Cleaver’s Immigration Town Hall draws hundreds

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver’s Immigration town hall meeting last Saturday at Manual Career and Technology Center was jam-packed.

Estimates put the crowd at well over 500 people.

There were more questions than answers in a conversation that dealt visa restrictions, green

La reunión del congresista Emanuel Cleaver, el sábado pasado, en el Centro de Tecnología y Carrera Manual estuvo llena. Las estimaciones hablan que asistieron

más de 500 personas.Hubo más preguntas que respuestas

en una conversación donde se habló de las restricciones de visados, tarjetas de

KC HISPANIC NEWS

VOL 20 No. 22 9 de Febrero, 2017 * Periódico Bilingüe Kansas City

YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996 ❖ TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996

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Gilbert Guerrero’s legacy lives on through others

El legado de Gilbert Guerrero vive a través de otros

The passion that Gilbert Guerrero had for people, higher education and for Latino culture always shined. His determination to fight for civic rights and for justice was always in the forefront. People in Kansas City and around the country will always remember his contributions.La pasión que Gilbert Guerrero tenía por la gente, la educación superior y la cultura latina siempre brilló. Su determinación de luchar por los derechos cívicos y por la justicia siempre estuvo a la vanguardia. La gente en Kansas City y en todo el país siempre recordará sus contribuciones.

La reunión de Cleaver en el ayuntamiento sobre inmigración atrae a cientos de personas

College student Antonio Carranco (forefront) was among the hundreds who attended Congressman Emanuel Cleaver’s Immigration Town Hall meeting. He had earned a scholarship to play football at Missouri Southern State University. Now because of all the immigration issues he has lost that scholarship. Carranco told Hispanic News “the college won’t let me have the scholarship because they’re scared of losing funding from the state.”El estudiante universitario Antonio Carranco (primer plano) fue uno de los cientos que asistieron a la reunión de Emanuel Cleaver en el ayuntamiento. Se había ganado una beca para jugar al fútbol en Missouri Southern State University. Ahora, debido a todas las cuestiones de inmigración, ha perdido esa beca. Carranco dijo a Hispanic News que “la universidad no me hará efectiva la beca porque tienen miedo de perder fondos del estado”.

TRUMP BAN ... / PAGE 5 LA PROHIBICION ... / PÁGINA 5

Unique blend of two traditional musical sounds come together. See page 4 for complete story.

Gilbert Guerrero was not a complicated man. What you saw is what you got and he made

sure you saw what he was. He was passionate about his culture, passionate about education as a means to empower marginalized communities, and he was a tireless and outspoken critic of injustice. He was also one of the strongest pillars to bolster the Latino community locally and nationally.

Gilbert Guerrero passed away at 56 years of age

at 2:30 Friday morning, February 3, 2017. He had been hospitalized following a stroke on January 21. His death was followed by an outpouring of tears, memories and testimonials that spoke eloquently and directly to his influence as a mentor, educator, cultural explorer, justice seeker and family man.

Cris Medina, president and CEO of Guadalupe Centers Inc., (GCI) met Gilbert in 1984 when Gilbert worked with the LULAC Educational Service Center in Topeka. He came to Kansas City at the instigation of then LULAC Director Ann

Gilbert Guerrero no era un hombre complicado. Lo que veías era lo que

obtenías y se aseguró de vieran lo que él era. Él era un apasionado de su cultura, apasionado de la educación como un medio para potenciar a las comunidades marginadas, y él era un incansable y abierto crítico de la injusticia. También fue uno de los pilares más fuertes para fortalecer a la comunidad latina, local y nacionalmente.

Gilbert Guerrero falleció a los 56 años de edad, a las 2:30 de la mañana, del viernes 3 de febrero de 2017. Había sido hospitalizado tras un derrame cerebral el 21 de enero. Su muerte fue seguida por un flujo de lágrimas, recuerdos y testimonios que hablan elocuentemente y directamente a su influencia como mentor, educador, explorador cultural, buscador de justicia y hombre de familia.

Cris Medina, presidente y director ejecutivo de Guadalupe Centers Inc. (GCI, por sus siglas en inglés)

by Joe Arce and Jose Faus

traduce Gemma Tornero

“HE WISHED HE ... / PAGE 3

“EL DESEO TENER ... / PÁGINA 2

“There is a poem, The Dash” talks about the in between your birth year and the year of your death – what did you do with that dash? I guarantee you right now that as young as he was, he has lived three times more the life than many people get to do. He was a difference maker – a compassionate man. I’m blessed I had him for as long as I did. I will miss him dearly and there will be a void in my heart for the rest of my life, but it is about what we do here forward. He’s taught us. He’s inspired us. He has given us the resources. … I plan to continue this work in honor of Gilbert.”

KCMO Police Officer, Chato Villalobos

“Hay un poema, El Guión”, habla de lo que sucede entre tu año de nacimiento y el año de tu muerte - ¿qué hiciste con ese guión? Te garantizo ahora, que tan joven como era, él ha vivido tres veces más la vida de lo que mucha gente puede hacerlo. Él era un fabricante de hacer la diferencia - un hombre compasivo. Me siento bendecido de tenerlo todo el tiempo que lo tuve. Lo echaré mucho de menos y habrá un vacío en mi corazón para el resto de mi vida, pero ahora se trata de lo que haremos de aquí en adelante. Nos ha enseñado. Nos ha inspirado. Nos ha dado los recursos. Planeo continuar con este trabajo en honor a Gilbert.”

Agente de Policía KCMO, Chato Villalobos

by Joe Arce traduce Gemma Tornero

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Febrero 9 - 2017 | KCHispanicNews.com2

conoció a Gilbert en 1984, cuando Gilbert trabajó con el Centro de Servicios Educativos de LULAC, en Topeka. Llegó a Kansas City por la insistencia de la entonces directora de LULAC, Ann Rodríguez, que quería enviar un consejero para trabajar en Kansas City. GCI ofreció el espacio. Gilbert no fue la primera opción, pero llegó poco después de que el primer becario se fuera.

Medina y Gilbert tuvieron una conexión inesperada. Aunque Gilbert era de Kansas, él no era un fan de los Jayhawk, algo que llamo la atención del fan de Missouri, Medina. Un año dentro de su residencia, Medina lo reclutó para GCI.

“El tipo tenía mucha energía. Era un activista comunitario. Tenía mucho celo por proyectos comunitarios. Él era un fuerte defensor de la educación y, especialmente, de los niños latinos y la igualdad de derechos para nuestra comunidad, cosas que eran parte de nuestra misión y que estábamos tratando de hacer. Dijimos, “Este tipo ya lo lleva en él”, recordó.

Medina añadió, “Él era un Boina Marrón en Topeka y un organizador de la comunidad. Él estuvo involucrado en todo tipo de asuntos latinos y chicanos, lo que se remonta a las huelgas con Cesar Chávez y los trabajadores agrícolas y, por supuesto, Corky González fuera de Colorado. Gilbert conocía mucho de esa historia al crecer en Topeka.

La personalidad de Gilbert era evidente desde el principio. A veces era como el perro de ataque. Estaba listo para avanzar cuando pensaba que había injusticia y que las cosas no estaban bien. Él fue el primero en formarse e ir, enfrentar la situación, hablar y tratar de conseguir que otras personas se unieran a él y abogar en nombre de la situación”.

Medina admite que el estilo de Gilbert era un contraste con el suyo. Medina es más reservado que Gilbert y tuvo que, en ocasiones, frenarlo, pero esa dualidad los complementaba bien.

