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BucknerClarionJune26loRes

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7/ TheBucknerClarion.com June 26, 2014 Community News Believe in Buckner Says, 'Get Involved.' Q: What have been some of the biggest City accomplishments during your tenure? A: The new City Hall and the revitalization of downtown. I feel they will serve as a source of pride for the residents, appeal to new businesses to open doors and young people looking for a place to raise families in this great community. Q: What are your biggest concerns? A: Providing support and helping our community is a major deed that everyone must care about. It is a new method of thinking or an adjusted attitude with continued commitment to the things that matter the most and it results in a more enjoyable, peaceful community. Q: If you were granted three wishes for Buckner, what would they be? A: My wishes for Buckner include My goals are to serve Buckner in a manner that encourages the trust of all residents and to always be honest and make decisions that I feel are truly in the best interest of our great city. Q: How long have you served as alderman? A: This is my second year. Q: Who or what encouraged you to take this position and why? A: I believe living in a community is both a responsibility and an opportunity. I wanted to make a difference by helping shape our community for years to come. Alderman Molly Kinne Shares Hopes, Perspective on Buckner a strong and stable education system, a successful and giving business community while maintaining the unique "feel" of Buckner, and a caring, neighborly community of residents that desire a better Buckner for our children and grandchildren. Q: What is the "one thing" that must be accomplished in Buckner and why? A: We must encourage more re- tail growth in town and sports programs for the youth to make Buckner the best place possible to live and raise a family. Q: What's next for the City of Buckner? A: Becoming more efficient by combining city resources into the new offices, featuring family events like "Christmas Lights in the Park," the rodeo and "Smoke Out in the Valley" BBQ contests. Q: Is there anything else you'd like people to know? Chamber News Northeast Jackson County Chamber of Commerce to Host Missouri Legislative Session Recap When: Thursday, June 26 at 6:30 p.m. Where: Buckner Elementary School Gymnasium What: Sen. Paul LeVota and Rep. John Mayfield will provide a recap of the past legislative session. The public is invited to attend. An almost standing room only event, Believe in Buckner com- manded a crowd of at least 50 residents and business owners recently at Town Hall. A presenta- tion and drafts of the organiza- tion's mission statement were presented. Believe in Buckner has one central goal – to support efforts to revitalize downtown, which coalesces with new con- struction for the 12,500 square foot, $1.2 million City Hall. The Believe in Buckner board in- cludes Chair Michael Larkin, Vice Chair Kirk Kellough and Secretary Darrel Box. The board asks for community support. "Our down- town can be brought back," Lar- kin said. "But it has to be a community effort…this includes public, private and government sectors." Downtown revitalization is taking place in small cities across Mis- souri. Some of these efforts are guided by a nonprofit organiza- tion called Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC), Inc. The group has an established blue- print for how to successfully revi- talize historic downtown districts. Believe in Buckner is leveraging MMSC's knowledge base, without joining the organization. "We want to take and mold their model to fit our own needs. I think it will work out well," Larkin said. Top: (L to R) Kirk Kellough, Darrel Box, Mike Larkin, Mayor Dan Hickson. Bottom: Residents and business owners pack Town Hall to learn about revitalization efforts. The initiative includes MMSC's Four Point Approach: organiza- tion, promotion, design and eco- nomic restructuring. Details can be found at www.momainstreet.org/mmsc 4point-approach.php. As for Believe in Buckner, their initial approach is to enlist volun- teers to sit on committees and get involved. "We are not focusing on down- town at the expense of the whole community," said Darrel Box. "We have an opportunity to build on our existing assets in down- town and recreate what we have here." Box added that the group foresees expanding these efforts to other parts of town, but wants to take "bite size chunks" to ensure continued progress over time. Mayor Dan Hickson applauded current business development ef- forts downtown including a new restaurant, laundry mat and hair salon. "This whole revitalization is more than brick and mortar," he said. "It's about getting the town to come together and take ownership of this project." Believe in Buckner has applied for 501(c)(3) status and expects approval this fall. Follow Believe in Buckner on Facebook.

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