Around our towns

Harrisonville will present a transportation sales tax question to voters on April 8.

The proposed half-cent tax increase would generate roughly $1 million annually for street, sidewalk and storm water improvements, for 10 years.

The proposal also includes a budgeted $200,000 annually to resurface every road in the city over the 10-year time-frame of the project.

Passage requires a simple majority.

On Jan. 22, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and The American Legion will host “Hiring Our Heroes – Independence,” a hiring fair for veterans, military members and military spouses.

The event will be from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. at the Tirey J. Ford Post 21, 16701 E. U.S. 40 in Independence, preceded by a classroom session for job seekers at 9 a.m.

Job seekers and employers can register at

www.hiringourheroes.org

.

Cass Countians are invited to offer their opinion on what’s needed to improve the health and wellness of county residents.

The mission of the nonprofit organization ConnectCass is to address current and future health needs. It invites residents to participate in a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CHNA_CASS.

The deadline is Feb. 14.

The Women’s Foundation of Kansas City is giving $25,000 to Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph to fund the Women’s Economic Empowerment Program to address economic disparities that put women at a disadvantage.

The Women’s Economic Empowerment Program will promote financial education, self-sufficiency and economic stability and growth for women ages 16 and up.

In a news release, Catholic Charities said it provides case management and support for up to 3,500 low-income women and girls each year. While doing so, the agency identified a need to address inequality in access to financial education, job readiness and employment.

“We know that as women, our relationship with money is different than a man’s,” said Catholic Charities Economic Security Coordinator Becky Gripp. “We use it differently, and we handle it differently. Our program was created by women for women to share information and learn from one another.”

The Raymore-Peculiar School District’s Caring About Nutrition (CAN) Food Pantry has scheduled an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 23.

Visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to the pantry, which is in the Ray-Pec Academy Building between the Administrative Services Center and Shull Elementary School, 11706 E. 211th St. in Peculiar.

Enter through the east entrance. All donations are welcome, but frequent needs are peanut butter, jelly, granola bars and individual boxes of cereal. Children are welcome.

This story was originally published January 14, 2014 at 6:08 PM with the headline "Around our towns."