Unofficial Independence Newsletter—Vol. 1, Issue 1: 9/15/2026

Hello, everyone.

It was made known to me recently that there is some confusion surrounding these e-mails that I have been sending out to some of my neighbors at Independence over the last 3+ years. I think that we’ve had a few bad seeds planted in our community within the last year or so, unfortunately, and they have grown into some pretty bad weeds; and perhaps targeting me is on their agenda. It is becoming more apparent to me lately. So, I will clear any confusion (which did not exist before) right now.

For starters, if you did not know, I obtained your e-mail address from a previous correspondence that we had together. I did not obtain this from anywhere else.

Most of you on this list have asked that I contact you for matters that concern the board of directors for the Metropolitan Overlay District, which is the governing body at Independence, upon which I sit as a volunteer homeowner. As I’ve stated plainly before, my motivation for doing this is because I would appreciate a board member who gives me an “inside scoop” on things that pertain to where I live, as he or she would see all sorts of things that I would not see if I wasn’t a member myself. It’s my “do unto others” thing, as I think that too many good people don’t speak up enough or defend what is right, that often.

As you have read in the past, I try to give you a heads-up on things that are coming down the pike, my opinions on things at Independence, and even some strategies for how to deal with things. This has only ever been just me talking—I represent no one but myself in these e-mails, which effectively amount to nothing more than my own version of a “newsletter.”

So, from now on, I will send out my e-mails looking more like a personal newsletter! Hopefully this will erase any confusion or any belief that I might be speaking for the board of directors, for Independence at large, or anyone else in the world. I’m just speaking for me, hoping that I can provide some worthwhile insight surrounding the place where we live. I have no other intentions than that.

Next, I want you to know that you can reply to this e-mail right now and tell me to remove you from my contact list, and I will do so. Also, you can tell others at Independence to ask me to be on my contact list, and I will add them.

My goal is to provide value; so, if I do not do that for you, then please stop receiving information from me. Also, if you’d like to share my words elsewhere, then feel free to do so! People can get ahold of me for Independence matters anytime they want; and I will block them if they get out of hand, or I will help them if they are sincere—same as you would do if you were in my situation.

While I am opening myself up to criticism, political abuse, and personal hatred, I really just want to provide valuable insight from my relatively unique position within our Independence government. I want to be one of the good guys, but I know that not everyone will appreciate me.

I will be running for re-election in May 2027 for District 1, after having served four years on our Overlay District board. [Edit:] Regardless if I win or lose, I will continue to provide my insight to those who find it valuable.

Lastly, it has been an absolute pleasure of mine to volunteer on the Independence Metropolitan Overlay District board of directors for all these years, being the first homeowner to sit there and also learning the ins and outs here while on a developer-controlled board. I have seen quite a bit so far, back to the beginning, and have tried to share that with you, in case you missed anything. I have also been instrumental in bringing various folks together in our community when they needed a connection, as well as doing nearly all the heavy lifting (as a volunteer) in getting our two “culture committees” founded (the ACC and RRC) so that we can have an official voice with the Developer and hold them accountable. I do not take credit for the culture at Independence, but I have worked hard to connect people who want to make Independence a better place and who want to maintain or increase our property values, which should be the Number One Priority of our government here. I have always only seen myself as an imperfect middle-man. I don’t want enemies or factions here.

Please respond and let me know if you want to continue receiving my thoughts on Independence.

Kevin.Haughn@UnofficialIndependence.com

Thank you for your positivity and support; and may God continue to bless us.