PUCK EXCLUSIVE!!! SCHOOLS FIRST AS A PRICEY AND FUNKY CAMPAIGN STUNT!!!

TKC NOTE: Of course I'm skeptical of anything the Co-Mayor tries but his desperation to push through Schools First is simply remarkable despite the fact that most people agree it's dead on arrival. Nevertheless, Mayor Funky's last attempt to salvage credibility should be taken seriously if only because of the horrible damage he can do during his last remaining days in office. .

So, Puck has decided to mythbust the Mayor's motives and look at this hot mess strategically. Check it:

Schools First: Nothing But a Campaign Stunt

Schools First? Sure, right behind Funk and Gloria… so Schools Third!

Puck is weighing in on a topic that lots of readers don't think has much traction. And while it may not, the method being used to build interest in the topic has come under much-deserved scrutiny. The topic: Schools First. The mayor(s) are working feverishly and furiously to fashion their forces to put Schools First on the ballot in August. They will ask voters to foolishly approve a $100 million bond issue. What folly!

Let Puck explain why Schools First is nothing but a big campaign stunt. By pretending to push his poorly thought out and pathetic plan, the mayor(s) are in essence CAMPAIGNING FOR RE-ELECTION. It is already happening, and Schools First billboards have been newly-branded with the tagline, "A City That Works." These billboards were allegedly paid for by Jim Nutter! They should be treated as a campaign stunt, and nothing more.

The mayor(s) are counting on an August vote so that they can quickly begin construction on public improvements that will do little to help KCMO schools. (A few curbs and sidewalks will not bring back accreditation.) Today, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will vote on ordinance 100401, authorizing the Schools First bonds. With Riley and Curls in the bag on the issue, and Marcason and Skaggs being sensible 'no' votes, it remains to be seen what Miss Jolly does. Will Jolly have the guts to do the right thing and kill the ordinance? Doubtful, as she is not exactly trail-blazing material, but you can hope, dear readers.

Let's face a few hard facts, shall we readers? The City is already carrying a substantial load of debt per capita. In fact, per capita, KC has THREE TIMES the debt load of other comparable cities. The mayor(s) plan would require the city to pay debt service on the additional $100 million, a lousy layout for a city that is already leveraged to the extreme. Additionally, the city would have to take money AWAY from the current capital budget to pay DEBT SERVICE on the new bonds. Why not just use existing capital dollars and target the areas around schools for capital improvements?

The Answer: Because running this city well is a foreign idea to the co-mayors, and to about half of the council. It's about power and re-election. It's about a city that works… for them. Watch closely, dear readers, to the council members who vote for Schools First. Ask yourself, what do they stand to gain from their vote? Meet back here in a few days and we'll discuss… for now, chat amongst yourselves.