Flirting with disaster
12/31/08
EDITOR:
Merry Christmas! Yes, I am politically incorrect and follow the philosophy of Walter (comedian Jeff Dunham's alter ego) on such matters. And thank you for a wonderful hometown newspaper and remaining true to what journalism should be. It seems it is only in the smaller hometown newspapers that this journalistic credo to reporting fact is still evident. Perhaps if the larger newspapers, like the Kansas City Red Star, were to follow this lead, they might not be in the dire straits they are facing. But you know how it goes, there is no Izvestia in Pravda and no Pravda in Izvestia.
I do appreciate how all your columnists spare and cover the details, pro and con in their discussions with us. Though I am worried a bit about Russ Purvis. His last two columns have seemed almost . . . Republican. None the less, I do appreciate everyone telling it like it is. It is refreshing.
And I do appreciate the coverage given to our nation as our governmental leaders flirt with this thing called Social Democracy. I would liken this flirtation to Molly Hatchet's song, "Flirting with Disaster." If anyone wants to know what socialized medicine is all about, they need only ask a military veteran. We will tell you up front that you don't want any part of it. It's okay for your average, run of the mill illnesses and conditions. But the minute it gets a bit complicated, things change quickly. You have to wait and you take what they give you because there isn't anything else. It is also not very responsive to changing needs, as evidenced by the needs of our wounded military coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
I've experienced living in a Social Democracy. Again if people want to know what that was like, ask a Vet. They will tell you some interesting things about social democracy. Overall, it is not bad if you are willing to accept some conditions up front. If you are willing to bear a tax burden upwards of 50% of your income, then you won't have a problem with a social democracy. If you are willing for the government to determine your future at an early age and then lock you into that social class with little opportunity to get out of it, then you won't have a problem with a social democracy.
My example was living in Germany where the children are tested at an early age. That testing determines who goes to general education (you are going to be a laborer for the rest of your days), vocational technical school (you will be in a trade or a technician somewhere), or to the gymnasium (university preparation and grooming for a professional career in upper class society making the decisions). If you are willing to take what the government gives you for telecommunications, transportation, education, healthcare, information, etc. then you will be happy with a social democracy. It's not like you aren't getting something for your tax dollar and as long as the social democracy is benevolent, then living can be pretty good as many of your worries are really diminished.
The government has standardized laws to cover just about anything. But if you want more out of life and seek to make your own judgments as to what is best for you, then you will find a social democracy to be chaffing. Equally, we have a body of work available to us to help us chart this path. Social Democracies seem to work best in small regional areas where centralized control and common practice can be easily exercised, like the European nations. Social Democracies do not seem to work well in governing large regional areas, like the Soviet Union. They collapsed under their own weight and an inability to exercise effective and efficient centralized control, which is a hallmark of socialism. The EU experiment isn't working by the way. Too much diversity over an extended region making it difficult to enact a common law. The US is such a large area, with different geographical regions and great diversity.
Attempting to apply centralized common law and social democratic principles is flirting with disaster. What works in one place does not work in another. I think we have already proven this on numerous occasion. But such is life and our continued experiment with government.
Again, thank you for a wonderful hometown newspaper and I will continue to look forward to reading it each and every week.
--R. Hollis
Platte County
What can green do for you?
12/31/08
EDITOR:
What can green do for you?
When Democrats were out of power, expedience demanded they concentrate on issues they agreed on and work together to win the next election. Being in power, however, is already a different story.
Take the radical environmentalists, for example. They assumed, with their candidate in office, that the Democrats would continue to be the "clean, green party" but underestimated the economic crisis facing the new president-elect. With the massive stimulus plan and the $1 trillion infrastructure program, the Green lobby is beginning to fuss.
Colin Peppard of Friends of the Earth [Washington Times 12/17/08] said, "More roads mean more pollution and more dependence on oil, hurting our economy, security and climate.”
Democrat discord certainly makes the news worth watching again.
--Susan Phillips
Kansas City in
Platte County
Be careful with ag restrictions
12/26/08
EDITOR:
This week a circuit court judge issued an amended ruling that prohibits a farm family from expanding its hog operation at a new site within two miles of the Village of Arrow Rock. The ruling cites allegations made by plaintiffs as findings of fact showing that “factory farms” pose a threat to the state park and historic sites at Arrow Rock, the effects of the proposed hog operation on “air and water quality will be detrimental” to the town, and “airborne pollutants” generated by the farm “will destroy and decimate” Arrow Rock and surrounding historic sites.
The original ruling prohibited the construction of any new concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) within fifteen miles of Arrow Rock. Furthermore, the ruling was interpreted by the plaintiffs to apply to state parks statewide.
While the scope of the amended ruling is much narrower than the original, it is still very disconcerting. A fourth-generation farmer who saw the future for his family in increasing his hog production, and invested his time and money with this goal in mind, including obtaining the required permits, became the subject of a lawsuit. But because the lawsuit named the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as the sole defendant, he was never heard in court. Furthermore, because the department failed to respond with counter arguments to the plaintiffs’ allegations in a timely manner, all of the plaintiffs’ allegations were accepted as fact by the court.
Missouri is among the top ten states in producing hogs, beef cattle, and turkeys as well as in numbers of dairy and sheep operations. Livestock production is a major source of economic activity in many rural communities, especially for dozens that have lost other employers. More than half of the $5.6 billion generated by Missouri agriculture comes from livestock production.
Terms like “factory farms” are intended to demonize livestock confinement operations that are large enough to qualify as CAFOs. But the family targeted by this lawsuit is typical of the vast majority of livestock confinement operations in Missouri. These farms utilize modern production technology and animal husbandry practices that better allow for the handling of animal waste environmentally and yield more production at a lower cost for many farmers. Unfortunately, critics with motives ranging from opposition to meat consumption to differences in marketing philosophy to environmental concerns are waging an aggressive misinformation campaign.
This family had an opportunity to improve the viability of their farm, but it was taken away from them. Through no fault of their own and without their side being heard, they lost their initial investment and are subject to court-imposed restrictions based on a legal technicality and not facts or science. The danger, though, is that the very family farms everyone wants to protect are stifled by arbitrary restrictions to the point that domestic meat production no longer meets our nation’s demand. Let’s not make the mistake of thinking it can’t happen.
--Charles E. Kruse
President
Mo. Farm Bureau
Obama's house meetings
12/26/08
EDITOR:
On Dec.13th and 14th, 2008 the Obama presidential campaign staff headed by David Plouffe, campaign manager, has organized house meetings across the country to set in motion a program to promote change in the U.S.
The house hosts are supposed to invite about 50 people to the event; discuss issues; lay plans to reach out to the community, including government officials and the media; and start bringing change right away. All invitees have to fill out sign-in sheets, which will be submitted to Obama headquarters in Chicago, IL.
Why do we need thousands of people across the country working from house cells on a continuous campaign to implement something called change? Who are these people? What is their charter? Who controls them? Will they operate within our democratic system?
Why do we elect officials all over our country to run our government if we are going to have a shadow government in operation?
Is this effort the start of a possible “fifth column” movement in the U.S.?
--Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
Who considers taxpayers?
12/18/08
EDITOR:
I just arrived home from a Platte County Regional Sewer District board meeting.
Our neighbors have been threatened with loss of land and financial hardship because someone decided back in 1995 (after we all purchased our properties, some as much as 30 years ago) that our back yards would be a great place to run sewers some day (that none of us needs). This sewer is proposed to support "future development" which, by the way, the Platte County Planning and Zoning office confirmed is probably not as likely in this area as once thought, since it would seem folks are preferring the area North of 152 and East of KCI.
One board member commented, in reaction to the master plan (currently being reconsidered), "This board is all about development.”
That much is obvious. But who considers the taxpayers? What of the residents who were permitted to pay for their property and pay taxes on said property, only to have it threatened by a sewer district intent on helping developers at our expense? This is the worst kind of socialism because it does not advance the cause of the poor by redistributing wealth, it simply forces the struggling homeowner to foot the bill for expenses that developers will later reap the benefit from.
And to frost a bitter cake, when the topic came up regarding having a meeting to discuss the latest proposed changes to the master sewer plan, plans that could force many unsuspecting landowners to forfeit their property (via eminent domain), one board member wanted to know, "Do we have to invite the public?"
How do you like that???
Thank God for Sunshine laws! But from reading other articles in The Landmark, I have to ask, "Do we have any board members on any board anywhere in Platte County that understands why these laws are in place?"
The government "of the people, by the people" ceased being “for the people" a long time ago. It is up to the citizens to keep that in check.
I urge everyone to show up at the meeting, currently planned for Wednesday, Feb. 4th at 5:30 p.m. at the sewer district in Tracy. It may be your only chance to protect that which is rightfully yours.
--Sue Lange
Parkville
We need a united America
12/18/08
EDITOR:
I have never cared much for the music of Bob Dylan, but lately his song “The Times they are A-Changin'” has been beating through my head. In a month, the United States will swear in a new President. After eight years of a Bush Presidency, the American majority has chosen to put Barack Obama into the West Wing of the White House.
First and foremost, I did not want Obama to win. I spent many tireless hours trying to convince my friends that a McCain/Palin presidency would be much more Progressive than letting the Liberals run Washington, but to no avail. On election night I, like many Republicans and Conservatives across America, watched as McCain seceded and Obama accepted victory, and I feel safe to say that I probably wasn't the only one who had a few tears of sadness in my eyes.
But these times, they are a-changin'.
We conservatives can do one of two things: we can do as the Liberals did all eight years of the Bush Presidency and we can bitch and moan about how awful Obama is, or we can bite the bullet, wish the man luck and try again next time. Whether we voted for him or not, Obama will be the President of the United States and our Commander-in-Chief.
The reason that I even sat down to write this article is that the other day I was talking to a fellow conservative, and he was expressing to me how Obama is the anti-christ, how he's not an American citizen, how he's a Muslim spy, and how Obama won't be HIS President. While he is free to think what he wants, I hope that America will not take this harsh, simple-minded approach to our new President and the next four years of our country. I write this because my country is more important to me than whether or not the person who won was the person I voted for. Yes, I would have loved to have seen a different outcome, but the past is the past. It scares me to think that there are others out there like this fellow conservative who are willing to see our Country be a separate nation of Republicans vs. Democrats. Right now, more than ever, we need an America that is united. When Obama takes office, he's immediately going to be handed over two foreign wars, an economy that is far from thriving, potential threats from an unstable Iran, a Russian nation that poses threats to our allies overseas, and the list goes on. Whether we voted for him or not, we cannot afford to see him fail as our nation's leader.
Now, I am not saying that we have to jump on the bandwagon and agree with everything he's saying. There are many policies of his that I disagree with, and when it comes time to vote, I will continue to vote for what I feel is best for the nation, and in four years, if Obama carries out these policies I don't like, then you can bet the farm that I'll be out campaigning for someone who will stand up for my beliefs. But my fellow Conservatives and Republicans alike, that is then and this is now. We let our voice be heard on November 7th, 2008, but the voice of the opposition was stronger, and that is our Democracy at work. The sun will rise again tomorrow, and the day after Obama is sworn in, and probably the day after that. I will continue to fight for my conservative values and beliefs, as I hope you will too. But before I am a Republican or some of you are Democrats, we are all Americans, so let's fight for our country and all of Her Greatness, and let's leave behind the petty attacks on our fellow men and women, for divided as a nation, we will fail.
As these times a-change, we can be left in the dust of our past, or we can look forward to building the future of this land we call our home.
--Ryan Haggard
Platte City
More on hunting, fishing
12/11/08
EDITOR:
I recently read in The Landmark State Rep. Jason Brown’s concern for hunting and fishing permit price increases and felt obligated to point out a few details in this complex issue.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has not had a price adjustment in five years despite increases in the cost associated with fish and wildlife management. What other forms of entertainment have not gone up in that time frame?
The Conservation Department’s budget represents less than 1% of the entire state budget, and no state general revenue is received. Most of its’ funding comes from: Conservation Sales Tax (60 percent) permit sales (18 percent), and federal-aid reimbursements (11 percent). These funding sources have been hurt by the reduction of hunters and fishermen as well as the present economy.
Another important point is that for every fishing permit sold in Missouri, The department gets $11.00 in Federal aid plus the cost of the permit. For every hunting permit sold, the Conservation Department receives $17 in federal aid plus the cost of the permit. Free hunting and fishing privileges cost the department much more than it would appear on the surface.
I respect Rep. Brown’s concern for landowners in Northwest Missouri, but those who own 80 or more acres (including immediate household members) will continue to receive no-cost deer and turkey hunting permits as well as free small game hunting permits for landowners of five or more acres hunting on their own land.
Land ownership patterns continue to change, with ownerships becoming increasingly smaller. The increased number of smaller landowners has resulted in a growing number of no-cost deer and turkey permits being issued.
Besides this loss of income, Missouri is also losing federal aid. The new minimum of 80 contiguous acres better conforms with the original intent of acknowledging landowners who derive significant income from agricultural activities on their property, while also recognizing recreational landowners who contribute to wildlife habitat.
--Steve Nichols
Mo. Dept. of
Conservation
Focus on Main Street
12/11/08
EDITOR:
While Nancy Pelosi and the leadership in Congress are focusing on billion dollar bailouts of failing corporations, Missouri's families and small businesses are suffering the pain of an economic recession.
Instead of giving blank checks to the folks who are responsible for creating this economic mess, we need to return our focus to the families and small businesses that played by the rules and have been caught up in the bad economy through no fault of their own.
To get our economy growing again, Congress needs to focus on Main Street. They need to help families make ends meet, by letting them keep more of what they earn. The number one thing we can do for these families is make the middle class tax cuts permanent. If the middle class tax cuts are allowed to expire, a family of four with two children that currently earns $50,000 a year would see a 191 percent increase in their tax bill. Without permanent tax relief, the average Missouri family will be hit with a tax increase of $2,825 per year.
Congress also needs to help the small businesses who create 7 out of every 10 new jobs in America. We need to make it easier for them to do business by keeping our tax rate low. American small businesses already produce the best products in the world, by reducing the burden of excessive taxation we can ensure that they win in the global market and create jobs here at home.
By focusing on Main Street and keeping taxes low, Congress can help the families and small businesses that will turn our economy around.
--Sam Graves
Congressman
Sixth District
Governor's mansion repairs
12/4/08
EDITOR:
The Missouri Governor’s Mansion is unlike any other landmark in our state, acting as both a residence and a historic resource. This historic home is an active and vibrant time capsule of our state’s history and it is only right that it be preserved and protected for future Missourians to enjoy.
The Missouri Governor’s Mansion was constructed in 1871 and has since served as a residence for 33 Missouri governors and their families. It is a Renaissance Revival-style home, designed by St. Louis architect, George Ingham Barnett. As one of the oldest homes in the country built for and still the home of a standing governor, it has been listed on the U.S. National Register of History Places since 1969.
I was pleased to sign an appropriation this year to provide critical funding for long-overdue improvements and repairs at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion. This funding will help ensure that this historic home is in good repair for generations to come.
The much-needed repairs to the historic Missouri Governor’s Mansion have been a top priority for Melanie, Missouri’s First Lady, who sought support for these critically needed repairs and restoration work. To pay for structural repairs, including the roof, she successfully advocated for the General Assembly to provide $3 million in state funds and personally oversaw project details to ensure restoration remained true to the home’s historic design. The $3 million covered important mansion repairs, including:
•$780,000 to repair the mansard slate roof and replacement of flat, membrane-type roofs. The life of the Mansion’s roof is 40 years and the last significant repair and installation of the roof was in 1965.
•$1.1 million to restore and repaint all windows, repair exterior masonry, and repair and paint all windows, trim, cornices, and columns. The window frames and sashes showed splintered and rotted wood which could not adequately support large glass panes.
•$1.2 million for the partial replacement of the 23-year-old heating and cooling system that was malfunctioning and was well-beyond its life capacity, replacement of first floor kitchen needed for health, safety and efficiency, interior flooring and plaster repairs and other minor interior repairs and painting.