“A veces éramos un buen equipo y nos convertimos en un buen equipo”, meditó Medina. “Dejaba que Gilbert se fuera contra ellos y luego yo entraba. Uno de sus puntos fuertes era su habilidad para lograr que la gente respondiera a un problema y luego los llevaba a lidiar con la situación”.

La diferencia de personalidad a veces llevaba a enfrentamientos. “No siempre estuvimos de acuerdo, pero es por eso que habíamos trabajado bien juntos, porque él tenía una perspectiva diferente sobre algunos temas, pero podíamos resolver nuestras diferencias y al final del día estábamos en la misma página cuando entrabamos por esa puerta”.

Una cosa en la que había poca controversia era la importancia de la educación para el bienestar de la comunidad. Bajo el liderazgo de ambos, GCI se aventuró en el campo minado de la educación pública.

Chato Villalobos,

un aprendiz y amigo cercano de Gilbert, recordó el disgusto de Gilbert por el sistema educativo ya que sentía estaba fallándole a los estudiantes latinos.

“El caso más grande para Gilbert, fue que el distrito escolar estaba fallando en nuestra comunidad. Estábamos cayendo en un índice del 75% en las escuelas. Recuerdo que él dijo, “podemos no tener los recursos pero podemos estar mejor que el 75% o un índice de retención del 25%”. Mi frase preferida de él, que conservo es, “estamos construyendo este avión mientras estamos volando”, recuerda Villalobos.

Y las cosas que estaban construyendo y volando eran “la primera

escuela preescolar bilingüe, después fue la escuela preparatoria, estaban los programas después de la escuela, los programas de verano y ahora tenemos todo un distrito, desde preescolar hasta la universidad, donde los niños de nuestra comunidad tienen acceso a una educación de calidad. Esto es simplemente debido a su mente brillante”.

Medina lo llamó, “un bautismo bajo fuego. Al principio cometimos muchos errores, pero hicimos muchas cosas buenas y el testimonio, es que, de comenzar una escuela alternativa con veinte niños, ahora tenemos un distrito escolar alternativo que tiene más de mil niños. Cuando estábamos soñando, nunca pensamos que tendríamos un distrito escolar alternativo con más de mil niños. Los sueños pueden hacerse realidad”.

Si la muestra de una vida bien vivida es el ejemplo que se imparte a los que la rodean, entonces la vida de Gilbert fue una riquezas.

“Era una persona muy rica en términos de las amistades que él desarrolló y el impacto en la gente”, dijo Medina a Hispanic News. “Tan sólo esta mañana he tenido llamadas desde Chicago, Minneapolis, San Diego, San Francisco y Houston. Llamadas de personas que conocían a Gilbert

y a las que impacto su vida. Ellas saben que fue un activo tremendo para la educación y los derechos civiles de los latinos y en la lucha por nuestros electores y nuestra juventud”.

La vicepresidenta de Salud y Servicios Sociales de GCI, Diane Rojas, es una amiga y compañera de trabajo. “Cuando

pienso en Gilbert, las primeras palabras que me vienen a la mente es que era brillante y único. Lo conocí hace 32 años. Comenzamos aquí, en GCI, en el mismo día. Hasta que Google apareció él fue mi Google. Él sabía tanto, tan vivido. Podía hablar con inteligencia sobre cualquier tema, pero también tenía un gran corazón. Era una persona amable. No había aires de grandeza en él. No había pretenciosidad”.

“Gilbert era tan accesible y creo que por eso fue exitoso en varias facetas. Podía conectarse con la comunidad. Era una persona de base, de movimiento político comunitario. Era un activista y un

partidario de la comunidad, pero también podía jugar el juego en la sala de juntas de la comunidad, a nivel corporativo, a nivel político. Podía jugar cualquier posición, en cualquier

campo. Ese era Gilbert”.Al igual que Rojas,

Raúl Murguía estaba cautivado por las habilidades de comunicación de Gilbert y su entusiasmo por la cultura. “Una de las cosas acerca de nuestro patrimonio y la cultura y nuestra historia, es que Gilbert lo hizo atractivo e interesante porque estaba tan apasionado por el aprendizaje de su patrimonio y su cultura que cuando hablaba al respecto era capaz de proyectarlo con la misma pasión que él tenía, el hambre de conocer. Fue el primero en hacer un Día de los Muertos en Kansas City y ahora hay mucha gente haciendo muchos eventos”.

La influencia cultural y de activismo de Gilbert, fue particularmente fuerte con los jóvenes que reclutó a una edad temprana en la familia GCI. Gina Coronado y Carla Medina, directoras de desarrollo juvenil, son dos amigas que se vieron bajo su influencia como adolescentes.

Coronado explicó, “Gilbert era como un

segundo padre para mí. Creía en mí de una manera que nadie había creído en mí. Vio algo que ni siquiera yo vi. Su poderoso carácter me hizo querer ser siempre mejor y darme cuenta de que podía hacer algo - que yo podría tener un impacto, y yo podría ser una voz para el cambio. Él era ese factor motivador para mí. Él me ayudó a ganar confianza para trabajar en la comunidad y eso fue

poderoso”.Medina recordó

la iniciación. “Fue Gilbert quien nos dio la oportunidad inicial de ir a la escuela, lo que ahora es Cristo Rey, pero solía ser Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. Nosotros ofrecíamos tutorías a los niños allí. Teníamos quince años y estábamos recibiendo un poco de

dinero para eso y luego AmeriCorps llegó al centro y lo hicimos por un par de años”.

Ambas continuaron su trabajo en educación y desarrollo juvenil y fueron animadas por Gilbert a retribuir a la comunidad.

“Esa siempre fue la idea que nos enseñó. De todo lo que aprendimos de él, era nuestro trabajo salir, allí, y enseñar a la gente. Algunos dicen que no se gana mucho dinero, pero las cosas que recibimos de los trabajos que hemos hecho o de los chicos que hemos impactado, eso es todo, esa es la

recompensa”.Villalobos fue uno de

esos adolescentes que Gilbert reclutó. En ese momento tenía 15 años y había visto a un amigo morir en un encuentro violento. Villalobos admite que se sentía perdido y se acercó a Adriana Pecina, en ese momento consejera juvenil de GCI. Ella se acercó a Gilbert y mencionó a Villalobos. Le dijo que lo trajera al centro y que lo pondría a trabajar.

Villalobos recordó las lecciones de Gilbert. “Él siempre hablaba sobre la construcción de nuestros propios seres a partir de nuestra propia comunidad. Él diría, ‘no vamos a ir a pedir ayuda.

Tenemos problemas aquí. Vamos a orientar a nuestros niños para que se conviertan en líderes y yo era uno de esos niños que tomó de la calle”.

Villalobos añadió, “él básicamente dijo, es por eso que es importante retribuir a la comunidad. Por eso es importante que nuestros niños dominen las matemáticas y la ciencia. Dijo que estaba en nuestra sangre, con los mayas, quienes estudiaron las estrellas y los aztecas que construyeron estos templos. Él sabía que la única historia que nuestros hijos iban a obtener es la historia

que se imprime en estos libros y, que no son muy inclusivos, tenemos que contar los relatos de nuestras historias y de dónde venimos”.

Ese simple mensaje resonó con Villalobos y sus compañeros en el momento, lo que llevó a muchos a convertirse en tutores en la escuela preparatoria y más tarde en la elección de la educación como una carrera.

