Want a stadium in downtown Kansas City? Learn from that flooded-out 1998 Chiefs game | Opinion
Washed out?
Kansas City needs to clean its drains and sewer system. During many heavy rains, we see floods around the metropolitan area, like what we had along Southwest Boulevard and elsewhere this month.
We saw what happened when Arrowhead Stadium flooded during a Chiefs game in 1998. If you want a new downtown baseball stadium, wake up and fix the flooding problems.
- David Quirarte, Leawood
Spread kindness
A recent letter writer honored the value of kindness, (July 20, 11A) which I support by always wearing a button that reads “Power of kindness.” When I observe people perform kind acts (including when it’s directed at me), I remove my button, acknowledge their kindness, give it to them and request they pass it on to someone else who deserves it.
People are always surprised and extremely pleased. They express eagerness to pass it on. I highly recommend engaging in this activity. It is a joyful experience.
- SuEllen Fried, Prairie Village
Royal potential
Between that proverbial rock and a hard place — that’s where our Kansas City Royals were heading into this season. They were at a crossroads with a decision about which way to turn: Continue signing veteran average players to sprinkle into the roster with a possibility of nearing .500 with a limited ceiling, or open up those spots on the team for young players with potential for making our team royal again.
Team owner John Sherman and company made the right choice. There is a nucleus in place with growth ability to turn our Royals into a legitimate playoff contender with — most important — sustainability. Being in the race with competitive capability to win every time they take the field is on the drawing board. As our manager stated recently while reviewing a player who had a good game, consistency is the key.
Stars alone won’t win championships. Look at the Angels with arguably the two best players in the American League, but who are having a devil of a time even attaining a winning record.
The Royals are hurtin’ for certain this season, but with temporary pain, there is a lot of gain to look forward to.
- Mike George, Springfield
Not humane
One of my friends was incarcerated recently at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in central Kansas. Very sad to say that his wife told me the inmates there have no air conditioning. (Feb. 5, KansasCity.com, “‘Feels like you’re suffocating’: Kansas and Missouri prisoners without AC demand relief”)
With temperatures in the 100-degree range, this is simply inhumane and evil treatment of our fellow human beings.
Please reach out to Gov. Laura Kelly and your state elected officials to rectify this untenable situation.
- Arlin Buyert, Leawood
Bad history
I’m sure some bureaucrat thought he or she was oh so clever by coming up with the idea that Florida schools should teach that enslaved people “developed skills, which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit” as a means of softening the evil of slavery. (July 27, 11A, “Why are Republicans afraid to face America’s racial past?”)
What’s next for Florida’s alternative history? Should it insist that King James Bibles sold in the state be amended to note that when the Israelites were in Egyptian bondage and forced to build cities and monuments, they developed beneficial masonry skills? Will state history books reassess the causes of the War of 1812 and admit that the impressment of thousands of U.S. citizens into the British Navy was not so bad as initially thought because they learned nautical skills?
If Florida wants to revise history, should schools be required to teach that enslaved women used as “breeders” personally benefited from the maternity care provided by masters to protect their investments?
Oh-so-clever people generally aren’t.
- John McDonald, Ferguson, Missouri
Taken for granted
I have listened to Royals CEO John Sherman talk about a new downtown baseball stadium since he took over the club. (July 2, 1B, “Sherman says ‘no one’ is waiting on Royals for new stadium”) I think he has taken for granted that Jackson County voters will approve his plan to pay for a new stadium with tax money. Now, Clay County wants Sherman to build the stadium in North Kansas City.
I believe that if Sherman is voted down in Jackson County, then he would see if the voters in Clay County will approve his plan.
My question: What if both Jackson and Clay county voters reject the new stadium? Will Sherman move the team to Nashville, Orlando or Salt Lake City? Why do you think Sherman is on the MLB relocation committee to move the A’s from Oakland to Las Vegas?
Sherman is working hard to get his stadium, while doing nothing to make the team a contender. I don’t trust John Sherman, and neither should the voters in Jackson and Clay counties.
- John Kevin Schuepbach, Lenexa
Revenue stream
Hey, Kansas legislators, costs for everything are increasing. We’re struggling to pay our bills.
Do your constituents a big favor (or two): Legalize marijuana and tax it rather than make the counties increase our property taxes to generate revenue.
- Anita Macek, Roeland Park
