The Board of Aldermen met for their final meeting of 2021 on Monday, December 13th, approving the 2022 budget and fee schedule for the city.
     In other business, the board approved the write off of more than $17,000 in uncollectible and bankrupt utility accounts, and approved a resolution allowing the city to opt into the national settlement related to the opioid epidemic.             
     The board will next meet January 10th.
     On Tuesday, December 14th, the City hosted an open house to display the work completed by a resident study group tasked with developing plans for a new police station facility. While the board and mayor remain stymied over the location of the facility, it appears the possibility of an April 2022 bond issue for a new police station will remain on the Board’s agenda in January.
     Two locations are now being considered: the original site identified behind the Community Center and land adjacent to the city’s Butterfly Trail.
     Jo Anne Wasson Honeywell, a Ward 1 resident who served on the study group, said her biggest takeaway from their work is the current station is not meeting the needs of the officers and is impacting their ability to safely and efficiently do their jobs and recruit new officers. The debate over where to locate the facility is of less concern to her.
     “It depends on what the community wants. In the end, we need a new police station. We need to make their (the officers) station comfortable and safe so they can do their job efficiently,” Wasson Honeywell said.
    
 

      Candidate filing for the April 5, 2022 municipal election began December 7th. As of December 9th, five candidates have filed:    
     Chuck Johnston - Mayor 
     Rick Knox - Alderman, Ward II
     Dale Arnold - Alderman, Ward I
     Ryan Skinner—Alderman, Ward III
     Chris Bamman—Alderman, Ward I
    
     The seats currently occupied by aldermen Bob Headley (Ward III) and Jayci Stratton (Ward I) are both up for election and neither have filed for re-election..
     The last day for candidate filing will be Tuesday, December 28th at 5:00pm. Candidates date and time of filing will be recorded and shall appear on the ballot in that order.
 

​     Get in the Christmas spirit with stories from Santa on Thursday, December 23rd from 7:00pm—7:30pm. Registration is required. To enjoy this virtual program, go to our MCPL360 Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mcpl360/ at the scheduled day and time.
     If you don’t see this program the first time or want to watch it again, visit the MCPL YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/MCPLMO.
Photo credit: MCPL
 

​     I’m cheating again this week. Since the Historical Society is all decked out for Christmas, I don’t want to mess it up by digging for new ideas to write about.  Also, since this article appeared in The Voice four years ago, many of you have never read it.  If you have, it’s worth a “re-read” and it will hopefully put a smile on your face!
     While archiving some new “old stuff” at the Historical Society last week, I found in a filing box a 1951 booklet titled Your Household Guide. The foreword provided this information. “This book contains 1001 helpful household hints which have been selected from several hundred Walsworth Bros. Home Recipe Books throughout the nation.”
     It was published in 1951 by Walsworth Bros., Marceline, Mo. and sold by the ladies of the Grain Valley Methodist Church. Several local businesses had advertisements in the book including Minter’s Food Market, Loring Hardware, Frantz Grocery, E.F. Crull Mercantile Co., R. C. Frantz Petroleum Products, E. A. Ford Mercantile, and Grain Valley Grain Company. 
     From the table of contents, one could quickly see that this guide covered about every topic of “advice” you would ever need to know from Baking and Birthstones to Gardening, Postal Rates, and State Capitals. You should come by the Historical Society some Wednesday, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and read through some of the great tips and time savers in the book!

     In case you haven’t saved enough time to make it by before Christmas, I would like to share a few of the great tips from 1951.
• Plant radish and cucumber seeds together to keep bug off cucumbers!
• When painting indoors, slip a pair of old socks over your shoes. If paint drops on floor, just “skate” it up. Saves stooping.
• Red ants can be kept out of the pantry if a small quantity of green sage is placed on the shelves.
• To whiten laces, wash them is sour milk.
• A little vinegar added to water in which you rinse silk stockings will increase their elasticity and make them practically run proof!
• To catch mice, place a gumdrop in the trap, instead of bacon or cheese. When the mouse goes to eat the gumdrop his or her teeth gets stuck and causes the trap to go off.
• If a fish bone becomes stuck in the throat, eat a lemon or part of one as soon as possible. The lemon juice will cause the bone to dissolve.
• Wax the snow shovel to prevent snow from sticking to it. This makes shoveling much easier.
And if you are thinking of doing some baking for Christmas...
• To keep cookies fresh and crisp in a jar, place a crumpled tissue paper in the bottom.
• Set pies and cobblers on a rack to cool and the bottom crust will not be soggy.
• When bread is baking, a small dish of water in the oven will help to keep the crust from getting hard.
• An easy way to chop nuts, place in a cloth bag and roll with a rolling pin.
There was some fairly outdated and laughable advice like “jot down the important things you want to say on a long distance call, and it will prevent all that humming and hawing that cost money.”
On the other hand, I found many good ideas!
     Is there something “historical” you would like to know about Grain Valley?  Send me an email and I will be happy to try and answer your request.
Happy Holidays!
Marty
 

