TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! TALKING WITH KANSAS CITY MAYORAL CANDIDATE MIKE BURKE ON THE NIGHT BEFORE THE PRIMARY!!!
Kansas City Mayoral Candidate Mike Burke is a professional, there's no question about it.
I just got off the phone with the candidate who obviously has the most momentum going into the primary.
He noted the culmination of his efforts: "After two years of campaigning you're either at a position where you feel confident or not," Mr. Burke said. "I think tomorrow we're going to have a good night and it's because of so much work that we've done to bring us to this point."
Mr. Burke noted the causal nature of today's forum, "This campaign has lasted so long there there was no point in being contentious. I think we all have a great deal of respect for one another."
I don't like to contradict a guy who could be the next Mayor of this town but . . .
TKC TIPSTERS OFFER THIS EXCLUSIVE DETAIL: 5 OUT OF SIX OF THE KANSAS CITY MAYORAL CANDIDATES TRADED MOBILE PHONE NUMBERS AFTER THE FORUM IN A GESTURE OF GOODWILL!!! I'LL LET YOU GUESS WHO WASN'T IN ON THE EXCHANGE!!!
Mr. Burke confirmed the phone number exchange but didn't comment on the missing party from the collaborative group effort.
Obviously, Mr. Burke has his detractors. However . . .
The strong points of the Burke campaign include a very professional video campaign that also focused on Internet distribution. A LOCAL campaign staff that was packed with influential members from almost every community in Kansas City.
And finally it was Mr. Burke's extensive list of community and professional connections that obviously gave him an advantage going into the primary.
Because of a Kansas City media failure to conduct any reliable polling, there's no telling who will make the primary but there seems to be a consensus that Mr. Burke's campaign has fulfilled every expectation for a candidate hoping to win Kansas City's approval at the ballot box.
good.
ReplyDeleteI have known Mr. Burke for many, many years. I have never had one bad thing to say about him. And in fact the only people that say distasteful things about him have never met him.
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow Mike, you have my vote.
I have known Mr. Burke for many, many years. I have never had one bad thing to say about him. And in fact the only people that say distasteful things about him have never met him.
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow Mike, you have my vote.
Now, that is a professional mayor
ReplyDeleteBurke and Sly tomorrow
ReplyDeleteBurke in the General
"Mayor Mike"
It will be close.
ReplyDeleteMike's a great guy. So is Sly. So is Jim. Let's just hope Funkhouser is finished tomorrow
ReplyDeleteGloria gets jealous if anybody but her talks to Funk on the phone.
ReplyDeleteIs that NE 80th and N Brighton, where Burke took the legal fees for the work on the road and then dropped his client when the client couldn't finish the streetwork. It fell on the City to get the work done. Or is it a road to Renaissance North, where again, he scooped up the legal fees and then dropped the client when he couldn't finish the work. He's got some real cajones talking about the City not getting work done. I hope he knows that if he were to be mayor there would be no legal fees for him to skim off the top of every project before his clients let it tank. Seriously Mike, you've got some real nerve.
ReplyDeleteNearly everyone was sickened by the idea of leveling the quaint old building, especially since recent Plaza construction has allowed such highly unique additions as a bigger Gap. Few people saw any value in kicking all sorts of people out of their decently priced apartments so that the Blackwell Sanders law firm could abandon one tax-abated building at Union Station for another tax-abated building on the Plaza. The deal was plainly, outrageously, on-the-face-of-it wrong (and Casey Logan's cover story this week details the not-so-obvious reasons why it reeked). Highwoods was facing a hostile audience even at tax-break-happy city hall, where on March 6 the city council's Planning and Zoning Committee was slated to consider Councilman Jim Rowland's resolution condemning Highwoods' plan.
ReplyDelete"Highwoods took a look at the political winds on this one and, after talking with a number of members of the city council, it appeared that the focal point was going to be not on the process and the merits but on the politics of it," says Mike Burke, a development attorney Highwoods had hired to escort the plan through city hall.
The "merits" of that plan (we give Highwoods a $12.8 million tax break; Highwoods gives us more free parking so we can spend more money on the Plaza) certainly were debatable. And the "politics of it"? Highwoods officials were quick to blame politicians for "impeding" the usual development process. But Mike Burke's own involvement says a lot about politics, too.
Barry Brady, CEO of Highwoods, hired Burke because he couldn't very well use his regular law firm (that would be Blackwell Sanders, whose name was a little soiled in this particular instance).
