Clay Chastain Shares Open Letter Bid For New Kansas City ATA Boss

As always, TKC never minds helping a longtime friend find a job . . . Here's his open cover letter for readers consider and offer CONSTRUCTIVE criticism . . . 

Clay Chastain News Release: Engineer Chastain submits the following (Open) Application & Resume' to the KCATA for its (soon to be) vacant CEO position. 

I applaud Mr. Frank White III for being ambitious enough to seek the CEO position of the KCATA. However, I blame the ATA board for abusing the public trust in continuing its practice of nepotism (also hired ineffective (Atty.) Joe Reardon) & bringing on board an obvious "DEI Hire" with no transit experience, design experience or technical background when KC's bus system is a mess. I suggest the ATA be 'inclusive' & hire a CEO that brings 'merit' to the position. If I'm hired we will not waste $120 million per year for heavy, noisy & (mostly) empty behemoth buses lumbering about town destroying City streets & the City's image. Rather, we will forge a New 'Green Transportation' Winner for KC.

Unfortunately, some board members may be infected with the 'Chastain Deranged Syndrome' & view me as a grandstanding, narcissistic nitwit who interferes, won't leave KC alone & whose time of fame has passed. That's too bad because I'm a cinch for the job considering...I have transit design experience, a strong technical background, am familiar with the dynamics of KC & am the only leader to win a (Citywide) light rail election. Too, by hiring an outsider the ATA ditches its practice of nepotism & benefits from my fresh & innovative perspective. 

 I bring another bonus to the position...I already have in hand a (Redesigned) *Green Transportation* Initiative for KC (coming 1/2/26). I only require 50% the salary you paid Mr. White.

Brief resume (I don't like to boast, but the job importance requires one be their own best advocate):

* Education: Early...taught by Father born into dire poverty in the Ozarks, but blessed with compassion & an IQ of 170. Earned degree in electrical engineering & was on Dean's Honor Roll while working way through college (dairy farm, fixing students cars & Journeyman Machinist).

* KC Engineering: Nuclear Power, E-Control Systems & Robotics Programming.

* KC Civic: Led petition drives to save Union Station & modernize transit; brought lawsuits against City Hall (Pro se) for abusing petition process, overturning a light rail election & falsely imprisoning & maliciously prosecuting a political opponent (me).

*Additional work experience: Renovated 20 - Historical homes in KC, authored book, and in Virginia... restored 5 - homes, designed & built new affordable homes & owned & operated landscape & design business. 

* KC Family: Eldest daughter, 2 - grandchildren & sister. Beloved Parents buried alongside one another in KCMO cemetery.

* Integrity: Hard working Modern Day Renaissance Man of Strong Faith.

Wrap: With (incomparable) wherewithal, love for the City & years of demonstrated loyalty, I should have been hired years ago. However, "All's well that ends well" if Clay Chastain is finally placed @ the helm of the KCATA to win voter approval of his Initiative in Nov. & then oversee the successful implementation of the greatest capital improvement project in the City's history.

Thank you for your consideration.

 Sincerely, Clay Chastain.
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