TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! MAYOR FUNKY CAUGHT LYING TO NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP, IGNORANT OF KANSAS CITY RED LIGHT CAMERA DETAILS!!!

The most important rule in politics, crime, dating and life is simple . . . People who don't know the score should keep their mouth shut.

This is a life lesson Mayor Funky never learned.

And now I'm going to correct him.

Earlier, The Mayor's blog "Funk's Front Poarch" reported that the Funkhouser recently said at a neighborhood meeting: "The money being collected from the (Red Light Camera) fines is not great enough to cover the cost of enforcing the fines and installing the lights."

That statement seemed to me like wild speculation.

Now here are some facts:

Folks AWESOME enough to talk to TKC at the Kansas City Police Department report the following:

The KCPD is currently receiving approx. 400 citations a day (20 cameras) which is $40,000 ($100 per plus $13 court costs) a day in fines . . . Assuming that everyone pays (More on that later).

The KCPD has asked the city to fund 2 full time officer's to review the citations ($150,000) due to the amount of time traffic officer's are having to spend at a desk reviewing the violations.

After getting this awesome info, I gave Public Works Public Information Officer Dennis Gagnon a call. My conversation with him was EXTREMELY informative given the fact that he is one of the most knowledgeable people at City Hall good enough to talk with TKC.

Here are some facts Gagnon told TKC:

Gagnon says that for March the City had a "pay through" rate of 75% for Red Light Camera Tickets.

Noted by MSM earlier, KC is seeing driver behavior modify because of Red Light Cameras at local intersections like 39th Street and Southwest Trafficway have undergone a drastic drop in red light camera violations.

Here is the most important detail regarding the Red Light Cameras: Over the life of the contract (5 years) even if revenue from tickets does not exceed the cost of installation and maintenance . . . Kansas City is not on the hook for anything more than the initial cost per installation: $4,500.

Also . . . The vendor is taking care of maintenance of Red Light Cameras over the course of the contract.

The most important info that Gagnon provided was word that KANSAS CITY WON'T COME TO A CONCLUSION ON A COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF RED LIGHT CAMERAS FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 18 MONTHS!!!

While City Hall denizens can quote the initial study conducted on Southwest Trafficway during 8 of the busiest hours of the day . . . There's really a gamble going on between the vendor and Kansas City based on this town's ability to change its behavior behind the wheel. The potential of Kansas City making some cash from this only comes if this town is too stubborn to stop at Red Lights.

So . . . What's the deal here?

Mayor Funky didn't have hard numbers to qote when speaking about Red Light Cameras, he's simply making stuff up as he goes along.

This is one of the many lies that Mayor Funkhouser has told to South Kansas City . . . An area still waiting for those sidewalks Mayor Funky promised during the campaign.

The former City Hall Auditor is ignorant regarding the details of Kansas City's Red Light Camera Deal.

MAYOR FUNKY IS LITERALLY JUST MAKING STUFF UP AS HE GOES ALONG!!!

So I can see how it's hard for Funkhouser to be "Smart with the Money" when he doesn't really seem to grasp what's going on Downtown.

And, in this situation Funkhouser was exposed for floating faulty and, as of yet, unproven assertions . . . I can only guess what other kind of nonsense he's pushing.

Kansas City Stays Out of Work

The KC Biz Journal: Kansas City-area unemployment rises to 8.6 percent in May

The family involved in a high speed car chase and shooting . . .

KCTV5 reports on local family values: Police say a man tried to chase down another car while a young boy (probably his son) was riding in the front seat.

Fight The Persecution of White People!!!

Jeff Roe's blog The Source stands up for Justice (for white people) and I'm proud of them.

The Source notes the verdict by The Supreme Court overturning an appeals court ruling by Judge Sonia Sotomayor which "rejected a claim that the City of New Haven discriminated against white firefighters by throwing out a promotional exam after all the African-American firefighters who took it scored too poorly to be promoted."

The Supreme Court Decision is seen a a detriment to Sotomayor's reputation despite the fact that she's, most likely, going to be confirmed to the SCOTUS anyway.

So what do what can we learn in this situation?

WHEN MIDDLE-CLASS WHITE PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT DISCRIMINATION IT'S A FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY!!!

On the other hand, most (so-called Conservative) reactionaries usually reject claims of discrimination from minorities without much consideration.

Therefore, since Conservative white people are now endorsing discrimination lawsuits I expect them to also speak out for minorities now currently involved in struggles that involve persecution based on race . . . Like, let's say the "Mammygate" case.

Now that their pet case has been decided, anything less than full support from The Source against discrimination of all kinds would be cowardly and a betrayal of their anti-discrimination stance.

Either that . . . Or once again SUPREMACY has surfaced and white people get a pass when whining and crying about perceived racism where none existed.

Could be a Kansas Miracle

KMBC: A Vatican investigator has found a Colwich man's survival from a brain injury enough of a miracle that he will continue studying the case, with the goal toward declaring it an official miracle.

Royals Fans Stay Losing

WDAF: "Royals Fans Remain Faithful in Losing Season"

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! ANOTHER DEPOSITION PROVES DISASTROUS FOR MAYOR FUNKY!!!

I'm actually worried for Mayor Funky on this one . . .

TKC TIPSTERS EXCLUSIVELY REPORT THAT FORMER FUNKY ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT SHAWN PIERCE WAS DEPOSED YESTERDAY IN THE "MAMMYGATE" CASE AND THE MAYOR'S DEFENSE SEEMED TO BE TO BLAME EVERYTHING ON GLORIA SQUITIRO!!!

From what I hear . . . All questions were directed back to Gloria Squitiro's presence at City Hall . . . Put simply . . .

THE MAYOR AND HIS LAWYER SEEM TO BE THROWING GLORIA SQUITIRO UNDER THE BUS!!!

The strategy is simple . . . Squitiro's insurance company settled her part of the claim so there seems to be a hope that everything blamed on her is, in effect, already settled. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way . . .

More importantly . . . This strategy doesn't take into account the complex emotions of Gloria Squitiro.

All the talk of weird-ass political love and foot massages now seems strained. As the trial moves closer and the details get even more embarrassing . . . I expect there will be even more drama and the Mayor cutting loose his wife in court according to TKC TIPSTERS is a sign that all the talk of marital fidelity was mostly propaganda and Mark Funkhouser is still desperately looking for some way to simply allow his political career to survive.

Red Bridge Road Neighbors Notice Misdirection And Disparity!!!

KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS are reporting a great ruckus out of the most recent PIAC (Public Improvements Advisory Committee) meeting . . .

A recent note says it all . . .

Some of my Red Bridge friends and I attended the PIAC meeting today because of item IV on the agenda below ("Red Bridge Road Shortfall").

We thought that this was an opportunity to (just by being in the audience) express our objection to putting even more money into this unpopular project; over 75% oppose it on stimuluswatch.org.

However, it turned out that the "shortfall" is not for the Red Bridge Road project per-se, but for an add-on project. Namely, to bury the utility lines that run along the road. Not only were we (once again) misdirected, the members of the PIAC were thinking like us, and the chairman expressed no small amount of displeasure at being mislead on the subject. (I recommend watching it on ch. 2)

Seems a little surprising that they want to bury the utilities here when they don't mind all those big poles along Troost.

There are two important facts that are apparent in this AWESOME E-MAIL FROM A KICKASS TKC TIPSTER:

1. All of Kansas City (white people too) is now aware of the disparity going on with Power Lines and they don't like it.

2. NOBODY HAS A GOOD IDEA ON HOW THE OBAMA CASH GIVEAWAY IS GOING TO BE SPENT!!!

Both of these facts are important and they point to a complete lack of transparency in local government despite so much hope for change.

MAYOR FUNKHOUSER CLAIMS RED LIGHT CAMERAS LOSE MONEY!!!

A quote from Mayor Funkhouser on Red Light Cameras

The Mayor responded that the red lights were not installed in order to collect money, but for safety reasons. Far too many people were running red lights and putting themselves and others in danger of being killed, he said. He explained further that the money goes into the City's general fund to be used for funding City services, and that the money being collected from the fines is not great enough to cover the cost of enforcing the fines and installing the lights. He sees this as a cost associated with keeping residents safe.

Now here's the disturbing thing . . .

Either Mayor Funkhouser doesn't know what he's talking about (likely) or he just publicized that Red Light Cameras are a waste of money. Either option isn't very good.

I'm checking right now in order to see if the Mayor's claim is based on fact or any available data or if it's simply a bit of misguided political rhetoric.

If the Mayor is right: Wouldn't money for Red Light Cameras be better spent fighting violent crime with more police officers on the street?

And if the Mayor is wrong . . .

Funky Time in South Kansas City

Mayor Funky answered a few questions in South KC . . . He provides a limited recap on his blog that might be worth reading for future reference because it demonstrates the guy who is "not a political" doing an awful lot of spinning.

Best example . . . The Mayor was on allegedly 2 WEEK LONG TRAIN TRIP/VACATION THAT LOCAL MEDIA REFUSED TO REPORT during an important vote on 500k for a hotel consultant and deflects the question regarding 500k for a consultant on the upcoming/proposed Kansas City hotel:

"Funkhouser stated that the Ordinance authorizing money for the consultant was approved during his absence. He will remain watchful on the thousand room hotel issue, and should a tax incentive be sought for building such a hotel, he will insist that the Economic Development Plan be followed and on being presented with solid financial proof that such a project will actually benefit the City."

That's an interesting argument. The Mayor dropped the ball, went out of town for an extended stay with his wife but then claims that he'll be responsible in the future . . . People who believe the Mayor's spin deserve exactly what they get . . . Which in South KC hasn't been much but empty talk from Funkhouser.

Straining for Schlitterbahn Development

NBC Action News: "The opening of the Schlitterbahn Water Park has been delayed."

KCK residents might just want to relax and not try to push things along. Maybe chill out and eat some bran cereal in the meantime.

On Schedule for Another Losing Season!!!

The Star: "Arrowhead Stadium upgrade on track for opener"

Priceless Steve Penn Promotion

Sometimes I'm a little slow . . . I just figured out that Steve Penn never writes anything negative or critical. Today, his column features a nice PR piece for the upcoming Eastside Boys and Girls Club. It's not really important and the only folks interested will be the 12 people directly involved but it's a big part of the reason why nobody wants to read the paper anymore.

Craigslist Hookup Inspires JoCo Gunfire

The "ho game" is now online and much more sordid according to a recent KCTV5 item.

Overland Park police said a man arranged to have a prostitute visit him at his apartment near West 124th Street and Quivira Road. But the night ended in gunfire when the prostitute's friend shot several times into the man's apartment, officers said.

Overland Park police Officer Jim Weaver said the victim met a woman through Craigslist, and they'd had a sexual relationship in the past.

On the bright side, looking for "computer love" still involves the risk of viruses, hijacking, spoofing and other shady phenomena that Internet denizens are accustomed to but will find even worse in the meatspace.

World of Warcraft is much safer and only half as expensive . . . And the only thing killed is precious time.

Kansas City Council Lady Cindy Circo Encourages Youth Engagement While Limiting Participation On Her Blog!!!

It's nice to see the Council Lady encouraging youth engagement in politics . . . Unfortunately, the young people in KC who want to participate in her blog have to kowtow and ask permission given that she's practicing some pretty stiff (heh) comment moderation practices that have garnered a few complaints according to KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS. On the bright side, it's a miracle she's even accepting comments at all given that Mayor Funky didn't have the courage to do as much and made up a lame excuse that didn't realize where that neither his host nor his blogging software resided with the City of KCMO.

Show Me Offensive Protests Protected

The Star: "Pickets can march at soldiers' funerals in Missouri while a lower court determines if state laws limiting such protests are constitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday."

"Vigil for Iran in KC"

An amazing photo from last night's protest from one of KC's best photogs.

Eating Out On The Plaza Is Nasty

From last evening . . . We should remember something . . . Even folks eating out on The Plaza need to be careful . . .

Tomfooleries, Baja 600 Restaurants Shut Down

Health Department temporarily closes two Plaza restaurants

They always say these things are no big deal and routine . . . Unfortunately, TKC has worked at Plaza restaurants throughout my life and I understand that the facade put on for tourists, JoCo residents and other hopelessly middle-class visitors is abandoned right at the kitchen door where every restaurant has more problems than most people care to know.

Former KCTV5 employee locked up at home

KCTV5: A former Kansas City television reporter has been sentenced to six months of home detention for her role in a scheme to launder more than $650,000 from Associated Wholesale Grocers.

Seems like a slap on the wrist . . . However, if they really wanted to punish her I guess they could force her to watch the station during prime time or a thunderstorm.

Gov. Jay and Fee License "Controversy" stopped being important the second The Star quoted Rep. Ray Salva!!!

