Category: Opinions

Mike Murray remembered

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Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

Mike Murray was concerned about small business.

That was obvious when he was president of Business West in 1990. That year Mike and Business West held a luncheon of commercial Realtors from Greater Kansas City at The Woodlands. Mike made it very clear to those who attended that there were considerable development opportunities in western Wyandotte County with the coming of I-435.

He also stressed that Business West, founded by his neighbors, Joe and Katie Maderak, was an advocate for small business. A bus tour of potential development sites followed the luncheon.

I recall the Business West annual meetings that Mike and his extended family held for Business West at the Riverview Garden Center. The fellowship was enjoyable along with delicious barbecue.

Mike studied hydrology at Kansas State University at Manhattan. He also served one term as a member of the elected Board of Public Utilities.

I recall swapping stories about our earlier days when Mike and I worked at The Kansas City Star; he sold classified ads and I took photos and wrote stories.

Mike will be remembered as a jovial and personable fellow. He died June 4.

Friends and relatives may share memories of Mike at https://www.highlandparkfh.com/obituaries/James-Michael-Murray?obId=25065354#/celebrationWall

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Business West.

New organization wants action from Unified Government

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Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

It was part religious revival and another part political rally.

At the end of nearly an hour and one-half of a very well-rehearsed meeting, more than 1,000 members of 17 Wyandotte County churches got what they came for — a commitment from Mayor Tyrone Garner and two Unified Government commissioners.

The group met at Mt. Carmel Church of God in Christ in the Northeast community of Kansas City, Kansas, Tuesday, June 7.

Members of the parishes have formed an organization called Churches United for Justice (CUFJ). The faiths include United Methodist, Baptist, Philadelphia Bible, Peace and Fellowship, Church of Christ and Episcopal. The group’s focus will be on the need for affordable housing and curbing violence.

The Rev. Andy Frazier, pastor of The United Methodist Church, Bonner Springs, made an extensive presentation telling the dark history of “redlining,” a practice eliminating persons in certain neighborhoods from receiving government-backed home loans. This was practiced here and in several other communities in the United States. Frazier said this practice had a far-reaching negative effect on communities including its schools.

Because of this injustice, CUFJ is proposing the creation of the Affordable Housing and Equity Trust Fund. It would be funded by a $25 million fund from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County in Kansas City, Kansas; the source of the federal funds would be stimulus money awarded to local governments because of the COVID pandemic.

The violence issue is very apparent as Wyandotte County has the highest homicide rate in the state of Kansas. CUFJ calls for law enforcement to work with CUFJ in securing a $425,000 grant from the Unified Government to hire a representative of the National Network for Safe Communities. This organization uses programs such as Group Violence Intervention (GVI). When used effectively, such as in Oakland, California, it has reduced the homicide rate by 43 percent.

Mayor Garner and two Unified Government commissioners, Gayle Townsend and Andrew Davis, said they supported the housing and anti-violence programs. But the political reality is that there must be at least three other votes before any proposal is passed.

Certainly CUFJ has done a lot of research. But there are some very practical questions that still linger with any such housing proposal. The first is the issue of skilled labor; right now those who build houses have difficulty in obtaining good help.

Often affordable housing has not been welcome in certain neighborhoods. There is also a Greater Kansas City public policy matter. Are other communities, such as Johnson County, doing what they should to support affordable housing?

CUFJ will meet again on Thursday, Sept. 22, to see if the mayor and Unified Government commissioners have accepted their proposals.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press.

Various topics discussed at West Patrol meeting

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Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

Capt. Steve Smith talked about a wide range of subjects when the West Patrol Advisory Committee met in a conference room Thursday, May 26, at the West Patrol office.

The office recently underwent a significant remodeling. The new look for the office includes historic photos of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

Apartment complexes in the West Patrol Area continue to be crime hotspots and draw special attention from patrol officers, Capt. Smith said.

The area near Legends Outlet at 110th Street and Parallel Parkway attracts the homeless.

Special traffic consideration will be afforded the new What-a-Burger restaurant, scheduled to open soon, in Village West, he said.

Maps show where gunshots have been heard; very few end up in buildings. Most of this gunfire is east of I-635, Capt. Smith said.

Two women robbed the convenience store at 6001 Parallel Parkway.

Homicides have increased in Kansas City, Kansas, this year with 18 compared to 10 this time last year. Last year, the Police Department had an 86 percent solve rate, Capt. Smith said.

Drug use continues to increase including the use of deadly Fentanyl. This makes it very dangerous for investigating officers. Emergency service personnel carry a Fentanyl antidote, Narcan, Capt. Smith said.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is a member of Business West.