Kent Wyatt tracks the progress of ELGL’s maiden voyage to Kansas/Missouri. The post will be updated multiple times a day.
9/13/15
End of the Road
In the famous words of Boyz II Men we have come to the end of the road. HUGE thanks to Mike Ekey, Mark Van Beele, Ray Hummert, Diane Stoddard, Rick Usher, and Midwest Public Risk staff for a perfect trip. Let’s do it again next year.
Next week: We head to Texas to meet THE Ryan Adams.
Afternoon Delight: Branson, MO to Kansas City, MO
If I had one wish for you, it’s you never have to drive from Branson, MO to Kansas City, MO. The road is full of nothing unless you count tacky billboards and convenient stores that are too sketchy to stop at. Plus, the radio stations are full of low-level college football games – Missouri State (sorry Katie Babits), Central Missouri University, etc.
Despite the dull drive, the trip was well worth it. The staff at Midwest Public Risk was welcoming and engaged in the #13Percent conversation. The trip yielded new members including Shelby Teufel, City of Pleasant Hill, MO and a chance for ELGL to expand its footprint.
Plus, my kids will be thrilled by the gifts that we bought them at “It’s Sugar.” Yes, that is a real store. As I was leaving the store I told one of the workers to “have a good day.” They replied “have a sweet day.” Everything is sweet in “It’s Sugar” apparently.
Union Station
Our last tourist stops were Union Station and the World War I museum. Union Station, though not as impressive as Denver’s version, offers upscale restaurants, shops, and history. H/T to Mike Ekey on the restaurant selection. I crushed the pork sliders which were some of the best that I’ve had.
Photos
Mike took pictures at the lunch and learn that were slightly better than the ones snapped by my iPhone. You can compare and contrast for yourself – Mike’s Pictures and Kent’s Pictures.
9/12/15
Hellooooooo….Branson
A short but productive trip to Branson. ELGL presented at the Midwest Public Risk Conference yesterday. Our session focused on the #13Percent. It was encouraging to see a diverse audience at the session. This is much different than six months ago when the audience would be all female.
Props to the MPR Conference for having a diverse crowd of attendees. It was diverse in gender, race, and professional titles.
The Conference
Why are you at the MPR Conference? Mike Ekey, who formerly worked for MPR, hooked us up with this gig. He has since changed jobs and is the communications coordinator in Raymore, MO. So, no, Mike didn’t make the trip to Branson which is his loss as the MPR swag is a fine fleece jacket. We met one of Mike’s new co-workers Meredith Hauck, Raymore assistant city manager. We may or may not have put in a good word for Mike.
Other random takeaways from the MPR Conference.
- They had an ice cream bar in the afternoon. A latte bar was the morning snack. PERFECTION!
- Only beer that I drank in college was served at the conference happy hour. Miller Lite, Coors Lite…..
- The food – meatballs, chicken quesadilla, shrimp, nachos – made up for the beer selection. Only thing missing was pizza.
- We met two guys who formed a band that sings local government parody songs.
Presentation
Sad that you missed the presentation? Here a link to the Prezi – #13Percent.
Road to Branson…..
Reminds me of the road to South Carolina. Each is covered in billboards for theaters, attorneys, and bail bondsman. The Presley Family Jubilee has saturated the billboard market on the road to Branson.
Fun Fact: the eldest Presley is the former mayor of Branson. And no…..we did not take in a show at the Presley Family Jubilee.
Myrtle Beach, SC is the closest comparison that I have for Branson.
Former Home of Katie Babits
We drove through Springfield, MO where Katie attended the MPA program at Missouri State. What’s so great about Springfield? These fine establishments are located throughout the city.
If you are cruising through Springfield, Katie recommends stopping at Andy’s Frozen Custard.
“If Ned Flanders Designed Las Vegas”
This is how a conference attendee described Branson, MO. You can decide what to make of that comment.
A random, not-so fun fact is the myriad of theaters and shows in Branson are not allowed to serve alcohol. Name a famous dead or alive country music singer and they have a theater in town. Dolly Parton, Andy Williams, Dick Clark (not a country singer but still…) are a few of the hot spots.
I am not sure what to think of Branson. It’s in the middle of nowhere. It’s population is just over 10,000 but they have tons of hotels, shopping, entertainment, and ziplines. (Note: Kirsten was memorized by watching, from our hotel room, people ziplining across some random, brown body of water.
