Having read several Broadcasters this past week, I can assure you not only school, but life was very different in 1940. The school was apparently the center of everything social in Grain Valley, as every issue mentions at least one school dance or party.  There was the school dance, the hayride, the school carnival, the Pie and Box Social and the Halloween Party,  all within the first two months of school.
     Also, school assemblies are mentioned frequently. From the back-to-school assembly during the first week to marionettes, the junior play, and a musical presentation, there was apparently an assembly every week.
     During American Education Week, held the first week in November, there were daily topics which included the following: Enriching Spiritual Life, Strengthening Civic Loyalties, Financing Public Education, Safeguarding Natural Resources, Perpetuating Individual Liberties, and Building Economic Security. As I perused the topics, I found that although the topics are 80 years old, not much has changed. Or has it?
     On spiritual life --“America was founded upon a spiritual foundation by earnest pioneers seeking to govern themselves and to worship God in their own way….great teachers of all faiths in schools, public and private, encourage religious feeling and practices as the foundation of moral conduct.  The schools guide pupils to enriched spiritual living thru the development of character, the encouragement of right conduct, the opening of minds to new horizons, the practice of tolerance, a steady emphasis upon the sacredness of human personality, and a constant leadership in the search for truth, goodness and beauty.”
     On civic loyalties –“Although government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not solved all our problems, who would exchange it for the tyranny and force which prevail today in so many parts of the world?”
     On financing public education –“The public elementary and secondary schools of the United States cost 2 billion dollars a year (an average of $75 dollars per pupil).”  Okay, so times have changed.
     However, the final statement might still be applicable, “…millions are unemployed; hunger exists amid plenty; crime takes a vast toll; ill health ravages the underprivileged. These conditions need not exist in a wealthy nation. They can be corrected by improving the individual and promoting the general welfare, which the schools seek to do.”
     On safeguarding natural resources –“There is still time to safeguard resources so that we shall have plenty if we consistently strengthen the conservation movement. The schools will be a mighty factor in this vital educational campaign.”
     On perpetuating individual liberties –"Education perpetuates individual liberties by developing a people able to govern themselves and determine that America shall remain the land of the free and the home of a people unafraid of the duties that liberty entails.”
     On building economic security – “Certain broad objectives are generally agreed upon as necessary, including (1) conservation of natural resources, (2) upbuilding of human resources, (3) extension of taxation according to ability to pay, (4) fair play between capital and labor, (5) social security, and (6) unemployment insurance….to help develop these qualities in all the people is the task of the schools.”
 
Learn more about the Grain Valley Historical Society at www.grainvalleyhistory.com.
 

​     The filing period for mayoral and aldermen candidates ended January 21st, with only one minor change since Valley News last reported on candidates.
     Ward II incumbent Yolanda West originally filed for election but has withdrawn. Voters in Ward II will now choose between Joey Burgett and Rick Knox.
     In Ward I, incumbent Jayci Stratton has filed for re-election and remains unopposed. In Ward III, Bob Headley has filed for re-election and will run unopposed.
      Two candidates have filed to challenge Mayor Michael Todd, who is up for re-election in April. Jeff Craney and Chuck Johnston have both filed as candidates for the mayoral race.
     The election for both City candidates and school board candidates will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2020. In order to be eligible to vote you must be registered at your current home address by the fourth Wednesday prior to the election in which you wish to vote.
     Residents may register in person at the Jackson County Election Board office at 215 N. Liberty, Independence, MO 64050 or any one of the authorized locations in this jurisdiction. Locations in Grain Valley include the Mid-Continent Public Library Grain Valley branch and Grain Valley City Hall. Residents may also print and complete the Missouri Voter Registration Application form found at the Election Board website, www.jcebmo.org, and deliver in person to JCEB or mail to Jackson County Election Board, P.O. Box 296, Independence, MO 64051.
 

​     Valley News will feature a candidate for City or Grain Valley School board in the weeks leading up to the April election. Information is provided by the candidates and edited for space and clarity. This week, we profile Chuck Johnston, candidate for Mayor.
 