“Los tenemos en todo Estados Unidos. Cuando abrieron

Alta Vista, él orientó a algunos de esos profesores y algunos de ellos se convirtieron en los directores. Los preparó. Incluso tenemos a un ex director, el Dr. Uzziel Pecina, que pasó a ser profesor en la universidad. Comenzó como tutor después de la escuela”.

Villalobos le da crédito a Gilbert por cambiar su vida. “No hay duda en mi mente de que él fue el catalizador. Él fue el que me conectó con GCI y la mentalidad de retribuir a tu comunidad y, servir y proteger a aquellos que no pueden protegerse. Ahí es donde se sembró esa semilla, que a través de la educación y el empoderamiento

podemos ser los protectores de los oprimidos. Siento que en mi trabajo ahora soy capaz de hacer eso”.

Para Medina y Coronado los últimos recuerdos que tendrán de su mentor y jefe llegaron en los días posteriores a las elecciones. Los comentarios despectivos hechos por el presidente Trump acerca de la comunidad latina irritaron a Gilbert.

“El día antes de su derrame cerebral, cuando entró en la oficina, estaba de mal humor. No quería ver la inauguración. Estaba indignado por los llamamientos de Trump contra los estudiantes de DACA y su plan para negarles las oportunidades educativas que el acta les proporcionaba”, recordó Medina.

“Él tomó la historia de cada estudiante DACA, su lucha, fue personal. Él sintió el dolor en su propio corazón y lo convirtió en su misión y lo llevó a su muerte”, agregó Coronado.

Ambas amigas recuerdan con cariño la protesta del centro, en ese día, cuando la gente se presentó para marchar contra Trump. Les marcó el ritmo con el coche mientras se preparaban para unirse a la marcha. Estaba emocionado, en un punto dijo que deseaba tener sus piernas marchantes. Lo tranquilizaron diciéndole que estaban caminado cuando el coche se unió a la multitud, dirigiéndose hacia el centro, con el claxon tocando y los puños de Gilbert saliendo de la ventana del coche en muestra de solidaridad.

El último post de Gilbert en Facebook, ese día, lo dijo todo. “Orgulloso de ser un ciudadano de Kansas City ahora mismo. Más de mil personas marchando por la Avenida Grand, protestando contra el dictador Trump, eso ha levantado mi espíritu para resistir”.

El servicio conmemo-rativo está pendiente para Gilbert Guerrero.

“Él deseó tener sus piernas marchantes”

It was not unusual for Gilbert Guerrero (far left) to lead or be a part of a protest. He was always surrounded with other supporters fighting for human rights or going to both state capitals in Kansas or Missouri, fighting against legislation that would have a negative impact for the Latino community.No era raro que Gilbert Guerrero (a la izquierda) dirigiera o formara parte de una protesta. Siempre estuvo rodeado de otros partidarios que luchaban por los derechos humanos o que iban a ambas capitales de estado en Kansas o Missouri, luchando contra la legislación que tendría un impacto negativo para la comunidad latina.

“Gilbert fue un modelo a seguir, partidario, líder, portavoz y pilar para nuestra comunidad.”

Cris Medina.

“Gilbert was a role model, advocate, leader, spokesman, and pillar for our community.”

Cris Medina

CONT./PÁGINA 1

“Mira, Gilbert es un héroe ... Conocí a Gilbert hace décadas. Se le echará de menos.”

Emanuel Cleaver, Congresista

“Look, Gilbert is a hero … I have known Gilbert for decades. He will be missed.”

Emanuel Cleaver,Congressman

A mi “familia y amigos, por favor oren por mi amigo Gilbert Guerrero que falleció esta mañana. Me aconsejó en la escuela preparatoria y en la universidad. Tuvo una gran influencia en mi vida y en cómo ser un líder.”

Robert López Consejero Escolar de Alta Vista

To my “family and friends, please pray for my friend Gilbert Guerrero who passed away this morning. He mentored me in high school and in college. He had a big influence on my life and how to be a leader.”

Robert Lopez Alta Vista School Counselor

“De todo lo que aprendimos de él era nuestro trabajo para salir y enseñar a la gente” dijo Carla Medina (izquierda). “Gilbert fue ese factor motivador para mí” Gina Coronado, dijo.“From everything we learned from him it was our job to go out there and teach people,” said Carla Medina (left). “Gilbert was that motivating factor for me,” said Gina Coronado.

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Rodriguez who wanted to send a counselor to work in Kansas City. GCI offered space. Gilbert was not the first choice but came soon after the first intern left.

Medina and Gilbert had an unexpected connection. Though Gilbert was from Kansas he was not a Jayhawk fan, something that appealed to the Missouri fan in Medina. One year into his residence, Medina recruited him to GCI.

“The guy had a lot of energy. He was a community activist. He had a lot of zeal for community projects. He was a strong advocate for education and especially of Latino kids and equal rights for our community, things that were part of our mission and what we were trying to do. We said, “This guy has it instilled in him,” he recalled.

Medina added, “He was a Brown Beret in Topeka and a community organizer. He was involved in all types of Latino and Chicano issues going back to the strikes with Cesar Chavez and the farmworkers and of course Corky Gonzalez out of Colorado. Gilbert knew a lot of that history growing up in Topeka.”

Gilbert’s personality was evident from the

beginning. “He was like the attack dog sometimes. He was ready to go when he thought there was injustice and things were not right. He was the first to line up and go and confront the situation and speak up and try to get other people to join him and advocate on behalf of the issue.”

Medina admits that Gilbert’s style was in contrast to his. Medina is more reserved than Gilbert and had to on occasion rein him in, but that duality complimented them well.

“Sometimes we were a good team and we became a good team,” mused Medina. “I would let Gilbert go off on them and then I would come in. One of his strengths was his ability to get people to respond to an issue and then get them to deal with the issue.”

The difference in personality sometimes led to clashes. “We didn’t always agree but that is why we worked together well, because he would have a different perspective on some issues, but we could work out our differences and at the end of the day we were on the same page when

we walked out that door.”

One thing of which there was little dispute was the importance of education to the well being of the community. Under both of their leadership, GCI ventured into the minefield of public education.

Chato Villalobos, a mentee and close friend of Gilbert’s, recalled Gilbert’s distaste for the educational system he felt was failing Latino students.

“The larger case for Gilbert was that the school district was failing our community. We were dropping out at a 75% rate out of the schools. I remember he said, ‘we may not have the resources but we can do better than 75% or a 25% retention rate.’ My favorite saying of his that I hang on to is, ‘we are building this plane while we are flying it,” Villalobos remembered.

And the things they were building and flying were “the first bilingual pre-school, then it was the high school, there was the after-school

programs, the summer programs and now we have a whole district … from pre-school all the way to college [where] the kids from our community have access to quality education. This is just because of his brilliant mind.”

Medina called it, “a baptism under fire. In the beginning we made a lot of mistakes but we made a lot of good things and the testimony is that from

starting an alternative school with twenty kids, we now have an alternative school district that has over a thousand kids. … When we were dreaming, we never thought we would have an alternative school district with over a thousand kids. … Dreams can happen.”

If the measure of a life well lived is the examples one imparts to

those around them then Gilbert’s life was one burdened with riches.

“He was a very rich person in terms of the friendships that he developed and the impact on people,” Medina told Hispanic News. “This morning alone I have had calls from Chicago, Minneapolis, San Diego, San Francisco and Houston. Calls from people who all knew Gilbert and [whose] life’s he impacted. They know what a tremendous asset he was for Latino education and civil rights and fighting for our constituents and our youth.”

