Far across the river in Kansas City there's a Northland City Council race that has people throughout this town chatting about political fortunes.
Everybody knows John Dillingham in Kansas City political circles, he owns a big construction company and he's one of the area's top political donors. His son Allen Dillingham has been wanting to make a splash in local politics and thinks the City Council race is the right place.
Funny thing: Allen Dillingham initially wanted to challenge incumbent City Council Dude Russ Johnson but it was explained to him the In-District races are won primarily on shoe leather. Dillingham The Smaller didn't want any part of a time consuming grass roots campaign so he quickly switched up his plans.
Additionally, Johnson has already beat Jeff Roe's last candidate who had more money and a bigger organization. So the decision to run At-Large was an easy sell to an aspiring politico who still seems to be finding his footing.
Dillingham, with his Builders' Association Connection, has now set his sights on Ed Ford's Council Seat and I think it's gonna be one of the most fun, interesting, mean-spirited upcoming City Council competitions.
Why?
Basically, because the Northland's loyalties are up for grabs.
People who vote in the 2nd District aren't really in love with Ford and he has a few curious moves that might have alienated the significant contingent of Conservative, affluent and sometimes reactionary voters. Meanwhile, more grass roots and community minded Northlanders have told TKC that Ford isn't really a Northlander at heart and several collaborations with Council folk Riley, Sharp, Marcason and Gottstein might speak to this concern. Generally, TKC respects a great deal of Ford's work if only for his solo anti-nuke vote and the fact that he has consistently pointed out Mayor Funky's stupidity.
Meanwhile, so far Dillingham seems to be an empty suit and only the most connected Northland folks know what he's about . . . BUT his lack of experience against a City Council that has garnered a great deal of negative perception might be beneficial.
The KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS who have provided background on this post think this is a "race to watch" that just might determine the character of the next City Council.
I would note that the composition of characters on the 22nd Floor of City Hall couldn't get any worse but I think we all know that's just wishful thinking.
Developing . . .
North Land has never mattered.
ReplyDelete2:46 - interesting, because the Northland has always determined who the mayor would be. Nice try.
ReplyDeleteWho can forget Mayor Nanook of the Northland and his bigoted followers? They are, perhaps at this juncture, the only people left who back the Funk. Hopefully, those same followers will find a new pony to ride in the next Mayoral election.
ReplyDeleteLong live the Orange Revolution, the Orange Revolution is dead!!!
Who on Earth would want the stink of a stint on the KCMO City Council on their resume?
ReplyDeleteCorrections:
ReplyDelete1) His dad isn't a major contributor he is a bit player. His Grandfather was the real deal. His name was Jay. John is a dud.
2) Allen is a weakling. He has bounced around begging for jobs here and there and never done anything on his own he always needs daddy greasing the skids.
3) Allen is a puss and will be owned by contributors. He thinks everyone knows him because of his family. He is wrong and won't accept it until election day.
4) Allen is not a hard worker. He will not knock doors, he will not make fundraising calls. he will be an awful candidate who will believe that everyone should do something for him.
5) Ford will clean his clock with endorsements and money.
Allen Dillingham is a pussy.
Corrections:
ReplyDelete1) His dad isn't a major contributor he is a bit player. His Grandfather was the real deal. His name was Jay. John is a dud.
2) Allen is a weakling. He has bounced around begging for jobs here and there and never done anything on his own he always needs daddy greasing the skids.
3) Allen is a puss and will be owned by contributors. He thinks everyone knows him because of his family. He is wrong and won't accept it until election day.
4) Allen is not a hard worker. He will not knock doors, he will not make fundraising calls. he will be an awful candidate who will believe that everyone should do something for him.
5) Ford will clean his clock with endorsements and money.
Allen Dillingham is a pussy.