​     Tasha Lindsey, Executive Director of the Grain Valley Partnership, recently graduated from the Missouri Chamber’s Leadership Missouri program.       
     In a ceremony on December 9, the 2021 class of Leadership Missouri graduated 26 leaders from organizations across the state. The class spent the previous seven months traveling across Missouri, networking with peers and learning about challenges and opportunities facing our state.
     The celebration also marked the completion of the 30th class of the Leadership Missouri program. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry founded the program in 1990 and has hosted classes each year — with the 2020 program postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
     “I would like to congratulate all of our Leadership Missouri graduates. It’s been a great experience to work with these very talented leaders from across Missouri and help grow their potential to Missouri move forward,” Daniel P. Mehan, president and CEO, Missouri Chamber said.
     “We designed Leadership Missouri to elevate the talent of our state’s leadership pool and establish a forum for sharing ideas and best practices. Over the past 30 years, all of our expectations for this program have been met — and more.”
 

     Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) will welcome three new members to the Board of Directors: Joe Mullins, consultant for the University of Central Missouri’s Center for Workforce and Professional Education; Dr. Beth Rosemergey, a family medicine doctor affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Truman Medical Center-Hospital Hill and -Lakewood; and Dr. Jason Snodgrass, Superintendent at Fort Osage School District. These individuals will bring their expertise to the Board beginning January 1, 2022.
     In 2022, Karen Schuler, Director of Community Engagement at United Way of Greater Kansas City, will take on the role of Board Chair. Jeff Walters, Chief Financial Officer at Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co., will move into the Vice-Chair role.
     Bret Kolman, Chief Executive Officer at Centerpoint Medical Center of Independence, will be the Board Treasurer and Chair of the THCF Finance Committee. Lynette Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer at Truman Medical Center-Lakewood, will be Secretary. Steve Potter, Library Director and Chief Executive Officer for Mid-Continent Public Library, remains on the Executive Committee as Past Chair and will Chair the THCF Audit Committee.
     The THCF Board adopts sound management policies and serves as a fiduciary of the organization’s assets. Beyond fulfilling legal duties, THCF Board Members are an essential resource for the organization. Members play a significant role in contributing to the organization’s culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability and serving as ambassadors and advocates.
     Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a public charity committed to improving area communities by promoting and serving private giving for the public good. Founded in 1982, THCF serves the region with assets of more than $72 million and annual grants surpassing $5.3 million. 
     For more information on charitable giving, visit www.thcf.org or call THCF at 816-836-8189.
 

​     Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from October 2021 to November 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 7,600 jobs over the month, with job gains in both the goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in November 2021, down from 3.7 percent in October 2021. Missouri’s recovery continued with an increase of 73,300 jobs from November 2020 to November 2021.
     Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point in November 2021, dropping to 3.5 percent from the October 2021 rate of 3.7 percent. The November 2021 rate was 1.2 percentage points lower than the November 2020 rate. 
    The national unemployment rate decreased from 4.6 percent in October 2021 to 4.2 percent in November 2021. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 108,380 in November 2021, down by 6,150 from October’s 114,530.
     The state’s not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate also decreased in 
November 2021, dropping by two-tenths of a percentage point to 2.6 percent from the October 2021 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 2.8 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for November 2021 was 3.9 percent.   
     Missouri’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment was 2,863,300 in November 2021, up by 7,600 from the revised October 2021 figure. The October 2021 total was revised upward by 4,200 from the preliminary estimate, producing a revised increase of 7,700 jobs from September 2021 to October 2021 and a revised increase of 76,500 jobs from October 2020 to October 2021.
     Goods-producing industries gained 500 jobs over the month. Manufacturing declined by 2,900 jobs. Service-providing industries gained 7,100 jobs between October and November 2021, with increases in professional & business services (+3,100 jobs); trade, transportation and utilities (+3,000 jobs); and leisure & hospitality (+1,600 jobs). Government employment showed a loss of 400 jobs over the month. 
     Missouri’s seasonally adjusted rate had reached a low of 3.1 percent starting in August 2018, before gradually edging up to 3.5 percent by the end of 2019, and then to 3.7 percent in March 2020. In April the rate spiked to 12.5 percent. The rate decreased monthly for the rest of 2020, reaching 4.4 percent in December, and continued gradually downward through the first four months of 2021.       
     A year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 4.7 percent, and the not-adjusted rate was 4.2 percent.
 

