Frank White Legacy: Man Who Chased Royals Out Of Kansas City?!?

This afternoon Jackson County insiders patiently reminded us to think about the big picture as an upcoming sales tax extension vote for a downtown baseball stadium moves closer. 

Beyond the contract legalese of it all . . . 

The most poignant theme that resonates with us is Jackson County Executive Frank White finally earning revenge against the team that helped to build his legacy but then discarded him late into his career.

Now . . . 

Given rising discontent regarding the current plan amongst taxpayers in the Crossroads and throughout Eastern Jack . . . We notice the Exec has been busy helping campaign against the extension on social media and in mainstream news.

Tax fighters might not like Frank White because of longstanding beef over property taxes but they don't mind his help on this issue. 

Weeks ago we noted that he still has a part to play in this discussion and that prediction has proven correct. 

And yet . . .

The past is prologue to the upcoming showdown in a low turnout vote that might not garner 20% of the electorate in an age wherein fewer and fewer people even bother registering to vote. 

Still we remember . . .

The Royals were never serious about making Frank White a manager. His stint in the minors was a disaster. The team tried to put him in the broadcast booth but that ended horribly as well.

And so politics beckoned the former baseball star and the illustrious career of Fred Arbanas proved that a former sports star could make a place for himself inside the courthouse for nearly half a century without garnering much attention . . . Admittedly, that was before the age of the Internets. 

We remember more recent history wherein Exec Frank White and his team boldly seized opportunity after criminal misconduct of the former Exec rocked the Courthouse. 

Almost immediately and somewhat ironically . . . Frank White's reputation for refusing to play ball with colleagues garnered political enemies . . . Still, his name recognition and the lack of any credible Democratic Party opposition has earned him two terms in office . . . Word is he won't run again.

And now . . . 

It would be impossible for even the most loyal supporters of Jackson County Executive Frank White to deny animosity against the Royals that has tainted stadium negotiations.

Like it or not . . . 

As much as anything else . . . And probably more so . . . A feud fought over decades will determine the fate of an upcoming vote . . . And subsequently, likely chase this town's baseball team to another city . . . Get is straight, behind the scenes the Royals have PROMISED to leave if the tax doesn't win. 

And that's a fact check this blog wants to highlight . . . We won't speculate about the Chiefs but this is a truism that voters should keep in mind: 

IF THE ROYALS DON'T WIN THIS VOTE, YES, THEY ARE LEAVING KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI!!!

Moreover . . .

THERE IS NO SAVING THE K: CONSIDER THE OLD STADIUM HISTORY AS IT WILL SOON MEET THE WRECKING BALL NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS AT THE BALLOT BOX!!!

Accordingly . . . 

Here's more perspective sent to www.TonysKansasCity.com in an off-record note from an insider regarding the behind the scenes talks which don't seem to be going well . . .

"The idea that the Executive had a deal structured with teams is a straight lie . . . There was no negotiation in good faith with anyone. There was feet dragging, and pettiness about decades old hurt feelings. We asked him directly what he wanted out of the deal and all he could say was “a better deal” -- The reality is that you have a puppet being propped up by his chief of staff. If you can’t see it you’re blind.

"You don’t negotiate a deal without a strategy, his was 'better deal'. But you can’t write that down on a contract, you need more. The 'work' is messy, not sexy and often times very frustrating. Doing it though is what’s best for the tax payers and then they decide. If you’re mad about wasted time, look at the pool players-there’s who wasted it chief and protégé."

Developing . . .