The preservation of the Governor’s Mansion would not have been possible without the efforts and commitment of Missouri’s First Lady, and I am especially proud of Melanie and the leadership she has provided for this important effort. Melanie encouraged the General Assembly to appropriate the funding needed for structural repairs and met weekly regarding the restoration with the general contractor, project manager, the State Historic Preservation Office, Missouri Mansion Preservation and others. She is deeply committed to ensuring the preservation of the people’s house.
One of my goals has been to leave Missouri government in better shape than when I started and Missourians have benefitted as a result. Melanie and I have taken that same approach to preserving the Governor’s Mansion, which is actually a bit of a misnomer. It is called the Governor’s Mansion, but it is really the people’s mansion.
--Matt Blunt
Governor
The rights of all, not just a few
11/26/08
EDITOR:
I continue to be amazed at the positions taken in support of the proposed Parkville smoking ban.
A flag should always go up when adults use the children of others as a basis for promoting their views.
Wouldn’t the PTA be better served to advocate making responsible choices? Does the PTA suggest we teach children that certain citizens have rights superior to others or that businesses have no rights? Let the record show that Alderman Gia McFarlane, the chair of the smoking ordinance committee, is an executive board member of the English Landing PTA.
As to Park University, I am puzzled as to why a private university wouldn’t take its own action to ban smoking. If private businesses have already taken action, why does a private university require a city ordinance? I was advised that the university allows smoking on campus.
And what effect is a restaurant smoking ban going to have on smoking cessation? Instead of taking away the rights of others, a better alternative would be to lobby for changes that matter over the long term, perhaps on insurance limits or publicly funded health care. Better yet, just outlaw the industry.
But then don’t forget about all the taxes paid by smokers. If tobacco taxes disappear, politicians will need to find other revenue sources to support their addictive spending habits. According to recent information, Missouri receives more than $200 million per year in tobacco settlement funds and spends less than $3 million of that on smoking cessation efforts.
The state recently climbed to No. 49 from No. 50 in the U.S. and Washington D.C. in monies spent on cessation programs. Do we really need more evidence for how politicians operate?
As to the veterans, I have become a student of WWII over the past few years and can only admire the courage and selflessness of that generation. All veterans as well as their families deserve nothing less than our total respect and humble gratitude. The supporters of this ban now want to tell the vets they have to step outside or go elsewhere if they wish to smoke. It is ironic that we witness a movement by those who were protected to impose restrictions on liberty on those who fought to protect individual liberties.
I don’t smoke and never have. And I have no military experience. But I have three brothers, a father, uncles, and many hometown locals who fought and/or served. If the vets want to smoke, I will step outside. If the people of Parkville have any degree of respect, they will do the same.
And if the City of Parkville wants to proclaim its leadership, maybe it should take a harder look at how it is addressing the individual rights of all citizens, not just a chosen few, and what that says to the children.
--Gordon Cook
Parkville
Hunters should take notice
11/26/08
EDITOR:
On Sept. 26, 2008, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved several changes to regulations impacting landowner tags and permit rates for hunting, fishing and trapping.
These proposed changes are currently going through the Missouri Rules process. They were published in the Nov. 17, 2008, edition of the Missouri Register. At that time, a 30-day public comment period began. After the 30-day public comment period, all comments will be reviewed, compiled and presented to the Conservation Commission for their information and consideration.
At that time, the commission may decide to rescind, alter or continue with the changes as previously approved. Unless the commission decides to rescind or alter the changes, they will go into effect on July 1, 2009.
There are several issues being considered. I am especially concerned with the change that would require more Missourians who hunt or fish on their own land to have to buy a permit. The commission approved increasing the acreage from 5 to 80 contiguous acres necessary to receive no-cost deer and turkey permits. The commission has also approved increasing the majority of hunting and fishing permits by two to three dollars.
Details of all of the proposed changes, as well as a link to submit your comments, can be found on the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website at http://mdc.mo.gov/regs/permitfaq.htm. If you would prefer to submit your comments by mail, you should send them to: David Erickson, Assistant Director, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
These proposed rules will affect all rural Missourians and every voice should be heard. I strongly encourage each one of you to visit the website listed above and take the opportunity to express your thoughts and concerns to the Conservation Department. If you have any questions regarding these issues or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at (573) 751-6593 or you may email me at jason.brown@house.mo.gov.
--State Rep. Jason Brown
Platte City
A time for cooperation
11/21/08
EDITOR:
After watching “Boogyman, The Lee Atwater Story” on PBS there is no questions in my mind why, how and who is responsible for the divisive, win-at-all-cost tactics that permeate our election process today.
Atwater’s despicable acts, which were carefully studied and copied by his young protege, Karl Rove, has resulted in an electorate that has been subliminally brainwashed into an “us vs. them” mentality that has rendered too many of us either unwilling or unable to accept the fact that others may have opinions that are just as viable and valuable to America’s well-being.
If ever there was a time for us to come together in the spirit of cooperation, it is now.
--Eddie L. Clay
Grandview
Give thanks to ag producers
11/21/08
EDITOR:
The aromas of freshly baked turkey, pumpkin pies, sweet potatoes, and rolls waft through the air as ten guests arrive for a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal! Today’s menu reflects that of many households on this holiday…turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, peas, carrot and celery sticks, cranberries, rolls, and butter. Be sure and save room for dessert of pumpkin pie and whipped cream! Beverages accompanying the meal are whole milk and coffee.
The items contained in the 2009 Thanksgiving Day meal for 10 will cost Missouri shoppers $44.50, or a per-person cost of $4.45. Although a reasonable cost, last year’s total price rang in at $38.44 or $6.06 less. Figure in the leftovers and the cost is significantly less. After all, it could be a challenge for 10 diners to consume a 16 lb. turkey, two pumpkin pies, and a gallon of whole milk in one sitting.
Farm Bureau shoppers from across Missouri headed to local grocery stores between October 29 and November 4 to collect these prices. Gathering the data before the onslaught of holiday shoppers provides a realistic view of prices before the frenzy and hype of specials kick-in.
With the exception of a gallon of whole milk which dropped $0.09, the other items on the list increased, even if only one cent. A 16-pound tom turkey averaged $1.15 per pound this year compared to $0.97 last year for a net gain of $0.18 per pound. Other items with price increases included stuffing mix, pumpkin pie mix, pie shells, sweet potatoes, brown and serve rolls, peas, carrots, celery, cranberries, and whipping cream.
Many of us enjoy our own recipes for stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pies. However, as a point of comparison year after year, shoppers gather prices for prepared items like stuffing mix, pumpkin pie mix, ready-to-bake pie shells, and brown and serve rolls. It is not unusual for these items to cost more due to processing, handling, and transportation.
Yes, the price for this year’s meal has increased over last year! However, feeding 10 people a wholesome meal for $44.50, knowing there will be some left for additional meals, is a bargain.
As we enjoy the Thanksgiving season, let us pause and give thanks for the many things we enjoy but often take for granted. My list includes the agricultural producer who works daily throughout the year to provide a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply.
--Diane Olson
Promotions director
Missouri Farm Bureau
The control freaks are coming
11/21/08
EDITOR:
The vision of the First Amendment cannot be reconciled with the vision of the “Fairness Doctrine,” which is a vision of a government-managing of the lively wide-ranging discussion on talk-radio.
How can the First Amendment be about that? A government micromanaging of our discussion, instead of leaving that discussion to its own dynamics and movements?
I implore you, Landmark Newspaper, to make a stand against the “Fairness Doctrine,” since the same totalitarian control freaks will be coming after your freedom of the press after destroying talk-radio.
--Dave McAninch
Kansas City
Paying attention?
11/21/08
EDITOR:
If you are interested in applying for a job with the new Obama administration, you must answer this in the questionnaire: "VIII (59) Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun? If so, provide complete ownership and registration information. Has the registration ever lapsed? Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage."
Are we paying attention?
--Susan Phillips
Kansas City in
Platte County
McCain abandons Palin
11/13/08
EDITOR:
Like a man picking up a woman at a bar, using her for the night and then treating her as “disposable” shortly afterward, is John McCain’s failure to defend Sarah Palin as the smear campaign against her goes on.
After she did her best for him, he abandons her, and that is no less predatory on his part than the above allusion.
I voted for McCain and now his phony, posturing “nice guy” schtick is more intolerable than ever.
To McCain, Sarah Palin is “disposable.” This is a nice guy?
Excuse me.
–Dave McAninch
Kansas City
Questions after election
11/13/08
EDITOR:
These are some questions after this election.
Why not use the huge amount of money raised for the election by both parties for people who are losing their jobs, losing their homes, for hungry people, etc?
Why not shorten the time to run for election?
Why not in the future have one person and one vote instead of the Electoral College so people feel their vote counted?
Why not have a newspaper just give us the news and let us make our own decisions instead of all the editorials?
Why did the media, the TV stations, the newspapers (including the KC Star), reporters, etc., give more attention to the Democrats instead of the Republicans?
Did all the people who voted for Obama agree with him on abortion to end the life of the unborn child?
--F. Schlueter
Farley
Can you say dumb and dumber?
11/6/08
EDITOR:
Silly signs asking voters to vote for Prop A because it was “for the children” deceived the voters of Missouri.
It was never totally about money for schools so when you begin to see this revenue go in the front door of the treasury and out the back, according to whomever is in charge at the moment, don’t let us hear you whining. The casino industry found a clever way around the Missouri Legislature to do what they’ve attempted to do for years and repeal the loss limit.
Patent leather shoes and slicked-back hair have again impressed those with their hand out for dollars.
Can you say dumb and dumber?
--Susan Phillips
Kansas City
In Platte County
Too much of a gentleman
11/6/08
EDITOR:
This morning we have a new President-elect. I am not sure that the country got what they expected.
McCain lost the election by being too much of a gentleman, in my opinion.
McCain remained a gentleman in his speech announcing his loss.
--J.R. Hopkins
Diamondhead, Miss.,
Formerly of
Platte County
Who's shoveling the fertilizer
10/31/08
EDITOR:
I am writing regarding the Oct. 8 column in The Landmark by Russ Purvis titled: “Graves Helped Fertilize the Root of the Problem.” Mr. Purvis must know a lot about fertilizer, because he sure can shovel it.
In 2004,the Bush Administration warned about the dangers that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac posed to the economy and sent to Congress a proposal to create a stronger regulator for the two companies.
That same year, it was discovered that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were following the lead of Enron and WorldCom by cooking their books to make themselves look more profitable so their CEO’s, who served in the Clinton Administration, could claim tens of millions of dollars in bonuses.
In 2005, Republicans in the House and Senate responded to these accounting abuses and the threat Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac posed to the economy by considering the Federal Home Finance Reform Act. These bills would have created a new regulator with the necessary power and resources needed to prevent the very catastrophe our economy now faces. Sam Graves voted for this bill.
Democrats responded differently. They took to attacking the regulator that uncovered the accounting abuses while insisting that there was nothing wrong at Fannie and Freddie. Current Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and current Chairman of the House Banking Committee Barney Frank, voted against the bill.
Republicans were less successful in the Senate where the bill cosponsored by Senator John McCain passed the Committee on a party line vote. Every Democrat on the committee, including current Chairman Chris Dodd, opposed the bill and signaled it would be filibustered from further consideration. Perhaps the sweetheart below-market interest rate mortgage loan Senator Dodd received during this time had something to do with his opposition?
And let’s not forget that the only reason Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac grew so large and got into the business of sub prime loans in the first place was because the Clinton Administration first encouraged, and then forced them to do it. In 1999, Raines and the nation’s largest sub-prime lender, Countrywide, entered into an agreement where Fannie Mae would directly purchase billions of sub-prime loans from Countrywide. Did I also mention that Countrywide gave Senator Dodd a sweetheart loan?
All of this has been well documented and is not subject to interpretation, no matter how fanciful. Mr. Purvis is right--the government failed to stop this tragedy when it still had time; unfortunately it is his own party that stood in the way.
--Rebecca Rooney
Weston
Less cinnamon, please
10/31/08
EDITOR:
I have taken the liberty of writing this note for all 17 of my sisters, brothers, and cousins. We are all nieces and nephews of our Aunt Mary Anne Baier, candidate for State Representative District 30.
Aunt Mary is the best type of leader; the type who appears from the elbow grease of community/volunteer work, after retiring from professional careers with both General Electric and TWA. She is the type of leader who is pushed forward, almost reluctantly, by the community. Pushed forward, not self-anointed, to put voice to that same community’s concerns and dreams.
For over 50 years I have witnessed, and hopefully absorbed, Aunt Mary’s character traits; uncommon common sense, empathy, thrift, drive, a willingness to try new things, focus, wit, well thought-out opinions free of clichés, persistence, and respect for others. Lest you think she’s perfect, her fudge brownies, regretfully, could use a bit less cinnamon.
--Bill Nicks, Jr.
Lenexa, Ks
A shadow of a candidate
10/31/08
EDITOR:
John McCain worked hard to construct the personal history of a man who will look you in the eye and tell you how it is. During his long Senate career, he garnered the praise of the media for his accessibility and candor. More recently, we see a man guilty of ignoring the facts and promoting his political agenda regardless of the truthfulness of his assertions.
One of McCain's milder forms of dishonesty is a denial of past gaffes. His dishonesty also takes the form of bending objective facts or modified them for political advantage.
However, he has taken his duplicity a step farther; he has gone over the line of excusable dishonesty. The McCain campaign is engaging in overt lies regarding verifiable concrete facts in the hopes that in repeating the lie enough, it will stick. One bold face lie claims Barack Obama was personally responsible for the meteoric rise in gas prices. Another says Sarah Palin never accepted earmarks as Governor of Alaska. Yet another says Obama's tax plan will increase taxes on 50% of small businesses, when the overwhelming majority will actually see a decrease.
Given the sheer number of falsehoods McCain has embraced during this campaign, his reputation as a straight talker must be re-examined. Honor isn't a permanent commodity that once earned can never be questioned. Integrity isn't a characteristic that once recognized never fades. McCain may have been an honorable man, but in his efforts to attain the highest office in the land, he has been shamelessly deficient in character.
He is a shadow of the candidate he once was, and in choosing to abandon his principles for the direction of unscrupulous advisors, he has become a shadow of a man.
--Rami Saffarini
Platte City
Obama's background unknown
10/31/08
EDITOR:
Barack Obama represents a serious threat to the way of life we cherish in America. Recently, some tapes of his comments on a local radio show in 2001 have been aired. In these comments, he says the Warren Court did not go far enough and was not radical by his standards. He refers to our Constitution as a charter of negative liberties which only addresses what the government cannot do to you, not what it MUST do in your behalf. According to Obama we are constrained by our Constitution in what we can do to solve our socio-economic inequalities. Our founders reflected this same 'enormous blindspot'.
If these are the ideas Obama espouses regarding our Constitution, his careful rhetoric during the campaign has purposely not disclosed his true beliefs. Occasionally, he has slipped, as in the case of 'Joe the Plumber' and he has revealed his true socialist agenda.
A friend of mine who immigrated from Cuba as a child said that, prior to coming to power fifty years ago, Castro emphasized 'hope' and 'change'. Does America want as Commander-in-chief a man whose background is largely unknown and who is so critical of our country's Constitution?
--Alice Montgomery
Platte City
Are we better off?
10/31/08
EDITOR:
Thank God, we are finally in the "home-stretch" before the elections next Tuesday.
As each of us enters the voting booth in Northwest Missouri next Tuesday, we should ask ourselves one question --- are we better off than we were 8 years ago?
If you feel that we have a good economy, an effective energy policy, and sufficient access to healthcare for our kids and ourselves --- then you should vote for "more-of-the-same" --- and vote for Sam Graves for Congress and John McCain for President.
If you feel that we need a better economy, a more effective energy policy, and greater access to healthcare for our kids and ourselves --- then you should vote for a "new direction" --- and vote for Kay Barnes for Congress and Barack Obama for President.
