Letters: Readers discuss Sly James’ secrecy, NAACP travel advisory and minimum wage

No sly governance

Thank you to The Star for being able and willing to inform those of us who cannot attend every meeting, briefing or news conference held by Mayor Sylvester James Jr. Transparency is key to democracy and, in its stead, freedom of the press is necessary.

I don’t understand the surprise at the secrecy surrounding the creation of a new airport terminal. (Aug. 6, 1A, “Mayor threatens council members over leaks”) From Pendergast to present, the history of Kansas City politics is tainted with corruption, lack of a fair and consistent police department (which is why I agree with state control) and City Council members looking out more for themselves or favored patrons than the overall well-being of our city.

The majority elected a man proud to be called “Sly.” Not honest, broad-minded, truthful, open or accessible to all — but “Sly,” as in sneaky, shady, underhanded, not worthy of trust.

The legacy of the municipal government of Kansas City continues unabated, and we are the worse for it.

Perry Davis

Kansas City

Real ‘talk’

Here we go again. An Aug. 5 critique of the NAACP’s travel advisory completely misses the point. (Letters, 10A)

This advisory is a continuation of “the talk” black parents have given our children forever on how to be careful in responding to the racist practices inherent in Missouri. The letter writer’s suggestion for the NAACP to focus on “real problems” shows an astounding ignorance concerning racial bias in this state.

Racial profiling is real. Hate crimes are real. The belief that the systematic effort to marginalize the fears of people of color has geographic boundaries (east Kansas City is still part of Missouri) is as real as it gets.

Tell the residents of Ferguson how absurd it is. Tell the students on the MU campus in Columbia how absurd it is. Tell people of color across this state who are constantly on alert for the assaults on their rights and freedoms how absurd it is.

To paraphrase Jeremiah 5:21, none are so blind as those who will not see.

Michael T. Patton

Kansas City

Hope for better

I have watched and listened intently — some say too much — these past several months. I believed last Nov. 8 was one of the worst days I had ever witnessed for this country. The last months have proved that untrue. It’s even worse.

The scandals, chaos, lies, hirings, firings, tampering with our justice system, defiling our White House and the presidency — where does it stop? Our allies distrust us. Some of our brave soldiers are told they are no longer wanted. We put ridiculous restrictions on those who wish to be among us.

Our president boasts, takes credit for others’ accomplishments and seeks blind devotion and loyalty but gives none. He shuts out the free press.

It would take far more words than are allowed here to state the travesties he has wrought on America in his short tenure. But I will still watch, listen intently and, yes, pray that this injustice will end soon and the damage he has rendered can be repaired and our pride restored.

Camille Buccero

Independence

Low-wage workers

I know some reasons wages are lagging job growth. Employers are hesitant to pay more until new employees prove that they are going to stay for more than four weeks and that they can and will do the job required.

I’m in the retail business, and we have about a 200 percent turnover. We’ve never hired anyone with the intention of letting them go later. Our job duties are typical of our industry (convenience stores). So why do people take jobs and quit one to two months later?

The way raises normally work is the employees prove themselves able to do the job and are more productive than just doing the minimum.

I would support increasing the minimum wage if the government would reduce the length of time former employees can collect unemployment and would make entitlements harder to get so there is more incentive to get and keep a job. Politicians should talk to employers before creating policies just to garner votes.

John Rowe

Kansas City

Streetcar idea

I write as a gerrymandering victim.

The Walnuts luxury condominiums were left out of the streetcar taxing district, even though they are nearer to the end of the proposed line than our semi-humble condo abode.

My simple answer would be to start charging fair fares on the current line (touted as very successful) and set aside that money to pay for the extension to the Plaza and UMKC.

Donald Jarvis

Kansas City

This story was originally published August 7, 2017 at 6:28 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss Sly James’ secrecy, NAACP travel advisory and minimum wage."