The sordid topic of identity politics has worked its way into a major decision for Kansas City's oldest party district. However, our KICK-ASS LOCAL JOURNALISM offers another vantage of this debate and its players beyond stereotypical racial conflict.
Like it or not, some very important local white guys have spoken out against street privatization in principle and practice. And so this issue isn't Black vs. White but instead represents a struggle betwixt the civic elite vs. small biz & bars.
To wit . . .
CHECK THESE TOP RANKING KANSAS CITY WHITE DUDES AND THEIR PUBLIC OPPOSITION AGAINST WESTPORT STREET VACATION!!!
Sure, online discourse and small biz statements are nice but THESE LOCAL LEADERS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN MOST PARTY DISTRICT PLEBS and that merits special attention from our blog community. Natch.
So, without any further ado . . . Here's on the record Westport vacay opposition and a bit about these local honchos . . .
Eric Bunch - Bike Walk KC Policy Director and Co-founder
Here is why BikeWalkKC finds this street vacation problematic:
Private streets are private forever.
When the City signs over ownership, the streets become the property of the CID, most likely, forever. The city would have to buy back the property in order to return it to the public realm. Public rights-of-way have value and should not simply be given away for the benefit of private intrests.
Private streets are not compete streets.
A major component of the mission of BikeWalkKC is to ensure that our public spaces remain open for people to safely move through, gather, and experience. Shoudl the Westport vacation move forward there will be times when Westport Rd. and Pennsylvania Ave. will be closed to thru traffic including bicyles, pedestrinas, and transit vehicles. Those simply wishing to walk through may have to pay a surcharge at the gate. At these times people who live in or near Westport will have to pass through a metal detector and have their bags searched just to et home or go to the grocery store.
Private streets are inequitable.
Our atreets are not only critical for mobility but they are places for people to gatehr and even protest. These civil liberties are not guaranteed on private streets. While we applaud the CID in their efforts to infuse protection of civil liberties into an MOU with the CIty, the idea ahat civil liberties are guaranteed is fundamentally incompatible with the concept of private property.
BikeWalkKC envisions a community where public spaces are accessible by all. Privitizing our streets undercuts this vision.
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Matt Staub - Streetcar Advocate - Chairman, Kansas City Parking And Transportation Commission
"Imagine if generations before us had privatized Westport's streets as a response to short-term concerns of the time. It would have never evolved to become the treasure it is today.
"We - all of us together - own our streets. We owe a debt to the city builders before us. We share an obligation to the future citizens of Kansas City. We must preserve its public space and nurture the role of its public infrastructure in facilitating an evolving, growing city."
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Danny Rotert - Resident Of The 4th District - Senior Strategic Consultant at Burns & McDonnell And Former Communications Director for Congressman Cleaver And Mayor Sly James
"Public places, like the streets of Westport, should be open to all. Attempts to make the district less diverse could be an effort to make it more comfortable for white visitors. This will never be explicitly stated, but we have a history of policies that are enacted for this purpose disguised as the promotion of "safety".
"Sadly, we have a long history of discrimination in our City punctuated and interrupted by amazing and selfless acts of bravery and heroism. We do not need to add to that history. Perhaps this is an opportunity to employ the idea that: If it is not for all, it is not for us.
"By luck of birth, I was born white male in a world where that is an advantage. I have been fortunate to be able to learn, and in a small way, understand that struggle of civil rights from people who have lived and breathed that struggle. I have even more responsibility to stand up for the rights of others and bring them into the conversation because my voice is more likely to be heard."
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Accordingly . . .
WHAT SHOULD CITY HALL DO AMID THE TESTIMONY OF THESE IMPORTANT KANSAS CITY WHITE DUDES STANDING AGAINST PRIVATE WESTPORT STREETS???
You decide . . .
Really like the first comment. He seems like he has more information to back up his claim and his example was very plausible for any resident of Westport.
ReplyDeleteWestport doesn't have a plan B?
DeleteIt's time for Westport to get a plan B.
What is the problem with trying to keep guns out of Westport? This should be something the "progressives" support. Why put people at risk. Is there some way that we can do this without exchanging ownership of the streets. That's what city council should ask about today.
DeleteApprove KC vacating westport streets and bill nigro has the right to search you.
ReplyDeleteNo thanks!
Talked with my city council person about this and they don't seem to like it either. It's a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteBack to the drawing board.
^^^ What's your plan?
ReplyDeletePizza parties?
Bwahahahahahahahahahhaaha!
I seriously doubt Westport is home for any of these dudes - and doubt they're late night Saturday patrons of Westport.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to advocate on behalf of how THINGS SHOULD BE that don't directly impact you.
Most progressives don't fear crime because A) they generally have a lower "fear threshold" and more importantly, B) very, very few are ever impacted by any crime above minor car break-in-level crime. They are able to use their privilege and money to live ABOVE the fray.
The thing these three guys have in common is they love to suck dick
ReplyDeleteSucking dick is not the only thing in common. The three of them do not appear to have any stake in whether or not to privatize
DeleteMost Regressives are often the victims of violent crime. A) They walk the streets with an over-inflated sense of worth, and false confidence. They are easily overtaken and beaten down because they are not very fit and provide little resistance. B) Very very few have ever been in a fight and will often curl up in the fetal position and cry. C) Most claim to CCW but they don't. The ones who do, are often relived of their weapon and killed with it. Most regressives talk a good game, but the only exercise they get is running their mouths.
