Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2010
Newcomer topples Sissy Reed
Chris Lievsay, 25, wins by 42 votes for District 2 seat
John Beaudoin, Journal Publisher
Julie Scheidegger, the Journal
Blue Springs City Council candidate Dale Carter introduces musician and KFKF co-worker Debbie Erikson at his election night party at Joe's Standard Bar and Grill. Carter won the District 1 seat with 77.92 percent of the vote.
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closeAt 25, Chris Lievsay has already accomplished something improbable.
Lievsay defeated incumbent Sissy Reed for the District 2 Blue Springs City Council seat to complete a trifecta of newcomers elected to the ruling body.
With 9 of 9 precincts reporting, Lievsay unofficially gathered 430 votes to Reed’s 380.
Reached at his watch party Tuesday night, the young politician said he was not stunned by the results. “I would not say I am surprised,” he said. “I knew it would be close and I thought I had a chance all along.”
Lievsay, who will be 26 on April 11, has lived in Blue Springs most of his life, attending Blue Springs South High School and even the MCC-Blue River campus when it was in Blue Springs.
He said he ready to get to work for his town.
“I did a lot of door to door and a lot of meeting with the people,” he said. “I think there is a general feeling of new blood and new ideas. Overall, I think that’s what the voters got.
“I never counted myself out. Even though she’s done this a long time, I still believe I can be beneficial in this role.
Of the many projects Lievsay and his fellow council members will tackle is the ongoing Adams Dairy Landing project.
“With this specific project, I would openly support the bond issuance,” he said. “It’s not something I want to see us use frequently, but this project is half complete so I don’t think leaving it in a blighted position would serve the citizens of the city in the best way. We need to finish what we started.”
In his district, Lievsay said he has many projects to tackle.
“One of the main things I have been talking about is the Woods Chapel development,” he said. “We have to keep the pressure on them to make sure something gets implemented this time.
He also wants to see an emphasis on road improvements.
“Seeing our tax dollars at work is something everyone likes to see,” he said. “I will probably be pushing for more road improvements, especially in the older parts of town that are more ignored in the priority list.”
District 1
Dale Carter’s messages were heard loud and clear in his district.
Carter pulled in 847 votes, nearly 78 percent of votes cast, to easily defeat James May. May ended the night with 237 votes.
“We had a great organization and a lot of great volunteers,” Carter said. “Really, now, the hard work begins.”
On his list will be an upgrade for the Blue Springs Police Department.
“There are a lot of projects in the hopper, and first up is this new radio system for the police department,” he said. “I support a new system rather than trying to put a band aid on the old system. After going to the work session on that, the captain of the police department really persuaded me on that.”
Carter said he was encouraged by the change on the council and that he is looking forward to projects like the Missouri Innovation Park and ADL moving forward.
“I have talked to the Mayor and the other winners tonight, and it’s a new day in Blue Springs,” Carter said. “Half of the council has been turned over. I told the Mayor tonight that the days of confrontation and showboating are over. And it’s now time to work together. I pledged to him I want to work with him to advance his agenda, because I think the mayor has the right ideas to move our city forward.”
District 3
Sheila Solon’s old council seat overwhelming went to newcomer Grant Bowerman Tuesday night. Bowerman 712 votes, more than 67 percent, to challenge Michael Freeman’s 341.
Bowerman said he was glad the race was not contentious.
“Even though we had differences of opinion, it never got ugly in any way,” he said. “You never say you expected it, but I felt confident. I felt there were a lot of people that were ready for a change.”
Bowerman said many he is anxious to take his seat for the first meeting and begin serving his constituents.
“I will sit and listen carefully and I am sure I will get right into the routine,” he said. “And already, (fellow District 3 councilmen) Ron Fowler has invited me to sit down and go over some things.”
To reach Journal publisher John Beaudoin, call 816-282-7001 or e-mail jbeaudoin@bluespringsjournal.com.
