For those of you who have been following this column, I have a request this week. But before I make the request, I feel like it is important to explain a little about what is happening in Independence of late that has been whirling around in my mind – especially with regard to the purposes of this column.

When I was invited to write for the Independence Standard, it felt like a mission. A mission to help turn the tide in this city. To do what I could to help move us from a troubling point in our history toward better days. Happier days.

Since moving here, I (like many of you) have seen the good, but I have also seen the bad, and the ugly. This city has so much going for it. But it also has seen a lot of trouble. I have seen my share of the issues that are threatening to change our city in ways that I did not anticipate when I moved here.

In my first two columns, I wrote about knowing I was supposed to live in Independence and of finding the home that I still believe God prepared for us, long before we got here. Many of you have had the same experience. I know, because you’ve told me.

And when I moved here, I had definite ideas about what this city was like and what it would be like moving forward. And I was excited about that.

I love living here.

The neighborhood I live in is older and established. It is near the historic part of Independence – both historic in terms of city history with the courthouse, the Square, the Bingham Waggoner Estate, Vaile Mansion, National Frontier Trails Museum,  and 1827 log courthouse, but also rich in religious and cultural history such as the American Heritage Center, the Church of Christ Temple lot property, Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) temple and auditorium, Missouri Mormon Walking Trail, and others. Over time I became aware of the Harry S. Truman ties and sites and the historic cemeteries throughout the community. A lot has happened here in the past, and a lot will happen yet in the future.

But the longer I live here the more I see that not everyone has the same vision for our city that I do. There are lots of voices out there promoting this, arguing about that, undermining certain things, and building others.

And so, the question that has been on my mind in recent years (and which probably has been on yours too) is, “Whose voices will succeed in shaping the future of Independence?”

I have seen a lot of efforts to have an influence over what happens here. Some have been bold enough to plant black and white signs in their yards which declare, “This is the City of our God.” At the same time, others have worked to create space in the Englewood Arts District for Friday night art walks, artists in residency, and yes, drag queen events. In other parts of the city, changes include removing City Hall from the center of downtown and placing it on the eastern outskirts of Independence, where there is no longer a fixed-route bus serving City Hall. Meanwhile, some are wanting the seeming progress of building a controversial data center and meanwhile others are working to establish community gardens.

Consistently, the citizens of our town have been faced with carefully crafted ballot measures aimed at changing who has the right to adjust the city charter and in which ways. And that charter is the governing document for what happens in our city. Are you watching? Do you know what is being discussed? Do you know what is being decided?

I’m sure you’re aware of the massive construction projects on the Truman Road corridor, around the Square, and perhaps even along Winner Road. We have yet to see how the traffic will flow on Truman when that project is completed, but if the new layout of the streets surrounding the Square is any indication (with fewer vehicle traffic lanes, fewer parking spaces, wider sidewalks, and bicycle lanes) it’s going to be problematic.

And what about the beauty of our city? One of the most picturesque parts has been Winner Road with its unique historical estate-looking homes and large shady trees in a wide island that runs down the center of the road. It used to remind me of the Paseo only on a smaller scale. But not anymore. Someone (and I still don’t quite know who) decided those trees needed to go and be replaced with a wide sidewalk. What? A sidewalk down the middle of the road? How is that an improvement?

There is part of me that just wants to shake my head and ask, “Why?” or “Whose idea was this?” There’s another part of me that wonders who is profiting from these construction projects. Still another part of me is weary of the citizens of our town being asked for increasingly more through taxes and bonds, while Crysler Bridge, located on a main artery leading into the historic part of town, is closed – with no announced date for when it will reopen.

My voice is only one voice. Yours is another. We each have the ability to share what we think with our voices – or not. We each have the right to be heard in our town and to make our voices heard whether it be at city council meetings, zoning and planning commission meetings, church administrative council meetings, neighborhood watch groups, or the polls.

In the Independence Standard, and especially in this column of the Standard, our aim is to bring to light what is happening in our city that may not be apparent, and to share the voices of those who are trying to make a positive difference.

I have been busy this summer scheduling the future articles for this column, conducting a few interviews, and setting up even more. The upcoming columns of Voices of Independence are going to be more important than you realize. And the voices that will be spotlighted here are voices that need to be heard – precisely because of what they are saying. Illuminating voices. Uniting voices. Faith-filled voices.

Perhaps one day, even your voice. . .

So, here is my request this week. I invite you to join us in making a difference for the future of our city. Please take a few moments to send a text or email to your friends and neighbors, church members and associates, business partners, coworkers, or employees. All of them.  Tell them in your text or email how the articles you’ve been reading in the Independence Standard have helped you to better understand what is happening in the city. Then encourage them to sign up and find out what’s really going on for themselves. It may mean the difference between their vision of what their hometown should be and someone else’s vision taking over. The link will take them to a page where they can sign up to receive the Independence Standard, including the column “Voices of Independence,” right in their email.

Here’s the link to copy and paste in your communication to take them where they can sign up:  https://independencestandard.com/subscribe?ref=ZlxWn9WbPi

(By the way, it’s a special link so that the editor of the Standard will know that new subscribers came from the readers of this column helping to spread the word.)

Remember . . . Together our voices matter. Now and always.

I hope you will consider this question, and consider writing down the answer for your children and grandchildren: If you had the ability to change one aspect of our city for the better, what would it be, and why?

Voices of Independence is a column devoted to telling the inspiring stories of Independence—then and now.

Each published story includes an introspective question for our community—your story matters. Share your answer with Cheri at: [email protected] Please include “Why My Voice Matters” in the subject line. Cheri reads every response and does her best to reply.

About Voices of Independence

Voices of Independence is a monthly column by Cheri Battrick.

Cheri’s column is part of The Independence Standard—where local voices and in-depth reporting come together.

Truth. Clarity. Accountability. Faith in Action.

If this kind of reporting matters to you, stay engaged, ask questions, and take the time to understand how decisions shape the future of our city.

For continued coverage and updates, stay connected with The Independence Standard.

The Independence Standard
Truth. Clarity. Accountability. Faith in Action.

Until next time,

The Independence Standard is a locally focused publication committed to truth, clarity, and accountability.