     I have been married to Diana since 1981. We have two sons, 8 grandchildren, and 1 one great granddaughter. I served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 to 1971.We built a home in Grain Valley in 2001 and have lived here ever since. I have worked at OOIDA since 1988; the first 25 years as manager of the insurance claims department. I retired in 2014, and within 7 months found out retirement wasn't something I was good at or really wanted to do. I went back to work at OOIDA in 2015 and still work there.
 
Background:
2006 Grain Valley Citizen of the Year
2008 Pillar of the Community, Grain Valley
24 Years operated the GV Santa Bus (My favorite activity)
10 years Alderman Ward II Grain Valley
1-year Mayor Pro Tem Grain Valley
6 Years Board of Directors State Bank of Missouri
15 Years Grain Valley Economic Development Council
10 years volunteered as cook for Night Out Against Crime Grain Valley
10 Years Board of Directors Grain Valley Assistance Council
7 Years Treasurer of Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce
10 Years held every officer position in the Grain Valley Lions Club
5 Years Board of Directors Grain Valley & Oak Grove Police Dept. Victims’ Rights Committee  
 
     I have taken an active role, as my history shows, in this city since I started working in Grain Valley. I care deeply about his community and want to see it prosper. I feel the city needs to take a different path on its past spending practices. We need to do more to repair streets, curbs and infrastructure that have been overlooked too long. We need to stop investing tax dollars in properties that don't directly benefit the city.
     I have a well-rounded background that I feel makes me the best candidate available to guide this city in those endeavors as your next Mayor. I'm asking for your support, the voters of Grain Valley, to help me get this city back on the right path. 
 

​     Candidate filing for mayor and board of aldermen positions with the City as well as the Grain Valley school board began December 17th, and a number of new candidates have filed in the new year.
      Two candidates have filed to challenge Mayor Michael Todd, who is up for re-election in April. Jeff Craney and Chuck Johnston have both filed as candidates for the mayoral race as of January 13th.  Additional candidates in Ward II have also filed since December. In Ward I, incumbent Jayci Stratton has filed for re-election. Ward II incumbent Yolanda West will face two candidates: Joey Burgett and Rick Knox. In Ward III, Bob Headley has filed for re-election.
Candidates for city positions may file for such offices during normal business hours (8:00am—5:00pm Monday through Friday) starting until 5:00pm on January 21, 2020 in the office of the City Clerk, 711 Main Street, Grain Valley.
     Three positions are open on the Grain Valley school board and five have filed as of January 13th. Candidates include Janice Reding (incumbent), Tisha Homfeld (incumbent), Jeff Coleman (incumbent), Jeff Wolff and Justin Wulff. The top three vote earners in the April election will be seated as School Board members for three-year terms beginning in April.
     The election for both City candidates and school board candidates will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2020. In order to be eligible to vote you must be registered at your current home address by the fourth Wednesday prior to the election in which you wish to vote.
     Residents may register in person at the Jackson County Election Board office at 215 N. Liberty, Independence, MO 64050 or any one of the authorized locations in this jurisdiction. Locations in Grain Valley include the Mid-Continent Public Library Grain Valley branch and Grain Valley City Hall. Residents may also print and complete the Missouri Voter Registration Application form found at the Election Board website, www.jcebmo.org, and deliver in person to JCEB or mail to Jackson County Election Board, P.O. Box 296, Independence, MO 64051.
 

​Valley News will feature a candidate for City or Grain Valley School board in the weeks leading up to the April election. This week, we profile Jeff Craney, candidate for Mayor.
     “I've been a resident of Grain Valley for close to 11 years, my spouse is Joey Burgett. I am a retired USAF member and currently work at Whiteman AFB as a civilian employee for the 442nd Fighter Wing over seeing all facilities for new construction, remodels, and airfield maintenance and repair.  
     We have two daughters Bridgette and her husband Craig residing in Independence, Kaitlin and her husband Don with our grandson James who live in Windsor Missouri. I am running for mayor for the following reasons: I want to see a more transparent government, I support a more supportive community for all military citizens, both Active Duty, Reserves and Guard.  More communication between the city and residents of our community is necessary.  I have extensive experience in budgets, fiscal responsibility, administrative, and management of personnel and resources. 
     I want to hear from all residents of the city. My contact information is bridgenkatesdad@gmail.com.”
 

