Editor's note: Today's letters to the editor are from Southwest Junior High students learning about persuasive writing.
To the editor:
The Baker Wetlands are home to many plants and animals. In fact, it is home to over 300 species of plants, 200 species of animals, and over 20 species of amphibians and many more. Some of the plants in the Baker Wetlands can help make medicine, such as the red willow plant, which is an ingredient for aspirin. Some other plants in the wetlands, such as cattails, can be an alternative source of fuel. I understand that the problem is that building the highway through the wetlands will disturb the animals that are inhabited in the wetlands.
In the wetlands there are unmarked graves of Native Americans from long ago. The government would then have to use more money and time just to figure out who the bones belong to, piece the bones together, and bury them properly.
Perhaps a faster route to Kansas City would be building the highway on 42nd Street. This is south of the Wakarusa River and would be a perfect location for the highway without harming the plants and animals in the wetlands. Please think about the plants and animals and the fact that there are alternative locations to the proposed site.
Cassandra Truong,
Southwest Junior High
Comments
Eric Neuteboom 5 years, 2 months ago
Nicely done Cassandra!
ibroke 5 years, 2 months ago
is home to over 300 species of plants, 200 species of animals, and over 20 species of amphibians and many more ,,,,,, that sounds like what is in my basement
gr 5 years, 2 months ago
Well oldvet, one wouldn't want their kid to look foolish, would they?
oldvet 5 years, 2 months ago
hmmm... sounds like Cassandra's mommy has been busy doing Cassandra's homework too...
Eybea Opiner 5 years, 2 months ago
The wetlands are man-made. They did not exist in my youth in the 40s and 50s. They can be moved. Moving the wetlands will increase their size and provide even more space for whatever lives out there. Baker University approves of moving the wetlands.There is no evidence that there are any unmarked graves out there. This is a myth initiated and perpetuated by people who will say and do anything to keep progress and development at bay.
DouglasCountySucks 5 years, 2 months ago
I am glad to see todays kids enjoy the wetlands and learn about the good in them. The wetlands out south of 31st street are not natural, but still awesome.As for puting a road through them, i dont see and adverse issues with that, if done right.A roadway built on pillars like was done on the east side of Topeka would work great.......................As for the graves of the native americans, You can not disturb them, that is not right. The graves need to be located and left alone.It is bad MoJo to bother the grave of an indian.American indians are a better people than the white man and respect for the passed on is the right way.I dont see a roadway south of the Wakarusa being a beter place, but iy may be.I think 35th is best.When i was in grade and JR High School i rode a bus through what is now the wetlands, it was all farm land.The dikes and locks were added in the 70s to make the wetlands.
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