TKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS!!! SHOWDOWN!!! KANSAS CITY TAXI DUDE BILL GEORGE CALLS OUT COLUMNIST STEVE ROSE JOURNALISM!!! CHECK THE EPIC COWTOWN POWER BROKER E-MAIL FIGHT!!!
Here @ Kansas City's most gully blog we're usually
To wit . . .
CHECK OUT DOCUMENTATION OF A KICK-ASS E-MAIL FIGHT AND SHOWDOWN BETWIXT TAXI DUDE BILL BILL GEORGE AND KANSAS CITY STAR COLUMNIST STEVE ROSE!!!
Let's make it hot . . .
This battle started when KC Star Columnist Steve Rose called out the Kansas City Transportation Group and Yellow Cab in his Sunday Column:
Steve Rose: Break up the taxicab monopoly in Kansas City
In the comments . . . Executive Bill George responded:
Steve:
I'm extremely disappointed in your journalistic integrity. I just read your story online where you state several calls to me went unreturned. I've checked with my entire staff and have never received a phone call or message from you. If you check with many of the reporters in the KC Star's newsroom you will find that I always return their calls ASAP.
Ordinarily I wouldn't respond to something like this but this is not the first time you've done this to me. If you recall, I called you out on this same issue several years ago and invited you down to my office. I would write off the first time as an honest error. The second time is completely unacceptable.
I actually enjoy the opportunity to debate this subject and offer a perspective that doesn't often get told. Had you bothered to actually call me I would've gladly explained to you that our firm offers an app service similar to Uber called zTrip. We believe we provide a better service than Uber at a lower price. We do not use surge pricing. We offer the option of on-demand service or scheduling trips for later. We also offer 24/7 live customer service. Most importantly, we comply fully with Chapter 76 and are completely licensed with KCMO.
I'm aware of the old adage, don't pick fights with someone who buys ink by the barrel. However, in this case your actions can't go ignored. I sincerely hope you will do the right thing and correct your absolute misstatement.
Bill George
######################
BUT FROM THERE IT JUST GETS BETTER!!! TAKE A LOOK AT THIS RAUCOUS E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE INTERCEPTED BY OUR KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTERS!!!
The debate . . .
BILL GEORGE INSISTS THAT STEVE ROSE DIDN'T EVEN MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO CALL HIM ON THE TOPIC WHILE STEVE ROSE REAX AND THEN TURNS IT BACK ON THE TAXI HONCHO!!! ENJOY!!!
Here's the Steve Rose response to the Bill George Comment:
Bill,
I have been writing columns for more than 40 years, and I assure you, I do not fabricate. I have my own integrity, which I cherish greatly. I called your office not once, but twice. I was asked what this was regarding, and I said I wanted to explain that to you directly.
The lady took my name and phone number both times, and no calls were returned. This goes back to Feb. and March. Someone on your staff is lying to you.
Regards,
Steve
##########
Bill George writes back:
"Please provide the number you called.
Steve Rose responds: "The first time I called ###-###-####, Ext. ####.
The second time was a number I got from someone at The Star, but I do not have that number in my notes. I would have to get it from them again."
#########
Bill George offers more deets:
My direct number is listed below. My mobile number is (###) ###-####. Most reporters at the Star (Horsely, Smith, Collison, Davis, Everly) have both of those numbers. All of them will tell you I answer my phone or always return their messages, usually within minutes.
My assistant's name is Jill. Her extension is ###.
All calls for me are first routed to my direct line. If I don't answer there is voicemail. If you press 0 from voicemail you are forwarded to Jill's extension.
Steve, I understand the difference between a columnist and a reporter. However, it's a real disservice to the community to make a blanket call for change when there's clearly no understanding of one whole side of the issue.
Cont'd . . .
I've shared your email with my senior staff. They are all very upset with your allegation, "Someone on your staff is lying to you." Fortunately, my IT director pointed out our telephone system records the incoming telephone numbers for all calls to our main lines.
So I can close the loop on my end, can you please let me know what number you called from and the telephone number your would have left for a return call?
###########
STEVE ROSE GETS TESTY RIGHT HERE!!!
That’s really tacky for you to share an email between us.
I called from ###-###-####, and I asked that you return the call to ###-###-####.
#######
BILL GEORGE RETURNS FIRE!!!
Tacky? Really? You've claimed in the Sunday edition of the daily paper that I didn't return repeated calls and then proceed to blame it on my staff. You can bet that I will demand accountability!
#############
This is sweet . . .
STEVE ROSE MAKES IT PLAIN!!!
"I truly understand now how you came to become a virtual monopoly in Kansas City."
#########
Now The Bill George Comeback:
I don't think you do. It comes from:
Extremely hard work, continuous reinvestment in equipment and technology, an absolute focus on the customer and how we can do more for them, innovative service delivery models, and a commitment to bettering the community.
