Letters: Readers discuss Overland Park mayor, Independence police, Missouri gun laws

Keep it going

I have lived in Overland Park for decades and served as mayor for 16 years. I enthusiastically endorse Curt Skoog as our next mayor.

His opponent has intentionally injected partisan politics in an election that should be focused on local issues directly affecting residents’ daily lives, not on Washington and Topeka politics. Curt will continue his effective work for residents, regardless of party or ideology.

Curt’s opponent has said, “I will be a firewall from liberals taking over the suburbs.” He opposes smart, careful and successful economic development tools. He suggests apartment residents are not necessary to or welcome in Overland Park because most people can easily commute to jobs from elsewhere. These isolationist views would dissuade businesses and young people from choosing our city and would hurt local companies trying to recruit talent.

Overland Park’s recent citywide survey showed residents are overwhelmingly satisfied with the city’s quality of life, services, amenities and programs. Curt Skoog understands and will protect what people value about Overland Park. He will listen closely to his fellow residents and build on the successes of the past while bringing new vision to Overland Park’s future.

Will the 92% of satisfied people of Overland Park please vote?

- Carl Gerlach, Overland Park

For the future

I try not to watch the news. My oldest kid once told me, “Mom, bad news sells.”

I am now very concerned about both my kids’ retirements. Instead of saying no to raising taxes on corporations, our representatives should establish some kind of “safety net.” Everyone knows that Social Security will be depleted soon. I don’t want my two kids to work until, what, they’re 90?

I’m pretty sure this was talked about by both parties in the past.

Easy peasy. Pass the infrastructure bill currently in Congress.

- Deborah Nguyen, Independence

Too little, too late

I’m glad to see Independence Mayor Eileen Weir is hosting a program on how the city can hire more police officers. Unfortunately, this forum should have taken place 10 years ago when Weir began her term in city government.

The pay range for new police officers was recently raised to $19.47 to $24.08 per hour. News about inflation and employers’ inability to attract new hires is in the business section of every newspaper in the United States. The mayor has done too little too late to fix the runaway crime problem in Independence. The upcoming ballot initiative to raise pay for the police should have been done years ago.

- Holmes Osborne, Independence

Meanwhile at home

The tragic accident on the New Mexico film set was probably preventable, but what about the thousands of gunshot deaths in Missouri and across the nation that we know we could prevent by controlling who has access to guns and what kinds of guns are available and easy to get? This incident has gotten hours of news time on TV and lots of space in newspapers and magazines. I wish the same amount would be given to what’s happening every day in this country because too many guns are out there.

When is this country going to do something? Missouri legislators are intent on making guns easier to buy and easier to carry so you can shoot at will. We could at least do something at the state level, but lawmakers in Jefferson City will never allow that to happen.

Think about that next year when you vote, Missourians.

- Charlotte Payne Folsom, Lee’s Summit

This story was originally published October 29, 2021 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss Overland Park mayor, Independence police, Missouri gun laws."