Might still be a bit lethargic from all of the food consumed not just on Thanksgiving but throughout the holiday weekend. Leftovers are simultaneously the best and worst.So let’s hit a few topics this week and not sit on any one item too long.
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As reported last week, Platte City’s sale of acreage east of Interstate 29 and subsequent lease of that land back from the Platte City Industrial Development Authority starts the process of major change. Citizens should be prepared to give their input on how they want development to proceed in the partnership between the city, private landowners and an outside real estate development firm.
Platte City administrator DJ Gehrt said suggestions will be taken on generalities but not specific business. So don’t ask for a Taco John’s or Starbucks, although I would support both.
But you could ask for a nuclear power plant, as Gehrt jokingly mentioned in a recent meeting with him. (Don’t suggest a nuclear power plant).
Instead, the city wants to know where commercial, retail and residential would fit best. Gehrt expects the market to play a big part in determining what the area will support, but this is the first part in what is likely large-scale development of about 1,400 acres between Highway HH and Highway 92.
There’s big change coming not just to the undeveloped land but in infrastructure, especially roadways to help connect one end to the other and making those exits off of I-29 accessible to the increased traffic.
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The crime around here has really started to amaze me ... and not in a good way.
Check out Page A1 and then glance over at Page A3 if you haven’t already to take a look at the list this week. We’ve got drunk drivers — one hitting bridges and other reversing on the interstate — and lots of drugs this week.
I can’t figure out the problem but maybe it’s I-29?
For some reason, that route seems to help funnel an excess of criminals, many of them with horrifyingly entertaining details. Hopefully, readers see the consequences these suspects face and use the knowledge to avoid bad decisions.
I promise more criminal cases in the coming weeks because I’m learning more and more on how to use that fancy Casenet web site, much to the chagrin of prosecutor Eric Zahnd’s office and the workers who field my requests on a weekly basis.
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Glad to see the City of Edgerton taking an active approach to reestablishing its polling site (story on Page A7). The surprise of having to vote in Dearborn for the November election was not welcome, and the Platte County Board of Elections’ decision did not leave enough time to take action.
Now, the need for poll workers is being addressed — hopefully.
People still must volunteer time and make the commitment for the promise of about $100 pay. As older poll workers continue to step away from those duties, this could be a problem in more and more rural areas.
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Winter sports are underway, and our preview section is in this week’s issue. Give it a read.
We also plan to continue highlighting postseason honors for fall sports in the coming weeks.
No one does Platte County sports like us. We hope you like what you read.
Ross Martin is publisher of The Citizen. He may be reached via email at editor@plattecountycitizen.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Citizen_Ross.