GCI Vice president of Health and social services Diane Rojas was a friend and co-worker. “When I think of Gilbert the first words that come to mind is brilliant and unique. ... I met him 32 years ago. We started here in GCI on the exact

same day. Until Google came along he was my Google. He was so knowledgeable, so worldly. He could speak intelligently about any

subject, but he also had a huge heart. He was a kind person. There were no airs about him. There was no pretentiousness.

“Gilbert was so approachable and I think that is why he was successful on various playing fields. He could connect with the community. He was a grassroots person. He was an activist and a community supporter, but he could also play

the game in the community boardroom, at the corporate level, at the political level. He could play any position in any field. That was Gilbert.”

Like Rojas, Raul Murguia was enthralled by Gilbert’s communication skills and his enthusiasm for the culture. “One of the things about our heritage and the culture and our history is that Gilbert made it appealing and interesting

because he was so passionate about learning his heritage and his culture that when he talked about it he was able to project it with the [same passion] he hungered for it. … He was the first one to do Dia de los Muertos in Kansas City and now there are a lot of people doing a lot of events.”

Gilbert’s cultural and activist influence was

particularly strong with the youth he recruited at an early age into the GCI family. Gina Coronado and Carla Medina, youth development managers, are two friends who came under his influence as teenagers.

Coronado explained, “Gilbert was like a second dad to me. He believed in me in way that no one had ever believed in me. He saw

something that I didn’t even see. His powerful character made me want to always be better and realize that I could do something – that I could make an impact, and I could be a voice for change. He was that motivating factor for me. He helped me

gain confidence to work in the community and that was powerful.”

Medina recalled the initiation. “It was Gilbert who gave us the initial chance to go over to the school, what is now Cristo Rey but used to be Our Lady of Angels. We tutored kids there. … We were fifteen and we were getting a little bit of money for that and then AmeriCorps came to the center and we did that for a couple of years.“

The two continued their work in education and youth development and were encouraged by Gilbert to give back to the community.

“That was always the idea he taught us. From everything we learned from him it was our job to go out there and teach people. Some say you don’t make a lot of money …but the things we get back from the jobs we have done or the kids we have impacted that evens it all out – that is the reward.”

Villalobos was one of those teenagers that Gilbert recruited. At the time he was 15 years old and had watched a friend die in a violent encounter. Villalobos admits he was lost and reached out to Adriana Pecina, at the time a GCI youth counselor. She

approached Gilbert and mentioned Villalobos. He told her to bring him to the center and he would put him to work.

Villalobos recalled Gilbert’s lessons. “He was always about building our own from our own community. He would say, ‘we are not going to go and ask for help. … We have issues here. We will mentor our children to become the leaders and I was one of those kids he took off the street.”

Villalobos added, “He basically said this is why it is important to give back to the community. This is why it important for our children to master math and science. He said it was in our blood with the Mayans who studied the stars and the Aztecs who built these temples. … He knew that the only history that our children are going to get is the history that is printed in these books that are not very inclusive and we need to tell the stories of our histories and where we came from.”

That simple message resonated with Villalobos and his peers at the time leading many to become tutors in the high school and later

choosing education as a career.

“We have them all over the United States. … When they opened up Alta Vista, he mentored some of those teachers and a few of them became the principals. He groomed them. We even have one former principal, Dr. Uzziel Pecina, who went on to be a professor in college. He started as an after school tutor.”

Villalobos credits Gilbert with changing his life. “There is no doubt in my mind that

he was the catalyst. He was the one that hooked me up with GCI and the mentality of giving back to your community and service and protecting those that cannot protect themselves. That is where that seed was planted … that through education and empowerment we can be the protectors of the oppressed. I feel like in my job now I am able to do that.”

For Medina and Coronado the last memories they will have of their mentor and boss came in the days after the election. The disparaging remarks made by President Trump about the Latino community angered Gilbert.

“The day before his stroke when he came into the office he was in a foul mood. … He did not want to watch the inauguration. He was incensed by Trump’s calls against the DACA students, and his plan to deny them the educational opportunities that the act afforded them,” recalled Medina.

“He took every DACA student’s story, their strife, personal. He … felt the pain in his own heart and made it his

mission and he took it to his death,” added Coronado.

Both friends recall fondly the protest downtown that day when people showed up to demonstrate against Trump. He beat them to the car as they prepared to join the march. He was excited at one point saying he wished he had his marching legs. They reassured him

by telling him they were rolling as the car joined the crowd walking towards downtown with horns honking and Gilbert’s fists raised out of the car window in solidarity.

Gilbert’s last post on Facebook that day said it all. “Proud to be a Kansas Citian right now. More than a 1,000 marching down Grand Avenue protesting the dictator Trump, has lifted my spirit to resist.”

A memorial service is pending for Gilbert Guerrero.

CONT./PAGE 1

“Gilbert was the one that hooked me up with GCI and the mentality of giving back to your community,” said Chato Villalobos (left).“Gilbert fue el que me conectó con GCI y la mentalidad de devolver a su comunidad,” dijo Chato Villalobos (izquierda)

“He wished he had his marching legs”

“Gilbert whole being was about giving back to the community. None of us at Alta Vista would be here today if it were not for Gil, and I would not be the person I am today if it were not for his support, guidance and mentoring over all these years.”

Eddie Mendez Alta Vista High School Principal

“El ser entero de Gilbert se trataba de retribuir a la comunidad. Ninguno de nosotros, en Alta Vista, estaría aquí hoy si no fuera por Gil, y yo no sería la persona que soy hoy si no fuera por su apoyo, orientación y consejo durante todos estos años.”

Eddie Méndez, Director Escuela Preparatoria Alta Vista

“Kansas City lost a special man, Gilbert Guerrero. We did our Master’s degrees together at KSU. He always challenged the status que and sought to improve education for the kids. I last spoke with him about a month ago about a grant idea for the Westside. He was wanting to change health outcomes for families. We will miss you Gilbert.”

Andres M. Dominguez

“Kansas City perdió a un hombre especial, Gilbert Guerrero. Hicimos nuestra maestría juntos en KSU. Siempre desafió el status quo y buscó mejorar la educación de los niños. La última vez que hablé con él fue hace un mes sobre la idea de una subvención para el Westside. Estaba deseando cambiar los resultados de salud para las familias. Te extrañaremos Gilbert.”

Andrés M. Domínguez

“In my own work with the community, I found Gil to be a constant ally and reliable collaborator, as have so many others. We can hardly afford to lose such a valuable person in these bleak times, and my heart goes out to his beloved family, as well as to our entire community, which has lost a tireless pillar of strength that sustained it for many decades. Rest in peace and power.”

Linda Rodriguez

“En mi propio trabajo con la comunidad, encontré a Gil como un aliado constante y un colaborador confiable, al igual que tantos otros. No podemos permitirnos perder a una persona tan valiosa en estos tiempos sombríos, y mi corazón está con su amada familia, así como con toda nuestra comunidad, que ha perdido un pilar incansable de fuerza que lo sostuvo durante muchas décadas. Descanse en paz y en poder.”

Linda Rodríguez

Gilbert Guerrero knew Alta Vista Charter School had to succeed and the proof is within the students that have graduated and are now in college.Gilbert Guerrero sabía que Alta Vista Charter School tuvo éxito y la prueba está dentro de los estudiantes que se han graduado y ahora están en la universidad.

