A quick update on what's happening Kansas City right now.
There's no money to fix streets.
City Hall is talking about SLASHING BENEFITS FOR COPS when our streets are just as dangerous as ever.
They're planning to cut jobs for the Fire Department.
And then . . .
MAYOR SLY AND THE CITY COUNCIL ARE MISTAKENLY PUSHING AN EXPENSIVE KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN TOY TRAIN THAT DOESN'T REALLY QUALIFY AS MASS TRANSIT AND IS MOSTLY BUILT FOR TOURISTS!!!
KC Biz Journal: Kansas City committee signs off on rezoning for Downtown’s streetcar plan
In this age of continued austerity . . . This spendthrift philosophy from Kansas City's Mayor and City Council is simply unforgivable. It demonstrates that they don't really care about neighborhoods or taxpayers . . . It's a move that firmly shows they're in the pockets of developers and the same old special interests that have sunk this city into debt and chip away at this town's credit rating.
The Downtown Toy Train isn't close to anything resembling leadership or innovation. It's simply more of the same crony capitalism at work in City Hall.
Fire Department needs to take their turn for cuts. Other departments have been cut for years. Make no mistake, other departments are taking big cuts this year as well. As for the trains, that is a whole different pot of funding that cannot be used to save our precious fire fighters. Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteStill, Tony makes some good points.
ReplyDeleteIn a time of austerity, is this a panacea???
Will this expenditure bring in, or subtract dollars, short and long term?
First blush, doesn't look good.
When was the election creating a "pot of money" for a streetcar line?
ReplyDeleteDon't remember ever having that on the ballot.
Better title: A scam for Sly.
ReplyDeleteGet a life Tony!
ReplyDeleteThere was a renewal of the 1/2 cent sales tax (PIAC) a few years ago which was a vote of the people. Every year, the PIAC committee holds public hearings for YOU to testify and also there is a citizen application process for your capital improvements. Why don't you actually get involved and attend a meeting instead of bitching about government?
ReplyDeleteSly is running and gunning this one himself now. No one to blame when it goes down in flames but the mayor's office. Just wait 'til DST and the rest of the downtown boys star the attack on this.
ReplyDeleteLocal 42 is soon to go on the attack. Just wait until the public finds out that the quarter cent fire sales tax has been funding other things besides what it was supposed to. 105 fire positions to abide by 2 in 2 out. Two new stations in the northland, new cad system and gps driven company locations, renovating old fire stations to add female facilities to them, and rebuild fire stations. Part of these initiatives have been done while city hall has been using taxpayers money for other resources besides the fire depatment
ReplyDeleteThere was no discussion of a streetcar plan at any of the PIAC meetings either. Of course, all the "public meetings" and dialoguing are nothing more than window dressing to make the poor saps who waste their time talking at such things think they have some input.
ReplyDeleteThen "the pot" of money is put aside and spent by the council any way they please.
Dog and pony shows as far as the eye can see. Just like the "budget hearings".
Keep that e-tax and other goodies coming. We'll take it from there.
well well this city has know balls. It a shame knowone in this city has any gust to stand up aginst city hall.We should remane this city know balls KC.
ReplyDelete6:43, there is no discussion of streetcars in PIAC meetings because PIAC dollars are not being used on streetcar project. How stupid are you?
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe this street car thing is even still being talked about with the budget the way it is. Sly is F#$%king this up.
ReplyDelete