Another great report reveals that the toy train streetcar is a DESPICABLE Kansas City scheme that's taking money away from real transit.
Really, people hoping to get around in the snow this week weren't counting on a toy train . . . They were waiting for the bus.
Looting Kansas City bus money for a line that's nothing more than a tourist attraction is one of the most shameful acts that local government has ever committed . . .
Check it:
Northeast News: Streetcar funding tops list of city budget concerns
Money quote . . .
Originally, the city said streetcar operations would be fully funded through property and parking assessments for properties located within the Transportation Development District (TDD) and through a one-cent sales tax on taxable sales within the TDD, said Ron McLinden, co-founder of the grassroots advocacy group Transit Action Network.
“Now just two months after the votes were counted (to establish the TDD), we’re seeing that your budget proposes to take $2 million away from the bus system for operation of the streetcar,” McLinden said. “That’s a real concern. It calls into question the credibility of the city council.”
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Now, there's a bit of hope on the horizon . . .
BURIED BY MAINSTREAM MEDIA . . . KANSAS CITY LOST ITS EFFORT TO DISMISS THE LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE TOY TRAIN STREETCAR!!!
More . . .
ISSUES RELATED TO TAX STACKING AND THE RIGGED VOTE ARE SERIOUS AND COULD FORCE TOY TRAIN STREETCAR SUPPORTERS AND CHEERLEADERS BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!!!
In the final analysis, Kansas City politicos simply didn't do the right thing when they established this transit district scheme. Had they held a REAL vote and earned the approval of the entire City that would fund the project . . . They could have easily won. Instead, Councilman Russ Johnson was too smart for his own good and attempted to bypass voters and manufacture consent rather than leading an honest effort.
It's unfortunate too! The bus system in Kansas City, Missouri is tragic. Why don't the City Council ask the people of Kansas City what they want and need instead of assuming that they know. After all, few Council members are ever seen in their district, except when there's a ribbon cutting or celebration of some other sort. Wishful (or wistful) thinking, I know...
ReplyDeleteI hate it when people who were elected by a majority of voters make decisions for the voters. Democracy sucks....
ReplyDeleteI hate it when the elected officials fuck over the ones who voted them in.... Mayor, you are on your way out. and take that weird little man-child, Russ Johnson, with you.... he won't be our next mayor.
ReplyDeleteI had lunch with a streetcar advocate last week (right before this news broke) and told him this would happen. His response was "The streetcar can't take any money from the ATA without their permission," to which I responded, "How much can the streetcar take from the general fund, and who's permission do you need to take that?"
ReplyDeleteI already have a cartoon illustrated on this subject but I try not to make the street car my topic every week. Since last week's Retorts Illustrated was about the street car, this week I opted for a light hearted "Where'd all the bread go?" joke. Look for Retorts Illustrated in next week's edition of Northeast News, where we revisit the Sly James' household in 1958...
Russ and Sly have lied about the streetcar funding from the start. Remember they said if they didn't get the Federal grant they would not go ahead with the project. Let's hope the lawsuit will derail this mess for good.
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