Who says there's no such thing as a free ride?

I’m an advocate of the OneKC marketing plan that invites all the metro communities on both sides of the state line to act as one when we try and attract new business to the metro area. What I’m not an advocate of is taking all the advantages, without any of the responsibilities. Every time a bi-state initiative gets mentioned, our Kansas neighbors decline on the premise that they don’t live in Kansas City, MO so they shouldn’t have to share any of the tax burdens. Okay. Since national notoriety that is provided by a vibrant downtown, NFL and MLB franchises, modern sports arenas, performing arts centers, museums, a thriving arts community, outdoor shopping districts and anything else that makes a community desirable seem to be the financial responsibility of Kansas City and Jackson County residents, why should anyone else get to claim them or use them for self-promotion? Lenexa’s Convention and Visitors Bureau comes right out and says “We’re conveniently located just minutes from downtown Kansas City.” Olathe’s website has a handy link called KC At Our Doorstep. Check out the Overland Park Economic Development Council’s website under the link titled “Living in Overland Park.” Of the list of 39 attractions that make O.P. such a great place to live, 24 are in Kansas City, MO. It’s nice to have it both ways, isn’t it?