And Burke knows how to work city hall -- he used to be a city councilman himself, from 1983 to '87. These days he makes his living with the King Hershey law office, which does an awful lot of business with the city. Burke's cut of that business comes from representing the city's Port Authority, which, among other duties, oversees development along the Missouri River. Since September 1999, he has been charging a gentlemanly $150 an hour(1999 USD) to do the city's riverfront legal work.
The Port Authority is part of the city's Economic Development Corporation, a quasi-governmental agency that gets about $1 million directly out of city hall's budget. The Port Authority gets its own operating income mostly from rent the city collects from casinos; while those aren't tax dollars, they are public funds, says Andi Udris, head of the EDC.
So every time Mike Burke submits a bill for his work on Port Authority business, it's essentially the people of Kansas City who pay. We pay every time Burke meets with Mayor Kay Barnes or her chief of staff, Joe Serviss, or city council members about Port Authority business. We pay him to attend meetings of the council's Planning and Zoning Committee. We pay him for the time he spends blabbing with reporters from The Kansas City Star. We paid for his $72 lunch with Representative Henry Rizzo at the American Restaurant last July 11 and for his $143.85 lunch with an unnamed client at Pierpont's last July 25. We've paid Burke's firm more than a quarter of a million dollars since the fall of 1999.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to taking care of the city's business along the banks of the Missouri River, we trust Burke to act in our best interest. But when it came to tearing down the Park Lane apartments, he was prepared to act in the interests of Highwoods Properties.
If the Park Lane plan had passed the city council, Burke would have then hustled it before the city's Tax Increment Financing Commission. At least he knows where the TIF office is: It's in the same suite as the Port Authority's office at the Economic Development Corporation's headquarters downtown on Petticoat Lane.
Burke says there would have been no conflict of interest. The Port Authority (where Burke works for the city) and the TIF Commission (where he would have been Highwoods' harlot) are distinct agencies. "They have separate boards, and they each have their own attorney," Burke says.
Just to be extra safe, back in the mid-'90s, when his firm began representing EDC agencies in addition to private clients that might have business with other EDC agencies, Burke says, "We asked for and got from the Missouri Supreme Court's chief disciplinary counsel a ruling on whether that is a conflict of interest. It is not." What Burke's firm actually got was a 1995 "informal advisory opinion" in which Chief Disciplinary Counsel John Howe says that the arrangement generally doesn't sound like a conflict of interest. But that opinion is nonbinding, says Sara Rittman, deputy chief disciplinary counsel. "Ultimately if some issue got into court one way or another, what we've said can't be cited as precedent," Rittman says. "It's not like an opinion from a court."
As Burke considers taking on future assignments, there's another opinion he might want to consider.
"I operate by three rules," Burke says. "Is it legal? Is it ethical? And what's it look like on the front page? I'm satisfied on the first two. You'll figure out how the third one looks. Be kind."
It may be legal, and it may be the way business gets done around here, but I'm sorry, Mr. Burke, I couldn't be kind. It'll take too long for the stench to wear off of this one.
TKC EXCLUSIVE FOLLOWUP!!! MIKE BURKE MISSING FROM KANSAS CITY LAWSUIT STORY OVER FAILED DEVELOPMENT!!!
ReplyDeleteLet me be forthright. A lot of Kansas City hit pieces that I see don't interest me that much . . . Strictly financial deals going sour just aren't sexy enough to captivate the interest of the public.
Still . . . KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS are far more persistent and detail orientated.
To wit, we've got some blanks to fill in with Star reporting.
Let's start it this way. Here's a quick note that sparked my interest regarding a recent story about Kansas City getting sued:
"The developer who put the Prospect North deal together was Kurt Degenhardt. Kurt's lawyer on the deal (who represented him in front of the TIF Commission) was Mike Burke."
That Degenhardt reference isn't exactly correct . . . Here's a story regarding his involvement:
Renaissance site attracts renewed interest
Also, this showed up in my comments and The Star comments on this one and it gets directly to the point that's being pitched on this story:
"Mike Burke is vice president of a law firm that represented the developer the Prospect North project that received more than $26 million in city funds that were backed by bonds. Those bonds were supposed to be repaid with “new” tax revenue generated by the project, as part of Tax-Increment Financing, or TIF. But the project was a complete bust. It brings in zilch. And now the city has to repay those bonds for 20 years at a little more than a million per."
To be fair, other Tipsters and pundits point out that City Council Lady at the time Deb Hermann voted for it . . . But again, everybody knows that Burke is a big money lawyer and grown ups understand the conflicts. The question here is simple:
Will voters hold Mike Burke accountable for a biz deal gone bad that he played a (big) part in?
