Things Change but Stay the Same

Lost returned to television tonight. From a write-up in the paper, all the cast is full of hope for the coming season. In an interesting dichotomy, many in the sixth district are feeling lost and without hope. A lot of promises were made by city council candidates last spring and there was a feeling that we would finally have representation at city hall. The reality is, things couldn’t be farther from the truth.
An email to Cathy Jolly’s office elicits a message that she doesn’t have access to her email. WHAT? She’s been there nine months and can’t access her email? One of her platforms was accessibility, but we’re not sure she understands what that means. She doesn’t answer emails, she doesn’t attend meetings, or else shows up late and leaves early; whatever it takes so she doesn’t have one on one time with her constituents. City hall insiders say she’s never at city hall. It’s hard to understand how she can represent anyone when she never has contact with them to know what they want.
While everyone is rightly attacking Jolly for her absences, John Sharp’s record isn’t much better. He was seemingly everywhere before he was elected, making promises to just about everyone. Now he seems to be incommunicado. Not only did he not show up for his regular Second Friday meeting this month, but he didn’t even care enough about his constituents to send his aide to represent him.
Not long after he was elected he was collecting email addresses so he could keep south Kansas Citians informed about what was happening at city hall and in the community. If anyone’s received one, I’d like to hear about it. He also said he would reinstitute quarterly meetings. Hhmmmm. He didn’t actually say WHEN he would do that.
Of course, he got a lot of face time on television as he was promoting his Bannister Mall Plan. You know the plan to build a Wizards stadium on the old Bannister Mall site. Under that same plan, the old Wal-Mart area will become office buildings. Apparently, a lot of fill will be needed for that because they’re going to close the unique and historic Benjamin Ranch in order to use the dirt for fill. You never hear Mr. Sharp mentioning that.
Apparently he's not good at multi-tasking because he doesn’t seem to be doing much besides promoting the Wizards deal. He made several promises during his campaign, but now has seemingly turned his back on a lot of people.
Many in the sixth district couldn’t wait for the end of the Chuck and Alvin era. The problem is, it’s still with us.

The True Paranoids

An anonymous commenter to this blog’s previous post said “you guys are paranoid” when we reported to you on the City Manager’s plan to “put lipstick on the corpse”(Bridge-Zilla) and ram it through while making a pretense of public involvement and consensus.

Last Tuesday evening, Mayor Funkhouser held a Town Hall meeting at Avila University where several members of Friends of Red Bridge spoke about exactly how the City had hired BWR, an engineering firm, to put on a mock public-involvement exercise while remaining in total control. The firm has even conducted a survey that was carefully created to get exactly the result they wanted. (The survey results are being advertised as a consensus for a bridge over the railroad and river valley.)

That’s the background. Now, here’s the story:

Not long before the Town Hall, the Mayor was briefed by BWR on the status of the project. City Hall employees—presumably in the Public Works department—objected, saying that BWR should not speak directly to the Mayor; only City staff should do that.

Sounds pretty darned “paranoid” to Fearless Leader.

And so, too, to Councilman Sharp, who was heard to make similar comments to a number of people after the Town Hall meeting was over.

Is Bridge-Zilla Dead?

As connected as Friends of Red Bridge are, I have to wonder if they’ve heard about the nasty rumor going around. Word among some of the local engineering companies is that the City Manager has gotten the word to CIMO that the only reason the viaduct style bridge isn’t already in the works, is because Chuck Eddy handled it poorly. The strategy now is to put up a front of meeting with the public and taking input, then ‘put lipstick on the corpse’ and build the original bridge. This rumor seems to be supported by the fact that engineering firms only had two weeks to respond to the RFP, the absolute minimum required. A former employee of an engineering firm here in town said it takes at least that long just to get a proposal put together.
John Sharp and Cathy Jolly are to be commended for doing the right thing for neighborhoods. Obviously, the rest of the council and the new mayor felt the same since the ordinance to repeal Chuck’s condemnation ordinance passed unanimously. Now they need to keep their eyes on city staff and CIMO to ensure whatever procedure is followed is done so in good faith. Right now the rumor mill says that isn't happening.

