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Feb
25
Barnes to go all in?
February 25, 2007 |
So far Mayor Barnes has taken no official position on the race to replace her, but now it looks like she’s going to take a stand. She has a news conference scheduled for Monday at 10:00 a.m. Looks like she’s had enough with this Funk business, especially now that the Star is reporting he may pulling ahead and taking first in the primary.
Comments
36 Comments so far
She will endorse Brooks, and it will cost him the election.
Hehe, LOL Al. However, I think it’s Ellis that will cost Brooks the election. As for The Star’s “reporting” on their favorite pulling ahead . . . That’s so obvious that even the oldest members of their target demographic might be able so see that one without the help of their reading glasses.
The great thing about this election is that nobody is going to have a majority and no matter who moves on to the primary the only thing that’s certain is that they won’t have a majority of the city’s support.
The editorial for Funk this sunday read like a campaign flyer.
Still, I’m curious to hear the bad things about the Funk…anybody?
Doinkman, here are my criticisms/concerns about Funkhouser:
He’s made a lot of budget recommendations, including closing firehouses, selling the water plant, closing the city jail, etc., and in this campaign he’s never made clear where he stands on those recommendations. He’s made excuses (I was talking as auditor — whatever that means), but he’s not been explicit about which of his past recommendations he stands by and which he refutes. And no matter how much Funkhouser and his supporters want to call the issue “moot,” he absolutely did call for cutting funding for indigent health care, and levy or no levy, Funkhouser showed his priorities there — cutting spending over helping the poor.
He also had a bad track record of working with the city council. I think he did a good job as auditor, but as mayor you have to build a consensus and you have to compromise. And there’s no disputing that Funkhouser has consistently fallen short at compromise. I just don’t think Funkhouser has the right strengths to lead KC and to bring voters, business leaders and politicians together.
Finally, I’m as miffed at the wasteful use of TIF that we’ve seen in this city as anyone, but Funkhouser is too anti-TIF. We can’t stagnate our way into improving our city. We have to grow, and we’ll only do that by attracting new businesses and new residents. That means reinvesting — both in our core and in new development/redevelopment. There are smarter ways to do it, but I don’t think Funkhouser will be able to work well with developers and the business community to continue the progress we’ve seen so far. Has there been wasted money downtown? Of course. But overall, the redevelopment has been a good thing.
I think Funkhouser is a good man, and I think he was a good auditor. But I just don’t think he’s the best candidate for mayor. And I think we’ll see a lot of the progress that KC has seen in recent years go right down the drain.
someone needs to restore people’s faith in city government. that’s why people are attracted to funkhouser. if you’re convinced he’ll put the brakes on the downtown revival, you’re probably better off voting for chuck eddy to guarantee the status quo of vision mixed with financial ineptitude.
Kiki,
To be fair, any of the audits or recommendations Funkhouser made as auditor was made specifically at the behest of the mayor or city council members. His job was to examine the feasibility of the proposals, not set a legislative agenda. For example, Mayor Kay Barnes was proposed selling the water department before union opposition made that position politically untenable.
As for being too anti-TIF, it’s about time someone says no to every harebrained development scheme. The city’s overreliance on TIF has taken much needed revenue from the police department, KCATA, and health care for the indigent — true city services.
Patrick, sorry but that excuse doesn’t fly. You can’t claim he was innovative on the things you like and then say he was only acting on the behest of the mayor or city council members. If that’s really your argument, then Funkhouser deserves zero credit for his record and we should all vote for Chuck Eddy or John Fairfield.
My point is that Funkhouser has to own his record, both good and bad. And so far, he’s trying to dodge some of his own harebrained ideas.
As to TIF, there’s a difference between being smart on TIF and being anti-TIF. We need a pro-growth mayor who will work with developers but will also ensure that TIF money goes primarily where we need it to go. TIF is supposed to be a short-term investment that leads to long-term revenue, which should mean more money for police, KCATA, etc. It should also lead to more rather than fewer residents.
