Health Department Director to speak at Membership Meeting
Juliann Van Liew, the Director of the Unified Health Department, will be the featured speaker at
the Business West Spring Membership Meeting at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2021 via ZOOM. This will be a combined board and membership meeting. There will be no charge for the meeting, but reservations are strongly encouraged. To register, email [email protected]. Juliann will tell of the challenges of the coronavirus epidemic.
Foundation seeks sponsors for Hall of Fame
The Kansas City, Kansas, Community College Foundation will sponsor its annual Hall of Fame event at noon Friday, April 23; the event will be a virtual one. Matt Watkins, the event chairman and a Foundation board member, said support of this event generates scholarships for students who are needed to provide a skilled work force. An attachment tells the details of the Hall of Fame event. For more information, telephone Sharon Ramsey at 913-288-7353 or see attachment.
BPU warns customers of scam
The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities has alerted its customers of a scam telling customers that their utilities will be shut off in 30 minutes if payment is not made. The caller claims to represent a local utility and uses caller ID as a spoof to convince victims that the call is from a real customer service number. BPU never asks for payment over the telephone. Customers who suspect they are being targeted should telephone the BPU Customer Service Department at 913-573-9190.
‘Walk Kansas’ returns
The K-State Research and Extension Service will sponsor “Walk Kansas” through May 22. This year the walk will highlight how physical activity enhances good health. Participants are encouraged to form teams of six, with one person as a captain. Individuals may also sign up. For more information, telephone the Wyandotte County Extension office at 913-299-9300.
Library to reopen
The West Wyandotte Library, along with other libraries in Kansas City, Kansas, are now open after being closed for about a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. All public areas have been sanitized. The number of people will be limited; persons will be limited to 30 minutes in the buildings. Patrons will be required to wear masks and will have their temperatures checked.
Executive Director to retire
Murrel Bland, who has been Executive Director of Business West since 2006, has announced he plans to retire. He was a charter member of Business West when it was founded in 1985 by Joe and Katie Maderak; he served as Business West President in 1995 and 1996. The Business West Executive Committee will serve as a search committee for a new Executive Director. Pam Rowe, the Business West President, will head the Search Committee.
Collect the Dottes to meet
The Collect the Dottes organization will meet at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at Rowe Ridge and Winery, 11255 Leavenworth Rd. Michelle Hereford is chairperson of the organization. All Business West members are invited to exchange their business cards and promotional materials.
Police Chief appointment nears
Candidates for the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Chief are to be introduced during April at a Unified Government Commission Meeting. A citizen committee will assess the candidates, determining how they engage with elected officials and how they would perform in high-risk situations according to an item in the Wyandotte Daily Online. The new chief is expected to be appointed by May this year.
Welcome new members
Business West welcomes Jessica Long-Bond, a financial adviser with Edward Jones, and Matt Porter with Midwest Data Systems, as new members of Business West.
For questions or comments, telephone Murrel Bland at 913-766-4300 or 913-406-6266 (cell) or email [email protected].