Missouri’s state parks and historic sites are more than areas for recreation and relaxation. They are in peril, and it is important to preserve these areas.
Factory farms — concentrated animal-feeding operations — are encroaching too near these parks and historic sites. CAFOs produce tons of manure and waste, the amount produced by a medium-sized city. Yet, in too many cases, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has neglected to regulate these factory farms, their toxic runoff into our streams, and the smell that can overwhelm our parks and historic sites. Meanwhile, the list of threatened sites is growing: Roaring River, Arrow Rock, Battle of Athens, the Harry S Truman birthplace.
The Missouri Division of State Parks has asked for citizen input into their Vision for the Second Century. They ask that you to go online at www.mostateparks.com/
visioning.htm and comment on ideas for the vision. The Web site will remain up through Jan. 31. Your ideas will be incorporated into the list. Please make your voice heard. Please contact the Division of State Parks to voice your concern that our parks not be crowded out by these factories. Sensible neighbors, and a sensible Division of State Parks, can find ways to keep our parks and historic sites separate from factory farms.
On a separate front close to home, the Roaring River Parks Alliance, a not-for-profit alliance of citizens, is doing something about it. The battle against the CAFO near Roaring River and any future attempts to build more in close proximity to state parks needs your assistance. A hearing this spring will be decisive on the future of these operations. Donations for legal expenses are needed. Please send contributions to: Roaring River Parks Alliance, care of Security Bank of Southwest Missouri, P.O. Box 606, Cassville, MO 65625.
Thank you for helping save our proud heritage for future generations.
Mark Stephenson
Joplin
Opinion
Voices: Parks in peril
- Opinion
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Our View: Ditto that
Lots of angry words are being tossed around about a secretive ceremony held Monday in our state Capitol to honor Rush Limbaugh’s induction as a member of the Hall of Famous Missourians. Let us add our “ditto” to that criticism.
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Our View: Linked for success
Dr. Richard Reed, a Joplin dentist, lost his office and equipment in the May 22 tornado.
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Your View: An alternative candidate
The bane of Duane Graham’s existence apparently is GOP politicians, other than those who provide him with derogatory commentary about the only competition his personal choice for president has (Globe, May 6).
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Your View: Thumbs up, thumbs down
“Thumbs up” on the Globe’s front-page article (May 3) on racism and the elderly black gentleman. At age 93, I have lived through the Ku Klux Klan epidemic, and I remember it well.
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Your View: Disregard for humans
Let’s talk about disregard for human life.
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Your View: A mother’s heart
No one knows the depth or width of the love that dwells in a mother’s heart for her children.
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Your View: Still rooting for Joplin
On May 5, I was overjoyed to see the trees delivered that I had ordered from FBLA-PBL, Rooting for Joplin.
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Other Views: It's safe to plan for 2013
It’s scientifically safe to make plans for 2013. The world will not end on Dec. 21 or the default date of Dec. 23, according to a newly discovered Mayan calendar.
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Our View: Politics at play
Action last week in the Legislature hands over a decision on how Missouri’s appellate judges are selected to Missouri voters.
The question, which would require an amendment to the state constitution, will be on the Nov. 6 ballot. -
Carol Stark: Mom’s strength, courage honored on Mother’s Day
She had just turned 28. The efficiency apartment was little more than a kitchen and a bedroom, but it was close to Mayo Clinic and served as my mother’s “home” for endless weeks.
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