Of course, I'd like it if the voting public would hold politicos accountable for their decisions . . . However, what I've seen is that so many elections are decided by branding, special interest groups and personal bias. I could hope for voters to be better but I doubt it.
Mike, I'm thinking I'm going to stop telling others I thought you were the best candidate of the bunch. What I have done is opened every comment with the preemptive statement that I know you're a developer's tool. Mike, we've sat on several boards together, and you're always courteous and professional, but you have always represented the developers interest over the taxpayers. I thought that maybe the bad economy would help you focus on running city business, but I'm not sure you can.
ReplyDeleteI've now seen you in several public settings and remarked recently that you tend to walk in, shake hands with the major players, and then boogie on out. While that may help win donations, it doesn't really win votes.
In the last couple of weeks, it's becoming rather clear you are who you are. I'll be pulling my support and looking for another. Sorry.
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/21/2536253/developer-sues-kc-over-projects.html#ixzz18uY09Qb7
Alvin Brooks is bad news. His history of womanizing and being on the take is legendary. He can't raise the money it takes for a race. The fact that he took at six-figure salary for Ad-Hoc, while being a councilman, means he violated ethics laws. The fact that he took at six-figure salary for a non-profit group when all he did was show up at funerals was wrong. It's just no one wanted to write up Saint Alvin.
ReplyDeleteThis development isn't really that interesting at all... it's just on the website of Channel 9... who watches it in the first place, let alone visits their website?
But Burke has paid so much money to Pat O'Neill and Kim Carlos, how could this be true? Do you think they could just be taking his money for vacation homes?
Burke needs to start asking his consultants where they are getting commissions paid to them in addition to the retainers he is paying them.
All you friggin Burke patsies have drunk the Kool-aid. Do you honestly believe this fucker doesn't know a conflict of interest when it exists? The Port Authority fiasco is what I'm referring to. There are only two possibilities that explain his involvement: he's lying or he was unaware. The latter is totally unacceptable for a guy that had served the Authority for years and years where he should have known the ins and outs of every rule and procedure. If he didn't, that makes him totally incompetent. A liar or an incompetent. Do either of these choices qualify him for Mayor?
ReplyDeleteMayoral contender Mike Burke is vice president of a law firm that represented the developer on a project that received more than $26 million in city funds that were backed by bonds. Those bonds were supposed to be repaid with “new” tax revenue generated by the project, as part of Tax-Increment Financing, or TIF. But the project was a complete bust. It brings in zilch. And now the city has to repay those bonds for 20 years at a little more than a million per.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s more, Burke’s firm, King Hershey, was eligible to receive $873,722 of that public money for helping put the deal together, according to documents that are readily available online.
“This is going to be his Waterloo,” one political insider told me recently. “Even people who support him for mayor are worried about how this will affect him.”
I asked Burke about all this last week. Before I go into his responses, I have to confess up front that I genuinely like him. Back when I was a reporter at The Pitch, he was one of the few establishment types who would talk to me with any kind of candor. He was the same when we reconnected this time around. Regarding this particular project, officially known as Prospect North, he said, “In a nutshell, the developer died.”
I recently made a Sunshine Law request for all emails between Burke and city officials, and I found several from November of this year in which an attorney from Burke’s firm wrote – in messages in which Burke himself was CC’d – that they were representing the developers of a project called Lucas Place, and “we are looking at proceeding with tax abatement through the city.”
ReplyDeleteIronically, the money to pay for the bonds used in the Prospect North project (Burke’s supposed Waterloo) are taken directly out of that citywide fund – an arrangement that was made when he was chair of that fund’s committee. But since it happened at the City Council level, and with at least the tacit backing of then-Mayor Kay Barnes, Burke had no real say in the matter.
ReplyDeleteStill, in fairness, I have to assume that if the city made good on the budgeted $873,722 in legal fees, the good folks at King Hershey happily deposited those checks.
It's going to be a bonanza (at tax payers expense of course) for development attorneys and developers if Burke is elected. Vote for Sly.
ReplyDeleteIt is too late to dump the trash.
ReplyDeleteGloria/Jeff: Please stay off this blog. You're not deserving.
ReplyDeleteMike Burke is one of the straightest shooters in KC. Has my vote.
ReplyDeleteHey Tony: You've just got to have a word limit during the General Election or you're letting dimwits like that above take it over. Nice story Tony.