Seriously . . . Just as soon as Rep. Ray Salva gets involved, according to what AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS say, most smart people should probably stop listening. So this "controversy" over license offices (or whatever) is strictly the milieu of teabaggers blogging for themselves or people really desperate to be quoted.

Even More KCK Violence

NBC Action News: A juvenile was shot and killed Monday evening in the 400 block of North 10th Street. Detectives are now searching for the juvenile’s killer.

The Tuesday Morning Link Gathering

Just a few links that are influencing me today . . .

Is Brush Creek a Road Safety Hazard? Only for people who go off road on The Plaza or fail to see a gigantic concrete design with walkways and bridges.

KCTV5 asks the tough questions: Where Are Fireworks Legal?

Failure to live up to minority hiring goals in TIF contract helped to put them over the top: H&R Block Reports Better-than-Expected 4Q Profit

Power struggle: Kansas City Power & Light said the cap-and-trade bill now in Congress could trigger massive utility rate hikes, but others said that's an exaggeration.

Sometimes spying can be useful: GPS helps Shawnee police track down stolen vehicles

Cute animals are always protected: Missouri toughens efforts against ‘puppy mills'

Cruel Lawyer Jokes are always what's hot: KCK law firm's office is destroyed by fire

A Jessica Hart photo gallery is definitely worth a look!!!

Classic Kansas City Wedding Photos

Normally, I don't bother linking to wedding photos on this blog even if they include local scenery because I regard most of them as nothing more than the product of privilege or misplaced priorities.

HOWEVER . . . A recent set of Kansas City wedding photos posted at P. Binder Photography are simply AMAZING and make this cowtown and the prospect of marriage look lovely . . . And considering how much I hate marriage and Kansas City . . . That speaks to the level of talent possessed by this photog.

Note: This link would have received much more traffic if I simply had titled it "Hot, Good Looking Interracial Action in Kansas City!!!" But I try to keep this place classy.

KC vs. Uganda: The Little Differences

A fantastic report from KC Currents regarding a reporter from Uganda receiving a bit of training at The Star . . . Despite the fact, I'm sure it should be the other way around.

Mayor Funky and KC Star Columnist Yael Abouhalkah are Bowling Buddies

KC Confidential reports that Mayor Funky and Kansas City Star columnist Yael Abouhalkah were out bowling at the P&L District over the weekend.

This cozy relationship should be remembered when Abouhalkah's constant promotion of Mayor Funky at the outset of his career is mentioned. Also, Abouhalkah's criticisms of Mayor Funky have always been limp and mostly lame.

Now . . . It's pretty obvious that the KC Star Columnist is getting ready to declare a "Funkhouser Administration Renaissance" any day.

So it's nice that Abouhalkah is able to promote his bowling buddies but his "analysis" and support have a lot more to do with his personal relationships than any kind of consideration of what's best for Kansas City . . . Especially from a guy who TKC hears doesn't even live in KC Proper.

Once again, bloggers stay winning, mostly because we have no friends.

Dead Tree Media Pouts When Scooped

Gawker jokes LA Times 'What If TMZ Got Michael Jackson's Death Wrong?' Pouting.

The answer to the question: Doesn't matter because a gossipy, independent, tabloid news organization got it right while dead tree companies were reporting PR by Jackson's handlers.

Why we use social media?

Ramsey has an excellent post explaining why people partake in social media and what casual users and big business can gain.

Think uses and gratifications theory of media consumption at the "ground level" or at least as the strongest function of demand.

Because it's Tuesday . . .

Running a little bit late.

Found a great Brook Banx photo gallery in the meantime.

Kansas City Democrats for Mike Talboy!!!

I just finished bothering people at Mike Talboy's first campaign fundraiser.

I really like the lead photo in this post . . . Remember what I've been saying about Latinos stepping up their game in politics? Talboy photographed here with Genaro Ruiz of Congressman Cleaver's staff and Crispin Rea of Mayor Funky's Administration are proof that I'm right.

Things I learned . . .

As of yet, nobody is even bothering to run against Talboy because he's done such a great job and because his part of KC has been a Democrat stronghold since the days of Truman.

Also . . . Democrats love cheese.



Out in the parking lot it was nice to see Diana Kander and City Council Lady Jan Maracason sharing information.



Theresa Garza was in attendance with a supporter whose name you should know.



BEST OF ALL . . . A DEFIANT AND AWESOME HARRIS WILDER WAS IN THE CROWD MOVING AND SHAKING AMONG THE DEMOCRAT PARTY LEADERS!!!

Essential information: Talboy wins without question.

TKC was happy to provide a look at the people who really run Kansas City politics mingling among themselves.

No other so-called "newsies" were in attendance despite some rather interesting information being exchanged.

Developing . . . Natch.

LARRY JOHNSON IN LAS VEGAS TRAINING HARD IN THE OFF-SEASON!!!

Thanks for the e-mails and the links . . . It looks like Larry Johnson isn't clinging to his last bit of fame and what's most likely his last season as a starter too tightly.

LJ was recently spotted in Las Vegas surprisingly not wearing sequins and hanging out with some fine-ass women.

What's even more surprising here is that guy doesn't really seem to care about the the "curse of 400 carries" has seemingly taken his talent and common sense away. Any other player with a tentative contract and trade rumors circling would be at the gym, in doors by 10 o'clock and keeping those checks safe . . . Meanwhile LJ is photographed partying with one skank after the next. It's just one part of why The Chiefs are never going to accomplish anything significant . . . Because even the folks they're paying millions don't take the team seriously.

Still maybe I'm being hard on LJ (NO FISHSTICKS!!!) he did manage to hang out with these fine young women without beating the crap out of any of them, spitting on them or threatening to kill their loved ones . . . Which is a definite improvement.

Sex crime charges for son of former sheriff

KCTV5: The son of a former sheriff is sentenced to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to child sex crime charges.

No severance for KC hotel workers

KMBC: "A handful of laid-off workers protested Monday outside the Park Place Hotel at Universal Avenue and Equitable Road."

THE SMOKING GUNS OF KANSAS CITY

Sadly, Summertime is when shootings ring out in this cowtown.

Here's an unfortunate link that just went down this afternoon:

1 Shot To Death At 20th, Kensington

And maybe a bit of reaction:

KC Metro sees a boom in concealed-carry applications

In other words, the violence is escalating and this cowtown starts to, once again, resemble the wild west during the warmer months.

Autos up for grabs in Kansas City

WDAF: "Twenty-five cars were broken into Monday morning near 26th & Belleview in the area of area of Holly, Jarboe, and Bellview streets in Kansas City, Mo. Police woke up residents in the neighborhood to inform them of the thefts."

Frank Boal Bounces

Bottomline Communications: Veteran Kansas City sports director Frank Boal has announced his retirement after 28 years at WDAF-FOX 4. His final broadcast will be June 30.

Monday Evening Link Refreshment

Suck these links down for the evening:

Rev no more, I thought he already retired from this gig: Rev. Emanuel Cleaver Resigns from Church

JoCo beatdown: 2 Suspected In OP Assault On Store's Officer

Thankfully, Kansas keeps it nasty: A federal judge has temporarily blocked the state of Kansas from enforcing a law restricting roadside signs for adult stores.

The Kansas City Kansan has a deadly round-up: Wild weekend caps wild week for KCKPD

Drunken friends and neighbors: 10 DUI arrests during Independence checkpoint

Good news for capitalism: Madoff gets 150-year prison sentence

A photo gallery of Jodie Marsh kissing a snake is much more poignant than one would think.

Anti-Cleaver Blog!!!

Making sure that the Internet is not taken seriously is a full-time job for some bloggers . . . I know I do my best . . . The latest effort that's vaguely racist and definitely derogatory: An attempted ousting of Kansas City's former Mayor from congress by a blog with no readers, little support and one meager post . . . Good luck!!!

Bunny the newshound has some background involving Cap & Trade some some other issues that won't really influence anybody in Cleaver's District.

Empty arenas like The Sprint Center abound

Ancillary Adams points out that an overabundance of empty arenas doesn't bode well for The Sprint Center which, most likely, doesn't have half of the foot traffic as bigger east coast venues.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! MAYOR FUNKY NEEDLESSLY WHINING IN LIEU OF REAL LEADERSHIP ON CITADEL PLAZA!!!

I'm no fan of City Manager Wayne Cauthen.

But I recognize a cheap political stunt when I see it . . .

To wit, AMAZING TKC TIPSTERS were recently able to obtain a silly little Mayor Funkhouser memo that features your fearless leader complaining like a tactless Prima donna.

Check it:



I'll simply transcribe the message in its entirety from The Mayor to Cauthen:

"I am amazed at how close this city came to making what may be shown to be a grave mistake yesterday regarding the Citadel property and its pending development. As City Manager, it is your job to provide us with complete information so we can make and informed decision. Yet when there was reason for caution, you and your staff encouraged this City Council to approve a last minute and understudied arrangement involving millions of public dollars. That put this council and mayor in a terrible position. Thank goodness Council woman Cindy Circo spoke up with the needed voice of reason. I believe her actions will be proven prescient as the situation continues to unfold."

Tough talk. Here are some tougher questions:

Was Citadel Plaza a disaster in its configuration before the City Council on Thursday?

Yes.

However . . . If that's the case then why did the Mayor send the project back to Terry Riley's Planning and Zoning Committee rather than the much more appropriate Finance and Audit Committee?

Also . . . If the Mayor is so up in arms about the project . . . Why didn't he make his opinion known to the public before the vote? He was mum about the project when it might have had the votes to succeed.

It gets worse . . .

CITY HALL WATCHERS SAY THAT THE MAYOR'S CHIEF OF STAFF KENDRICK BLACKWOOD WAS TOUTING CITADEL PLAZA FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS AND ONLY WHEN THE PROJECT WENT DOWN IN FLAMES DID FUNKHOUSER CHANGE HIS TUNE!!!

Sadly, TKC TIPSTERS are much more informed than Star reporters living in JoCo regarding City Hall issues and they know for a fact . . .

IT WAS COUNCIL LADY DEB HERMANN WHO SHOWED REAL LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE BY ASKING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS!!!

On the other side, future Mayor of Kansas City -- Councilman Terry Riley was the driving force behind Citadel's momentum up to this point. But Riley's planning along with the incomprehensible financial maneuvers of Jeff Yates came up short . . . Partly because they were counting on Mayor Funky.

And now the Mayor sends it back to Riley with a wink and a cheap shot at Cauthen in lieu of any real leadership.

Let's be clear . . . There was an opportunity for Mayor Funkhouser to ask real questions, to show that he was committed to fiscal responsibility and to garner some kind of consensus . . . Funkhouser only made an unconvincing show of PRETENDING TO DO THOSE THINGS once he knew the project wasn't going through on the day of the vote . . . Deb Hermann did the real work opposing the project, Funkhouser played for the cameras . . . And offered second rate political tricks.

The unfortuante thing about all of this is that Funkhouser thinks that his incompetence will be kept secret. He can count on Yael to start cheerleading again but the word is out at City Hall . . .

Mark Funkhouser is now nothing but a cheap, political opportunist who doesn't believe in fiscal responsibility any more than he believes in a dress code that requires shoes in the Mayor's office.

If the Mayor was serious about Citadel Plaza he would have sent it to Finance and Audit.

His sickening leadership style is now in full re-election mode and trading favors is his top priority.

Yes . . . Cauthen and staff deserve derision for their part in the Citadel Plaza mess but not from Funkhouser, a wimp who provided absolutely NO LEADERSHIP in the debate.

SUPREMACY and P&L District Stabbings

So . . . The dress code is just as stringent as ever.

DJ Jazzy Jeff and hip-hop were shunned according to Kansas City tweeters.

The "Live Block" wouldn't dream of playing Mexican music despite the fact that it represents a big part of the ancestry of one of the largest segments of Kansas City's population.

So what happened?

There are a great many folks who (justifiably) claim that the P&L District isn't accommodating to people of color . . . Yet there's still violence in the immediate vicinity.

THIS COULDN'T POSSIBLY MEAN THAT KANSAS CITY IS A VIOLENT PLACE WHERE EVERYONE IS AT RISK?!?!?!?

Nah, that kind of notion doesn't play well into mostly stereotypical local reporting regarding violence and the myth that demographics and lines on a map will keep suburbanites safe.

Links:

Three stabbed at Power & Light District

Three Men Stabbed During Fight in P&L District

3 Stabbed At Power & Light District

3 Stabbed In Downtown KC Altercation

3 stabbed in fight outside P&L bar

Star Columnist hangs with Mayor Funky

According to a great many Star newsies, without Yael Abouhalkah's bullying in the newsroom Mark Funkhouser would have never become Mayor and recieved such favorable coverage from "the paper-of-record" in his first go-round. . . Now The Star columnist who allegedly doesn't even live in Kansas City Proper is blogging about his date with the Mayor and once again pulling his sycophant move like a typical short dude.

