A look at Kansas City Light Rail Opposition
I just received the following e-mail press release . . . And what's surprising to me is not light rail opposition but that it's not coming from a big money corp. as of yet. In fact, from what people tell me, the folks on this board have a record of being involved in the community . . . On the other hand, the people who own KC Light Rail.com are sill anonymous.
NEW COMMITTEE FOR SENSIBLE TRANSIT QUESTIONS LIGHT RAIL EXPERIMENT
Committee Seeks to Inform Kansas City Voters About Unanswered Light Rail Ballot Questions
Kansas City, Missouri—September 30, 2008—Members of the Committee for Sensible Transit announced today their opposition to the light rail ballot measure placed on the November 4 ballot by Mayor Mark Funkhouser and the City Council.
The Committee is an ad hoc group of civic, business and neighborhood interests representing differing political philosophies, a multitude of professional backgrounds and decades of working to make Kansas City the best, most responsible and livable city it can be. The Committee is unified in its opposition to the Mayor and Council’s egregiously expensive and short-sighted light rail experiment.
“The ballot language leaves too many questions unanswered, said Bob Lewellen, former city councilor and Committee member. “The City has not given voters the information they need to make an informed decision.”
Committee member Greg Allen also shared his concern that Kansas City’s specific needs are not addressed by the rush to build a billion-dollar light rail system. “We have not scratched the surface in implementing cost-effective and truly innovative strategies to provide better public and personal transportation. Kansas City deserves much better—something truly thoughtful and something consistent with our traditions of green and spacious development.”
Among the Committee’s other concerns are that the sales tax used to pay for the light rail development will deplete funds that could otherwise be used to repair and maintain the city’s infrastructure such as streets and sidewalks. “Let’s not forget all the compelling infrastructure needs to which we could devote one billion dollars,” Allen noted.
The Committee will spend the next few weeks presenting Kansas City voters with other examples of the concerns that remain unaddressed by the November 4 ballot question:
The Committee encourages all Kansas Citians to ask these important billion-dollar questions. “This proposal is long on expense and short on details,” Lewellen said.
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posted by Tony Permalink
So I am not alone in my concern about the way the City Council as manipulated this light rail issue. Most of us know that the City tells half truths. Now we may get a real public debate and hopefully questions will be asked and honestly answered.
I have been told that the route was known. Looks like only parts of it are known. Like the beginning and end. And what is this about the exact cost and funding mechanism remain unclear?
Way to go. Lets start asking questions.
Okay, here's a question. Why didn't the Kansas City Star ask these questions? They were too busy proposing their own light rail route. All aboard for tax increase. And that's what this issue is about. Certainly not improving public transportation.
Well these guys aren't the only ones asking questions. I've been to three neighborhood meetings and no one seems to know anything. I have tried to follow the planning but if you read the ballot language it tells where it will start and stop but not where it goes inbetween and no start or finish date. Only give us the infamous 3/8 of a cent for 25 years. Why do they break it up into two funds? 1/4 and 1/8--another way to steal some more money and spend it on stuff we don't need. Mayor Funkenstine promised us infrastructure repair where is he now when this train ride is being pushed on us?
The mayor also promissed transparency in government. The ballot language is anything but transparent. The mayor promissed "a city that works for ordinary folks". Light rail is not about transportation of ordinary folks. Ordinary folks would prefer that transportation monies build more routes in this town than just one. The plan is to have ordinary folks pay for it. The plan is to have the bus routes redone to funnel riders to light rail stops adding more time to the trip to work.
Ask about revenue short-falls.
With the economy heading south, Denver is expecting a 25 million dollar charge to refinance bonds. Many other municipalities are planning for tax revenue declines. But Councilman Johnson, or as someone called him Mr. MENSA, wants to keep that discusion form happening until after the light rail election.
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