We need a mayor who will look at the big picture and will put together a plan to grow the city the right way. We also need someone who will bring people together, and not push them apart. I’ve done my research, and I like Al Riederer for these reasons. I think he’s got a good plan, and I think he’s someone who can bring people together to accomplish smarter and more targeted growth, which is what KC needs.
Kiki:
Funkhouser isn’t anti-TIF. He has specifically named two scenarios where he thinks it is appropriate: a) where a net increase in revenue will be generated, and b) social justice reasons (its original intention).
Anyone can borrow money and build/buy whatever they want. Then you have to worry about the debt, if you are a responsible consumer. If we are really concerned about the future of this city, we probably should do what we can to guard against what happened to, say, NYC in the 1970s. Of course we should grow, but we need to balance all this out and start paying for things…right away…or we’ll be in BIG trouble.
Sorry, Marie, but Funkhouser has positioned himself as too anti-growth. I just don’t trust him on this issue.
Oh and one more bad thing about Funkhouser: He said in today’s debate that he’s pro-voucher. There’s no way I can support a candidate who wants to do that to our public schools.
If Funk is elected, the best City Manager KC has had in a very, very, very long time will be out of here. That would be a shame. That, and all the momentum we’ve gained over the last few years would come to a screeching halt. Funk is the worst thing that could happen to KC right now, and it’s too bad people aren’t smart enough to figure that out.
Sorry, what momentum?
An arena with no major tenant? The Power and Light District which still has yet to be built? Focusing on downtown “redevelopment” at the expense of the rest of the city? A police department that’s strapped for cash?
Nope, Kay Barnes and her lackey Wayne Cauthen have left the city worse than they found it. And let’s get serious, if any one else besides Funkhouser becomes mayor, Cauthen will still be handed his walking papers.
Funkhouser supports vouchers. Enough said. Wake up grassroots, you’re supporting a Republican.
And this really adds fuel to the whole indigent health care issue. I just don’t now how anyone can take Funkhouser at his word.
Patrick, you are sorely misinformed. Have you even been downtown lately? KC is so much better than it was even two years ago - if you don’t think so, we don’t need your kind around here. Move to Des Moines. People like you are the people who’ve held this city back for years.
Wow… Patrick’s totally blown away the credibility of his opinions with his “still has yet to be built” comment. Contruction is QUITE far along and it’s scheduled to open in October. Remember, Legends out by the Speedway was just 2 years of dirt being pushed back and forth before it got going too.
All the downtown developments are risky, obviously, but if you want to take the safe route Kansas City will end up being the second coming of Des Moines (as Johannsen said), and I’m living in Ames right now. Trust me, we DO NOT want KC becoming another Des Moines (they’re thinking of changing the name to Blah City, Iowa).
all of these people who are spreading lies about funkhouser “stop the funk” conspiracy by his opponents and members of the business community. don’t believe the scare tactics… vote your conscience!
btw, KC has always been better than des moines!
Johansen,
Yes, drove through downtown on Saturday afternoon in fact. Still dead, still nothing to do. Yawn. Been that way for decades now. Lofts and an empty arena aren’t going to change that.
I’ve lived here longer than you’ve been in your downtown loft, and I suspect I’ll be here once the thrill of “urban” living wears off for you. Thanks just the same.
ScooterJ,
Are you serious, man? Legends may have been conceived and built in 2 years. They’ve been talking about — and trying to build — the Power and Light Entertainment district for five times that long — at least a decade. Pardon my skepticism, but I’ll believe it when it finally opens.
Patrick, they’re leasing spaces already. Get with it. You know nothing about the issue. And Dave, the only people spreading lies that I’ve seen are Funkhouser supporters who refuse to admit that they bought into the idea of a candidate without reading the fine print first.
As for the indigent health care, the tax payers got hit twice,once with the tax and 60 days later with property tax increase of 20-50%. Which city hall could of done with just the increase on property tax. So just that much more for TIF, because the developers get a bite out of that you know.