God help us. We need Kay Barnes in Congress and Barack Obama in the White House
--David Raffel
Parkville
Checks and balances
10/31/08
EDITOR:
The Founding Fathers of our Republic gave us a system of government with three co-equal branches intended to provide checks and balances between them. It’s worked amazingly well for more than two centuries but if the forthcoming election goes as appears likely, we’ll be in a situation rare in American history--that is all three branches in total control of people with a common ideology.
There’s little doubt that both houses of Congress will have a filibuster-proof Democrat majority. Two Supreme Court seats will surely be filled within four years. That will leave a President Obama, Senator Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi in charge of writing, signing and administering laws with a Supreme Court likely to add its stamp of approval.
An administration headed by a well-known politician with an established track record, even if that record is outside the mainstream, is no problem if it’s operating within a government with a reasonably balanced Congress and impartial Supreme Court. On the other hand, an administration headed by a young, inexperienced politician with virtually no track record and with roots in the likes of ACORN and extensive associations with several unsavory characters from south Chicago--that administration operating with an approving Congress and Supreme Court is absolutely scary. We all need to think about it.
--Jack Ryan
Jefferson City
Why the extra perks?
10/31/08
EDITOR:
The market is down and the Democrats passed a $700 billion bill to bail them out of the mess that was created by the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac situation. But wait, they passed an $800 billion bailout with $100 billion of perks, including money for bicycle manufacturers, rum makers in Somoa, bow and arrow manufacturers, and also race car tracks. Boy, we sure needed that extra debt. That is why so many Republicans would not vote for the bill. Bush signed it, because of the urgency in the stock market.
The stock market will remain messed up until after the election, because Obama said that he was going to raise the capital gains taxes. President Clinton and the gentleman who always announced the lowering of the interest rates are responsible for a gambling effect on the market. People gambled on the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages on which ones would fail and which would succeed. According to the TV over the weekend, some people made millions this way.
In last week’s Landmark, Eddie L. Clay was complaining about Gov. Palin’s speech somewhere. If he had just listened to the news, the FBI agents that were there said it never happened. Just another one of Obama’s lies.
As for Sally A. Radmacher, she is really not well-informed. Every word that I wrote is the truth about Obama. Actually, the governor of Hawaii now holds a copy of Obama’s birth certificate. He was actually born in a fishing village in Kenya. Read the Constitution. By the way, Sally, aren’t you the person who refused to let a farmer raise hogs on his farm and led the charge against him? Shame on you. You moved away after stopping him.
--Bertha Mae Gates
Platte City
Informed electorate critical
10/24/08
EDITOR:
There was not one allegation in Bertha Mae Gates’ tirade against Barack Obama that was correct (10/16). She simply repeated and elaborated on the vicious smears circulating on the web, the radio, and the innuendos by the talking heads on television. Before spreading this malicious gossip, she should have looked at factcheck.org, snopes.com or the other fact checkers that are available. It is time for reason and some common sense.
Does anyone think that Warren Buffett and Colin Powell would endorse a person who is not an American citizen, lies about his religious faith, consorts with terrorists and illegally receives money from foreign sources? These respected Americans endorsed him because they know him and believe he has the intelligence, knowledge, judgment and temperament to manage our economy, foreign policy and be Commander in Chief.
I hope that the people who are creating and spreading these rumors will stop and think about what they are doing and why they are doing it. We are living in perilous times and never has an informed electorate been more critical. Our country cannot afford to continue the hateful dialogue and division that has dominated the political scene for the past several years.
--Sally A. Radmacher
Kansas City in
Platte County
Freedoms will be in jeopardy
10/24/08
EDITOR:
The most important vote you will cast is for your Representative and Senator. If the Democrats get a filibuster proof senate, 60 senators, then it won't matter who is in the White House. The country will be run by Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, who currently enjoy a 9% approval rating.
If this happens, look out; the freedoms you enjoy today will be in jeopardy.
I am your Paul Revere, the socialists are at the door step and the only way to check their power is to. . . Vote Republican.
--Jackie Cox
Kansas City in
Platte County
The right decision made
10/24/08
EDITOR:
I want to thank our county planning and zoning office along with the zoning commission and our elected commissioners for turning down the Tomahawke Ridge development.
It was the right decision, at the right time, for the right reasons. For too long previous administrations have allowed meaningless traffic studies and other dubious information to rule the day, and that has led to some poor choices. There have been too many lives lost to traffic accidents from over-development in places where infrastructure could not support it. The safety of the public has to be the main concern at all times.
I only hope our next commission will be concerned about protecting individual investments in neighborhoods and communities, and not just more development. Many of us sought out Platte County, high taxes and all, because we rightly perceived it to be a refuge from the city and all it imposes. Most of the time, living here is a privilege and this is one of those times.
Way to go, Platte County, for a decision well made.
--Sue Lange
Parkville
Hate-filled remarks dangerous
10/24/08
EDITOR:
As Sarah Palin stands back and admires her handiwork of whipping her crowds into a frenzy with distorted facts, half-truths and character assassinations regarding Barack Obama. She needs to be very careful of how her message is being perceived by her audience.
While most may see it as a campaign rally to encourage her supporters, others may view her vicious smears as a license to yell incendiary racial obscenities and even death threats.
Palin’s silence while these hate-filled and threatening remarks are made, may be taken by some who have infiltrated her crowds with their own agendas, as tacit approval to spew their poisonous venom without fear of retaliation.
I’m sure Sarah Palin doesn’t want to be held responsible for another’s possible crime based on what was perceived or implied at her rally, so she needs to tone down the rhetoric before her crowds turn into angry mobs.
--Eddie L. Clay
Grandview
A socialist welfare state
10/24/08
EDITOR:
Welcome to what used to be a free country. We have become what the Democrats have long made an effort to make us into--a socialist welfare state where the government owns or controls every facet of your life, property and wealth.
In the mid-to-late 90s, the Clintons with the willing help of the Congress and Senate pressured banks and realtors to finance homes for groups of people who did not qualify for home loans. That is what started the sub prime mortgage fiasco. They were encouraged or even coerced, into these loans. People bought homes they could not pay for and had no intention of making the payments for any length of time, only long enough to resell and refinance for another home. The premise being, that the valve would continue to climb. Well, guess what, it didn’t.
Everyone deserves a good home, if they can afford it. If they can’t, then the rest of society should not be forced to pay their bills. There is now a congressional inquiry into the management and practices of some of the home mortgage loan giants, all except Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two who are responsible for a big percent of the problem.
Is it possible the reason for this is the fact that the CEO of these two loan giants are now the key members of Obama’s campaign committee. If you think that is incidental, go look in the mirror and see how stupid you look.
If he is elected, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.” If Obama gets in the White House his Supreme Court appointments will make Congress irrelevant. The laws will be made by liberal judges, legislating from the bench.
The race for the Sixth District is getting nasty. Kay Barnes is accusing Graves of lying about her. Of course she is the one who lies, like all Democrats they are doing what they accuse the Republicans of doing.
It is hard to figure out if all liberals are liars or if all liars are liberals. Stick with Sam Graves. He has done a good job.
Kay Barnes will spend all the tax dollars she can get and leave you in debt.
--George Fee
Weston
On the issues that matter
10/24/08
EDITOR:
I'm concerned that my representative Sam Graves was AWOL in the debate on public television against Kay Barnes.
But you know what? He's been AWOL in Washington too.
On the issues that matter to me, Graves has failed. He hasn't kept Wall Street from gambling with our money and he hasn't protected the environment.
When it comes time to vote, I won't be AWOL.
--Joyce Berg
Parkville
Grill should admit mistake
10/17/08
EDITOR:
I cannot believe that Jason Grill would respond to my letter (see last week’s Landmark) by lying to the people he represents. He should apologize first to the people of his district and once he has done so in a manner fitting a state representative, he should then take a moment and speak with my wife and me.
Why is it politicians find it so hard to admit their mistakes and apologize to the people they represent? I guess they do not feel that the people are smart enough. Since when does the fact that “this was a major college football environment” give anyone the right to act in a manner that makes everyone around them uncomfortable?
I am sorry, but our state and country need representatives that work for the people, not against it. My “strong Republican political connections and affinity for Husker football” have nothing to do with the nature, tone or reason for my response. Mr. Grill is well aware of this based on the bipartisan group of state leaders who have and will be speaking with him between now and January regarding this incident. I can, and will make sure, my integrity and intentions are not made to look vindictive by Mr. Grill’s political rhetoric. I can assure you and he both that there are as many Democrats as Republicans that feel this is not a one time incident, but a pattern of behavior.
Take a good look inside of yourself, Mr. Grill. I believe there is a smart, good, likeable young man in there. A young man who owes it to his parents to change and act every day in the way he was raised to do so. You need to get to know the man inside and make sure that you let him lead you in the future.
“It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to explain why you did it wrong.” --Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
“A politician would do well to remember that he has to live with his conscience longer than he does with his constituents.” — Melvin R. Laird, 20th-century American secretary of defense
--Michael G. Burcham, Sr.,
MBA
President & CEO
Poplar Bluff Medical
Partners, LLC
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Grill’s response this week:
First, I have commented on Mr. Burcham's previous letter to the editor. In addition, I have tried to apologize by phone on two separate occasions to Mr. Burcham and his wife if they found or believed anything said by myself, my group, or any Missouri fans in the crowd to be offensive. It is unfortunate that Mr. Burcham feels the way that he does, but I cannot change his opinion on this matter. What I can and will do is to continue to work as hard as I can to fight for what is in the best interests of all the people in the 32nd District and Platte County.
--State Rep. Jason Grill
Parkville
The integrity of the position
10/17/08
EDITOR:
Here are my thoughts on the letter in last week’s Landmark from the gentleman from Poplar Bluff (Michael G. Burcham) concerned about the behavior of State Rep. Jason Grill at an MU football game.
Although I can’t apologize for Jason Grill’s behavior, I can only say I didn’t try hard enough to stop him from being my “state representative.” I do apologize for that.
So I must do what my “state representative” could not effectually do, and that is to apologize to Mr. Burcham that Mr. Grill is my district’s representative by process of election. Having taken my family to concerts, Royals games, and other events, I understand Mr. Burcham’s position.
The sad fact is that Mr. Burcham didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. I don’t apologize for Jason’s behavior; I have not the authority to do that, but I do apologize that he represents me, because I could have worked harder to keep him from being elected. That may be my fault.
To me, Mr. Grill’s response was totally out of touch. An “offer of apology” doesn’t make it right. As a representative of the district, you should be aware of your position and maintain the integrity of that position. I’m not saying that I haven’t been there and done that. But at the time I was there and did it I wasn’t representing the 32nd District. There should be no need to apologize for your behavior while receiving a paycheck signed by the taxpayers of the 32nd district.
Jason: Do you want to party? Or do you want to represent the district? Pick one or the other. Personally, I say go with the former and leave representing the district to a person that can handle the responsibility. You can continue with your partying and mayhem. After all, if something works, stick with it. You’re obviously good at it.
--Timothy J. Thompson
Attorney At Law
Platte County Republican
Central Committeeman
Obama is nuts about ACORN
10/17/08
EDITOR:
Hearing Claire McCaskill on the radio saying Senator Obama has no involvement with ACORN shows how insulated she is in her ivory tower.
ACORN has actually endorsed Obama (Investors Business Daily 10/8/08). Further, Obama paid ACORN $800,000 to register new voters (FEC disclosure shows "Citizen Services, Inc.") and was executive director of ACORN's Project Vote in 1992.
Michelle Obama's old law firm is representing ACORN in a $1 million embezzlement cover-up. If Obama wins this election, we must demand and expect a challenge to the results because of alleged fraud in Ohio, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Colorado and Illinois.
Will Obama and the Democrats do anything to win? Does the bear sleep in the woods?
--Susan Phillips
Kansas City in
Platte County
Grill's behavior questioned
10/10/08
EDITOR:
I had the pleasure of tailgating and attending the Missouri Nebraska game this past weekend in Lincoln. I was born and raised in Lincoln and relocated to Missouri in 1987 where I have been a resident for the past 21 years, residing in Poplar Bluff. I attended the game as an avid Husker fan that enjoys college football.
I work as a healthcare CEO in Poplar Bluff and have worked diligently this past year meeting and lobbying with some of Missouri’s finest legislators on issues relating to healthcare, insurance and certificate of need. I had the pleasure of developing a good relationship with Sam Page, Peter Kinder, Gayle Kingery and others in this bipartisan quest to better healthcare for Missourians.
Saturday night at the football game I had the displeasure of meeting State Representative Jason Grill. The meeting was predicated after Mr. Grill used offensive and vulgar language in the presence of a father and his son seated in the stadium. His demeanor was offensive to all of us except his friends who surrounded him. He was obnoxious, condescending and refused to refrain from using the vulgar language. He proceeded to sit behind my wife and I, where he held a discussion with a young couple regarding his job as state representative, ex-girlfriends, etc. The conversation included all of the same vulgar language, demeaning and reprehensible comments about women as well as comments about his constituency and poor pay. It was not until after we listened to this for half an hour that we learned he was in fact a state representative from Parkville, MO.
I was furious that anyone, much less a ‘public servant” of my state, would act in this manner around women and children, but held my tongue until Mr. Grill proceeded to dump his drink down the back of my shirt and shorts. I turned and told Mr. Grill how embarrassed and disgusted I was to find out he represented the State of Missouri. He proceeded to tell me to “stay in Nebraska if you don’t like it.” When I refused to accept his apology, he ranted about how typical it was for a Republican not to be willing to accept such an apology. He then turned his friends against me and my wife, leading to further vulgar comments to the point where we finally left the football game.
The people of Mr. Grill’s district need to know that he is offensive, demeaning, arrogant, vulgar and not afraid to act this way in public.
I cannot believe that anyone who is as reprehensible as this sits in a position of power working for the same people he so poorly thinks of or cares for. The people must not be aware of the real Jason Grill. My wife and I are – we met him Saturday night, section 20, row 91 in Memorial Stadium.
--Michael G. Burcham, Sr.,
President & CEO
Poplar Bluff Medical
Partners, LLC
Poplar Bluff, Mo.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: We contacted Grill for his response and he furnished the following written statement:
“In response to Mr. Burcham's comments in his letter to the editor I have offered two apologies and will offer another apology if he believed anything myself, my friends, or any Missouri fan said to him, or if anything he overheard was offensive, while he was sitting in the middle of the Missouri section, as an avid Nebraska fan, during Missouri's historic football victory over Nebraska on Saturday night in Lincoln. I believe there are many misinterpretations, misrepresentations, unfounded statements, and issues that were taken out of context by Mr. Burcham in this situation and in the context of a major college football game atmosphere. Lastly, I believe some of his strong Republican political connections and his lifelong affinity for the Nebraska football program strongly influenced his vindictive nature and attitude with regards to his actions and statements in this letter to the editor. I will continue to represent the great people of the 32nd District and Platte County in a bipartisan matter in the Missouri Legislature and will work as hard as I can to move Missouri forward in the years to come.”
--Rep. Jason Grill
Parkville
Don't elect the wrong candidate
10/10/08
EDITOR:
It is devoid of understanding when some in the media positively paint Obama's push for more taxes and more entitlements on the same day the House passes a $700 Billion bailout. And to believe that his friends Franklin Raines, Tim Howard and Jim Johnson - all former Fannie Mae executives - will be charged with getting us out of this mess is just plain stupid.
We may cripple our children and future generations in more ways than one if we elect the wrong person to the White House.
Think, people...think!
--Susan Phillips
Kansas City in
Platte County
Issues of stewardship
10/10/08
EDITOR:
Having been further challenged on certain statements, I have continued my investigation of Parkville matters, which continues to be revealing in regard to Kathy Dusenbery's stewardship.
