvalleyfair.com. “My hope is they see how great business can be in Grain Valley and then they decide to come and set up more often in other places around town. A lot of restaurants start off as food trucks now, so maybe if one of these trucks decides to open a brick and mortar store, they will consider Grain Valley,” Todd said. I stole the title of my article from a book written by Neil Postman in 1985. I read it in 2008 as a graduate student at UCM completing a degree in speech communication. It was required reading for the class, Modern Rhetorical Theory. I was curious why our professor would require a book from 1985 to discuss “modern” rhetorical theory, but it was a game changer for me.
Postman was a brilliant communication scholar, social scientist, and had the unique ability to predict the future. In his introduction, Postman referenced the book by George Orwell entitled, “1984.” You may remember it. In his book, Orwell predicted an imaginary future in which the world had fallen prey to constant war, government surveillance and control, and propaganda. Writing in 1985 (the year after 1984), Postman joked that Americans were thrilled that Orwell’s prophecy did not come true and that 1984 came and went without incident. But then he reminded the reader of an older, slightly less known book, Aldous Huxley’s, “Brave New World” written in 1932. Most people assumed that the two authors wrote about the same thing, but they did not. They arrived at the same destination—one of undesired control—but they both took different routes to get there. Postman’s introductory notes are brilliant and chilling and I’ll quote him at length. He wrote, “Orwell warns that we will be overcome by an externally imposed oppression. But in Huxley's vision, no Big Brother is required to deprive people of their autonomy, maturity, and history. As he saw it, people will come to love their oppression and to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think. What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance.” I get chills when I read that. One of the interesting things about Postman’s comments were the fact that they were written in the mid 80s-long before the Internet. The concept for the Internet was realized early in the 1960s when a researcher at MIT conceptualized an “Intergalactic Network” of computers. His dream became a reality in the late 1960s with the “ARPANET” or the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network—funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. Still, what we know as the World Wide Web did not come into creation until 1990. And the rest is history (I kind of feel like a reference to Skynet, artificial intelligence, and the Terminator should be included in there somewhere). Postman’s main point was that people would become overwhelmed and not think anymore—at least not with their brains. He compared our society to the “early days” of the colonists. He wrote of a time in history when folks would come out in groves to hear the Lincoln/Douglas debates—spending hours listening to them banter. People also discussed pertinent issues of the day like history, religion, philosophy, and politics. Their social experiences were integrated with education. People were informed and intelligent. Think about today’s society. According to a study by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, only one out of three Americans could actually pass the US citizenship test if required. The test asks some of the most basic questions about our nation’s history and system of government. For example, 72% could not identify the thirteen original colonies. 24% could not correctly identify one thing Benjamin Franklin was famous for—37% mistakenly believed he invented the lightbulb. 76% did not know why the colonists fought the British. 12% thought General Dwight Eisenhower led troops in the Civil War. Another 6% thought it was the Vietnam War. 2% believed that climate change caused the Cold War. As a society, we’re not unintelligent, we’re just misinformed and misdirected. According to a 2018 study by Claims Conference, 22% of millennials did not know what the Holocaust was. Overall, 10% of adults do not know. Scarier still, according to the Pew Research Center, 25% of Americans believe Hitler came into power in Berlin through a violent coup. Only 43% of respondents knew that Hitler came to power by democratic means. As George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." As time has marched on and society has changed, we have lost, or as Postman suggests, surrendered our ability to think logically and critically. We are a mass of sheep, surrounded by wolves, in need of a shepherd. Postman suggests that one of the problems is “how” we get our information. It’s the delivery mechanism. In days of old, people listened or read material and were able to remember and analyze it. They were able to think critically. Today, our society is driven by visual images and catchy phrases that are available on multiple platforms. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Even in elections. People don’t vote based upon what they know but based upon what they feel. They don’t have the time, energy, or desire to study the facts. So, people vote based upon their emotions and sound bites. We can’t handle a meal. We just want a nibble. My grandson is six and like most kids, has a short attention span and loves to play. He especially loves Minecraft and Mario. He is not always thrilled with, as he puts it, “learning stuff.” Like most parents and grandparents, we limit his “screen time” when he comes over. Naturally, we give him plenty of options to which he sometimes replies, “It’s boring.” The interesting thing is, after we begin to read or play—or whatever, his imagination comes alive and he enjoys it tremendously. But once he gets a screen in his hand, it’s off to the land of Steve, zombies, and virtual entertainment where there is always a next level to conquer. Most adults are not much better. According to the Entertainment Software Association, 65% of adults play video games. According to Medical News Today, the average American gamer is a 35-year-old adult. Games aren’t “bad”, but scientists have proven that they do rewire our brains and are addictive. Entertainment has its place but should not have the main place. Many Americans say, “I’ve overwhelmed, I just need to relax,’ and want to be amused by Candy Crush, Netflix, or the Hallmark Channel. The problem with choosing amusement over education is the destiny. As I read through social media posts from time to time, I’m amazed and even frightened at what some people believe, but I’m not surprised. According to a 2017 Pew Research Center study, about 50% of U.S. adults get their “news” regularly from television. The other half get their information from other sources like talk shows or comedians, social media platforms, or from peers. “Did you see that story on Facebook?” is a common line. The credible newspaper of old has given way to the digital sensationalism of new and we’re paying the price. In addition, all the sheep are headed in different directions. That’s because our “reality” is shaped by what news agency we watch. My guess is that you watch a particular news entity because you believe they tell you the truth—and the others, you feel, are lying or have an agenda. That information shapes your reality. All of us are getting bits and pieces of the puzzle, but rarely seeing the entire image. That would involve additional research and critical thinking. We’re overwhelmed with information. Here’s a bit of free advice from one who worked in media. Any media outlet has one main goal: attract advertisers and stay on the air. “If it bleeds—it leads” is a common theme which means that a station’s lead off story better have something to attract viewers. It’s always “late breaking” or “this just in” or “killer hornets.” And, don’t blame the media. They just feed us what we like. We all complain on the highway that traffic is crawling because of a wreck and all of the “rubberneckers” ahead who want to look. But, then when we reach the site, we can’t help but look—and then tell someone else “Man, did you see that wreck!” In 1985, Postman was able to paint a portrait of what we’re seeing today. A world where people are overwhelmed with information—but can’t think for themselves. A world where people prefer amusement over entertainment. This article was written not for your entertainment, but for your consideration. As my friend, Neo in the Matrix said, “I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin.” Dr. Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech, and freelance writer. McDonald’s has grown from its first location in California in 1954 to a global food service brand that promises a family-friendly dining experience. While the brand and its familiar golden arches have global reach, its stores are mainly owned and operated by local small business owners invested in the communities where their restaurants are located.
