By Craig Murphy

Springfield Times Editor

City officials acknowledge they have an issue with weeds along Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, headed towards the Gateway area.

Steps are being taken but Len Goodwin, assistant Public Works director for Springfield, admits the efforts won't bring the desired results.

"When the area was planted, the design was done with the presumption we would be able to do the required maintenance," Goodwin said. "But with the resources we have now, in essence the area was overplanted."

That's been quite noticeable to Paul Roth, who contacted the city about the growing weed issue last month.

"I drive MLK every day and have been noticing it for a couple of years," Roth said. "I think it looks terrible. Some of those weeds are six feet high and thick, and many of the plants are dead. Basically it is a mile-long, million dollar mess. The plants that remain haven't been cared for.

"The ironic thing is that if this were my front yard and the neighbors began complaining, the city would probably make me clean it up," Roth added. "Yet they can let this happen in full public view and not be held accountable."

For more on this and other news from around the Springfield area, including a special tourism/history tab section, be sure to pick up a copy of the July 30 issue of Springfield Times, available at news racks and stores all around the area. Look under the 'Newspaper Locations' link on this site to find out where. To subscribe to the paper, call 541-741-7368 or stop by 741 Main St.