​    The weather last Friday may not have been very welcoming, but the sound of laughter and smell of coffee emanating from the First Baptist Church, where the YMCA’s Active Older Adults programming has found a home in Grain Valley, could make any visitor feel warm and welcome.
     When the Blue Springs YMCA closed at the end of October, the close-knit group of members who attended Active Older Adult programming found themselves without a home.
     Kathy Sather, Active Older Adult Coordinator with the YMCA since 1998. was thrilled the program was able to find a home quickly in Grain Valley. 
     “The Blue Springs YMCA closed on October 30th and we were up and running here (at First Baptist Grain Valley) on November 4th.
We have been up and running and just staying busy trying to implement programming over here. The church has been tremendous to us,” Sather said.
     Long time members and friends Johna Hays, Lillian King, and Lana McGinnis worked on a puzzle while Sather led a Tai Chi for Arthritis class.
     “Of course we miss the pool, but we missed our family more. We consider this our community and our family,” member Johna Hays said.
     Lana McGinnis believes the programming offered through the Active Older Adults program is vital to keeping seniors active and engaged.
     “It means a great deal to me. If you don’t have something like this, even though I have family living with me,  I’m sitting there in the living room staring at the TV. I have nothing to do and no one to talk to. But I come down here, and these women are my lifeline to sanity. I don’t think anyone would think that this wasn’t a good thing,” McGinnis said.    
     Johna Hays and her sister were members at the Blue Springs YMCA and followed the program to Grain Valley when it opened in November.
     “When we first joined, we just needed an outlet. We needed a place to go. We were lonely. This is our home and this is our family. Kathy (Sather) has just bent over backwards doing everything she can to keep getting programs going and get new people to come in. She’s just amazing,” Hays said.
     Friendships made often extend beyond the time they spend together at YMCA programs.
     “When I was sick, they (Johna Hays and her sister) took me to doctor’s appointments, brought over food, and came to visit. I don’t know what I would have done without them. They were my angels,” McGinnis said.
     The center is open Monday—Friday from 9:00am—3:00pm. A wide variety of programs are offered, including Tai Chi, yoga, line dancing, Silver Sneakers programming, game days, potlucks, movie days, service projects, Bible study, and regular field trips. An upcoming field trip to the Genghis Khan exhibit is planned for March.
     Memberships are $20/month and include all programming, with the exception of fees for field trips and special classes. Programming is held at the First Baptist Church, 207 W. Walnut ST, Grain Valley. There is ample accessible parking on site.
     For more information on the Active Older Adults program, visit www.kansascityymca.org/grainvalleyaoa or www.facebook.com/grainvalleyYMCAAOA/.
 

     Voters will decide on February 4th on  a $7.5 million no tax increase bond renewal to fund capital improvements for Central Jackson County Fire Protection District (CJCFPD).
    CJCFPD serves the communities of Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Lake Tapawingo, and portions of unincorporated Jackson County.     
 
     Approximately $3 million of the bond will be used to replace two aging fire engines and a ladder truck. Funds will also be used to update safety equipment for replacement fire trucks, replace emergency medical equipment, repair and remodel existing facilities, including HVAC updates to units nearing 30 years of use. 
     CJCFPD Fire Chief Jeff Grote highlighted two additional projects included in the bond package.
     “One of the most important upgrades  for citizens are technology updates to storm warning sirens. We will update 34 outdoor storm warning sirens and add four new sirens. Most people don’t know that we are working with civil defense era technology on our warning sirens. Currently, when we test sirens monthly, we have to send a person to each siren to stand and ensure each is working properly. With new technology, we can monitor each siren from a central computer,” Grote said.
     The bond package also provides for the replacement of personal protective firefighting gear.
     “We have seen a rash of cancer in firefighters across the country, and our industry has become much more aware of the risks and how to protect firefighters in the field. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we want to be ahead of the curve in replacing outdated gear to protect them from the hazards they face,” Grote said.
 
