The Argentine community of Wyandotte County will be the beneficiary of a grant presented to KC Healthy Kids.

The $360,000 grant provided from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will be used to improve and increase opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy food for children and families in the Argentine area in Kansas City, Kan., and Ivanhole neighborhood of Kansas City, Mo.

Locally, the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association will work with the grant to increase those opportunities. The grant is expected to provide funding for community gardens and other activities to advocate for a healthy lifestyle.

According to a study, 34 percent of kindergarten students in Kansas City, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo., are overweight. The number jumps to over 40 percent once kids leave elementary school.

“This grant will help empower our community to prevent childhood obesity,” said Gretchen Kunkel, president of KC Healthy Kids. “Kansas City has the capacity to make changes today that will improve the lives of our children well into adulthood. All of us will benefit from a healthier, more active community.”

The Kansas City area is one of 40 cities and regions to be involved in a national program.

The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education formally approved of the public-private partnership fund for a new Argentine Branch Library last night.

Under the plan, the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools District would be responsible for 60 percent of the costs, while private fundraising would result in the remaining 40 percent required.

The new library would replace the current library, which is 7,000 square feet in size and has issues with handicap accessibility.

Depending on fundraising efforts, the library will be between 17,000 – 25,000 square feet in size.

"A good library reflects the community its in," said J.D. Rios, an assistant superintendent for the school district. "A library's not just a place to check out books but to help people who are seeking employment. We try to do that on a small scale but now it's about expanding."

So far, without a final construction plan or even a location to publicly announce, fundraising has went well.

Neighborhood leaders have raised $181,578 so far into the campaign. The goal is to raise a total of $2 million from the private sector before May 2010.

"We are very much encouraged by the support we are receiving," said Ramon Murguia, who's leading the efforts on the fundraising. "The library will remove blight from the neighborhood and could serve as a catalyst for further development."

Once fundraising is complete, a schematic design and the finalization of funding for the library will be announced.

The current library, which is a Carnegie Library, will be "repurposed" under the plan and will remain in standing.

Liberty Fruit Company, Inc., a Kansas City, Kan., based company since 1965, has announced plans concerning business expansion in Wyandotte County.

Located at 1247 Argentine Boulevard, expansion of the facility is expected to be complete by March 2010.

Liberty Fruit Company currently employs more than 250 workers and is expected to add another 25 once the expansion is complete.

“We never envisioned increasing from our original 42 employees when we first moved to KCK," said co-owners Arnold and Carol Caviar. "Many of the employees at our growing company are KCK residents, which is a great community benefit.”  

The business serves needs of those in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Illinois.

“It is important for us, as a community, to make sure our existing businesses are successful and growing strong, no matter the economic conditions,” Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon said. “Liberty Fruit Company, Inc. is a great example for how a business can grow and prosper in Wyandotte County, benefiting from all of the amenities we have to offer. We are proud to be able to partner with Liberty Fruit to maintain this valued and mutually beneficial relationship.”

Photo, courtesy of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council, includes: Commissioner John Mendez, Arnold Caviar, Mayor Joe Reardon, Allen Caviar (black shirt background) Morgan Caviar, Carol Caviar, Allison Caviar, Cory Caviar, and Commissioner Mark Holland.

Fundraising appears to be off to a solid start for a new library in the Argentine Library in Kansas City, Kan.

Ramon Murguia, a resident in the area and attorney in Kansas City, has led a 23-member committee in fundraising for the library.

So far, so good, as the library has raised just over $180,000 in private funding.

"It's just to show we can deliver on our promise in raising necessary funds," he said, informing members of the Kansas City, Kan., Board Education tonight. "The community needs this new kind of library and the surrounding community has a need for a library."

The new library, depending on fundraising success, would be between 25,000–30,000 square ft. Sixty percent of the funding would be provided by the library, while 40 percent would be funded through public fundraising efforts.

No official plans have been drawn up for the library yet.

"We believe despite the economic times, we have a lot of good initial contacts made already," Murguia said. "We're hoping the designed works can be completed by early November so we can do a lot more of our fundraising."

Members of the committee are looking to raise around $2 million.

