Normally, I never post on Sundays but today The Star has decided to run an editorial so disgusting and misleading that I'm forced to take a break from not going to Church. In their most recent bit of propaganda on behalf of Lamar Hunt and David Glass the Star is relying on peer pressure to convince the people of Jackson County to fork over almost a billion dollars in order to keep KC's mediocre teams.
The plan to upgrade the Truman Sports Complex comes with a pricetag of $575 million. That's a reasonable deal for Jackson Countians, especially compared with what other people around the country have spent since 1990 on new major-league baseball and football stadiums.And then they go on to plug the antiquated garage door/sun roof/monstrosity in question:
Of course, if Jackson County voters also approve a rolling roof on April 4, the cost of completely overhauling the sports complex could rise to an estimated $775 million.Never mind that several studies have shown that huge investments in sports teams don't pay off for anybody but the players and owners. Additionally, The Star isn't taking into account that other areas approved regional taxes (remember Bi-State II?) and didn't stick one broke ass county with the bill for a regional attraction. For instance, both the Jets and Giants play in New Jersey not New York. In fact, most stadiums for NFL teams are located in suburbs of their namesakes and public funding for the teams comes from several surrounding tax bases. Alternately, The Star is suggesting that people of Jackson County pick up the bill for Johnson County fans in exchange for discounts on hot dogs and the half dozen or so season tickets available.
Yet even that number would only bump the Kansas City metropolitan area up to the middle of the chart when it comes to total costs for stadium construction. The only other cities with two roofed stadiums - Phoenix and Houston - still would have paid more for their facilities.
The title of their current PR campaign is "Staying in the Big Leagues" and the slanted coverage is yet another example of corporate cronyism in KC. For the paper of record in this town to actively campaign on behalf of all the blonde beating, bar fighting and substance abusing pro athletes in this town is disgusting.
The fact that The Star relies on flawed logic and misleading examples is proof that they given up any form of objectivity in one of the most expensive issues to come before voters in Jackson County and they are simply shilling in return for press boxes, better access and God knows what else.
So, while The Star, the County and other boosters offer up a few lame excuses and half truths in order to sway you . . . Remember that there are a half a billion reasons to vote no.
1.The teams to contribute the 40 percent average amount that other major league teams contribute to stadium projects. This was not achieved. Chiefs contribute 23 percent. The Royals 10 percent. Their contribution is ONLY to be used for renovation and additional luxury suites. They collect all of the money for suites.
ReplyDelete2.Team pay for all cost overruns. This was not achieved. Chiefs: Section 3.2.4.6 refers to Cost Overruns while Section 3.2.4.8 refers to Right to Change Scope. This section states the Tenant shall have the right to change the scope of the Arrowhead Expansion and Renovation Plan. Page 11 of Lease. Section 3.2.4.8 states that the renovation will match the funds available under Section 3.2.1. Section 3.2.1 states the funds available is $325 million. Section E of the Chiefs lease doesn’t list projects to be done.
3. User fees for everyone. This was not achieved. User fees are optional. Summary – Major Final, Terms & Conditions P.3 Item 13. User Fees: Landlord/ County option to impose up to the following “User Fee(s)” on persons attending events at Sports Complex:
4. A strict limit on future taxpayer support for stadium upgrades and maintenance. This was not achieved. The 3/8 cent sales tax is for 25 years. The County contends taxpayer funding is capped at $425 million. Per Jack Holland: Principal amount for bonds $425 million;
principal and interest $700 million.
The Star knows all of this and they will not publish it. DeeAnn Smith talked to four opposition groups for over an hour and didn't bother to give the names of the opposition groups or email addresses so that the public could help knock this proposal to the ground.
Email-- NoICantAffordIt@yahoo.com or
news@KCNag.com we need help