'Chilimaster' Cook-Off Heats Up Halloween



Some of our best dressed, from left, Tim Ross, Coleen Parnell,
Karen Scherer, and Matt Kersten



Each Halloween a panel of brave GBA judges has the somewhat dubious pleasure of taste testing as many as 40 different chili and soup recipes to determine the recipients of the Golden Ladle trophy, and this year was no exception!

Chili winner Paul Miller (right) receives the
Golden Ladle from last year's winner Bryan Rasmussen



The annual “Chilimaster Cook-Off”…actually a soup category has been added since the contest originated but the name remains unchanged…attracts a group of enthusiastic GBAers who vie for trophies and bragging rights. It’s all in fun, as we enjoy the fare including some pretty tasty dogs, brats, burgers, and much, much more.

Congratulations to this year's winners!   

Chilimasters

Bryan Rasmussen, who took home the gold in the soup
category, is shown with 3rd place winner Coleen Parnell.

1st Place Paul Miller

2nd Place Kiel Johnson

3rd Place Tie Josh Tedder & Tim Ross

Soupmasters

1st Place Bryan Rasmussen

2nd Place Clarence Munsch

3rd Place Coleen Parnell

Looking for a recipe for more durable concrete? A new video explains how the Kansas City Metro Materials Board (KCMMB) can help!

Click on the arrow above to view the video

The Kansas City Metro Materials Board (KCMMB) has launched a new video designed to introduce potential members to the benefits of standardized materials specifications for durable concrete on public works projects. This concrete alternative focuses on life-cycle costs rather than first costs. It’s the culmination of more than three years of research by municipalities to discover and prevent the causes of premature cracking and deterioration of pavement, sidewalks, curbs, and storm drainage inlets.

KCMMB is a cooperative effort of public works organizations in the KC Metro area. The KCMMB goal is to propose standardized material specifications and to simplify the approval process with the assistance of the KCMMB web site. GBA helps by maintaining the web site and reviewing concrete mix design submittals for compliance. 

Take a look at the video to see just what KCMMB can do for you, or visit the KCMMB website to learn more!

Ribbon-Cutting Marks Successful Completion of Interchange at K-7 and Johnson Drive/55th Street

What can we say! It was a beautiful day for a celebration as dignitaries officially cut the ribbon signaling the successful completion of the new interchange at K-7 and Johnson Drive/55th Street in Shawnee, Kansas. Shawnee’s Mill Valley High School Marching Band created a festive air for the perfect fall day, while a gaggle of 5th graders from nearby Prairie Ridge Elementary School clapped and cheered.

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback described the project as “wonderful” and proclaimed that “it provides an atmosphere for growth.” Kansas Secretary of Transportation Deb Miller agreed, saying “There’s nothing I enjoy quite as much as the opportunity to celebrate a success, and that’s certainly what this is.”

Other speakers included U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, U.S. Congressman Kevin Yoder, Kansas Secretary of Revenue Nick Jordan, and Shawnee Mayor Jeff Meyers. All praised the work that had been done and its exciting implications for economic growth in Shawnee, Johnson County, and all along the K-7 corridor. 

Many members of the GBA project team turned out to celebrate a job well done! Principal Clarence Munsch and Project Manager Todd Jones took to the stage for a second ribbon-cutting ceremony recognizing the firm’s engineering design of the $21.4 million project.

Safety concerns and capacity issues prompted KDOT to initiate the project, which replaced an at-grade signalized intersection with the new interchange. The project included new bridges on K-7 over Johnson Drive/55th Street as well as a much-talked-about roundabout below the bridges, where K-7 on- and off-ramps merge with Johnson Drive/55th

Street. A second roundabout west of K-7 at the intersection of 55th Street with Hedge Lane Terrace was also part of the project. Two related projects are still under construction.

According to Governor Brownback, “The investment here and along the K-7 corridor …will provide important economic return and job creation for the region and state. But the return…won’t just be in dollars and jobs; the improved roads also will be measured in fewer crashes fewer injuries, and fewer fatalities.”

Congratulations to all involved in this very important project!