Development, growth pivotal issues in 2002

The sages and seers who predicted drastic changes for Am-erica in the 21st century probably had no idea how abruptly their predictions would come true.

The televised images of airliners crashing into the twin towers of the World Trade Cen-ter and their subsequent collapse, and the crash of another airliner into the Pentagon, all causing thousands of deaths, are visions of a new century, a new age.

These despicable acts weren't perpetrated by a hostile nation with a government, a flag, an army and a national agenda. In the 20th century we learned how to deal with hostile nations. These attacks came from terrorists intoxicated by hate so vile that they emerged from the sha-dows to commit unspeakable acts demanding a new response: The war against terrorists, a 21st century war.

So immense was the attack of Sept. 11 that it overwhelms any other 2001 news events. At year's end, the U.S. military action in Afghanistan has been remarkably successful. The Taliban has been vanquished; Osama bin Laden is on the run. The hunt for him will be a major story in 2002.

As the new year arrives, Am-erica has provided a 21st century, high-tech kind of firepower to allow the anti-Taliban forces to rid their country of thugs. The next phase of the war will dominate the news; the on-going fight against terrorism may test the resolve of the American people.

The amazing show of patriotism following the terrorist at-tacks was mostly absent from America in the second half of the 20th century; it is a welcome 21st century addition. One can only hope that Ameri-cans will continue to feel good about their nation and will continue to support the struggle to bring the terrorists to justice.

Doubtless some events unrelated to the aftermath of Sept. 11 will capture headlines in 2002; however, it will take an event of major proportions to sustain coverage for any length of time. The state of the economy is so tied to the events of Sept. 11 that news about it will be so connected. On the local scene, 2002 will be an important year. Springfield is in a state of transition and the new year will be pivotal in establishing the character of Springfield far into the new century.

The Jordan Valley Park is a work in progress. A lot of local attention will focus on its continuing evolution. The importance of the Jordan Valley project in Springfield's future is a given. The Rusty Saber recently commented on Bass Pro Shops and the American National Fish and Wildlife Museum as tourist attractions. Jordan Valley Park is a prime ingredient in Spring-field's future as a major tourist destination.

An equally intriguing element in the scenario is the renovation of the Heer's Building. If the centerpiece of what once was the Public Square emerges with a new look that attracts restaurants, shops and/or offices, it will be a significant symbol of the vitality of center city in the new century.

Growth will continue to be a hot topic for the new year; not just in Springfield, but in the outlying areas, as well. Nixa and Ozark are moving toward each other; both are moving toward Springfield as it moves toward them. All one needs do to see what I'm talking about is drive to Nixa on Highway 160 and to Ozark via Highway 65.

As the metropolitan area grows, so do the traffic woes. The aforementioned drives to Nixa and Ozark will demonstrate that traffic gridlock ex-tends well beyond the Spring-field city limits. It probably won't ease the frustrations of being hopelessly enmeshed in maddening gridlock, but traffic congestion is a problem faced by any city that is attractive to people.

Few traffic problems mean one thing: not enough people to create them. Alas, we are an attractive location and may be stuck with some gridlock. As it is with the war against terrorism, we may not like it, but it's necessary.

At any rate, growing metropolitan traffic problems and the means to deal with them will rate news coverage. I believe 2002 will be a year of truly important events locally and na-tionally: It's "possible" that I might comment on them.

Happy New Year!

(Joe McAdoo is former chairman of the communication department at Drury University.)