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Kansas City News Today Kansas City Front Page is a weekly news publication, with daily updates, spotlighting attractions, events, business and hospitality in Kansas City. |
KANSAS CITY NEWS TODAY - Sunday, November 11, 2007
KANSAS CITY, MO (SLFP.com), November 11, 2007 - After nearly a year of success beyond expectations, the National World War I Museum at Kansas City's Liberty Memorial has topped off the year with the acquisition of a rare jewel for its collection -- a battle-scarred WWI tank. "To find such a rare artifact intact except for its actual battle damage, 90 years after it was built, gives us a great deal to celebrate on our upcoming first anniversary," said Brian Alexander, who was recently appointed as the Museum's new President/CEO, "especially considering that we made the acquisition as Armistice Day approaches." The French-made Renault FT-17 tank, which still bears its camouflage markings and a huge hole left by German artillery, fills a key gap in the Museum's world-class collection of WWI weapons, uniforms, writings and other objects. A tank was the only major historically significant exhibit that has eluded the Museum since its organizers began collecting artifacts in 1920. Renault FT-17 light tanks first saw battle in 1918. American tank forces used the French-made Renaults -- possibly including the one obtained by the Museum. "What makes this the perfect tank for our collection is that it will be an important tool for interpreting World War I," said Doran Cart, Museum Curator. "You can see the original camouflage paint and the registration numbers that identified the tank. With those markings we have a good chance to learn about its exact battle history. We can't wait to do in-depth research into its history." The tank was obtained in 1920 by an American from the French government and was on display in San Francisco for several years. The tank was eventually obtained by Hayes Otoupalik of Missoula, Montana, from whom the Museum purchased it for $225,000. The Museum must still raise an additional $175,000 to complete the acquisition. An anonymous donor gave $125,000 for the down payment. The additional $175,000 that must be raised will cover the remaining cost of the tank, its transportation and for exhibit installation. Cleaver, Moore Secure Over $42 Million for Kansas City Levees Project KANSAS CITY, MO (SLFP.com), November 11, 2007 - Congress overwhelmingly voted last week to override President Bush's veto of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act, an infrastructure bill authorizing hundreds of critical projects, including those to protect communities across the country from natural disasters such as hurricanes, storm surge and flooding. Included in the legislation is an authorization to fund a regional flood control project requested by Congressman Moore (KS-03) and Congressman Cleaver (MO-05), who both supported the veto override. Specifically, the bill authorizes $65,430,000, with a federal cost of $42,530,000 and an estimated local cost of $22,900,000, for construction of improvements to the Kansas and Missouri river levee system and the flood damage reduction project in the Kansas City metro area. "I was Mayor of Kansas City during the Flood of 1993 and have seen first hand the danger to life and property posed by flooding. It is not an exaggeration to say that the projects authorized by this bill save lives. As we have seen along the Gulf Coast and know from our own costly experience in 1993, it is much cheaper to invest to prevent flooding, than to clean up its aftermath," said Congressman Cleaver in a release. "This measure represents a common sense investment in the future. I am always proud to work with Congressman Moore to bring federal dollars home to address our critical needs." The existing Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas Levees Project consists of seven levee units including 60 miles of levees and floodwalls along both banks of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. During the 1993 flood, river levels crested near the top of the levees and floodwalls at several locations. The analysis in the aftermath of the flood raised concerns about the level of protection and capabilities of the system to protect from future floods. An interim report from the Army Corps of Engineers' feasibility study, completed in late 2006, established improvement milestones for the Argentine, Fairfax/Jersey Creek, North Kansas City and the East Bottoms Levee Units. This report recommends underseepage, retaining wall, and floodwall modifications to improve the reliability of Missouri River units, and also recommends a levee raise with foundation and pump station improvements for the Argentine Unit on the Kansas River. The final feasibility report, which will be completed in 2008, will provide recommendations for the remaining work in the Armordale, Central Industrial District and East Bottoms Units. "Our job in Congress is to fund the programs and projects that will make us stronger and safer, and move our country forward," Congressman Moore said. "Given the extreme damage and devastation that natural disasters can cause, we must be vigilant in our efforts to protect our people and our land. Congressman Cleaver and I strongly believe in the importance of working across state lines to do what's best for our metro region and this funding is a direct result of that cooperation." The House voted last Tuesday to override President Bush's veto by a 361-54 vote. The Senate approved the override on Thursday with a vote of 79-14. Missouri's Roadway Safety Programs Receive National Honors KANSAS CITY, (SLFP.com), November 11, 2007 - Missouri has received national recognition for installing median cable barriers on major highways across the state and for the efforts of the Destination Safe regional safety coalition in Kansas City. The Roadway Safety Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration recognized the Missouri programs reducing fatalities and injuries on our nation's highways. In 2003, the Missouri Department of Transportation began installing median cable barriers on all its major interstates with the highest traffic volume and most narrow medians. The three-strand guard cable is designed to "catch" a vehicle before it crosses into the opposing traffic lanes, bringing it to a stop before it collides with other vehicles. The cable barriers have virtually eliminated crossover crashes by catching more than 95 percent of vehicles entering the median. In 2002, there were 24 cross-median fatalities on Interstate 70 in Missouri. In 2006, that number decreased to two. Destination Safe is a coalition of local, regional, state and federal stakeholders in Missouri and Kansas working together to improve transportation safety in the greater Kansas City region. The Coalition has put together the Kansas City Regional Transportation Safety Blueprint which outlines six high priority safety areas including unbelted motorists, aggressive drivers, youth and young adults, impaired drivers, pedestrians and transportation safety data. "We're thrilled that our safety efforts are making an impact. The combined efforts of so many partners throughout the state are helping Missouri motorists arrive alive," said Leanna Depue, director of MoDOT's Highway Safety Division. Missouri had the largest drop in traffic-related fatalities in 2006 of any state in the nation, down by 161 compared to 2005.   The Kansas City Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Kansas City area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 2007 Moore Design Group. |
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