The Mayor and Yael make a date in the P&L District and once again the columnists is writing PR copy . . . And, that, is pretty much the legacy of print media in Kansas City.

The writing of Mike Hendricks proves to be nothing more than a bad joke on The Star

Confirmation . . . Mike Hendricks is second rate . . . Which I think is too generous. Check it:

"Star columnist Mike Hendricks places second in national humor writing contest"

They cut his pay, he's publishing a gardening book and now it's confirmed that Hendricks is number two . . . Life just doesn't seem to be getting any easier for the d-bag still (inexplicably) drawing a check at The Star.

Scary questions about MJ handlers with big time connections to Kansas City!!!

Thanks to the TKC Tipster who sent this story my way . . . Of course, only TKC can report on this strange news item tidbit that MSM will undoubtedly ignore. More to the point: I believe and trust local companies to look after the best interests of this cowtown above all else. Check it: Michael Jackson's Family Wants To Know What Role Concert Promoter AEG Played In His Death

Additional Jackson video mash-up

More Poop in Flush Creek

For a second time this Summer: "Rescuers pull two people from a car that landed in Brush Creek."

Plaza Parking is shitty just like every other place in the metro.

Even more people in this town full of crap.

The Plaza is a great place to eat and drink in local culture.

Strange, insensitive choice of words for Star headline writer

Seriously . . . Are thing so desperate at KC Schools that beating people is the only option? And there are other implications of this headline from the "paper-of-record" that I don't even want to get into other than to note that it makes the corporate rag look even more clueless.

A smug sense of self-satisfaction is a MAJOR requirement for new UMKC degree program

UMKC is breaking ground in the ongoing attempt to find a degree program more useless than Communication Studies: "University of Missouri-Kansas City adds minor in environmental sustainability"

Kansas City too broke to trim, going natural for the Summer

The Parks Board does its best with limited resources and designates "nature first" areas that will go un-mowed and save money as well as carbon monoxide being belched into the air.

The Monday Morning Link Rundown

Just a few links that should start this week on the right note:

Bus STOP in KC: ATA bus service reductions begin today

Mediocre Chiefs players are killing this town for real this time around: Richard Baldinger, a former lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, was involved in a traffic accident that left a woman dead.

Basement dwellers are better off in all respects: Police arrest a man who barricaded himself inside a house for five hours on Sunday.

Paying for local violence in a good way: Funeral Fund Set Up for Quadruple Murder Victims

We're all hungry for The Show-Me State Cynthia Davis talking crazy in a Megapost!!!

KCK PD fires back: A man was killed Saturday night after police shot and killed him when he attempted to run over an officer with his car.

The Northland Aims low, robs discount hair place: An armed man ran out of a Gladstone Supercuts Sunday afternoon not with a haircut, but with money he stole.

The Shay Laren photo gallery is a nice way to start the week.

Satisfying The Star's Low Expectations for The Kansas City, Missouri School District

The Star: "Superintendent Coleman defends achievements (???) made during a difficult time"

The KCMSD is struggling just as badly as it ever was as blame shifting and pointless quotes still rule the day reported without much insight by the paper-of-record.

Meth and toons set to claim more KC teeth

Back in the day bad cartoons pushed sugary cereal that rotted teeth . . . Nowadays those same images are apt to further confuse youngsters of all ages and cause teeth to waste away even more efficiently. Check it: "Drugs (Ecstasy tablets) shaped like popular cartoon characters including Snoopy and Transformers are showing up in Kansas City, and local officials are worried that children could mistake the dangerous tablets for vitamins or candy."

No Fishsticks, nice freebie: Kansas City Blogger reviews The Buttkicker

Ramsey is smarter than the rest of you (including TKC) and he's making this blog thing work for him while keeping his integrity.

Recently, his vlog posts earned him some nice merch and he proves more forthright than any mainstream media person (especially The Pitch) when it comes to gimmes. Ramsey writes:

"I want to make a point to tell you that the company that makes this product sent this to me for free after seeing my AMC Mainstreet video blog. This company outfits AMC theaters with ButtKickers and this product is the same, but designed for your house. I decided to put together a vblog review on my own and was not paid to do this."

As for the review, it looks like the online butt vibrating hookup worked out well . . . I have more jokes that I want to use here but Ramsey's a good guy and a much more influential blogger than anybody else in Kansas City.

Kansas City Blogger Fights "Fascism"

Millions of people all over the world have died under the brutality of fascist regimes that have indiscriminately killed people because of their ethnicity, political and/or religious beliefs . . . Likewise, Scooter J. is pouting over the po-po confiscating fireworks and using words he doesn't understand.

Related: "Gladstone Plans Fireworks Crackdown"

KC Photog Tribute

From KC Camera: "Noted Kansas City Photographer Ranj Niere passed away peacefuly last weekend of natural causes."

Cycling shorts in the City (ew)

Tour of KC Photos . . . A grand bicycle racing spectacle that nobody cares about . . .

Back with a sense of direction

AND WE'RE BACK!!!

Hope you bags had a nice weekend . . . I'm sure mine was better and I only left my basement for a few minutes.

I'll start this Monday with a simple thought: Every now and then I'm tempted to take this place in an exciting, new and classy direction.

It's always important to resist that temptation. Instead, I've always found it's best to simply keep on mercielessly joking my least favorite politicos, keep complaining, keep reporting, keep the half naked white ladies and keep it up. If there was a thriving market for "Journalism" and thoughtful commentary in Kansas City, all of the newsies fired from The Star would still have something to do other than watch the pay cable during the day.

What TKC does is far more productive.

Anyhoo . . . This is just a reminder to myself to keep it real.

And to keep you bags company over the early morning hours, I thought it would be best to revisit a somewhat sessy photo gallery of Katy Perry for Esquire.

More posts on the way, hopefully.

Michael Jackson as Metaphor and The TKC Saturday Night Playlist!!!

Even in death Michael Jackson has taught us something about ourselves.

Sadly, so many ghouls and horrible people are focusing only on the controversies that faced him. In the end, his demise proved that it's really hard to see past the media created image that engulfs any person in the spolight. Some say that behind it all was nothing more than a feeble man struggling with overwhelming debt. In Jackson's case $620 million worth bills mounted and were forcing a seemingly insurmountable concert schedule.

In that sense, the circumstances of MJ's career at the time of his death are akin to Kansas City's Mayor Funkhouser with a house mortgaged time and time again along with an unstable home life, at the very least in terms of finances, which have obviously influenced some poor professional decisions.



And Jackson's insane spending in order to subsidize an overly extravagant lifestyle also reminds me of the gigantic cash giveaway that Obama has undertaken in order to save the economy and irresponsible American companies that threatened to bankrupt the entire nation.



At the end Jackson, very much like the United States was burdened by tremendous debt, a tarnished reputation and the very real possibility that the best days were long past.

Still, contemplating Jackson's greatness and what it meant to the people in this country and the world gives me hope.



At the risk of seeming ridiculous I want to note that millions of radio fans in Kansas City have stumbled upon a bright spot in all of this while asking for radio dedications lasting all weekend long. Kansas City music aficionados realize that we'll always have the music despite MJ's death or the controversies that surrounded him in much the same way that the promise of freedom represents the true hope for America.

Real talk: Americans don't care about exploiting children as long it involves the production of cheap merchandise on the shelves of discount stores. And most suburbs in this country are in inhabited by a large percentage of pain killer and prescription drug addicts. Additionally, this recession has taught us that it doesn't take much to push everyone and anyone to the brink of financial collapse. I think Michael Jackson might have been the perfect metaphor for this nation: Frightening and freakish at certain points yet capable of so much talent, skill and greatness.



The legacy endures.

Thank you for reading this week. Have a fun and safe weekend.

Press, Politics and Michael Jackson converged in Kansas City in 1984

There's been a lot of reporting on Michael Jackson's Arrowhead Victory Tour kickoff in KC long, long ago but not much perspective beyond that of simple fan appreciation. Fortunately, reporter Andy Smith recounts the event from the perspective of a newsie in 1984 when the NAACP convention, election year and the most popular entertainer on the planet addressed a controversy of an expensive ticketing system in the overwhelming limelight of adoring fans - A nice reflection of a bygone era when there was still a distinction between "journalists" and the rest of the public.

KCPD Chief Corwin: KC at Red Light "Crossroads"

Perspective on the red light camera program as it's currently run from KC's Police Chief.

Via The KC Guy

LA Times on KC BBQ

History and the three distinct personalities of this cowtown influence the style of Kansas City's diverse varieties of barbecue.

The Saturday Evening Link Lookout

Just a few links I'm looking at on Saturday Night . . .

KCK out of control: Seventh Murder Recorded This Week in KCK

It's not as interesting if we're not talking Twitter: KC Iranian Community Holds Silent Protest

Kansas City ablaze . . . But just for a little bit: Fire Breaks Out on Roof of Downtown KC Building

A message from this cowtown: Mail Bomb Suspect Has KC Connection

One more local run-in: A man is suffering from life-threatening injuries after a shooting and car accident Saturday afternoon in Kansas City.

KC collision course: An outdoor argument ended with two men shot late Friday night.

A somewhat recent Sports Illustrated Genevieve Morton vacation photo gallery makes me smile.

Is Urban Times Still Open?

A very astute and AWESOME TKC TIPSTER recently asked an important question about one of Kansas City's many struggling dead tree publications . . .

Is Urban Times Gone?

Urban Times last published in April 2009 and said earlier in the year that they would now publish bi-monthly instead of monthly. Their website still shows the April issue. If publishing bi-monthly they should have had a June issue but I don't think they ever published one. Think Christina Boveri stopped throwing her life savings into her ego piece? Not enough loft sales or Cordish advertising to support it?

It's hard to tell from the crappy flash intro on their site what exactly is going on . . . I know that unless it's a bikini model . . . The second I see a fancy flash demo on a web page nowadays . . . I'm gone. Anyhoo . . . I could never read Urban Times because it just seemed like junk mail . . . Beautifully designed and great looking junk mail . . . But just another giveaway bit of marketing nonetheless. Sad to see another dead tree publication withering (not really) I just wonder how many people noticed.

"Are we nearly numb to murders?"

Local blogger PFlow notes our lack of concern regarding murders in the urban core.

New blog: Kenthinks.com

A new local, mostly personal blog with a nice design and thoughtful posts.

"Kansas City's bumbling mayor"

And that's just from the guy who helped to get him elected . . . KC Star columnist Yael T. Abouhalkah throws around a lot of blame for City Hall disasters as of late . . . But it all starts with Mayor Funky's horrible example.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! MAYOR FUNKY IS ONCE AGAIN GOING TO LEARN ABOUT FAILURE AND PUBLIC HUMILIATION DURING HIS EDUCATION SUMMIT!!!

Ugh. This man calling himself the Mayor of Kansas City is so stubborn that he's wasting time and walking into a giant mess that has ruined people so much smarter than him.

The Mayor is currently touting his Education Summit.

Here's what he is either too stubborn or too silly to realize . . .

He's recruiting Crosby Kemper to help . . . Apparently, Kemper is a big advocate of the voucher system. This will go over like lead balloon in the urban core and Kemper's big money roots will easily play to concerns over SUPREMACY within the urban core according to a great many local education experts.

Janice Ellis is on board. I guess she's going to save the School District despite the fact that she couldn't even run a magazine. Isn't she still running for Mayor? Her sign is still up on Main.

Mayor Funky is invoking Mr. Peanut; respectfully, the guy ran his own School Board slate back in the day and nothing ever came of it. One of the richest, most politically savvy dudes in KC couldn't change this town's schools and now we're supposed to believe a politico with virtually no experience or credibility managing educational institutions is going to make a difference? Again, Mayor Funky is touting Mr. Peanut but a white guy and his big money attempting to "save" KC schools isn't going to play well in the urban core.

We hear Gloria has a role in this as well. Denizens of KC Coffee places hear her talking up the project and touting her participation. I have no idea why Ms. Squitiro can't keep her cell Iphone conversations to herself.

Ultimately, this project is going to see the Mayor kissing the ring of School Board President Marilyn Simmons and trying to hold sway with Ajamu Webster in order to get him to ease tensions that are going to naturally arise . . . There is no debate more contentious than School Board politics. So . . . Is this the Mayor that conservative interlopers love to defend? A guy publiclly getting played by Kansas City's Black United Front.

Already leaders from throughout the City have seen this as a losing cause. So far there haven't been any Latino leaders of consequence that are at the table of this discussion.

TKC TIPSTERS are already raising questions about other participants in this hot mess.

Again, there are smarter people than Mayor Funky who know that State Takeover and breaking the district apart represent the only real hope for accountability and better schools. So far . . . What everyone has seen and heard from Kansas City's Mayor is nothing more than the same empty rhetoric regarding local schools from a naive politico that's soon to be mired in a useless debate in which his lack of power, experience and credibility will be yet again shown to all of Kansas City.

