If you did not see Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon's State of the Government address, it will be available on UGTV, or Channel 2 on Time Warner.

It will air the following times on these days:

Wednesday: 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m., noon, 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m.  
Sunday: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m.

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 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.