TKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS!!! TIPSTERS THINK THE FIGHT OVER NTDF MONEY IS REALLY ABOUT MORE CVA CASH FOR THE KANSAS CITY ALL-STAR GAME!!!
I'm encouraging local newsies to follow-up on this Kansas City money fight because it's actually quite interesting and really cuts to the heart of this cowtown's ongoing lack of support for neighborhoods which defines nearly every action of local government as of late.
THIS WEEK THE RUCKUS OVER NEIGHBORHOOD TOURIST DEVELOPMENT FUND MONEY IS GOING TO START AGAIN!!!!
What's really important for residents and voters throughout Kansas City . . .
IN THIS DISCUSSION KANSAS CITY POLITICOS AND POWER BROKERS AREN'T SHOWING MUCH LOVE FOR NEIGHBORHOODS!!!
I think Candice Swanepoel hotness explains my point perfectly but I guess I should spell it out.
The Convention and Visitors Association is DESPERATE to take away cash that normally goes to smaller neighborhood events that they aren't really going to seriously promote.
What's funny . . . They say they want more oversight of the money that was intended for tourism . . . But CVA would really like that cash in their own Kansas City slush fund that never sees that light of day.
More to the point . . .
TKC EXCLUSIVE AND WHAT THE TKC TIPSTERS TELL US . . . WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THERE MIGHT BE A BIT OF SURPLUS IN NTDF MONEY AND THE CVA NEEDS TO GET THEIR HANDS ON THAT SO THEY CAN ENTERTAIN IN GRAND STYLE FOR THE UPCOMING MLB ALL-STAR GAME!!!
In a very real sense . . .
LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS CHOOSING PRO SPORTS OVER MONEY THAT A MISSOURI STATUTE SETS ASIDE FOR NEIGHBORHOODS!!!
Think I'm being too cynical about the greedy motivations of local government seeking the glamorous life of the national spotlight?
One look at the cover of Kansas City's budget submitted by Mayor Sly James should prove my point:
This tiny Kansas City drama might culminate this week but what it really represents is a great divide between cowtown politicos and power brokers and neighborhood leaders fighting for a few crumbs for their events.
Meanwhile . . . This town prepares to shovel every spare dime of taxpayer funds for the All-Star game that has very little economic impact according to financial experts who aren't on the take . . .
TKC Fact: "Economists widely believe that studies sponsored by leagues and events exaggerate the economic impact that professional franchises and large sporting events make on local communities."
In the final analysis, all of this is just another look at Kansas City's lack of leadership and misplaced priorities during The Great Recession.
Further Reading . . .
The Big NTDF Meeting Is This Week While You're At Work - It Might Be Closed
Neighborhood Leaders And A Few Other Important People Held Off The CVA Cash Raid Last Week
A more detailed explanation of this fight between the NTDF and CVA
In A Surprising Departure From Her Neighborhood Friendly Potato Salad Background: Council Lady Jan Maracason Leads This NTF Cash Raid
DEVELOPING . . .