"In the wake of continuous failures by Jackson County officials to correct their inconsistent and unfair processes related to the assessment of real property taxes, the Independence City Council has authorized City staff to retain legal council to initiate a lawsuit against Jackson County.The Independence City Council did not make this decision lightly, but feels litigation has become necessary in order to stand up for the interests of Indepenence residents and ensure the assessment process is being done in compliance with state law.It is the City's hope that this unfortunate, but necessary action, will finally force Jackson County to do what is right for the City of Independence and its residents."
September 15, 2023
Independence to Sue Jackson County over Property Tax Assessments
April 12, 2022
Loss of Councilmember Karen Deluccie
From the official Facebook page of the City of Independence:
We received the sad news that At-Large Councilmember Karen Deluccie passed this afternoon following a battle with lung cancer.
"Councilmember Deluccie was a staunch advocate for the citizens of Independence and committed to a balanced budget," City Manager Zach Walker said. "She never failed to ask a question and always looked for the answers her citizens demanded. We will miss her sharp wit and dedication. Our thoughts are with her husband, daughter and son in this difficult time. We will share details on services and memorials honoring her service to the community when they are available."
Councilmember Deluccie asked to share this with the public upon her death.
February 9, 2022
Funeral Services Friday for IPD Chief Fred Mills
On Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, Retired Independence Police Chief Fred Mills (Van Horn Class of 1962) passed away after a hard fought battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Chief Mills retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol as the Colonel of the Patrol prior to coming to IPD. Chief Mills served from 2001-2008 at IPD and continued to serve the citizens of Independence in private roles even after retirement.
Services information is as follows:
Friday, Feb. 11, 2022
First Baptist Church of Blue Springs
4500 S. Little Blue Parkway
Visitation 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Service 1:00 p.m.
Graveside Services at Floral Hills East, 25203 E. 50 Hwy, Lee's Summit, MO immediately after the service.
https://www.speakschapel.com/memorials/frederick-mills/4850525/index.php
February 7, 2022
Meet the Candidates: Marcie Gragg
PLEASE VOTE IN THE CITY ELECTION ON FEBRUARY 8!
MAYOR: BRICE STEWART -- HOLMES OSBORNE -- KENNETH LOVE -- EILEEN WEIR
CITY COUNCIL: MIKE HUFF -- BILL PRESTON
Meet the Candidates: Billie Ray Preston
PLEASE VOTE IN THE CITY ELECTION ON FEBRUARY 8!
MAYOR: BRICE STEWART -- HOLMES OSBORNE -- KENNETH LOVE -- EILEEN WEIR
CITY COUNCIL: MIKE HUFF -- BILL PRESTON-- MARCIE GRAGG
Meet the Candidates: Eileen Weir
PLEASE VOTE IN THE CITY ELECTION ON FEBRUARY 8!
MAYOR: BRICE STEWART -- HOLMES OSBORNE -- KENNETH LOVE -- EILEEN WEIR
CITY COUNCIL: MIKE HUFF -- BILL PRESTON-- MARCIE GRAGG
February 5, 2022
Meet the Candidates: Mike Huff
I was employed by Armco Steel for several years and then a janitor with Independence Power and Light. I was with the IPL for 34 years as a lineman, superintendent, and electrical distribution manager before my 2017 retirement from the CITY. I managed 50+ employees over those years, assisted in many Missouri and national disaster crews to help other electrical companies during storms and terrible hurricanes like Katrina. I am VERY proud to be a past member of the Steel Workers Union Local 13 (Armco) and IBEW Local 53 (IPL), which both unions continue to strive for worker equalities.
Independence is a wonderful city to raise a family. My wife, Tammy, and I have two successful children who are married with two wonderful grandchildren and one on the way. My parents, who are also life-long Independence citizens, donated time to maintain Independence historical sites and I continue to support these preservation efforts today. This great city is so rich with a diverse history and other unique economical sources that we must promote and capitalize upon to attract new families and businesses to our great city.
I pledge continued efforts for city change to benefit all Independence citizens and to do so with the utmost transparency. I have introduced over 28 ordinances for the betterment of citizens. Many of these have been to save the citizens money through energy rate reductions and refunds, addressing blight in our neighborhoods and business areas, and addressing the need for more police and fire fighters. I also see a great need to address our economic development policies and ideas, create employment opportunities, and increase community services.
PLEASE VOTE IN THE CITY ELECTION ON FEBRUARY 8!
MAYOR: BRICE STEWART -- HOLMES OSBORNE -- KENNETH LOVE -- EILEEN WEIR
CITY COUNCIL: MIKE HUFF -- BILL PRESTON-- MARCIE GRAGG
January 31, 2022
Meet the Candidates: Kenneth Love
The most pressing issues that I feel and citizens have expressed that need immediate and focused attention are:
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The increase in crime (especially violent crime).
