We Have Issues Independence

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A weekly look at the issues and topics impacting Independence, Missouri hosted by Laurie Dean Wiley and Dan Hobart.

We Have Issues


    • Jan 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 34m AVG DURATION
    • 141 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from We Have Issues Independence

    Change is Hard

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 31:35


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan discuss change and how difficult it is to do, especially when forced to do so.

    The Broken Window....A Look at Rental Ready

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2025 33:50


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan discuss the Rental Ready program and what the future of that initiative looks like.

    Dreaming Big Enough

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2025 54:48


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by former Independence Mayor Eileen Weir as they discuss the challenges and opportunities related to economic development.

    The Death of Legacy Media

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2024 44:56


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Examiner Editor Jeff Fox as they discuss the challenges faced by traditional media outlets and what the future looks like for those groups.

    Corruption....What is it good for?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 28:00


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan talk about Dan's take on corruption and some of his past comments on the topic.

    The Justice Center - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 43:06


    This week Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman and Officer Bryan Conley to talk about the latest details around the proposed justice center and the GO bond that will fund it and to also clear up some information presented in a previous episode.

    Going Down a Fox Hole

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 43:25


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Examiner Editor Jeff Fox. Starting with no pre-conceived topics, they dive into a variety of subjects.

    AMI Making a Return

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 34:33


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan dive into the topic of Advanced Metering Infrastructure or better known as AMI. What was a very controversial topic in Independence a few years ago is being resurrected after the decision was made to keep operating Independence Power and Light as a city owned utility.

    Podcast Potluck #9

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 26:41


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan cover several topics including the recently approved Englewood Overlay District and the announced closure of the Adventure Oasis water park.

    Adult Supervision Required

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 36:42


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan dive into the topic of the proposed Justice Center which would be part of a general obligation bond issue.

    Making a Difference

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2024 32:32


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Jennifer Manuleleua who is the Senior Vice President of Community Development with Community Services League. Jennifer shares what she does and the impact CSL has on Eastern Jackson County.

    Is it a Community Center or a Rec Center?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 22:06


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan discuss the general obligation bond proposal to develop a center which would provide recreational amenities. The only question is whether this is a community center or a facility to provide opportunities for sports tourism.

    An Uncomfortable Conversation - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024 35:33


    This week's episode is a continuation from last week with Christina Leakey from Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity. Last week Laurie Dean and co-host Jeff Fox dealt with the challenges of housing insecurity and homelessness and this week they talk about potential solutions to these challenges.

    An Uncomfortable Conversation

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 36:17


    This week, Laurie Dean is joined by substitute co-host Jeff Fox from The Examiner. Their guest today is Christina Leakey who is the President/CEO of the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity. Their conversation is part one of a two part episode that revolves around the challenges of housing and housing insecurity in our community.

    GO Bond Citizens Committee

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 43:27


    This week, Laurie Dean and substitute co-host Jeff Fox are joined by Doug Cowan who is the Co-Chair of the Citizens GO bond committee appointed by the City Council. The committee is tasked with making recommendations to the Council on how the GO bond should be presented to Independence voters in April 2025.

    The Fox is in the Podcast Studio

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024 38:01


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by the Editor of The Examiner, Jeff Fox. Jeff will share his perspective on local new media, where it is headed, and how the Examiner intends to remain a part of the news landscape.

    Parks and Rec....Lets GO

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 36:23


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Morris Heide who serves as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Independence. Morris will share some background on the parks program and how the proposed GO Bond will impact the services that Parks and Recreation can offer.

    Dealing with Housing Insecurity

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 50:09


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Christina Leakey who serves as the Executive Director of the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity. Christina will talk about the challenges and efforts to reduce housing insecurity and share information about the Faith & Blue event on October 10th.

    Meet Lisa Reynolds - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2024 33:58


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined again by Independence Assistant City Manager Lisa Reynolds with a continued discussion plan for a potential general obligation bond and the projects it could potentially fund.

    Ennovating Local Entrepreneurs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2024 33:41


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Danielle DuPree Crawford who is the Director of the Ennovation Center Small Business Incubator. Danielle will share all the services available to startup businesses and an upcoming event "Taste of Ennovation" which will be held in September.

    Meet Lisa Reynolds

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2024 34:14


    Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by long time city staffer and newly appointed Assistant City Manager Lisa Reynolds. Among the topics will be the use of GO bond funds for public works projects such as streets and bridges.

    Deep Fried Gummy Bears

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2024 33:36


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Amy Knipp who is the coordinator of the SantaCaliGon Festival which is coming up over the Labor Day weekend.

    Pawsitively Moving in the Right Direction

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2024 33:18


    This week, Dan and Laurie Dean are joined by Christina Heinen who is the Health Department Director with the City of Independence. She talks about her roles and responsiblities within her department and how the GO bond will be used to help support the Independence Animal Shelter.

    Welcome to Wally's World

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024 30:30


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Gerry Winship, the Executive Director of the Noland Road Community Improvement District. Gerry will talk about the purpose of their organization and the plans for Wally's Travel Center at the Noland Road and I-70 intersection.

