Northeast News
September 3, 2014

There’s recently been quite a bit of fur flyin’ on social media in regards to the status of the Cliff Drive Scenic By-Way and whether the gates should be open or permanently closed. The issue at hand – perceived out-of-control illegal dumping and illicit activity. This news-dog isn’t buying the hype.

Online petitions started at www.moveon.org that seek closure of the 2.8 mile state scenic byway to automobile traffic are misleading and short-sighted to say the least, garnering signatures from as far away as Washington state and Vermont. What possible interest could a resident of Vermont have in shuttering a state scenic by-way in Kansas City?

Closure advocates have taken a “you’re either fer us or you’re agin us” mindset and the Save Cliff Drive Facebook page has denigrated into nothing more than name calling and petty bickering focusing more on personalities and lifestyles than an open and honest discussion of the issue. This is exactly what happens when the alarmists driving the closure bus start shaping public opinion.

Here’s a little note to the closure zealots. First off, it’s not your call. Period. Last this news-dog knew, the By-Way was public property. Nobody disputes the thousands of volunteer hours you’ve put in to preserve, improve and clean the drive. Good on ya. It’s a Herculean task to be sure. But cleansing over 40 years of neglect by the city and area neighborhoods will take time. Closing the drive permanently isn’t a fix. Having an open, honest, constructive discussion on the illegal dumping issue is a good start however, something this news-dog is happy to host any time the parties are ready to kiss and make up and start talking sense instead of talking smack.