Our hotel is incredible – great view, comfy beds, and a balcony. Only negative is the painfully slow internet speed. (Google Fiber hasn’t taken over the Branson market yet.) On your next visit to Branson, the mayor recommends eating at Osago at Top of the Rock or Catina Laredo. ELGL member Eric Roche says stop at Billy Bob Dairy Land (no he isn’t joking). Meanwhile, I am dying to eat at Cracker Barrel since their fine cuisine is absent in Oregon.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk
The MPR Conference is full of Kansas University MPA graduates. We met a number of them at the evening reception. They are doing things right in Lawrence. The KU graduates that we met on the trip have been well spoken, motivated, and determined to make an impact in local government.
Other MPA programs need to mimic the KU approach. For example, KU MPA students spend one year in the classroom and one year in the field. The programs instills the importance of local government and career opportunities available within local governments. Their graduates desire a career in local government.
One of the reasons for the KU MPA success is an unmatched network. Most MPA programs graduate students and then turn their focus to the next class or recruiting future classes. Typically, after you graduate from an MPA program, you’ll receive the quarterly newsletter and numerous requests for donations. The Kansas network is more than that. They are keeping their graduates in local government through a devoted network of graduates.
In contrast, I graduated from the UNC MPA program in 2014. Of my 25 classmates, only 5 remain in local government. When Kirsten and I graduated from UNC, we wanted local government career in North Carolina. We applied for many jobs without any success. Our eventual landing point was working in state government in Virginia. We chalked that up to our lack of experience. A few years later, we wanted to make a career move and began applying for local government jobs in North Carolina. Once again, we were unsuccessful so we broadened our search to the Pacific Northwest, where Kirsten landed a job in West Linn, OR. Kirsten landed the job without the help of any network.
I understand how people in situations similar to ours would look outside of local government for a career. We, fortunately, kept pursuing a local government career but we moved across the country to do so. This is not possible for many MPA graduates.
MPA programs need to follow the Kansas model by developing an alumni network that aids in keeping graduates in local government. We are losing quality people from local government for many reasons. I would argue that MPA programs need to be part of the solution. They need to improve their alumni networks. They need to decide what an MPA means – are you focused on non-profits? State government? Federal? Local? We need more KU’s where local government is driving the program.
9/11/15
Branson?
ELGL presents on the #13Percent initiative today at the Midwest Public Risk Conference. I should have done more research before now but I’d welcome any suggestions on where to hit up in Branson. Also, should I wear Cowboy boots.
9/10/15
Rock Chalk Jayhawk
From the top of the KC City Hall to Lawrence, KS, we headed to Kansas University right after the lunch and learn. Ray Hummert served as our tour guide. Stops included a visit to Lawrence City Hall – this included a visit with Diane Stoddard, interim city manager in Lawrence, Rock Chalk Park – result of a partnership between the city and university, and Phog Allen Field House – where some claim basketball was born. The campus gets an A-. The only negative was this monstrosity of a hotel that was built right off campus.
Ray also provided the inside scoop on Roy Williams and Bill Self which I won’t share here. Kirsten and I spent most of the time picking Ray’s head on how the Kansas MPA program maintains such close relations between current students and alums.
The fact that Ray took the time to attend the KC lunch and then drive us around Lawrence shows his commitment to building relationship with the local government community. Fun Fact: Ray’s wife has published a number of books.
Google Fiber Takeaways
“It’s not an experiment, we’re actually running it as a business.” quote from Google about fiber in Kansas City.
Rick Usher likened Google Fiber to “romantic relationships.” Other cities asking what they did to make the relationship work.
1,100 responses to initial Google Fiber RFI in 2010. Some cities didn’t see the “value” of fiber but KC was looking ahead.
“When a company like Google starts dating your city, other companies want to date you.” Rick Usher on the multiplier effect.
“We took risks that others weren’t willing to take.” Rick Usher on why fiber is such a meaningful #localgov endeavor.
The community connections program allows for free Google Fiber access for schools, libraries, community centers, etc.
Used Neighborly to raise fees required to turn low income areas into fiberhoods in KC. Allowed all n’hoods to “go green”
To address identified divides, Google hired 60 new people, bought ice cream trucks to sign up fiberhoods in low income areas.
