While it's fair to debate the merits of urban rail transit there is no question that supporters of Kansas City streetcar have declared war on Kansas City Democracy with their latest action to suppress THOUSANDS of voters.
Here's the aftermath of a story that we've been previewing for quite some time . . .
KCUR: Kansas City To Keep Planning Streetcar Expansion, Despite Vote To Stop City Involvement
Deets:
On August 4, 2017 Kansas City residents passed an ordinance, brought to the city through an initiative petition, that prohibits city officials from moving forward with any streetcar extension without first gaining citywide voter approval. That included any planning or preparation for construction.
The vote complicated a process that was already underway to extend the current streetcar south to UMKC.
On Thursday, the city council amended the ordinance passed by voters over the summer, saying that it was not legally sound as it was passed.
And so . . .
THE STREETCAR NOW PROVES MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE WILL OF LOCAL VOTERS WHO WANTED A SAY IN THE FUTURE OF THIS CONTROVERSIAL MODE OF TRANSIT!!!
Bright side for now . . .
"The city is still prohibited from purchasing land for a new streetcar line and from constructing any addition, expansion, or new fixed-rail system without a citywide vote."
And what's important here might not be a toy train debate but that City Hall so casually dismissed election returns.
You decide . . .
This kind of corruption is why Amazon was wise to stay out of Kansas City.
ReplyDeleteThe streetcar hates America.
ReplyDeleteAmong the excuses given was the city being exposed to litigation. Perhaps a class-action suit on behalf of 17,000 voters might afford a new perspective on legal exposure.
ReplyDeleteWe already voted on the extension several years ago. The vote was an overwhelming NO. Where does that fit into the public having a say?
ReplyDeleteFuck Amazon. KCMO is great and you are ugly if you disagree.
ReplyDeleteIt was moved out of committee to full council. Not adopted yet. Only me and Sherry DeJanes spoke against it. Show up in large numbers and get angry when council votes on it. Still probably a lost cause but this is the most egregious thing council has done to date and folks should tell them to their faces
ReplyDelete^^^ Thank you for doing the right thing on this Bryan.
ReplyDeleteBut I think the amendment today proves that council doesn't care about voters. Glad you at least got it on record that they are against the will of the people.
And people call my country bad!
ReplyDeleteYou eat dogs, panhead
DeleteNext time someone says "you need to get out and vote".. just answer: "Why?"
ReplyDeleteAnd they wonder what people don't go to the polls .
ReplyDeleteAny City Council members who did this need to be voted out of office, and definitely not supported if they run for mayor.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the streetcar extension tax district has already been approved. The legal scam artists knew from experience that they could count on the hipster-renter vote to get the tax district approved. Of course, by the time the first bills come due, the hipster renters will all have moved to Johnson County and the rest of us will be stuck with the costs. That there is a legal-but-immoral tax district makes citizens' opinions and wishes irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteWhen the voters veto'd this all the City did was transfer the money to RideKC and let them continue the process since they are not the City. They are doing all the studies on the streetcar and think it will soon fall under them. Worse idea ever for the City....
ReplyDelete