     As you begin planning the next special menu in the holiday line-up, acorn squash is a vegetable that is worth considering as an addition on your table. While not as common as the traditional sweet potato, the similar color, flavor, and texture of acorn squash can make a great mix-in with sweet potatoes or stand on its own in a variety of preparations.
     This is yet another vegetable that I didn’t learn to appreciate until I was an adult, once again demonstrating that our tastebuds are always evolving.
     Acorn squash is another member of the Curcurbitaceae plant family, which are related to cucumbers, gourds, and melons. The main difference between summer and winter squash is the state of maturity at harvest.
     While summer squash is harvested while immature with a tender skin, winter squash is allowed to fully mature and develop a hard rind. The hard rind retains moisture and allows the squash to be stored for several months in cool, dry conditions.
    Archaeologists have long considered that squash is one of the oldest known food crops, having found evidence that squash varieties were grown by early civilizations thousands of years ago. Many of the types of squash we know as winter squash are believed to have originated in the Andes mountains, then on through Central American and Mexico and eventually to the United States. Historical documents indicate that squash was served at the first Thanksgiving dinner between Pilgrims and Native Americans at Plymouth Colony in 1621.
     Though botanically classified as a fruit, acorn squash is more commonly recognized as a starchy vegetable, thus it is prepared similarly to vegetables like butternut squash and sweet potatoes. The most common variety of acorn squash has a variegated green and orange rind, but they can also be variegated green and cream, orange or even white.
     All varieties will reveal a golden flesh inside. When selecting squash, look for those that are free from blemishes, have hard, dull skins and are heavy for their size.
    Acorn squash is a rich source of vitamins A, C, numerous B vitamins, minerals including manganese, magnesium, and potassium and both soluble and insoluble fiber. These nutrients are shown to be beneficial in eye, skin, and gut health, as well as the prevention and management of chronic diseases like hypertension, heart disease and even certain cancers.
     The neutral flavor of acorn squash lends itself well for a variety of preparation methods. The unique fluted shape can be accentuated by cutting the squash crosswise in one-inch slices and removing the seeds in each slice, then lightly drizzling with vegetable oil, and seasoning with herbs before baking.
     They can also be cut in half and baked without any seasoning, then scooping and pureeing the cooked squash to be used in baked goods like muffins.  Baked pureed squash can also be frozen for later use. With their natural ‘bowl’ shape when cut in half (and the seeds removed) stuffing squash with either a sweet filling like apples or savory meat filling is a common practice. 
     When caramelized in the heat of the oven, the natural sweetness of the juice and honey in the recipe below makes a delicious finish to simple dish. Oh…and don’t forget that you can roast the seeds just like pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack!
 
Denise Sullivan is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in the Urban West Region, serving Jackson and Platte Counties.
 

​     No matter how you celebrate, your favorite foods often appear this time of year. Here are a few tips to help you navigate New Year’s Eve gatherings while sticking to your health goals!
 
Plan Ahead
     While you can’t control for everything, having a plan can help you stay on track and stick to your goals.  Don’t skip meals in anticipation of a gathering but try eating a healthy snack with a good source of fiber to fill you and protein to sustain you.
     Bring a healthy dish to share when invited to parties, and take inventory of the buffet prior to filling your plate so you can choose where you want to indulge in and where you can cut back.
 
Build in Activity
     Stay active by carving out time to move despite hectic schedules. Physical activity can help make up for increased holiday portions and can reduce stress levels. Try creating new family traditions like going on a family walk or hike.
 