One Rotten Apple

The sixth district’s long countdown to the last days of Chucky Little and his ‘the bridge is failing, the bridge is failing’ attitude has finally come to an end. Hopefully, a new day is dawning with two representatives who care more about neighborhoods than those with big bucks who may contribute to their campaigns.

Unfortunately, Chuck’s sidekick’s days have not ended. While Harry Ingels will no longer be working as an aide in the sixth district offices, he will still be at city hall working for newly elected Russ Johnson from the second district. Harry gave what almost turned into a very tearful goodbye at a recent sixth district community meeting. His speech did draw a few tears from the audience, but not until he mentioned he would be staying on in the council offices.

During Chuck’s early years as councilman many of his constituents wondered who the real councilman was, Chuck or Harry. Hopefully, Councilman Johnson will be strong enough in his position that his aide will remember he is an aide. Those in the sixth district can also hope their cohorts in the second will not have to suffer Ingels’ venom and misplaced sense of authority. Whether on his own or at Chuck’s bidding, Ingels tried his best to divide the sixth district over the Red Bridge issue. He concocted the eleventh hour appearance of supporters of the project by calling people and telling them to appear at the Operations Committee. After the last public meeting he called friends and family and asked them to send in favorable comments, and then got some of them submitted into the official record after the deadline. Also, after a sunshine law request for a handful of documents, he charged an arm and a leg for copying (actually, research to look up emails).

Probably more of an indication of his true self came after a discussion of putting sanitary sewers into one of the older neighborhoods still on septic tanks. Many of those involved were older and on fixed income. The cost of the sewer project was of great concern, but Ingels' response was that they should just all go live in an old folk’s home.

There is great hope riding on the new council. The next four years could be a very positive time for neighborhoods. Our new mayor will undoubtedly change the ‘culture’ of the city council and the way they do business. Yet, it is with heavy heart that many in the sixth district realize how detrimental and insidious the influence of Harry Ingels could be. Russ Johnson certainly has his work cut out for him.

Astroturf Update

Chuck Eddy has been the most visible proponent of the “Bridge-Zilla” plan to widen Red Bridge Road, but Eddy’s aide Harry Ingels is doing a lot of work behind the scenes.

The seemingly miraculous 11th-hour appearance of some supporters of the project in the Operations Committee last December had many wondering if it was Eddy himself, or Ingels, who had rounded them up.

Every time that such an accusation was made, however, the denials were absolute and vehement. But it wouldn’t be the first time for Mr. Ingels.

For example, after the last public meeting on the project, there was a time period for sending in comments to the City for inclusion in the official transcript. Opponents to the project were sending in a large number of comments. Apparently, on the day of the deadline, Harry Ingels got wind of what was happening and called as many of his buddies and relatives as he could and had them send in comments in support. Some of the comments he solicited were received past the deadline, but the City department in charge made exceptions as long as they were in favor of Bridge-Zilla.

Now, Harry Ingels is at it again.

Some of the people opposed to Bridge-Zilla testified at an Operations Committee meeting. There was no one there in favor of the project. After hearing all the testimonies and before the Chair could react, Councilman Eddy mumbled that he knew there were people in favor of his bridge. At that, the Chair held the ordinance for another week -- presumably to give the other side an opportunity to testify. At the next meeting, about two dozen of them appeared. We now have it from a very reliable source that it was Harry Ingels who orchestrated that show of supporters.

Then last week, Red Bridge was on the agenda for discussion in the business session. The leaders of the opposition were told they wouldn’t be allowed to speak to the Council, but, as it turned out, both sides were given an opportunity to testify. Surprise, surprise. The other side was prepared. Chuck Eddy was in the hospital, so it’s doubtful he got the message out.

Harry Ingels strikes again.

