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.

The Kansas City Star's Prime Buzz is reporting that Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon is considering a possible campaign in next year's U.S. House of Representatives race.

Reardon, a Democrat, could be one of a handful of candidates to run for retiring U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore's (D-KS) seat.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will hold his First Floor Friday event this weekend.

Reardon will meet with residents between 12-2 p.m. at City Hall's Lobby. Residents of Wyandotte County are welcomed to come and discuss issues with the mayor.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon issued the following statement on the retirement of U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore:

“Representative Dennis Moore has served the 3^rd Congressional District and the citizens of Wyandotte County well during the course of his 11 years in office.  He and his staff have been extremely responsive to their constituents and have helped the 3^rd district tremendously. He continues to be an effective leader representing the interest of Kansans in the 3^rd district.  We wish him, and his entire staff, the best of luck in their future endeavors.”

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will meet with Wyandotte County residents this Friday afternoon.

The monthly "First Floor First Friday" event will be held at Fire Station 6, which is located at 9548 State Ave. The meeting will last from noon-2 p.m.