A "significant" water main break was called into the Board of Public Utilities just shortly after 2 p.m.

The location of the break is 42nd Street and Douglas Avenue. The main is at the end of the street. No word on how much of a traffic problem the break is creating.

UPDATE: The leak is now reported to be on the southwest corner of the street.

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The newly dedicated mural to the Kansas City Wizards in the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City, Kan., was hit with gang-related graffiti earlier this week.

The mural was tagged with "SPV13," indicating a possible gang name or symbol.

Last week, students from New Stanley Elementary School and members of the Kansas City Wizards team helped complete the mural.

The graffiti hit was one of a few reported this week in KCK. Most notably, the exterior of Wyandotte High School had graffiti on it earlier this week. Both the school and mural are now removed of it.

Reader Delia Hernandez has posted nearly 150 photos from last Saturday's Silver City Day in the Argentine Neighborhood.

They can be viewed on the official Facebook Page of the 2009 Silver City Day. Check them out here.

After hearing from both supporters and opponents of suggested changes to the county's ethics codes, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners approved of the changes Thursday night.

The newly adopted rules prohibit a non-profit agency from receiving public funding if a representative from the Unified Government works for the organization or business. The codes now refer to the arrangement as a "conflict of interest."

"Any business entity that is receiving public grant money or funds directly from the Unified Government or as a pass through from state or federal agencies," the new language states.

Still, the issue divided many in Wyandotte County and representatives from both sides spoke.

"While there's nothing home with bringing home the bacon, I don't think you should bring home all the bacon," said Rev. Jimmy Banks.

Meanwhile, resident Tom Roberts spoke in favor of UG Commissioner Ann Murguia, who also serves as the director of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association.

"I think it's great you are having this discussion but you have the knife out. Don't cut it all out," Roberts said.

In the UG agenda item, a note from the ethics commission was presented, indicating that these changes were considered for two years. But the issue heated up this summer when UG Commissioner Mark Holland brought the issue to the forefront in light of ANDA possibly receiving $800,000 in stimulus funding.

PREVIOUS STORIES:

• Holland deserves support

• A letter supporting Murguia

The newest mural in Wyandotte County was completed this week.

The mural, located near Ruby Park in the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City, Kan., was finished this week. Four local artists – Lacey Lewis, Steve Larson, Ron Smith and Steven Curtis – were the leaders of the project.

Earlier this week, students from New Stanley Elementary School and the Kansas City Wizards joined together to finish the mural and clean up the park.

We've had a few posts dedicated to the Unified Government's Ethics Code situation today, along with stories from earlier this summer.

The issue has been a hot this summer and will culminate in tonight's meeting.

First, I agree with writer and reader Patty Dysart – it's extremely unfair to demonize UG Commissioner Mark Holland and his efforts. I think they are legit and they are not intentionally targeting a specific community or group of people.

However, the Argentine community is stand to lose big time if the amendment is passed and about $800,000 is likely lost with it.

Although the amendment is not targeted at the one community directly, Argentine will certainly become the biggest and only loser if the move is made. The passage would not hurt anyone else in Wyandotte County presently other than those in Argentine.

That strikes me as unfair.

The $800,000 (and matching funds) could do a lot for a community, especially one that has infrastructure as old as a century and one that is not the wealthiest in Wyandotte County.

Future development is crucial for areas like Argentine and the loss of this funding could hinder it.

If the changes are approved tonight, the UG should look at ways to help provide the lost funding for the area. Perhaps the district could become a top priority if the UG is successful in passing a sales tax next Spring?

NOTE: A reader requested where the amended code can be found. It can be found here. The link leads to a PDF file in which you'll have to download. The code is found on pages 259–278.

EDITOR's NOTE: The following commentary of support for Mark Holland is from Patty Dysart. Earlier today, The Kansan published a letter supporting Ann Murguia and her case.

I just found a copy of a paper titled “The Truth about Commissioner Holland’s proposed ordinance”.

This paper also says it comes from the people of Argentine.

This paper accuses an honorable, honest man with high morals of the following, discrimination against their community; wasting public dollars, halting NSP dollars which are stimulus dollars designated for building of housing.

