Excelsior Springs, Mo. (Oct. 19, 2025) – As the community continues to debate the proposed annexation of land near Mosby and the future of Ideker Mining’s quarry expansion, residents are voicing strong opinions from both sides. In this response to Doreen Rhodus’ recent letter defending her family’s position, a nearby homeowner shares a different perspective, one shaped by daily life next to the quarry, concerns about safety, and hopes for the long-term future of Excelsior Springs.
A Neighbor’s Perspective on the Quarry and Annexation
This is in response to Doreen Rhodus’ letter to the editor. She wants you to believe that voting NO is saving her family’s farm. Annexation into Excelsior Springs City limits will not adversely affect their farming operation. They farm areas of land already in city limits of Mosby and Kearney. What it will affect is city taxes and their opportunity to expand the quarry’s underground mining. Yes, the Rhodus are leasing their land to the quarry. Underground is still land.
Doreen wants you to feel sorry for the poor farmer who doesn’t even live here. He’s got a nice, big house in Liberty. So, of course, he doesn’t care what the rest of us here are experiencing with daily blasting and dust. In addition, we all have to deal with torn roads and truck traffic where drivers seem to think they have absolute authority on the road. It cost a woman her life in recent weeks. I know many Excelsior Springs residents have had issues with near misses with these trucks.
As far as however long the Rhodus have lived in the area, I’m not impressed. But one would think they would have more concern for the community they’ve lived in for so long. And just because I moved here from KC over 30 years ago doesn’t make me and my home less worthy of care and concern. I have damage that costs in the thousands; damage that did not appear until the quarry started disrupting neighbors nearby. Insurance does not cover it. I can’t open my windows due to the dust that pollutes our neighborhood everyday.
Mosby does not have regulations or ordinances in place so the quarry is free to bypass local policies. What is interesting in this argument is the fact that Rhodus wants to annex his land into Mosby city limits. If he was so concerned about his farm being in city limits, then what makes Mosby okay instead of Excelsior Springs? The quarry doesn’t feed anybody so I doubt the Rhodus ‘ are truly concerned about what is on our tables.
When I moved here, I was told that our area was in Excelsior Springs comprehensive plan and that we would be annexed into it someday. That time has come. We need the yes vote of Excelsior Citizen’s to help this area and to help better the Excelsior Springs community as a whole. I’m willing to pay the additional taxes. I already pay for the Excelsior schools that my children attended. I shop and dine in this town.
The mining may not stop immediately, but the expansion of it will stop. Eventually, businesses and more residential will build which will further enhance our city. I also believe that future city council members will want what’s best for our community, not just what will pay off a debt. The quarry and some scrupulous land owners took advantage of a small fourth-class town that was reeling from flooding and losing residents to FEMA payouts. Don’t let them do it to us or Excelsior Springs.
So, please, vote YES to annexation into Excelsior Springs.
Thank you.
Charla Lee
Cameron Road Resident
If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!
