Habitat for Humanity building affordable housing won’t ruin what makes Olathe special | Opinion

The real value

The fear mongers are influencing the masses. If Habitat for Humanity constructs a very small, affordable housing project in Olathe, it would not in any way affect the intrinsic value of neighboring homes. (July 30, 1A, “Johnson County cities erupt in battles over affordable housing”) The same livability, the same amenities, the same journeys to work and shopping remain. Does market value change? Only if fear overcomes common sense.

Is the true value of a home its selling price? If you are in the real estate business, that may be the case. If net worth is the standard for a successful life, that may also be the case. But if you live in a community, the value of a home is much more.

A loving household, caring neighbors and amenities in the home, on the site and in the neighborhood are much more important to a satisfying life. The true value and the market value become much closer together when fear does not conquer.

The energy to ensure our communities are both viable and constantly improving is admirable. This energy should continue, but direct it to targets that will make real differences in how and where we live: good schools, good jobs, clean air and water, access to health care, recreation and other valuable qualities.

- Don Arney, Kansas City

More than politics

I would encourage all who are wringing their hands over the Biden administration allegedly politicizing the Department of Justice to read paragraphs 70 to 85 of the indictment emanating from the special counsel’s probe into interference in the 2020 election.

Donald Trump did not try to politicize the Justice Department. He attempted to weaponize it.

- Robert Lippert, Gravois Mills, Missouri

Not the guns

News about Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’ plans to address gun violence made it all the way to North Carolina.

It’s interesting that so many people put blame on an inanimate object. We’re removing the blame from people and saying, “If only the firearm didn’t exist, we would all be safe and secure.” Ignorance like this perpetuates the problem. We have a violence issue, not a gun issue, and we always seem to divert blame.

Laws don’t prevent an action. They explain why it’s socially unacceptable and proscribe the penalties for breaking them. If laws prevented actions, there would be no murder because we have several laws to “prevent” that. It’s the trick: Saying, “We must do something, anything,” to show we care. Doing anything can be more harmful than doing nothing and could be very costly to fight in court — a waste of taxpayer money taken from possible solutions to homelessness, mental health or the prosecution of criminals.

This is the ignorance of the average person who has little understanding of firearms or watches too many movies.

- Davin Jaggard, Weaverville, North Carolina

Out the door?

It’s not looking good that Chris Jones has not signed a contract with the Chiefs yet. At one point, team brass says it’s just a formality — and then you hear they are miles apart on a deal. (July 25, 1B, “Chiefs have Jones options, but you might not like them”)

In the meantime, Jones is fined $50,000 each day he is not in training camp.

The situation is starting to look a little Tyreek Hillish. Hill wanted to be the highest paid wide receiver in the league, and Kansas City offered him close to what he was asking for. He still signed with Miami.

Now Jones wants to be at least the second highest paid defensive tackle, but will the Chiefs pay up? Or will we watch another star player hit the road?

- Greg Schoen, Lenexa

Great extinguisher

Donald Trump missed his calling. If he were to change occupations, he could be a fireman. A fire requires three elements for combustion: heat, fuel and oxygen. Everyone knows that Trump sucks the air out of every room.

- Steve Shaw, Kansas City