Letter to the Editor

Concordia resistance

To the Editor:

For months, I have witnessed the desperate pleas of residents who are begging Independence Mayor Greg Kurtz and council not to destroy our city. Over our strong opposition, plans are now in place to change our zoning laws so future houses can be built on much smaller lots. The new lots can be as small as 50 ft. wide by 125 ft. deep with side yards as small as only 5 feet and rear yards of only 25 feet.  

In addition, plans are underway to destroy heavily wooded acres of city property near CVNP to build over 40 small homes on these smaller lots. 

Residents have presented hard evidence as to environmental hazards, loss of old growth trees, stormwater runoff, legal issues and safety problems with this plan. These should be ample reasons for the city to reject this zoning change. Instead, these were ignored. They fell on the deaf ears and the hardened hearts of the mayor and council. 

Luckily, we have one major right under our city charter: the recall of elected officials. Under the charter, the electors shall have the power to remove from office by recall election any elected officer of the municipality. I am confirming that the rumors that residents have started the recall process – the removal from office of Mayor Greg Kurtz is indeed true.

We are mad as hell with these moves by the mayor and council to destroy our homes and our city. Residents want this to stop now. ∞

 Mary Jane Horton

Chestnut Road