I hope someone runs againest Ford. He was worthless the first time around and for everyone that voted for him again they are getting exactly what they deserve. That ridiculous annexation not just keeping cauthen but giving him that hugh ass pay out. He knows nothing about how the City runs and shows that everytime he opens his mouth to say something.
ReplyDeleteIt is easier to sit on your ass in an at-large race and use family connections to raise money for mailings, bill boards and cable commercials than to walk door to door in-district and meet the voters. Will this Dilly sign up with the heavies? and be another pussy like McGregor? She sold herself way too easily. That means we will be fucked over by her, Jim Rowland and whomever eats the devil's cake.
ReplyDelete3:34, sorry but word is out that Ford has already sold his soul to the Heavies. Ford was not good when he was 1st district and is even worse as a 2nd district rep. He held on to Cauthen to our great expense in both capital projects and cash as he was booted out; and tried to sell us out with a costly annexation (which, of course, he would've been long gone before the City saw how deeply it would have hurt us). He's still up to dangerous games, be watching.
ReplyDeleteI hate to say that I agree with Radio Man on this one. Shit.
ReplyDelete"Ford isn't really a Northlander at heart" Very accurate, the guy left his heart in St. Louis. Ford could well be the poster boy for the sad state of the KCMO council.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure that Ford is on the Heavies' slate. I still like Ford. I have been wrong many times, but we'll see.
ReplyDeleteCan't stand Jim Rowland... God, he is an arrogant, ill mannered, undereducated jerk. This from another bastard! We do recognize one another......
Jim Rowland for Frat President.
ReplyDeleteThank you sir, may I have another?
Anon 3:14, you write as though you WERE Ed Ford. Dillinghamd won't sign on with the Heavies because there is no room... Ford has already completely sold his soul to the Heavies. If you want proof, just watch the next week's council meeting and see the kind of garbage legislation he is co-sponsoring (with other Brain Trust members John Not-So-Sharp, Cathy "Minnie Mouse" Jolly and Terry "Don't Call Me Perfect" Riley. It's all about CIMO and and the Heavies and Glorioso literally wrote the damn ordinance. Ford is scared to death of Allen Dillingham and for good reason. He is counting on Heavies' cash to help him in his race. But the voters will remember his actions of the past three years and, if they have any sense at all, send him packing.
ReplyDeleteEd Ford is a man of integrity who keeps his word. I wish all elected officials were as open minded and intelligent as Mr. Ford. I don't live in Kansas City but if I did I would vote for him in a second. He is a true public servant in the best sense of the term.
ReplyDeleteConcerned voter. "I wish all elected officials were as open minded and intelligent as Mr. Ford." From my perspective, I think your wish has already come true. From Bush & Obama all the way down to Hisoner Funk & Ed Ford the level of intelligence is pretty even. And look at the "great shape" The Nation is in.
ReplyDeleteEd Ford was the lone city council member who voted against the merger of MAST ambulance into the KCFD. For that he is the only city council person that will get my vote.
ReplyDeleteFord's vote on MAST does not excuse his outlandish behavior on Tomahawke Ridge, his incessant fighting with the mayor to the exclusion of other issues, his lack of constituent response, his failure to work with other Northland councilpeople, and his failure to represent his own district. Allen Dillingham deserves a serious look. He might not be the guy, but a corpse would be better, and less damaging, than Ford.
ReplyDeletelet's make sure that mast is not the only issue..... we need a new police chief. corwin has failed kansas city.
ReplyDeleteFord is an at large member. He has many friends south of the river and is well respected south also. So it doesn't matter what the northlanders think - the race is won south of the river and in the black community.
ReplyDeleteI'm in support of Ed Ford. He's a good guy who is actually trying to make an honest effort in serving the city. He's a simple dude that speaks up when he feels the need, and not just to hear his own voice. In addition, his challenger just doesn't seem to have the backbone needed in this city. Ed Ford is the better candidate for the Northland.
ReplyDeleteWhat big construction company does John Dillingham own?
ReplyDelete