Mindful and Moderate
     Be careful to not fall into party grazing. Calories can add up quickly when we are grabbing bites here and there. Instead, eat from a plate, be mindful in your choices using portion control and, if you slip up, get right back with healthy eating at your next meal.
 
     Lighten up your next gathering with holiday fare that is full of nutrition and flavor! Try these party-ready appetizers to ring in the New Year.
 

​The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of December 8-12, 2021.
 

​December 8, 2021
1100 Block of SW Golfview DR                  Leaving the Scene
900 Block of Birch CT                                    Citizen Contact
Graystone & Hoot Owl                                   Suspicious Vehicle
1200 Block of Woodbury CT                         Abandoned Auto
700 Block of Main                                           Citizen Contact
 
December 9, 2021
1200 Block of Sibley ST                                 Agency Assist-BPD
1800 Block of Nicholas                                   Suspicious Activity
700 Block of Main                                           Harrasment
700 Block of Main                                           Standby
2100 Block of NW Sycamore                        Civil Standby
Eagles & Kirby                                                 Traffic Light not Working
700 Block of Main                                           Assault
100 Block of Old 40 HWY                             Suspicious Activity
900 Block of SW Shorthorn DR                    Stealing From Auto
400 Block of Oakwoods LN                           Alarm
1100 Block of Jefferson                                  Civil Standby
1600 Block of Crumley                                   Parking Complaint
 
December 10, 2021
1400 Block of Minter Way                             Alarm
300 Block of SW Eagles Pkwy                      Area Check
Shorthorn & Clover                                         Disturbance
1100 Block of Pamela BLVD                        Alarm
1900 Block of Washam CT                            Welfare Check
700 Block of Main                                           Motor Vehicle Accident
CK Industrial & Pamela                                  Parking Complaint
1400 Cross Creek                                             Alarm
1900 Block of Hackberry CT                         Civil Standby
1300 Block of Valley Woods                         Disturbance
 
December 11, 2021
WB 70 at MM 25                                             Agency Assist-MSHP
800 Block of Sankar                                        Assault
700 Block of Main                                           Welfare Check
1200 Block of RD Mize                                  Area Check
1500 Block of Nicholas DR                           Verbal Disturbance
Main & South Outer RD                                 Area Check
Greystone & Amanda Jean Way                   Suspicious Vehicle
Hickory Wood & Rosewood                          Abandoned Auto
700 Block of Main                                           Citizen Contact-Civil Matter
1500 Block of Broadway                                Alarm
 
December 12, 2021
Main & I 70                                                       Motorist Assist
1100 Block of S Buckner Tarsney RD         Suspicious Party
1600 Block of High View DR                       Leaving the Scene
Rosewood & Hedgewood                               Motor Vehicle Accident