For Gilbert Guerrero seeing his students graduate from high school with big smiles and heading off to college was what made him proud to be in the field of education.Para Gilbert Guerrero ver a sus estudiantes graduarse de la escuela secundaria con grandes sonrisas e ir a la universidad fue lo que lo hizo sentir orgulloso de estar en el campo de la educación.

YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996 ❖ TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996

4 Febrero 9 - 2017 | KCHispanicNews.com

In many ways, ‘Baile an Salsa’ reflects the growing diversity now found in Ireland, says Nancy Wormington, Executive Director. “Our mission as an Irish cultural center is to honor the past while also celebrating modern Irish culture and the richness of Ireland’s increasingly diverse population. We want to reflect that diversity in our new home at Drexel Hall, where we proudly celebrate our Irish culture and also offer a welcoming gathering place for people of all cultures and backgrounds.”‘Baile an Salsa’ performs original material composed by the band and blended with traditional Irish tunes. Andres Martorell, the lead vocalist and founder of the band, brings melodies from various styles including Salsa, Flamenco and Irish Sean-Nós.

A unique blend of music-- Irish Salsa is coming to Kansas City,

Missouri on Valentine’s Day. Irish music has evolved from folklore ballads to rocking with bagpipes, drums, violins, guitars, and now has added a twist of Latin Salsa music.

It is a unique blend of two traditional musical sounds that highlights deep roots in story telling and speaks to the romantic at heart.

On the evening of Valentine’s Day the Kansas City Irish Center wants to send a message of love and unity to the community during tough political times.

“The nature of the band is unique and it is a cross cultural positive message that our program will be sending that evening. We want to send a message of unity and love. We want others in the community to know that we welcome them at the Irish Center,” said Ronan Collins, Vice President of the Irish Center of Kansas City.

The Irish community across the United States has an undocumented community that is living in fear after President Donald Trump signed his Immigration Executive Orders. There are about 50,000 undocumented Irish immigrants living in the United States. It is unclear if President Trump executive orders will send them back to Ireland or let them renew their visas.

According to Collins, there are Irish immigrants living in Kansas City who renew their visas every ten years, but have not applied for citizenship. Many have been here for 20 plus years, they have raised their children here, they have bought homes here and they have established deep roots in the community,

but are now living in fear that it could be taken away from them and their families if they are deported.

“We want to show solidarity to our fellow immigrants. The Irish Center supports the Irish immigrant but we want to do an outreach program to make everyone feel welcome at the center,” said Collins.

The Irish immigrant has come to the United States looking for a better life just as other immigrants that have left their homelands came seeking a better life for their families.

“We share a similar experience to the Hispanic population in terms of people wanting to come here, and they have from Ireland, but have found it difficult to find a legal way to do so and ended up undocumented,” he said.

After the Presidential Executive Order on banning traveling from seven different countries into the United States, the Board members of the Irish Center came together and brainstormed on how they could host a cross cultural event that would welcome all.

Thus the idea of sponsoring the band, Baile an Salsa, an international band comprised of ten world-class musicians that hail from Ireland, Cuba, Uruguay, United States, Italy and Spain.

Formed in 2012, the band began in Galway City, Ireland and as an international band they blend their passion for traditional Irish music with Latin Rhythms creating a fusion they call Salsa-Trad and their appeal is growing.

“Some of Baile An Salsa band members were playing regularly for several years in a salsa band in Galway. I heard the salsa band playing one night and talked with Alan Preims

about a possible project-- fusion of the two bands. The salsa and traditional band members met and that was the beginning. It was a huge surprise for us to see, that this fusion, was sounding quite ok on the first rehearsal we did. We were really enthusiastic about it,” said lead singer Andres Martorell.

Their Valentine’s Day performance will take place at the Irish Center in Drexel Hall at 33rd and Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri at 8 p.m.

Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10 for general admission or a $30 Sweetheart deal that gives couples two tickets and sweets and champagne.

Recognizing the diverse neighborhood surrounding Drexel Hall, they hope they can entice their neighbors to join them for an evening of enjoyment.

“This band brings a positive sound and a nice mixture of band members and music,” said Collins.

The Irish Salsa music has been growing in Ireland and the bands international fan base love to listen to the blending of the two styles.

“To be able to mix up our roots music, with the music from the country we all live in now (Ireland), has connected us to our ‘adoptive’ land and also be connected to our motherland,” said Martorell.

During the evening, the center has invited dance instructors from the Irish dance school and from the salsa dance schools to show attendees the different dance steps.

While living in Dublin, Ireland in the 90’s Renata Ruz, Irish Specialist at the Irish Center of Kansas City, discovered Salsa dancing.

“I found Salsa and fell in love with the music, the dancing, and the people. Cuban style, Puerto Rican style,

Casino Rueda, Bachata, Merengue …I ’m passionate about all of it,” said Ruz.

In Ireland she enjoyed socializing with the diverse community that made up the country. Fifty percent of the community came from France, Germany, Spain, India, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba and many other places. When she returned to the United States, she wanted to live in a diverse community and chose the West Side.

“Music brings people together and when I moved here I was happy to find a diverse crowd enjoying the Salsa scene,” she said.

That sense of community and willingness to help one another within the city is what the center hopes will evolve out of their first multi-cultural program.

“We want to make it a fun evening. We felt having the band come and performed was a great opportunity to have a positive message that was all-inclusive. The nature of the band is unique and the message is unique. We want our immigrant neighbors to know that we share the same fear as they do and we are standing with them,” said Collins.

Lead singer Martorell hopes that after their performance people will leave feeling a sense of unity.

“Our message is very connected to Ireland society. We love the land where we all live now, even with seven of us not born in Ireland. We all respect it by studying and playing the music from the land and at the same time we put it close to our mother’s land music. We believe that we can learn so much from each other and that we can share this with everyone,” said Martorell.

Twisting Irish Latin music together

by Debra DeCoster

CLASSIFIEDS & PUBLIC NOTICESClasificados & Anuncios Publicos

Full-Time and Part-

Time Faculty and Staff

Career Opportunities

at

https://jobs.mcckc.edu

EOE/M/F/V/Disabled

Education

Opening Soon! P r o n t o!

Overland Park Dave & Buster’sJoin our team as we come to Overland Park!

Hiring Center Now Open and Walk-Ins are WelcomeNow Hiring All Positions.

Apply in person at our hiring center or online

¡Únete a nuestro equipo que llegara a Overland Park!El Centro de Contratación esta abierto y son bienvenidos

Se esta contratando todas las posiciones.Visitenos en persona en nuestro Centro de

Contratación o en línea

NOAH’S Event Center ~7341 W. 133rd ~ Overland Park, KS

www.dandbjobs.com

TREE TRIMMER(Job Opening ID #506680)

Several full-time positions available with KCMO’s Parks & Recreation Department, Forestry Division, 1520 West 9th Street. Normal Work Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Plants, sprays, prunes, and removes trees along public streets and on public grounds. Operates all ranges of equipment to include, but not limited to, aerial lift trucks, hauling trucks, clam trucks, chain saws, various types of pruning saws, chippers, backhoes, log trucks, tree spades, bobcats, forklifts, stump grinders. Inspects, evaluates and reports tree-related problems. First responder to storm events and tree related emergency call out. Ascends trees with a climbing rope and saddle or aerial lift truck and works in high and hazardous locations. Assists in training less experienced trimmers in all areas of tree related work. May lead and train other field personnel. Participates in a variety of tasks incidental to the work. Much of the work is hazardous and requires considerable strength and agility. Utilizes independent judgment when necessary to avoid possible hazards to personnel, private property and the public. REQUIRES 6 months of experience in tree trimming work. Must possess a valid state-issued driver’s license in accordance with City of KCMO policies. May be required to possess a valid MO Class A, B or C CDL prior to the end of the probationary period as determined by the department. Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and post-offer physical examination as prescribed by the City. Salary Range: $15.21-$23.59/hour. Applications accepted until position filled. Apply online at www.kcmo.gov/careers. EOE. The City of Kansas City, Missouri is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.