What a crock?

The ordinance merely asks that commissioners not be allowed to be NBR directors.
All of these so called facts in that paper contain untruthful material.

This letter also lays claim to a high poverty Hispanic community long ignored by the Unified Government. If they are high poverty how do they afford to pay their NBR director $60,000.00 a year which is then supplemented by the NBR salary of $27,000.00 a year, plus the monthly commission salary?

Let me see does that not amount to around $90,000.00 a year? These facts were glaring to Commissioner Holland as to most of us who are NBRS. They fly in the face of ethical behavior.  Did you ever see any other commissioner or the Mayor attempt to become an NBR?

The rest of us are paid only the $27,000 per year and we are required to raise half of that salary. We are paid in quarters after submitting proof of raising $5,500 per quarter or we would not get paid.

When I founded the NBR for Armourdale, it took me three years of hard work with absolutely no salary. The rest of us are required to serve all entities, the residents, the businesses, the churches and agencies.

All of those entities work with Armourdale Renewal to improve out community and help our inner-city lower income residents that contains just as many Hispanic families as Argentine.

We just do not go around using that as a crutch, we try to serve the families with the community resources available to us. It also took Wilma Allen and the residents of the 1200 block of Osage 3 years to obtain sidewalks for one block of one side of the street.

Mr.Boykin applied for his sidewalk block on Miami over 5 years ago. No one has stepped forward to help us.

Don’t get me wrong Argentine deserves all the improvements they are getting and any other benefits they receive in the future. I love Argentine and its people. I am thrilled to see Wolf Burgers opened up again. I have missed Mac’s Little Banquet every week since the day it closed. My Aunt, Buetta Meyers moved right behind the pharmacy after the 51 flood until the day she died. She raised me in Armourdale along with her own children and gave me a wonderful childhood. (CLICK READ MORE)

Note: The Kansas City Kansan received this letter supporting Unified Government Commissioner Ann Murguia and the possible changes to the UG's Ethics Codes. Later on, we'll have a commentary supporting the case of UG Commissioner Mark Holland.

About three-and-a-half years ago I returned to Wyco and bought a house, with my wife, in Argentine.

I went to elementary school in Kansas City, KS at Muncie Elementary and then on to Pierson Jr High before my mother remarried and we moved out of the area. I had returned periodically through the years since I had family locally then settled permanently in the Dotte during the fall of 2005.

My wife and I became involved in a local neighborhood group and settled in as residents of this local community on the south east end of KCK. Since we were part of a neighborhood group we were able to meet the commissioner of the 3rd district at the time.

He talked a good talk and seemed to have a good reputation locally.  We met Ann Murgia when she was running for commissioner of the 3rd district at one of these neighborhood meetings.

She seemed very sincere and imparted a fresh vision for the community of Argentine. I am not ashamed to say that I voted for her when it came time to participate in the local elections of 2007.

Once Ann became elected Commissioner of the 3rd district noticeable changes began to happen in the community. We began to see new pavement and sidewalks with gutters along 14th st. The same along Metropolitan. The work has begun on Ruby as well.

From what I understand the money allocated from Wyandotte County for this project was not even close to the amount needed to begin, let alone, finish this project.

But through Ann’s hard work she was able to procure donations from interested businesses and individuals that multiplied the county money into an amount that could actually make something happen for the residents of this area.

This work was sorely needed since this area of the city seems to have been neglected for years, much like a neglected step child. From talking to others in the area I have learned that this work has actually motivated folks to paint their houses and fix their retaining walls. I have even seen new driveways being built.

It is amazing to see how this small community is beginning to be transformed before my very eyes just because one person was motivated and sincere in her desire to make a difference. What an example to us all!

I believe what Ann has done is a model for communities and local government everywhere, especially in light of all the budget woes that are being presented.

Local leaders should take note and ask, how did you do that? How can I do that? How can we do that? But instead what has happened are cries of unethical!

What you are doing is unethical This cry is coming because Ann is also the executive director of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association (ANDA) and the Unified Government has received federal money that needs to be divided up and channeled into the various areas of the city to help individuals with the purchase of property that has been foreclosed on.