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The growing number of homeless within the city.
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Economic decline and the need for growth (beyond just another fast-food joint) to help increase tax revenue and create more jobs.
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Eliminate wasteful spending of your tax dollars on self-interest and unnecessary projects - to help ensure the financial sustainability of the city.
Improving Independence and getting it back to the great suburban city it once was is important to me because every citizen deserves to live in a city that’s not only safe but thriving - and not have to be scared to go out at night or watch their property value decline due to blight, crime, and other factors.
These issues, as well as others the city faces, are complex issues that will require complex solutions. Campaigns are full of empty promises that are never fulfilled. So I won’t make any promises because action speaks louder than words.
But what I will tell you is that I will work for YOU, and, if I’m elected Mayor, I will prioritize these issues by identifying social services already in place that can be better utilized, exploring solutions that other cities have successfully implemented, reviewing financial resources available to fund solutions, and any other resources available.
I know there are many more issues that will need to be addressed and resolved, but we have to start somewhere, and crime, homelessness, economic decline, and wasteful spending are the most pressing issues Independence is dealing with.
I’ve lived in Independence for 24 years and I’m a regular citizen, just like you. I’m not a polished career politician. I’m running for Mayor because I want to improve the lives of the citizens of Independence and help empower them by being their voice. I WILL WORK FOR YOU.
We’ve had eight years of ineffective, self-serving leadership that’s resulted in wasteful spending, unnecessary self-interest projects, and an FBI investigation into city hall over the questionable business dealings of our current leaders.
It’s time you demand a progressive leader who will put the concerns and needs of citizens over their own self-serving interests. We’ve suffered enough injustice from those in power who have ignored the concerns of citizens and have caused tremendous social and economic challenges within our community.
It’s time to stand up and demand change and we do that by electing new leadership that is committed to serving the interests of the citizens. I stand strong in my unwavering commitment to ensuring a better quality of life for every citizen of Independence.
I vow to make sure no one goes unseen or unheard. Your fight is my fight. And I will fight hard for the change we all want and need to see. A change that takes the special interests control OUT of city hall and puts it BACK in the hands of the citizens.
Great things can be achieved through collective action. Your vote is not just about your voice being heard, it’s about making a difference. And our collective action can help bring about the change we ALL want to see. The change everyone deserves. But it won’t happen without your help. I urge you to stand up for change and make a difference - put new leadership in office. A vote for Kenneth Love is a vote for change.
Independence is at a crossroads. A pivotal time when the need for an honest progressive leader that’s NOT tied to special interest groups or PACs has never been more crucial than it is right now. So on February 8th when you place your vote in the ballot box - that’s when democracy works.
Thank you for all your support!
MAYOR: BRICE STEWART -- HOLMES OSBORNE -- KENNETH LOVE -- EILEEN WEIR
CITY COUNCIL: MIKE HUFF -- BILL PRESTON-- MARCIE GRAGG
January 26, 2022
Meet the Candidates: Holmes Osborne
PLEASE VOTE IN THE CITY ELECTION ON FEBRUARY 8!
MAYOR: BRICE STEWART -- HOLMES OSBORNE -- KENNETH LOVE -- EILEEN WEIR
CITY COUNCIL: MIKE HUFF -- BILL PRESTON-- MARCIE GRAGG
January 22, 2022
Meet the Candidates: Brice Stewart
PLEASE VOTE IN THE CITY ELECTION ON FEBRUARY 8!
MAYOR: BRICE STEWART -- HOLMES OSBORNE -- KENNETH LOVE -- EILEEN WEIR
CITY COUNCIL: MIKE HUFF -- BILL PRESTON-- MARCIE GRAGG
January 5, 2022
DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR CITY ELECTION JANUARY 12
December 3, 2021
Still No Arrests in November Drive-By Shooting
October 21, 2021
The Loss of Paul Wrabec
'A good person, period': Paul Wrabec, chair of the Jackson County Democrats, has died
Paul J. Wrabec, chairman of the Jackson County Democratic Party, died Wednesday. He was 64. Kansas City Democrats paid tribute to him on social media. "Paul loved his family. Paul loved Sugar Creek and Jackson County. And, even in lean times, Paul loved being a Democrat," Mayor Quinton Lucas wrote.
October 7, 2021
Atherton Quarry Cancelled -- For the Time Being...
Sugar Creek limestone quarry plan dropped - 'back to the drawing board,' says mayor
Central Plains Cement and its partner companies have pulled back their proposal for a limestone quarry in Sugar Creek, a project that drew much citizen backlash at crowded public hearings. Residents said they were worried about noise, dust and heavy truck traffic.