​     The 2021-22 Grain Valley boys basketball team has a different look than last season’s squad.
     Last year, the Eagles centered their offense around 6-foot-6 forward Cole Keller, who often dominated the paint and would kick it out to teammates for open looks from the perimeter.
     This season, the Eagles don’t have a dominant big man that can do what Keller did, so head coach Andy Herbert has had to adjust his offense to involve more motion, cuts and screens to get shooters open.
     That formula worked at times against Platte County Friday night on the road. The Eagles’ 3-point shooting helped them make a late comeback against the Pirates, but it wasn’t enough in a 63-60 loss.
     “I am proud of our guys,” Herbert said. “It would have been easy to fold up and go away but we stayed resilient. We were down double digits multiple times, and we found a way to get back in the game.”
     “We had a focal point in the middle last year. Alex (Snyder) and Rhylan (Alcanter) are doing a good job there. We are going to have to make threes. That’s going to have to be part of who we are to win games.”
     The Eagles (1-2) had a chance to tie it in the final 15 seconds when they were down 63-60. Platte County heavily defended the 3-point line, which made it difficult for Grain Valley to get an open look. Senior Nick Hooper then got a sliver of space on the right wing and took a shot from the outside, but it was partially blocked by a Pirate defender as time expired.
     Grain Valley got off to a good start as it led 7-2 early in the first period. However, Pirate senior Jarrett Mueller helped his team tie it 17-all to end the quarter after he exploded for 10 points including two 3-pointers.
     Platte County started to pull away in the second period as it shot 5-for-9 from the 3-point line while swinging the ball around the perimeter using precision passing and off-ball movement to get open shots. Senior Jace Trimble led the Pirates in that quarter with eight points. They led 38-27 at one point but Grain Valley junior Avery Garmon found Alcanter under the basket for a layup to cut the lead to 38-29 at halftime.
     “They were speeding us up and we were playing at their pace,” Garmon said. “We just have to remember to play at our pace and play our style of basketball.”
     The Eagles started to make a comeback in the third quarter after starting on a 12-7 run to cut the Pirate advantage to 45-41 following a Garmon 3-pointer. However, four costly turnovers for the Eagles were created by an aggressive Pirate defense that got into passing lanes for steals helped them push the lead back up to 53-45 by quarter’s end.
     ‘They take calculated risks defensively,” Herbert said of Platte County. “They are smart about when they do that.”
     “We were a little careless with the ball, especially in the first half, but a lot of that had to do with (Platte County’s) defense.”
     In the fourth, Grain Valley slowly chipped away at the lead. Garmon hit a 3-pointer and junior Owen Herbert had two of his own, both of which came late with the last one cutting the Pirate lead to 62-60.  Eli Nelson hit 1 of 2 free throws to make it 63-60 and the Eagles were unable to tie it and send the game to overtime.
     Garmon helped keep his team in it with a game-high 22 points, which included five 3-point baskets. Herbert added 11 points, including two clutch 3-pointers and Snyder gave Grain Valley some interior presence by getting some baskets inside and chipping in with 10 points.
     “In warmups, my shot felt like it was the worst out of the three games,” Garmon said. “I got out and made the first one and I was like, ‘Alright. That one felt pretty nice.’ Coach has been talking a lot to me about confidence, and I was confident tonight.” 

     The Grain Valley Board of Education has named Dr. Brad Welle as Superintendent of Schools effective July 1, 2022. This decision follows the announcement from current superintendent Dr. Marc Snow last month that he will retire effective June 30 following 5 ½ years as superintendent and 21 years in the district overall.
     Welle has served as a school or district leader in Grain Valley for 14 years, having first served as the principal of Sni-A-Bar Elementary from 2007-2011 before being named assistant superintendent for academic and student services in 2011, and then deputy superintendent for student and community services in 2016.
     This year marks Welle’s 29th in public education overall. Prior to Grain Valley, Welle was with Liberty Public Schools for 15 years, serving as a paraprofessional and then social studies teacher at Liberty Middle School, then assistant principal at Franklin Elementary and Manor Hill Elementary, followed by principal for the opening of two new schools, Shoal Creek Elementary and Warren Hills Elementary.
     In a district email, Welle said, “It has been a great pleasure serving our school community the past 14 years and I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as superintendent. We have a remarkable team of educators and support staff who consistently put kids first. I have no doubt we can overcome any challenge as a school community to ensure student success and excel."
     "Dr. Welle has much knowledge of our school culture and community. We are very pleased he has accepted the role of Superintendent of Schools for Grain Valley," Board President Eddie Saffell said.

