As the city of Joplin goes about seeking ideas and suggestions for future park and recreation amenities in Joplin, we would recommend working closely with Joplin School District officials.
Plans for the second phase of development of the 100-acre athletic complex at 3301 W. First St. are about to get under way. The city is holding a meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday to seek public input. The meeting, and we’re sure more like them, will be used to make a decision on whether to ask voters to renew a quarter-cent sales tax for parks and stormwater projects.
That tax expires in 2012 and has financed about $10 million worth of park projects since 2002.
It’s likely the school district has a wish list of its own for Joplin students, and it’s possible that tax dollars could be saved if long-range planning was combined.
An indoor aquatic center has been mentioned by several Joplin residents, and we know the school district needs a place for its swim team to compete.
A cross-country course could be used by the high school and the public alike. In fact, we think there’s lots of room for partnerships.
We support efforts to add more to the quality of life for Joplin-area residents. One of the best investments a city can make is in a first-class park system. At the same time, we would urge members of taxing entities to remember the limits of local pocketbooks.
The best time for those efforts to be combined are during these early planning sessions. What does the city need? What does the school district need?
Is there a way to serve both?
We would encourage residents to attend the Monday meeting or make suggestions to the city in writing. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Opinion
In Our View: Combine efforts
- Opinion
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Our View: Victims should come first
Millions of dollars in donations have poured in from around the world since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Those donations represent money from lemonade stands, charity auctions, corporate gifts and celebrity checks, just to name a few. In fact, one year later donations continue to come to Joplin.
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Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
I would like to take a moment to reply to guest columnist Anson Burlingame’s, “The Marriage Debate” (Globe, May 13).
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Sunday Forum: 2012 graduation speakers key on tornado, mall school and president’s visit
Editor’s note: In addition to speeches by President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon, Joplin High School’s top students addressed graduates, faculty, parents and other guests packed into the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. Following are the text of those speeches.
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Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Pack mentality takes truth as a casualty
President Obama’s Joplin graduation speech Monday showed that while there’s the political “right,” there’s also a very active “rabid” political right.
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Your View: ‘Study’ can mean anything
A few evenings ago, I watched a television program on the science of marriage.
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Our View: Support for museum
How can you tell the story of Joplin without the accounts of its mining history?
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Our View: Finding middle ground
The G-8 summit held last week in Camp David ended as expected.
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Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Class of 2012 upholds character, hope
My oldest granddaughter was part of the class of 2012 from Joplin High School, and I attended the ceremony on Monday night.
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Scott Charton, guest columnist: 'Deadline in Disaster' film a story about storytellers
Local newspapers are at their best when they help their communities confront, understand, endure and overcome shared challenges.
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Our View: Make voting easiser
This year’s ballot will not include a proposed constitutional amendment that photo identification be required at the polls in Missouri. Good.
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Our View: Victims should come first
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