ALIENS OTHER THAN MEXICAN: THE INTERNETZ CLAIM MILITARY LOOKING FOR UFO IN KCK!!!

UFO "experts" claim: "Military jets spotted searching for sphere UFO over Kansas City, Kansas"

Bannister Mall is now history

Down the Byline has been providing consistent coverage of the demolition. Today, the blog reports: "The last remaining wall at Bannister Mall came down yesterday."

KCK FIGHTS BACK!!!

It's a fact that violence only leads to more violence . . . But considering that streets in KCK have been out of control lately . . . It's not hard to understand the motives of a KCK convenience store clerk who didn't want to go out like a sucker.

Clerk Shoots 2 Robbery Suspects, Kills 1

Two robbers got more than they bargained for when a store clerk grabbed a gun and shot them. One suspect was killed and the other was critically injured.

Street justice never really solves anything . . . Then again, sometimes it takes more than public service messages on late night TV to effectively put a stop to violent crime.

A JoCo SOB stands up for the innocent

One of this town's most prolific conservative bloggers puts recent violence in KCK in perspective.

Kansas City Royals Stay Losing

Could we please stop throwing a parade in the street every time they win more than 2 in a row . . . Pittsburgh 5, Kansas City 3

The Saturday Link Spread

Just a few morning links I'm interested in . . . Simply a way to start the conversation on Saturday.

A Kansas City Tribute: "Music legend Stevie Wonder dedicated Friday night's show at the Starlight Theatre to Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon."

Alonzo Washington on CNN in memory of MJ

Yael endorses Mayor Funky's leadership demonstrated by only by whining . . . Please don't call it a comeback because Deb Herman was the only one providing real leadership when it came to opposing Citadel Plaza

Shelter for Women, Children in Danger . . . From fewer donations not domestic abusing d-bag dudes.

From around the world to KC: KC protest marks Iranian government's crackdown

God created Cathy Jolly better and more beautiful than the rest of us but then again I'm partial to women who were in a sorority (or at least she seems like the City Council sorority queen): KC councilwoman supports formation of homeless commission

A wonderfully NSFW Jakki Degg photo gallery is the best way to start the weekend.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! WAYNE CAUTHEN'S NEW HIRE AMID CITY HALL CUTBACKS!!!

This last bit of news from City Hall during this first, hot-ass week of summer CLEARLY demonstrates that NOBODY is in charge. In absence of any leadership from Mayor Funky and because the City Council is either fighting amongst themselves or can't really go back on their sweetheart deal not so long ago . . .

WORD IS THAT CITY MANAGER WAYNE CAUTHEN HAS HIRED KIMIKO GILMORE AS THE ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER!!!

Local denizens of the political scene know that Ms. Gilmore has strong political roots in local Democrat circles AND she is a former associate of Senator Claire McCaskill.

Obviously, she's pretty well qualified . . . However, there is talk that she's taking down A HUGE PAYDAY amid City Hall layoffs and cutbacks. And everyone at the Hall thought there was a hiring freeze . . . This talk is yet another example that City Manager Wayne Cauthen answers to NOBODY . . . And the center of power in KC is nothing more than Wayne's World.

Council Lady Cindy Circo Corrects KMBC

This is the future folks . . . Politicos were once constrained by big media and having to cultivate relationships with reporters working in big media . . . Now, through the power of blogs and Internet personal publishing they can send out their message on their own and MAYBE try to run political spin with through their individual media outlets. To wit, Cindy Circo is trying to put her part in the Citadel Plaza debacle in a positive light. "Last night, the Channel 9 News reported that the much talked about Citadel project received a major setback due to the events of the Council session yesterday. I don’t see it that way at all." Now, the vote is delayed and Council Lady Cindy Circo kind of took off in her own direction . . . But I'm kind of curious at her move here to side step the big media filter.

Kansas City Cigarette Shootout!!!

KMBC: A heist at a smoke shop at Independence and Prospect avenues ended in a shootout Friday between the robbers and the owner, police said.

Friday Evening Link Hotness

Friday Evening Fun Links for you bags as we settle into the scorching weekend . . . Actually I don't think it's that bad and ladies wearing less clothing is always a good thing.

Tragedy closer to home to close out the work week: Woman, Infant Killed in West Bottoms Collision

Sports newsie Nick Sloan provides some thoughtful analysis regarding The Kings Coming Back to Kansas City

Jay says no way to the suburbs: Nixon Cuts Funds From Lee's Summit Plant

KC Tribute: Fans Flock to Radio Airwaves to Honor Jackson

Writing the words Zoey Zane on your blog equals big hits because people are horrible: Suspect in Porn Model's Death Back in US

More PR than lawn work: City Aims To Clean Up Over 1,000 Code Violators

A great discovery from Plastic Sax: Introducing The Kansas City Band

Super Hot Brittney Skye Bikini Pool Photos.

Lucile Bluford, late publisher of The KC Call selected for Missouri Press Hall of Fame

Missouri Press Hall of Fame selection is an important achievement for The Kansas City Call, the paper of record in the local African-American Community.

Kansas City Royals: Losers and Cheaters

Kansas City Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson tested positive for a stimulant during the World Baseball Classic and has been banned from international competition for two years.

Kansas City Michael Jackson Candlelight Vigil Planned for Tonight!!!

Interesting invite turned up in my e-mail this morning. There are a couple of vigils being planned for the late King of Pop tonight. Here's one being organized using Obama's information infrastructure:

Michael Jackson Memorial Candlelight Vigil (Meeting)
Please come show your love and support with millions of fans across the world to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of the greatest musical genius of all time, Michael Joseph Jackson. There will be a candlelight vigil for the King of Pop at the Charlie Parker Memorial located on 18th and Vine and Paseo on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 7PM. Please bring your candles and Micheal Jackson memorabilia tonight as we gather together to pray and honor the fallen star and beloved legend tonight at the Jazz District.

At a glance: Michael Jackson Memorial Candlelight Vigil (Meeting)
Time: Friday, June 26 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Host: Yancy Davis
Location:
Charlie Parker Memorial (Kansas City, MO)
18th & Vine
Kansas City, MO 64108

Don't expect the news cycle to end on this one anytime soon. I mean, c'mon. We could be fighting about healthcare or something equally boring.

Happy Birthday Joyce Smith!!!

Somebody named Joyce Smith is having a B-day tomorrow!!! We hear it's the newsie from The Star and KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS are working hard on finding out her age, weight and looking for incriminating photos . . . But in the meantime TKC simply wants to wish a Happy B-Day to one of the more entertaining and awesome Star newsies . . . Whatever that day may be . . . heh.

Midtown Kansas City Ablaze

KCTV5: A fire at an apartment complex at 41st Street and Warrick destroyed the property. KMBC reports that Firefighters say fireworks may have caused a fire at an apartment house at 41st Street and Warwick Boulevard Friday morning.

ONCE AGAIN WELCOME TO A TIME OF YEAR WHEN KANSAS CITY OPENLY IGNORES THE LAW!!!

Despite missing fingers and a few burned buildings . . . Kansas City loves freedom and the 4th of July!!!

KCPD Chief Corwin Reportedly Getting Married Tomorrow!!!

Bunny the Newshound reports that Kansas City's top cop is tying the knot tomorrow . . . Which is kind of sweet and works as an excuse to hassle the guy for other, recent KCPD DUI charges. KC politics never takes a vacation.

Nothing ever changes in Kansas City

During the City Council Legislative Session yesterday I thought there would be some kind of catharsis in the long standing struggle between enthusiastic development and fiscal responsibility in this cowtown. Both sides showed up ready to work and with a clear agenda. The lines were drawn in the sand, tough decisions were about to be made . . . But once again Kansas City was told to wait.

Kansas City's legacy is nothing more than eternal hesitation.

To wit, earlier this week MO Rage asked a great question about a disaster area in the middle of this town. He wondered how long a water main project would take.

I've been driving past the hot mess for a week now.



It's kind of like my daily reminder as to the reality on the streets of Kansas City.

Time after time there are promises from politicos about steel plates, "A City that works," along with phrases like "smart with the money."

But in the end . . .



ALL OF THE LIES OF LOCAL POLITICOS AMOUNT TO NOTHING BUT A HUGE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF KANSAS CITY RIGHT NEXT TO AN INTERSECTION RUN BY A MONEY MAKING RED LIGHT CAMERA!!!



And maybe that's why photo galleries of busty white women like Denise Milani might be more important than any kind of political insight in a town that has no leadership, no sense of direction and nothing to show for so much political scheming other than a horrible credit rating, screwed up finances and a gigantic hole in the ground in the middle of the City.

MORE MURDER ACROSS THE STATE LINE!!! 6 PEOPLE SHOT IN KCK!!! 7 YEAR-OLD GIRL KILLED!!!

KMBC's Brenda Washington reported that a shooting took place in the 2600 block of North 13th St. near Rowland Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas at around midnight.

The victim was seven years old. Five other people were wounded in late-night gunfire.

That's nuts: The Day The Squirrel Made Lee's Summit Stand Still!!!

NBC Action News: "A spokeswoman with Kansas City Power & Light says a squirrel got into some equipment Friday morning, knocking out power to about 2,300 customers at one point and shutting down several stop lights in western Lee's Summit."

Go Skateboarding Day 2009 in Kansas City

A rather nice, local Summer skateboarding Youtube clip in this insane heat sponsored by one of those skater shoe/apparel companies. Things to watch for:

Huge crowd of skaters (i.e. mostly young white people) in midtown. Two steps closer to a "renaissance" than the snobby art crowd.

The clip concludes with some nasty looking pool party that looks like one of the scenes from Kids left on the cutting room floor.

I want that "Down For KC" t-shirt at 2:50 worn by the funny looking skater with the broken arm.

Other than that, the clip was a nice bit of business marketing disguised as culture.

More Clay Chastain Light Rail Complaints

Kudos to KC Tribune . . . They're the only folks who ran with Clay Chastain's latest press release . . . I was busy with bikini photos, but next time around I'll try to be more timely.

Keep Mike Hendricks doing urban reporting so that The Star moves closer to bankruptcy

Myth: Corporate debt load is the only reason there are layoffs at the KC Star. Fact: Subscriptions are down along with ad revenue. Myth: The Star provides unequaled investigative coverage that can't be duplicated by anyone else. Fact: Today Mike Hendricks makes TKC TIPSTERS laugh with his folksy hackery and the fact that his column is nothing more than a glorified blog post while this blog brought far more to the table with A LOT of help from friends.

The Miles Bonny MJ Tribute!!!

Kansas City DJ, musical artist and hip-hop scene denizen Miles Bonny has come up with masterful remix of Micheal Jackson's greatest hits.

He's calling it "Thank you MJ: Dancing in my bedroom" and it's pretty good.



Meanwhile . . . I'm really liking a Youtube remash MJ video that maybe just a little inappropriately upbeat.

COWTOWN MILLIONAIRE!!!

In local game show news: ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' auditions are coming to KC

Coming up short in local sports yet again

The Star: Company accused of underpaying workers for Truman Sports Complex project

The Friday Morning Link Layout

Just a few links I'm thinking about . . .

Rolling history . . . Like the rest of the American auto industry: President Truman's Car Rolls In Kansas City

Local Media Tribute: Jim Gammon, 'a Kansas City voice' heard on WHB, KCMO, KMBC, WDAF

Begging for an answer: KC summit at police academy aims at the causes of homelessness

KCK hesitating on big gamble: Kansas Lottery Commission delays casino decision

HUGE ROCK CHALK RAISE: Kansas' regents universities all raise tuition: KU's hike bumped up 50%

Perspective on an alleged killer: The brother of a Kansas City, Kan., quadruple slaying suspect says his brother's issues date back to childhood.

The bomb squad was called into action Thursday night after a suspicious package was found inside a KC area home.

Independence Subway Robbery sets sights rather low.

Some say a ripoff in a ritzy part of town: Accusations over Ward Parkway Mortgage Company ripoff

A Christina Milian photo gallery is kind of kickass.

Drop Down Archives on TKC

Sometimes I'm a little slow on making improvements around this dump. But when I do, I want to share the process.

So . . . People who look at the page closely might see that I replaced the archives list with a much more convenient drop down menu along with a Custom Search from Google for folks who are really interested in what I wrote 4 months ago regarding Gloria Squitiro's feet.

These improvements only took about 10 minutes but I think they make the front page look just a little better.

I found the tutorial on another blog for folks still using the Classic Template from Blogger.com.

There's just one, tiny quotation mark that's missing which helps the thing actually work . . . The fix is in the comments section.

Here's a look at the final bit of code that makes the drop down list possible:



Simple . . . And nearly as fun as looking at a Lexie Karlsen photo gallery. But not really.