Local franchise owner Mike Gremaud started in the back of the kitchen and is now running the front of the house of a multimillion-dollar company. He started at 17 as a crew person, moving up into a series of management positions, eventually becoming an operator. His son, Brian Gremaud, mirrored his father’s progress. Mike did not originally plan a career in the restaurant business, but found he had a knack for it. “I must have been good at it, because I started going through the ranks and the higher I went, the more I liked it. I was going to school for engineering at the time, and switched over to business administration and figured out that maybe I’ll see where this goes,” One thing led to another and in 1991, Mike purchased his first restaurant in Marshall, Missouri and then kept adding on from there. One of the most rewarding aspects of owning restaurants for Mike is seeing the people who work with him evolve in their careers. “It’s rewarding to watch them grow,” Mike said. Mike has had the pleasure of watching his own son grow within the organization, from a young teen working in the back of the restaurant to becoming an owner. “In 7th grade, I wanted to make some money, so my dad put me to work washing dishes for $4.25 an hour. Two years later, I was working the counter,” Brian said. A graduate of University of Central Missouri, Brian began his management journey as a supervisor for his father’s Knob Noster location, eventually purchasing his first location in Higginsville in March 2016. Now as an operator, Brian works alongside his father and together they collectively own nine restaurants across Western Missouri. Working with family can certainly be rewarding, but it is not without its challenges. “We’re different, but we want the same things. I’ll give my dad credit, as I bought stores, he may stop by and point out something he notices, but he is great about saying, ‘It’s your restaurant,’ and trusts me to run it as I see fit. Likewise, when I come to one of his locations, if he wants something done a certain way, I don’t question him,” Brian said. “Although we probably think the same way in how to keep the restaurants, good quality customer service and cleanliness, the way we do things may not be the same way because we’re two separate individuals. I don’t want him to just be a ‘yes’ man to me. I want him to think out the box and do what he thinks is best. Plus, the younger generation has much to contribute, especially it terms of how we have evolved with technology,” Mike said. “The computer era has basically taken over all aspects of this business, from ordering to scheduling. When I came through the system, everything was pretty much done manually. We have evolved with the times, although I still prefer to do things the ‘old way’ sometimes.” The ability to evolve with the times has been even more critical in recent months with the complications businesses have faced due to COVID-19. “The patterns are different. Even just how you operate the business is different. There are days you feel you have a grasp on sales patterns, and the next day you have a down day and it is difficult to understand why, but we adjust. I guess it speaks to the adaptability of the business. Things break and things change, and you have be ready,” Brian said. While the drive-thru remains open at the Grain Valley location, a date has not yet been set for the opening of the dining area. The restaurant is slowly preparing the dining area for an eventual reopening, taking all the necessary precautions required to ensure a safe environment for staff and customers. “We’re not pushing it, but we’d like to get back to normal as soon as possible and allow people to come back in and enjoy a meal as a family inside the restaurant, Mike said. While much focus has been placed in recent weeks on the impact COVID-19 has had on small ‘mom and pop’ stores, the impact on business is just as keenly felt by franchise owners such as the Gremauds. “The majority of us are franchise owned. There are some franchise owners who are hurting pretty bad right now, depending on where their restaurants are located,” Mike said. “We have a number of highway locations that are down due to the reduction in traffic. Overall, I believe we will survive it as a system, but we are a bunch of independent small business owners who have bought into these communities. We employ people in the community, we pay local taxes.” The Gremauds collectively own locations in Marshall, Higginsville, Oak Grove, Concordia, Richmond, Odessa, Knob Noster and Grain Valley. One of the greatest challenges for the Gremauds is the same for most businesses, hiring and retaining the right people. “That’s the key to a successful business—having the right people. It is a constant challenge in our world, as it is in every other business. We try to get the best possible people in our restaurants. I really get a lot of personal satisfaction watching somebody grow, as they move up the ladder and take on more and more responsibility. Whether they take on McDonald’s as a career or not is irrelevant, but it’s nice to see them grow and excel,” Mike said. The Gremauds are committed to the success of their crew. Their employees were awarded nearly $60,000 in college tuition assistance last year through McDonald's Archways to Opportunity program. The Grain Valley location, as well as the Gremaud’s additional locations, will hold a hiring event next Tuesday, June 16th. |
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