September 26, 2021
Upcoming Gas Tax Increase & Refund
Dear Members of the General Assembly,On behalf of the Missouri Department of Revenue, I respectfully request your assistance in sharing the following information about the motor fuel tax increase with your constituents.On Oct. 1, 2021, Missouri’s current motor fuel tax rate of 17 cents per gallon will increase to 19.5 cents per gallon. Under Senate Bill 262, your constituents may be eligible to receive a refund of the 2.5 cents tax increase they pay on Missouri motor fuel in vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds for highway use on or after Oct. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. Refund claims for this period may be submitted on or after July 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2022.Although customers may not apply for a refund claim until July 1, 2022, they will need to begin saving records of each purchase occurring on or after Oct. 1, 2021, that they intend to include in their refund claim next year.A refund claim form will be available on the Department of Revenue’s website prior to July 1, 2022. A claim must be filed by the customer who purchased the fuel, and records of each purchase must be maintained by the customer and available for inspection by the Department for three years.The following information will be required when submitting a refund claim:1. Vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle into which the motor fuel was delivered;2. Date of sale;3. Name and address of purchaser;4. Name and address of seller;5. Number of gallons purchased; and6. Number of gallons purchased and charged Missouri fuel tax, as a separate item.The Department will be developing an online system so that customers can electronically file a claim and receive an approved refund.Please note: Missouri’s motor fuel tax rate will increase by 2.5 cents per gallon annually on July 1 until it reaches 29.5 cents in July 2025. Under SB 262, your constituents may request a refund of the Missouri motor fuel tax increase paid each year: 2.5 cents in 2022, 5 cents in 2023, 7.5 cents in 2024, 10 cents in 2025, and then 12.5 cents in 2026 and each year after.Please refer to our FAQs - 2021 Senate Bill 262 for additional information. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to our legislative director, Zachary Wyatt, with any questions or concerns you may have. You may reach Zach at 573-751-0191 or Zachary.Wyatt@dor.mo.gov.Sincerely,Ken Zellers, DirectorMissouri Department of Revenue
September 16, 2021
Zoning Hearing about Atherton Quarry Thursday, Sept. 16
The continuance of the Planning and Zoning meeting is tonight at 7 pm at Mike Onka Community Hall, 11520 E Putnam St Sugar Creek, MO 64054.Masks are required.If you have a yellow shirt, please wear it to show a united front.Sugar Creek officials were very impressed with how respectful we were last time. Let’s show them that same respect and courtesy tonight. Questions tonight should be geared towards just the rezoning of these parcels. There will be no zoom link tonight, and we can’t guarantee a live stream because the cell service is not great. If you can’t come, please call or email the Aldermen. Their contact info is listed below. We will see you tonight!
September 15, 2021
September 8, 2021
Atherton Quarry Coverage on KMBC-9 News
Neighbors organizing against limestone quarry proposed in Sugar Creek
Local news coverage of the fight against the Atherton Quarry
August 27, 2021
Atherton Quarry Zoning Hearing: Was Anybody Heard?
Around 30 citizens, many wearing yellow shirts as a show of solidarity against the proposed mining project, spoke before the committee and the company's representatives. All spoke in opposition of the plan, and were disappointed to find out that questions would not be answered during this hearing. There was no citizen input in favor of the proposed mining operation.
Mrs. Ivey Zoellers, who moved to Sugar Creek with her husband in 2020 to escape the disastrous health effects of living close to an open-pit mine in Greenwood, Missouri, was the first citizen called to the microphone for questions and comments, with five minutes allotted to each speaker. After she asked questions for about two minutes and 30 seconds City Administrator Pat Casey told her that her time was up, and that no questions would be answered at that time. Today she said,
"Of the 20 people who I spoke with face-to-face during my time canvassing on my own street, 18 of those people informed me that they had not received any prior notice of this quarry or the rezoning meeting. It should be noted that all 18 of those people who were not notified were adamantly against a quarry existing in their town and signed the petition to show their support with their nearby neighbors, who also do not want it in their own neighborhood. The 2 people who I did speak to who did know about the quarry were the only 2 who were interested in having it in their town. And while I could wildly speculate a conclusion about that fact I do not think it was by cosmic fate, but I do think it was by intelligent design."
She continued, "Honestly my most vivid take away within the last 48 hours from my experience canvassing my own street and listening to the town's people vent their frustrations is about the institutions that have made them feel powerless and ignored. No one deserves to feel that way."
Mrs. Zoellers' exasperation is shared by many others as can be seen on the Facebook page, "Stop the Atherton Quarry." The online petition urging the City of Sugar Creek not to grant a special use permit for the open-pit mine has already received over 1,000 signatures.