This money was made available to local governments as a result of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to help provide stability in these times of economic stress.

The money encourages those who meet the income requirements to purchase homes that are sitting vacant because someone couldn’t meet their financial obligation.

Some of the other commissioners seem to feel that Ann is going to somehow profit from this money if it goes through ANDA to be disbursed locally. Also they want to stop any future funds managed by the UG from going to ANDA. I understand that the local ethics commission is considering changes in the ethics standards to make something like this unethical in the future.

It seems fairly obvious to me that they are being steered this way by other commissioners. Apparently it is not considered unethical presently as long as certain requirements are met. These actions are scrutinized and governed by the State of Kansas. My questions to the commissioners and the ethics committee are these:

1. How can Ann Murgia pad her wallet with money that has to be accounted for?
2. Why would Ann Murgia take money from the people she serves so sincerely?

Ann has a lot to lose and nothing to gain. Her family is already under intense scrutiny since her husband is a federal judge. Everything has to be accounted for and I am not just talking about money.

The federal government is watching everything this family does. And now local commissioners want to neutralize her efforts in a community that has sorely needed help and direction for years. All in the name of ethics.

Unethical! What is the real reason for this cry? I really don’t know but something about it just doesn’t smell right. What does it smell like to you? I smell at least a couple of odors being emanated from this cry. Something like a mixture of jealousy and good ol’ boy politics seem to be wafting my way hidden behind the cries of unethical.

It seems to me that Ann is marching to the beat of a drum that is out of the Unified Government mainstream. This drum beats a rhythm that is distinct and clear.

"How can I help the people I live with How can I help the people I live with!" it sounds.

Just think what Ann could do if her influence were expanded to include all of Wyandotte County, not just the 3rd district. Oh, what about the state of Kansas, or even the, should I say it, United States of America?

Ann has demonstrated a unique ability to get folks of different races and economic status to work together and it appears that some might be threatened by this ability hence the cries of unethical! unethical! Come on Wyandotte County lets work together and find a way to make it happen.

This is an attitude that starts at the top and must work its way down. It is easy to talk and sound good. It is a whole other matter to actually make something happen that is good for the community.

Ann is making it happen while others cry wolf and plot her demise behind closed doors. They know who they are. God knows who you are. Smells like jealousy and another dose of good ol’ boy politics to me.

What does it smell like to you?

Tyrone Lewis
Kansas City, KS

The Unified Government Board of Commissioners will consider tonight to change its code of ethics, most specifically in the area of conflict of interest.

The UG would vote to forbid any UG commissioner to receive grants from the Unified Government or through federal and state stimulus funding.

The exact language in the amended ethics code:

(3) Any business entity that is receiving public grant money or funds directly from the Unified Government or as a pass through from state or federal agencies.

(4)  Solicit any funds or services from any known unified government vendor or contractor for any business entity in which the Unified Government Representative has a substantial interest.

The potential changes would affect the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City, Kan. UG Commissioner Ann Murguia is also the executive director of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association, which would receive $800,000.

Meanwhile, another UG commissioner has been pushing hard for the changes: Mark Holland.

"The question is whether there can be an exemption to the conflict of interest," Holland told The Kansan back in August.

Holland, whose family is from Argentine, maintained that this has nothing to do with geography or the location of the county.

Murguia told KMBC Channel 9 this week that she would not step down from either position. Tonight's meeting begins at 7 pm.

The Kansas City Wizards joined together with fifth graders from New Stanley Elementary School on Tuesday to help clean up Ruby Park and to put the final touches on a mural near the school.

More photos after the jump (click read more). A video will be available later on this evening.

Four local artists, 50 students from New Stanley Elementary School and the Kansas City Wizards will wrap up the final touches to a mural in Argentine tomorrow afternoon.

KCK artists Lacey Lewis, Steve Larson, Ron Smith and Steven Curtis have been working on the mural. At 1 p.m. tomorrow, the mural will be revealed.

Members of the Wizards will help the students and artists put the final touches on the mural, which is sponsored as a community project by the now-KCK franchise.