The Kansas City Michael Jackson Megapost

Actually . . . This is just a quick link compilation of some of the most entertaining local posts and content I've read on the occasion of Michael Jackson's death. I won't even bother mentioning that his "King of Pop" status was earned by eschewing traditionally Black audiences and focusing on crossover markets . . . Or at least I won't dwell on it.

I don't really have that many memories of Jackson that I'd like to share with you d-bags other than the fact that $35 seemed like a fortune in 1984 so going to his historic Arrowhead concert that was mentioned all over TV news last night wasn't an option for a very young TKC. And while I did have one of those dopey, cheap sparkly imitation white gloves . . . I never was able to get a Thriller jacket like all of the cool kids in the grade school. Ironically, I knew a crack head who still wore one when I was in college . . . But the moment had passed.

Now the links . . .

By the 5th segment, Local TV newsies were finding it hard to seem sad: Jackson's Death Bring Back KC Memories

Emaw marks the occasion in his own, special way: Remembrance of Michael Jackson

An Alonzo Washington Tribute: Omega Man pays homage 2 Michael Jackson!

A literary marking of the occasion: Death, I hear you calling...

The Star's sad face makes an appearance: For local Michael Jackson fans, a time of sorrow and reflection

"Can society persist without Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon?"

TfK comes up with today's most important blogger question.

KCK Blues Fest

The KC Kitty provides a lot of detail on one of many events this weekend.

For more info, check out: kckstreetbluesfest.com.

Hard Day Yesterday, eh?

Damn, yesterday was rough. Lots of death, disappointment and a bit of fighting. Still, while the bad news invariably makes folks depressed, TKC readers always remember that the future can get even worse . . . And I guess that's a something that makes yesterday seem not so bad.

More posts on the way . . . Hopefully. In the meantime enjoy a smokin' hot photo gallery of Stephanie Marshall.

The Thursday Evening Link Hug

I'm embracing these links . . . And actually I'm kind of busy so check out this interesting stuff while I hang with more important people than most of the readers of this dump.

Crime Scene KC keeps count of Kansas City Murders: KCMO homicide count stands at 53

Killing the environment is much more convenient: Two More Metro Bus Routes Being Eliminated

Man Charged With Murder In KCK Slayings

Local justice: Assistant federal prosecutor Beth Phillips is in line to be named U.S. Attorney for Western Missouri, KMBC's Micheal Mahoney reported Thursday.

Another sign of harsh times in Joco: New Thrift Store Opens in Overland Park

Suburbanites hate not having power: About 2,200 Without Power in Johnson County

This makes conservatives nuts: ACORN wins voter lawsuit

Even the Mayor's useless complaining is incompetent: Funkhouser contrasts $500,000 hotel study with police cuts; Councilman Russ Johnson corrects record and notes those funds couldn't have been spent on police anyway.



Michael Jackson dead at 50

Bottomline Communications offers high praise for a piece on a recent NPR morning program from KCUR newsie Syliva Maria Gross.

Rockets for the 200 post from Idiocracy Now



So long Farrah.

Citadel Plaza Project Pushed Back Again

As TKC noted previously, they didn't have the votes to push through Citadel Plaza so it's being sent back to committee. There was also an unexpected move from Council Lady Circo to find a new developer . . . Which would basically put everything back to square one.

Councilman Russ Johnson noted that it's being sent back to Planning and Zoning, Councilman Terry Riley'scommittee.

For the moment, Citadel doesn't get the $20.5 million for a shopping district. What's more important to me is that TKC TIPSTERS reported this story from both sides with more inside scoop than anybody in Kansas City. Natch.

TKC BREAKING NEWS!!! COUNCILMAN TERRY RILEY JUST CHANGED THE GAME ON THE CITADEL PLAZA PROJECT -- NOW USING AIRPORT FUNDS!!!

News is coming down fast today on the Citadel Project Vote.

AT THE LAST SECOND COUNCILMAN TERRY RILEY JUST CAME UP WITH A GAME CHANGER BY NOW USING AIRPORT FUNDS TO FINANCE THE CITADEL PLAZA PROJECT INSTEAD OF PIAC MONEY!!!

It should be noted that there is some deep concern about this move as well.

Citadel Plaza critics say that any money taken from Airport Funding/Bonds must be paid back under the same terms . . . They also claim those terms are unknown.

I just got off the phone with Councilman Riley. He says Council people will be getting the details in just a few moments and he also claims that the Citadel Project will satisfy the Airport bond funding terms and the money will be paid back.

"We can pay it back" is a direct quote from Councilman Riley on the subject.

There are still SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE VIABILITY OF THE CITADEL PLAZA PROJECT!!!

Responding to those concerns Councilman Riley spoke of the soul-crushing blight of the surrounding neighborhood and the need to address the problem.

To be fair, it should be noted that there isn't anyone on the City Council who doesn't believe that something should be done to fix the area at Citadel Plaza. However, folks who strongly hold fiscal responsibility close to their heart don't believe the expensive project will provide a strong return for Kansas City. Also, in taking Airport Funds there's also a question of continuing to over-extend Kansas City's finances now that this town's bond credit ranking has been downgraded and overall the budget is still busted.

A simple comparison is being made: KC funding Citadel Plaza at this point might be akin to a broke person buying a brand new mansion.

On this point, Riley spoke in religious terms about his mission to try and do work to satisfy God's will and help the community and people in poverty. He spoke of the spirit of hope that swept across the country with the historic election of President Barack Obama. He also noted the extreme poverty surrounding Citadel Plaza and told a story of a woman he had just spoken with who is using a pellet gun to protect her home and fight off rats from the stalled project.

"It is a question of hope and taking that hope not just for its own sake but turning it into something substantial that can help to revitalize and build this community," Riley said.

Another Game Changer . . . Riley told TKC:

William Threatt Jr., CEO of the CDC (focus of a great deal of controversy regarding his management) is not only out (reported previously by The Pitch) but also . . . They're preparing a press release saying that he has no ties, no ownership and no involvement with the project. In response, some folks are suspicious of this claim and not only want to see Threatt's resignation but also want to make sure that he's no longer a member of the board.

So, TKC has offered a bit of a preview into the language that will be used during the debate over this project. At its worst, this debate has involved the divisive topic of local race relations, name calling (not just by me) and high finance scheming. Today at City Hall our Council people and Mayor must weigh the potential benefits and risks of this Citadel Plaza Project and determine if Kansas City can still afford to hope for change, renaissance and renewal with taxpayer funds.

OVERLOOKED!!! EDC RAID COULD GO THROUGH TODAY!!! MORE KC CASH UNDER THE CONTROL OF JEFF YATES!!!

In all of my concern over Citadel Plaza . . . I neglected to give enough attention to another bad deal before the City Council today.

THE MOVE TO GIVE CITY FINANCIAL DUDE JEFF YATES $500K OF EDC MONEY IS STILL ON!!!

Why is this a bad deal?

Because Yates is the architect of the current Citadel Plaza failure.

Because putting Yates in charge of important eco-devo stuff not only subverts important City Hall processes but also gives him WAY TOO MUCH POWER over City finance stuff when it has been demonstrated that his judgment (on Citadal Plaza at least) is suspect.

CITY COUNCIL FOLKS WHO CARE ABOUT THIS TOWN'S FINANCES WILL VOTE NO!!!

It's Ordinance #090447

And this is part of the same old cronyism, favor trading and financial irresponsibility we've seen for so long at City Hall.

CITADEL PLAZA VOTE TODAY FOR THE FATE OF KANSAS CITY FINANCES!!!

Today's the day of the big vote as to whether or not KC is going to give $20.5 million to a project that doesn't have a great chance of success.

The Star has a meager offering buried in the local section today.

TKC COVERAGE COURTESY OF KICKASS TIPSTERS HAS BEEN MUCH BETTER!!!

At every point in this story TKC TIPSTERS have simply come up with more relevant information.

This blog has featured:

Info which noted that funding for the project would come from Infrastructure funds.

EXCLUSIVE coverage of contentious exchanges between Council people on the subject.

An EXCLUSIVE outline of the initial voting look . . . Note: Beth and Jan are now firmly in the NO camp according to sources and Mayor Funky and Cathy Jolly could decide the thing . . . We hear that Ed Ford would also vote NO but he's not in town.

Of course TKC directly linked the ordinance and looked at the language of the deal. EXCLUSIVE: Expect a bit of surprise on this one as well as Mr. Riley might throw something out from the floor that will make voting against Citadel just a little harder.

TKC noted talk of layoffs that could come as a result of the project along with evidence and reasoning behind this info.

Last week AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS were the first and only folks to come up with great documents detailing the initial problems with the deal.

And TKC has even committed some time to the opposition as they've answered a few of the criticisms. Along with a few more stories that also contributed to the understanding of the City Hall watching public.

The next EXCLUSIVE detail I'm going to lay down on this story may determine how things unfold today . . . A lot of people don't know this but . . .

THE CITADEL PLAZA DEAL MUST ATTAIN 9 VOTES IN ORDER TO PASS AND NOT JUST A SIMPLE MAJORITY!!!

The City Council has had trouble with these kind of rules in the recent past and close watchers of The City Charter are going to be keeping track of this IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DETAIL first noted by TKC.

I think it's clear KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS provided much more information that The Star could bring to this story and right now I just want to thank them!!!

This is an important vote for Kansas City that will have a great impact on our future. And I guess it's a good thing that TKC readers, Tipsters, commenters and the blogosphere played a bigger part in the story than the last remnants of the dead tree media.

Unfortunately, even in the world of video games The Kansas City Chiefs still suck!!!

There is no limit to the failure of Kansas City pro-sports teams.

The Chiefs have an abysmal playoff record. They lose close games consistently and for as long as I can remember their draft picks have nearly served as an instructional guide regarding how to live with disappointment. Now it seems that The Chiefs' reputation for mediocrity has surfaced in the context of the popular football game Madden 2010 according to an observant gamer:

The Chiefs have their worst team overall since the game came out and have absolutely no offensive or defensive weapons leaving the Chiefs ill-equipped to match up with other teams.

That description of the Chiefs is pretty much akin to real life and only excludes all of the tax breaks and the fair weather JoCo fanbase. Luckily, video games have yet to become that realistic.

Where the white people drink in Waldo

75th Street Brewery earns a rave review from The Wednesday Sun because of the neighborhood vibe and brewpub credentials.

KCPD Talks With Local Latino Community

Northeast News: Kansas City Police Department reaches out to Latinos

Double Bonus: The article is printed in Spanish as well!!!

Show Me Drunken Consequences

A new Missouri state law takes effect Wednesday that requires people with two or more drunk-driving convictions to install ignition interlock devices on their vehicles for six months in order to get their license back.

For the uninitiated, an ignition interlock device is "like a breathalyzer, installed to a motor vehicle's dashboard. Before the vehicle's motor can be started, the driver first must exhale into the device, if the resultant breath-alcohol concentration analyzed result is greater than the programed blood alcohol concentration — the motor will not turn over."



Finally, the implementation of this new law proves once again that too many drunken nights always result in a lot of regret along with undesirable blowing.

Kansas City Pro Nuke Vote

Believe it or not there's a great deal of opposition to a new plant that would build non-nuclear components for the nation's nuclear weapons arsenal in South KC. Today The Council is slated to vote on a rezoning and development plan for a new federal weapons plant. It is rather interesting that while private industry is failing in KC the only bright spot in today's session might feature KC becoming an even bigger part of the Military Industrial Complex. Sadly, there's nobody with a conscious that reads this blog but I think everyone understands that there's always money in weapons. Always.

Surprise!!! It's once again time to celebrate Kansas City Rubber Ducks!!!

I almost forgot that this Sunday is Duck Derby 2009.

The Kansas City Kitty has a great many details about the event and reminds us that it's a benefit for The Children's Therapeutic Learning Center

Whereas I like to think of it as a time when a great number of people sit around what is pretty much an open sewer and pretend not to notice (not so) tiny amounts of sewage covering their rubber ducky contest entry.

Local problem gets smaller: The Incredible Shrinking Kansas City School District!!!

Like a zit slowly fading or a tumor responding to chemo . . . The KC School District shrinking because of years of mismanagement along with a mass exodus by white people and then everybody else is a good thing but doesn't exactly inspire glee.

KCMO Schools Pass Consolidation Plan

Six Elementary Schools Closing in KC

KC School District spares three buildings from closings list

Teabags Launch Pointless Protest Over KMBC Covering The President

Leave it to the vapid people of local suburbs to protest TV programing featuring a minority as the star.

A couple of months can make a huge difference.

During the Spring Kansas City teabags claimed to part of some grassroots movement that was going to spark a Conservative revolution that would finally find a way to deport TKC.

It didn't happen.

Now they've stooped to pulling press stunts and picketing TV stations for airing press conferences featuring the President.

Holding their breath and stomping might be more effective.



