Readers react to Woodlands racetrack, KC streetcar, Donald Trump
Reopen Woodlands
I ask all eligible voters to consider any legislation in Kansas that pertains to the opening of The Woodlands. Our elected officials know that Wyandotte County residents want the facility open.
If you knew the new owner of the track (Phil Ruffin), you would know his success in business ventures will likely lead to a prosperous facility at The Woodlands. Meanwhile, the coalition that wants to stop the opening has a huge stake in the success of the Hollywood and Argosy casinos.
They don’t want competition. Why hasn’t Hollywood started construction on a first-class hotel as it had planned?
The Woodlands probably would start with a 60-day-a-year meet. With profits from slot revenue, it would be able to attract a better quality of racing.
The most attractive part of the track would be the simulcast racing. You could wager on live races from all over the country seven days a week. That means being able to bet on races such as the Kentucky Derby.
With simulcasting, we could draw from other states. With help, we can start making the Legends more of a true vacation destination.
Rick Brunk
Kansas City, Kan.
Streetcar platforms
Traveling south from the River Market area along the new streetcar path, I noticed something interesting. It seems a number of streetcar stations or platforms were located after intersections.
The placement of the platform, relative to the intersection, was the same as the direction the streetcar would be traveling. A southbound streetcar picks up and drops off passengers on the south side of an intersection.
Any vehicles behind the streetcar will have to wait and in so doing could create a line of traffic that has the potential to create gridlock in the intersection.
Platforms located before the intersection (the north side for southbound streetcars) seem to make more sense. With this arrangement, the line of cars behind the stopped streetcar will not block and gridlock the intersection.
Further, a streetcar stopped at a red light will have minimal effect on the vehicles following it and will allow passengers to board and disembark at a more relaxed pace.
I’m not an urban planner and confess no knowledge of mass-transit logistics. I’m sure the decision to locate the platforms where they are was well analyzed and supported by excellent data.
Richard Bradford
Kansas City
Trump’s emptiness
I have to wonder whether Republican voters have looked beyond the star appeal of presidential candidate Donald Trump to the person.
His main support is coming from working-class people with whom he has nothing in common.
I have watched all the debates and many of his rallies and have really listened to what he has said.
Trump has never had to struggle to pay any bill.
He claims he will be the best job creator in the history of this country but is against raising the minimum wage.
Trump said he started a business from a small loan of $1 million from his father. Think about that; he considers that amount small.
Neither he nor his children have ever had to worry about student loans for college.
He travels in his own private jet, helicopter and limousine.
He said what he would miss most being president would be not being able to drive his Rolls Royce.
When he skipped the Iowa debate to raise money for veterans, yes, he raised $6 million, but most of that came from about 20 of his millionaire friends.
Every speech is all about him being rich, smart and successful.
It’s all talk from Trump with no real plan.
Karen Lane
Shawnee
Invaluable teachers
This is Teacher Appreciation Week. It is a time to acknowledge the thousands of teachers who do great things every day for the benefit of kids.
Teachers lead. They sacrifice.
No matter what job you hold or what level of education you reached, teachers gave you the knowledge and skills you need.
For Missouri to be a successful state, we need good educational systems in all schools. Excellent teachers are vital to a good education.
Teachers put our children on the path to a bright future.
Please take a moment this week to thank a teacher.
A word of appreciation is such a simple thing, but it means a lot to those who spend their lives educating kids — Missouri’s greatest resource.
Paul Katnik
Assistant Commissioner
Office of
Educator Quality
Missouri Department
of Elementary and
Secondary Education
Jefferson City
This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Readers react to Woodlands racetrack, KC streetcar, Donald Trump."