Observations by a Newcomer
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2022 11:40 pm
I decided to start this thread to share some observations I've made since I've been in town on a consistent basis for 3 weeks now. This is a long post, so if you read it and comment, I appreciate it.
For those of you who don't know, I come from St. Louis and am happy to be in Kansas City. I made the move here, after visiting countless times over the years, to finish college, settle down and help transform Kansas City in the first half of this century (28 more years to go). A lot of good things are going on here and we can't let up on the peddle now. There are bumpy and smooth roads and right now, we seem to be riding straight down the line.
I decided to break this up into two sections, the good and the bad. Some of you might agree with me and some might not, and that's ok. These are just my observations that can hopefully lead to a thoughtful discussion.
The Good
The Bad
Additionally, some folks are having either a bad trip on drugs or are mentally unstable and are demonstrating this on a routine basis at 39th and Main and 39th and Broadway. In particular, I observed a few folks at Broadway on different days yelling at cars and throwing items at cars and/or wandering out in the street while cars are coming.
Cities across the nation are trying to make attempts to reduce this issue by building tiny houses or shelters for the homeless. I know this costs money, but it might need to be explored. Some of these people clearly aren't doing too well and I can't help but feel bad for them, but with no apparent moves being made by the city, or even organizations, is upsetting. At a time when a group like KCTenants can get significant coverage and a significant following, you'd also think that people would care as much about the most vulnerable in our society, but I guess that's not the case. And no, providing meals to homeless people at Washington Square Park is not a way to solve this issue. We must be proactive before the problem gets out of hand.
I've been able to talk to a few people who do feel concerned for the safety and wellbeing of the homeless people and want something done to help those people while also feeling concerned for their own safety and that of their families, friends, neighbors and visitors to the City. At a time when we should start preparing to welcome the world for a few weeks in 2026, it seems were leaving behind the most vulnerable to their own detriment.
Conclusion
I'm happy to be here but think things can be so much better moving forward. There's a lot of good going on now despite the hiccups encountered along the way. We can magnify some of those hiccups, but some should be left alone. The Kansas City Heart is beginning to symbolize the City, and Region for that matter, and that heart needs to be magnified. But that can only happen when issues are dealt that seem to be ignored. Homelessness/mental health, the tree canopy, sidewalk maintenance, pedestrian safety.
Kansas Citians have a big heart and a lot of pride, and I'm happy to be a part of it and hope to be a part of the story moving forward.
For those of you who don't know, I come from St. Louis and am happy to be in Kansas City. I made the move here, after visiting countless times over the years, to finish college, settle down and help transform Kansas City in the first half of this century (28 more years to go). A lot of good things are going on here and we can't let up on the peddle now. There are bumpy and smooth roads and right now, we seem to be riding straight down the line.
I decided to break this up into two sections, the good and the bad. Some of you might agree with me and some might not, and that's ok. These are just my observations that can hopefully lead to a thoughtful discussion.
The Good
The Bad
Additionally, some folks are having either a bad trip on drugs or are mentally unstable and are demonstrating this on a routine basis at 39th and Main and 39th and Broadway. In particular, I observed a few folks at Broadway on different days yelling at cars and throwing items at cars and/or wandering out in the street while cars are coming.
Cities across the nation are trying to make attempts to reduce this issue by building tiny houses or shelters for the homeless. I know this costs money, but it might need to be explored. Some of these people clearly aren't doing too well and I can't help but feel bad for them, but with no apparent moves being made by the city, or even organizations, is upsetting. At a time when a group like KCTenants can get significant coverage and a significant following, you'd also think that people would care as much about the most vulnerable in our society, but I guess that's not the case. And no, providing meals to homeless people at Washington Square Park is not a way to solve this issue. We must be proactive before the problem gets out of hand.
I've been able to talk to a few people who do feel concerned for the safety and wellbeing of the homeless people and want something done to help those people while also feeling concerned for their own safety and that of their families, friends, neighbors and visitors to the City. At a time when we should start preparing to welcome the world for a few weeks in 2026, it seems were leaving behind the most vulnerable to their own detriment.
Conclusion
I'm happy to be here but think things can be so much better moving forward. There's a lot of good going on now despite the hiccups encountered along the way. We can magnify some of those hiccups, but some should be left alone. The Kansas City Heart is beginning to symbolize the City, and Region for that matter, and that heart needs to be magnified. But that can only happen when issues are dealt that seem to be ignored. Homelessness/mental health, the tree canopy, sidewalk maintenance, pedestrian safety.
Kansas Citians have a big heart and a lot of pride, and I'm happy to be a part of it and hope to be a part of the story moving forward.