 

​     Candidate filing for open mayor and alderman positions have been light, with only one candidate each filing for the position of mayor and aldermen seats in Ward 1 and Ward II as of Monday, January 6th. No candidates had filed for the Ward III alderman seat as of Monday, January 6th.
     In Ward 1, Jayci Stratton’s current seat is up for election and Stratton has filed for re-election. In Ward 2, Yolanda West has filed for re-election as well. In Ward 3, Bob Headley’s seat is open for election.
     Mayor Mike Todd has filed for re-election; no other candidates had filed as of Monday, January 6th. Former aldermen Chuck Johnston indicated on social media he planned to run for mayor. Reached for comment, Johnston stated he planned to file and is in the process of compiling necessary paperwork.
     Candidates for City offices may file for such offices during normal business hours (8:00am—5:00pm Monday through Friday) until 5:00pm on January 21, 2020 in the office of the City Clerk, 711 Main Street, Grain Valley.
   The election will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2020.
 

​     Valley News featured Grain Valley resident Paul Juarez in February 2019 as a part of our Community Profile section. Juarez shares his “Realistick People” cartoons regularly on our Facebook page and occasionally in our print and online editions. Juarez has compiled a series of his humorous cartoons into a book now available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble’s website.
     To read our profile of Juarez, visit the News section of our website, www.grainvalleynews.com and search under Community Profiles.
 

​     Candidate filing for City of Grain Valley Board of Aldermen, Mayor, and the Grain Valley R-5 School District Board of Education begins December 17th.
     The office of Mayor is open for candidates as are aldermen positions in each of the City’s three wards.
     In Ward 1, Jayci Stratton’s current seat is up for election. In Ward 2, Yolanda West’s seat is open, and in Ward 3, Bob Headley’s seat is open for election.
     Candidates for City offices may file for such offices during normal business hours (8:00am—5:00pm Monday through Friday) starting at 8:00am December 17th until 5:00pm on January 21, 2020 in the office of the City Clerk, 711 Main Street, Grain Valley.
     The opening date for filing a declaration of candidacy for the Grain Valley R-V Board of Education will be December 17, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. and the closing deadline will be January 21, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. Filing a declaration of candidacy may be done in the District Offices located at 31606 E. Pink Hill Rd. in Grain Valley, Missouri during regular office hours. The district offices will be closed on December 23, 2019 – January 3, 2020, and January 20, 2020 therefore, will not be accepting candidates filing on those dates. The district office will be closed, and filing will not occur on days in which the district is closed due to inclement weather. Three positions with three-year terms, currently held by Jeff Coleman, Tisha Homfeld, and Jan Reding, are up for election.
     The election will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2020.
 
 