They "interview" KMBC head honcho Wayne Godsey which was painful to watch for so many reasons but mostly because my suspension of disbelief just can't handle white people pretending to be persecuted.

All things considered nothing was accomplished, the protest was mildly entertaining and (self)righteous indignation won the day . . . So the Internets and Conservative blogger Kansas Meadowlark who publicized the whole thing made a difference. Huzzah!!!

Broke ass Kansas City looking for (other) deadbeats to pay for budget mess!!!

NBC Action News: Kansas City, Mo. leaders are tracking down people who fail to pay their earnings tax because they need the money to help with a multi-million dollar budget shortfall.

In a sense this is leadership by example considering that Kansas City's finances are every bit as screwed up as Mayor Funky's mortgage.

Abuse led to KCK Quadruple Murder

The Star: Domestic violence was at the root of quadruple homicide in KCK, relatives say

Show Me the Worst Person in the World Two Days Running!!!

Hunger and poverty lovin' Missouri Politico Cynthia Davis has become famous for her ignorance and hate of po'folk.

And 2 days running MSNBC's Countdown has highlighted the lady who thinks hunger is a "positive motivator" proving that the GOP platform in Missouri has only been effective at eliciting parody.

Local Blogger Preview: ABC's 20/20 reportedly covering the Renee Pernice case

Alonzo Washington provides a bit more media inside scoop.

Show Me Housing Failure

The Star: "An audit of the Missouri Housing Development Commission released Wednesday assails the agency for conflicts of interest, possible misuse of funds, poor record-keeping and an unfriendly working environment."

Serving up Thursday Morning KC Links

Here are just a few links to think about this morning:

In the aftermath of TKC reporting . . . Everything in Kansas City getting more expensive: Bond Downgrade Could Affect KC Projects

Power Play complete: Kansas City Power & Light gets $59M Kansas rate increase

Closer to a fair wage across the State Line: Kan. Minimum Wage Goes Up Nearly $5 in July

Ready to rumble on the streets of Missouri: MoDOT is installing rumble lanes on the center parts of two-lane highways. About 600 miles of lanes have the strips, and crews are installing them as roads are resurfaced.

Audrina Patridge Bikini Burger photos are nice despite the nasty sounding title.

Great Transformers Vlog Review from Jeff

Kansas City's Social media guru collaborates with another film geek to offer an pretty insightful review of the new Transformers flick.

"They could have been pieces of monkey turd and tasted like a million bucks as long as they were covered in Stroud's gravy!"

An eloquent Internet review of Stroud's at their JoCo location.

The Internet is meaningless and distracting

Sci-Fi legend Ray Bradbury recently was quoted as saying "to Hell with the Internet" and basically questioning the usefulness of the whole thing. He obviously hasn't seen a wonderful photo gallery of Hillary Duff letting herself go and slowly, beautifully transforming herself into a pudgy Midwestern housewife (or a pro-football linebacker) at only 21 years-old.

TKC CONFIRMED!!! KANSAS CITY CREDIT RANKING FOR BONDS DOWNGRADED!!!

Here's the money quote from City Hall finance dude Jeff Yates that puts this town's financial future in jeopardy from today's report previewed earlier by TKC:

"Moody's is unfortunately maintaining the negative outlook, at Aa3 and AA respectively. Fitch's general obligation credit rating was downgraded from AAA to AA+, with a stable outlook. Fitch's primary reasons cited for the downgrade were general economic conditions, overall high debt burden, interest rate risk concerns associated with variable rate debt and the City's lack of adequate General Fund reserves."

Make no mistake. This is the death rattle for Kansas City's finances as this town moves quickly toward bankruptcy.

TKC was happy to report this news first. Natch.

PROPOSED CITADEL PLAZA FUNDING CUTS KANSAS CITY INFRASTRUCTURE!!!

The Jeff Yates Memo regarding Citadel Plaza Funding just came out this afternoon.

For the most part it's a boring document that paints a far too happy picture.

However, looking through the long list of stuff that's cut on behalf of Citadel Plaza. One important thing is clear:

CITADEL PLAZA FUNDING IS COMING FROM MAJOR CUTS TO INFRASTRUCTURE FROM THE NORTHLAND AND ALL ACROSS KANSAS CITY!!!

It looks like the only thing they did right was to take money from a dog park . . . Which I can understand . . . Unfortunately, everything from flood control, curbs and sidewalks to streetlights is sacrificed for this doomed project.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! TALK OF POLITICAL PRESSURE AND A DELAY IN THE RELEASE OF KANSAS CITY CRIME STATISTICS!!!

The subject of local crime stats might soon (yet again) become another controversy in this cowtown. Let's not forget that the KCPD took a lot of flack not so long ago for a failure to report accurate crime statistics.

Looks like recent history could repeat itself once again.

Check out this message from a KICKASS TKC TIPSTER:

The city's politicos are putting police under massive pressure to avoid releasing for as long as possible any statistics about crime in KCMO in 2009--as you know, the year is half over and the KCPD still has not released the stats for the first quarter of 2009--and in 2008 it took them until the end of Feb. 2009 to release the 2008 annual report--and, that annual report, when released was a model of what I learned how to do in my MIT statistics courses: ie, lie with statistics. Apparently the city politicos want any reports on crime statistics to be as misleading as possible to keep covered up the ugly reality that crime in the city's Black neighborhoods has exploded in the past 14 months.

There's talk that violent crime of all sorts is exploding on the Eastside. This is at a time when the rest of the nation is enjoying a downward spiral in crime numbers. Sadly, violence and unrest seems to be the only place where this town is providing leadership.

Get ready for "Mammygate" again!!!

Kansas City is going to trial for Mayor Funky in a sexual and racial harassment lawsuit on July 27th. I'm hearing some of the details that are going to come out are worse than any of the embarrassing stuff in the depositions and should shame not only our incompetent elected leader but the entire City.

Worst local girlfriend of the day

Crime Scene KC: KC woman stabs sleepwalking, sleep-urinating BF in the face, police say

Riverside Car Show

Here's a link for this weekend that seems interesting:

The High Performance Auto Club announces its 25th Anniversary Car Show and Swap Meet the weekend of June 26th thru 28th at the EH Young Riverfront Park, Riverside, Missouri. This is the first year the event will be held at the park in Riverside

For more info check out the High Performance Auto Club's homepage.

3 Year-Old Shot, Killed and Found in Front Yard in KCK Quadruple Homicide

The Kansas City Kansan lists the names and ages of the people killed in this week's most gruesome massacre.

Midtown Miscreant vs. Citadel Plaza

A great post from one of Kansas City's best bloggers on the subject of this week's most infamous giveaway.

The Wednesday Afternoon Link Layout

Lots of violence documented in recent local links. The Summer is here in Kansas City:

Get well soon to local genius recently injured: KC man drops shotgun, shoots himself in his thigh

KCK Crime Rate kicking up: 2 Shot In KCK

Sometimes it's acceptable when the paper-of-record engages in name-calling: The Star's cartoonist calls Nazis "white trash" . . . This is the only thing I like about The Star today.

More charges for suspect in massacre: KCK Quadruple Murder Suspect Charged in Separate Battery Case

Former Chiefs Glory (again): Chiefs To Retire Derrick Thomas’s Jersey

The scariest highway in KC: Pedestrian Fatally Struck on 71 Highway

Another Midtown KC Murder: Midtown shootout makes for Kansas City latest homicide

A link to a photo gallery of Swedish babe Pernilla Lundberg my midweek gift to readers.

"54 murders in KCMO"

Alonzo Washington keeps track of the steadily increasing homicide rate.

eat.shop kansas city

The KC Guy offers a book review of an "Indispensable Guide to Inspired, Locally Owned Eating and Shopping Establishments."

Last Comic Standing at The Star

Bottomline Communications points out the futility of a debate over which comics to keep at The Kansas City Star and catches the paper of record desperately trying to improve their demographics.

TKC EXCLUSIVE AND BREAKING NEWS!!! KANSAS CITY BONDS DOWNGRADED!!!

Financial disaster strikes Kansas City.

THANKS TO THE GREATEST TKC TIPSTERS OF ALL TIME readers of this blog have advance notice that later today Kansas City Chief Financial Officer/Director Jeffrey A. Yates is expected to issue a press release providing details regarding a recent downgrade in Kansas City's bond rating.

This post filed 06/24/09 at 4:05 a.m. offers some of the most important news that Kansas City has ever faced because this downgrade impacts virtually every facet of life and local government at the City level.

A lower bond ranking means higher interest rates which means it will cost more to do everything in Kansas City. Progress in this city will be impeded.

KANSAS CITY IS QUICKLY GOING BROKE AND THAT'S WHY THE BONDS HAVE BEEN DOWNGRADED!!!

This unfortunate situation has been a long time in the making and there is more than enough blame to go around for everyone. But just as much as everyone else this cataclysmic failure belongs to Mayor Mark Funkhouser.



Funkhouser was swept into office by a thin margin promising desperately needed TIF reform and claiming that he would be "smart with the money." Two years later the Mayor has produced nothing but controversy, divisive rhetoric and one hypocritical statement after the next. The Mayor's financial credentials as a former auditor are now nothing more than a bad joke. The Mayor started his term by pushing forward a Super-TIF for a soccer stadium, he then failed to push through a pricey light rail scheme and on the way he went along with one horrible TIF deal after the next with a sweetheart Savoy TIF deal serving as his latest disgrace. During all of this the Mayor has chased away business from this town, he has been a horrible salesman for the City and he is incapable of inspiring anyone but a small cadre of loyalists who are either directly or indirectly connected to his payroll.

This bond ranking downgrade is a slap in the face to every Kansas City resident who has pleaded for fiscal responsibility year after year to no avail.

And yet week after week there are more pork projects and cash giveaways on the table. Mayor Funkhouser has done nothing but extend the legacy of Former Mayor Kay "Credit Card" Barnes.

And now Kansas City is paying the price.

But after two years in office and NOTHING to show for it in terms of fiscal responsibility this failure rests squarely on Mayor Funky's shoulders.

Kansas City's financial peril has been well publicized but only a few voices on the City Council have heard the call.

Today Kansas City suffers the consequences for a lack of leadership. Today Kansas City's free wheeling spendthrift days should come to an end.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! STARTING TO HEAR ANSWERS TO CITADEL PLAZA PROBLEMS

The Citadel Plaza story is evolving and KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS are starting to hear some answers to some of the objections and concerns regarding the expensive project.

Now . . . This blog has reported widespead concern over the PIAC funding process. In fact, some of the GREATEST TKC TIPSTERS are raising serious questions about inter-fund borrowing and legality of the current Citadel Plaza proposal.

To wit . . .

TKC HAS LEARNED THAT CITY ATTORNEY GALEN BEAUFORT WILL RENDER AN OPINION TODAY DECLARING THE FINANCING OF CITADEL PLAZA WITHIN LEGAL BOUNDS!!!

Very smart people who raised questions about the funding process are were correct in stating their concerns . . . And of course, there will be a lot of movement on this story today.

Expect the fighting for Kansas City's pocketbook to continue as this Citadel Struggle goes down to the wire.

Stay tuned . . .

KC Guy Jacked for Gold Teeth

Crime in this city is out of control. It's not funny but here is my favorite recent example:

WDAF: Kansas City man robbed of cash, items including gold teeth

Crime Scene KC: Robbery suspect accused of stealing man's gold teeth

Also, I'm not sure if Kansas City crooks carry around surgical gloves but this robbery of gold teeth might also go down as one of the grossest criminal incidents this week as well.

Bad Sugar in Kansas City

Nice to see local Indie Film folks still in action. "Bad Sugar" is part of the 10 hour film festival put on by the Kansas City Independent Filmmakers Coalition. It's pretty good, even better is the street level footage of Kansas City in the comedy clip.

Independence Cycling Crime

I admit that cyclists have it rough. Mostly they bring it upon themselves but on the other hand they are subject to quite a few indignities on the road (other than biker shorts) . . . For instance, for all the talk of superior conditioning and fitness that cycling provides . . . A cyclist in Independence couldn't wheel past a huge 6'4 300lb white guy driving a Cadillac who delivered a beatdown and then stole a bunch of meds from one of our two-wheeled friends.

A hint for all progressives . . . Avoid anyone driving a Cadillac.

Like it or not, Kansas City Red Light Cameras Work One Way Or Another

KC Star reports Red Light Cam totals: At Southwest Trafficway red light violations dropped by 80 percent. Meanwhile, Kansas City issued nearly 2,300 tickets to red-light runners at nine intersections.

Compilation: Person of Interest Captured in KCK Quadruple Murder Case

Yesterday afternoon TV and radio news did an amazing job of reporting the arrest of a suspect in one of the most gruesome murders in KCK in recent memory.