I have further validated details regarding Parkville's levy, including confirmation with the Missouri Auditor's office. For 2004, Parkville had three levy components:
·The general operating levy. It decreased from .4900 in 2004 to .4734 in 2007 due solely to Hancock (i.e., valuation increases). This levy has been the maximum allowable since 2003.
·The old city hall debt levy. At .0832 in 2004, it expired in 2006 upon retirement of that debt.
·The 2004 temporary levy. It increased from .0827 in 2004 to .1250 in 2007 to cover the 2004 portion of the total debt payments.
Also of interest, City Ordinances Chapter 143, Audit Committee, requires members to be familiar with basic accounting principles and to annually report to the board. The mayor is a member of that committee. The board minutes relating to the 2006 audit provide no indication of an Audit Committee. As noted previously, the six material internal control weaknesses from the 2006 audit received no board discussion.
Lastly, Parkville voters I talk to don't exactly recall what was approved in 2004. It wasn't a bond issue. Missouri requires 4/7ths voter approval for a bond issue and a simple majority for a levy increase. Approved was a 21 year temporary levy of $.1900 for the $2,750,000 debt. That debt was issued in the form of “Certificates of Participation” and a “Lease Purchase Agreement Subject to Annual Appropriation,” the same financing structure used to fund the new city hall in 2006 (debt of $6,405,000).
Regarding “certificates of participation”, one website notes: “Although the documentation is significantly different than for bonds, the sale of the securities …….. is essentially the same.” And, “The primary advantage is that it provides a viable source of tax-exempt financing ……… when voter approval is unlikely.”
The city hired Michael Short as financial advisor on November 15, 2005 without any indication of a competing proposal. According to minutes, he was to provide “an independent eye…….in securing the best interest of the city.” The city followed the advice of its 2004 advisor to not purchase bond insurance. In the 2006 bond issue completed by Mr. Short, the city paid $149,625 for bond insurance, yet the lease requires the city “to pay or reimburse Assured Guaranty for all amounts paid by Assured Guaranty under the terms of the Policy.”
Was insurance required because this debt wasn't covered by a voter approved levy? Who was the “confidential group” offering the “creative financing” referred to in the April 19, 2005 and May 3, 2005 minutes?
Readers should not overcomplicate the obvious:
·The credit for the levy reduction belongs to taxpayers and Hancock.
·An important oversight function, the Audit Committee, appears to have been ignored.
·Protecting confidential groups and the use of creative financing took priority over taxpayers, transparency, and public disclosure.
Perhaps Ms. Dusenbery would like to revise some of her campaign statements.
--Gordon Cook
Parkville
He knows the real Sam Graves
10/10/08
EDITOR:
Kay Barnes says, "A dismal record, a disgraceful campaign" or something to that effect in reference to Congressman Sam Graves. I know Sam Graves personally, and that's not the Sam Graves I know. For instance, I know Sam Graves as an Eagle Scout, as someone who has played "TAPS" at many returning veterans' funerals returning from overseas, and as a Congressman who helped me get my medals for serving my country in the military for 25 years. I am part Native American, a born-again Christian, a Boy Scout and leader since 1962, and I believe that Sam Graves is the best candidate for the 6th Congressional District.
In closing, I believe in our nation as a country with a "government of the people, by the people, and for the people," and a country blessed by God.
God promises that "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
--Lloyd Lapore, Jr.
Kansas City in
Platte County
Parking issues at Applefest
10/10/08
EDITOR:
Sunday afternoon the two of us decided to enjoy a pleasant afternoon at the Applefest in Weston. After finding a parking place at the corner of Washington and Thomas, we looked for no parking signs, yellow lines on the curb, anything saying we could not park there. Finding none, we parked our car. Others were parking there as well.
We enjoyed eating lunch ad making a few purchases. Upon returning to the corner of Washington and Thomas, our car was not there. We were told by someone wearing a green police vest to go to the police van a couple of blocks away and they would tell us where our car was. They informed us they had called the tow service in Platte City to tow it away. The police gave us the phone number for the tow service and we were rudely informed by the lady that answered the phone that we could not get our car until Monday. We asked the police how we are going to get home and he said, “I guess call a taxi.”
One of us had an appointment early Monday morning for tests at the Atchison Hospital and all of the paperwork was in her purse in the car. One of us also had left our glasses in the car. The police told us to call the tow company back and see if we could get the purse if we drove to Platte City. We were able to get someone to drive from Atchison to pick us up and then she had to drive 20 more miles round trip to get the purse.
While we were waiting 45 minutes for a ride to Platte City, we noticed three cars in the next block. We walked up to see what the sign said. Tow Away Zone, no parking was the sign, along with orange cones the entire block. The three cars were parked between orange cones and had a red sticker on the window that said: Warning. Weston Police Department. I didn’t read the fine print but I asked the green-vested policeman why they were not towed and he said: “This is a special circumstance.”
Driving back to Platte City from Atchison to get our car is not a big deal. Gas is only about $3.30 per gallon.
The neighbor lady of the tow company was very kind and helped us get the purse. I just had my car cleaned and waxed and found it sitting outside.
We will not be attending the Applefest again, so don’t worry about us taking up a parking space. We will not be attending anything in Weston again.
What a way to treat tourists that come to your festival.
Signed, two senior citizens.
--Janie Smart
Phyllis Walton
Atchison, Ks.
A global warming argument
10/10/08
EDITOR:
Joe Biden stated in the debate that “global warming is man made.” Wow, what a statement. Based on what? Here is a piece of data for you: “Like giant bulldozers, ancient glaciers plowed across northern Missouri, dramatically altering the landscape as part of a relentless, natural renovation project that occurred nearly 500,000 years ago.” That comes straight from the of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s web page at http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2001/12/30.htm.
Now, does Senator Biden think that the melting of the glaciers in northern Missouri was man made? Talk about global warming! That was major global warming.
Sarah Palin got it right! There’s a natural cycle of global warming and cooling. Out of over four billion years of Earth’s existence who are we to say what is the most optimal climate? Furthermore, who are we to think that we could change the climate even if we wanted to? A solar “burp” or a major volcano eruption changes our climate in heartbeat. Yellowstone, which is a mega-volcano waiting to erupt will change our climate in mere seconds; not to mention the death and destruction it will bring. There is nothing we can do to stop it. It’s not a question of if; it is a question of when Yellowstone will erupt? It’s happened before, and will happen again.
Five million years ago Kansas, like most of the Midwest was under water. Check out this book, “Oceans of Kansas”, by Michael J. Everhart. http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=20148 That’s why there are salt mines in Kansas; it’s left over from the seas of millions of years ago. Who is to say that that is not the most optimal climate in this globes history?
I know we have folks saying that we are killing the planet, but according to the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, “the number of species extinctions in the history of life is almost the same as the number of originations; present-day biodiversity is the result of a trivial surplus of originations, cumulated over millions of years. For an evolutionary biologist to ignore extinction is probably as foolhardy as for a demographer to ignore mortality.” http://www.pnas.org/content/91/15/6758.abstract Species come and species go, let’s enjoy it while it lasts!
The article further stated, “The largest mass extinctions produce major restructuring of the biosphere wherein some successful groups are eliminated, allowing previously minor groups to expand and diversify.” If you do your research you’ll find that humans were at one time one of those “minor groups.” Anyone seen a dinosaur lately?
I don’t claim to be a scientist, but there is just some basic science that we should not ignore. History should be taught in our class rooms. We need to put history, science, math, and economics back in our classrooms.
The argument that global warming is man made is so short sighted and woodenheaded that it would be laughable but for the fact it is being used as a social-economic force to try to restructure our nation’s economy into a Marxist style government.
—Timothy J. Thompson
Kansas City in
Platte County
Saying 'no' to Washington
10/3/08
EDITOR:
In last week’s letters to the editor, your newspaper printed a letter from a Parkville resident who mistakenly claimed that U.S. Rep. Sam Graves voted against a bill that would increase the availability of oil for Americans.
The writer suggested that if Rep. Graves was for the American people, and especially the people in the Sixth District, he would have supported a recent bill that was presented by the leadership of the House of Representatives. What is interesting is that the bill in question actually reduced the amount of oil exploration options available to America.
I did some research into the provisions in this bill and it turns out that instead of opening up drilling off shore, it was written to essentially restrict drilling to 50 miles off shore. That would mean that 90% of the available reserves that are within 50 miles would not be available. Also – if a state did approve of drilling off its shores (which I think each state should have a say in what goes on off its shores) it could not share in the revenue generated by that drilling. Currently, if an oil well is approved in the State of Missouri, or Kansas or anywhere on land, the state in which it is located can share 50/50 with the federal government in any tax or fee revenue generated by that production. So – this bill would make it so that no reasonable state would approve of any drilling off their shores.
In addition, under our current plan, the restrictions for drilling off shore are reviewed by the congress each year. This bill would have made the review go away, so there would not be a chance to look at this issue again.
If ever we needed some wisdom in Washington, it is now. The wisdom I think we need is someone who will say no when being asked something that appears to be helpful but in reality is not. In this case, Rep. Sam Graves said no at just the right time. We need to say no to Washington when they are proposing legislation that will actually hurt the Heartland. For me, I’m glad we have that in Sam Graves.
Good job, Rep. Graves, for saying no to Washington on behalf of this Platte County family!
--Norm Rasmussen
Platte City
Herm will win a Super Bowl
10/3/08
EDITOR:
In response to your Sept. 24th Between the Lines issue on the Chiefs, what Herm Edwards is accomplishing this season is rebuilding the Chiefs into a high caliber team that will be good for many years.
Herm is a players coach. His years in the NFL as a defensive back allowed him to see firsthand what it takes to build a winning franchise. In his day, the Steelers were one of the most dominant teams having built their team through the draft. Most of those players were “homegrown” if you will, meaning they never played for another team.
They were not free agent veterans like the Dick Vermeil era. Granted, the days of a high-flying offense was exciting and provided us a few winning seasons, it was short lived due primarily to the fact it was an aging team. Herm has had the hard task of dismantling such an out-dated roster.
Herm has been executing this plan of rebuilding through the draft for many years, with teams such as the Jets and the Buccaneers. Both of these teams were of playoff caliber and even birthed a Buccaneer Super Bowl victory.
Carl and Herm are in no way disrespecting the fans or the NFL. If anything, Herm's vision and dedication to this process has opened up the eyes of Carl Peterson. The pre-Herm years were full of draft busts and expensive free agents. As of today, the Chiefs have not wasted money on big free agent signings and without a doubt some of the best draft classes in Chiefs history has put this team on the right track.
We as fans have to accept these growing pains and support our young squad. The Chiefs suffered a substantial blow to the quarterback position due to injury the first few games. The faith this team has in Brodie Croyle has yet to be proven to the fans. However, the young talent this team has, such as this year's draft class, is by far exceeding expectations.
Since your Sept. 24th issue, the 0-3 Chiefs dominated the 3-0 Broncos in what was supposed to be an easy win for Denver. In this game, the Chiefs started two rookie cornerbacks who faced one of the most potent offenses in the league. Against an opposing team stacked with top notch receivers, and a strong armed quarterback, the KC rookies shined. Also our young defensive line led by first-round draft pick Glen Dorsey, pressured Jay Cutler all day. This allowed the young defensive backs to make big plays. The offensive line also stepped up and paved the way for Larry Johnson to reach almost 200 yards rushing. Huard managed the game with a veteran finesse, allowing our young receiving corps to make plays as well. Huard's experience and leadership will help this young team achieve more victories throughout this season, much like Brad Johnson did when the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII. On the other hand, that is a decision for the organization to make once Croyle returns.
This huge victory is something this young team will build on. Herm will definitely be here for more than a year or two. I believe the Chiefs' nation will finally experience a second Super Bowl Championship under Edward's leadership.
--Eric Lewis
Morristown, TN
Civilized discussion
10/3/08
EDITOR:
I believe congratulations are in order for columnist Russ Purvis.
For the first time ever, he managed to pen an entire piece (The Pinball Wizard, Sept. 17 issue) without calling anybody a name. I’m proud of him.
Welcome, albeit temporarily I’m sure, to the civilized world, Russ.
--Bob Bennett
Kansas City
Footing the bailout bill?
10/3/08
EDITOR:
As I recall, it was Bush, his cronies in Congress, and their bedfellows in big business who were responsible for changing the bankruptcy laws in order to make it practically impossible for us working stiffs to get bailed out of our own dire financial straits. Now they want us to bail them out with a whopping $700 billion windfall? I don’t think so.
Why should taxpayers have to foot the bill for those whose greed and lust for power got us into this mess in the first place?
To quote a phrase Republicans like to use when referring to the plight of the needy, I say to big business “pull yourselves up by your own bootstraps.”
--Bonnie Clay
Grandview
Wake up, America
10/3/08
EDITOR:
Wake up, America. Demand a federal grand jury. Barack Obama is square in the middle of this mess. President Bush tried in ‘02 to get regulations on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and with the Congress he was unable to do so.
Carter started this mess and Clinton continued this mess. They are trying to make this a Socialist country.
Sen. McCain tried again in ‘05 to pass controls but was unsuccessful. Bush and McCain were called racists when they tried to put some controls on Fannie and Freddie. Now look, who is going to pay for this mess?
--Betsy Gates
Platte City
Quitmeier has integrity
9/26/08
EDITOR:
I have always felt the best way to know someone is to work for him or her. Obviously that's not always possible, so the next best thing is to talk to someone who has worked for the person you'd like to know more about.
I worked for Bill Quitmeier, presently running for office for Platte County Commissioner, for many years when he was mayor of Parkville, and I'd like to tell you why I'm endorsing him for the county position.
1. He' s more than competent. He is VERY smart and VERY hard-working, and when the voters voted for a riverboat in Parkville, he neglected his own business to take care of the many small and large details of this new venture. (If you never knew why we didn't get the boat, the State decided they wanted larger boats than the Sahara planned to bring here.)
2. His profession is the law, and he knows it well, but he often said he wasn't and would not be Parkville's city attorney, as we already had a very good one. From my observation the really helpful aspect of his knowledge of legal issues was knowing when to call on the city attorney, and never to leave him in the dark on city activities just to save a few bucks on legal fees.
3. He has great integrity and lives by the words of the Constitution of the United States. Many are the board meetings in which I heard him ask a prospective police officer 'THE QUESTION,’ i.e., "During an arrest, if you found it would be to your benefit to violate a suspect's civil rights without any danger of getting caught, would you do it?" The answer was always no, of course, but this brief Q and A session firmly fixed the ground rule in the mind of the new employee.
4. He treats his staff members like colleagues rather than servants, and doesn't under-estimate their abilities. The Missouri Municipal League once asked him for an article about the city, and Bill got together with then City Administrator Pat Hawver and myself, and the three of us co-wrote it.
I've been asked if we ever disagreed, and the answer was yes, we did, and I told him so. And the next question was "Weren't you worried about losing your job?" And the answer was "No, never."
5. He has no bias, not in gender, race, rank, or age. The latter was important to me, as Bill is the same age as my son, but it made no difference. Age was never a factor. Bill has no "attitude" in working with others, which fosters mutual respect in all his dealings.
6. He's very appreciative of what others do for the city, and for him and others. He initiated an annual awards banquet to let people know that. The first thing he said when we started taking reservations was "no head table," and there never was. Sometimes when new residents would ask "Who am I sitting with?," they were surprised when I told them "the mayor and his wife.'
7. He's considerate. One cold dark night we left the Board of Aldermen meeting at the same time. Bill waited until I was safely in my car and starting up the road, and then he fell in behind me. It was slightly hazy, and I couldn't see the stripe in the middle of the road. (This was when we were in the old City Hall on Highway
9.) I found I was driving erratically because I couldn't find the middle of the road. I couldn't pull over and stop, as there wasn't then and isn't now any space to do that. If I'd moved over to the right to make sure I wasn't in the wrong lane, I could have just gone over the edge.