     The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to approve Ken Murphy as Interim City Administrator and Theresa Osenbaugh as Interim Deputy City Administrator during their meeting on Monday, December 7th. This vote shifted both Murphy and Osenbaugh’s titles from acting to interim administrators.
     Among the resolutions unanimously passed by the board was R19-48, which adopted the Grain Valley Community Campus Master Plan as prepared by Sapp Design Architects.
     The board subsequently unanimously passed resolution R19-52 which authorizes the Interim City Administrator to enter into a contract amendment with SAPP Design Architects for services related to a schematic design for a municipal complex. This moves the city into phase II of the planning process at the Sni-A-Bar Farms property at the northwest corner of Sni-A-Bar and Buckner Tarsney Roads.
      The board also unanimously approved the 2020 fiscal year budget and comprehensive fee schedule for the City of Grain Valley as well as a conditional use permit for a concrete crushing and recycling facility. The facility would sit on 14.3 acres that is generally located at the northeast corner of McQuerry and Seymour Roads.
     A public hearing was conducted to allow any Grain Valley resident to come forward and speak for or against the conditional use permit before being voted on by the board. No one from audience elected to come forward and speak.
     The permit will grant Metro Recycle Concrete use for ten years in Grain Valley at the identified location. The company largely turns the crushed concrete into rock for roads and driveways along with recycling the steel rebar pulled from the concrete. The city also identified through the permit that hours of operation for the facility would be from 7am to 4pm Monday through Friday.
     Presentations given to the board included a YMCA Grain Valley feasibility study. YMCA representatives Mark Hulet and Gary Lynn presented study results and answered questions from the board. The study surveyed 300 households and found that 83% would support developing and funding a YMCA as part of the community campus at Sni-A-Bar Boulevard and Buckner Tarsney Road (assuming no tax increase).
     Hulet and Lynn shared that anticipated operating performa would include the need for 1,652 membership units across a two year ramp up period for the proposed 42,000 square foot facility.
     Other study objectives listed by the YMCA included market penetration levels for like service providers, Grain Valley Community Center and outdoor aquatic center usage, utilization of new Community Center/YMCA including of specific features and amenities (survey respondents identified cardio equipment, indoor pool, and walking track as three things they most wanted), demand for programs and services, importance and use of medically based programs, and community support of funding new development based on no increase in taxes.
     “One of the things that we are looking at is getting as big as draw as possible (for the city). The thought is having the partnership with the YMCA might broaden the base that would use the facility. There’s a price tag that comes with a proposed facility like this and there’s a needed membership to back that up,” Murphy said.
     The YMCA’s presentation to the board included a base indoor pool option for the facility as well as a secondary larger pool option. Both Grain Valley High School boys and girls swim teams currently practice at what was the Blue Springs YMCA. The facility was purchased by the Blue Springs School District and closed October 30th.
     “Through this whole process, Dr. Snow (Superintendent of Grain Valley Schools) has been on one of our steering committees for the Community Campus. We are all using the same tax dollars from the citizens of Grain Valley so we are trying to make sure that we are best using those dollars in working with the school district to see if there’s something we can do to accommodate them to where they are not using the Blue Springs facility indefinitely,” Murphy said.
     The base leisure indoor poll option would have zero entry and two water lap lanes and as one body of water that is family friendly. The other option presented that would increase price was a leisure pool and a separate four lap lane pool with a diving board and well. The second option would keep the two bodies of water at separate temperatures and add approximately 3,600 square feet to the building design.
     With phase one of the plan completed, Murphy and City staff look forward to the details to be worked out in the next phase of planning.
     “We have done phase one which is the layout and the site master plan. The next phase is seeing what those buildings might look like and what it would mean layout wise. The architects currently have only provided a footprint of a building. It’s about getting enough in a plan to educate moving forward without spending money that could be wasted,” Murphy said.
     The next scheduled meeting of the Grain Valley Board of Aldermen will be at City Hall on January 13, 2020 at 7:00pm.
 

     Grain Valley residents who are middle aged likely remember being taken to the mall or some community gathering for the chance to visit with Santa Claus. One of Grain Valley’s unique and great traditions is that Santa Claus will come to your neighborhood.
     Thus was the case for Jack and Daley Philbrick. The Santa Bus came to their neighborhood over this past weekend. They were able to meet jolly old Saint Nick and share with him their Christmas wishes. It’s a lot to take in for a kid of any age.
     There’s the police escort by VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service) making sure that everyone knows to be safe as Santa is seeing important guests traveling to the bus by foot. Not to mention the bright red and green paint job of the bus, complete with a reindeer on the hood and wreath on the grill. And if all of that is not enough, there’s the festively decorated inside of the bus with Kris Kringle ready to greet and meet visitors with a warm smile and belly chuckle.
     Jack and Daley’s Dad, Scott Philbrick, enjoyed watching his kids go through the Santa Bus experience.
     “This is a great thing that’s done for the kids. We wake up on Saturday morning and they are as excited as they are on Christmas Day in getting to meet Santa. We don’t have to leave our neighborhood to see Santa now because of this. Getting to avoid braving the crowds and traffic is a blessing due to the Santa Bus,” Philbrick said.
     “To have Volunteers In Police Service donate their time to make sure that this experience is safe is amazing in the peace of mind it provides to parents. It makes all the difference in the world to know I can stand and wait with an extra set of eyes looking out for us. I don’t know if you saw, but my kids ran across the street. They didn’t even look because they were so excited due to something else on their mind. This is just fun.”
     The Santa Bus originated with a few citizens and local businesses that wanted to make Christmas a little brighter for the children of Grain Valley. This Grain Valley holiday tradition has grown to nine dates on the Santa Bus calendar from November 30th to December 22nd. The duration of dates will include four 12 hour Saturdays and two 10 hour Sundays.
     The Santa Bus currently sees about 4,000 kids a year and gives out about 2,000 donated stuffed toys, candy, and small toys (for the kids too old for stuffed toys). Making this endeavor even more special is that it’s manned entirely by volunteers and supported by donations from local businesses and friends of the project.
     You may find a complete Santa Bus schedule at www.gvsanta.com and follow Santa’s travels on Facebook.