The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Opinion

November 1, 2012

Our View: Decision belongs to public

— Some would like to see a walking path extending through the entire length of the tornado devastation in Joplin and Duquesne.

Others envision a simple, symbolic statue near the former St. John’s Regional Medical Center.

While we all may feel we have a stake in deciding how the area will memorialize the tornado victims, it truly should be a public decision.

City leaders are there to guide, but the genesis of the idea should be left to area residents, especially those who lost family members.

It’s important now to provide input. You can go to www.joplinareacart.com and participate in discussion or take the survey and make your suggestions privately.

 A Monday night meeting with the public did not provide enough input for a consensus.

 Jane Cage, the head of the Citizens Advisory Recovery Team, said the idea of a memorial to tornado victims has been mentioned many times in public comments.

“We want to hear from citizens what they believe is the appropriate way to do that. How do they want those who died to be remembered? How should we tell their stories? I’ve said before and believe that this is personal to Joplin. We won’t know what direction we take until we listen,” Cage told the Globe.

We appreciate that approach to one of the most important pieces to Joplin’s recovery.

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