Globe editorial examines issues arising from Guest House fire

Issues arising from last week's fatal fire at the Anderson Guest House are examined in an editorial in the Monday Joplin Globe.

Among the thoughts offered in the editorial:

Lawmakers should mandate that the owners of group homes are thoroughly checked to ensure that they have no prior criminal, civil, tax or other issues that would raise flags about how they would run state-licensed homes for the mentally troubled, the physically handicapped or other situations where people are placed into the care of others. Those who have questionable backgrounds should not get a state license.

The editorial offers some common sense suggestions. The big question, unfortunately, is why haven't these suggestions been followed all along?