Tuesday, May 6, 2008

PIAC funds $83,000 project in Indian Mound

Last August Indian Mound submitted a Public Advisory Committee request for new sidewalks and curbing in front of the James Elementary School on the 5800 block of Scarritt Avenue. I am pleased to announce that the request has been approved.

Walks and curbing on both sides of Scarritt are to be replaced at a cost of $83,000. The paving will be paid for through the sales tax for public improvements.

Kansas City may be the only city in the nation where organizations and even individuals can nominate such projects. This year 950 requests were reviewed by PIAC, which is composed of citizen volunteers. The committee forwards its choices to the city council for final approval. Most requests are denied.

The badly deteriorated walks and curbing are a blight in front of the historic and handsome grade school. They create a poor environment for the students and project a dismal image to visitors, who include public officials and the press. Learning that they will be replaced is very good news indeed.

— Dennis Stack
Indian Mound Neighborhood Association President

Police Board announces it will have a decision in Salva case by the end of May.

Police officials late Monday announced they expect a decision by the end of the month on the fate of two officers fired that ignored the pleas of a woman who claimed she was pregnant.

Last month officers Kevin Schnell and Melody Spencer went before the Police Citizens Advisory Board asking to be reinstated after Chief Jim Corwin fired them both last year for what he said was their "disregard for department policy."

In Feb. 2006 Schnell and Spencer pulled over Sophia Salva after witnessing her place a fake temporary tag in her car window. When they began to ask her questions and search her car, Salva claimed she was bleeding and asked for an ambulance.

Schnell and Spencer, according to the portion of the police dash camera video released to the media, ignored Salva and proceeded to arrest her and take her in to custody. Schnell and Spencer, at their hearing last month, said they thought, given Salva's previous record that she was lying to avoid going to jail - again. Schnell and Spencer in their testimony even pointed out that jail officials did nothing to help her after her arrival at the jail.

The case was not made public until last year when Corwin, during a press conference, lambasted the two officers for their misconduct and then fired them the next day.

The board will determine whether Corwin made the right decision or if the officers should be reinstated.