Gottstein still trying to get a grip on the job

Hey Cameraman.net has some interesting scoop involving my favorite woman on the Council other than that 1st District hottie Bill Skaggs.

Apparently, with some folks on the Westside (okay, one person on the Westside) the "sign issue" is the most important subject in the history of the neighborhood.

So . . . With a great and informative link about KC's wayfinding program and a winning photo . . . The local blog details the trouble Beth Gottstein is currently having dealing with her Latino constituency in Kansas City i.e. we're all a bunch of complainers.

Also, I heard on the Shanin and Parks show recently (while reading a book and taking a dump) that there was some fruitcake pretending to be TKC (isn't that the saddest thing you ever read?) and another talk radio listening douche who made it on the airwaves and said that he's starting a recall campaign against Gottstein. And while only retired and/or marginally employed people believe what they hear on radio it's clear Gottstein faces some challenges in dealing with one of the bitchiest districts in Kansas City and all of KC MO in general given that the coming recession is bringing all of the complainers out in droves.

Which brings me to another point: What I love about this town is that everyone feels their entitled the utmost concern of their elected officals and there's not a hint of the notion (in this town's political scene at least) that most men lead lives of quiet desperation and voter turnout has done nothing but decline in recent years . . . So it's no surprise that Gottstein has taken some criticism over the recent "sign issue" from a few residents (one very "vigilant" dude).

But it's important to remember the following:

Gottstein made a lot of headway (hehe) by supporting the Latino Leadership on the ongoing (never ending) Semler debate. She might have made a few enemies out North over this but considering that the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL stood together on this one - There clearly hasn't been a political price to pay except from talk radio call-in guests and the e-mail writing campaign put forth by shut-ins on hate site message boards.

In KC Proper, widespread "likability" isn't as important as money or contributors. Gottstein stays winning as long as she doesn't lose anybody willing to write checks. And considering that the 60-70k people who vote in Kansas City (roughly less than 50% of all those eligible) don't think about the council everyday - unless any council person goes to the clink . . . A politico can be despised even in their own district and still stand a good chance of winning a re-election bid. Terry Riley, I'm talking to you.

Also, let's not forget that the sign issue is so (un)important that even Mayor Funky has been credited with "progress" on this issue.

Still, I'm biased on this one, I endorsed Beth Gottstein in the general election and I admire anyone who wears black all the time - TKC has way too much dandruff to pull that one off. (ew)

And while I'm all in favor of every kind of Westside advocacy (the squeaky wheel gets the grease - Insert your lame greaser joke here: ________) I'm willing to write this issue off as "on the job" (heh) training.

Finally, while some may call it a slur, I like Gottstein because she's a JAP and by that I mean that I like Japanese people. Gottstein is Japanese, right?

For a more informed and eloquent take on this situation read the post that inspired this one on Hey Cameraman.net.