A year-long disagreement between the City of Glasgow and Kansas City Power & Light Co. has resulted in a favorable outcome for the city.

At issue was a KCP&L proposal to erect a 189-foot tower and eight power lines on Stump Island Park.

Power lines now run over the Highway 240 bridge, the superstructure of which will be torn down beginning in August. So, the lines have to be moved.

Glasgow city council members vigorously opposed the proposal. They suggested power lines be attached to the adjacent railroad bridge or go underneath the river.
KCP&L had heretofore balked at the suggested alternatives because of the added cost and the difficulties involved with repairing underground lines.

The city council went so far as to pass a moratorium on the construction of all power lines in the city.

KCP&L stated the city’s moratorium was “clearly contrary to the law.”

But the issue was resolved Saturday with the utility agreeing to install power lines underneath Stump Island.

Fred Foley, Glasgow mayor

Fred Foley, Glasgow mayor, was contacted by KCP&L officials on Friday. A meeting was scheduled for the next day. “They were not aware of a lot of things about our situation here,” Foley told the Fayette Advertiser.

Foley and KCP&L officials toured Stump Island and during that inspection the mayor acquainted them with several particulars. To wit:

• Stump Island is one of the original Lewis & Clark landings.

• Stump Island contains a boat ramp, soccer fields, picnic areas and a campground, as well as offering unobstructed views of the Missouri River.

• Facilities on Stump Island Park were paid for by a 1976 grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. DNR had stipulated that no power lines should span above the park.

By the end of the meeting, utility company representatives agreed to bore holes underneath Stump Island and then run under the river instead of placing power lines on above-ground towers.

They came again to the Glasgow city’s regular meeting Monday and reaffirmed their position.

“They were real gentlemen,” Foley said. “We came to a real amicable agreement that fits everyone well.... There was just some bad communication at the top.”

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