Bob Spradling's blog

The excitement for the first Mavericks game in the new Events Center began with all of the traffic before the game started.  It was absolutely wonderful to see so many people coming into our city.  The Events Center was surrounded by news teams from what appeared to be all of the local television stations.

I was present at the grand opening for the Independence Events Center last Saturday.  I was very impressed and proud that the building is located in Independence.  I will be attending the opening hockey game on Friday and plan to attend several more games in the future.

My blog is about good news stories.  Kelly Evenson wrote an excellent “good news story” in today’s Examiner.  She spoke about a proposal to construct two new elementary schools in our city.  It is great news for our city to know that elementary schools are filled and that two schools are needed.  Instead of closing schools, we are in need of new elementary schools. 

IBS Industries, Inc is a not for profit organization that provides employment for adults with disabilities.  I have written about IBS in an earlier blog.  You can find more information about IBS and the wide range of services they provide  at www.ibsindustries.com. 

Frank Kithcart told us that he could cook Italian food and he was certainly correct.  If I have ever eaten better spaghetti sauce, I can’t remember the time.  Frank was not alone in the effort that raised a considerable amount of money to assist block watch programs in our city.  Many of the block watch leaders from Independence worked a 14 hour day this past Thursday night to provide an excellent community event.

As I read your blogs, there seems to be considerable support for the efforts of Officer Rob Romey and his work with various crime watch groups.  Officer Romey is an excellent example of someone who uses his considerable skills and abilities for the common good.  We are fortunate to have his services in our community.

Thanks, John Pennell for an excellent opinion article in today's Examiner.  You are exactly right.  The city, the school district and merchants have been hard at work to make our area a great place to live, work, worship and play. 
There are many excellent opportunities in western Independence.  Let's all keep encouraging the growth of our great city.
 
 

What does it say about our culture that the Food Network is so popular in America?  Is reality TV so bad that our society is profoundly impacted by “Diners, Dives, and Drive In’s?”  Too bad that Independence doesn’t have a restaurant that features deep-fried, bacon-cheddar burgers.  We could be heroes on the Food Network.

IBS Industries began in 1969 as the Jackson County Sheltered Workshop.  They are one of the finest organizations in our city that I have encountered.  If you are not familiar with IBS, take a few minutes to visit their web page at www.ibsindustries.com. 

Independence is an amazing gift that I often take for granted.  However, I do not take walking and moving my arms for granted when I am around Lori Perdieu.  Lori was born with arthrogryposis, a disability that rendered the joints in her arms and legs permanently stiff.  Lori has never known the freedom of movement that most of us just accept as a natural aspect of life.

Wow!  Thanks for all of the comments on my first blog entry.  Isn’t it great to know that there are neighbors like Mrs. Cook?  Thanks to the Examiner for providing a place for public tributes such as this one.  Also, thanks to the Examiner for a venue to say “thank you” to the city for promptly providing services, such as the blog entry about the crossing lights at Winner and Sterling.

Good News Stories