Independence, Sugar Creek seem to be growing together

Are Sugar Creek and Independence to have closer association?

New things always cause people to look toward those things that are new. A new shopping area is being planned for the Sugar Creek side of U.S. 24 and Sterling Avenue. The name of this new complex is to be Sugar Land. Whether residents in the area live on the Independence side or the Sugar Creek side, they are going to be highly interested in looking over the final product.

Older houses and buildings have frequented the area for years. Especially in these times of high gas prices, it will be immensely helpful if residents do not have to travel so far to shop. We are waiting, Sugar Creek!

There is another area that should have a bringing-together effect between Sugar Creek and Independence, and that is the Independence School District taking the leadership of Sugar Creek Elementary School. During the Extreme School Makeover, many people from Independence and Sugar Creek filled the halls of Sugar Creek Elementary. They were eagerly and excitedly painting, cleaning, scraping rust and making things look new. The leadership of the Independence Board of Education thought it necessary to make things look new in order that the children would feel a new and that better day had arrived. I’m sure Independence certainly accepts the above association and plans for it lasting a long time.

Small cities, such as we are, can keep an even keel in our response to others. It’s the outside sources that cause problems in governing, and there have been some of those. The mining companies in the area want to mine Bethany Falls limestone, which is prevalent in the area. The area of interest is the old Cedar Crest farm. Sugar Creek has been kind to Independence and turned down the request to mine there. The old farm is really right next to the border of Sugar Creek and Independence.

Any mining would be right in the area of northeast Independence. Schools, churches and hundreds of homes would get the full brunt of the mining operation. One thing has to be remembered: This is a residential area, not a mining camp. The mining company has asked once again to mine on Cedar Crest. If it does, what will be the outcome? Will mining there bother the closeness that seems to be growing with Sugar Creek and Independence.

The old farm is right next to 1,400 residents, many churches and one school. What affect would that have? It has been pointed out that mining causes dust and a messy situation. Also, cracked foundations, annoying disruptions caused by the blasting will be forthcoming. Over a period of time, it will cause severe deterioration and depreciation within a residential area. Financial hardships will occur that the average family can’t afford.

Independence City Council members are against this mining operation also. Northeast Independence will put its vote in right now. No mining, no blasting and no dust. Let us be residential only and not a mining camp. Oh yes, thank you for hearing our voice.

Dick Hacker lives in Independence.