Police Arrest Suspect in KCK Quadruple Homicide

Police: Arrest Made In KCK Quadruple Homicide

KCTV5: Police Arrest Person Of Interest In KCK Homicides

Pursuit, crash tied to four KCK slayings

A very sad Mike Hendricks slice of life

This is bad. The latest Mike Hendricks column is too lame to clown. It's almost like he's giving up. I thought I read something in there about him writing a book . . . Which means he's gone the Gloria Squitiro route and is now simply deluding himself about the opportunities available to him as a minor columnist at a struggling cowtown newspaper. I'm honestly amazed the Star would print what amounts to a laundry list in the place of a column. More than anybody, I know that not every bit of writing can be a winner but even Gusewelle's more prosaic missives at least attempt to make the "greater" point. And, my future baby's mama, Jeneé is kind of hot so her sophomoric tripe can be forgiven. Sorry, white dudes from JoCo who sling arrows in political circles don't get the same consideration. But I just can't bring my self to mock Hendricks on this one because the column offering is so horrible it seems like he's simply out of ideas.

The Pitch is printing week old, reworked blog content in their paper edition!!!

Carolyn Szczepanski did some decent reporting on the Citadel Plaza Project but her writing style is hard for me to read because she takes a really long time to make her points and lot of great details are lost in her over description. Still, from time to time she comes up with good stuff. More importantly, a recent report containing Szczepanski's work featured in the current issue of The Pitch is nothing more than reworked blog content. I would hate to be the advertiser stuck on that page paying pricey fees for something that probably won't generate much buzz because it was seen first somewhere else.

KC Blogger keeps track of Southwest Trafficway Progress or lack thereof

Mo Rage features an amazing post that calls attention to the current hot mess on Southwest Trafficway. Water main problems have shut traffic headed South down to one late right at the before the red light camera. Confusion abounds along with a lot of frustration and Kansas City is seemingly too broke or not concerned enough to fix it quickly. We're 3 days and counting now.

Star Movie Critic Falls Asleep During Transformers

KC Confidential features a nice discussion regarding sloppy journalism and bad moviemaking. Both involve Michael Bay.

Cyclists want even more special consideration, this time in Columbus Park

Anyone who has ever been to Columbus Park knows that the area has bigger problems than special accommodations for cyclists. Nevertheless, biker short wearing activists are pushing their cause before the P&Z committee and advocating for "progressive" kowtowing to a small group of dorks like it was a civil rights struggle.

The Leggy KC Wednesday Link Look

Here are just a few links I'm considering this morning:

Big media reels in a big one: NBC Action Investigation sparks fish fraud legislation.

Kansas pays the price for the storm the weather newsies failed to predict: A microburst hit around 8:30 p.m. near the Johnson and Wyandotte County border.

Kansas City finally has somebody seriously trying to make cash on the Internet as Hallmark comes up with e-card subscription plan

Jackson County gun club ordered to keep bullets to themselves before they can reopen.

Because this town is swimming in debt: Budget Problems Constrain Free Pool Hours

Surprisingly, they're not riding away from The District: Cyclist To Ride Hundreds Of Miles For KCMO School District

Shay Lyn photos are still sweet!!!

Plastic Sax Weekly Jazz News

The best weekly Jazz link compilation in Kansas City

Kansas City Spider Story

ScooterJ offers a great slice of life tale involving spider murder and high pitched screaming.

New Blog: The Bovine Comedy!!!

Great new blog from a few of the guys left over from State of The Line - Who I'm pretty sure are loosely and anonymously affiliated with The Pitch and probably very frustrated with the current regime operated by a taskmaster who is highly skilled in the mystical art of lesbianism.

I think the more relaxed posting schedule and more contemplative tone offer a greater opportunity for well-crafted parody from The Bovine Comedy. It seems like they're picking and choosing the most sensational stories in the local news in order to satirize.

And let's all remember The Long Tail and realize there's room enough for everybody to make dumb jokes with only TKC mixing it in with links, a bit of advocacy, breaking news all while calling rich white people racist. Natch.

Another Boulevard Pop-Top Review

Chimpotle approves of the latest Pilsner addition to the Boulevard Brewery Family of beers.

Kansas City KCTV5 Blogging Repercussions

Alonzo Washington reports on big media reaction to his recent Crime Scene blogging. Hint: They wanted him to take his post and video blog down . . . Note: Local media would almost never honor a similar request made to them.

"Not as if Missouri needs any more Obama pitchmen"

Best local blogger one-liner I've read in 24hrs from RDM regarding an upcoming Obama visit.

Nightfall and rain over Kansas City

Right now there is a gentle rain falling over Kansas City that's providing a bit of relief from the heat over the past two days. I'm celebrating the momentary drop in temperatures with a photo gallery featuring Gisele Bündchen in skimpy clothes and kind of wet. Tonight's downpour was completely unexpected and once again local weather people proved to be completely unsuccessful in predicting a bit severe weather around the area.

Still, most of us unaffected by the heavy stuff are simply glad to cool off a bit for the evening and for a brief respite from scorching temperatures and the myth of mass media infallibility.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! PROPOSED FUNDING FOR CITADEL PLAZA PROJECT SUBVERTS PIAC PROCESS AND COULD LEAD TO LAYOFFS!!!

I could try to be upbeat here . . . I could note that my opposition to the current Citadel Plaza ordinance is really about saving the integrity of City Hall rules like those governing the Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) and respecting their process . . . But that wouldn't be be very interesting.

What's more important is saving the jobs of skilled people working for Kansas City and this Citadel Plaza disaster is putting the employment of those folks at risk.

It's complicated but let's look at this thing seriously for just a sec.

KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS looking at this thing note that PIAC has about $200 million of funding for projects at this point.

Citadel Plaza is going to take $20.5 million . . . (AND THEN SOME) off the table for PIAC.

Now . . . This loss of funding not only represents fewer projects that are getting cash but, more importantly, less funding for highly skilled City Employees.

Here's how that works . . . City contractors and employees like architects and urban planners and other high level administrators (etc.) charge their time back to a project that they're working on and those funds eventually come from the PIAC budget.

If/when money is taken away from PIAC and forwarded to Citadel Plaza that means less money, fewer projects . . . Which would ultimately necessitate fewer employees. And we're not talking clerical people here or other low level folks that are often the object of public scorn . . . These are some of the most skilled workers at City Hall and this Citadel Plaza hot mess could cost them their jobs.

TKC TIPSTERS ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS AN ESTIMATE FLOATING AROUND CITY HALL WHICH CLAIMS THAT THE CURRENT CONFIGURATION OF CITADEL PLAZA FUNDING COULD RESULT IN ANOTHER 35-40 LAYOFFS!!!

Essentially, it's a simple principle . . . More funding for one project equals less funding somewhere else. Politics and Kansas City's finances are a zero sum game and what we're really talking about here is priorities.

There are also consequences to consider.

TKC TIPSTERS ARE ALSO SAYING THAT CITADEL PLAZA FUNDING WILL ULTIMATELY PUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX IN JEOPARDY!!!

Again subverting the PIAC process sends a bad message to voters who might not be willing to hand over more cash if their money is simply going to be tossed around City Hall in order to provide support for a weird, semi-private plan that has very little chance of success.

I hate to be dramatic here (not really) but we're talking about nothing less than the future of Kansas City's finances here, the essence of being "smart with the money" and a risky plan to bet everything on Citadel Plaza.

NO SMOKING IN KANSAS CITY UPHELD!!!

The Missouri Court of Appeals upholds Kansas City's smoking ban. And there's a little less freedom in this town, especially when it comes to giving servers cancer.

Show Me less State Sponsored Killing

Mo. executions on hold because of federal review

Alonzo Washington Exclusive!!! Local Activist captures light mood and joking at the scene of a quadruple homicide!!!

Alonzo Washington teaches us an important lesson with his latest video blog. Those concerned faces and ominous tones used by newsies in their broadcasts are just for show. When they're doing research about homicides in the urban core an audio recording demonstrates that they're seemingly joking around.

Bi-state recession still going strong

Mass layoffs, unemployment claims rise in Missouri, Kansas

KCI training prepares for a plane crash

From the KCMO transit blog: "KCI will set up a scenario where local businesses, government agencies, hospitals, fire departments, police departments and emergency preparedness officials can rehearse their roles in response to an airplane crash. The exercise will have many realistic components including smoke generators, debris on the airfield and volunteers acting as injured passengers."

Links and the Killer Cowtown Heat

The heat today is no joke. Here are some evening links all of which took place today while Kansas City's climate became just as oppressive as this town's politics and culture.

Killer KCK temperatures: Heat Blamed for 2 Deaths Inside KCK Home

Government cars are the new hotness: Federal loan will help Ford’s Kansas City plant

Hot on the streets: Man Shot During Robbery At 27th, Garfield

Another morning robbery: Police: Homeowner Confronted By Robber

Maybe not heat related but we wish him the best and a speedy recovery anyway: KCKPD Officer collapses in vehicle

The sizzling world of art theft comes to the Midwest: $10,000 Painting Missing From KU Dorm

Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson has a blog. I can only hope that he's complain about his one-time stepmom.

Nearly $1 mil for KCK: Five Wyandotte County Health providers receive nearly $900K in health grants

Prime Buzz picks up a bit of Show Me State idiocy that's soon to make it to the Daily Show: State Rep. Cynthia Davis thinks hunger is a "positive motivator"

Speaking of hot . . . A photo gallery of Penthouse Pet Bree Olsen in denim lingerie is scorching.

Kansas City Sprawl from Brookside to Johnson County and Beyond

Tumble-o-rama links some great audio from The Walt Bodine Show on the subject of sprawl . . . The topic begins with Brookside despite the fact that Walt probably could speak to the trend dating back even further to the beginning of his career with the annex of Westport finally settled by The Missouri Supreme Court in 1899.

Serious questions about Kansas City getting into the hotel business

The Kansas City Post asks: "Show me exactly which conventions Kansas City is losing due to lack of hotel space. Name them. Show us letters of intent guaranteeing a multi-year commitment from tangible groups if we build this hotel."

Some great analysis while the Star is busy cheerleading the project.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! BEHIND THE SCENES!!! LOOK AT CITY COUNCIL FOLKS SLUG IT OUT IN AN E-MAIL FIGHT OVER CITADEL PLAZA!!!

This summer finds us all in the middle of what is one of the nastiest (i.e. best) fights for Kansas City's wallet.

The upcoming vote on $20.5 million for a glorified strip mall in the middle of a wasteland and former toxic dump will determine how smart politicos are with Kansas City's finances.

THANKS TO AMAZING TKC TIPSTERS THIS BLOG IS HAPPY TO FEATURE A RATHER INTERESTING E-MAIL EXCHANGE BETWEEN TWO MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE CITADEL PLAZA STRUGGLE!!!

BACKGROUND:

Councilwoman Deb Hermann has been leading the charge against Citadel Plaza or at least has been asking enough questions to make the whimsical plan seem shaky to even causal observers.

Councilman Terry Riley is the champion of Citadel Plaza. Asbestos, facts, figures and any kind of financial projections be damned . . . The guy wants to deliver this project home to his district in a bad way.

This terse exchange between the two provides a unqiue bit of insight into how local government works:

One last thing . . . For the record, the SULD refers to the "Southtown Urban Life District" otherwise known as The Grand Citadel Plaza Cash Giveaway.

Council Lady Hermann starts off the exchange.

From: Deb Hermann
Sent: 06/19/2009 08:52 AM CDT
To: Jeffrey Yates
Cc: City_Council; Mayor; Pat Klein; Troy Schulte; Wayne Cauthen
Subject: SULD

Jeff,

Could I, please, get the detailed list of PIAC projects that will be de-funded to make up the $20.5 million necessary for this project?
Thanks,
Deb

Councilwoman Deb Hermann
1st District at-large

Terry Riley seems offended by the request to learn more about the real cost of the project for Kansas City.

Terry Riley/cc/kcmo
06/19/2009 08:55 AM
To: Deb Hermann/cc/kcmo@KCMO
cc
Subject: Re: SULD

You never stop

Deb gets a little indignant in this next electronic note:

From: Deb Hermann
Sent: 06/19/2009 09:33 AM CDT
To: Terry Riley
Cc: City_Council; Mayor; Jeffrey Yates; Pat Klein; Troy Schulte; Wayne Cauthen
Subject: Re: SULD

If you are talking about trying to be informed, you're right. Otherwise, please clarify.

Councilwoman Deb Hermann
1st District at-large

Now it's Riley's turn and he comes off rather cryptic.

Terry Riley/cc/kcmo
06/19/2009 10:14 AM
To: Deb Hermann/cc/kcmo@KCMO
cc
Subject: Re: SULD

I will soon.

I think Deb has the last laugh here . . .

