Unfettered Letters

Thank you, Lee’s Summit

On behalf of the membership of the Friends of Lee’s Summit, I wanted to express our deepest appreciation to the citizens of Lee’s Summit for their support of the 11 ballot issues that were before our community on Nov. 6.

The entire ballot was focused on Lee’s Summit — its infrastructure, its governance and its economic future. The overwhelming success of this election will have lasting positive impacts on our quality of life.

We will experience a safer community with increased fire protection; new and connected sidewalk systems, enhanced street lighting and flood control measures. We will experience enhanced governance reflected in the changes to our city’s constitution.

And we will experience opportunities for enhanced economic growth and prosperity — all for the betterment of our citizens’ quality of life. We are fortunate to live in a community where we understand that the investments we make today will have enduring beneficial impacts for future generations.

John C. Graham Jr.
Chairman, Friends of Lee’s Summit
Lee’s Summit

Lee’s Summit annexation

In November, the voters of Lee’s Summit will have the opportunity to decide whether or not to annex property primarily along the U.S. 50 corridor, east of the existing city limits.

As a lifelong resident of Lee’s Summit, I have seen our community grow from a predominately rural town to a vibrant city.

Lee’s Summit possesses the quality-of-life elements that attract new residents and new industry. Those elements include: a first-rate school system; vibrant downtown district; visionary leadership from our elected officials and city staff; expansive civic involvement; strong commitment to our infrastructure; affordable housing; and effective promotion of Lee’s Summit as a destination.

This continued growth means we will need more land for additional schools, residential areas and commercial businesses with the projected increase of our population over the next five to 10 years, and this is our opportunity.

The demands on Lee’s Summit will only be met through effective decision-making and planning. This upcoming vote on annexation, if passed, constitutes a step in the right direction for our future.

Daren S. Fristoe
Lee’s Summit

Jackon County property taxes

Some lucky property owners

It warmed the cockles of my heart to read in The Star that some of the homeowners in Lee’s Summit had not received a property tax increase for several years even though the property values of their homes had increased (10/6, A-1, “Appraisal glitch gives lucky few a big tax break; Jackson County has left valuations of many upscale homes frozen, some since 1999”).

In 2002 the tax on our almost l00-year-old, not centrally air-conditioned house was $l,805.65. In 2006 this same old house was taxed at $3,345.80. I keep waiting for someone to give a tax break to people who have owned their houses and paid taxes on them for more than 50 years, but then our house is not worth a million dollars.

Ann VanDyne
Kansas City

Taxpayers taking big hit

Based on the Star article about Jackson County real estate taxes increasing from 26 percent to 43 percent since 1999 (two examples in the story), it sounds like Jackson County is in a race with gasoline and health care to increase costs the most for average taxpayers.

Doris Fuller
Lee’s Summit

Model dog ordinance

Kudos to the Lee’s Summit’s City Council for not jumping on the knee-jerk bandwagon to ban pit bulls (9/21, Local, “News across the Metro: New controls on dangerous animals”).

Their new dog ordinance is progressive, a model other local municipalities should now study. They spent a lot of time researching and educating themselves on the realities of dangerous-dog issues, not succumbing to the hype and sensationalism.

They should be congratulated for their hard work and well-reasoned action in requiring spay/neuter. If other cities would follow, those of us who work in rescue (30 years for me) and are inundated daily by the homeless tragedy might actually see a difference.

Thanks, Lee’s Summit. You should be proud. Sorry you’re subjected to the negative Nellies.

Janette Boehm
Houston Lake, Mo.

Preserving Longview Farm

A week ago Saturday, my husband and I enjoyed a delightful gala to benefit the Longview Foundation. We were greeted by developer David Gale and ushered to a ride and view of the beautiful grounds showcasing the gorgeous Longview arches and pergola.

While perusing period antique cars by the fountain, we were treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres and live jazz. Laura Smith, executive director of the foundation, explained that the endowment was necessary to maintain the arches and pergola after the development is completed.

The dinner and wine pairing that followed were well above anything we had experienced in the Lee’s Summit area.

Near the end of the gala, we were guided outside and treated to a stunning laser light show.

Thank you, Longview Foundation, and your efforts to preserve one of Lee’s Summit’s priceless treasures.

Bette Wisniewski
Lee’s Summit

Congratulations to the Longview Foundation for providing a festive gala at the Longview Mansion last Saturday evening. Laura Smith, executive director, and the foundation’s board planned a fantastic event.

The gala’s theme of “Long on Elegance” included antique cars, ballroom dancing, a five-course dinner and a surprise laser light show outside. It was an elegant and exciting evening.

It is heartwarming to see the efforts that are being undertaken to protect and restore this historic farm. This magnificent estate was built in the early l920s by lumber magnate R.A. Long. Many of us have fond memories of early events held there. It is an important part of history for Jackson County and the Kansas City area.

