FULL TEXT: CLAY CHASTAIN'S KANSAS CITY MAYORAL CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF SPEECH!!!

This blog was FIRST to break news of Clay Chastain running for Mayor and now for those who couldn't watch his campaign kick-off in person . . .

CHECK THE FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT OF CLAY CHASTAIN'S KANSAS CITY MAYORAL CAMPAIGN SPEECH KICK-OFF!!!

Lots of great one-liners in this missive but it's mostly aimed at Mayor Sly's leadership or lack thereof . . .

Check it:

KC Mayoral (www.chastain4mayor.com) Clay Chastain's campaign kick-off speech delivered under the clock at Union Station:

Thank you for coming. It is good to be home.

I am excited for the chance to become Kansas City's next mayor. I want this job and I will be good at this job.

In my mind, the race for mayor of Kansas City between Mayor Sly James and myself is about two things...who can best restore the people's trust in their government, and who can best lead our city to a brighter future.

The trust issue first;


During his term as mayor, Sly James has governed in a way that is not a many splendored thing:

* Sly refused to let the people vote on a valid light rail initiative petition.
* Sly restricted citywide voters from weighing in on the city's streetcar proposals.
* Sly insulted the voters by sabotaging the light rail ballot language slated for the Nov 4 election.

All this coming after Kansas City's previous government overturned a 2006 light rail initiative election and the stated will of 75,000 Kansas City, Missouri voters.

A government that overturned your vote;
A government that wouldn't let you vote;
A government that restricted your vote; and...
A government that now insults your vote.........IS A GOVERNMENT YOU CAN'T TRUST!

Mayor Sly James, government is supposed to be the servant of the people, not its master!

Mayor Clay Chastain will restore the people's trust in their government by respecting the voters, and providing the people a government that is honest, competent, and for the people.

The vision issue:

Mayor Sly James has also failed the people in not inspiring them with a credible vision to move the city forward.

Too much of James' failed vision...new airport, new $1 billion downtown hotel, and his frivolous streetcar plan favors a brighter future for the wealthy, but not the average citizen.

Mayor Chastain envisions a brighter future for all the people by advancing the people's interest over the special interest, encouraging voter participation-not voter manipulation; and by providing the people a more safe, prosperous, and transit-oriented city.

Here are 3 specific examples of the Chastain vision I aim to put into action;

1. I will move to eliminate the TIF Commission. Read my mind...no more tax giveaways to wealthy corporations or developers under my administration!

Of course, we will welcome business in Kansas City and it will be a privilege to do business here. But, Kansas City needs all its tax revenue to better maintain its neighborhoods and the city's vast area of infrastructure.

So, demand not corporate America to pay your fair share, rather insist corporate America not to take more than your fair share.

2. To grow and prosper Kansas City we must offer a unique brand of urban living that is safe, culturally rewarding, and includes a first-class light rail-based transit system headquartered at Union Station.

Thus, in 2015, I will lead the new city council to place back on the ballot the 2006 light rail initiative that 75,000 voters approved, and that Kansas City's government later threw in the trash can. In this proposal, voters will be asked to cancel one bus tax, (the 3/8-cent sales tax) and re-purpose that tax for a project of greater transportation value.

We will then use that local existing tax to secure federal light rail matching funds to help Kansas City construct a sensational light rail train line from the Kansas City Zoo, to the Plaza and downtown, and up through the northland, to Kansas City International Airport.

Light rail will make Kansas City's anemic $75 million a year bus-based transit system come to life, as well as the city itself.

3. We cannot make Kansas City a great place to live until we make it a more safe place to live.

To do this we will need to invest more in public safety now, and create more job opportunities for those without any, right now.

Mayor Clay Chastain will seek to invest more city and private resources in the eastside to capitalize on its urban potential, reduce its crime, and uplift its citizens.

Building part of the new light rail train system across the eastside will be the catalyst to bring more manufacturing jobs and economic development to the eastside.

After 23 years as a volunteer Kansas City Community Activist working to save Union Station, modernize transit, protect the initiative petition process, and make a better Kansas City for the people...I hope I have earned the people's trust to lead our city as its next mayor.

Mayor Sly James cares about Kansas City. But, one who rules with a strong arm and leads with a weak vision, does not a great leader make.

So I ask the voters of Kansas City to start my engine. Put me in the driver's seat as our city's next mayor so I can bring government of the people, by the people, and for the people back to our "City Beautiful," and with it a new heyday.

Thank you,

Clay Chastain
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