It's not too often you see a mayor of a larger city launch a personal blog.

But last night, Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon did just that. Reardon's blog, "The Reardon Report," is live online now.

"This is the start of a blog that I will update periodically with factual information about what is going on in our city and my take on current topics," Reardon said in his first post. "I have wanted to start a blog for some time as the outlets for specific information concerning Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County are limited."

In his first post, Reardon speaks about how KCK grew in population this year and an update to construction projects across KCK.

Citing the need for the city, government and business community to get on board with energy efficiency, Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon officially declared the city's utility rebate program open for business this morning.

Starting a few hours ago, any Kansas City, Kan., homeowner can apply for a voucher to receive a rebate (or discount) on an Energy Star appliance and HVAC.

Any homeowner can receive up to $500 in separate rebates from various categories arranged. The program will be funded with $1.3 million of stimulus dollars.

"This plan benefits everyone with the stimulus dollars the Unified Government received," Reardon said. "The rebate will be given at the time of the purchase."

There are some requirements for KCK homeowners to take part:

• Residents must own a home in the city
• The vouchers are good for 30 days once they are issued by the UG
• All real or personal property taxes are current
• Users are limited to just one refrigerator, washer, dishwasher, central air conditioner central furnace or water heater.

The rebates vary based on the utility purchased.

A $100 is available for a new Energy Star refrigerator; $75 for a new clothes washer; $50 for a new dryer, $25 (per ton) for a new central air conditioner or heat pump add-on and $200 for a new central furnace.

Vouchers arranging from $100-500 can be used for a water heater.

The program is not limited to a certain income bracket.

"We want 1,000 homeowners to take advantage of this," Reardon said. "We're the only city in the midwest to offer a program like this."

The following businesses are taking part in the voucher program: B L Air Heating and Cooling, City Wide Heating & Cooling, Grabill Plumbing Inc., Lowes Home Improvement (69th and State Avenue), Nebraska Furniture Mart, Schuler Heating & Cooling and West Heating & Cooling.

All businesses are based in KCK.

"We also wanted to make sure our KCK-based businesses benefited from something like this," Reardon said. "We want our dollars to support our local businesses to keep jobs in the city."

Reardon said there's no timeline on when the vouchers would stop being distributed.

For more information the rebate program, contact the UG at (913) 573-2876.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will speak at this Wednesday's Central Area Betterment Association's breakfast meeting.

CABA will host the breakfast at Donnelly College this Wednesday beginning at 7 a.m. The price is $5 per person and anyone is welcomed.

The mayor is expected to cover items related to the budget process, the new Kansas City Wizards stadium and other issues of business around Wyandotte County.

Patrons are encouraged to enter through the main entrance of the college and look for direction signs.

For more information, call (913) 281-9222 or login at www.cabakck.org.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will hold his First Floor First Friday event today from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The public is welcomed to attend the event, which will be held at the Turner Recreation Center, located at 831 S. 55th Street.

It's a first come, first serve basis.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon's First Floor First Friday event will not be held today.

Reardon will be attending a meeting with the League of Kansas Municipalities.

The next event will be held on Friday, May 7.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon's full "State of the Government" address has been posted online.

It's available here.

It's a PDF document, so you must have Adobe Acrobat or other PDF-capable software to download it.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon addressed the challenges Wyandotte County faced in 2009 and proposed a number of bold programs and goals for Wyandotte County for 2010.

In his State of the Government speech on Tuesday, Reardon proposed a re-emphasis of urban development in downtown Kansas City, Kan., a county-wide scholarship program known as the "Dotte Promise," pitched the need for community involvement in environmental and health issues and defended the county's need for a sales tax increase.

Before the big goals of 2010, Reardon spoke about the challenges Wyandotte County faced in 2009.

"The year was filled with difficult decisions due to economic crisis that gripped our nation and state," Reardon began. "But it was a year of continued progress on many fronts...from our dynamic economic development and job creation efforts to our on-going successes in public safety."

But 2009 had its share of accomplishments, Reardon said.

Reardon pointed to the success of the General Motors Fairfax plant, the movement on the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway and the developmental agreement between the county, state and all parties involved with the Cerner/Kansas City Wizards project at Village West.

Because of these developments, Reardon said all of Wyandotte County will benefit.

