I've long provided some original, awesome and groundbreaking reporting on the demise of the dead tree media . . . But this tale should provide a glimpse into how far the decline of "journalism" has gone in Kansas City.
This is, a part of, the story of Former Kansas City Star Reporter Jeff Spivak:
Last Fall Spivack took the buyout from The Star in the midst of a rather intense light rail debate.
ACCORDING TO THE MOST AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS . . .
SPIVAK, ONE OF THE MAIN KC STAR REPORTERS ON THE LIGHT RAIL INITIATIVE THEN TOOK A JOB WORKING FOR HNTB, A LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING FIRM THAT WAS LEADING LIGHT RAIL EFFORTS!!!
Word around the campfire and what great many people are saying is that Spivak was setting up his sweet gig at the pro-light rail company with an office in KC while he was still working at The Star.
It's up to TKC Readers to judge whether or not there is a conflict of interest here but so far this is something that other media outlets don't want to note because it leads to some serious questions about the coverage from the so-called "paper of record."
It gets worse . . .
Whenever there is a serious question about weird ethical choices Mayor Funky is sure to be involved. Already today, TKC (with the help of kickass tipsters) has offered information regarding the Mayor's search for a new media person . . . In light of the fact that former Director of Communications Joe Miller left an 80k gig in the middle of the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression so that he could fight with me on the Internets.
According to well-connected and AWESOME sources . . . TKC has learned that Mayor Funky wanted to provide some consulting work to Spivak related to media services. It makes sense given that a great many people described Spivak's coverage of Mayor Funky's ridiculous light rail plan as "hopelessly biased."
It turns out Mayor Funky wanted to sign Spivak to a "personal services contract" but City Manager Wayne Cauthen balked at the idea. Cauthen refused and killed the deal citing a variety of questions related to Spivak's HNTB work.
True to form, the Mayor reportedly threw a hissy fit, pouted and was heard telling people that City Manager Wayne Cauthen was being "insubordinate."
The temper tantrum didn't work and Mayor Funky is still looking for anyone who can help improve his image.
Meanwhile, TKC wishes Spivak the best of luck. It seems as if things are looking up for the guy now that he has moved past two institutions on the decline: The Star and Mayor Funkhouser's Administration.
First
ReplyDeleteTOny, light rail is over. Your side won to the detriment of Kansas City. Get over it.
ReplyDeleteThe Spivak issue is moot. He left the paper. Who gives a damn. Unless you have substantial evidence (wait you're a blogger) that HNTB was paying him to come out in support of it. He was covering the issue, he wasn't on the editorial board pusing the Star's light rail plan.
ReplyDeleteI agree the Star is garbage, but your argument and attempt to discredit them is weak.
The Star had their own light rail plan. Everyone knows they were crooks.
ReplyDeleteEthics and the Star and it's employees? That case has been made and all three have been found to have no ethics. As the paper crumbles, it is dog eat dog. What a way to go... slowly, stabbing your friends in the back to preserve your paycheck and/or doing what is necessary to get a check in the future from someone else.
ReplyDeleteThe Spivak issue is moot.
ReplyDelete--------------------
The Star rarely follows their own ethics codes.
Light rail was part of the reason that I canceled my subscription.
ReplyDeleteImpeach Barack Obama! LOL! He hasn't even been sworn in yet! LOL at these funny Republicans, they're the ones who taught America to turn a blind eye to corruption in the Executive Office, now all of a sudden they want to impeach a man before he's even sworn in. Nobody's going to take them seriously on account of they never gave a care about Halliburtons or Carlyle Groups etc.
ReplyDeleteAnytime I see a right-winger demanding investigations, etc., Ima think Bwahahahahahaha as I kick back and enjoy the Return to Prosperity.
Oh, and that's awesome reporting about the light rail conflict of interest! Keep up the good work TKC!!!
Tony....keep pounding on each and every knucklehead that was in for light rail. Second dumbest idea in city history (1st - putting stadiums outside of DT).
ReplyDeleteSpivak has always been a smile and handshake based on who was paying him.
ReplyDeleteThere is NO other content then the fake smile.
The Star, however will have bank names, actual dollar amounts, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou know. Facts. Not innuendo.
Let's refer to
The Tony Botello School of Journalism
Linking to other sources = reporting
"Sources tell me" = I made stuff up
"I don't claim to know the details" = I am lazy
"I called McClatchy" = I made stuff up
"Mary Sanchez is..." = I wish I could have ten percent of the class of Mary Sanchez
"AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS" = a black hole of made-up stupidity that sucks all the stupid in
"Here's what I've heard" = I made stuff up
"Sushi...is kind of like a signal to brown people that their business isn't wanted." = I am either brain-damaged or retarded, your choice
"According to close watchers" = I made stuff up
ALL CAPS IN RED = phony hyperbole
NO HOMO = I pitch and catch
"Mike Hendricks is..." = I wish I had some money too
"Parties close to the case..." = no one would talk to me even if I had tried, which I didn't
"I'm not going to quote anybody on this one but people familiar with..." = I made stuff up
"The Star is dying" - I am still bitter over being rejected as an intern in '04
"Word is that..." = yup - I made stuff up
Check your facts dude. TKC was writing for Dos Mundos in 2004. You sound like a bitter blogger and not anyone with real information.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of things for which to criticize Tony but your lame, racist stuff just comes off bitter.
Yeah anonymous poster above...Karma is a bitch, especially when it comes to the internet. Tony has used whatever outlet he gets his hands on to further his family political means, even at Dos Mundos. Problem is, now that he is going after the Pitch, one of the many news outlets that busted his pathetic ass.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pitch.com/2007-01-18/news/the-truth-about-tony/
Spivak and Rus made a beautiful couple. One was too smart to take money and the other was too dumb. Which was which?
ReplyDelete