It's all there. Unfortunately, you've never bothered to ask. I would imagine that lack of understanding comes from the difficulty in figuring out how to transform a mainstay family owned business into a second generation of growth in a new economy. It certainly isn't easy.
###########
OUCH!!!
But then goes on and gets even more serious . . .
Steve Rose writes:
"Maybe it wasn’t your staff who is lying. Maybe it is you, who got the messages but couldn’t be bothered to return the calls."
###########
And now the TKC round-up . . .
THIS CONVERSATION IS IMPORTANT, EPIC AND AWESOME BECAUSE THIS IS HOW THE KANSAS CITY RULING CLASS SLUGS IT OUT BEHIND THE SCENES!!!
If you've made it this far into the fight . . . You are a Kansas City news aficionado and want to know how this town really works. Come and see . . .
Computers are funny things . . . This e-mail fight fell into our filthy hands because the Internets is a glorious place. Now, we've talked to BOTH parties at the conclusion of this KANSAS CITY E-MAIL RUCKUS . . . I figure if this is about journalism then you d-bags would be in a rage if I didn't actually make a couple of calls. Truth be told, we respect both of these guys quite a bit because they have made an enduring name for themselves in Kansas City and this is really a tense and productive discussion of how our government works or doesn't in Kansas City Proper. Here's the post-fight take and what they had to say:
The afterword from Bill George:
"You've talked with me and every reporter in this city knows that I am very easy to get a hold of, this is a question of accountability and representing both sides of an issue fairly to Kansas City."
Just got off the phone and Steve Rose says . . .
"If Uber can operate in 75 cities successfully then I don't see why we can't work something out in KCMO. As for Bill, he seems agitated and it might be because of the new competition. Also, and you can print this, when I engage in an e-mail exchange with someone, I expect it to be private . . ."
##################
And so . . .
THIS IS THE LATEST LOCAL KANSAS CITY FIGHT AMONG THE ELITE OVER A LONGSTANDING TAXI DEBATE . . . NOW MAYBE PLEBS LIKE US WILL HAVE A SAY OVER HOW IT WORKS OUT ON LOCAL STREETS!!!
You decide . . .
The taxi issue is tough. The only thing we can know for sure is that during election season the position of our elected officials will be determined by who makes the bigger donations to their campaigns.
ReplyDeleteNote Bill George does not deny he has a monopoly. He just says he worked really hard to get it.
ReplyDeleteSurvey says...
ReplyDeleteElite???? Damn Tony what part of town have you been hanging in?
ReplyDeleteObviously Rose is the clueless asshole in this match.
ReplyDeleteWrong, I give this one to Steve Rose because he is arguing based on the facts. Bill is hung up on phone numbers but Steve is promoting free trade.
ReplyDeleteSteve Rose only stated the OBVIOUS in his article. Let there be COMPETITION instead of the city colluding to protect a MONOPOLY!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe email back and forth is just silly ego-based bickering, Mr. Rose gave his opinion, Mr. George can reply with a letter to the editor, but most residents are siding with Mr. Rose.
Steve Rose is lazy and clueless but even a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut. For once in his life he is right.
ReplyDelete1138
ReplyDeleteWhat poll or census did you take that speaks for "Most Residents"? It seems pretty clear Rose didn't bother to discuss the issue with George. Read the emails and try to leave your preconceived notion that Monopolies translate to The Evil Capitalism. Monopolies seem to be just peachy when it comes to the Green Industries, shitty educators, and a litany of other leftist activities.
Bill George has every right to a city-protected monopoly. Have you seen how much money he gives to Sly and the council?
ReplyDeleteImagine how much $$$ he handed out to get rid of American Cab and most of the other competitive interlopers in the last 30 years. Bill should have his own office in city hall.
If you and me had spent as much as he has to protect his monopoly, we would expect the same kind of service from city hall as he gets now. Don't be a hater.
I know if I could afford to buy politician's, I'd have a closet full of them.
And the winner is Steve Rose!
ReplyDeleteThe KC Municipal Court backs up the Taxi Monopoly.
ReplyDeleteYou can't win, succas!
It is not shocking that phone calls were not returned. Call Yellow Cab and try to get a taxi just to have one never show up. Call again, "we never assigned a driver." Rinse, lather, repeat.
ReplyDeleteTKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS!!! INTERNET PISSING MATCHES OVER ISSUES THAT DON'T CONCERN ME PERSONALLY STILL CAPTIVATE ME AND NO ONE ELSE!!!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call boy george elite. Besides there is nothing elite around here.
ReplyDeleteI like Jessica !
ReplyDeleteWHO GIVES A RATS ASS?
