Will the Past Haunt Northcreek?

In the Halloween spirit of “Dead Stuff” threatening our senior citizens (also see post from October 18, 2013), work has begun on one of the most unpopular projects that the city has approved and railroaded through.  It’s the Northcreek project by MACO in the Mill Creek Valley for senior housing rental duplexes.  The property includes a public hiking/biking recreational trail marked with "National Park Service - National Historic Trail" signs that was once public land, much of it undeveloped and natural green space.  It connects 4 city parks, connects historical interpretive panels for education, connects the Harry S Truman Library and Museum, and connects the Truman National Historic Landmark District (recently determined by Missouri Preservation as endangered and threatened).  The bulldozers and heavy earth moving equipment have been busy over the last few weeks.  Mature trees that could have been incorporated into the development plan as natural features and screening have already been removed.  The idea that this development was not only across the street from a large cemetery but that residential properties contiguous with Northcreek had archaeological evidence of human remains buried as far back as the 1850’s, did not spook the developer nor the city nor MHDC.  Archaeology would have just gotten in the way of, you know, progress.  You remember our new civic slogan, "We Make Mistakes in the Name of Progress!"  So the spoils of history go to the scavengers who reportedly found pieces of engraved stones (tombstones?) and other historical artifacts left behind from the bulldozers.  History is again lost as are the opportunities to add artifacts to the National Frontier Trails Museum, which hasn’t really changed its displays in over 20 years.  And any remains of our pioneer heritage will be below the nondescript landscape of cul-de-sacs and cookie-cutter architecture.  It doesn't sound presidential.  Will our politicians, such as Mayor Weir, Councilmembers Doughterty/Roberson/Van Camp/Whiting, not to mention State Legislators Rizzo and Kidd, who demonstrated unconditional public support for this project, also be haunted during the next election?  In the spirit of Jackson County politics, will the dead show up at the polls and vote?  Happy Halloween!