    Redneck or Woke?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024 38:09


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan discuss the state of affairs in the country and how division is changing how we deal with conflict and differences of opinions.

    Over the Hill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2024 40:34


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are talking about the City Charter amendments which will be on the August ballot and are joined by Mark McDonald who served on the Charter Commission.

    Economic Development is a Team Sport

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2024 42:59


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Independence Chamber President Tom Lesnak who discusses the Economic Development Partnership and a recent update given to the Independence City Council.

    Reshaping the Square

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2024 34:02


    In this week's episode, Laurie Dean and Dan talk about the impact the proposed GO bond will have on the Independence Square.

    square reshaping independence square
    Meet John Mayfield

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2024 53:30


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by guest John Mayfield. John is a "Jack of all Trades" within Independence City Hall and he shares a little bit about his background and his role with the city.

    The Future of our History

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024 24:26


    This week Laurie Dean and Dan discuss the latest update on the efforts to establish a new museum to honor the history of the trails. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Proposition PD Sales Tax Issue

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2024 39:22


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Police Chief Adam Dustman and 3rd District Councilperson Heather Wiley who discuss the August 6th ballot issue that will increase police salaries in an effort to retain and recruit officers. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    GO Bond with IPD Chief Adam Dustman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2024 28:09


    This week, Dan and Laurie Dean are joined by Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman who discusses the proposed general obligation bond and what it can mean for updated police facilities. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    An Update from Councilperson Heather Wiley

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2024 29:20


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by 3rd District Councilperson Heather Wiley who shares her experience since joining the Council in April. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Meet Zach Walker

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2024 42:51


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan visit with Independence City Manager Zach Walker to talk about his background and some of the goals he is working towards with the city. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Don't Yell Fire in a Crowded Podcast Studio

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2024 23:24


    Independence City Manager Zach Walker is back and talking about the fire department and the selection process for a new fire chief. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Funding Police and Being Able to Compete

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2024 34:36


    Independence City Manager Zach Walker joins Laurie Dean and Dan to discuss challenges with funding police salaries to compete with recent changes with the salary schedule for Kansas City police officers. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    M&Ms, Fruit Loops and the GO Bond

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2024 30:47


    This week, Dan and Laurie Dean are joined by City Manager Zach Walker. Their discussion looks at the GO bond and several of the facility items which are being included in the proposal. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Meet 3rd District Councilwoman Heather Wiley

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2024 53:43


    In this week's episode, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Heather Wiley who was recently elected to the City Council to serve the 3rd district. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Podcast Potluck #8

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 34:40


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined again by Independence City Manager Zach Walker. The potluck of topics include special use permits, the ARCH program, and Charter updates that will be on the ballot in August. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    The GO Bond - Historical Sites

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2024 46:31


    This week, Dan and Laurie Dean are joined by City Manager Zach Walker to discuss the general obligation bond proposal and specifically the use of a portion of those funds to preserve the city's historical sites. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Honoring IPD

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2024 64:35


    This week, Dan and Laurie Dean are joined by Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman and Deputy Chief Michelle Sumstad as they discuss the loss of Officer Cody Allen, the Honor Flag, and the support the men and women of the IPD get from the community as they protect Independence. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Looking Back at 100 Episodes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2024 36:28


    This week, Dan and Laurie Dean are joined by past podcast guests as they look back at 100 episodes of the We Have Issues Independence podcast. They share their favorite moments and their plans for the future of the podcast. This episode has the added bonus that it includes video of the recording session. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Getting Fiscally Fit

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2024 28:36


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Independence City Manager Zach Walker who talks in detail about Get Fit Independence and the financial implications of the general obligation bond that is being discussed. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Elections, Election, Elections

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2024 65:38


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan talk about upcoming issues on the April 2nd ballot including the Independence School Board race, 3/8th cent Jackson County sales tax, as well as City Council races. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Choose Wisely

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 50:25


    This week, Dan and Laurie Dean talk about Dan's decision process when looking at issues in front of the Council. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Service Not Stardom

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2024 41:47


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by candidate for 3rd District City Council candidate Heather Wiley and they discuss their interest in public service and the importance of giving back to your community. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Scaredy Cats

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2024 29:32


    This week, Dan and Laurie Dean talk about the fear that many communities face when big decisions have to get made. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Inside the Head of Dan Hobart

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2024 35:31


    This week, Laurie Dean ask Dan about challenges he has faced and how he approaches difficult decisions and challenges he has faced in his life. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Fighting the Cult of Personality

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2024 38:35


    This week Dan and Laurie Dean get into how our personalities impact how we make decisions. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    Follow the Yellow Brick Road

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2024 39:10


    The City of awes. G.O. Bond discussion with Zach Walker - curbs, sidewalks, and streets, oh my. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

    City on the GO....Bond

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2024 42:57


    This week, Laurie Dean and Dan are joined by Independence City Manager Zach Walker to talk about a specific aspect of the GO bond. Mr. Walker goes into greater detail on the concept of developing a new recreation center which would be an economic driver to bring in participants for youth sports. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-have-issues5/message

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