The Chiefs-Raiders game was a dream. Leaving Arrowhead’s parking lot was a nightmare
No easy exit
My son and I had a great time at the Chiefs-Raiders game. Unfortunately, it took us two hours to exit the parking lot and reach the freeway. Along the way, we encountered no parking attendants or police officers directing traffic, either inside the parking lot or as we entered city streets.
The extreme delays and disorganization upped the stress level, leading to three accidents we saw as cars pulled out of parking spots and tried to squeeze into the line.
We are regular sports attendees and have never seen anything like this. The Royals, though they have far fewer cars, regularly manage traffic with many attendants, including police at the exit gates. The Chiefs should easily be able to up their game in this regard, and I believe they have a social responsibility to do so. This would keep people safer and increase their event enjoyment and satisfaction.
The game was a wonderful experience, but the parking and exiting situation makes me question attending another Chiefs game anytime soon.
- Tracy Foster, Overland Park
What to be?
It’s autumn in an election year when there seem to be more political yard signs than fallen leaves.
On walks through my neighborhood and beyond, one yard sign in particular grabs my attention. It’s not for any candidate or issue. It says, “BE Just. Kind. Humble.” It’s part of an initiative by Church of the Resurrection in Leawood. There’s a TV commercial, too.
Every time I see the BE message standing innocently among a sea of partisan political signs, I wonder how different the world could be if political candidates and their supporters would truly be just, kind and humble. Not just here, but everywhere.
I may need to be patient.
- Judie Becker, Leawood
Where credit’s due
An Oct. 14 letter to the editor (7A) referred to a previous letter that had likened the officials in that Monday night’s Chiefs game to President Joe Biden’s appointees. (Oct. 12, 14A) The writer then abruptly segued into what was nothing more than an anti-Donald Trump rant. According to the writer, among Trump’s faults (and he has many) was his “incompetent and failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Before we go further, let me make clear: I am by no stretch of the imagination a Trump fan. In fact, the words that I would use to describe the man cannot be spoken in civilized and polite society. That being said, Biden was inaugurated Jan. 20, 2021. On Feb. 26, 2021, I received my first COVID-19 vaccination. To give Biden and not Trump credit for the vaccine’s availability would logically suggest Biden mobilized the entire medical research and development, pharmaceutical and transportation industries, then produced, distributed and administered millions of COVID-19 vaccinations. And he accomplished all this in only 38 days.
If you truly believe that, please contact me — I have some oceanfront property in eastern Arizona that I’m willing to part with at a very reasonable price.
- Harold Williams, Leavenworth
Future vision
Kansas City took a huge action to support environmental stewardship on Oct. 13 by adopting the 2021 IECC energy code. This code is a major upgrade to the city’s energy standards established in 2012. While raising the bar on energy considerations for new construction, it provides flexibility in methods to achieve these goals. This is one major piece of action needed to meet our commitment to net-zero energy by 2040.
Much of the credit for the adoption of the 2021 code goes to Councilwoman Andrea Bough. She organized multiple meetings to hear all sides regarding the proposed ordinance. Credit also goes to council members Eric Bunch and Melissa Robinson for co-sponsoring the ordinance.
Kansas City is continuing its leadership on environmental issues. I am proud to be a member of our community.
- Frank Zilm, Kansas City
Don’t be afraid
This election is not about inflation and the economy. Those issues are global, and we can and are fixing them. But we cannot easily rebuild a lost democracy.
According to a Washington Post analysis, more than half of Republican candidates for national and important statewide races in November deny the results of the 2020 presidential election — a claim that has been proved wrong over and over again.
People are now afraid to vote, but that is what everyone needs to do: Vote and be counted.
- Sharon Williamson, Warrensburg, Missouri