Growing Together: Building a Stronger District 1 Without Losing Our Identity
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
There are weeks when progress is easy to measure. A ribbon gets cut. A building opens. A project is completed.
Then there are weeks like this one.
The kind of week where progress looks like conversations on neighborhood streets, listening more than talking, bringing new partners together, and taking another step toward solving problems that have existed for years.
This week reminded me that some of the most important work happens long before anyone notices the results. It happens when people decide to sit at the same table, share ideas honestly, and commit to building something bigger than themselves.
That’s the kind of progress I witnessed throughout District 1.
This Week in District 1
The week began with the privilege of offering opening remarks at the 2nd Annual Broken Heart Classic, an event founded by husband and wife Quincy & Rhajaé Carroll. Inspired by their son Cartier’s medical journey and the compassion their family received from Ronald McDonald House Charities, they transformed one of life’s most difficult experiences into a movement that brings hope, support, and healing to other families.
From there, I had the opportunity to spend time with Mr. Allen Mondaine, whose decades of dedication to local farming continue to nourish both our community and our local economy. Supporting local agriculture isn’t simply about fresh produce—it’s about preserving traditions, creating economic opportunity, and strengthening food security right here at home.
Another highlight was touring District 1 alongside our Interim County Administrator, Allen Howze. Leadership shouldn’t happen from behind a desk. It requires walking neighborhoods, seeing conditions firsthand, listening to residents, and understanding both the opportunities and challenges that statistics alone can never tell.
The week also included:
Illegal Dumping Tour #2 with K-State Extension
Participation in Dr. Evelyn Hill’s Voices for Justice Conference
Beta testing a new community cleanup initiative designed specifically for District 1
Although these activities may appear unrelated, they all point toward the same vision—a cleaner, safer, stronger, and more economically sustainable community.
Community Voices
One conversation stayed with me throughout the week.
As we discussed illegal dumping, it became clear that this issue isn’t simply about trash.
It’s about pride.
It’s about safety.
It’s about economic development.
It’s about property values.
Most importantly, it’s about how people feel when they leave their homes every morning.
Clean neighborhoods communicate hope. Neglected neighborhoods can unintentionally communicate that no one cares.
That is why solving illegal dumping requires more than cleanup days. It requires education, partnerships, accountability, and creating a culture where residents feel empowered to protect the places they call home.
Government cannot accomplish that alone.
Neither can nonprofits.
Neither can businesses.
It takes all of us.
Youth Spotlight
To every young person in District 1:
Your future is not waiting for permission.
Whether your interests are construction, architecture, engineering, technology, agriculture, finance, entrepreneurship, public service, or real estate—you belong in those conversations today.
Leadership begins long before someone gives you a title.
Ask questions.
Volunteer.
Meet people.
Learn new skills.
Build relationships.
District 1 isn’t simply preparing a future for young people—we’re preparing opportunities with young people.
Your voice matters right now.
Community Spotlight
This week’s Community Spotlight belongs to Mr Allen Mondaine.
Married to his wife Brenda for 66 years, they’ve built not only a marriage but a legacy of service.
Mr. Mondaine has farmed organically for more than 45 years and has welcomed customers to the family farm stand since 1994. For the past 12 years, the Mondaines have also been proud participants in the Kansas City, Kansas Farmers Market.
Their tomatoes, okra, and purple hull peas have become local favorites, but their impact extends well beyond fresh produce.
They remind us that supporting local farmers means investing in neighbors who have spent decades investing in us.
If you’ve never visited their farm stand at 2311 N. 63rd Street, I encourage you to stop by and experience firsthand what local commitment looks like.
This Week’s Economic Snapshot
Industry: Real Estate & Housing
Estimated Local Market Size: Approximately $14.8 billion in residential housing value (illustrative estimate based on publicly available housing data).
Annual Consumer Spending: Reliable county-level public data is not currently available.
Estimated Dollars Leaving Wyandotte County: Here’s a concise version that maintains the focus on estimated dollars leaving Wyandotte County, while grounding it in verifiable economic patterns instead of unsupported estimates:
Estimated Dollars Leaving Wyandotte County: While no countywide measurement currently quantifies this amount, thousands of Wyandotte County residents commute outside the county for work each day, highlighting the opportunity to keep more economic activity and investment local. By expanding local ownership, supporting homegrown businesses, and creating more career opportunities in real estate and related industries, we can retain more wealth, strengthen our tax base, and reinvest more dollars into our neighborhoods. (Source: Wyandotte Economic Development Council, Workforce Data, ESRI 2025)
Local Businesses Serving This Industry: Hundreds of locally owned businesses including Realtors, contractors, lenders, inspectors, landscapers, architects, property managers, insurance professionals, attorneys, electricians, plumbers, and home service providers.
Potential Jobs Supported by Retaining More Spending: Significant opportunities exist across skilled trades, construction, finance, property management, entrepreneurship, and professional services.
This Week’s We Not Me Challenge
Before hiring outside the county, look here first.
Whether you need a Realtor, contractor, landscaper, plumber, electrician, property manager, or home repair specialist, give a local business the first opportunity to earn your business.
Keeping more dollars circulating locally creates more jobs, stronger businesses, and greater opportunity for everyone.
Looking Ahead
I’m excited about continuing the work of turning conversations into measurable action.
Our focus remains on neighborhood cleanliness, responsible development, housing, economic opportunity, and ensuring that growth benefits the residents who already call District 1 home.
Growth matters.
But growth without intention can create new challenges.
As new investment continues throughout Wyandotte County, we have an opportunity to ensure that development creates affordable housing, supports local businesses, expands employment, preserves neighborhood character, and keeps community voices at the center of every important decision.
Our history should never be viewed as something standing in the way of progress.
It should be the foundation that guides it.
The We Not Me Reflection
This week reminded me that our greatest resource isn’t a building, a development project, or even public funding.
It’s people.
The residents who care enough to ask questions.
The volunteers who give their time.
The farmers who continue serving generation after generation.
The businesses choosing to invest locally.
The young people preparing to become tomorrow’s leaders.
Progress isn’t created by one person.
It happens when neighbors decide to invest in one another.
That’s what We Not Me has always represented.
When we strengthen one another, we strengthen our entire community.
Call to Action
I want to hear from you.
Share your ideas.
Attend community meetings.
Support local businesses and farmers.
Volunteer for neighborhood cleanup efforts.
Introduce yourself to someone new.
Every positive conversation creates another opportunity to strengthen District 1.
Together, we can continue building a community that grows without losing who we are.
Next Week…
I’ll reflect on what I’ve learned during my first year of serving as your District 1 Commissioner—and how those lessons will shape the work ahead.
Leadership isn’t about me.
It’s about WE.
— Commissioner Jermaine Howard
District 1
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