Ralph Yarl’s shooting was tragic. It doesn’t reflect Kansas City’s Northland goodwill | Opinion

Northland for all

Like everyone else I know, I really regret Ralph Yarl’s treatment in Clay County this month, but I do not think this incident reflects the vast majority of Northland inhabitants.

I remember so well when we turned on the first fountain north of the river, we realized we should also have a fountain with statues. So we took an informal survey to see what those artworks should look like.

The overwhelming response was that the sculptures should represent our children, as they are the most precious items we have. We also determined that those children should represent the population of the Northland.

We hired Tom Corbin — who later was named as the sculptor of Harry Truman’s statue in Washington, D.C. — to produce the six statues for the Children’s Fountain at Northeast 32nd and Burlington streets.

Charles Garney paid for one sculpture of a girl, as he has six daughters. Susan Perry bought an athlete’s statue, as her son does well in sports. Four others were financed by many donors who supported the Children’s Fountain concept.

The first statue that Corbin made was patterned after a very cute local Black 7-year-old girl whom we all enjoyed and admired.

When the statue was unveiled to the public, a big crowd came to see it. The group included representatives from Black media in several states, who seemed surprised but pleased that we had included a Black child among the statues.

I went by the park this week, and she still looks good. The fountain now has an endowment to ensure its future.

We feel Kansas City’s Northland can be good for a wide variety of people.

- Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City

Simple math

Everyone has a plan for reducing state income taxes, and they all give most of the benefit to the wealthy while the rest get a few crumbs.

Instead, let’s apply the KISS principle: “Keep it simple, stupid.” A reduction of Kansas’ 3.1% marginal rate to 2% on the lowest-earning taxpayers would give someone earning $15,000 per year an extra $165 — a meaningless amount to the wealthy, but a little something for the budgets of the less fortunate.

- Richard “Alex” Alexander, Topeka

Count me out

As one of a few fans whose memories go back to their 1969 inaugural season at Municipal Stadium, I am going public with my official resignation as a supporter of the Kansas City Royals.

Promises of youth movements (note pluralization) and high expectations have failed to produce tangible results. Over the past eight seasons, constant changes in personnel have resulted only in regression, and recent priorities have seemed to shift from starting pitching to the undeserved proposal to build a downtown stadium.

Baby blue uniforms, antiquated rock performers and bobbleheads of underperforming players are not sufficient to retain my allegiance.

“Prove me wrong” is my chosen imperative for the Royals’ organization. Until answered, I can only expect the declaration made in the form of song by the aforementioned performers to be realized by members of said organization relative to fan support: “I think we’re alone now.”

- Donald Robertson, Blue Springs

Their own hands

I so enjoyed reading the April 19 story “Regular Kansas Citians take on the metro’s litter problem” (3A) about neighbors doing something about trash in their neighborhood instead of complaining.

Gripes without suggested solutions aren’t worth much. After these last few months of negative stories about violence in our country, this story shows me that when we work together to solve problems, we can get positive results.

- Larry Miller, Overland Park

Funny pages

I know the printed paper will fade away at some point, and that will be a sad day. But please, I beg you to bring back “Candorville” and “Wizard of Id” to the comics page. I can’t believe I haven’t seen a letter reflecting this matter.

Signed, a loyal reader for many years to come.

- Dan Perez, Prairie Village