Like UsKansas City Hispanic News

Job Opening for College Success Navigators

MARC, the non-profit association of city and county governments in KC, is seeking College Success Navigators. For a complete job description, more info and how to apply, visit our website at www.marc.org/jobs. MARC is an equal opportunity employer M/F/D/V.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Crossroads Hotel Group, LLC is accepting subcontractor and supplier bids for the Hotel Indigo. The project is located at 2020 Grand Kansas City, MO. The project consists of renovating an existing three story building into an 80 room Boutique hotel. The existing basement will remain parking and an additional 4th floor will be added. The total building square footage will be approximately 74,500.Bids Due: No later than March 1st 2017 1:00 PM CST. Bids must be emailed to mdinn@abbottproperties.netThis is an LCRA project that has minority goals of 16% MBE and 8% WBEThis project will begin construction in March and be complete by December 31st 2017.Bidding documents available at KC blueprint and Lane BlueprintThe owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any formalities or irregularities in any bid, and to accept the bid or bids which seem most advantageous to the owner.

For questions contact:Denton Parker: 913-558-7302

Muhannad Dinn: 816-806-2704Brad Wilson: 816-585-8405

YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996 ❖ TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996

Febrero 9 - 2017 | KCHispanicNews.com 5

residencia (green cards), refugiados, estudiantes DACA, prohibiciones para viajar y las preguntas continuas con respecto a los inmigrantes indocumentados.

El discurso de apertura de Cleaver, reconoció a Gilbert Guerrero, un gran líder de derechos civiles y reformador de la educación de Kansas City que falleció la semana pasada. Según el congresista, fue idea de Guerrero el tener la reunión del ayuntamiento, debido a toda la incertidumbre respecto al tema de inmigración procedente de la Casa Blanca y el Presidente Trump.

En una conferencia de prensa antes de la reunión, Cleaver dijo: “No hay lógica en esto. Los siete países de África del Norte y Oriente Medio nunca han enviado a un ciudadano que haya cometido un acto terrorista. Haces que Estados Unidos sea grande haciendo que Estados Unidos esté disponible para una gran variedad de personas”.

Cleaver, se une a cerca de la mitad de los estadounidenses que están molestos con Trump y su orden ejecutiva, con respecto a los inmigrantes que ingresan a los Estados Unidos. Cleaver expresó su frustración.

“Esto no va a ser resuelto hasta que llegue ante la Corte Suprema. La gente tiene miedo. Tal vez no podamos deshacer lo que el Presidente Trump ha hecho, pero podemos ayudar a encontrar respuestas sobre qué hacer a continuación”.

El estudiante de la Universidad Estatal del Sur de Missouri, Antonio Carranco, vino desde Springfield, Missouri

para asistir a la reunión del Ayuntamiento. Le dijo a Hispanic News que había sido afectado por las órdenes ejecutivas de Trump sobre inmigración.

“Nací en México. Mis padres solían ganar menos de 20 dólares cada 2 semanas. Así que mis padres decidieron mudarse a los Estados Unidos y, mi abuela, que es ciudadana estadounidense, presento una solicitud para nosotros. Pero ha tardado mucho tiempo. Ahora estoy en la universidad y juego fútbol en Universidad Estatal del Sur de Missouri. Gané una beca para jugar fútbol, pero la escuela no me dej a tener la beca porque tienen miedo de perder fondos del estado. Aunque gané una beca, no me la darán. Tendré un bebé que nacerá en el otoño, tengo dos trabajos y estoy en periodo de prácticas, una pasantía”.

Carranco dijo, que es duro para él y sus padres. “Soy un estudiante de tercer año en la universidad y están pagando por todo. Mis padres han estado en un presupuesto muy estricto desde que entre a la universidad, y sí, entramos a los EU con visa, en el año 2000. Asistí a la reunión del Ayuntamiento porque quería saber que postura tiene nuestra legislatura respecto a DACA”.

“Lo más preocupante, es que no obtenemos los derechos básicos que cualquier otro estudiante tendría. A pesar de que no soy un criminal y estoy trabajando muy duro para proporcionar a mi futura familia, y, el estado de Missouri es sólo un obstáculo para los estudiantes DACA”, agregó Carranco, “La reunión realmente no respondió

a las preguntas o preocupaciones sobre DACA. Ojalá se hubieran enfocado más en ayudarnos, simplemente mencionar a DACA un poco más”.

La ciudadana de Kansas City, Kansas, Carolyn Ruiz, una abogada cívica de largo tiempo, dijo que ella vino a la reunión para aprender más sobre la orden ejecutiva de Trump sobre inmigración y compartir con otros en su comunidad lo que ella aprenda de los oradores invitados.

Ruiz dijo, “Siento que es necesario que se me informe de lo que está sucediendo debido a mi origen familiar. Mi familia vino aquí como inmigrante y, por supuesto, no fue tan difícil como lo es hoy. Hablo con personas que tienen miedo y necesitan

estar informados. Siento que estoy haciendo algo por aquellos que no pueden estar aquí hoy”.

Haciendo referencia a la situación actual, Ruiz dijo a Hispanic News, “Realmente me entristece y me enoja, porque es algo nuevo, que no hemos tenido que tolerar en mi vida, en mi edad de votar. Así que es muy incómodo para mí, porque he vivido en Kansas prácticamente toda mi vida y debido a los Republicanos del Tea Party que han estado en el poder por lo menos los últimos seis a siete años. Creo que todos hemos experimentado algunos de los extremismos que otros estados no han experimentado”.

El domingo, 5 de febrero, Trump tuvo otro retraso en sus órdenes ejecutivas, cuando la Corte de Apelaciones

de los Estados Unidos del el 9no Circuito, negó el movimiento de emergencia del Departamento de Justicia presentado el sábado para emitir una suspensión inmediata de la orden de restricción temporal de parte de

un juez del Estado de Washington en la prohibición migratoria de viajar de Trump.

Cleaver dijo, “Nuestro trabajo es asegurarnos de que el presidente de los Estados Unidos sepa que postura tenemos”.

cards, refugees, DACA students, bans on travel and the continuing issues regarding undocumented immigrants.

Cleaver’s opening remarks acknowledged Gilbert Guerrero, a long time Kansas City civil rights leader and education reformer who passed away last week. According to the Congressman it was Guerrero’s idea to have the town hall meeting because of all the uncertainty regarding immigration coming from the White House and President Trump.

At a press conference prior to the meeting Cleaver said, “There is no logic to this. … The seven countries targeted in North Africa and the Middle East have never sent a citizen over here that committed a terrorist act. You make America great by making America available to a wide variety of people.”

Cleaver joins about half of Americans upset with Trump and his executive order regarding immigrants entering the United States. Cleaver expressed his frustration.