So I just kept going very, very slowly. I noted that Bill did not make the left turn to his home when we got to the intersection, but instead followed me all the way home. Being able to see his headlights in my rear-view mirror was reassuring, and they stayed there until I turned into my driveway, when he turned around and went home. He called me when he got home to make sure I was all right, and the next morning he called MoDOT to get the highway restriped. And I called my eye doctor, who discovered previously undiscovered cataracts. Until I could get them fixed, officials, staff, and my family generously taxied me to night meetings. People are great, especially here in Platte County.
So that's who Bill Quitmeier is, at least through the eyes of someone who worked for him for many years and enjoyed them all. And that's why I would endorse him for this new job.
--Barbara Lance
Parkville
Does he favor drilling?
9/26/08
EDITOR:
I am very disappointed in Sam Graves, who voted against the most recent off-short drilling bill (Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act passed on 9.17.2008 by vote of 236-189). Thankfully, this bill passed in spite of Sam Graves opposition towards America becoming more energy independent.
Sam Graves apparently does not support domestic drilling, like he has said he does. If he did, wouldn’t he have voted for this bill, and not against?
Kay Barnes on the other hand has made energy independence one of her strong stances. She is for both increasing the supply of our energy here at home and expanding on renewable energy sources. I wonder how Kay would’ve voted on this bill?
We here in the 6th District deserve better than Sam Graves. We deserve someone who wants to help fix our energy problem, and not slow it down by voting against crucial off-shore drilling bills. This is one of the many reasons I will be voting for Ms. Kay Barnes.
--Jon Raffel
Parkville
A strange election
9/26/08
EDITOR:
This is certainly a strange election. Some voters may be voting for or against a black man simply because of his color. On the other hand, there are voters who will support a woman only due to her gender. Then there are some who will use their votes as vengeance by switching parties and supporting those whose views are totally opposite from their own, simply because their candidate lost and was not chosen as vice president.
These people who use and abuse their precious votes are not only showing a lack of respect for our political process, but also are insulting the memory of those who fought and died for the rights that these people now so callously take for granted.
Call me old fashioned, but I believe that voting is a privilege and an honor to be taken very seriously. It's one thing to support ones candidate because their views are in sync with our own. It's quite another to vote for or against a candidate for purely superficial reasons.
--Eddie L. Clay
Grandview MO
About Barnes and Obama
9/26/08
EDITOR:
After watching the television political ads for some time, I have decided what Kay Barnes says about Sam Graves is either twisting the truth or outright lies, which is typical for Democrats.
They always do exactly what they accuse the Republicans of doing.
Kay Barnes is not what the Sixth District nee, even though she tries to portray herself as a small town rural girl. I don’t believe it. She is a big city politician who likes to spend tax money for her own projects.
On the national scene, there is something about Hussein Obama that does not sound like a U.S. President. Like most Democrats, he has no new ideas, only to raise taxes and stick it to the rich. Who decides who is rich? If the tax cuts are repealed all taxpayers get hurt. I guess he thinks all taxpayers are “rich.”
The problem in the financial markets is a direct result of easy crdit, people buying what they could not pay for and also the people in charge of trading firms who are former Clinton cronies or cabinet holders. Good examples are Frank Raines and Jim Johnson. Now they are both helping run Obama’s campaign.
By the way, what is a “community organizer?” Were Al Capone, Tom Pendergrast and Adolph Hitler community organizers?
--George Fee
Weston
Dougherty's comments
'offend sensible people'
9/26/08
EDITOR:
In response to the letter from Tim Dougherty published last week about how uninformed a letter was from one of the previous weeks about Lake at Tomahawke Ridge.
Enough with “the gate is locked” comments. A half page letter and that's the main thing you can talk about? How stupid do you think the people of Platte County paying attention to this subdivision are? You call the Glaesers “mean spirited, condescending, inconsiderate” yet you do your best to try get everyone in the county who works at any occupation ( I think you only left out real estate agents, circus performers and boy band members) to join your dislike of the Glaesers and join your quest and “passion” to bring middle income housing to Platte County.
Anybody with a brain could read the Glaesers’ letter and know they were talking about large subdivisions when they mentioned “anthill communities”…. you know lots of people in one location. Your feeble jabs at trying to put the Glaesers in their place and your taking what they said out of context to try and build up some support for your subdivision will probably backfire and just offend the sensible people of Platte County as it did me. Or should we even be allowed to voice our opinion since we are all “relative new comers” to your county?
Unincorporated Platte County currently has over 2600 undeveloped lots for sale, that's right two six zero zero and many are in the Platte City area. That's the unincorporated portion only, that does not include pretty much everything from 92 Hwy. south to downtown and 435 east to Clay County which leaves out hundreds of other lots. Oh wait, did Tim Dougherty not mention that in his letter to the editor last week? You would think he could find a realtor who would know these things.
Or the fact that if you go to the REMAX website you will find 31 homes in the 64079 zip code for sale with 3 + bedrooms 2+ baths. All of which are $125,000 to $200,000 and several look almost new to me. So if you want to build a home in the Platte City area come on in, just pick a lot we have more than several to choose from. From Seven Bridges with 1600 lots to Copper Ridge with 114 empty lots, 16 subdivisions in unincorporated Platte County to pick from with homes from the upper $100's to the 600's. Hills of Oakmont which he mentioned still shows 46 lots available. Or pick a home that is already built but I suggest you might want to find a realtor that knows they are here. Show up at the Oct 2 county commission meeting and I will tell you how this compares to other surrounding counties.
I moved to Interurban Road when the immediate area North of 92 Hwy had one house, mine. That was 14 years ago. Not many years after Hal Swaney bought the agricultural property (ag taxes paid, not residential) behind our house where they are proposing this high density 655 home subdivision. In 14 years almost every lot has built around us, with homes in every price range and size. We must have left the “gate open” by accident. Guys, you need to find something else to talk about while you ignore all of the facts. This is not a political campaign. Give the “gate” phrase a rest, no one is falling for it.
I checked with Fort Leavenworth. There is no housing shortage there. The Director of Off Post Housing actually chuckled when I mentioned it. You know they have a whole department there devoted to off site housing? So for those of you who called and signed the developers petition due to the need for housing for our soldiers, sorry. I know only a couple of you that signed live in the area of the subdivision but I thought you might want to know.
My family and I love our “match stick” home and what makes it really neat to us is we followed the rules like most everyone else in our area and built on several acres. If someone wants to live in a “match stick” home like ours in a higher density neighborhood, great. They have that option in Platte County but it will probably be closer to town and maybe with restrictions. The area we live in is in the area described by the County Land Use Plan as needing acreage for a home due to the layout of the county, roads and infrastructure. This plan applies to the area where they are trying to put this subdivision, Oh wait he did not mention that either. Different affordable areas to build and live are one of the things so attractive about Platte County. Unlike other area counties we have lots of choices for homes and what's around them.
For those of you who live in other counties and showed up at the Planning and Zoning meeting to show your support for the project due to the perception of more jobs or feeling you need to because of who owns the land. I did not come to your county and try to get a packing plant put in so please don't try to push something in our county when you will not have to deal with its problems when you are done building or selling the homes . I am sorry the housing market sucks but putting more housing lots in will not increase the amount of homes being built or sold at this time. Lots of things need to change for that to happen and Tomahawke is not one of them. Tomahawke would be one of, if not the, most isolated subdivision in the nation if it went in and there is a good chance it would not make it in any economy especially the one we are looking at for the next few years. We could just end up with a partially done subdivision between Platte City and Smithville for a lot longer than 20 years.
Mr. Dougherty mentioned the fact that the Swaney family has owned the land for 50 years and should be allowed to use it however they want since it is zoned RMD. RMD I believe is Residential Multi-unit Development. So maybe the Swaneys knew they were going to put houses on it someday when they zoned it for a “Golf course, Retail area and Townhomes”. Funny, I don't see a golf course in the plans… there is a kiddy pool. Maybe they knew the Kansas City Aviation Department would speak out against it 38 years ago if they said “we want to zone the area at the end of runway #2 for a large High Density 600 home subdivision.” Oh, and Mr. Dougherty did not mention that as of last month the Aviation Dept is still saying this area is not intended for a subdivision as it is directly in line with one of the runways.
I bet if you asked them about a golf course they would say OK just like when it was originally zoned for a golf course in 1970. Lets see, we know traffic and safety on the roads are an issue with this subdivision and now we have the aviation department chiming in. What exactly are you trying to do to our workforce Mr. Dougherty? Sounds like your “passion” would be safer for all of us somewhere else. Not at the end of a runway or on a road designed for less than 7500 cars per day you want to put close to 9000 on.
And once again, Mr. Dougherty, you must be corrected, your development has proposed no road improvement to 92 Hwy west of your turn lanes and no pavement or width improvements to Winan Road. Winan only has sight line improvements.
You continue to try and mislead everyone that you will be making 92 safer everywhere not just in front of your subdivision. “How can you be so uninformed on the specifics after all the scrutiny this subdivision has been through?” But there we go again trying to scare people with those darned old statistics and facts. Who needs facts when you've got that “the gate is locked” phrase to work off?
If anyone has seen the news you will know MoDOT is so far under funded it is silly. As of last week when speaking with one of their managers they have absolutely no idea how they will ever do any widening of 92 Hwy. They can't afford to fix the bridges and they have actually had to loosen their standards to accommodate many roads now that are above what they feel is a safe capacity. Do we want 92 Hwy to be one of these over capacity roads when it does not have to be when there are over 2600 lots to build on in other areas? Apparently the developers don't care about the safety of the current residents in the area, they just want us to let them put it in and hope the infrastructure will follow over the next 20 years even when we are being told differently by MoDOT. I believe this is how our financial state in America got to where it currently is, a lot of corporations took the quick buck and are now letting the American people take up the slack because they did not think long term. They just hoped it would work out but if it doesn't someone else can pick up the pieces and the CEO's walk with millions.
I could go on but the fact is land is for sale on 92 Hwy closer to Platte City that would not create the problems with the Land use Plan, Roads Master Plan, Traffic or Leap frog zoning like Tomahawke does. But the land closer to town costs more and instead of using land (for example) you purchased for a$1,000 an acre and splitting it up into two or three lots for $40,000 each ($26 million profit total before expenses) you might have to pay more up front for the land which puts a whole lot fewer millions in your pocket. This seems to be the reason for all of the fuss because if the developers really just want to be nice guys and supply all of the “working force” people of Platte County with a new affordable home they could do it a lot closer to town, where it would be a lot safer at this time or they could put in fewer homes and follow the Land Use Plan, the developers would just not make as much money. The land at 92 and Winan will be available some day for development. It will just have to wait until MoDOT and Kansas City catch up and if the commissioners choose that the county grows in that direction.
The letter to the editor from two weeks ago written by Mr. Swaney the land owner seems to insinuate that if you pay taxes and don't complain about what anyone else does you should be allowed to do whatever you want on your land and we should just all be glad we get to live in the county with you. Last time I checked we all have rules we have to follow no matter how many business owners, trade associations, employees, corporations and banks you have throwing their weight your way. Planning and zoning rules are what protects people like us in the Hoover area from developers who wish to throw all those rules out the window to get what they want for large monetary gain at our expense and safety, all done in the name of cheap housing for the “work force” families.
This is only a short list of a multitude of reasons and facts as to why this subdivision makes no sense at this time and some of these reasons I believe are why our Planning and Zoning Staff has recommended denial….twice….did he mention that in the letter?
A phrase was used a lot last week which makes me think of Tomahawke and how they have been trying to get it pushed through even with all of the problems they choose to ignore. “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig” ( A very high dollar pig!).
I would like to sign this letter as a property tax paying, school bond voting, water district using, RV and dump truck following, blacktop driving, “short term” rural resident of Platte County.
--Kirby Holden
Rural Platte County
Farm Bureau likes Tomahawke
9/26/08
EDITOR:
Whereas, individual property rights are fundamental to the freedoms we hold dear in America and are protected by the United States and Missouri Constitutions;
Whereas, economic development is important to Platte County and its communities and provides a growing tax base for our schools, emergency services and utility providers;
Whereas, the proposed Lake at Tomahawke Ridge development is designed to not only comply with buy exceed many of the local planning and zoning requirements;
Whereas, this development will bring almost $200 million in economic development to the area and around $28 million in new tax revenues;
Whereas, private funds will be provided for $2 or $3 million in improvements to water, sewer, roads and bridges in the area;
Whereas, the development will include over 100 acres of green space, five times more than required, and will include 2 to 3 miles of walking trails, a 10 acre lake, 2 playground areas and a swimming pool with attached kiddy pool;
Whereas, the Lake at Tomahawke Ridge development will provide quality housing in a modern and pleasant environment for many families and workers in Platte County;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Platte County Farm Bureau go on record supporting the Lake at Tomahawke Ridge development and commending the owners and designers for proposing such a project that will benefit our county, communities, businesses and citizens.
Adopted by the Platte County Farm Bureau Board of Directors on the 15th day of September, 2008.
--Kevin Rawlings
Platte County Farm
Bureau
President
EDITOR’S NOTE: Other members of the Platte County Farm Bureau Board of Directors include:
Hal Swaney (one of the landowners/proposed developers of Tomahawke), Jim Baber, Darren Furbeck, Mark Wittmeyer, Steve Folck, David Miller, Jason Roper, Jeff Gaskill, Dennis Fulk, Gary Oberdiek, and Colleen Gerke.
Sam is the man
9/26/08
EDITOR:
Congressman Sam Graves understands that our servicemen and women should never have to choose between home and health care. Congressman Graves drove this point home with his vote to support the Rural Veterans Access to Care Act. The bill would increase health care coverage for Veterans who live in rural communities where health care is not readily available as it is in more urban areas. The Congressman's commitment to our troops alone is enough to earn our continued support, which is why I encourage this community to vote to re-elect Congressman Sam Graves in November.
--Ed Smith
Platte City
Just follow the guidelines
9/26/08
EDITOR:
I am writing in response to Hal Swaney’s letter in the Sept. 10 issue of The Landmark.
I think Mr. Swaney misunderstood my letter. It was based on his name calling and accusations made at the last planning and zoning meeting. Instead of addressing the issues at hand he chose to call the neighbors that are in opposition to Lakes at Tomahawke Ridge “activists,” he went on to tout us as closed-minded individuals that want to “close the gates” to Platte County. We are none of those things.
We are intelligent individuals who only want this development to follow guidelines of the Land Use Plan just as many before him have had to do.
In his letter to the editor, Mr. Swaney pats himself on the back for “allowing” such developments as Red Rock, Hoover Heights, Basswood, and the asphalt plant. I am fairly certain that if he was opposed to these developments he had the legal right and process before him to fight them, however, at the time of their inception he chose not to. He also takes credit for “granting” a water easement across his farm, utilities are considered progress and the landowner, in this case Mr. Swaney, is paid handsomely for the use of their land. I imagine as he was cashing his check he was not opposed.
Mr. Swaney writes of all the good deeds he has done for Platte County, and I am sure some are worth writing about, but he did not at the planning and zoning meeting nor in his letter address the true issues. The issues of the traffic study, or the issue of the over crowding of schools this development will create, or the issue of higher taxes that will be a result of this development to cover the fire district, or the ambulance service or the school district. This development will create all these things.
I have read the letter that was placed at the chair of the members of the Chamber of Commerce. Those numbers presented are an exaggeration at best. I wonder over how many years it will take to create those types of deposits or sales in Platte County? I would also like to note that letter was placed at those chairs because of the “good ol’ boy” system, and not being one of the “good ol’ boys” I was denied by the Chamber the same opportunity.
Mr. Swaney states that he believes that a landowner should be able to do with their land as they want as long as they following the zoning laws. I have to ask him then. . .that land has been zoned residential since the 1970s and he has used the land as agriculture since owning it. Which is it, Mr. Swaney? You pay taxes on it at the lower agriculture base, if this is residential as you state then don’t you owe the county many years of back taxes?
