Originally from Humboldt, Kansas, Chris Morales has lived in the Indian Mound Neighborhood since 1980. He was PTA president at the old St. John the Baptist Catholic Church school and a member of the Parish Council.

Most importantly, he said, he is a concerned resident who cares about what is happening in the neighborhood.

When Morales first moved to the Northeast, he said he loved seeing kids playing outside and riding bikes and seeing people walking in the community no matter the time of day. He said he is glad to see the neighborhood coming back to that type of positive activity.

“That’s what I want to see,” Morales said. “I don’t want to see shootings and crime and people drinking on the street. I want to see the families enjoying themselves, the kids riding their bikes and enjoying themselves.”

When asked what he loves the most about the Historic Northeast, Morales didn’t hesitate.

“Absolutely, 100 percent, I love the diversity,” Morales said. “If I want to go eat Vietnamese food, Burmese food, Italian food, or Mexican food — there is great Mexican food here. If I want to go get Mexican bread or tres leches, it’s right here. We also have some of the best hamburger places. You don’t have to go far, just stay in the Old Northeast.”

Morales said he is currently working on various projects to combat the issue of trash in the community.

“It attracts crime because they think people don’t care about the neighborhood,” Morales said. “But, if we can clean it up, maybe it will send a message that this isn’t a good place to meet.”

Morales said he wants to see the Northeast become all that it can be.

“I’m interested in seeing what kind of development we can do here, with existing buildings, to renovate them so we can bring in industry,” Morales said. “I’m interested in seeing this part of Kansas City grow.”