It's Not About The Money (at least to me)

One of my opponents contacted a supporter of mine the other day in an attempt to get her to work for him instead. When she told him she was remaining loyal to my campaign, he questioned my credibility by telling her “there’s no way Mark can raise enough money.” Enough money for what? To try and buy this election? I shouldn’t be surprised at such an attitude coming from a candidate whose list of supporters and contributors reads like a who’s who of TIF developers, their lawyers and the various moneyed elite who benefit from the tax abated free-for-all that is Kansas City’s economic development strategy. It’s a difference in philosophy. Our campaign will be out fundraised, outspent and definitely outdone when it comes to gaining support (ie – promising big-time favors) from the rich and powerful. But I’ll tell you one thing, there’s no way we will be outworked. I suppose I should thank him for reinforcing my resolve to run this campaign without indebting myself to the wrong people. Who are the right people to be indebted to? People like the nice retiree who wrote me a $25 check last week because she met me, listened to what I had to say and has faith that I can’t be bought. Her fixed income means that money is a significant amount to her, so therefore it’s a significant amount to me. I’d rather earn a vote than raise a dollar. We’ll see who has the right formula come election day.

Heads We Lose, Tails We Lose

In special session Thursday afternoon Mayor Barnes suggested breaking the deadlock over the replacement for the vacant 4th District seat with the toss of a coin. This was met with resistance from some council members under the general consensus that it would "cheapen the process." As if steadfastly refusing to go with one candidate or the other is the benchmark for responsible behavior? Staying true to form, the council then voted 6-6 as to whether to eliminate the coin toss as an option. Meanwhile, we the people of the 4th District have gone without full representation while waiting for the council to stop playing politics and start representing the voters. In a shrewd political move at the end of the meeting Janice Ellis withdrew her application. George Blackwood was then appointed to the seat. Interesting that it took one citizen to do what our council could not.

Out To Pasture

State Representative Robert Johnson of Lee’s Summit has introduced a bill that would limit the use of TIF in Missouri. Among other things the bill tightens the definition of “blight” and limits TIF for projects on undeveloped land. When is the last time you saw a “blighted” cow pasture anyway? Of course Kansas City economic development officials raced to Jefferson City to testify against the bill. Economic Development Corporation chairman Jeff Kaczmarek argued that this bill would greatly hinder development north of the Missouri River. Hmmm. Limiting sprawl by encouraging development in areas that already have infrastructure like roads and sewers instead of continuuing to sprawl to the far reaches of the rural northland. Isn't that a good thing?

East Pillage

J.E. Dunn Construction is threatening to back out of the East Village project in downtown. City Manager Wayne Cauthen has stood firm in his resolve that now that momentum has started in downtown development we shouldn’t have to provide as much incentive (ie free taxpayer dollars) to developers wishing to cash in on the downtown renaissance. Forget the fact that the City is dangerously close to being overextended in our financial obligations. Dunn wants what it wants and they’re not afraid to threaten a move to Kansas to get it. Stand firm Wayne Cauthen. You’re absolutely right on this one. I know I won't see any campaign contributions from TIF-addicted developers, their attorneys and the construction companies. That's fine. I don't want to owe any favors if I'm fortunate enough to be elected. I hope you the voters ask the question who is getting that backing?

It's okay to cheat because...

The first test of character has come and gone (almost). I’ll leave it up to the voters to score it. It was made very clear that to apply for the 4th District seat vacated by Jim Rowland would be attempting to gain an unfair advantage (ie: cheating) for anyone intending to run for that seat in ’07. I agree with that sentiment. I chose not to apply because I do not want to try and steal the unfair advantage of incumbency. If I can’t win this election fair and square, then so be it. That’s the way I was brought up. Besides, this race is about representing the 4th District, not convincing the current council that you know how to “play ball.” It was interesting reading seeing the rationales provided by the people wishing to convince everyone that they could do a good job representing the 4th while at the same time immediately campaigning for the seat. After weeding out the opportunists looking for a head start in the race, the council deadlocked 6-6 between George Blackwood and Janice Ellis. Today we’ll find out which organizations were able to successfully lobby one councilperson to switch their vote. For those of you on the weedpile? Welcome back to the race.

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?

The Good Samaritan Project

Congratulations to Jimmy Woodcock who was recently promoted to Executive Director of The Good Samaritan Project. Jimmy is a sharp guy and well deserving of the post. The Good Samaritan Project works with people living with HIV/AIDS, their families, friends and loved ones and provides practical solutions, comfort and hope. They do a lot with a little having a small budget and dealing with a devastating disease. Perhaps most impressive is their roster of close to 1000 volunteers. Proof positive that not every solution to a problem involves writing a check.