ReplyDeleteOkay, do these 3 geniuses have a better plan then?
ReplyDeleteNo, they don't. Let's bury our head in the sand and let Westport turn into another Bannister Mall.
You can smell your own kind, eh 9:38?
ReplyDeleteAll 3 of these men share one thing in common - they think they are smarter than everyone else and since they are smarter they should be allowed to rule. And they think that anyone who doesn't want to live their lives just like them must be forced to change.
ReplyDeleteNone of their points are valid, its just that they think like authoritarian socialists and anything that upsets that agenda is automatically opposed.
^^Wrong Numbskull. All they did was offer an opinion. That's what's wrong with America today, most morons like you cannot hold an opposing opinion in your tiny little skull. Tell me where you found this shit
ReplyDelete" they think they are smarter than everyone else and since they are smarter they should be allowed to rule. And they think that anyone who doesn't want to live their lives just like them must be forced to change.
None of their points are valid, its just that they think like authoritarian socialists and anything that upsets that agenda is automatically opposed.
Horseshit. That's you projecting your own worthlessness to their idea. Go the fuck away dummy.
10:57 Dropping F bombs is certainly the great American way of debating. Only those who are desperate to force their agenda on others can get so upset over someone stating an opinion.
ReplyDeleteThese guys make good points all the way around. Any chance the business owners could beef up security in and around Westport?
ReplyDeleteHey 11:06AM I can't debate a fucking goon like you, because you're too fucking stupid. Here's another opinion for you too: You're a fucking loser!
ReplyDeleteHas does making this private make it less diversive, to whom, people with weapons, that is the whole point of privatizing right? Because the police aren’t doing it right. But I guess you could say it’s going to keep the blacks out because they’re the ones carrying all the weapons.
ReplyDeleteYou would think the gays would support privatizing so they will be safe since that’s all that lives and hangs out in the bars down there
ReplyDeleteTony could turn taking a shit into a racial issue. You can't debate common sense issues when everything is gay or racial.
ReplyDeleteThe Humorless Trio to the rescue.
ReplyDelete12:33 thinks everyone who lives in Westport is gay.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fucking moron.
Everyone named Shithouser is gay
DeleteHow does a shitbag from West Virginia know that all guys in Westport arent gay?
DeleteMake them go to Westport and hang out on the weekends, shit will be privatized the next Monday.
ReplyDeleteI would ask these three gentlemen, what stake do you have in Westport? Are you the owner of a small business? Or are you just trying to make life harder for people trying to create jobs?
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a Westport Rd. issue, it's the entire area. If people feel unsafe driving to Westport, parking and walking from their car to Westport, and hanging out at bars in Westport then they will take their business elsewhere. People like the grit, diversity, and "feel" of Westport but they don't want to get shot. KCMO needs to take care of traffic, loitering, cruising, and all the shenanigans going on in the entire area. If you've ever been down there after midnight you'd know what I'm talking about.
ReplyDeleteReally, Tony? Power players? Top-ranking KC white dudes? I’m thinking that’s a bit of a stretch. The mere fact that the second one considers Westport a “treasure” speaks volumes.
ReplyDeleteLMFAO......"Power Players"
ReplyDeleteInteresting 3 white guys whose interest are bicycling past 11 PM on a sidewalk care more about pedaling then the people hurt by violence. Look at their Twitter posts they bully and they cannot use their bicycle rationale because no one cares about biking at midnight so they make crap up for reasons we should reject solutions to curb violence. These 3 don't care who dies or are hurt because they don't care about people of color who are the majority of those hurt and looking for a safe place to chill. Sickening.
ReplyDeletePower players hahaha. A few nuts who bully on Twitter makes them powerful. People see through that they have a small circle they influence but if we took a poll right now 80% of voters would say the sidewalk vacation plans make sense to try. The "power players" have nothing but their own self-interests. Tony's KC is great site expose these rotten guys.
ReplyDeleteThere are certain types of businesses that attracts bad apples. That is where you start. And you don't walk home from any entertainment or party district .the bad guys are mobile. Get a taxi. It will save a lot of drama.
ReplyDeleteLet the CID lease the streets from the City. Ownership stays with the city but CID is responsible for administration and upkeep of the areas.
ReplyDelete^^^ Absolutely a good suggestions. We have to think outside of the box here. This is too important to leave up to chance.
ReplyDeleteStaub says "we" own our streets. Yeah, so all of the ragged, rutted roads are fashionable like the hip ripped and frayed slashes on their skinny jeans, huh?
ReplyDeleteBet those 3 musketeers don't reside or ride on raggedyass roads. But, they surely want the streets that are shitty in Killa City fixed, cuz "we" own those, too. Hmmmmmm...
8:47 wins, and the precious planning class needs to get with they aren't the high priests of all things going forward. They tend to be obtusely disconnected from action, proportion, judgement, and perspective.
ReplyDeleteGive a one year try for a lease to the community, but with stipulation the bars close an hour earlier.
Or just blather philosophically about civil rights while the area bites the dust. Get out of the urban planning circle jerk and make sure the neighborhoods and safe, the police are respected and present, and try new things, experiment but don't sign away ownership, just try it for a time.
And start telling the truth about crimes and problems, so they can get fixed.
11:16- Bravo on that suggested one year exploratory for a specific lease. Killa City's good at talking up "momentum". Mayor Sly, et al, can make the real moves for bettering Westport. Like NIKE's branded slogan: JUST DO IT!
ReplyDelete