Letters: Readers discuss the Fraternal Order of Police, TIF money and the Book of Mormon
Do the work
Recent news and editorials discuss Kansas City Fraternal Order of Police president Brad Lemon’s invitation to the Chiefs’ Marcus Peters to join the group’s outreach to youth program. Police officers, not black youth, need a community program.
Peters is not a cultural-diversity specialist, which is what the police department needs. Black youth are not the problem. They are dying because of the problems with a lack of police officer training, fear and unsuited temperament for the job and entrenched ethnic biases.
If you’re serious about addressing the issues that have people all over the world protesting unequal rights in the U.S., let me know and I will get you qualified cultural-competency experts to work with any willing officer.
Otherwise, those of us who truly understand the problem see your invitation as nothing more than grandstanding.
Sharon Valleau
Kansas City
Some good TIFs
The Star’s editorial, “To get a crime-ridden Walmart, Raytown gave away the store,” made reference to other TIFs as examples of bad deals. (Sept. 29, 12A) Though I generally agree that some, if not most, of these deals are questionable, I do take exception with one example.
Having worked downtown since the early 1980s, I watched the continuing decline of that area. No businesses or organizations were making investments there as the decline accelerated..
However, with the TIF granted for the Power & Light District, the situation was turned around, and now many large investments have transformed downtown into a thriving, vibrant part of the city. I think this is an example of how a TIF worked as intended.
Howard Wilkens
Kansas City
HOA workaround
I may have a solution for the people with the playhouse that the homeowners association insists must be removed. (Sept. 29, 1A, “Playhouse is an ailing girl’s quiet place, but the HOA wants it gone”)
It appears from the pictures that just over their back fence is a field with crops. Does the HOA control that field? If not, the family should contact the farmer and rent a 10-by-20-foot plot and move the playhouse off the property controlled by the HOA.
Problem solved.
James Wright
Kansas City
Church honesty
Congratulations to the Community of Christ and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for pulling off a smoking good deal. The sale of a handwritten copy of the original Book of Mormon is very impressive indeed. (Sept. 22, 1A, “Missouri church’s book, in vault for decades, sells for record $35 million”)
A $35 million world-record deal, and anyone can still go look at these documents in Salt Lake City, because they will be on display at the Church History Library.
I also applaud the honesty in this article, where church officials say the proceeds will go toward better retirement benefits for the Church of Christ employees. Not hurricane relief, not soup kitchens for the poor, not college scholarships for inner-city children, but retirement benefits for them. They definitely score extra points for their candor.
Scott Huffman
Grain Valley
Inappropriate time
The Kansas City Symphony has announced that it will lead the Kansas City Chiefs in the singing of the national anthem to kick off Monday Night Football next week.
I am appalled that it would do so at this particular time.
It appears the symphony is taking a political stance strongly in favor of President Donald Trump’s rants against athletes for kneeling during the anthem.
This sudden announcement appears as a direct and in-your-face salute to the hate being spewed by those who would take away the right to protest peacefully.
Throughout history, our nation has conquered, murdered, enslaved, oppressed and abused many peoples. It continues to grossly abuse the rights and privileges of virtually all “other” racial and ethnic groups — including but not limited to African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Muslims and the LGBTQ — that do not fit the profile of white and Christian. I strongly respect their rights to protest.
My own protest will be reneging on my previously pledged contribution to the symphony’s annual fund for 2017-2018.
Una K. Creditor
Kansas City
Same for all
My habit of reading the letters to the editor for entertainment has again been rewarded. In the Sept. 27 newspaper, another student of our Constitution has used his right to express his opinion while finding fault and criticizing other Americans for doing the same. (14A)
I’m pretty sure our freedom of speech applies to all Americans.
The writer chastises the football players who choose to exercise their right of freedom of expression during “The Star Spangled Banner” before games.
I prefer they didn’t do it also, but I would feel like a stupid hypocrite if I said they didn’t have the right to do it.
The writer goes on: “Be respectful to our flag. Support your president.” Now there is a real role model for our kids.
Alex George
Prairie Village
This story was originally published September 29, 2017 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss the Fraternal Order of Police, TIF money and the Book of Mormon."