point of view

Morning starts when it's dark outside.🌙 If you don’t believe me. Look outside when it's 11:59pm. Then look again when it's 12AM. It's still dark. And guess what? At 12:01am, the darkness remains.

☀️Your new day doesn't begin when everything is bright & sunny. No, that comes later. The new beginning. The fresh start. The reset always begins when it's dark & uncertain. In the darkness is when you can dream, plan & execute. In the darkness is where you can build your faith muscle.💪🏾 Planning is good, but it can only take you so far. Meetings are good, but they can only take you so far. ⭐️At some point, FAITH has to take over. 💡It's dark outside, but I'm gonna try anyway. 💡I'm not sure if this is the right step, but I'm gonna try anyway. 💡I can't see where I'm going, but I'm gonna try anyway. 💡I may stumble & fall, but I'm gonna try anyway. I will try...by faith. Because I believe in this too much to NOT try. If I don't try, resentment sets in, & that's not good for anyone's mental or emotional health. 👉🏽Takeaway: Darkness can either discourage you or ENCOURAGE you. You choose.

Monday - Thrive Citizen's Academy Starts

Tuesday, 4:30PM - Municipal Court

Wednesday, 5PM - Historic Preservation Commission

Friday, 7:30AM - Council Work Session

Saturday - Westside Fall Festival

Sunday, 2:00PM - Historic Marking of the Odell Cabin

City Council - issues under development for agenda include: Proclamation for Business Women's Week; Personnel Policy updates; Chapter 353 public hearing for 426 Isley Blvd.; Not-for-profit building permit waiver renewal; Lease renewal for old community center parking lot; closed discussions.

Historic Preservation Commission - Considers administratively approved COAs for: TPO roof @ 417 S. Thompson Ave.; paint @ 513 Benton Ave. & 117 Saratoga Ave.; moving sign to 259 E. Broadway; & new roof @ 407 Benton Ave. COA applications to be considered by Commission: exterior improvements & new construction @ 406 E. Broadway; several exterior updates to storefronts @ 455 S. Thompson; various exterior alterations @ 116 E. Broadway.

Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Pamela Sanders, Group Fitness Instruction - 7 years; Joshua Hyatt, Police Corporal - 2 years; Jennifer Creason, PT Deputy Court Clerk - 1 year.

The Community Foundation of Excelsior Springs announced their 2024 Community Grant Program awards this week: Chamber of Commerce Farmer's Market will receive $3,500; Chamber of Commerce Trolley was awarded $2,160 to provide up to 24 hours of trolley time for recreational activities offered through Parks/Rec; Chamber of Commerce will recieve $4,500 for Water Fest; DEP will receive $5,000 for marketing & $2,500 for Mini Mural Series to provide mini murals in downtown & encourage a selfie competition & public interaction with art.

• Did you know there are THREE major national bike routes that go through ES. The Lewis & Clark Route was recently changed to bring bikers in through Excelsior Springs. Also, there is a NEW Adventure Cycling Association Route that follows that same route. The 3rd route is the Eastern Express, which is a "shortcut" version of their most popular route, the TransAmerica Trail. USBR 51 is still definitely planned to come right down Broadway. Promotion is in the works to connect with any of those three to make a Lexington-Independence-Liberty-Excelsior Springs loop route.

• The Hall of Waters front courtyard shoring is complete. This coming week, the concrete portion of the project will begin and should take 3-4 weeks.