ReplyDeleteDiana, please quit blaming everything ugly on Gloria and Jeff.
ReplyDeleteYou are a Goddamn Slimeball on your own, Diana.
Mike and Company, look out for the flush of lies coming your way.
Tony, on the same minute he posted this post... writing a comment, "Good".
ReplyDeleteSo Tony.
The guy's so into himself. He loves this shit... a nobody living in his mom's basement having all these candidates calling him.
When I worked at a certtain TV station and was an assignment editor, I had the mayor's car phone and he called me fm time to time.
Even Bob Berdella called me once from Petosi to bitch because the warden had taken away his fax machine.
Bitch huh? Reporters can misunderstand all that attention. it wasn't ME the mayor wanted to talk to... it was my ACCESS to the PUBLIC!
Soon as you don't have that access, the calls immediately stop. That should tell us that we as individuals really aren't that important!
Both Tony and ALonzo could learn this! I think they're more GROUPIES than newmakers. Sorry, but fame really is very fleeting. And it's not about YOU at all!
I learned this being in the media. As do all stars. ONce you're not hot, the phone stops ringing! Very instantly! The silence is deafening and humility sets in!
All of the above rants show Mike has out done Hermann and Funkhouser. they are going ugly. - You still have my vote and I'll work a poll for you!
ReplyDeleteCheck it, radiobaby is still waiting for his phone to ring! What a loser dickman.
ReplyDeletethe best part of mike burke ran down his daddy's leg. have known him for 35 years. 2 generations of bagmen, always profiting off politics.
ReplyDeleteDo you goddam pinstriped suited morons think anything you say will sway a single vote in this pissant blog room?
ReplyDeleteOr are you just trying to build a little PR for yourself to the one you now write your support?
Morons!
Herman and Funk, together again. joined in hate.
ReplyDeleteYup, TKC smells a winner and is sucking up now.
ReplyDeleteRadioman and silence?? One can only hope.
ReplyDeleteBurke is the ultimate insider. Funkhouser is the ultimate outsider. If that is what we are facing in the run-off, I'm leaving town. I'm for Sly or Jim.
ReplyDeleteMike Burke sucks. As much as I hate Funkhouser, I don't know that Burke would be any better. He certainly would never be able to do anything without checking if the Chamber of Commerce says its OK first, then convening a commission to study the problem, and on and on. And if it weren't for the friggin' Star, the guy's campaign would be toast. The Port Authority thing stinks, as reported in the Star, but apparently Yael thinks it doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteHere's the story of how Burke managed to bully/bribe Wheeler for his endorsement. http://jimmycsays.com/ I can't believe the guy is *supporting* Burke and wrote this!
ReplyDelete8:48, read it, I believe you are correct, Mike Burke just bullied an 84 year old out of a race he wanted to run in. Mike's true character is now out, and in his own words, his character is "bullshit"!
ReplyDeleteRowland is a shame. he has Glorioso behind him. Barnes menion. We dont need another Glo in city hall.
ReplyDeleteGee I thought by hiring a Jackson County Lobbyist and his corrupt business partner on the County Legislature that my election was a mortal lock?!?!?!
ReplyDeletePS
Scott, I might not be able to send you any of those contracts I promised.
The biggest loser is Mike Sanders who endorsed Deb Hermann.
ReplyDeleteSanders has never run in a contested election, so he has a tin ear on public opinion.
As long as some of the good old boy Eastern Jack money guys think that something is good, Sanders doubles his bet.
Mike does not know many everyday people.
Deb's impending loss is another embarrassment to Sanders.
Do not forget the DEATH KISSES of Kay Barnes with Mike Burke
ReplyDelete9:26, you wish Mike.
ReplyDeleteSanders is finished after this race. with funk gone there will be nobody left to make him look good.
ReplyDeleteBurke is anything but a nice guy. He has held the city up for tens of millions of dollars due to his development clients who went best. The city had to pick up the tab, while Burke made sure his fees were paid.
ReplyDeleteIn his own words here, Burke said he started campaigning two years ago. This is in DIRECT CONFLICT with his own words that he quit representing the Port Authority just last Spring to run for mayor. He lied. He was actively campaigning for nearly two years before he was TOLD TO RESIGN from the Port Authority.
Mike might love KC. But he treats the office of the mayor as his birthright, as something he is owed. And remember: with Burke slithers in Glorioso. Do we need that snake back in the Mayor's office? No.
Vote no to Mike Burke. James or Hermann are the two best choices.