Dirty Little Campaigns

Not to be trite, but the election is upon us and the sixth district is at a crossroads. We can elect establishment candidates or we can elect fresh faces with fresh ideas. It has been 8 years since City Hall has cared about neighborhoods, and it has been 8 years since the sixth district has had anyone that cared about them, period.

At least 3 candidates, Alvin Brooks, Beth Gottstein, and John Sharp, opted to hire Pat Gray to run their campaigns. Pat Gray is about as establishment as you can get and the campaigns he runs can best be compared to those of Jeff Roe. As a result, all 3 candidates mailed out false and misleading ads that arrived in the mail Friday and Saturday. It’s a shame that Brooks, Gottstein, and Sharp felt the need to resort to negative campaigning.

If they don’t feel they can win the election on their own merits without tearing down their opponents, why should we have enough faith to elect them as our representatives? If they think we will see their opponents as the better candidates then maybe they are. Mark Funkhouser, Doug Gamble, and Darrell Curls, their opponents, would all represent us with integrity and do their best to support our neighborhoods.

Grass Roots v. Astroturf

Chuck Eddy's plan to ram through a massive road project in south Kansas City has drawn an intense level of grassroots opposition. Councilman Eddy said "If you don't like it, don't vote for me" and has rebuffed his constituents' attempts to discuss the matter further.

Now, the Kansas City Star has reported that his plan to convert Red Bridge Road into a possible collector ramp for the NAFTA super-highway is "on the ropes."

So, for the first time in his 8-year tenure on the City council, Dr. Eddy has become interested in democracy. A couple dozen of his supporters have arisen to push the project (known as "Bridge-Zilla" among some opponents). They deny any connection to Chuck Eddy, though some of them have been seen at the councilman's mayoral campaign functions.

Now, a political action committee, Citizens for 3-Trails, is joining the fight by distributing information in support of Bridge-Zilla. But wait! Who are these people? Readers of this blog will notice that Chuck Eddy's crony is treasurer. Have a look at their Ethics Commission reports and don't be surprised who they are giving money to: That's right folks, Chuck Eddy for mayor!

The Concern is Back

Many Kansas Citians received a mailing today that amounts to a last-minute negative attack on mayoral candidate Mark Funkhouser. Who is behind this? It's the Public Safety Concern that we warned you about many months ago!

Public Safety Concern is a political action committee that has violated Missouri ethics rules on numerous occasions and they are largely funded by the Firefighter's Union, one of the most powerful forces in Kansas City politics.

Recently, they failed to file required ethics reports for 40 days prior and 8 days prior to the election. However, you can see their year-end ethics commission report.

Who’s the Grinchiest?

Loyal readers of this blog will jump to the conclusion that The Grinch = Chuck Eddy. You can’t get much Grinchier than trying to condemn people’s property during the holidays. But then along comes Councilman Terry Riley. He’s got the condemnation ordinance in committee and as chairman he promises it will come at the top of the agenda, there will be no 60-second time limit on testimony, and there will be a vote at the end. He can do whatever he wants, he said, and that is exactly what he did. When fellow committee member Becky Nace questioned his authority, he said “You just won’t be acknowledged”. Inside sources tell us Mr. Riley has little respect for women. Or for the truth, it seems: The ordinance came last on the agenda, the 60-second time limit was strictly enforced, and instead of taking a vote, he decided to put together an ad-hoc committee to study the matter further.

Still no joy in Whoville.

But the Grinchiest of the Grinches at City Hall has to be none other than Mr. Alvin Brooks himself. Councilman Brooks is being billed as our next Mayor. Everybody likes Alvin and apparently he can do no wrong. So, why is he King of the Grinches? Well, Councilman Eddy can’t back down on the condemnation issue. He needs that land for his legacy of eight years at City Hall: The Chuck Eddy Memorial Bridge. There’s not much else to hang his hat on, I’m afraid. Mr. Brooks could come down from the mountain top to be the savior of south Kansas City. Instead, he just sits up there, looking down upon us while his underlings run amok.