On a final note: almost every county if not every county across this nation has a planning and zoning board and many probably have Land Use Plans. These boards and plans are in place because what an individual landowner does with their property does effect the surrounding neighbors. If these safeguards were not in place there would be hog farms or junk yards or high density subdivisions where they are not appropriate.
Develop your land, Mr. Swaney, but do it according to the guidelines of the Land Use Plan just as many before you have done. And for the record, it doesn’t require “300” acres to build a single home on.
--Renae Payne
Platte County
Unbelievable claims being made
9/26/08
EDITOR:
No one is surprised to see that Sam Graves, a known prevaricator, is making unbelievable claims about Kay Barnes on TV.
What about the economy, or health care, or gas prices? Graves is silent on these.
Kay Barnes will be for us. This Clay County voter is telling everyone she knows to send Barnes to Washington.
--Evelyn Childers
Kansas City
Breaking the glass ceiling
9/19/08
EDITOR:
Charlie Gibson made ABC proud as he looked over his glasses and down his nose at Sarah Palin during the “20/20” interview.
Is the left so anesthetized by their own air that they cannot see women seething everywhere! And even if you’re not a conservative, gun-toting, pro-life, traditional values woman, you’ve got to rejoice that history has been made and we have broken through the cracks in the glass ceiling.
I laugh each time I see the old political yard sign on display in the women’s political section of the Smithsonian History Museum…“Politics is just housekeeping on a grand scale!” What more can we women say?
--Susan Phillips
Kansas City
It's all taxpayer money
9/19/08
EDITOR:
Kathy Dusenbery asserts that I misstated certain facts in my recent letter. Unfortunately, the answer to a question was ignored, but the presumption was clarified. I would expect that after four years of being the chief executive of Parkville, she could give taxpayers an answer as to where the $165,000 train horn money is.
Further to the train horns, I will accept Ms. Dusenbery’s letter as confirmation that the board included the $165,000 in the 2004 CIP without completing proper due diligence (see my July 24th Landmark letter). If the board doesn’t want horn noise, they should never have proposed the Wayside option.
Anyone wanting to understand the technology can read it themselves at www.railroadcontrols.com.
As to the tax levy:
• She has the same data I have but chooses comparisons that are more convenient.
• Using her dates, the valuation base increased 34%, taxes increased 22% and households increased 6%.
• She appears to place responsibility for the higher 2004 levy on voters, even though she as an alderman aggressively solicited voter approval for the debt (and as mayor had primary responsibility for oversight on spending).
• Missouri statutes require adjusting of tax levies based on equalization, thus limiting tax increases solely from valuation increases. The levy is just one factor within a set of multiple factors determining total taxes.
Ms. Dusenbery and the board could have made a real impact on taxes by not building a new $4 million city hall and financing it with $3,655,000 of new debt (without voter approval). She has stated that she built the new city without raising taxes; her successor may have to do that as the full impact of payments began in 2008. The annual financing cost approximates $210,000 for the next 20 years, equivalent to an annual levy in excess of $.12 and 21% of the current levy.
The board failed to remember what they asked of voters in 2004. And they failed to remember one other fact: it’s all taxpayer money.
--Gordon Cook
Parkville
Comments for Park HIll School Board
9/19/08
EDITOR:
To all Park Hill School Board members:
We are requesting that each of you become more familiar with this (Union Chapel Elementary School) sewer project and how it will affect the landowners involved. It seems that the current plan is only concerned with how the school is impacted, with no thought given to the residents along the path. Many points need to be considered:
The main reason is that you do not need sewers! We were informed by the DNR that no citations have been issued and that an updated septic system would suffice. We are also under the impression that the DNR does not have a time frame for this to happen. At the May meeting we were led to believe otherwise. Is the person responsible for keeping up your septic system trained for that responsibility? As anyone with this system knows, there are certain do's & don'ts that apply. When questioned at the meeting, we were given crazy answers to our questions as to the bathroom habits of students. This shouldn't make any difference. A newer, updated, top-of-line system would work just fine without disrupting the neighborhood or putting undo hardship on the people of this area.
The cost of the project is going to soar above your various stated estimates which range from under a million to 1.25 million. Along with others in this neighborhood, we are familiar with construction projects, the bidding procedures, etc. In our business before retirement, that is what we did. How can you explain this enormous spending on one school when the alternative is much cheaper? You could install the best septic system available this year and hook up to sewers that someone else has installed next year and still come out a whole lot cheaper. We have talked to a couple of experts and the answer we are getting is that this project can no way be completed at this price. What are your plans for the cost override? Who, in fact, is going to pay for this? Has this project been put up for bid and, if so, who is it? This is a question that the taxpayers deserve an answer to.
The reason we keep getting from you is that septic would be a temporary solution. With your permanent solution, you will also be causing a permanent problem for those that are required to hook up. We will have future sewer line problems for as long as we live here with the numerous tree roots. Our land is not suited for sewers. We live on almost five acres of sloping ground surrounded by trees on all sides. Maintenance issues will be a nightmare with an almost 400' line. Would you want to deal with this?
We are living in bad economic times. How can you justify causing such a hardship on the taxpayers of this area? We have just received an "off the top of his head" estimate of $140,000 plus a "rock clause" for this hook-up project. Another neighbor's price is $80,000. There will also be the cost of destroying the septic tank and filling the hole and paying the hook-up fees to the sewer district and the school district as stated at the initial May meeting. After that, according to the sewer district, there will be a minimum monthly sewer fee of $40 plus whatever the homeowners' share of any collector lines that have to be run. At your May meeting, Mr. Rich stated that the school was taking a "gamble" in doing this project, but, they might just make money on it. These may not be the exact words, but this is definitely the impression that the neighborhood got. How can you justify doing this when an updated septic system is all that is needed.
There are environmental issues that need to be considered. We are trying to teach our children to be aware of our land, conserving our energy and saving the environment and here we have a school district that is destroying it. Thousands of trees will be cut down and the habitat for the wildlife here will be lost. What are we teaching our children? You have to take this into consideration when you vote on such projects. Our land is valuable to us and the future of our children. This is a rural neighborhood and we do not need or want sewers much less the destruction of our property to have them. The plumber told us that our property would be destroyed if we were forced to hook up. Our frontage is only 60' wide and a track hoe would destroy the landscaping in the front yard besides the destruction of the many trees on the south of the house. Not only that, we were told that when the line reaches the 20' rock ledge over the creek in the back, it would create another environmental issue. He commented that this ledge that runs along the back of our property is holding up the ground above. What do you suppose will happen if any of this ledge is damaged by this construction project? We plan on taking pictures of our house, inside and out, to show that we have a solid home with no cracks or problems and will file them with our insurance agent for future use. We may even consult a structural engineer regarding the foundation. These are more expenses that we will incur because of this. A few families along here actually felt the earthquake that happened earlier this year. Some serious thought needs to be given to the damage that you will be causing.
You need to be aware of the concerns of this neighborhood. When we found out about the project, we called the school district and were told that the sewer line was for the school only and no one else would be allowed to hook up. Later on, when the surveyors appeared in our back yard, we questioned them as to what was going on. They told us that it was for sewers for the school and that a developer was working with the school to install them. We then called two people from the school district, sewer district and the engineering firm. We were told by two other people that a developer was working with the school on this project. This, of course, was denied later on. We were not the only people that were told this either. Even though you deny it now, it did happen. Therefore, you can understand the concern that we have. This is not a made-up story. We were told this and will testify to it under oath. You have created doubt in peoples' minds about the true reason for this project.
The contact that you have had with the landowners is not acceptable. The initial May meeting was a disaster. It was held in the school with no seating. There were maps with confusing data. The sewer and school representatives' answers consisted of "I don't know." When confronted with the concerns of the cost and destruction of land by the homeowners present, these representatives seemed to be uncaring. Then there were the individual meetings. At our meeting we were cordial and polite. We did not show how upset we were because that is not the proper way to conduct business. Therefore, you have construed our actions to be complacent. Please be aware that we are as upset as most everyone else in this neighborhood. We are a close-knit group and always look out for each other. When you live in a rural neighborhood, you have to be aware of all those around you. This leads us to the information that you are supplying at these meetings. We were told by the engineer that there would be "no blasting" just "jack hammers." Yet at our neighbors' meeting, they were told right off the bat that there was a plan for the blasting. We were also given the impression that the sewer district was encouraging this project as it has been "on the books" since '95. We attended the September meeting of the sewer district and discovered that you approached them with your plans. They were only approved as they met their criteria. Nothing else! We were also told that variances could only be granted after the sewers were run. At our individual meeting, we were given the impression that the engineer or school official could bargain that. Not true! Only we can do that. Mr. Reineke was also asked to inform the school board to be more helpful to the landowners in understanding the process. It is obvious that maybe the school is in over its head on this project.
We are asking for a public meeting with the entire school board and sewer representatives available with the correct answers. The question here is whether you will be truthful. Unfortunately, there is no law that we know of covering honesty and ethics. After all the misinformation we have been getting from PHSD and PCRSD, this is a fair question to ask.
--Judy & Ernie Myszka
Unincorporated
Platte County
Stating Tomahawke's case
9/19/08
EDITOR:
Terry and Adrienne Glaeser, I understand that you and some members of the opposition wish to “Lock the gate" now that they have their homes, but I feel compelled to respond to your letter to the editor in The Landmark on Sept. 3.
In over 35 years of working with the public, I have never seen such a mean spirited, condescending, inconsiderate letter sent to the public. The “matchstick houses and anthill communities” are the homes of teachers, firemen, policemen, preachers, bank workers, YMCA workers, small business owners, plumbers, American Airline employees, retired people, stay-at-home moms, and many other workforce people. Last but not least, many active and retired military people live in these matchstick houses and anthill communities as apparently you and your husband Terry perceive these homes to be. I don't know how you can be so uninformed on the specifics after all the scrutiny that the Lake at Tomahawke Ridge has been through. I would like to respond to some quotes from you and your husband Terry's letter to try to clarify some things.
QUOTE
"Matchstick house, anthills in our neighborhood"
RESPONSE
The Lake at Tomahawke Ridge homes will be similar to the Hills of Oakmont and the lower third price range of the Lakes at Oakmont communities and probably will have a higher value than most of the homes in the general area surrounding the proposed community.
QUOTE
"A whole 19 acres of green space.”
RESPONSE
I have no idea how you could be so misinformed on this. The 19 acres is approximately what is required. We actually have over 100 acres of green space for our residents to enjoy. Along with the 100 acres of green space comes a swimming pool with adjacent kiddy pool, 2 playground areas, and approximately 3 miles of walking trails for our residents to enjoy.
QUOTE
"The hundreds of acres of really green space that is in this location now.”
RESPONSE
Adrienne and Terry Glaeser, that land is owned by Hal and Peggy Swaney who along with their family members have farmed that land for over 50 years. I realize that you are relative newcomers to our community, but the Swaneys don't just drive by this land, they bought it and have farmed it for years. The Swaneys have held this land knowing that it would someday be used for a higher and better use, especially with the RMD zoning. The Swaneys now wish to sell their land to be used with a product that is allowed by the RMD zoning. This is America and the Swaneys have the right to reap the rewards of ownership. They purchased the land, have farmed it and are now ready to sell it. They should not be penalized because a few members of the opposition want to "lock the gate" behind them. If you like looking at the green space, then you are free to buy it.
QUOTE
"The last speaker at the hearing, Mark Wittmeyer said that we should consider the acreage as urban"
RESPONSE
Again, as relative newcomers to our community you might not know that the Wittmeyer family has farmed Platte County land for well over 50 years. Mark's Dad was a county commissioner and has seen the wonderful top to bottom growth Platte City and northern Platte County has had in the last decade or two. He knows that in order to keep our community vital we need housing. Yes, Terry and Adrienne Glaeser, even the matchstick anthill homes that our workforce lives in.
QUOTE
"This subdivision would absolutely guarantee major sewage overburden"
RESPONSE
Again, you need to check your facts. Kansas City has assured us they have plenty of excess capacity and will have no problem supplying sewer services to the community.
QUOTE
"Cramming of classes to the breaking point."
RESPONSE
Again as relative newcomers to our community you must not be aware of how we got such a wonderful school system. This did not come by accident, but by our organized growth over the last 20 years or so. The increase in our tax base that came with that growth allowed us to build state of the art facilities and hire wonderful teachers and administrators. Terry and Adrienne, you might be surprised that some of the teachers and administrators even lived and continue to live in matchstick houses and anthill communities.
QUOTE
"Please go away"
RESPONSE
Sorry, we are not going away. I believe with passion that we need to have housing for our teachers, firemen, policemen, retired and active military, and other workforce families. Terry and Adrienne, you might think of their houses as matchstick and their communities as anthills, but I don't. We must have a full range of housing available, this is what has fueled our wonderful school facilities and the commercial choices we now have in Platte City. Again, Hal and Peggy Swaney own the property and have the right to use it as the RMD zoning allows.
QUOTE
"Characterizing Tomahawke as an "Economic Engine."
RESPONSE
The Lake at Tomahawke Ridge would indeed allow for the continuing of top to bottom growth in the Platte City area. We don't want a community of only housing above $300,000. The teachers and other workforce families just can not afford that. We must have housing available for them or our economic future will suffer. Imagine what an affect it would be on Platte City if we did not have The Lakes at Oakmont, Hills of Oakmont, Summit Way, Running Horse, or Timber Park. This workforce housing is indeed the "economic engine" that has given us the amenities of Platte Valley Plaza, the YMCA, and our great schools.
QUOTE
"This must be done slowly, responsibly as revenues become available.”
RESPONSE
It hasn't been all that long ago that 92 Highway and Winan Road were gravel roads. As the need arose with that need came improvements. The same will happen as the need arises in the future, improvements will follow. The Lake at Tomahawke Ridge is a very long term community and only a small number of homes will be added each year. I know the opposition is trying to scare people with statistics, but it will probably take between 15 and 20 years to build out. Just as 92 Highway has come from a gravel road, it will continue to be improved as needed over the next 15 to 20 years. The Lake at Tomahawke Ridge has committed to making significant improvements on 92 Highway, Winan Road and Interurban Road from the very beginning and will continue contributing to improvements over the course of the build-out of the community.
In conclusion, Terry and Adrienne Glaeser, we realize the desire to "Lock the gate" is normal after one gets what they want, but please let's be civil in our discussions. Referring to other's homes as matchstick houses and anthill communities gets us nowhere. We must include teachers, policemen, firemen, retired and active military and other workforce families in our communities and that is the desire of Hal and Peggy Swaney, myself, and The Lake at Tomahawke Ridge
—Tim Dougherty
Platte City
Hwy. 92 can't handle traffic
9/19/08
EDITOR:
I have been reading about the proposed development on Highway 92 with the proposed name of Tomahawke Ridge.
I read the letter to the editor from Hal Swaney, owner of the land that the proposed development would be on, and was not impressed.
Having served several terms on planning and zoning commissions in Missouri in the past and reviewing the proposed development, I do not see where the developer would get his money back in the foreseeable future. I can show you a number of developments that are similar to this development that are more than 30 years old and less than half of the lots have been sold. The developer would be smart to reduce the number of lots to about 150 and give the people more room to live on.
I know the area well, as my grandparents use to own part of the land of the proposed development. They lived on a hill of the farm just to the west and did have a good view of the valley that the proposed development is in. My parents lived for a few years on the farm on Hwy. 92 to the west of the proposed development.
I can remember when they built Hwy. 92 in the early 1930s. At that time it was a state-of-the-art road. It was the only gravel road in the local area. The problem with it is that very little has been done to it since, except to pave it. It is not designed for the amount of traffic that it gets today or the speed that cars travel today. It may be several years before Hwy. 92 is improved to handle the traffic of today.
One bit of historical information is the body of Hugh S. Chance was found in a well in this proposed development in 1926. Hugh S. Chance had disappeared in 1922. His murder was never solved. Hugh was the grandson of James Swaney, the Swaney that built the Swaney brick home in Platte County.
