Here’s one link:
http://buzzblog.kcstar.com/?q=node/229

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.

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?

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.”

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.

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.

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?