Two Thumbs Up

Wednesday in the Operations Committee Becky Nace bucked the good ol' boy system and sided with neighborhoods. Insiders say she is now suffering for this with name calling and assertions that she stepped out of bounds. Neighborhoods believe, unlike other council members, she actually knows her place. The definition of at-large is to represent the whole. That's exactly what Becky did Wednesday. She looked beyond her district and spoke up for other constituents she was also elected to represent. While Councilman Eddy grudgingly supported her motion, it is our understanding that he is one of those most upset with Ms. Nace. It would appear that he is the one who doesn't understand who he is supposed to represent. Just as his district was opposed to Richards-Gebaur, they are opposed to Bridgezilla over the Blue River; yet, he continues to pursue it any way he can, even if that means being less than truthful. The mayoral primaries are still a ways off, but these two candidates appear to be following very divergent paths. For my money, the one that follows the interests/needs of neighborhoods is a much longer one.

Graf Ann Corruption?

Kansas City Confidential post leads to official’s resignation.

The official story might be different from that, but in just about the amount of time it would take for our earlier post to filter into the traditional media, Chuck Eddy’s appointee to the Public Improvements Advisory Committee, Mike Graf, was quietly replaced with Ann O’Hare.

Though apparently just as much an Eddy lackey as Graf, Ms. O’Hare’s oh so polite demeanor contrasts with that of the gruff Mr. Graf. At a public meeting where a 6th district resident was voicing concerns about an infrastructure project, Graf walked out of the room bellowing “I don't have to listen to you!” Actually, listening is kind of his job description. Or was. What goes around, comes around, Mike.

Meanwhile, Alvin Brooks’ appointee to the PIAC, Lou Austin, is a prominent figure on the east side of the 6th. But look him up in the phone book and he doesn’t appear to live in-district either!

It’s a “concern” alright

Getting around the campaign finance laws isn’t so hard. The contributors just give to a political action committee and then the PAC gives to a candidate. The Jackson County Taxpayers Association is hot on the trail of some mysterious contributions to State Representative Cathy Jolly. From their press release:

“Jackson County Taxpayers Association files Ethics Commission Complaint against PAC making contributions to Cathy Jolly and Jay Nixon.

Bob Gough of the Jackson County Taxpayers Association filed an Ethics Commission complaint against the PAC Public Safety Concern for its Financial Disclosure report dated 5/4/06.

This PAC contributed funds to Cathy Jolly and Jay Nixon but failed to disclose the source of the funds.

Voters are entitled to know the source of funds given to candidates seeking public office. The report fails to reveal the source of funds given to Cathy Jolly and Nixon for Governor. The report only discloses that the funds came from an ambiguous PAC (Public Safety Concern) operating out of a PO Box. The voters deserve better and the law requires better disclosure.”

Who does Mike Graf think he’s fooling?

District Representatives on the Public Improvements
Advisory Committee (PIAC) are required to live in the
district they represent, yet 6th district
representative Mike Graf lives in the 4th district. On
official documents, he gives his old 6th district
address, but his new 4th district phone number,
showing a clear intent to deceive.

Moreover, he sits on the Steering Committee of the
Hickman Mills Area Plan. Hickman Mills is on the
opposite side of south K.C. from Graf’s Ward Parkway area
home. What’s someone from Ward Parkway doing deciding the fate of people in Hickman Mills?

It’s not the first time this has happened: 3rd
District Councilwoman Saundra McFadden-Weaver
appointed an out-of-district resident to represent the
3rd on the PIAC. When confronted with that fact,
McFadden-Weaver claimed ignorance and the unlawful
representative resigned.

6th District Councilman Chuck Eddy, the man Graf has to thank for his job, may have to follow the McFadden-Weaver script.

Chuck Eddy's campaign literature says he "was elected to office to represent Kansas City's 6th District." Why is it then, he has shown a complete disregard for those who elected him? Why does he steam roll through projects that his constituents oppose? His stand on Red Bridge Road is very reminiscent of his stand on Richards-Gebaur. In fact, there are a growing number of people who believe the two are connected. If that's the case, then certainly Chuck would feel the need to appease the moneyed interests and completely disregard his public.