​     Grain Valley lost two of its best wrestlers to graduation from the 2020-21 season, including state champion Hunter Newsom.
     In that season, Grain Valley was a solid team, qualifying five wrestlers for the state tournament. And even after losing two high-quality wrestlers, it looks like Grain Valley could meet or exceed the success it has last season.
     In their first dual of the season, it doesn’t appear that the Eagles have lost a beat. Grain Valley got five pins as a team and cruised to a 58-21 victory against Suburban Middle Six Conference for Oak Park Wednesday at home.
     “I was really happy,” Grain Valley coach Jeff Bowman said. “When you look at what Oak Park did to us last year, it was really bad. Today, the tables were turned.”
     “There are still a lot of things we need to work on. Our first move off the whistle, especially from bottom, is not satisfactory. On top, we are waiting for guys’ reactions before even doing anything.”
     Andrew Czeschin (285) was one Grain Valley wrestler that waited for his opponent to do anything. He got a quick takedown and pinned Ever Melendez in 25 seconds in his first year as a full-time varsity competitor.
     Last season, he got a little bit of varsity experience when heavyweight Donovan McBride was out with an injury. This year, Czeschin is getting his opportunity to make an impact for the Eagles.
     “I went to a snapdown. I was trying to move to a shot, but I couldn’t get down far enough,” Czeschin said. “I tried to go for a cradle, but my arms are honestly too short, so I just rolled him with a half (nelson).”
     Brock Smith (120) was another Eagle to get a pin. He just missed out on going to the state tournament last season when he lost to Van Horn’s Ethan Moses 4-2 in the third-place match. He’s hoping to get there this season and he looked capable of doing that in his match with Anthony Cherco.
     He used an armbar to roll over his opponent into a pin that he got in 3:29.
     “I used a power half with my legs. It’s something we work on every day in the room,” Smith said. “Being able to use it shows how hard we practice in the room.”
     “I was feeling him out a little bit. I knew what he was going to do. I knew if I could stay clear of his two and ones, the match was mine.”
     Kollin Hanshuld (!38) also got an impressive victory for Grain Valley. He overcame a 5-2 deficit against Cole Counts-Davis, by getting a reversal and a pin in the third period.
     “I noticed halfway through the match that the guy was getting tired,” Hanshuld said. “I used that to my advantage. I waited it out and played it safe and then eventually do what I needed to do.”
     Dru Azcona (126) got a pin against Jamison Tunstill in 4:35; Tyler Groves (132) earned a fall against Adrian Aguirre in 2:44; Tanner Barker (152) controlled his match from start to finish in a 18-4 major decision vs. Brent Compton; Evan Reich (160) won by forfeit; and Aven Aumua (195), Colston Parks (106) and Gavin Parks (113) won by forfeit for the Eagles.
 
     For Oak Park, Paul Hernandez (182) and Josh Gant (220) earned pins; Jacob Wooten (145) won by forfeit; and Karl Knaack earned a 7-1 victory against Jace Worthington.
​