“This is not going to be settled until it appears before the Supreme Court. People are scared. … We may not be able to undo what President Trump has done, but we can

help find answers about what to do next.”

Missouri Southern State University student Antonio Carranco came in from Springfield, Missouri to attend the Town Hall meeting. He told Hispanic News he had been impacted by Trump’s executive orders on immigration.

“I was born in Mexico. My parents used to make less then 20 dollars every 2 weeks. So my parents decided to move to the U.S. and my grandma, who is a US citizen, petitioned for us. But it has taken a very long time. Now I’m in college and I play football at Missouri Southern State University. I earned a scholarship to play football but the school won’t let me have the scholarship because they’re scared of losing funding from the state. Even though I earned a scholarship they won’t give it to me. I have a baby that is due in the fall and I work two jobs and I have an internship.”

Carranco said it is hard on him and his parents. “I’m a junior in college and they are paying for everything. My parents have been on a very strict budget ever since I have gotten into college, and yes we entered the USA with visa’s back in the year 2000.

I attended the Town Hall meeting because I

wanted to hear where our legislature stood on DACA.

“The most troubling thing is that we don’t get the basic rights any other student does. Even though I am not a criminal and I’m working really hard to provide for my future family and the state of Missouri is just an obstacle for DACA students,” Carranco added, “The meeting didn’t really answer hardly any questions or concerns about DACA. I wish they would have focused more on helping us with just mentioning DACA a little bit more.”

Kansas City, Kansas native Carolyn Ruiz, a long time civic advocate, said she came to the meeting to learn more about Trump’s executive order on immigration and to share with others in her community what she learned from the guest speakers.

Ruiz said, “I feel it is necessary for me to be informed of what is happening because of my family background. My family came here as immigrants and of course it was not as difficult as it is today. I speak to people who are afraid and need to be informed I feel I’m doing something for those who can’t be here today.”

Referencing the current situation, Ruiz told Hispanic News,

“It really saddens and angers me because this is something new that we have not had to tolerate in my lifetime, in my voting age. So it is very uneasy … for me, because I have lived in Kansas practically all my life and … because of the Tea Party Republicans that have been in power

for at least the last six to seven years. I think we have all experienced some of the extremism that other states have not experienced.”

On Sunday, Feb. 5, Trump had another set back on his executive orders when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit denied the Department of Justice’s

emergency motion filed late Saturday to issue an immediate stay on a Washington State judge’s temporary restraining order of Trump’s immigration travel ban.

Cleaver said, “Our job is to make sure the president of the United States knows were we stand.”

While hundreds of people sat near Carolyn Ruiz, she said, “I feel it is necessary for me to be informed of what is happening because of my family background. My family came here as immigrants and of course it was not as difficult as it is today. I speak to people who are afraid and need to be informed. I feel I’m doing something for those who can’t be here today.” Mientras cientos de personas se sentaron cerca de Carolyn Ruiz, ella dijo “Siento que es necesario que se me informe de lo que está sucediendo debido a mi origen familiar. Mi familia vino aquí como inmigrante y, por supuesto, no fue tan difícil como lo es hoy. Hablo con personas que tienen miedo y necesitan estar informados. Siento que estoy haciendo algo por aquellos que no pueden estar aquí hoy”.

CONT./PAGE 1

CONT./PÁGINA 1

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver joins about half of Americans upset with Trump and his executive order regarding immigrants entering the United States. Cleaver expressed his frustration. “This is not going to be settled until it appears before the Supreme Court. People are scared. … We may not be able to undo what President Trump has done, but we can help find answers about what to do next.”El congresista Emanuel Cleaver, se une a cerca de la mitad de los estadounidenses que están molestos con Trump y su orden ejecutiva, con respecto a los inmigrantes que ingresan a los Estados Unidos. Cleaver expresó su frustración. “Esto no va a ser resuelto hasta que llegue ante la Corte Suprema. La gente tiene miedo. Tal vez no podamos deshacer lo que el Presidente Trump ha hecho, pero podemos ayudar a encontrar respuestas sobre qué hacer a continuación.”

Trump ban on immigration has local impact

La prohibición migratoria de Trump tiene impacto local

PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT (Editor/Presidente) Jose “Joe” ArceVICE PRESIDENT (Vicepresidente) Ramona ArceEDITOR (Editor)Jose FausREPORTERS/WRITERS (Reporteros/Periodistas)Debra DeCoster, Jose Faus, Jerry LaMartinaDESIGN/LAYOUT(Diseño Editorial/Diagramación) Janneth-B RodríguezGemma TorneroSPANISH TRANSLATION(Traducción a español) Gemma TorneroSTUDENT INTERN(Becario)Jorge Castro-SuarezJose Muñiz

KCHN is a weekly publication of Arce Communications Inc. who bears no responsibility for accuracy or content advertisements. All rights reserverd. Arce Communications Inc does not guarantee the absence of error and every attempt will be made to remedy in KCHN at our next edition. KCHN es una publicacion semanal de Arce Communications Inc. quienes no se hacen responsables por la presición o contenido de los anuncios. Todos los derechos reservados. Arce Communications Inc. no garantiza la ausencia de errores en KCHN los cuales seran corregidos en nuestra siguiente edición.

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YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996 ❖ TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996

6 Febrero 9 - 2017 | KCHispanicNews.comCLASSIFIEDS & PUBLIC NOTICES | Clasificados & Anuncios Publicos Febrero 9 - 2017

Special Projects Coordinator –

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

The Missouri Department of Transportation has a vacancy for a Special Projects Coordinator. This position performs varied and complex tasks in the completion of special projects involving a high degree of functional expertise in Equal Opportunity and Diversity initiatives for the department.

Successful candidates will possess a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources Management, or related field. Eight years of progressively responsible experience in positions demonstrating a knowledge and application of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing equal opportunity and diversity.

We offer an excellent benefits package. An on-line application may be completed at www.modot.org, under “Career Opportunities” by February 24, 2017.

EEO/AA

Diversity and Inclusion Specialist

The Missouri Department of Transportation has a vacancy for a Diversity and Inclusion Specialist in its Central Office Equal Opportunity and Diversity Division. This position performs activities which support diversity initiatives for the department and serves in an advisory capacity for equal opportunity and diversity related activities.

Successful candidates will possess a bachelor’s degree in human resources/personnel management, business administration, or related field. Professional human resources and/or equal opportunity and diversity experience is beneficial. We offer an excellent benefits package. An on-line application may be completed at www.modot.org, under “Career Opportunities” by February 24, 2017.

EEO/AA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE PROPOSEDSECOND AMENDMENT OF THE

9TH & CENTRAL TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN

Pursuant to RSMo 99.825, and in accordance with RSMo 99.830, notice is hereby given of a public hearing that will be held by the Tax Increment Financing Commission of Kansas City, Missouri (the “Commission”) on March 8, 2017, commencing at 9:45 AM, and located, in the Town Pavilion, 1100 Walnut, 4th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri, regarding the proposed Second Amendment of the 9th & Central Tax Increment Financing Plan (the “Plan”).

The proposed Second Amendment of the Plan provides for the removal of the surface parking lot at 205 W. 9th Street from the Plan and the resultant changes to the boundaries and map of the Plan. The intent and substance of the Plan remains unchanged other than specifically referenced herein.

