Kerri Gray, prevention manager for ReDiscover, joins the show to discuss a community task force sponsored by Lee's Summit CARES focusing on youth mental health and suicide prevention. The task force was born after community response to a pair of suicides in the Lee's Summit community this past fall. The goal of the task force, she says, is both to keep on mental health at the forefront of public conversation, but also to provide a needed resource for parents in search of help and answers for their children.

In one of his first acts as newly elected mayor, Bill Baird has tabbed fellow newcomer Jose "Beto" Lopez to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore. Both have just begun their first terms as elected city officials. Jason and Nick chat a bit about this move, as well as their favorite civic-nerd topic, public incentives for development before bringing on now former Mayor Randy Rhoads for a short conversation and look back at his years of service to the Lee's Summit community.

The election is over — finally. Now that we're not filling our time with drama and campaign hyperbole, hosts Jason Norbury and Nick Parker thought this was a good week to bet back to their roots and start talking to people doing good in our community. Monica Humbard, executive director at Coldwater, joins the program to talk about her local not-for-profit and its mission to provide for our residents in need. 

If you are resident who could benefit from services provided by Coldwater, or want to lend your services and talents to this organization and it's mission contact Monica and the Coldwater team at:

816.786.0758

coldwater.me

"One man can make a difference." That line was in the opening sequence for the 80s tv show, Knight Rider. Tuesday night in Lee's Summit, the words rang true as a pair of City Council raises were won by the narrowest of margins — one by just 5 votes. Lee's Summit Town Hall hosts Jason Norbury and Nick Parker break down the spring 2018 municipal election offer some thoughts on what we can learn from the results and how the next Council body may conduct its business. For full election results, visit Link 2 Lee's Summit's elections page.

This election season has been a long strange trip, man. With one week to go before the Tuesday's election, Nick and Jason take final look at the candidates and the issues voters are mulling before heading to the polls. But first, the duo takes a moment to scold the involved parties for how the season's biggest issue — compensation for City employees — has been handled. The rhetoric, they say, has prevented not only effective dialogue, but also an actual solution to the problem.

For anyone who event passively follows the goings on in the City Council Chambers, there was no doubt last week's meeting would have the Council voting to pass an ordinance implementing immediate raises for all City employees, as well as accompanying ordinance drawing funds from the City's reserve fund. And there was no doubt, the ordinances would pass along the same 5-3 margin as the first reading. We were all wrong. Jason and Nick take a quick look at the possible election day fallout from Council member Diane Seif's last-second 180 and set up discussion for the final days before voters head to the polls on April 3.

In the show's second half, the duo wrap up the round of candidate interviews, introducing voters to: District 2 incumbent Trish Carlyle; District 4 (2-year) incumbent Fred DeMoro; and District 4 (4-year) candidates Donna Gordon and Bob Johnson.

As we head into the final three weeks of the election season, Jason and Nick take a moment to remind themselves it's up to all of us as voters to hold both candidates and elected officials accountable to their words and actions. With second readings and votes for the voter-mandated code of ethics and ordinances pertaining to the compensation issue, the duo cite a few examples of discrepancies in language and voting records for some of the people on the April ballot. In this episode's second segment listeners are introduced to District 3 incumbent Diane Seif and District 4 (2-year) challenger Casey Crawford.

A crowd of approximately 75 people joined hosts Jason Norbury and Nick Parker for a candid conversation with mayoral candidates Ron Williams, Bill Baird and Rob Binney. The live Lee's Summit Town Hall event, presented by the local Ameriprise Financial team of Jim Clayton and Eric Vospette, covered a variety of issues including leadership qualifications, compensation for City employees, development incentives and the downtown performing arts space.

The 2018 municipal election is set for Tuesday, April 3. Click here for more information on the mayoral, City Council or R-7 School Board candidates.

The City Council takes a break this week, and Jason Norbury and Nick Parker take the opportunity to question if there has been a breakdown in public process. The answer might be "no." But, the hosts say, the perception still isn't good. And when it comes to governance and politics, public perception matters.

In the second half of show, Jason and Nick introduce listeners to the two challengers for the Council seats in District 2 and District 3 — John Elkin and Jose "Beto" Lopez.

Just a two days after their live Lee's Summit Town Hall event with the Lee's Summit R-7 School District, hosts Jason Norbury and Nick Parker are diving back into preparations for the April municipal election. But first, a preview of this week's City Council meeting where amongst a lengthy agenda sit continuing discussions on increasing pay for City employees and how to fund it and the voter-mandated code of ethics. Will the Council vote to take action on these and more? Jason and Nick are curious what will happen before the election. In the show's second segment, the duo introduces you to the two candidates running for City Council district 1. The incumbent, Diane Forte is being challenged by Robert Dye.