Councilmember Heather Wiley

05/28/2026

🐾 You’re Invited! 🐾

Friends of the Independence Shelter is hosting a Community World Café Meeting on June 7 at 3 PM at Uptown Market, and we would love for you to join us.

This new nonprofit was created to support the Independence Animal Shelter through fundraising, volunteer support, partnerships, outreach, and programs designed to help fill gaps caused by limited funding and staffing shortages.

This will not be a traditional meeting.

A World Café is a collaborative community conversation where people rotate through small-group discussions focused on important questions and shared solutions. It’s designed to bring together ideas, experiences, and people who care deeply about making a difference.

We are especially inviting:
🐶 Animal rescues
🐱 Foster networks
🐾 Outreach and community support organizations
🐕 Veterinarians and vet techs
🐈 Volunteers and advocates
❤️ Residents who care about animal welfare in Independence

Together, we’ll discuss:
• The biggest needs facing animals and the shelter
• Programs and partnerships that could make an impact
• Ways the community can help
• How Friends of the Independence Shelter can support existing rescue and outreach efforts

Whether you work in rescue every day or simply care about animals in our community, your voice belongs in this conversation.

Let’s build something compassionate, collaborative, and impactful together.

📍 Uptown Market
📅 June 7
🕒 3 PM

We hope to see you there!

05/07/2026

Community meeting on the status of The Hub shopping center redevelopment.

Representatives from Tri-Land Properties will review what has been accomplished since the project began in November 2023, where the center stands today, and what lies ahead for The Hub. Founder and President Richard Dube will discuss plans to attract new tenants, reposition and reconfigure current outlots, and address future construction plans.

Community members are encouraged to attend and share questions and concerns.

📍 Community Meeting on The Hub Redevelopment
🗓 Wednesday, May 13
🕕 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
📍 Justice Center

04/21/2026

4.20.26

04/17/2026

Find your forever friend TOMORROW!

This Saturday, students from the Blue Springs School District Career Innovation Center will be hosting the Paws for a Cause adoption event at the shelter. All available animals will be $25 to adopt, and students will have carnival games on-site for family fun.

See all available animals at indep.us/AdoptableAnimals and come visit us this Saturday, April 18 from 12 - 4 pm.

04/15/2026

Today I had the opportunity to spend the day with Fire Station 4, joining them on a ride-along for several medical and fire calls. Seeing firsthand the skill, urgency, and professionalism they bring to every situation is always eye-opening.

I was also able to observe a training exercise at the old City Hall. Everyone treated it like a real-world scenario from start to finish. What stood out just as much as the drill itself was the thoughtful debrief afterward, taking time to walk through communication, decision-making, and ways to improve. That commitment to constant learning is what makes a great team even stronger.

They did an outstanding job today. I leave every ride-along with a pride in our firefighters and the work they do for our community every single day.

03/29/2026

Friday, I attended the Independence Chamber of Commerce First Responders Award Breakfast, one of my favorite events each year.

The Chamber recognized outstanding individuals with awards for Dedication, Leadership, Heroism, Bravery, and the Heart Story. Each one was well-deserved, and a powerful reminder of the incredible people who serve our community every day.

A big thank you to all of our first responders, you all deserve recognition for the work you do, day in and day out.

I’ve had the opportunity to go on several ride-alongs, and those experiences truly changed me. I’ve watched police officers handle intense situations with calm and professionalism while everyone around them was in a panic. I’ve seen firefighters perform CPR on a resident outside in below-freezing temperatures without hesitation.

Those moments stay with you. They changed how I see this work, and deepened my respect for the people who do it every single day.

03/27/2026

The Independence Housing Authority (IHA) was recently awarded 5 HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) vouchers, a win for our community and, most importantly, for our veterans.

VASH vouchers are a special type of housing assistance designed to help veterans experiencing homelessness find and keep stable housing. This program is a powerful partnership between the Independence Housing Authority, which provides the housing vouchers, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which provides critical supportive services.

Veterans receive a voucher to help pay rent in the private market, while also being connected with a VA case manager who supports them with healthcare access, mental health services, employment assistance, and daily living needs. The goal isn’t just housing, it’s long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

As the City liaison to the Housing Authority, I continue to be proud of their dedication, progress, and commitment to serving our community. I attend their monthly board meetings and have learned so much about their day-to-day work, the challenges they navigate, including working within federal housing regulations and funding constraints, as well as the many wins they achieve for residents in our community.

Affordable housing matters. Veterans matter. And today, we’re making meaningful progress on both.

03/26/2026

On Sunday mornings, I spend time at a local shelter helping care for dogs in the hospital, many of them recovering from neglect, abuse, or severe injury. Some, like the dog I walked in the video below, are emaciated. Some are scared. All of them deserved better long before they got there. Those experiences stay with you, and they’ve made this issue personal for me.

Two important efforts now before the Missouri State Senate deserve our full support:

HB 2292 / SB 899 – Cross-reporting legislation that strengthens collaboration between animal control officers and law enforcement, because we know animal abuse and other forms of violence are often connected.

HB 2904 – Legislation to address intentional starvation and strengthen penalties for severe animal cruelty, ensuring these cases are treated with the seriousness they deserve.

Protecting animals isn’t just about compassion, it’s about public safety, accountability, and building better communities. When we intervene early and take abuse seriously, we can prevent further harm.

I’m proud to support these efforts and encourage our state leaders to do the same. Missouri can lead on this issue.

03/17/2026

Last week I had the chance to volunteer with the amazing staff at the Independence Animal Shelter to help spay and neuter several cats and dogs. I was incredibly impressed by the entire operation. The hard work of staff, the dedication of volunteers, and the care provided by Dr. Becker, a beloved veterinarian here in Independence.

Right now, our shelter still does not have a full-time veterinarian, so we are especially grateful for Dr. Becker stepping in to help care for these animals.

I learned that sometimes you have to be ready to handle a few “spicy” cats along the way, the staff and volunteers make it look easy!

Spaying and neutering pets is one of the most important things we can do to address the current animal overpopulation crisis. If you have pets at home, please consider getting them spayed or neutered. Resources are available for low-cost or free services if you need financial assistance.

02/17/2026

Last night I mentioned some of the fancy breeds we currently have at the shelter, and I have to give a proper introduction to this guy.

This is Leroy the Shiba Inu (and yes… I mispronounced his breed last night). He’s a rare find and an absolute stunner. Even better, staff say he’s as sweet as he is handsome.

Leroy is available for adoption now, so if you’ve been looking for a special pup, this might be your sign.