In reference to Keith Williams' comments on your August 14 Letters page: You can't single out Bannister Mall as the only example of the decline of business and a community in general. Let's explain the whole downward spiral of, shall we say, "urban sprawl." What killed the 63rd Street Drive-In while the I-70 and the Twin thrive (for now anyway)? What killed the whole shopping vibe at the Brywood Shopping Center and indoor theater? The Landing? What a joke. Blue Ridge Mall failed because businesses pulled out after losing revenue due to shoppers going to Oak Park Mall and Independence Center. Especially after the driveby shooting in 1999 of an innocent kid at the Blue Ridge Mall and the attempted car-jacking there in 2001. You could almost hear the collective sigh of resignation from the stores. Would you open a store where kids throw stupid gang signs and drop F-bombs from 100 feet away? Remember, Bannister Mall and Independence Center opened almost at the same time, yet one thrives while the other died. Hmm. I suppose Independence Center will die in 10 years due to "urban sprawl."
Ronald Scott, Lexington, Missouri
Burnt Ends: "Phill's Choice," August 14
The Department of Burnt Ends ran an article mocking Phill Kline. In the article, you described his abortion stance as "anti-choice." I know that most Pitch readers are pro-choice, but to me, and I'm sure to other pro-life readers, the term anti-choice is offensive. We are pro-life. We shouldn't be called anti-choice any more than pro-choice people should be called anti-life. So in the future, please refrain from using the phrase anti-choice unless you also use anti-life to describe the other side.
Cecilia Albers, Kansas City, Missouri
Feature: "Buy This School," August 14
In his article about Kansas City, Missouri, schools for sale, Eric Barton stated that Bingham Junior High's "colorful history" includes "authorities tear-gassing students in the 1970s." That is not quite true. The tear-gas canister was set off by a student. It may have been police-issue, but they did not set it off. I was there at the time and remember who did it.
Bill Wright, Kansas City, Kansas
It's so sad to see these inspiring monuments to education wasting away. I pray that community leaders anywhere in this country will see the tragedy that these buildings represent and take them into their hands. There is no good reason under the sun that these temples could not once again be sanctuaries of opportunity and enlightenment for every child and every citizen. I don't know exactly how, but I do know we are the change we've been waiting for. Please, find it in yourselves to help us make it better.
Mike Sandbothe, Olathe
I have never been so embarrassed in all my life! Jack Johnson came to town to share with us his music and what he stands for. After the concert, there was a ton of trash left behind on the hill. People? You had to walk past several trash cans on your way out. Couldn't you have picked up after yourselves? To those of you who did pick up your trash, thank you! You were some of the few who got the message and care about the Earth we live on. To those of you who didn't, you should be ashamed of yourselves! What were you there for? Did you listen to what Jack was saying? Apparently not, and if I was Jack, I wouldn't come back to KC again. It's up to us to teach the future generations to take care of the planet, and that was not the way to do it. Hopefully, Jack will come back with a stronger, louder message because the people of KC need help!
Heather McMillan, Olathe
Click here to write a letter to the editor.
Showing 1-4 of 4
Dear: Ronald Scott
Well I guess all the malls in the Urban area failed because gangs and white-T shirts; sorry I didn�t pay more attention to that so now when I go to a mall I will look out for those black people that cause trouble and shut down malls. Thanks for clearing things up for me Ronald Scott, and thanks for being a cultural racist because the excuse you just gave is lame and not true. If you look into the facts as much as you researched articles to find what black people has done to shut down malls or what ever you would be a hero in the American community or should I say Urban community. But since you have on blinders I guess you will be going to the moon to go shopping because lord knows black gang banger can�t afford to go there. Good luck my friend and safe shopping in space!
Sincerely: Keith Williams.
Dear: Ronald Scott
Well I guess all the malls in the Urban area failed because gangs and white-T shirts; sorry I didn�t pay more attention to that so now when I go to a mall I will look out for those black people that cause trouble and shut down malls. Thanks for clearing things up for me Ronald Scott, and thanks for being a cultural racist because the excuse you just gave is lame and not true. If you look into the facts as much as you researched articles to find what black people has done to shut down malls or what ever you would be a hero in the American community or should I say Urban community. But since you have on blinders I guess you will be going to the moon to go shopping because lord knows black gang banger can�t afford to go there. Good luck my friend and safe shopping in space!
Sincerely: Keith Williams.
Dear: Ronald Scott Well I guess all the malls in the Urban area failed because gangs and white-T shirts; sorry I didn’t pay more attention to that so now when I go to a mall I will look out for those black people that cause trouble and shut down malls. Thanks for clearing things up for me Ronald Scott, and thanks for being a cultural racist because the excuse you just gave is lame and not true. If you look into the facts as much as you researched articles to find what black people has done to shut down malls or what ever you would be a hero in the American community or should I say Urban community. But since you have on blinders I guess you will be going to the moon to go shopping because lord knows black gang banger can’t afford to go there. Good luck my friend and safe shopping in space! Sincerely: Keith Williams.
Dear: Ronald Scott Well I guess all the malls in the Urban area failed because gangs and white-T shirts; sorry I didn’t pay more attention to that so now when I go to a mall I will look out for those black people that cause trouble and shut down malls. Thanks for clearing things up for me Ronald Scott, and thanks for being a cultural racist because the excuse you just gave is lame and not true. If you look into the facts as much as you researched articles to find what black people has done to shut down malls or what ever you would be a hero in the American community or should I say Urban community. But since you have on blinders I guess you will be going to the moon to go shopping because lord knows black gang banger can’t afford to go there. Good luck my friend and safe shopping in space! Sincerely: Keith Williams.
like
dislike
