816 readers discuss KCI, expired tags, how to solve violence ‘disease’
Improve KCI
Many people who oppose a complete rebuild of Kansas City International Airport fear the loss of convenience of our current facility. Proponents point out the inefficiency and extra costs of decentralized TSA safety measures.
I would ask decision-makers to visit an airport that uses the design proposed: Mineta San José International Airport in California. I have traveled through there many times. It is similar in size to what is proposed as a reboot of KCI.
Opened in 1988, its design uses the centralized safety system, a one-terminal approach. Ample parking and car rental is directly across the street. It is convenient, user friendly and well designed. It is not another Denver International Airport, which was built to be a hub.
People are naturally averse to change, particularly when the change means a feared loss of convenience. But if Kansas City wants to continue the exciting path of improving its profile, a modern, fiscally efficient airport is an important step.
The first thing visitors experience is often our airport. It is an important factor in attracting businesses and diverse jobs. I am confident a design that accomplishes this is available, as Mineta San José exemplifies — one that will serve Kansas City well for decades to come.
Morey Cade
Parkville
Expired tags
Has anyone else noticed the number of expired temporary tags on our streets and highways? I don’t mean just expired by a day or two, but expired by several months. I wonder if these folks have purchased more vehicle than they can afford and now don’t have the funds to pay their taxes.
This thought leads to other questions about the scofflaws: If they haven’t paid their taxes, do they have valid insurance or driver’s licenses? Who pays if they are involved in an accident?
Other than visually noting and stopping these vehicles, is there another method to get these folks into compliance with the law? Just wondering.
Cheryl Farris
Kansas City
Fighting violence
The article “KC task force to present City Council with ideas on how to stem violence” (10-26, 4A) characterizes violence as a disease. This may or may not be an apt metaphor, but I believe the growth of violence in our culture, especially among the young, is a direct result of the absence of nurture in the home environment.
Limited economic opportunities and sub-quality education certainly contribute to this problem, but key is the deterioration of the support and guidance of a functioning family unit. So if you confront violence as a disease, you must go after the root cause to effectively stop it. I have no idea how you do that in a free and open society.
It has taken decades of cultural decline to create this problem. To truly address the cause of this sad situation, and not just the effect, it may take a political will that does not yet exist. I wish the task force all the best.
Jerry Foulds
Kansas City
This story was originally published November 8, 2016 at 5:40 PM with the headline "816 readers discuss KCI, expired tags, how to solve violence ‘disease’."