     A board workshop meeting on December 8th with the stated goal of discussing renovation options for the current City Hall facility went off course as discussions revealed the majority of the Board of Aldermen do not support the proposed site for the new police station. This revelation puts in jeopardy a planned April 2021 bond issue to build a new police station, the preliminary plans for which were to be unveiled in a December 14th Community Public Open House.
     City staff began the meeting by presenting options to reconfigure the space within the current City Hall facility to accommodate City staff once the police department moved into its proposed new site. The board was asked to provide guidance regarding the level of renovations to be scheduled in the site, as staff remained unclear regarding the timeline the Board envisions for either a City Hall renovation or move to a new facility.
     The cost for the options provided range from $800,000 - $1.2 million to renovate the current City building, including the repurposing of space currently occupied by the police department. The Board generally agreed that renovations to the City Hall space be postponed until clarity is reached regarding the new police station and whether City Hall offices will remain in its current location, or a new location will be sought. A ten-year life span for the current building was generally agreed upon.
     The option to set aside funding for such renovations over the next few budget years was proposed as an alternative to approaching citizens with a bond issue.
     “We can start budgeting for that now. When the police building is built, if that comes, then you’re already two years into funding this (City Hall),” Alderman Bob Headley said.
     The potential to open up the land currently occupied by the City Hall building for commercial development was once again raised, with the option to move city hall and the community center to the former Sni-A-Bar Farm property currently owned by the City.
     This suggestion provoked the ire of Mayor Chuck Johnston, who asked, “How are we getting back to the farm? That has been voted down. The people said they wanted to maintain this land. I don’t know how we’re getting back to going back there.”
     “I can tell you that if we’re voting in January to move the police department back there (behind the Community Center), if that’s going to go on the ballot. I can tell you today, I’m going to vote no for that. I don’t think the location is the right location,” Alderman Jayci Stratton said.
     “I feel like whoever has pushed all of this through so quick to have all of these meetings in December and have the vote in January didn’t listen in the beginning. Because we said could it be feasible to get back there, and that is what we were hoping to find out. Not to say, here it is, put it on the ballot,” Stratton said.
     “To me, our police station needs to be inviting. Back there, where are you going to see it?”, Alderman Rick Knox said.
     “I figured the design team would come back and say ‘nah’ you’re landlocking yourself in. You’ll have issues coming in and out. They’re already talking about building a separate road for PD to come in and out on their own,” Knox said.
     “If you put it back there, thirty years from now, the people sitting up here are going to be saying, ‘What were they thinking?’”
     Several board members stated they believed the study was just to determine if the site behind the community center was even feasible for a police station, and that an actual plan to present to voters was not a part of what was approved.
     The City’s bid notice from June 2021 states “After multiple workshops and a citizen survey, the Board has directed staff to solicit proposals from design firms for the feasibility, design and construction of a new police station on the former football field directly behind the pavilion which is city owned property.”
    The discussion of what exactly board members expected from the feasibility study continued, with members reiterating that while it may be feasible, they do not support a police building being located at the proposed site behind the current community center building.
     “Alright, so it’s feasible. We’ve got feasibility decided. So now we’re just changing completely because of what?,” Johnston said.
    “It’s been no secret from me that I have not felt that location was a good location. That’s been my stance the whole time,” Stratton said.
     “I honestly, to tell you the truth Mayor, I thought the designers would come back and say ‘what are you thinking’?”, Knox said.
     “I’ve been quiet this whole time. I’m embarrassed the way this is going. What I hear is the aldermen saying they don’t want this. I hear that we don’t want it there. We’re all in agreement,” Alderman Darren Mills said.
     “We were elected by the people to represent and that is what we need to do.”
     “I don’t know why we wasted money on a feasibility study back there when you knew you didn’t want it back there,” Johnston said.
     “Well, Mayor, we need to get it right,” Knox said.
     “I understand that,” Johnston said.
      “No, you don’t seem to,” Knox said. “We have all decided that we have checked that, but we don’t think it is the best for the City now or 50 years from now.”
     Johnston once again pressed why the board voted to approve a feasibility study knowing they did not want the station located behind the community center.
     Knox interjected, “To appease you, because we always voting against you. So we said alright, let’s let Chuck…”.
     “So, you spend money on a feasibility study for something you don’t want,” Johnston interjected.
     “We actually figured…they’d tell us ‘no’”, Knox said.
     “Good reason to spend money on a study,” Johnston said.
     A citizen’s study group, consisting of two representatives from each of the City’s three wards and one at-large member, has been working with architectural design firm Hoefer Welker in multiple meetings over the past month to develop plans for the new station. The group toured the current station with Grain Valley Police Chief James Beale, went on site visits to stations throughout the metro area, and met over several evenings to develop a plan in preparation for the planned December 14th open house event.
     City Administrator Ken Murphy brought up the planned December 14th meeting, inquiring if the meeting should proceed given the current discussion.
     “I think we cancel that meeting,” Johnston said.
     “If you could relay (my gratitude) to this team of people. Because I greatly respect the amount of time and thought and consideration that they put into everything,” Stratton said. “I don’t want them to feel that their time is wasted, because I think their input is still valuable.”
     Murphy said the work completed by the committee could still inform future planning for a police station, as the board does agree that the need for a new facility exists.
     Reached for comment following the meeting, Mayor Johnston stated, “I’m extremely disappointed. If they were going to vote in a feasibility study and don’t like the way it turns out, why waste money on it? We originally voted that we wanted to see if it is feasible. The only reason to see if it is feasible is if we’re going to do it, not to appease me. The citizen survey we did said that the voters wanted us to try to use this land rather than waste the money elsewhere. Now we’re back to this same garbage again. I’m trying to do what the voters want and think. They’re elected by the voters. The voters said what they wanted to do. We spent a lot of money once they said they wanted to see what was feasible there. If they did that to appease me, that was not the right thing. Their reasoning was wrong,” Johnston said.
     Knox reiterated his stance after the meeting, “I just don’t feel that it is the best location for the taxpayers money.”
     Asked whether the planned December 14th community meeting to discuss the police station would proceed, City Administrator Ken Murphy stated, “TBD” (to be determined). “I’ll be making some phone calls tomorrow morning.”
 

      Candidate filing for the April 5, 2022 municipal election began December 7th. As of December 8th, three candidates have filed:    
     Chuck Johnston - Mayor 
     Rick Knox - Alderman, Ward II
     Dale Arnold - Alderman, Ward I
    The seats currently occupied by aldermen Bob Headley (Ward III) and Jayci Stratton (Ward I) are both up for election and neither have filed as of December 8th.
     The last day for candidate filing will be Tuesday, December 28th at 5:00pm. Candidates date and time of filing will be recorded and shall appear on the ballot in that order.