TKC EXCLUSIVE AND BREAKING NEWS: NORTHLAND SHOWDOWN!!! KANSAS CITY TRANSIT ADVOCATE CLAY CHASTAIN TOUTS SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE OF DEBATE AMBUSH BY COUNCIL DUDE ED FORD!!!

Here's a bit of local Kansas City community fighting that hints that this town still lacks a clear vision for local transit or at least we'll fight in public about it . . . Take a look at this note from one of our favorite activists:

Councilman Ed Ford tries to ambush Clay Chastain before Platte County EDC.

This morning at 8:00 AM, Clay Chastain was ambushed by Councilman Ed Ford during Chastain's light rail initiative presentation (KC Ballot Questions #1 & #2 November 4) to the Platte County Economic Development Council (PCEDC).

Chastain was invited by the PCEDC to make a presentation on behalf of the light rail ballot issue for a possible endorsement. The EDC never told Chastain Councilman Ford had also been invited to Chastain's presentation to offer rebuttal.

Nevertheless, Ford was no match for Chastain. Chastain wants to debate big daddy Sly, the king of the Bully Boys. And oh by the way, Sly can bring Russ (Mensa) Johnson to hold his hand if he is afraid to debate Chastain by himself.

Excerpts from the debate:


1. Ford told the PCEDC that the federal government doesn't make 50% transit grants (the source of half the funding for the light rail initiative).

Here was Chastain's response: If that were true, then why Councilman Ford did you, the City, and Mayor Sly James tell the people (in their miserable failed streetcar campaign) that the City would likely be able to secure a 50% match from Washington to help build the streetcar expansion project if approved by voters??????

2. Ford offered that he did not know what the City would use the two vaguely worded initiative tax questions for, if approved by voters. He said that some want to hijack the taxes and use them to expand Sly's deluxe Frou Frou streetcar line to UMKC. Others Ford said, want to use them for other infrastructure projects around the city. Mayor Sly James, Ford said, mentioned he simply would not let the city collect the taxes!!!

Here was Chastain's response: So to clear up this confusion and respect the KC electorate's right to know what they are voting for (and avoid giving this untrustworthy mayor and city council a blank check for a fill in the blank project), Chastain asked Ford why he won't bring to a vote City Resolution #140 that would commit the city to using the tax initiatives for light rail.

All Ford would say is that he would only get one vote in its favor.

This mayor and city council continues to show it has NOTHING BUT CONTEMPT for the Kansas City Electorate and the 4,000 voters who mandated an election for light rail.

The www.kc4lightrail.com campaign.
########