Point of View

Now, of course, we’re all living through another once-in-a-century crisis—one that appears to have the potential to rewrite even more of our geopolitics, our economy, and our society. We are living history every hour right now, for better or for worse, with little sense of which it is.There’s a big difference, it turns out, between experiencing history and writing history. As my good friend Ken Fousek says, "I want to write history, I don't want to be history."

The length of each step within Recovery will vary. Effective July 5-20, continue to observe 50% occupancy; or full occupancy indoors where masks are required for all/ or when in close contact with others; social distancing standards continue. Mask exemptions apply while actively eating or drinking, or while playing a sport or exercising. Bars/Pool must stay at 50%; group gathering <250.

Tuesday - Communities of Excellence Webinar

Wednesday - Historic Preservation Commission

Thursday - Just Suburbs, Creating Equitable Opportunities in Suburban Development Discussion

We appreciate TR Kennedy, for developing a cleaning protocol for the Hall of Waters and Police Station. TR mists all of the public spaces, door handles, counters and police vehicles with disinfectant in the morning and again mid-day. We are ready for DEP to re-open the Water Bar to visitors and keep our staff and visitors safe.

Thanks to our Community Center staff, who has been adjusting with the ever changing protocols during the recovery period.

The City's Disaster Plan calls for compliance with CCPHC directives during pandemics; we appreciate their good work; [Funding: County] WHY? Disaster pre-planning is necessary to act quickly & broadly with calm to minimize harm; Installation of sewer on Shirewood is progressing quickly [Funding: CIP] WHY? Eliminates pollution, avoids condemnation; design of sewer digester is underway [Funding: Bond Funds] WHY? provides redundancy in the treatment train @ plant; flushing sewer mains has increased this year, over 50,000 LF completed YTD, compared to 37,000 LF last year [Funding: Sewer] WHY? flushing is the best form of preventative maintenance, identifies problem areas; our annual goal is to flush 123,000 LF; Street Department is making various asphalt repairs/filling potholes [Funding: Trans.Trust] WHY? maintenance prolongs the driving surface between resurfacing; Police completed the replacement of the MARRS communications system, 2 years, $1M to complete [Funding: PSST/CIP] WHY? This is a 20+ year investment, expands the functionality & coverage within community & with other agencies, greatly improves officer safety; DEP has re-opened the Water Bar visitor's center this week [Funding: Elms Event Fees/DEP] WHY? Hall/Waters is a favorite stop for tourist; Golf Hill Grille reopened for lunch starting 7/1 [Funding: Golf].

"Being hospitable is just part of who we are", says Pastor Laura of 1st United Methodist Church. Earlier this year, in order to achieve social distancing with our fire crews, the shift was split between working from the Community Center, Church & Station. The church provided a kitchen, showers, & laundry facilities; fire provided beds & recliners to complete the set-up. The church liked to not have an empty building 24-hours/day & fire was secure that the entire shift would not be exposed if part of the shift ran a COVID call. "It was good to consider the challenges faced by the fire station & then think about how everyone is having to find creative ways to adapt. Everybody has to be in this together", she said. "It's wonderful our church can give back even though we're not in the building." Printed from The Missouri Methodists Magazine, May 2020

Email: mmcgovern@excelsiorsprings.gov
Website: cityofesmo.com
Location: Hall of Waters, 201 E. Broadway, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
Phone: (816) 630-0752