To the editor:

As a Haskell Indian Nations University student (Muscogee Creek Nation) and voting Lawrence resident, I would like to respond to Les Hannon’s Take a Stand of Feb. 23, “A responsible choice for SLT.” He mentions how important the 32nd Street route for the South Lawrence Trafficway is to impatient members of the Lawrence community.

Convenience must not be our only goal in life. Yes, everyone knows that the traffic can be bad and nerve-racking in south Lawrence, but we made it that way and waiting in traffic is a part of life.

If a road is built and you get to save the enormous amount of five minutes on your commute to Wal-Mart, then I hope you use those extra five minutes wisely. Those extra five minutes are going to cost the Lawrence community $1.10 million if the SLT is completed.

I find it hard to learn about residents in the Lawrence community who disregard Haskell and its history in this community. To the pro-trafficway voters, please listen: When a road is more important than respecting human beings and the nature around us, then something is wrong. Building a road to encourage more traffic, more cars, more gas consumption and more disrespect to Native American people is something I cannot support. Saying they want the road to be built through the wetlands is the same as saying “I do not respect the presence of Haskell in this community.”

Let’s go south of the Wakarusa.

RaeLynn Butler,

Lawrence