Developer David Gale has done a great job in preserving the farm and now with the success of the Longview Foundation, the arches and pergola will be maintained so many future generations can continue to enjoy this legacy.

Bob and Marlese Gourley
Lee’s Summit

Lee’s Summit tax holiday

The back-to-school experience ought to be a bit more pleasant this year for families with school-age children shopping in Lee’s Summit.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 3 and running to 11:59 p.m. Aug. 5 (Friday through Sunday), purchases on school-eligible items will be exempt from city-imposed sales tax. This will be the first time residents will be able to shop in Lee’s Summit stores during the sales-tax holiday and not have to pay sales tax on school-related items.

The city sales tax exemption is limited to clothing (any article having a taxable value of $100 or less), school supplies (not to exceed $50 per purchase), computer software (with a taxable value of $350 or less per purchase), personal computers (not to exceed $3,500) and computer peripheral devices (not to exceed $3,500).

I want to encourage our local businesses to be active participants in the sales-tax holiday, ensuring a great experience for consumers through promotions and value-added activities. Our businesses are now on equal footing with those in surrounding communities that have participated in the sales tax holiday in the past.

Our city leaders have provided this opportunity for businesses and residents. So let’s embrace it.

Diane J. Seif
President, Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce

Kudos to title office

Recently, I had to revise the title to my boat. I wasn't looking forward to spending several hours standing in line to take care of this matter.

To my surprise, the experience at the Lee's Summit license office was quite pleasant. It has a queuing system that allows you to take a number and sit comfortably watching TV or reading while waiting your turn. When my number was called, a very competent young lady expeditiously handled the transaction.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not recommending going to the Lee's Summit license bureau as a pastime. But if you need the services of a Missouri license office, I don't think you can find a more efficient one.

R. Ward
Lee's Summit

Voter fraud concern

“A judge” ordered that a recall election be put on the ballot in Lee’s Summit despite a determination by Jackson County election officials that some signatures had been faked on the recall petition (5/16, Local, “Two face petition forgery charges; Lee’s Summit residents allegedly faked signatures on a petition to recall a City Council member”).

Why isn’t the name of this judge reported?

Election fraud is very serious business. Perhaps The Star should investigate the purported election abuses that former U.S. attorney Todd Graves declined to pursue rather than try to foment a furor over his dismissal.

Kudos to the citizenry of Lee’s Summit and their Police Department as well as to Jackson County Prosecutor Jim Kanatzar for taking their responsibilities to defend the integrity of the election process seriously.

Judith L. Wells
Mission Hills

Lee’s Summit losing trees

My family has lived in Lee’s Summit for almost nine years, and I have always loved Lee’s Summit’s natural beauty. You can imagine my dismay when developers cut down the trees at the site of the future Summit Fair mall.

I had been watching the construction work for some time, but I did not know that they were going to destroy the beautiful trees I have enjoyed seeing since elementary school.

I would pass this area every day on the way to school and loved watching the animals living there. I now dread going past it because the sight is so depressing.

Shouldn’t there be a plan to preserve the few green spaces left in Lee’s Summit?

Elizabeth Wheelock (14)
Lee’s Summit

This letter is a warning to any tree lovers who are considering moving to Lees Summit: Don’t.

Mayor Karen Messerli and company are on a crusade to develop every green spot in Lees Summit, no matter how big or small.

It looks as if the last grove trees will be mowed down to make room for the privileged children of Lee’s Summit can have their Legoland.

It seems that a city that is so concerned about having a family-friendly environment would think about the kind of message that it is sending to its children.

Instead of teaching them new ways to spend their parents’ money, would it not be better for them to learn how to appreciate the beauty of the land before it is developed for profit?

Mary Montgomery
Lee’s Summit

Legoland, Lee’s Summit

The Lee’s Summit City Council and Mayor Karen Messerli have obviously fallen for all the hoopla presented by the developers of Legoland (5/3 editorial, “Scrutinize funding plans for Legoland”).

First, they need to learn from Olathe. That city realized the huge tax burden Legoland would place on its residents and decided to forgo the opportunity.

Next, the location is too small for such a large operation. If that location is the only place the developers would consider, then it must not be the attraction they claim it to be.

Further, $222 million in public funding is ridiculous. Why should the taxpayers of Lee’s Summit welcome a project into our city that “generates net deficits for the city” over most of the next 24 years as the editorial notes?

As I stated in an e-mail to the members of the City Council and the mayor: Don’t be impressed by all the bells and whistles that the developers have thrown out to try to impress. They want to shift the risk to the residents of Lee’s Summit. Doesn’t that send out a red flag?

Judy Beyer
Lee’s Summit