ReplyDeleteI once butted heads with Bill George. He was at first unresponsive to two phone calls and a personal visit (pulled the same "I'm so easy to get in touch with" routine with me, too). Then he blame-shifted, said it wasn't him but someone else. Then he just out and out lied about it- in spite of the fact that I had sent him pictures to prove what I said was true. Then he said he'd fix it, and never did. Took intervention by a state agency to get it fixed. Quite the slimeball, all the way.
ReplyDeleteDon't like a lot of Steve Rose's opinions or politics, but at least he doesn't lie or play dirty pool.
Where my homie KJ at mah nuggah
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteTKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS!!! SHOWDOWN!!! KANSAS CITY TKC DUDE TONY WHATSHISNAME CALLS COLUMNIST STEVE ROSE FOR A DATE BUT HE WAS ALREADY FISTFUCKING TAXI DUDE BILL GEORGE !!! CHECK THE EPIC COWFLOP POWER FISTING ANAL FIGHT!!!
Meanwhile...
In other news, Obama and the Evilcrats are still destroying your nation while you pay attention to silly shit like this.
Tony has found the cure for insomnia!
ReplyDeleteA couple of useless assholes.
ReplyDeleteBill George is like Craig Glazer and the only difference is one did time the other one didn’t. Neither one of these two clowns can handle the truth or any kind of negative questionable facts on their actions. Both have displayed bully boy tactics in the past to then come back with who did you know or how do you know this to be true so as we all know, they can then go beat up or worse attempt to hurt the parties involved. As for the phone record attempt by George to clear his name it is now a moot attempt as we all who know anything about IT can understand how easy those records can be tainted. I’m sorry say what you want, but these two goons have blighted Kansas City more than they have helped Kansas City. They continuously think they are the best and greatest at what they do while all of us know that it isn’t so and the majority don’t fall for either ones bullshit. If sites like KCC and TKC, stations like 99.8 didn’t pump up Glazers ego the majority in this town would forget about the snitching convict. If George didn’t spread money around like most of us do good cheer he wouldn’t be where he is either. Also can’t forget that other connection that George has that many choose to think isn’t alive and still operating in this town. If you think that just ask any law enforcement group on the federal government side and they will explain it to you. Two egos that need more that deflated and I am willing to bet it will happen.
ReplyDeleteAs for Steve Rose, he and Glazer are both Shawnee Mission East Alumni who like to think they was raised on the “we matter” and you don’t train. Steve rattles feathers with his opinions and a lot of the time he is wrong and as well makes himself look stupid. But this is one time he actually took a factual issue here and expressed a very decent say about it. We all know our taxi service sucks in this town we all have a story to tell about issues if we have had to use it. A huge part of why we want our own cars to move around in is the simple fact nobody offers us any kind of replacement for it with the Metro and the Jo the only ones coming close to doing so, but they as well fail in to many areas. Steve rattled George’s cage and I am glad he did and George reacted just as one would think a bully would. George and Glazer, two bully boys who are friends and make it clear they are as many of us know.
My only other thought here is for Bill, if your fucking phone service is so god damn great why have you not taken care of those people who make claims all the time of calling for service to later more or less be told they are lying and never called for a cab?. Seems like you could look up in your records and see where your problems with your company’s operations are. Probably very low paid help if I was to guess. But no you take the stance that we the customer lied and never called for service, with a service that is no fucking near that jammed up operating in this small of a town. In New York maybe but guess what bully boy I have never had bad service in New York, ever. Sure as hell can’t say that about any of your operations here. Bad service once is expected maybe, more than twice is unacceptable.
No body and I mean nobody should be allowed to hold a monopoly on any one service in any city. No city should write laws that prohibit any one person or companies from competing with another company operating within that same city. But no Bill George the bully boy wants it all and will do what it takes for it to remain that way.
Now faithful TKC and KCC readers you can expect a stop picking on my friend gushing story from Glazer about what a great standup guy George is and Hernie boy will follow as well since he doesn’t like to be left out on any bully boy coverage of any kind.
Executive Bill George?
ReplyDeleteBwahahahaha!
That would be like referring to Craig as King Glazer.
Damn Trucky, you doing some major bitch slapping here. All three needed it as well.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to side with Rose who for once makes a good point.
Hey Bill you going to be at Missy B's tonight?
Rumor has it Michael Sam will be there.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's Missie you nitwit at 2:35.
two silver spooned kids fighting
ReplyDeleteover an email/phone call.
Steve got his position on the
hard work of stan and his wife
building a suburban paper
from the start. Steve gets a
position then watches the paper
go downhill in the fastest growing
county in the nation.
Little George is given company
to run that dad built.
Both are spoiled. Let them come
out and dig and sweat putting a
company together without daddys
help.
And now they argue over an email.
