To the editor:
Several recent letters have downplayed the importance of the Haskell/Baker Wetlands as a justification for destroying them to build the South Lawrence Trafficway. These letters' authors were completely wrong in their views of the wetlands. More interesting, they failed to give any positive reasons why we should build this highway in the first place.
There were some vague references to 23rd Street, but the Kansas Department of Transportation admitted long ago that the SLT would do nothing to ease congestion on that overdeveloped street. So why build the road? It will add little to the regional road network connecting Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita.
Locally, it will create more traffic problems than it solves. Bypasses always spur development that increases traffic, necessitating more bypasses. The rings of highways around Kansas City, St. Louis and other cities prove this. Development encouraged by the SLT will quickly clog the road with traffic, generating calls for a more Southern Lawrence Trafficway.
Our cash-strapped state government cannot maintain the highways it already has, is underfunding schools and foster care, cannot afford adequate staff for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Highway Patrol and is denying needed medical help to disabled and homebound citizens. Why would we even consider spending tens of millions of dollars on a road that accomplishes nothing?
Michael Campbell,
Eudora
Comments
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blue73harley (anonymous) says…
Mr. Cambell - It's great that somebody from Eudora can state that the SLT is not needed. You sir, are obviously an expert. I unfortunately have to use 31st Street every stinkin' day to commute from SW of town to a job in Olathe. I hate to commute but when your job moves after 25 plus years, you have few choices. I can tell you that traffic backs up on 31st Street to form a "parking lot" between Haskell and Louisiana. I often have to wait for 3 light changes just to turn on to Haskell from 23rd street at 5pm. Your suggestion that the SLT will "spur" development is laughable. Leave Eudora sometime (if you can afford the gas!) and travel south on Haskell or 59 highway. massive development is already occurring. The road is needed for the many that already use it.
heygary (anonymous) says…
A couple of unrelated Native American issues (the SLT/Wetlands issue being one) have me seriously questioning the long-term planning skills of the Native American "lobby" we hear from so often in the JL World.
Regarding the SLT/Wetlands ... If the community elects to support the SLT "south of the river" option, as Mr. Campbell rightly points out, over time we can expect the city to grow up around the trafficway. This is especically inevitable as a result of the concentration of shopping areas in south Lawrence. Twenty years from now Lawrence will grow to literally surround the wetlands ... I can't think of a single city that allows a swamp to exist with in its limits!
Another point that brings the planning capabilities of the pro-Native American faction in to question deals with the move to have Native American references removed from motto and mascot of sports teams. It took several hundred years for encroachment, disease and slaughter to effectively eliminate the Native American as a people ... political correctness, run amuck, promises to eliminate them as a concept in just one generation. I knew the Native American as an oppressed but nobel people. My children will know them as the folks that run the casino's!
Gary
kcwarpony (anonymous) says…
Heygary,
"It took several hundred years for encroachment, disease and slaughter to effectively eliminate the Native American as a people:"
U.S. Government Indian Removal Policy didn't start until the 1830's. Less than two hundred years ago.
As to "effectively eliminate":
http://www.indianz.com/News/2005/0088...
"The 2000 count showed 2.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in the U.S. The figure grows to 4.2 million when people who claimed multiple races are included.
The Census typically undercounts American Indians living on reservations. The 2000 undercount ranged between 2.77 percent and 6.71 percent, the highest in the nation except for Native Hawaiians."
We are still here and the only thing that we are planning to do is to remain a strong, culturally driven people.
Unfortunately you are correct about the casinos. It seems the casinos are the only stories that make the headlines in the news.
If your children are interested, I suggest checking out Reznet News. Reznet is an online student newspaper for Native America and hires Native American college students from around the country as reporters and photographers to cover their tribal communities or colleges.
http://www.reznetnews.org/
merrill (anonymous) says…
blue73harley,
For those who live in SW Lawrence try this:
Go to 1000rd to E1900rd/1057 to K10 interchange and miss 31st and 23rd completely. It works.
blue73harley (anonymous) says…
Merrill - Sure it works and it may be faster for the way home during rush hour but it adds more miles. Just what I need with gas prices the way they are. It is a good suggestion for those living a little farther south than I do.
merrill (anonymous) says…
blue 73 harley,
It may not use as much gas due to far less stop and go.