Kudos to Councilman Curls

On the whole I don’t have much good to say about the city council–or the mayor. Maybe that’s because of the lack of representation that has been shown to my district. Councilman Curls, however, has shown himself to be a bit different. He actually seems to want what is best for his district, the fifth.

I see on the City Plan Commission docket for Tuesday, he is requesting a moratorium on gas stations. As an environmentalist, I say It’s about time. I almost couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the Mayor declare a climate emergency, but I haven’t seen a lot that he has done in the way of mitigation since uttering those words – quite the disappointment. Even empty words garner publicity and most people would believe he would follow through with something meaningful. KC’s loss.

Councilman Curls, however, seems to be stepping up to the plate even if environment wasn’t his first thought. As I understand it, he is opposed to gas stations in his district simply because there are so many already. The fifth district could certainly use some new development, but gas stations don’t really seem to fit the bill. Some have ventured to say they’re simply fronts for liquor stores.

At any rate, this seems to be a positive step in the right direction and it’s heartening to see an elected official seem to have no agenda accept what’s best for his district.

Business As Usual in SKC

if anyone caught the news on Fox4 last night at 10, they saw coverage of one of the issues plaguing Hickman Mills – a proliferation of convenience stores with gas pumps. The attorney for the project said that currently there is an “abandoned building that offers no functional use”. Wow! That’s quite an argument for putting in yet another gas station. The neighbors would prefer that the building simply be torn down – something that will probably happen anyway in order to build the new convenience store.
He also said, this project “would enhance the neighborhood”. That may be his opinion, but it’s not the opinion of most folks living out here. As was pointed out in the story, there is a gas station/convenience store right across the parking lot from where this one is proposed to be. Also, less than half a mile away another convenience store has been approved.
Southern Communities Coalition, an umbrella organization representing homes associations and neighborhood groups in Hickman Mills since 1977 wrote a letter in opposition as did Ruskin Heights, the largest neighborhood in KC and the one being surrounded by these establishments.
The City Plan Commission took those into consideration and recommended against approval; the Board of Zoning Adjustment, however, seemed to think this is just what our neighborhood needs – yet another convenience store with gas pumps – and gave it their okay.
While this affects us directly, it’s also a bigger issue: how it affects the environment.
Apparently, when Mayor Lucas declared an environmental emergency, he neglected to tell various board members he appointed. While he’s planning a massive solar farm by the new airport, his appointees are making it easier and easier for car owners to purchase gas, especially in Hickman Mills.
That wasn’t the only story about this SKC community during last night’s broadcast. The other story involved the school district with the reporter obviously standing in front of a Hickman Mills School. According to Lauren Halifax, the news anchor, the story was being reported from Grandview. Guess that’s accuracy in reporting.