"New development will occur with single family housing, town-homes and apartments," he said. "New consumers will be attracted to our city to enjoy our shopping and entertainment."

During the speech, Reardon called for bold action on a number of fronts. Among the top agenda items:

• Reardon expressed the UG's opposition towards Senate Bill 401, which would re-open the gaming legislation. "While we certainly want to help the Woodlands, this is the wrong time to re-open the debate over casinos and gaming."
• Reardon called for one percent of the revenue generated from the Kansas Speedway casino to be used for programs that promote the healthiness of children and the "Dotte Promise" scholarship program, which would provide all Wyandotte County students a scholarship of some value after high school graduation. "Our citizens expect us to take steps like this that show a tangible investment in our young people today and in their future," Reardon said.
• A rebate system that would encourage homeowners to purchase more energy efficient items, such as refrigerators.
• Reardon again called for support of the 3/8-cent increase in the county's sales tax. The 10-year tax would generate between $4-6 million annually. The revenue would address infrastructure projects and public safety. Infrastructure projects took a hit locally in 2009, Reardon said. "Passage of this sales tax referendum is the surest way to see to it that we don't miss a beat with respect to public safety."
• The mayor called for a task force locally to help address urban development. The task force would develop an agenda to take to the Kansas Legislature. Fourty-four census tracks have been identified in the county as "economically distressed."
• Reardon recommended the expansion of a small business tax-rebate program that would be aimed at increasing new businesses and business expansion in the urban core.

The year 2010 is already off to a good start, the mayor said. New construction projects this year have already exceeded the number of those in 2009.

"I look forward to working with you over the course of this year to build that community and continue our journey together here in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., – where the best is yet to come."

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will deliver his State of the Government address today in the Jack Reardon Civic Center.

The speech will begin at 12 p.m.

In the address, Reardon is expected to touch on economic issues in the county and recap the year, which included tough budget cuts for the UG.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will remain just that for at least another few years.

Reardon today withdrew his name from consideration for the Democratic Party's nomination.

“I am honored to have been mentioned as a Democratic candidate for the 3rd Congressional District of Kansas and am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from so many over the last several weeks,” Reardon said. “After careful consideration with my family, and in light of the national recession and its impact on our community, I must remain focused on finishing the work we’ve started to help Wyandotte County, and our region, overcome the challenges the on-going economic crisis has created. Therefore, I will not be a candidate for the 3rd District at this time.”

Reardon is currently serving his second term as mayor.

Unified Government/Mayor CEO Joe Reardon will speak to residents of Wyandotte County from noon – 2 p.m. this Friday.

The West Wyandotte Library, located at 1737 N. 82nd Street, will host the event.

For more information, contact the library at (913) 596-5800.

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Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will deliver his State of the Government address on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the Jack Reardon Convention Center.

The speech will be hosted by the Kansas City, Kan., Rotary Club.

"I appreciate working with all of you in moving our community forward. My address will focus in part on recognizing our collective efforts," Reardon said. "I am hoping you will be able to attend as we discuss where we have been and our hopes for 2010 and beyond."

Tickets to the event and luncheon are $20. Contact (913) 299-0466 for more information.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will join Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach and Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer in addressing the Kansas Legislature.

The three mayors are expected to talk about the partnerships the three cities have formed and to "invite Legislative leaders to join an effort to work cooperatively to address budget problems and other issues," a press release said.

Reardon, Gerlach and Brewer will appear before the Kansas Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.

At around 10:30 a.m., they'll make a presentation to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

“The message the three Mayors will deliver is that our cities, as major urban areas, are important partners with the State in efforts to get the Kansas economy moving again,” said Mike Taylor, spokesperson for the UG. “Just as Kansas City, Overland Park and Wichita are working together toward common goals, the Kansas Legislature is being invited to also engage in a spirit of cooperation and partnerships with cities.”

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon is currently a guest of a very prominent individual.

Reardon, who is joining other mayors this week in Washington D.C., is meeting with President Barack Obama to discuss job creation.

Reardon is expected to speak about the new Cerner Campus, the new Kansas City Wizards stadium, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway and the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village. All of the construction projects will create thousands of new jobs.

According to the Unified Government, Reardon is paying for the trip out of his own pocket rather than with UG funds.