06/19/2009 10:42 AM
To: Terry Riley/cc/kcmo
cc
City_Council, Mayor, Jeffrey A Yates/fn/kcmo@KCMO, Wayne A Cauthen/mg/kcmo@KCMO, Troy Schulte/mg/kcmo@kcmo, Pat Klein/mg/kcmo@kcmo
Subject: Re: SULD

I am sure everyone is interested in your response.

Councilwoman Deb Hermann
1st District at-large

So what have we learned?

City Council e-mail fights are rather well-behaved and don't contain nearly the level of hate and vitriol I get via e-mail related to this dump.

Also . . . $20.5 MILLION for Citadel Plaza is becoming so indefensible that even simple questions regarding the deal are met with scorn.

There's simply no getting around the fact that the project is a loser and Kansas City would be better off if our politicos realized as much before throwing away more taxpayer funds into a former toxic waste site and some place that could never justify or offer a good return on such an extravagant expenditure.

Other Doomed Newspapers making the same mistakes as The Kansas City Star!!!

It looks like all of dead tree media is going the way of the dinosaur by following the example of the Kansas City Star.

First . . . Newspapers (think) they're getting slick by using SEO techniques along with other so-called web savvy advertising tricks and they're driving people away from their sites. Check it:

According to data from Nielsen Online, readers are spending less time on top newspaper websites, including six minutes less per month at Washingtonpost.com, one minute less per month at USAToday.com and a minute and a half less per month at NYTimes.com.

Sorry but Google Ads will not save Journalism . . . The same goes for the intrusive flash pop-up route that makes enduring The Star's content offerings even more heartbreaking online.

Even worse . . . Constructing a big stupid printing facility (like The Star did) is just another way for newspapers to build their own coffin.

For other important daily papers the pattern is clear . . . The Star leads the way into the demise of the daily newspaper. Their decisions seem to be the cornerstone of print media failure.

A few more KC Star strategies that will ultimately bring about their destruction:

Promising more local reporting and then firing all the local reporters.

Mike Hendricks.

Limiting user involvement rather than encouraging it and capitalizing off of it.

No . . . From what I've seen The Star is striving to position itself as the arbiter of news in Kansas City and in a digital world where content can come from everywhere that puts the so-called paper-of-record at a distinct disadvantage and in opposition to the way that media consumption is changing and involving the populace not simply publishing to them.

Kansas City Hip-Hop: Mics on Fire

Talented local video artist and moviemaker Chris Williamson is undertaking an ambition new project. Mics on Fire is a documentary about Kansas City Rap, Hip-Hop, and R&B in 2009. The trailer already looks pretty impressive and is definitely worth a look.

For more info on the film: Micsonfire.com

Tuesday KC Cool Down Checklist

The day is just starting but I want to keep readers in this cowtown covered on this dangerously hot ass day . . .

Here's today's checklist . . .

Drink plenty of fluids and takes lots of breaks . . . Very much like a writer for an alternative weekly publication.

Remember that City Hall is now located in Brookside or at The Library.

Forget about the Royals.

Try really hard not to obnoxiously sniff when hot-ass broads pass-by sweating.

Don't swim (or do your laundry) in the fountains.

Two bonus links:

Motorcycle Helmet Law still in effect: Missouri Motorcycle Helmets Still Required

Playground spontaneous combustion is the latest thing to worry about: Mulch Sparks Roeland Park Playground Fire

DJ JAZZY JEFF SPEAKS!!!

It was only a few weeks ago that The Star once again proved they don't have any credibility on diversity issues and The Pitch took up the cause of confused hipsters using Twitter. Finally, DJ Jazzy Jeff offers an extended video interview with The Fader.com on the hot mess of his KC appearance. Note: The word "racism" wasn't used once.

However . . .

DJ JAZZY JEFF SAID THAT HE WAS THREATENED WITH 30 COPS PULLING HIM OFF STAGE!!!

Which is probably inaccurate because I don't think there are 30 KCPD officers in the "Live Block" (ugh) at any given time.

Again, he disputes the volume issue.

Of course DJJJ has to talk about old Fresh Prince episodes and former glory.

Other than that . . . The initial TKC conclusion on this subject stands: The whole debacle came down to hipster hip-hop fans wanting to pretend that they were being persecuted for their choice of music while the only time they even pretend to care about any racial disparity is when their party is interrupted. Sadly, both dead tree media outlets substituted privilege and drunken tweets for news.

Via Nah Right.

Iran away from Mary Sanchez

Here's a little known fact about Kansas City's Latino Community:

Back in the day, before the Civil Rights Era, a great many Latinos pretended to be Persian or Lebanese in order to be more accepted and escape discrimination. Apparently, Middle-Eastern identity was far more exotic than regular old Mexican-American ancestry and provided better social status.

I mention this fact in light of a recent column by Mary Sanchez on the subject of unrest in Iran that's just as convoluted as bygone conceptions about ethnicity in the United States. A quick reading of the meandering and misguided opus by Ms. Sanchez won't reveal even the slightest bit of logic into the situation, only the author's cursory understanding of yet another culture based solely on what she has witnessed on cable news like the rest of us.

It must be a proud day for Ms. Sanchez, she has managed to demonstrate absolutely no insight into two distinct cultures. Her lack of anything meaningful to offer on the topic of Iran is understandable because most people are too frightened to admit that nothing will come of so much death and destruction that is the direct result of a not-so-long-ago revolution that installed theocratic rule. Sadly, while Sanchez is tap dancing and offering the standard milquetoast elitist view about a nation thousands of miles away . . . People who (theoretically) share her same background don't even merit the platitudes of her cable-tv-styled punditry. Maybe it's for the best. A business suit wearing Latina casting down opinions from on high might not be what the Latino in community in Kansas City needs. In fact, it's probably best she kept her confounding opinions focused on her TV watching habits.

Catholics Against Crack (in addition to birth control)

KCK man gets 7 years for dealing crack near Bishop Ward High

Midwest Center for Holocaust Education steps up its game in light of D.C. Shooting

Steve Penn writes a nice press release for the MCHE.

Independence Golf Course Knifing

2 Men Rob, Stab Man At Rockwood Golf Course

Witnesses said the man was attacked while putting away his clubs in the parking lot closest to the ninth hole.

The victim told police that two men approached him and demanded money. The man tried to run, but he was stabbed in the lower back.

Clearly a horrible crime allegedly committed by two Hispanic dudes who obviously never worked at a course like TKC or they would've known that people who play golf have already been robbed throughout the course of their outing and are all but tapped out by the end of the day.

At least one person unaffiliated with politics benefits from all of the hot air in this town

NBC Action News: Local Hot Air Balloon Pilot Competes in World Air Games

Only Social Service works on 18th & Vine

The Full Employment Council and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation's Urban Entrepreneur Partnership will join the 18th & Vine Jazz District as new tenants.

I guess the extra foot traffic will be nice . . . But there's still not a lot of business down there, simply an alphabet soup of non-profit agencies.

Jumping through hoops for Tuesday links

Just a few things we might not have covered yesterday along with news links without any (easy) punchlines:

Missouri summer camp closes for a week after swine flu outbreak

Sumner Academy could join Lincoln College Preparatory Academy on elite list

A man who served time for molesting his stepdaughter has been arrested and accused of attacking her.

K-State researchers play major role in fighting new strain of devastating wheat fungus

A Girl's Next Door photo gallery just for old time's sake before Hef sent his last crop of white women out to sea or whatever.

HIV/AIDS Throughout The Kansas City Area

Jackson, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties have HIV/AIDS rates worse than about 80 percent of counties nationwide according to a newly launched health website that's suffered a bit of technical difficulties since going online . . . No word if their server has a virus too.

Iran to Kansas City and back (heh)

Recently on KC Currents . . . KCUR's Susan B. Wilson spoke to Nilufar Movahedi, who hosts two radio shows on KKFI 90.1 FM called Saba: Wind of Love, for English speaking, second generation Iranians, and another show called Sayeh for Persian-speaking listeners.

TKC will judge the interracial relationships of Kansas City Newsies!!!

Let's get it straight . . . Unless an interracial relationship involves an Asian chick, it is not AUTOMATICALLY awesome.

For instance, there's one chickenhead clucking around Kansas City who has briefly settled down with a fashion designer after serving as the bobbing running joke of Kansas City's hip-hop community.

Never fear . . . Surprisingly, it seems that newsies are capable of love. In fact, a recent Sarah J. Clark dedication post to her man is downright sweet.

And, of course, there will undoubtedly be some racist commentary from dumbasses in the comments . . . But let's remember that simple stats reveal that it's very likely that at least one member of the extended family of any racist is married to a person of color.

And more importantly . . . This blog celebrates diversity every day given the fact that TKC is one of the few places in Kansas City where a Chicano has the last word.

"A significant moment in American culture"

Nick Sloan takes a brief respite from sports in order to examine the decline of Western Civilization in context of the recent John and Kate break-up.

Transformers Review by Shane

An enthusiastic review of the new summer flick from a fan.

Angry Kansas City MILF Jazz

Plastic Sax deconstructs Karrin Allyson's stage persona.

Whether her so-called "attitude" is real or not, many people who wouldn't otherwise care about Allyson enjoy discussing her demeanor. The shtick enhances her performances even as it raises her visibility.

An angry, sexy old white lady who demands all attention focused on her? CLEARLY, Kansas City is on the cutting edge of post-modern performance art because I was operating under the assumption that diva-like behavior from all old broads who still have their figure was pretty commonplace.

Where is Kansas City on Infrastructure?

Ancillary Adams doesn't see much progress . . . He might just want to wait until election time when candidates will earn double bonus points for merely mentioning the word without much follow-up or action.

However . . . For those who are still keeping score:

Kansas City Sewers still suck and there is a lot of poopy overflow to go round . . . With any serious improvement still far, far away.

There are just as many potholes as ever.

Still plenty of steel plates to go around because NOBODY tells the Water Department what to do . . . Especially not a Mayor with no political capital.

Again . . . Just for those who are keeping score and not interested in rosy picture by politicos or the paper-of-record looking to push a slate of candidates.

Hardbody Kansas City Blog Commentary

Ouch. KC Flying Horses takes a quick look at recent headlines and reminds us that Kansas City is without a major commuter passenger rail disaster as of late. File Under: Observation and Analysis only allowed on blogs.

Kansas City Hotness Once More

Again, this town is going to be ablaze with something besides murder . . . Oh, yeah, probably murder too.

Seriously, find a way to chill if at all possible because this recent stretch of unseasonably hot weather is sure to claim lives . . . Check on old people and all that other stuff that news anchors always say.

Me . . . I'm staying cool by keeping photos of Olivia Munn in the recent issue of Playboy on my desktop at all times . . . She doesn't really show anything but the thought is nice.

4 PEOPLE FOUND DEAD IN KCK!!!

The afternoon metro slaughter on Monday comes from KCK:

Officers were called to 5234 Muncie around 5 p.m. on a report of dead bodies.

When authorities arrived at the scene, they found three dead adults and one dead child. It has not yet been confirmed, but the deaths may have been a result of a shooting.

Insane heat . . . Bodies falling everywhere. Welcome to the Kansas City Area Summer.

Links:

KCTV5: Police Investigate Quadruple Killing in KCK

3 Adults, Child Found Dead In KCK Home: One Of Victims Is Baby, Police Say

Police Find 3 Adults and 1 Child Dead in KCK

KCK police investigating possible quadruple homicide

Hot KC Blogger Quote of the Day

My favorite post title on this sweaty Monday comes from Plaza Jen. Check it:

"So it's eleventy-billion degrees out . . ."

There are several other laugh lines in her AWESOME post along with a cocktail mix formula. So it's definitely worth a read on this hot-ass day for those of us lucky enough not to be camped out at one of the many metro cooling centers that recently opened due to the extreme temperatures.

Time to chill folks . . . A photo gallery of Carolina Ardohain Hits at the beach should help.

2 KC Neighborhoods are the most dangerous places in the Nation!!!

A KCTV5 story reports: WalletPop.com lists 30th Street and Bales Avenue as the sixth most dangerous intersection in America, with 41st Street and Forest Avenue coming in at No.8.

Nearly 4 Year Wait for KC Justice

WDAF: The trial of a woman accused of killing a former police dispatcher has been delayed yet again. A woman faces involuntary manslaughter for a fatal accident in front of Harrah's Casino three and half years ago.

The Pogues in Kansas City

Irish KC breaks a bit of news regarding one of the most influential Irish bands in the world: The Pogues are playing in Kansas City on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at The Midland by AMC.

Check out the links for the details about a concert most patrons won't remember.

Kansas City's $7 million dollar bike lane

Today The Missouri Department of Transportation held a hearing on plans to add a bike and pedestrian path across the Heart of America Bridge . . . They seemed to be in favor of the project despite the fact it will be used by only a handful of people every year.

"Typical SUV driver"

ScooterJ nicely documents a bit of airport rudeness.