Category: Opinions

We will add our voice to the hundreds or thousands around our community who are very saddened at the death of a Wyandotte County sheriff’s deputy, Patrick Rohrer, and the critical wounding of another today.

We send our condolences to the families of the deputy who lost his life and the deputy who was injured. Words cannot express our sadness upon learning of this shooting. We hope the community will show its support for the deputies’ families now and in the future.

It is a mark of a civilized society to approach their problems in a nonviolent way. Violence is unnecessary, we believe, and more efforts are needed to help individuals find nonviolent solutions to problems. We deplore the glorification of violence by some. We hope there is a renewed effort by parents to teach the youth of our community, at a young age, nonviolent means of settling differences.

We would hope everyone would do a good deed this week in memory of Deputy Rohrer.

Guest column

by Lou Braswell, Leavenworth Road Association

Leavenworth Road will be closed to through traffic from June 4 through June 19 from 38th to 55th streets.

Travel will detour to Parallel via 38th or 55th during that time period. Yes, the businesses will be open and yes, you can get there by taking the detour. Leavenworth Road, from 55th to 59th, was closed earlier for a brief period from April 2 to 17.

Metal street lights are going up along the construction area of Leavenworth Road. We are becoming so pretty. Think about giving these workers a high sign once in a while, they certainly have stuck it out in the heat and I have not seen a frown from any of them.

The Leavenworth Road project includes repaving the road, as well as installing some utilities underground, with storm sewer, sidewalk and curb upgrades.

The annual Ed and Ione Trapp Kids Fishing Derby is coming together, with registration forms, weigh station forms, youth back number, and hot dog coupons. The Kids’ Free Fishing Derby will be Saturday, June 9, at Wyandotte County Lake Park, at the kids’ pond. Registration is at 7 a.m. June 9, followed by derby fishing from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and a trophy presentation at 10:30 a.m. Participants should bring their fishing gear. A free hot dog coupon will be given to kids who register.

The event is sponsored by the Leavenworth Road Association and Wyandotte County Parks. Ralph Golubski, John Cantwell and John Zawacki will be co chairing the event. Parks and Rec will be supplying the fish, the lake (Kids’ Pond), tables, chairs, grill, electricity, along with their employees where needed. Other LRA members and volunteers where help where needed. Volunteers are appreciated.

The Summer Youth Program is underway. We have received quite a few applications with more on their way. The Teen Team that comes from other states is gearing up, reading our 16 applications for a variety of services needed. The directors will be in town June 11 to survey some of those requests, to determine what, who and why they will need in July.

The June Leavenworth Road Association meeting will include a potluck dinner and social hour at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd, Kansas City, Kansas.

The guest speaker will be from the KCK Community Policing Department, with a program on what it feels like to have “impaired vision.” They will have goggles and there will be an opportunity to be part of relays, with goggles.

LRA will provide a main dish of Sylvester Smith’s chicken wings, with those attending bringing a picnic dish to share. After dinner, the LRA group will move to the gym to hear the Community Policing presentation.

Lou Braswell is the executive director of the Leavenworth Road Association.

Guest column
by Lou Braswell

The Neighborhod Business Revitalization directors were invited to meet with Mayor David Alvey recently at City Hall.

I was very impressed, he seems to really understand that NBRs continue to work with the community, the businesses and the residents. He is the first mayor I ever remember extending the invitation to listen and hear our thoughts, our projects and our concerns. It was not one of those “here is what I want to do as elected officials,” it was an actual round table. Thank you Mayor Alvey and staff. Mayor Alvey also stresses that development out west is great but he is working on the rest.

Now to our upcoming events:

June 9, Kid’s Free Fishing Derby at Wyandotte County Lake:
6 a.m., volunteers setting canopies up
7 a.m., registration begins
8 a.m. to 10 a.m., derby begins
10:30 a.m., trophy time
May need help to get canopies from house to lake (truck necessary).

June 12, LRA meeting
Community policing is bringing goggles to demonstrate impaired vision.
This is your chance to feel what it is like to walk or drive while impaired (feeling only).
The menu will be picnic-style, with Sylvester’s smoked chicken wings

June begins our Summer Youth Program, packet (letter, rules and application) has been mailed and are coming back in. Interviews and placement will begin June 1.

Our Teen Team work orders have been sent into the fantastic organization that comes from five different states with their teen – adult crews to spruce up some of residents’ homes and our community. They will be here July 8-14. All I can say is “seeing is believing.”

Our LRA July 1 meeting: Loren Taylor will be guest speaker, also known as Mr. History. If it is history, Loren knows it.

Any questions or suggestions, call the LRA office at 913-788-3988.

Lou Braswell is the executive director of the Leavenworth Road Association.