Fiberhood definition required internet access, email address, credit card use. This highlighted racial/economic divide in Kansas City.
“Who let the dogs out” incidents w/ installs of Google Fiber dogs let out of backyards by contractors. Unanticipated challenges.
Push for “other innovation models” to be allowed in Kansas City after Google Fiber so #localgov had to pivot, adjust to these requests. For example, Uber and Lyft are allowed in Kansas City but Lyft chose not to operate in the city.
Kansas City had to adjust its social media policy to allow more employees to connect with the tech community via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.
The arrival of Google Fiber did not equal additional staff for Kansas City.
KC is hosting tech week in September. One of the many events that KC has landed because of Google Fiber.
KC used Google Hangouts to discuss digital engagement policies across #localgov.
Key concept is Google Fiber has made Kansas City an “emerging” tech economy. Not as developed as other regions, but someday, will be.
“Some tech innovators are afraid of local government,” notes Rick Usher.
Estimate is that Google Fiber is in 210,000 and 440,000 households in KC region.
Google Fiber access has been a “talent attractor.” Bringing hackathons, competitions, expeditions to @kcmo.
Upload speeds connected to web access is a “game changer.” Allows home based businesses to compete at a new scale, success.
Tidbits
Photo album: Lunch and Learn with Rick Usher
Twitter conversation: #MOKanELGL
Previous Webinar: Rick Usher on Bringing Google Fiber to Kansas City
Latest on Google Fiber: Website
HUGE thanks to Mike Ekey for coordinating today’s luncheon. Excellent food, cool room, and diverse group of attendees. Additional hat tips to Eric Roche and Mark Van Baale.
Photobomb
On our City Hall tour, we stopped by the city manager’s office. Great to see the ELGL pint glass hanging out next to the Royals memorabilia.
Even more interesting is this picture. Note the picture of the Kansas City mayor hanging on the wall. Mayor James hung this well the city manager was away.
Heart Rick Usher
Meeting Rick in person didn’t disappoint. He spared no expense for the ELGL lunch – great presentation, full tour of city hall (mayor’s office, rooftop of the building), and Cookingham look alike pictures.
A few tweets about Rick from the lunch:
Rick’s role to “convene and connect” in the tech, entrepreneurial communities. Another idea #localgov can learn from.
Rick Usher has “rolodex of codes and ordinances” that he flips through in his mind when talking to new people in town.
Mike Ekey notes, “awesome seeing folks like Rick Usher who connect via Twitter.”
A lil’ supplemental reading for you about Rick – Guidepost #18 – Rick Usher, Kansas City, MO and #CatchKC with Ben Kittelson. Quite simply, local government needs more Rick Ushers.
On Top of the World
We got a rooftop tour of the KC City Hall and a few incredible pictures.
Digitial Divide
The luncheon turned into more of a conversation around the topic of the digital divide. Connect for Good is doing important work in Kansas City, MO to bring technology access to kids, public spaces. A key to the digital divide is having “boots on the ground” to talk to people about value of fiber. Digital literacy and inclusion are key concepts.
“Google did not create the digital divide, they really just highlighted a problem that was already here,” noted Rick Usher.
We hope to explore the topic more with Barbara Williams and Leslie Scott who attended the luncheon and are helping bridge the KC digital divide.
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures
Check out the growing photo album of Kansas City attractions. Thumbs up to the Kansas City Public Library. The above picture is actually a parking garage.
Cookingham Selfies
Follow #MoKanELGL for tons of random selfies and updates from today’s Google Fiber lunch and learn.
Morning Headlines
One of the many dorky things I enjoy is watching local morning news and reading the local newspaper. Rest assured I don’t do this at home. I save this special routine for vacation/ELGL trips. Kirsten and I discussed hitting up a local council meeting last night but we didn’t follow through.
Anyway, here’s what is in the headlines in KC.
