Here's a simple fact that TKC Tipsters have sent my way:
THE MAYOR'S X-MAS TREE FUND AND OTHER KANSAS CITY HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS ARE SO BROKE THAT HIGHER UPS WORKING IN PARKS AND REC ARE GOING OUT AND BEGGING FOR PRIVATE FUNDS!!!
Here's just a bit of the e-mail that was sent out earlier in a desperate attempt to get some cash for the failing City programs:
AN UNNAMED OFFICIAL FOR Kansas City Parks and Rec from the Northland, urgently needs to raise $10,000.So, let's get this straight . . . Word is that last year Gloria Squitiro's involvement in the Mayor's X-mas tree fund chased off a lot of people and donations were seriously down . . . Now that same lack of X-mas spirit is manifesting itself all over Kansas City holiday programs.
These funds will be used to host holiday parties in Kansas City community centers. The parties, which serve more than 3,000 children annually, are held in cooperation with Toys for Tots, and are often the only holiday celebration many kids have. The parties are so popular that children often wait outside to get into the parties due to the large crowds. Huge budget cuts in the Parks and Recreation Department have placed the holiday parties in jeopardy. To cut the Community Center parties during a time where more people than ever rely on charitable organizations would be disastrous for kids who depend on these gatherings for their only holiday celebration.
Make checks payable to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners at 4600 East 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO, 64130. The funds will be used exclusively for the Community Center parties.
THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A CRAPPY X-MAS FOR ALL OF KANSAS CITY, ESPECIALLY BROKE ASS YOUNGSTERS COUNTING ON THIS TOWN FOR SOME CHARITY!!!
Meanwhile . . . The Mayor still wants money for light rail while ignoring City Services like holiday programs for local, disenfranchised youth.
Maybe we should stop equating the "success" of Christmas with retail gross profits and crappy disposable gifts that we won't give a shit about two weeks after their received?
ReplyDeleteI take it the first comment was from Joe Miller.
ReplyDeleteHey, since they're doing so much business from home, maybe they can just open the doors & have a "Funk's Front Living Room" event for the holidays!
ReplyDeleteTony = douchebag
ReplyDeletedouchebag=Anonymous 8:57 pm
ReplyDeleteParty on people. Play on playa
ReplyDeleteGood one Plaza Jen!!!
ReplyDeleteTony = Anonymous 8:57pm
ReplyDeleteLOLz
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor's wife should stay clear of anything to do with the public business or city hall. She has proven herself unprepared for dealing with even her limited role of the spouse of an elected offical.
ReplyDelete"Maybe we should stop equating the "success" of Christmas with retail gross profits and crappy disposable gifts that we won't give a shit about two weeks after their received?"
ReplyDeleteI think that people who usually don't have much of a Christmas for their kids would probably disagree with you. My kid toys were disposable but I played with them and believed in Santa Claus --what we get in KC is the barefoot Grinch.
Whoa. is it time for the annual physical exam again, can't wait for the Christmas greeting from OL Sausage Thumb.
ReplyDeleteTony = douchebag
ReplyDeleteWay too much 'Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund' money was spent last year on the mayor's "favorite band". I doubt Hallmark will want to continue throwing money down the rat hole for the rodent squit to catch. Why was she in charge any way. The fund bylaws clearly state that a STAFF person is in charge.... Nepotism now.
ReplyDeleteSuffer the little children to come unto me. Spending money on a band not on the children. Way to go Gloria or should we say Evita.
ReplyDeleteThe real question is did any of you send any money to help or did all of you just gripe?
ReplyDeleteMaybe the fund could put aside a couple of dollars for a pair of shoes for the Grintch.
I get what you are saying but really if there is a choice between retaining basic city services and the workers who do them verses a holiday party for the tots, I choose the services. I think the city should have been seeking a certain level of private donations for these events anyway.
ReplyDeleteWe elected HIM,not HER. He should be impeached for abdecating his duties to an unelected non-staffer anyway.
ReplyDeleteA Blue Christmas Without You.......
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas parties at each of the community centers were generally funded out of the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund. When Mr. Cohen oversaw this, he raised funds all year long. In addition to the children's holiday parties, the funds paid for a Christmas stipend for low income seniors seniors to help them with utility bills or food etc. Mr. Cohen died and this program has not found another champion. It was supposed to be Gloria but she's too busy with the affairs of the city. The fundraising committee wasn't pulled together until summer and of course much too late out of the gate for any meaningful fundraising efforts. In 2007 P&R made up part of the shortfall out of their budget so that each of the community centers could provide a party in conjunction with the Toys for Tots distribution. This year FY 2008-2009, Parks & Rec does not have the financial leeway to fund the parties; thus the fundraising plea.
For some children in our city, these parties and the Toys For Tots toy are the only Christmas they have. Members of the P&R Board stepped forward to try to raise the funds for the children's parties. At our community center over 300 children received a toy from the Toys For Tots program an additional 100 attended the party to play games, talk to Santa, make holdiay crafts. Most Centers do raise additional dollars for their events. At this point, the Centers were not notified until the end of October that there would be no funds forthcoming from the Mayor's Christmas Fund. An impossible burden for the Centers and neighborhood volunteers to try to come up with the funds at this point. For the most part these are dollars well spent. Just remember, Santa's watching and he has lots of lumps of coal for the Ebenezer's, Mr. Potters and Grinches of Kansas City.
Since this is turning into an athiest country, a moraless country, who cares about the Christmas Fund. I say do away with it. You talk about broke ass younsters counting on this town for handouts... but it's these same broke ass youngsters that are stealing and killing one another. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. Since Christianity is becoming a four letter word in this country, why take advantage of one of its customs. Tony, you are nothing be a two faced piece of crap. Enough of your socialism bullshit... We pay taxes for basic city services, not to play Santa to a bunch of hoodlums who break every commandent 7 days a week. Get real.
ReplyDelete