Fred Osborn says he thinks the people who live in Joplin have before them a blank sheet of paper. How they decide to fill in that page should be up to them.
Osborn is the president of Commerce Bank, but on Tuesday he won’t be in his bank. He’ll be at the Memorial Middle School gymnasium, and hopefully you’ll be there talking with him about your ideas for the long-term recovery of Joplin in the wake of the May 22 tornado. He won’t be alone. Other members of the newly formed Citizens Advisory Recovery Team are Jane Cage, Clifford Wert, Amanda Bilke, Doug Doll, Matt Moran, Kim Cox and Randy Moore.
Like Osborn, each of these people work in Joplin. Why are they on this team? Because, when asked, they said “yes” and the wheels were set in motion. I think who’s on the advisory team is of little importance. Fred told me they weren’t there to represent government or the Chamber of Commerce. Their goal is to represent you.
On Tuesday, they will be divided into four groups: infrastructure plus environment; housing plus neighborhood planning; schools plus community buildings; and economic development.
Let’s put that in the language we all speak. They want to hear your ideas about rebuilding streets, replanting trees, planning new neighborhoods and schools and creating and keeping jobs in Joplin.
“We hope people will focus on the future,” Osborn said. “We all know what has happened to Joplin, but what we need to do now is decide what’s going to happen next.”
In comparison with other communities that have experienced disaster, Joplin has moved along with real purpose. I think a potential barrier to recovery — the 60-day moratorium on rebuilding houses — got a shove last week when the city announced it would allow rebuilding in portions of the city where a large part of the debris has been cleared away. It was a good decision and one that I hope will be followed quickly by the reissuing of building permits throughout the tornado-devastated area.
Planning for a city full of people only works if the people return to their neighborhoods and have their property rights intact.
That being said, no one wants to see a jumble of houses, fast-food restaurants and convenience stores going up in no particular order.
I’ve listened as Joplin residents have described to me their hopes for a return to their community. They provide details of how they will plant trees, how they would allow businesses to develop, how they think they should look and what they think they should sell.
Their ideas are what will make Joplin whole again.
Two meetings will be held on Tuesday at Memorial Middle School, 310 W. Eighth Street. One begins at 1 p.m. and the second at 5:30 p.m. You are invited.
The people who live in Joplin should be the ones who fill in the details on that blank sheet of paper Fred Osborn’s talking about. Sadly, the picture can’t ever be drawn so it looks like it did on May 21 — lives are irreplaceable.
But those who are still here shoulder the responsibility to be the caretakers of their town. I think that we can all agree it’s not a job Joplin wants to pass off to someone else.
Carol Stark is editor of The Joplin Globe. Address correspondence to her, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, MO 64802 or email cstark@joplinglobe.com.
Tornado: Columns
Carol Stark: Vision could be reality
- Tornado: Columns
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Susan Redden: McCaskill praises Joplin cooperation
At least two things she saw in Joplin need to be replicated in Washington, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill said during a visit last week.
A strong spirit of cooperation is driving Joplin’s rebuilding, she said. And, the senator said there is a realization “that federal programs have a place.” -
Mark Rohr, guest columnist: Miracle of the human spirit ever-pervasive since tornado
Monday marks 100 days since the worst tornado in our country in the past 70 years tore through our community, leaving lost lives and destroyed property in its wake. As I have said before, that fateful day in late May will be the defining moment in all of our lives whether we want it to be or not.
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Ron Richard, guest columnist: Partnership can spur recovery
The tornado that ravaged Joplin and the flooding affecting Missouri River towns and businesses are both human and economic tragedies.
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Wally Kennedy: Flocks expected for Chick-fil-A opening
The stocking of the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 2127 S. Range Line Road is under way in preparation for a grand reopening on Thursday. The restaurant was among 25 or so eateries on Main Street and Range Line Road that were destroyed by the May 22 tornado.
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Susan Redden: State officials argue about disaster money
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is under fire from two different fronts, both relating to plans for a special legislative session in which the Joplin tornado and its economic impact will most certainly be a topic.
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Wally Kennedy: Walgreen’s to reopen both stores Monday
Monday will be a big day for two of the three stores that Walgreen’s operates in Joplin. The Walgreen’s at 20th and Main streets sustained significant damage on May 22. It was at the north edge of the tornado’s damage zone. It has had a major makeover.
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Roger Nomer: Image a ‘revelation’ for photographer
The sky looked dark, but nothing more unusual than a typical springtime storm.
I was on duty May 22 at the Globe, and had just finished taking photos of Joplin High School’s graduation when the storm sirens started to sound at Missouri Southern State University. -
Jo Ellis: Small deeds will make a big impact
A big, big thanks to all who have called, emailed or written to me saying they want to participate in Nature-Joplin (Nurture a Tree-Urban Reforestation Effort-Joplin) to help Joplin recover from the May 22 tornado that scoured the landscape.
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Andra Bryan Stefanoni: Safe room will always be reminder of May 22
The afternoon of May 22, I emailed a story to my editor from my home office just before the tornado sirens sounded in Pittsburg.
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Sarah Sticklen: Lessons learned: Remain faithful, move forward
As I walked into Missouri Southern’s Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on May 22 for my high school graduation, all I could think was: “I cannot wait until this is all over. Then, I can finally relax.”
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