The people at city hall had 8 years to do something and now they have all these ideas. Why didn’t they do any of their ideas while in office ?
Kiki - Don’t you ever worry about how we’re going to pay for all this? Johannsen - KC’s financial debt will stop any momentum you’re referring to. ANYONE CAN BORROW MONEY…a responsible consumer needs to know how to pay back the debt.
Kiki,
Most projects in KCMO are often overbudget and behind schedule. So if it opens great, but I’m not holding my breath. The fact they’re still seeking tenants suggests businesses aren’t jumping at the chance to play inflated lease prices. Then there’s the uncomfortable reality that if the district falls short of its revenue projections, city taxpayers will be making up the difference. Since KC extends beyond Downtown, that means fewer taxpayer dollars that could be spent on police, fire, parks, sewers, etc.
Commercial development is risky and difficult, but this seems unacceptably risky and costly to a city government that struggles to provide basic city services, like snow removal. If the Power and Light District pans out, great. But so far the project’s history doesn’t fill me with hope.
Larry, you’re absolutely right. Funk and the rest of city hall passed the buck and we got the check. It’s that simple.
Marie, yes, it does need to be paid for. But we can’t stagnate ourselves out of the problem, unless you want your property taxes to keep going up. Do you want that? Why can’t we just get smarter about how we’ve used TIF instead of contracting and putting on the brakes?
Oh, and one thing to say for Des Moines. It’s got much better public schools than KC. And they did it without vouchers. Imagine that.
Sprint Center will have a major tenant. And even without a major tenant, it is a major success. World-class cities need world-class arenas - Kemper was far from it.
The P&L District has many fine tenants lined up and many more we don’t know about. Cordish works this way in all their developments - releasing tenant names slowly. We may not like it but that’s their thing.
A city must take risks to be successful, just like any good company. KC has taken risks over the past couple years and they will hopefully pay off down the road. We’ve sat by and done nothing as cities we used to be far superior to past us by. Thankfully smart people finally took charge and realized we need to step out of our comfort zone and make something happen.
People like Patrick and others here would like to win the lottery, but not have to buy a ticket. That’s not how things work kids.
And Patrick, I don’t live downtown. Not all supporters of this city live downtown.
Send me your address and I’ll have the Des Moines chamber of commerce send you a packet.
Johannsen: I agree with you in that we have to take risks, that the arena will find a tenant, most everything you said. I just think we need to stop hemorrhaging money the way we are for the glitz. Just slow it down a bit.
Kiki: I can’t respond to you anymore. You’ve lost all credibility with me. If anything, you have given me a newfound resolve not to vote for Riederer if he gets through.
That’s a shame, Marie. Why the hostility toward Riederer? And what exactly did I say to “lose all credibility”?
Johansen –
I’m glad you’re able to declare the Sprint Arena a major sucess — despite it being half built, overbudget and lacking a tenant. The lack of an NBA or NHL team remains an unfulfilled campaign pledge and a lost revenue stream, however. A world-class arena does the city no good if it sits empty.
And while the city is taking risks that “hopefully will pay off” at some undetermined future, the “smart people” have been ignoring essential services — police service, fire service, mass transit, roads, sewers, storm drains and parks on a massive risky gamble. Few corporations thrive if they ignore their core businesses.
And I happen to play the lottery and know my chances of winning are slim to none. I’m willing to throw out a couple of bucks every couple of weeks, but I’m not willing overdraw on my bank account for quick riches. That is exactly what the city is doing.
And Johansen, I’m delighted in your boosterism of the city. But I suspect you don’t live within city limits, own no property here, or have any real ties to my hometown. Which means you have little to no stake in success or failure of these schemes. I guess it’s easy to gamble with someone else’s money than risk your own, right?
Patrick, if there wasn’t a chance the arena wouldn’t pay off then it wouldn’t be taking a risk. It would be a guarantee.
I can’t speak for Johansen, but I do live in the city, own property, pay taxes and I’m proud to call KC home. I just don’t know why it’s so hard for some of you to admit that things have gotten better.
