I’m really starting to hate Kansas City.
This week featured a great many recycled dumb ideas and repeated futile gestures. During the last Mayoral election perennial candidate Stan Glazer proposed a Ferris Wheel akin to The London Eye on the river front to attract more tourists and revenue for this cowtown. In retrospect I don’t think it would be that bad an idea but not for tourism; just to remind locals that we always try the same failing strategies over and over in this town — And I think that’s the new age definition of insanity.
Still, it’s important to take a look at the week in local failure if only so we can be accurate in our repeated mistakes:
1. The Royals Rearranged Deck Chairs This Week: The Trey Hillman Firing was only a significant milestone for folks who don’t understand that this small media market and horrible ownership dooms this town to consistently mediocre teams. It’s really a horrible thought and I understand why so many don’t want to believe the obvious; that our financial situation predetermines destiny. This same principal applies to so many indebted suburbanites and impoverished urban dwellers. And maybe that’s why so many people don’t want to admit its veracity.
2. Schools First Is Just Plain Stupid – The Mayor doesn’t have any power, authority or credibility on The School District but he’s desperate to make some kind of progress. Already School Board President Airick L. West has made real change in this political sphere and the Mayor’s attempt to piggy back on progress is not only cynical but also doomed to failure. In the end, Funkhouser hasn’t had a bit of luck with ANY of his political aspirations and his foray into KCMSD issues seems just as foolhardy.
3. Clay Chastain Was Back In Town – I think he went back to Virginia this week but he won’t stay there . . . The persistence of this transit advocate has to be admired despite the fact that Kansas City keeps saying no.
4. Surveillance is the name of the day – The KCPD has moved beyond DUI Checkpoints. The daylight drivers license checks have netted some impressive arrest numbers but remind us that during periods of civil unrest it is ritual for societies to unwisely give up their liberties.
5. More Bureaucracy At City Hall Is Nothing New – The Development of the Capital Projects Office takes away power from Acting City Manager Troy Schulte and it’s ultimately the result of ongoing political vendettas among Council People with no leadership from the Mayor. This mess is now routine down at the Hall and it only gets dirtier as the election moves near.
So, while we will see variations of these headlines in the coming months, it’s worth it to realize that life in Kansas City is nothing more or less than disappointment on an infinite loop.
Tony Botello
mermaid
You forgot to mention the lovely weather we are having. I hate this town too. First chance I get I am moving to Miami.
dimebag
And Kansas City is really starting to hate you too!
Rob Lane
Tony like the Stan Glazer reference. He would have been many times better than any of the last five mayors who doomed this city. In fact, his son, Craig was going to run before he got in trouble for snortin coke, hey our current president did that too, so did Bush. I think Craig would have been the best mayor ever. His ideas were correct, too bad.
KCMO staffer
Tony while I question both Glazers, Stan and Craig’s moral convictions, I have no doubt that either would have been much better than our last two mayors. Barnes and Funkhowser, had no presence to speak of, no real power. I think Stan or Craig would have gotten much more done. I hear them on KMBZ and KCMO, both have presence and chrisma, something needed now. I had the feeling they would have made it happen on shir desire and attitude.
MoCrash
While I agree that the Royals’ management is inept, the idea that “our financial situation predetermines destiny” displays incredible ignorance over the reality of the MLB economy.
The Royals aren’t bad because they can’t afford to be good, since the MLB revenue split almost completely assures that all franchises make money — and the Royals are well in the black. In fact, they’re payroll is larger than many teams. It’s how KC has spent its money, which has been not nearly so wisely as the Twins and Rays, similar small market clubs, which has been the problem. That is not “predetermination.”
Tony, stay away from sports. You know nothing about it and it makes you appear to be a slap-dab idiot.
MoCrash
Sorry, “their” payroll.
smartman
Whether you see the Glazer’s as charasmatic leaders or arrogant self serving blowhards the concensus inside political circles is that they would not have been able to effectively work with the city council and other civic leaders to more their agenda forward. To be a leader you have to have people that want to follow.
KY Fan
I would have followed them, the Glazers. Then our city would have finally been kinda cool.
jojo
MERMAID: miami, according to republicans, is
now a third world country.
TONY: Was down at the power and light friday
night and it was probably the best night
I’ve seen. We went to a private party at hte
drum room, then went to the Jones, talked with
people who went to see Steve Harvey at the
Midland, hung out and had a drink, enjoyed the
nice cool weather, the crowds were great,
and it was really a fantastic night.
Don’t understand all this negativity you
continue to bring.
This city has and will always struggle with
it’s identity. Its just alarge town…not a
city. But that’s fine. I’ve seen the other
cities in the country and they all face the
same problems we have.
Cities are broke…the bankers took care of that.
Kansas City took a chance on several projects
and they may not have worked out to this point
as they were inteneded.
However, I see lots of positives in kansas city.
Its a great town…beautiful…no traffic
problems…nice/honest people (most of them)…
entertainment that fits almost any kind of
taste…the plaza…suburbs that are as
nice as any in the country…a new thriving
downtwon (I think we need to look at the finacial picture in 5-7 years to really know
if this was a success or not)…low cost of
lving…low p[riced housing….a work base
that isn’t held hostage to economic ups and
downs…a great airport…opportunities…
but to say that this town is on the slide I
totally disagree.
Its on the slide because you’re on the slide.
You write this banter about all that’s wrong..
but it is a tremendous city to calol home.
Been to the Nerman Contemporary Art Museum..
the zoo…been to kemper art….seen the
incredible expansion of ku med and the bioscience
industry in this town….you haven’t and thats
why you are so concerned with spewing out
hateful and nasty blogs.
Of course we have our problems…crime…
mruder…rape etc…but I’m guessing you could
find 95% of that occurs within a 10 square mile
area.
So thnking that some bar owners/lawyers/
etc. could run this town better is absurd
and stupid.
It takes brains/negotiating/people skills/
economics/and ability to get things done.
I live in the suburbs…hardly get out becuase
of other committments…but I saw some real
impressive things going on in this town.
If mermaid doesn’t like this town…hit the
road…if you thought we have problems wait til
you hit florida and miami…now thats a mess!
dimebag
jojo, How could you be in the P&L? In a recent post you said you never went further north in KC than the Plaza, because of the crime. What’s up with that?
jojo
had a private party…usually don’t venture too
far north…heard about all the rumors and
news about the power and light…was donwn
there on friday…hadnt been there in a while..
but I’ve got to tell you…it was buzzing.
The bad news and all the crap about dress
codes had kept me away…but it was alive
and kicking.
I hope it works out financially. Probably wo’t
be a regular…but it was a great night and
hopefully it is a huge financial success….
david miller
I love and miss KC and always will. It’s a great city. Come to St. Louis sometime and we’ll walk around the ballpark village wchich was supposed to be our KCPandL district. Hmm, nothing there but a softball filed no one is allowed to play on. Schools? Gotcha there, too. Crime, ahem. So while St. Louis sits and waits, at least you guys are doing SOMETHING. If I could ever find my way back, I would, but alas, you go where the work is…
mermaid
I’m just going to visit and do a little lookie loo at some houses check out the scenery and see where I might set up camp. Then figure out how to afford to actually do anything down there. Maybe get a couple roomates and start out low and work up from there. Just want to live where on the weekends it’s off to the beach!I will do it for a few years and see how it works if I don’t like it I can still come home to Old Kc!