Letters: Readers discuss ‘Better Block’ in the Crossroads, library tax and GOP outrage

This isn’t better

Has anyone else heard complaints about the makeshift “Better Block” that has reduced Oak Street between 17th and 19th streets to one lane southbound?

It seems ridiculous to interrupt one of the main streets downtown for five new parking spaces. Isn’t it possible to use the three practically empty parking lots near that corner, even if landlords must cover residents’ costs?

Please do something. Rectify the problem for the majority of the community.

Stefanie McMillan

Kansas City

Yes to the library

I scratched my head reading The Star’s editorial Sunday suggesting the ballot initiative in November for the Kansas City Public Library might be the tipping point on raising taxes. (18A, “KC voters keep raising their own taxes. When will it be too much?”) Mixing the library levy in with a state sales tax on gasoline, then reminding us of all the other sales taxes we’ve voted on since 2013, caused additional head scratching.

Is this your backhanded way of telling voters to reject the reasonable increase in the levy? I sure hope not.

The library is a vital community asset that deserves our support. The last time the levy was increased was 1996. The amount generated won’t even make up for tax abatements the city has given to developers.

Count me as one who will enthusiastically vote yes for our library. I hope you will publish an editorial supporting it. A lot of people will see it when they read your paper at the library.

David Oliver

Kansas City

We all have options

Are grocery stores guilty of racial profiling? Maybe, if you read The Star’s story Sunday. (1A, “A grocery divide; Why do so many stores east of Troost lack healthy food?”)

I’ve been to the first two stores mentioned. At the Blue Parkway Sun Fresh Market, although it’s true you have to walk by the junk food walls to get to the good stuff, the fact is it sells good, healthy stuff. You just have to have self-control. I’ve gone to this store and walked right past the junk to buy fruits or veggies. No problem.

At the Cosentino’s Price Chopper in Brookside, it is true the healthy stuff is visible as you walk into the store. However, the first thing you encounter is the display with ribs, smoked meats, fried and roasted chicken and myriad other hot food options.

I usually can’t get by these foods to get to the healthy stuff without buying a dozen potato wedges — yum, fried and salty.

So which store is profiling? Both of course, because it’s not about race. It is about money.

Joseph S. Shockey

Kansas City

Local angle?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. My best friend and I are both breast cancer survivors. We compared notes about all the organizations asking for funding and realized that our cancer nurses did not have any information about local agencies that offer help with expenses, wigs, transportation to treatment or any other type of support. I couldn’t find a survivors support group in the city.

The primary source of cancer research funding is the National Institutes of Health, a government agency headquartered in Maryland. So what are all these “think pink” fundraisers doing with their loot?

Jill Leonard

Merriam

Misplaced outrage

Let me get this right: Johnson County GOP chairman Mike Jones and and Kansas GOP executive director Jim Joice denounced Michael Kalny’s comments in a Facebook message. (Oct. 11, 1A, “GOP official resigns after remarks”)

Is this some kind of an insider GOP joke? The party of President Donald Trump (and Secretary of State Kris Kobach) is condemning a Kansas resident for a misguided post?

Trump, who says, “Grab ’em” by the privates, that there are “very fine” white supremacists and expresses anti-Mexican statements. Trump, who mocks disabled people and molestation victims. Trump, who separates young children from their parents and puts them in cages.

This makes your outrage over a single hate-filled Facebook post pathetic. Where is your self-righteous outrage over Trump’s actions and words?

Arnold Mall

Kansas City, Kan.

Poor conduct

I am Boston area native and want to apologize to Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs organization and Kansas City fans for the abysmal and embarrassing behavior of a few Patriots “fans” during the game Sunday night.

This fan found their reaction toward Hill after he scored a touchdown really crude, and I’m sure thousands of other Patriots fans agree.

John Hunter

Framingham, Mass.

This story was originally published October 16, 2018 at 8:32 PM.