No, everything’s not perfect, and yes, there are plenty of problems that need to be addressed. But compare downtown to where it was 10 years ago, and you’d have to have your head buried in the sand to deny that we’ve had progress.
Patrick, I have lived in KCMO my whole life. I have owned a business in KCMO for over 10 years that employs 40 people. Don’t lecture me about “your hometown.”
Sprint Center: Big 12 Tourney, NCAA Tourney, major concerts - that alone is a success.
I’m starting to think Des Moines is too good for you.
Lifetime KCMO resident. I can assure you that what Johannsen is refering to is correct. The City makes more profit without a major tenant for a lot of reasons. Mostly because it’s a first class facility and more conventions and other events will be booked there via the CVB efforts resulting in the City getting the lion’s share of the revenue’s. The other positive (glass half full) to no major tenant is flexibility.
Kiki,
Downtown is a small part of Kansas City. While there is a lot more construction downtown, that doesn’t mean “things have gotten better.” Beyond downtown redevelopment, police response times are lenghty, the fire, police and ATA budgets will shrink because of a TIF spending spree, the roads aren’t any better than they were eight years ago, the sewers and storm water systems need to be replaced to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, the city’s east side continues to deteriorate, the murder rate has cracked the 100 mark for two years now and our schools are still quite a mess.
In short, while we have nice shiny new buildings downtown, there remain lingering problems the current mayor and city council refuse to address.
I’m not sure why some people can’t see beyond the shiny, empty new buildings and unfulfilled promises in downtown there are some very serious issues the city needs to address before KC becomes “world-class.”
Where exactly in my post — where I said “No, everything’s not perfect, and yes, there are plenty of problems that need to be addressed.” — did I say that downtown is everything? But downtown was been a blighted eyesore for about 30 years. Now we’re seeing progress there.
If the P&Z district and Sprint Center take off, like most rational people believe they will, then we’re going to see increased revenue. Add light rail which will connect the airport to the convention center to P&Z to Sprint, and suddenly we’re a place that can host major conferences and conventions. Again, increased revenue. And that money can go right into fixing our infrastructure.
Or, we can follow your prescription and keep our tax base exactly where it is and the only way to pay for these capitol improvements will be by raising our taxes more. You know, the same way Mark Funkhouser and the City Council got us to pick up the tab for indigent health care.
You see, I’m not defending the city council or the mayor on anything. I think they’ve gotten some things right and plenty wrong. The same holds for Funkhouser. He’s been part of the system for 18 years, and he shouldn’t be immune from criticism.
The fact is, we need to get smarter about growth, not abandon it. We need a blueprint for where we want KC to go and direct TIF funding to focus on blighted areas. It’s also probably time to see what downtown can do for itself now that it’s been jump started.
But of course, you’d probably accuse me of defending the status quo, right?
Without downtown redevelopment, we would not have a chance to lure in outside tax money to help pay for infrastructure improvements. We would have to pay for them anyway, and still not have a decent downtown. This way, we can have both.
kiki - do you have a link or source for the Funkhouser statement on school vouchers? I did not vote for either Funkhouser or Brooks, so I don’t have an agenda other than trying to get information on the two finalists - if what you say is true, one would think the Brooks’ people would jump on that statement. Brooks’ position seems to be that to eliminate crime, one must get to the root causes - one of which seems to be the public school system.
Of the two finalist, clearly Funkhouser has the edge and the momentum . . . Not to mention he is already talking about issues whereas Brooks seems content to make statements about how respectful the next month’s campaign will be.
Jim, it’s been all over the KC Star’s blog. Not in print mind you, because why they ever dare print something negative about Funkhouser?
Here’s one link:
http://buzzblog.kcstar.com/?q=node/229
When I read the post implying that Des Moines, Iowa is some kind of ghost town, while K.C. is on the move, I was reminded of something I heard the other day. Please confirm: Isn’t TransAmerica (which has their own building here) moving from downtown K.C. to Des Moines?