—J. R. Hopkins
Diamondhead, Miss.
They just keep doing it
9/12/08
EDITOR:
Just a brief word to let you know that I read last week's column on the Park Hill School District board meetings, especially the board members’ understanding of the Sunshine Law. I want to assure you that this phenomenon is not limited to Platte County.
I live in the Phoenix area. I have watched and read frequently about school boards and city councils that often receive training related to the Open Meetings laws, then proceed to violate them. When asked about their activities, they always have the same answer. They say "The law is open to interpretation."
This explanation has worked every time, except when the state attorney general has taken a board or city council to court. Then the result has been the same every time--they are found to be in violation of the statute. But, what is the result? They keep doing the same thing over and over.
--Ken Martin
Litchfield Park, AZ
Park Hill Graduate
The question of being 'ashamed'
9/12/08
EDITOR:
Should I be ashamed, as stated by Renae Payne in a letter to the editor in The Landmark August 22, 2008, for doing a development that allows hard working young families the opportunity to live in a community with open green spaces, a lake, swimming pool and walking trails? Should I be ashamed for doing a development that meets and exceeds all zoning requirements?
Then I should be ashamed for not protesting when my parents and other farmers bought water meters they never hooked up so that others could be served by a developing water district. I should be ashamed for not blocking every new home that was built on less then 300 acres that has a driveway entrance on 92 Highway and demanding that an extra 100 ft right of way be granted to the state for future widening of 92 Hwy. as we are doing with Lake at Tomahawke Ridge.
I should be ashamed for not fighting my friends, the Stampers, when they added an asphalt plant that put more trucks on the road every day, which is truly an inconvenience. I should be ashamed for allowing Red Rock and Hoover Heights to “Leap Frog” to undeveloped areas of Platte County. I should be ashamed for voting for school bonds which benefitted others. I should be ashamed for allowing Basswood RV Park to be developed. No one wants to follow RV's. I should be ashamed for not voting against the expansion of Platte City Special Road District when they did not blacktop our road. My neighborhood was financially responsible for installing the black top on our road with out any of the funds the additional taxes provided. I should be ashamed for granting a water main easement across my farm so the citizens of Dearborn could have ample water to grow their community.
I did not fight or complain as others moved to the area; knowing that the presence of others would make my farm life more difficult. Who am I to block what others want to do with their land when they follow the zoning laws of the county just like we are doing with Tomahawke Ridge?
Would the “No to 500 Homes” organization say shame on me for what I have done or thank you?
--Hal Swaney
Rural Platte County
Palin is a conservative first
9/12/08
EDITOR:
I just do not get the enthusiasm over the fact that Sarah Palin is a woman. I’m still looking into the content of her charter and not her anatomical features.
Maybe I’m an anomaly because when I started my career with AT&T in 1987, my boss was a woman. Actually, back in 1967, the person that gave birth to me was a woman; so I guess it really started from there. But anyway, during my seven year career at AT&T I eventually became a member of a training team that had thirteen people in it. Twelve of those thirteen people were women. One was my boss; another was her boss. That group of twelve women was diverse; I’m not going to place some politically correct label on them because I didn’t label or prejudge them when I worked with them. When I worked with them I looked at some of them as friends, some of them as hard workers, and some of them as slackers. I didn’t make comments on their hair, clothes, or jewelry, what concerned me was getting the job done and the job done right and the ones that shared my philosophy did it and did it right and we were a darn good team. I wish I was still working with some of them today.
I’m excited about Sarah Palin! I asked my wife “What’s the big deal about her being a woman? She’s a conservative, she’s against the good ole boy network, she can shoot, what differences does it make that she’s a woman?” She said “You’re not woman you wouldn’t understand.” I said “Well, you’re right for sure on at least half of that.”
My wife can shoot. In fact, our personal firearms instructor told me she could shoot better than I can. Our 11 year old daughter has sent a few rounds down the barrel of an AR-15. I consider that preparation for dating in the far far future.
My wife and I are both licensed professionals. Why would I marry anyone who I couldn’t sit down with at the dinner table and talk to on a professional level? It just wouldn’t make sense. So why not expect Sarah Palin to be a great candidate? To me pointing out the fact that she is a woman is an attempt to qualify the fact that she is a great candidate.
I do admit it brings out the true colors of the so called “feminist movement” by allowing them to show that they are not for the advancement of “women,” they are only for the advancement of “liberal women” or “water carriers” which defeats the purpose of having an organization for advancement if you have to be a slave to the organization.
By the way, has anyone noticed John McCain’s 96 year old mother? I think she is a total icon. I wish I had that lady’s energy and she’s 56 years older than me.
I guess I’ll never “get it,” but I support Sarah Palin.
--Timothy J. Thompson
KC in Platte County
Proud of her time as mayor
9/12/08
EDITOR:
I see there is another letter from Gordon Cook taking issue with the City of Parkville. Mr. Cook simply does not have his facts straight.
The money to purchase office furniture for the new city hall was taken out of proceeds of the sale of the former city hall to the Platte County Health Department. Regarding train horns in downtown Parkville, there are a lot of issues with the direct train horns and one of the main ones is whether or not it would be good to have a direct train horn blaring directly into the city's downtown retail area. Establishing a quiet zone was an issue the board of aldermen was discussing when I left office. Aldermen Brooks also presented much discussion about this issue during one of his several public workshops which included an official from the City of Olathe, Kansas who provided a great deal of information concerning this issue. I am confident that the current board will resolve this issue in the best interests of the citizens of Parkville.
His argument about the city tax levy is likewise off the mark. When you compare the 2004 property tax levy following the voters approval of a capital improvements funding plan, which was my first year as mayor, with the 2007 levy, my last year as mayor, the difference is a reduction of nearly 9%. There were four levies, the four years I was in office, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007. Subtract the 2007 levy from the 2004 levy and that is how you arrive at the nearly 9%. The total property tax levy my first year as mayor was .6559 cents. In my last year as mayor that had been reduced to .5984 cents, a reduction of nearly 9%". Subtract .5984 [2007 levy] from .6559 [2004 levy] resulting in .0575. That difference divided by .6559 results in 8.77% or nearly 9%.)
I'm proud that during my time as mayor we were able to meet an ever increasing demand for services from a growing population, maintain and improve old outdated infrastructure and still reduce the overall property tax levy.
--Kathy Dusenbery
Parkville
Of train horns and tax increases
9/5/08
EDITOR:
Parkville residents wondering what happened to the quiet zone train horns approved by voters as part of the 2004 capital improvements debt need only look again at the performance of the Dusenbery administration. This matter was discussed at various board meetings in 2004, and on August 3, 2004 then Mayor Dusenbery said there would be more hearings. The board minutes of September 19, 2006 suggested a decision in 30 to 60 days. Parkville is still waiting.
This past week, I had a 34 minute conversation with the vendor that proposed this system. In that conversation, we framed the issues regarding installation options and costs, annual maintenance costs, life of ownership costs, and risks.
The February 3, 2004 board minutes state, “The cost will be $150,000 for “three of them”, referring to Wayside Horns. Wayside Horns cost $100,000 per installation (the costs have not changed materially), which leaves a gap of $135,000 relative to the $165,000 in the 2004 CIP budget. Annual costs for insurance and maintenance range from $10,000 to $20,000 depending on insurance limits purchased.
The first generation Wayside technology was installed in 1994 and the current technology has been installed since 2000. The company currently has over 100 installations and expects growth of 15-20% per year. While there is risk of failure, the company noted no failures and no accidents resulting from either the equipment or the railroads.
Two prerequisites to implementation are a railroad liability insurance endorsement and a contract with the railroad. Since Parkville participates in a self-insurance pool, the city may have to purchase a separate insurance policy, in which case the annual costs noted above could triple. Prudence suggests the city not be short sighted on this matter.
While Wayside Horns may provide some relief for certain residents, I question whether the proposed solution will provide the benefits promoted by aldermen in 2004. The decibel level of Wayside horns approximates that of trains while not carrying the same distance. Accordingly, this proposal should be reevaluated and include sufficient voter representation to ensure that the issues are vetted, the proposed solution addresses the objectives and that the benefits are worth the long term cost of ownership.
So according to board minutes, not only were the key issues not addressed at the time this issue was submitted to voters in 2004, none had been addressed when Ms. Dusenbery vacated the mayor position in April 2008. This is the mindset that we as voters are supposed to believe represents fiduciary responsibility and sound fiscal management.
And where is the money? Likely it was spent on the new city hall building, including equipping it with $165,439 of new furniture. This, in my view, is indicative of disrespect for taxpayers.
Separately, Ms. Dusenbery stated in a July 25, 2008 mailer that she “concentrated on sound fiscal management” and that she reduced the tax levy by nearly 9%. My data, all provided by City officials, shows that Ms. Dusenbery inherited a levy of $.5782 and left her successor with a levy of $.5984, an increase of 3.5%. During the same four year period, the valuation base increased 40%. The combined effect was a 45% increase in total tax dollars received by the City. This compares to an increase in household and business units over the same four year period of less than 9%. If this comparison requires an explanation, it is that Ms. Dusenbery doesn't understand what sound fiscal management really is.
--Gordon Cook
Parkville
Tomahawke needs to go away
9/5/08
EDITOR:
After attending the lengthy meeting/hearing with the Planning and Zoning Board concerning the proposed Tomahawke Ridge nightmare, we now are the recipients of a copy of a letter to the members of the Chamber of Commerce from Tim Dougherty. We are enclosing a copy herewith.
If his object was to bring us all to the boil again, he succeeded. We ask Mr. Dougherty and the few people trying to sell this nightmare, What is it going to take for you greedy folks to pack up and go away?
We, the people who live in this rural community, do not want your matchstick house anthill in our neighborhood. This is not a matter of closing any gate. We would welcome folks who would do as we all have done which is to purchase some acreage and build a nice residence for their family. At the hearing, the builder stated that this subdivision would be so nice with a whole 19 acres of green space, a small lake (pond) and trails. Well sir, we do not see how 19 acres of green space could possibly be an improvement over the hundreds of acres of really green space that is in this location now.
The last speaker at the hearing, Mark Wittmeyer, said that we should consider this acreage as urban since he could stand on a hill on his property close to the proposed site and see the airport tower. Following his reasoning, it would seem that Mt. Fuji, Japan should be considered as a good location for a subdivision since one can see Tokyo from there.
Lets get real here. What all of this boils down to is this: a few people have been bitten by the greed bug and do not care at all about what this anthill cramming of residences will do to the quality of life and the safety of travel on our roads. Additionally, so what if the building of this subdivision would absolutely guarantee major sewage overburden and stench from the huge increase in demand at the Todd Creek processing plant? The developer and friends do not care because they will not be close enough to suffer this pollution.
Another major concern of ours is the cramming of classes to the breaking point in our schools, that are now known all over the state for the fine students they produce. This is worse than the 19 acres vs. 300 because it involves our children's future. Reasonable ratios of students to teachers must be protected.
Mr Dougherty, regarding your letter, all of us who cherish our rural community say please go away and sell your anthills to others who do not love their community as we do. This area is a jewel and there is room for other folks to come and share our great quality of life, our wonderful town and schools, but not by the thousands. We feel a real responsibility to do everything possible to preserve this lovely peaceful area.
You have presented arguments of revenues, characterizing Tomahawke as an "economic engine" with so many millions spent on food and drink, groceries and gasoline, etc.. The reality of this "engine" would be unbelievable traffic problems with most of the engine residents going south to shop. The City of Kansas City, Missouri and the Platte Special Road District groups have no plans for road improvements. This must be done slowly, responsibly as revenues become available. To state that Tomahawke would force such improvements is a farse; it would not. The reality of this is that hundreds more would be having the breath- taking misses with gravel trucks, uncontrolled slides down Winan Road south of 92 Highway in winter, and many, many more accidents.
Platte Special Road does a great job for us now and is sized for the task at hand. Our taxes are adequate for their always good service, but the City of Kansas City does not now and will not in the forseeable future do diddly for their roads.
We take issue with your comment concerning "not letting a few upset neighbors stifle the economic future of the Platte City area." We are not so few. Many people in this area can see that the damaging effects of this nightmare would impact everyone within a 10 mile radius in a very direct and negative manner. Please go away and allow our community to grow in a responsible manner.
We ask our neighbors and all concerned people to stand up and put this proposal where it belongs, in the trash.
We thank the planning and zoning folks for the denial and hope you all know in what high regard we hold you.
--Terry and Adrienne Glaeser
Rural Platte County
Lincoln lacked experience
9/5/08
EDITOR:
When criticizing Barak Obama's "lack of experience", Republicans should be reminded about the "lack of experience" of one of the greatest presidents in United States history.
This president from the Republican Party possessed a mere 8 years of state legislative experience, 1 term in the US Congress, and a failed bid for the US Senate.
That president was Abraham Lincoln.
I would say that Lincoln did a fairly decent job with limited "experience".
Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama seem to have much in common.
--David Raffel
Parkville
Veterans support Graves
9/5/08
EDITOR:
Since retiring after almost twenty-five years of active duty military service, including combat, and as a life member of the VFW in the 6th District, I have spoken with many of our veterans. The veterans of the 6th District are supporting Sam Graves in his campaign for Congress, because of his record of standing up for veterans.
We have seen over the years how Sam has faithfully stood by us. From supporting the individual cases of our veterans and their surviving spouses and children, to co-sponsoring Wounded Warriors legislation ensuring our veterans receive the care they richly deserve, Sam has stood by our veterans and our country's soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines now serving here, and over there.
Sam Graves has always stood by our veterans. We need to stand by Sam Graves.
- -Bill Flynt
Kansas City
Not a safe feeling
9/5/08
EDITOR:
“Don’t make me come in there” seems to be Bush and McCain’s typical response to any perceived threats around the world.
Bush and McCain seem determined to continue to go to war until there are either no wars left to fight or no fighters left to fight them.
This type of doomsday mentality doesn’t make me feel safe, as Republicans like to brag. On the contrary, it scares the daylights out of me.
--Eddie Clay
Grandview
More drilling needed
9/5/08
EDITOR:
With the election drawing near, we have been hearing radio ads from both Sam Graves and Kay Barnes. In the Barnes’ ad, she says that she will lower gas prices by going after speculators in the futures market.
The whole premise of this theory is absurd. Sure some speculators make money when the price of commodities goes up, some also lose money. The reason many of these speculators are bidding the price up is because they think that the current restrictions on the oil company's production of crude are going to remain; hence keeping the supply lower than the demand, which will drive prices in the future higher.
Sam Graves’ ad advocates a more common sense solution, to lift the ban on the use of our own oil and reduce prices by means of allowing more production.
Ask yourself which is more likely to help; more regulations, or more oil.
--Marcus McIntire
Kansas City
Watching Park Hill tax levy
8/29/08
EDITOR:
On Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. Park Hill School District will be having a public hearing regarding whether or not to raise its tax levy.
How would PHSD justify asking for more money when at the same time they are contemplating spending an estimated $1.25 million to fund public sewers that no one voted on and no one in the area needs? At a time when many families struggle to pay for gas, groceries, medical expenses and basic necessities, taking additional money from their pockets to subsidize developers is both an insult and a perversion of stewardship.
How dare they ask for more, for any reason, when they intend to waste it in this fashion? Everyone who reads this and pays taxes to PHSD should storm that meeting and be heard.
--Sue Lange
Parkville
A 'lie' different from a 'mistake'
8/29/08
EDITOR
Being an attorney, a person who notes facts and weighs opinions, there is a trend in the language of today that really crosses me. Now, given that I grew up at a time when the “fav” sayings were “gag me with me a spoon,” “no duh,” and “well yeah,” the fact that I’m concerned about a trend in language might be of special concern to society today.
The trend I’m concerned about it the trend to say “I lied” when the person actually was “mistaken.”
I have had members of my support staff come up to me and say “Oh I lied it was ‘y’ not ‘x.’” Needless to say the person clarified her position when I turned and looked her in the eye and said “Did you lie to me or were you mistaken?” When you have a professional license on the line, there is a big difference.