The redevelopment area is generally bounded by W. 9th Street on the north, W. 10th Street on the south, Central Street on the west and Wyandotte Street on the east, all in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri (the “Redevelopment Area”).The proposed Second Amendment of the Plan may be reviewed by any interested party on or after March 1, 2017, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Commission’s offices, which are located at 1100 Walnut, Suite 1700, Kansas City, Missouri.

Pursuant to Section 99.830.2(3), all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing.

Heather A. Brown, Executive DirectorTax Increment Financing Commission of Kansas City, Missouri1100 Walnut, Suite 1700Kansas City, Missouri 64106

BLACKSNAKE COMBINED SEWER REHABILITATION CRACK REPAIRBID # 513-010

Sealed bids will be received by the Purchasing Agent of the City of St. Joseph, Missouri, at the office of the Purchasing Agent on the second floor of City Hall, 1100 Frederick Avenue, Room 201, St. Joseph, Missouri 64501 until 3:00 P.M., March 9, 2017 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud.

A prebid conference will be held on February 14, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. in the 1st Floor Conference Room at City Hall in St. Joseph, MO 64501.

The Work is generally described as follows:a. Repair of concrete and brick cracks in the Blacksnake Combined Sewer

pipeline; identified as pre-defined and Engineer directed Crack Repair in the cast-in-place concrete portion of the sewer and in the brick portion of the sewer and as identified on the drawings including cleaning by wire brush, pressure blasting or other approved methods; application of epoxy; injection of polyurethane foam; curing and all other appurtenances and materials required or specified.

b. Removal of encrustation and deposits at the lateral connection locations shown on the drawings including all labor, components, materials, tools and appurtenances necessary for the performance and completion of the work.

c. Surface repair of plugged lateral connections and existing missing brick locations by filling the void created by missing brick/holes with concrete in the Blacksnake Combined Sewer pipeline and as identified on the drawings including all labor, equipment and materials required to repair, rehabilitate or reconstruct spalled, deteriorated, missing or damaged brick surfaces.

Copies of the Bidding Documents can be viewed or purchased on-line from Drexel Technologies at www.drexeltech.com in their eDistribution plan room for a fee. Additional assistance is available at distribution@drexeltech.com. Information regarding this project can be found in the “Public Jobs” link on the website. Contractors desiring the Bidding Documents for use in preparing bids may also obtain a set of such documents from Drexel Technologies; 10840 West 86th Street, Lenexa, KS 66214, telephone number is 913-371-4430.

This project is being financed through the Missouri State Revolving Fund, established by the sale of Missouri Water Pollution Control bonds and Federal Capitalization Grants to Missouri.

Please pay close attention to State Prevailing Wage Determination and OSHA Safety Training requirement per R.S.Mo 292.675.

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. The City of St. Joseph is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

(s) Tammy C. Bembrick Purchasing Agent

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALSCITY OF ST. JOSEPH, MO

AUTOMATED VENDING MACHINE SERVICES

Bid #RFP2017-17

The City of St. Joseph, Missouri is seeking proposals from vendors interested in providing Automated Vending Machine Services for the Mass Transit Division. Proposals will be received by the Purchasing Agent of the City of St. Joseph until 4:00 P.M. on March 3, 2017.

The Proposal may be obtained from the Purchasing Department, 1100 Frederick Avenue, Room 201, St. Joseph, Missouri or by calling (816) 271-5330. Bid Opportunities may be viewed on the City’s Website at www.stjoemo.org under Bids & RFPs.

The City of St. Joseph reserves the right to reject any or all bids. The City of St. Joseph is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

(s) Tammy Bembrick Purchasing Agent

P U B L I C N O T I C EPROFESSIONAL SERVICES

St. Anthony’s LLC, is requesting statements of qualifications from Architectural and MEP Engineering firms to provide professional services on St. Anthony’s Assisted Living and Memory Care building project, located at 1010 East 68th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.This is a Planned Industrial Expansion Authority (PIEA) project and subject to compliance with all City of Kansas City, Missouri Affirmative Action and MBE/WBE goals and requirements. All responses or inquiries should be sent to StAnthonyskc@yahoo.com, no later than close of business, Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

Landscape Team Member Wanted * Prairiescapes Landscape Creations, Inc. Merriam, KS Prairiescapes, Inc. is currently seeking to fill positions in our mowing division as well as our landscape installation division. Pay is based on experience and

quality of craftsmanship. Candidates must have transportation to and from work. These positions will start immediately.Job Requirements: English speaking Experience with mowing equipment Experience with landscape installation. Must be able to lift 80 lbs.

Contact Information: Nathan Jones 913-515-4213 info@prairiescapesinc.com Merriam, KS 66203

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La familia necesita una mano amiga

Family needs a helping hand

INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI 2/1/17- Yadira Gomez was allegedly killed by her husband on Sunday 1/29/17. According to reports her three children were witness to this terrible act, and found help the next day when they told their teacher about the act of violence.

Yadira, the beautiful singer and song writer... involved in the Church of the Nazarene. Quick to volunteer and help others was taken from her children unnecessarily.

Yadira's death was a tragedy, but the fact that she was a great mom (sometimes spoiling the children) made it even worse! Her 2 sons and

daughter (8, 9, and 6) were Yadira's pride and joy.

She was very family oriented. She was close to her mother, and was with her as often as time would allow. Her mother and father moved to Independence, MO just 5 months ago to be close to her and her children. Now Mr. and Mrs. Gomez-Calderon are going to raise their grandchildren in the wake of this disaster.

Yadira was a great sister, and her family is doing their best to help their parents through this time.

However, we as a community are pulling together to help the family. There are still needs the children will have after losing their parents to this situation. They will need counseling and other financial support for unforeseen circumstances.

Please help the family of Yadira Gomez by making a donation today go to this website https://www.youcaring.com/Yadira Gomez.

For more infomatiion call Michelle Metje at 816-834-9161

Source Corey's Network, Inc.

INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI 2/1/17- Yadira Gómez fue presuntamente asesinada por su esposo el domingo 1/29/17. Según los informes, sus tres hijos fueron testigos de este terrible acto, y encontraron ayuda al día siguiente cuando le dijeron a su maestro sobre el acto de violencia.

Yadira, la hermosa cantante y compositora ... involucrada en la Iglesia del Nazareno. Rápida por voluntariamente colaborar y ayudar a otros fue arrebatada de sus hijos innecesariamente.

La muerte de Yadira fue una tragedia, pero el hecho de que ella era una gran madre (alcahueta de sus hijos) lo hizo aún peor! Sus 2 hijos e hija (8, 9 y 6) fueron el orgullo y la alegría de Yadira.

Ella era muy enfocada a su familia. Estaba cerca de su madre, y estaba con ella tan a menudo como el tiempo se lo permitía. Su madre y su padre se mudaron a Independence hacia sólo 5 meses para estar

cerca de ella y sus hijos. Ahora el señor y la señora Gómez-Calderón van a criar a sus nietos después de este desastre.

Yadira era una gran hermana, y su familia está haciendo todo lo posible para ayudar a sus padres durante este tiempo.

Sin embargo, como comunidad estamos trabajando juntos para ayudar a la familia. Todavía hay necesidades que los niños tendrán, después de perder a sus padres en esta situación. Necesitarán consejería y otro apoyo financiero para circunstancias imprevistas.

Por favor, ayude a la familia de Yadira Gómez haciendo una donación hoy visitando este sitio web https://www.youcaring.com/Yadira Gómez.

Para más información llame a Michelle Metje al 816-834-9161

FuenteCorey's Network, Inc.

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