@BlogKCThe Truman Sports Complex renovation proposal is putting Mayor Barnes in an interesting position. Her recent move from Loose Park to Briarcliff West put her in Clay County, not Jackson County. As the first mayor to live in the Northland, she won’t be able to vote on the stadium renovations.
While this is a county issue, not a city one, the mayor has taken a big role in promoting it alongside the county government officials like County Executive Katheryn Shields. And it’s certainly important for the city. KCMO south of the river accounts for half of Jackson County’s population and two-thirds of KCMO’s population.
But in some ways, Mayor Barnes has joined the likes of Johnson County CEOs and sports radio hosts chiming in on an issue in which they have no standing. So it’s an interesting position for the mayor, and it’s one that’s likely to come up again as the city continues spreading out over four different counties.
The Mayor is only one of many who have profound interest but can’t vote on this–consider young people who are not now voters but will be in the future, as well as people from the metro area that isn’t Jackson County…
The people outside of Jackson County (Northland, Kansas, etc) already had a chance to vote on this. That was Bistate II back in November of 2004. They had a chance to make their voice heard and chose to vote “no.”
I don’t have any sympathy for them now. So what if they have a profound interest like Pam says?. They already had their chance and they blew it.
I totally agree with the BKS comment.
If you don’t live in Jackson County, then you need to shut up. You had your chance with Bistate and you didn’t pay your share.
I can’t believe anyone is taking this fiasco seriously.
But really: Anyone know where I can buy some yard signs?
Pam the biggest difference in the analogy you use, is that no young people are trying to sway this vote, as people with dubious or no standing are. Understand this; the Royals are on extremely shakey ground as an MLB franchise. There are solid rumors that David Glass merely wants to pump enough money into the club to allow him to clear a profit (which he has done successfully for a number of years to date) through the league’s profit sharing program. When this stops working, the rumor has it, the plan is to allow MLB contraction, so the team is in essence bought out by another club. If this is the case, and it’s a 50/50 chance right now, we the Jackson County suckers will be footing the bill for a multi-million dollar lawn ornament outside Arrowhead. No other county runs this risk or shares our potential risk.
The idea that no one outside Jackson County is allowed to voice an opinion is asinine. I care about Kansas City and I care about the Royals and Chiefs. So what if I don’t live in that part of the metro? I still want what’s best for the city.
And, I think this plan is NOT good for KC, so if you are living in Jackson County vote NO – make your leaders come up with a better, more fair plan.
By the way… does Ben Dover have any sources for this “contraction of the Royals” rumor? It doesn’t sound credible to me.
I haven’t heard that one either, but I will agree that the Royals are not a franchise that could be considered “healthy” by any means, and there is the distinct possibility that KCMO could be holding the bag on the stadium. Chris, I will also agree with you that those outside JaxCo have a right to voice their opinion, but I’ll try to explain the mentality here…JaxCo voters are leery that “Community Leaders” with no vested interest are trying to corner them into paying the freight alone for everyone’s entertainment. There is a real message coming from many that if this fails, and the teams leave, it is the fault of JaxCo voters, and that anyone asking 1) is it worth it? 2) can we try for a better deal? isn’t being a team player.
so?
with *any* normal investment, performance requirements would be part of the consideration. why are sports teams so different? they do consider themselves businesses. food for thought before we spend a billion dollars…
regardless, i’m voting NO. contract the team, i could care less. i’d rather have an NBA team *downtown* than football *and* baseball out in the sticks.
Get a NO! I can’t afford it yard sign.
email Noicantaffordit@yahoo.com They need donations to pay for the signs. A real grassroots attempt to stop the lies.
The teams use the stadiums for 50 years and all they can pay is 10%? Lamar gets $26 million a year plus $42 million for the revenues from national TV at $68 million a year you think we could have a partnership with more than 10% don’t you. Plus the owners and most players don’t live here so most of their tax dollars leave town along with the money spend at the football stadium that ends up in Dallas TX within a hour after the game.So much for the money being passed around in our city.
Larry
Its just wrong to ask just Jackson County residents to pay for the METRO AREA sports teams. JUST VOTE NO APRIL 4th
http://home.earthlink.net/~dick.young/index.html
We live on a fixed income and have never been to a game. How much is going to cost me and why? All you have to do is raise the ticket price $50 or so and the users will will have it paid for in no time.
you would think the police,fireman,and city employees would vote against this one with the pension funds underfunded. I know I would want my money whenI retire instead of money going to Lamar and friends.
Larry
Subject: Rolling Roof For Stadium
Who is going to be held accountable if a major storm causes the rolling roof to collapse during the game? Remember the roof on Kemper Arena? It collapsed during a snow and ice storm.
Also, who is going to be responsible for the day to day maintenance of this roof — the taxpayers or dare we think the ball clubs themselves? I personally don’t feel the ball clubs will take responsibility in the event there is a collapse and hundreds are injured or killed. The ball clubs will expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab and cover the lawsuits resulting from a collapse. Keep in mind all plans look good on paper — it’s the practical application that will make or break the plan.
In this case, I see a death trap being created.