It wasn’t that I didn’t know that she was “mistaken” and didn’t “lie” to me. It was that there is a difference between a “lie” and “mistake” and there is going to be different consequences and she knew that and knew better than to tell me that she lied to me when she was mistaken.
A “lie” is an intentional deception usually for purpose of personal gain particularly against the person upon whom the lie was propounded. A mistake is . . . well it’s a mistake, the wrong analysis of facts, a misperception, and most importantly, NOT an intentional deception.
The two should never be confused. To confuse the two is to dilute the impact of a “lie.” I take a “lie” very serious. I can’t prevent people from lying to me. I can only prevent myself from associating with liars.
A mistake, on the other hand, I try to resolve, figure out why it happened and try to prevent it from happing again. We can all learn from mistakes, it’s called life.
I have to ask; at what point have we reached in society where we even proffer the idea that a “lie” even resembles a “mistake?” In other words, an intentional deception is the same as a miscalculation or unintentional misstatement of facts.
I’m not going to accept that! A lie is a lie and a mistake will happen. If you make a mistake say “I was mistaken,” don’t say “I lied.” Know the difference!
Mean what you say and say what you mean.
--Timothy J. Thompson
Kansas City in
Platte County
Change needed in Washington
8/29/08
EDITOR:
It seems ironic that Congressman Sam Graves is now clamoring for Democrats to reconvene an emergency session of Congress. Graves’ only solution for the current oil crisis is to drill, drill, and drill again.
The flailing solution that Graves offers is to obtain more of the same "drug" to satisfy an insatiable "drug habit" --- just like a drug addict.
Where was Graves from 2001 until 2007 when Republicans were in control of both the White House and Congress? They could have approved this drilling for more oil then.
We need a long-term, comprehensive solution to the oil crisis, which has been festering for decades --- not political rhetoric.
Graves is part of the problem in Washington, not the solution. His lack of leadership and vision for the future allows oil giants like Exxon/Mobil to rack up billions of profits, while ordinary folks get hammered at the gas pumps.
We need a change of direction in Washington --- not more of the same rhetoric from Sam Graves.
--David Raffel
Parkville
Graves fights
8/29/08
EDITOR:
Sam Graves understands the hard earned money of the people in the sixth district should not be taken by increased taxes. He has fought against Washington's out of control spending, and this year voted against Nancy Pelosi's $683 million tax increase. The middle class is being pounded with taxes, which is only hurting the economy. We should be able to spend our money the way we choose, instead of passing it along to the government who just spends our money like drunken sailors. We need Sam Graves fighting for us in Washington so we can keep more of our money in our own pockets.
--Michele Chambers
Kansas City in
Platte County
Drilling is key
8/29/08
EDITOR:
It should be no surprise that the same radical environmental groups that have prevented us from drilling for the billions of barrels of oil we know are located in Alaska and off our Coasts are going to spend thousands of dollars targeting Sam Graves.
Sam knows that drilling for oil, in addition to investing in alternative and renewable fuels, is necessary to help achieve energy independence so we can break the strangle hold OPEC has on our economy.
In Kay Barnes these radical environmental groups have found their perfect partner: a liberal big-city mayor who not only opposes new oil drilling, but also supports higher taxes on gasoline.
--Dale Edwards
Blue Springs
Bridge at Farley dangerous
8/22/08
EDITOR:
I am writing this letter with deep concerns on the above subject. This bridge is over 75 years old and is not up to the standards of other bridges in Platte County or in the State of Missouri. Over 5,600 vehicles travel across this bridge every day.
The bridge has a 45-ton capacity but is so narrow that some area farmers with large trucks will not cross the bridge at the same time another large truck is coming from the opposite direction because of fear that the trucks will side-swipe each other.
Two weeks ago, MoDOT patched this bridge surface, and on Aug. 13, 2008, I drove over the bridge and a sign was up that said “steel plate on roadway.” Is this what the taxpayers of Platte County have to accept?
On Saturday, Aug. 9, TV channel 4 presented information on the bridge that has caused great concern to the people who use this bridge and live in Platte County. This bridge must be replaced soon or we will have deaths like in the Minnesota bridge collapse.
--F. E. Schlueter
Farley
Doing what's best for area
8/22/08
EDITOR:
Thank you to Daniel Erickson and the staff for their diligence and hard work presenting all the facts regarding the planned subdivision of Tomahawke Ridge.
I hope the neighbors keep in mind that we may have won a battle Tuesday night but probably have not won the war yet. And thank you to the commissioners of planning and zoning for voting for what is best for the entire community and not participating in the old fashioned way of running a county government where “you scratch my back and I will scratch yours.”
And shame on you, Mr. Swaney. The community of neighbors that oppose this subdivision are not activists that are looking to keep all the land as “green space” for our “viewing pleasure.” We are a community of people that have no problem with development. There have been several homes built on Winan Road, Interurban Road, Farmers Lane, etc., since I have lived there for the last nine years.
The difference is these homes were built on small acreages, keeping with the integrity and desires of the rural community. And note that none of these builds were faced with opposition. We are not opposed to development; we are however opposed to the high density development you are proposing. We are not trying to “close the gates to Platte County,” we are only asking that you develop this land in a manner that is conducive to the surrounding properties and homes.
I hope that planning and zoning and the Platte County Commissioners will stay diligent and continue to follow the land use plan guidelines and the Platte County profile results when making any further decisions concerning this proposed sub-division.
--Renae Payne
Rural Platte County
Obama's energy plan lacking
8/22/08
EDITOR:
Senator Obama's energy policy consists of trying to reign in speculation of oil in the markets, promoting alternative energy sources and increasing the mileage standards of automobiles.
First, the automobile manufacturers have been increasing mileage standards for years, and they are currently producing smaller, fuel efficient cars which get 35 to 45 miles per gallon.
Second, alternative energy sources, e.g. wind, solar, thermal, hydro, tides can only provide a very small portion, maybe 10% to 15%, of our energy requirements.
Third, the supposed speculation of oil in the markets has its root cause in the classic economic conditions associated with supply and demand. Since the demand for oil is approximately equal to the available supply, prices are high, and any perturbations in the supply of oil puts upward pressure on prices. Supply is controlled by OPEC and other countries, our own oil production, and U.S. oil companies, so to increase supply we have to increase domestic oil production and build refineries. On the demand side, gasoline consumption has been steadily decreasing in the U.S. due to less travel, a switch to smaller cars, car pooling and the increased use of mass transit systems.
Once again Senator Obama comes up with an untenable program, because he does not have the experience and good judgment to make sound decisions.
John McCain will increase domestic oil production, build nuclear power plants and promote alternative energy sources.
--Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
District can't afford Barnes
8/15/08
EDITOR:
As a small businessman I cannot afford Kay Barnes. I know the constituents of the Sixth District cannot either. Kay Barnes is a big city, tax-and-spend mayor. If elected to Congress she will continue to do the same with the hard-earned dollars of the people of the Sixth District.
I am tired of hearing the lies saying that Sam Graves sides with big oil. He understands that increasing taxes on oil companies will only be passed onto the consumer. I don't think that means he is the oil companies' best friend-I think that means he is putting the best interests of the people first. He favors drilling off the coastal shelf and in ANWR. He realizes we Americans should be able to drill for American Oil. Since the Democrats took control of Congress, gas has raised approximately $2.00. We cannot let this go any farther.
Kay Barnes says that Sam Graves does not understand how people in the Sixth District feel about the weakened economy. How would Kay know how we feel?
She is an extremely wealthy person who lives a life of luxury in her fancy neighborhood.
When I visit any of Graves' offices, whether in Washington, D.C. or a district office, I am treated with respect. Sam and I may not always agree on every subject, because he represents the entire sixth district, not just me. He will take the time to explain what is best for all members of the district.
I have access to my Congressman and know he is working hard for all people of the sixth district. I vote for the person, not the party, and Sam Graves is the best person to represent the Sixth District in Washington.
--Denver Harris
Parkville
Didn't ask city to pay
8/15/08
EDITOR:
In the issue of August 6, 2008 in the article “Flash Flood Damage to by Fixed by City,” concerning the flash flood in Parkville, there were some misunderstandings.
In my opinion, the creek which flooded does not originate in Parkville Commons, the trees on my property did not fall into the creek, and they really couldn't be called “old.” They were both green and healthy.
The article stated “Ground asked for the city to pay for the clean up of the trees in the creek and the other debris washed down by the flash flood.” I did not ask the City of Parkville to pay for cleaning up my property. I showed the mayor and board of aldermen my receipt. I paid $1,500 to have the property cleaned up.
--Virginia Ground
Parkville
Matt Blunt did a great job
8/15/08
EDITOR:
Voters beware: Before you go to the polls in November, take a close look at the last four years in the Missouri governor’s position.
We had Mel Carnahan, the tax crazy spender. Taxes for road and bridge repair , the money is gone and roads and bridges did not benefit but very little.
Then we had four years of Bob Holden, more of the same only worse.
Matt Blunt took office four years ago and what a difference, he actually did what he said he would do when he campaigned for the job. He inherited a billion dollar deficit and turned it into a surplus in four years. The only ones complaining are the liberals and the ones who want a free ride at the taxpayers’ expense. Those people who were taken off Medicaid should never have been there.
Put a liberal Democrat in as governor and all they will do is destroy all Matt Blunt accomplished. Like it or not, he did a great job. We are better off for his four years in office.
Also, be wary of Kay Barnes. She left her job as Kansas City mayor millions of dollars in the red and left it for her successor to deal with.
Sam Graves has done a good job and we need to keep him in Congress. We do not need another (high tax) Democrat to spend our tax money.
--George Fee
Weston
She'll be voting for Obama
8/15/08
EDITOR:
From my public school education during the 1950's and 60's in Owensville, MO, a small town in Gasconade County, I came to revere our founding fathers and subsequently our great Constitution.
These men, including Jefferson, Madison, Adams, Franklin, Hamilton and Washington, having little experience with self-government, took a huge leap in breaking from Britain and forming a new nation where the people are sovereign. The whole concept of government for, of, and by the people, ranks up there with the printing press as among the most profound innovations of human history.
The idea that we, the people, have a say in determining our destinies is so worthy of continuing reverence and it is for this reason that I am voting for Senator Barack Obama for president. He passes my “founding fathers test.”
I believe Senator Obama will lead us in fostering a government based on open debate and civil discourse and not just back room deal-making, quid pro quo, and shallow sound bites; where all sides of an issue are given due respect and consideration, and laws and policies are formulated to the most benefit of the people of this country. I see the election of Senator Obama to the presidency as an opportunity of sorts, to “re-found” our nation by getting back to those principles of democracy envisioned by our founding fathers.
I sincerely believe our founding fathers would support Senator Obama precisely because he understands and represents the ideals of liberty that they expressed when they embarked on this great experiment in self-government more than 200 years ago. We must get back to these fundamental principles of democracy because this is what unites us as a country and this in turn will enable us to solve the problems and resolve the issues we face.
Therefore, I would like to ask the good people of Missouri to go back and carefully read those words in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and then, please, don't miss this wonderful opportunity to vote for America by voting for Senator Obama in November.
--Cynthia L. Murray Olson
Webster Groves, Mo.
Opposed to Tomahawke
8/8/08
EDITOR:
I continue to have a deep concern about the proposed subdivision for 92 Highway and N. Winan Road. My home is located on Interurban Road, not far from Muddy Branch, which drains the entire area to be developed.
According to a recent newspaper article, the developer has decreased the amount of houses by 31. Even with the new number of proposed houses, my perception is that there is no plan to address the large amount of storm water runoff from hard surfaces; hence, no concern about existing homes. I fully expect my home to be flooded in the future. As I wrote in a previous letter, my home has been flooded in the past, even with the land’s current use as agriculture – some of it terraced and some pasture, which soaks up or slows down the runoff.
The old Interurban Railroad arch concrete culvert beneath Interurban Road is not large enough to handle the volume of storm water runoff. The road then acts like a dam, and my home will be sitting in a large pond of water until it drains through the culvert.
I am firmly against the proposed development upstream from my home without a solid flood control plan.
--Charles Rhodes
Rural Platte County
Impact would be negative
8/8/08
EDITOR:
This letter is in reference to the proposed subdivision The Lake at Tomahawke Ridge.
This subdivision, as proposed, would add approximately 655 homes to the Platte City area. Using an average of 4 residents per household means it would add about 2,620 new residents to the area.Those who think only the residents who live in the immediate vicinity of this proposed subdivision will be impacted should consider the following:
An estimated average of 4 residents per household would mean an additional 2,620 residents in the Platte City area. Estimating that 2 of those residents are children would lead to 1,310 additional children in the Platte County school system. I know it is difficult getting in and out of the schools now to drop off and pick up our children, I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be with the additional students this subdivision would bring.
An estimate of 10 automobile trips per day per household would lead to an additional 6,550 cars on our roads every day. It has been estimated that 40% of this traffic will travel into Platte City. This comes to an additional 2,620 cars traveling the roads in Platte City every day. Anyone who enters and exits the fast food restaurants and convenience stores in Platte City knows how congested that area can become with the amount of traffic that frequents that area now. The additional traffic that would be associated with this proposed development would only make it worse.
An excerpt from the Community and Environmental Services book “How to Win Land Development Issues: A Citizens Guide to Preserving and Enhancing Quality of Life in Developing Areas” states: “An increase in new home construction can cause property taxes to increase for several reasons. When people migrate from cities and suburbs to rural areas they frequently bring with them an expectation of receiving the same level of public services to which they are accustomed. The new residents begin lobbying local government to increase emergency services response time, expand libraries and so forth. To meet this demand local government may be forced to raise property tax rates.”
The book also states “ A review of 70 cost of government services studies showed that for each dollar of tax revenue generated the three land use categories consumed the following amounts in government services: residential $1.15, commercial/industrial $0.29, and farm/forest/open space $0.37.
This subdivision will impact everyone who lives in the Platte City area, and in fact in all of Platte County. The proposal is scheduled to go before the Platte County Planning and Zoning Board for possible approval on Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. I would encourage anyone to attend that hearing who is concerned about:
·The safety and education of our children in the Platte County school system
·The safety, congestion and maintenance concerns this amount of additional traffic would bring to our roads
·The possible impact to property values and taxes in our area
--Joe Morris
Platte City
These ladies need our prayers
8/8/08
EDITOR:
As I read Brian Kubicki’s article in last week’s Landmark about Sherri Shepherd telling, almost like bragging, about her many abortions I was horified. Then when she said some woman told her she’d see all her babies in heaven I was dumbfounded. Unless she repents and accepts Jesus Christ, is baptized and lives a Godly life, she will never see heaven.
I can hear some screaming “judgmental” among other vicious words, but I cannot judge anyone as the Bible says “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23, and I am one of the all.
God’s Holy Word says “Thou shalt not kill,” Deut. 5:17. How much plainer can it be said?
These women, both of them, need our prayers.
--Bernice Fee
Weston
Are you better off today?
8/1/08
EDITOR:
Ronald Reagan asked in a 1984 presidential debate: "Is America better off (today) than it was 4 years ago?"
That same question should be asked now in Northwest Missouri.
Ask yourselves --- are you better off today than you were eight years ago in issues like --- home values, health care, gasoline prices, food costs, jobs, Medicare, Social Security, and education.
If you think the answer is "yes", then by all means, vote for more-of-the-same with Sam Graves again in November.
But, if you think the answer is "no,” then vote for a change with Kay Barnes in November.
Much like Nero fiddled while Rome burned, so, too Sam Graves is ignoring the burning crises here in Northwest Missouri.
In November, we need to elect a person who has proven she can stimulate new ideas and provide proven leadership. We need to elect Kay Barnes for a better future.
--David Raffel
Parkville
Dusenbery is dedicated
8/1/08
EDITOR:
I want the citizens of southe