- Kansas State sanctions marching band director and will pay $5,000 fine to Big 12 after halftime show
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Two newcomers to city politics vie for 3rd District at-large seat
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City Council panel approves Bennett Packaging occupying a vacant Sam’s Club building
- Don’t trash the basic service of bulky item pickup in Kansas City
Now Hiring
If you are scared of lightning, Kansas City is not the place for you- but if you are not here are some job openings:
DJ’s Place
Early review of DJ’s place are positive:
- French press coffee
- Scented hand soap
- Rouku box
- Google Fiber internet
- Soft pillow
- Can see Jimmy John’s from our window
Negatives
- Broken TV remote
- No cable TV
- Former Folger’s Coffee headquarters is next door.
- Harry Potter posters
Special Socks
These special socks show that Mike Ekey is ready for the lunch and learn.
9/9/15
Reader Question
Why does the band Kansas remind you of Kansas City? You do know that you’re going to Kansas City, MO? Please tell me that you knew that.
Well….I am going to ignore the questioning of my intelligence and instead provide you with my favorite bands from Kansas City, MO.
- The band Missouri
- American Idol winner David Cook
- Puddle of Mudd
- Burt Bacharach
Now that is a list of bands that will never grace my playlist.
United
United will not be on my Christmas list. Flight delayed, and once we do board there will be no WiFi or on-flight entertainment. Before I get cut off I want to assure you that Kirsten handled the first flight like a professional.
Matching Luggage
Unfortunately Kirsten and I have matching luggage. (Not my idea.) I have upgraded mine to give it a little personality.
And We’re Off…
PDX to Denver to Kansas City, MO – We’re flying the not-so-friendly skies of United Airlines. My goal is to avoid eye contact with the flight attendants and down as many Cokes as possible. I also plan on staring out the window like a 3-year old. Speaking of 3-year olds, you get a reprieve from reading about my kids. They were left on the bench for this trip. The grandparents are holding down the house which excites the kids except in one area. Both kids have launching a bath strike while we’re gone. Apparently, the grandparents yell at them too much during the bath, and that’s all I want to know about that.
Anxiety Attack
I am writing this post next to a person (my wife) who is in panic attack mode. Kirsten and Michael Jordan (my dog) both react negatively when they see the suitcase come out of the closet. Let’s just say that I don’t share similar worries.
Random Thoughts
- I wonder where L.P Cookingham would recommend going for dinner in Kansas City.
- Should I tell Mike Ekey that we plan on crashing at his house? Maybe I should surprise him.
- If you aren’t following Rick Usher on Twitter, your Twitter account should be deactivated.
- Since I communicate with Mark Van Baale strictly using GIFs, our in-person meeting could be awkward.
- Branson, MO is…..(would love for you to complete the sentence.)
- My satisfaction of an AirBnb stay depends solely on the type of available bath products.
- I am glad people are afraid to use Priceline’s Name Your Own Price feature. We booked a rental car for four days for $124 and a hotel at the Sheraton for $65. Bam. Bam.
- I wish I could spend my entire visit to Kansas City in a coffee shop playing with Google Fiber.
- Our goal is to surpass Ben Kittelson’s visit to KC – #CatchKC with Ben Kittelson.
Theme Music
For some reason when I think about KCMO, this song gets lodged in my head.
It goes without saying that LP Cookingham guideposts share a similar stickiness in my head.
Introducing DJ
This isn’t what you think. DJ is our AirBnb host. Kirsten and I will be crashing at her “Downtown KC, MO Loft 2 Bed/2 Baths.” Here’s a little taste of our accommodations, “Top floor loft with great views in the heart of downtown KC. Exposed brick, hardwood floors, and gorgeous windows offer you the perfect place to explore downtown Kansas City right outside your door.” I do love hardwood floors.
Figures crossed that DJ’s landlord knows about our arrival unlike our AirBnb host in Denver.
Stalking
If you want to stalk our trip, our itinerary is:
- Thursday morning: Explore Downtown Kansas City
- Thursday lunch: Lunch and Learn with Rick Usher
- Thursday afternoon: Trip to Kansas University to visit with faculty and students
- Friday morning: Travel to Branson, MO
- Friday afternoon: Presentation at Midwest Public Risk Management Conference
- Saturday: Creep around Branson and Kansas City
- Sunday: Home to Portland
- We welcome any of your recommendations – restaurants, breweries, etc.
Let’s Ride
The power of Twitter strikes again…hat tip to Rick Usher for giving us insight into KC Bike Share. We used bike share to explore Denver and might break out the two wheels in Kansas City.
