Letters: KC readers discuss Walter Barton’s execution, greyhound racing and Clay County
Stop execution
We are aware of the often very heroic efforts being made these days to care for and save lives threatened by COVID-19. There are both professionals and many ordinary working folks doing mundane tasks, working faithfully day after day to heal and protect us. We are grateful beyond words.
These heroic efforts to keep us safe are in sharp contrast to deliberately planning to kill someone, as the state of Missouri is planning to do.
Walter Barton is scheduled to be executed on May 19. His death will not bring back the precious life of Gladys Kuehler, who was murdered in 1991, to her loved ones. Besides that, after five trials, there is still great doubt that Barton committed this crime.
Save lives or take lives?
- Theresa Maly, Kansas City
You can fix one
We are in the midst of a global pandemic unlike anything the world has seen for 102 years.
In 10 weeks, more than 77,000 Americans have died, making the United States the worst in the world dealing with this epidemic. Many hospitals are stretched to the breaking point without adequate equipment or supplies. The nation has lost tens of millions of jobs. There is no baseball season. Schools are closed. Millions of Americans are having to go to charities for food.
Just a few days ago, the president’s son-in-law said that the administration’s response to this pandemic has been a great success. Since when is 77,000 dead Americans a great success?
For at least six weeks after being told of the coming virus, President Donald Trump denied it would be a problem. Now Trump screams: Look at China!
Make no mistake: Trump is responsible for the U.S. response to this pandemic.
Four great disasters: The COVID-19 pandemic. Unemployment. Hunger. The presidency of Donald J. Trump.
One disaster can be fixed by your vote.
- Victor E. Martin, rural Stoddard County, Missouri
No dog racing
With Kansas revenues projected to be $1.2 billion less over the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years than originally estimated because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it makes sense that legislators will need to carefully evaluate the state’s financial situation.
However, any solutions to the projected shortfall must not include the cruel and inhumane practice of dog racing. There has been discussion in Topeka about sports wagering, which could lead to dog racing.
Dog rescue advocates do not oppose sports wagering, but if the Legislature were to include the three dog racetracks in Kansas as venues for sports wagering, then the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act and Kansas Parimutuel Racing Act would require the racetracks to run live greyhound races. None of the three racetracks currently operates, and the unpopularity of dog racing is one reason. Forty-two states ban live commercial dog racing, and only three states have operational tracks.
Our legislators need to keep sports wagering out of the racetracks and dog racing out of Kansas. Bringing it back would not increase state revenues or create jobs.
Contact your representatives and say “no” to greyhound racing in Kansas.
- Louise Williams, Leawood
Official misconduct
On Wednesday, The Star reported about the disarray the Clay County commissioners displayed over how to use funding from Congress’ coronavirus relief efforts. (4A, “Clay County meeting turns chaotic over use of federal COVID-19 funds”) On April 6, The Star Editorial Board questioned how one official could spend $ 1 million on a contract without any type of counter signature. (7A, “How did official secretly spend $1 million?”)
The audit of the county’s financial records the voters requested still languishes in the courts. The sheriff had to file suit to get his budget approved. Legal costs incurred by the county commissioners have reached hundreds of thousands of dollars. Well-paid county employees are allowed to live rent free in county-provided housing, The Star also reported.
All this is happening while many county taxpayers worry about how to handle losing jobs, cover living expenses, pay for health care and other issues.
One has to ask why the three commissioners can’t seem to overcome their personal agendas and find common ground to solve issues that require thoughtful dialogue and leadership. Perhaps it is indeed time they rediscover their responsibilities. And perhaps it is indeed time that the number of commissioners be increased to five for better and wiser leadership.
- Helmuth Haug, Kearney