History vs Progress (?)

The original Stroud's, dating from 1933, has been demolished in favor of a new bridge and wider road. Sounds familiar in Eddy-land. While the 'historic' Red Bridge bridge will not be demolished, it will be sidelined in favor of, you guessed it, a new bridge and wider road. It's interesting that Chuck Eddy pushed for the 'Grandview Triangle' to be renamed '3 Trails Crossing' because of the trails' historical significance; yet, actual historic physical structures seem to have no meaning to him.

Harry Ingels, Sixth District Councilman

Chuck Eddy's done it again. A retired vice cop out by 150 and Horridge Road has just learned the Lee's Summit School District is going to take his land for a bus turn around. He's beside himself, as any of us would be; so he did what any good citizen should do, or at least be able to do. He called his elected city representative. His mistake was in calling Chuck Eddy because the response he received was a typical, "Call Harry". As I get older, my memory tends to not serve me as well as it once did, but I sure don't remember electing Harry Ingels.

East Hickman Mills Area Plan

Give Chuck Eddy a point. The City is drawing up new area plans and Hickman Mills is the first. But wait. The proposed plan area only takes in the eastern half of Hickman Mills. The residents asked for the plan to be inclusive of the entire area and the consultants agree with the feasibility. Chuck even told a group of residents that enlarging the area shouldn't be a problem. Why then is Tom Coyle, Director of City Plan and Development Department, dragging his feet? Could it be that, in reality, Chuck doesn't want a discussion of land usage along Red Bridge Road? Could he have his own plans for that area and doesn't want to share with the neighbors? Maybe we need to take that point back and give Chuck another strike instead.

Fairfield Wants to be Mayor, Part II

The Councilman lists maintaining parks as one of his priorities should he be elected mayor. Apparently, he doesn’t mean ALL parks. He is quite content to allow a 1,200-foot-long freeway-style bridge to be built in Minor Park at the site of the historic Santa Fe Trail crossing.

He wrote in a letter to one of the many persons opposing the bridge: “I believe I understand the concerns of those who oppose this project”, but then goes on to say: “We must look to the judgement of the 2 District Council persons on District projects.”

The bottom line is that he understands why the community doesn’t want this bridge, but the 6th district is not his particular fiefdom, so he can’t interfere. Never mind that both 6th district councilmen (Brooks and Eddy) are ignoring those who elected them.

For Councilman Fairfield, it’s simply politics as usual. I don’t think that’s the progressive attitude Kansas City needs in its next mayor.

Fairfield Wants to be Mayor

At his announcement for Mayor, Councilman Fairfield cited several examples of progress that 'make this an exciting time to live in Kansas City.' Interestingly, these included initiatives in Midtown, Downtown, and the Northland. No citations for the Southland. Hmmm. Could that be because Councilman Eddy can't close a deal? Despite a state TIF for the Bannister Mall area, Bass Pro opted to open in Independence. Despite a long-running city TIF, Quintiles opted to move to Johnson County. Councilman Fairfield must not think the gun shows and boxing matches held at the 3 Trails Expo Center are progress. Although, a spray pool opened last Friday. It was supposed to have been an acquatic center, but Councilman Eddy seems to be proud of this accomplishment.

Karen Uhlenhuth's article in the Star on Red Bridge Road edited down to City propaganda.

Figures.

The City has been full-steam-ahead on the road project from day one...

...but they have to pretend like they are listening to us and then taking our comments into consideration when making a decision -- Especially because MODOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) is watching them.

So, when they "make their decision", they send out this press release.

And the K.C. Star swallows it, hook line and sinker.

The real story was that the City was submitting their application to MODOT. The content of the press release was a smokescreen, a non-event. The real purpose and intended effect of such a press release (and of its echo-article in the Star) is to discourage residents in the Red Bridge area who have been opposed to the "Bridge-Zilla" project.