Hopefully uber and lyft survive
the city trying to crush them.
We need their services.
10/10 is now getting so busy
they can't handle the business.
that's another George enterprise.
But I don't argue with bill George
demanding that his competitors
follow the same rules/regs that
he has to. That's only fair.
He did build a business and its
been very successful.
If uber and lyft want to do business in kc...follow the law
that others must follow and compete with them on a level
playing field or get the f out.
I will try uber and lyft...see how
they work...buti have a feeling
getting a ride in an old ford
f 150 at 3 am may not cut it
fo me...sorry...i'll pay the
extra cash to be getting home
safe. Not worth the few savings
on using a fully functional
company that I know is following
the law. good luck to all.
Fuck You Harley
ReplyDeleteBill and his cabs all suck.
ReplyDeleteSo is Bill into cross dressing?
Do Bill and Craig share man gravy?
Do Bill Craig and Hearne have threesomes?
Does Harley chaperone and host the above?
My gay friend says Bill does look cute enough to let him ass fuck him and cum all over his back.
What monopoly? Did Richard Branson cry monopoly!!! When he started Virgin Airlines? No he played by the rules and followed regulations and success came later.
ReplyDeleteBREAKING NEWS
ReplyDeleteKC seeks temporary restraining order against Lyft
Star
The city attorney’s office has filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent Lyft from dispatching or operating vehicles for hire. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Jackson County Circuit Court.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=818568538172158&set=a.218820578146960.68815.100000570570341&type=1&theater
ReplyDeleteSchool is out in two weeks so I am sure the posts on Tony's should jump dramatically.
ReplyDeleteShit, Bear won't even have to worry about getting nagged to do his homework.
Steve is absolutely right in this matter.
ReplyDeleteRose - Mr. Johnson County - has been a high-profile pusher of some big flops.
ReplyDeleteGood to see his ego taken down a few notches. Certainly long overdue.
One has to wonder whether Mr. Rose is stupid or simply disingenuous.
ReplyDeleteWe need better regulation but if these ride share services come to town and don't obey our laws then we shouldn't advocate for them.
ReplyDeleteThink bill George won this one.
ReplyDeleteTrucky wins!
ReplyDeleteI love silver foxes and would like them to settle it in a 3-way with me.
ReplyDeleteJust as with a Glazer story the phony comments start showing up when it is clear the people are not in favor of the subject. So you Bill cum gobblers shut the fuck up and die.
ReplyDeleteI agree that our favorite in this thread is Trucky
ReplyDelete3:28 one very piss poor comparison. In fact not even a comparison at all.
ReplyDeleteSo is all of Bills friends this stupid?
You people are bickering about nickles and dimes when the street car is ripping all of you off.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Bill George defend the monopoly quote:
ReplyDeleteI don't think you do. It comes from:
Extremely hard work [of my underpaid, predominantly minority, mostly stripped of rights employees], continuous reinvestment in equipment
Watching these creeps bicker is kinda sad.
hate cabs and ride shares. I drive everywhere and when I'm drunk the wife plays chauffeur. That's the way it should be done.
ReplyDeleteScrew Bill George. lets see if he can make it in a competitive world.
ReplyDelete6:30 is a real American.
ReplyDeleteSend these streetcar and ride sharing buffoons back to the collective so they can weave their beard hair Starbucks cup holders and sell them to no one on their etsy.
End the monopoly. End taxi licensing.
ReplyDeleteHate to give this one to Steve Rose but I think he makes some good points in his column. Bill George is strongest when he says that uber and lyft aren't following the law, which is true. The insurance issue is bigger than most understand.
ReplyDeleteThis is a complicated matter and just railing against people's personalities won't help much. Remember that TKC!
The FIX is in! Ol' Bill George is the one behind zTrip in KC and he'll be happy to know that he won't risk losing any of HIS drivers to the competition so that he can continue to CHARGE them all over $300 or MORE per WEEK to continue WORKING for HIM!
ReplyDeleteNow you KNOW the DIRTY TRUTH!
What says the city on AIR BNB - https://www.airbnb.com/s/Kansas-City--KS?sw_lat=39.02705970086574&sw_lng=-94.63172725392883&ne_lat=39.10713828598454&ne_lng=-94.55070308400695&search_by_map=true&zoom=13
ReplyDeleteThese home-sharing folks not collecting city / state hotel/motel tax????
Bill George is one of the most corrupt people I have ever met. Smooth talking snake oil salesman that is exactly what Kansas City deserves. This exchange is typical of his manipulation of the facts.
ReplyDeleteHopefully someday people will say "remember Glazer? Remember George? and the answer will be NO!!.
ReplyDeleteTony, thanks for slipping in the picture of the gal with the nice tits. I was about to quit reading.
ReplyDelete