RAYTOWN'S LEADING NEWS SOURCE
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| BY GREG WALTERS |
Speak the words “fake news” and images cross the mind of national
politics. The first use of the term came about as a reaction to a news story
carried by CNN concerning President Donald Trump. Since then, both sides, the
National News Media and the White House have taken to use the term when trying
to explain away each other’s positions.
However, fake news is not limited to the national scene.
This past week, Dave Helling, wrote at column for the Kansas City Star
that explained the real cost of a new terminal at Kansas City’s International
Airport.
His article is timely and helps set the record straight on all the
“happy talk” coming from different news sources about the reality of the cost
of a new terminal at KCI.
Hellling mentions some of the misinformation spread by one television
anchor and a local news media consultant
who tweeted a false statement regarding an offer by local engineering firm Burns
and McDonnell’s offer to “privately finance” the new terminal.
One television
anchor said “I won’t cost you a dime! A news media consultant tweeted, “Citizens
aren’t paying for a new airport.”
Helling exposes the real cost to users of the airport. He wrote, “The
memorandum of understanding between the company and the city calls for annual “targets”
of up to $85.2 million in revenue to repay the terminal borrowing.”
Last year the airport generated $57.5 million to pay existing debt
service. That is a shortfall of 27.7 million dollars over the Burns and McDonnell
proposal.
Who makes up the difference?
The additional money will come from everyone who uses the airport. It
will be reflected in higher ticket costs for flights, higher parking fees, and
so forth. Even then, no one has come forward to explain how much those costs
will be.
FAKE NEWS . . .
The article would be more effective if those who broadcast and spread
the fake news were named.
Newscasters and so-called media consultants should not get a free pass
for such behavior. I can assure you if someone from the other side of argument
(against a new terminal) were to try the same stunt, there would be articles
and editorials “setting the record straight” for the public good.
Many people who get all their news from snippets in a half hour broadcast
only remember the lead to the story. In this case, the lead-in is misleading if
not outright false.
Of course, I could be wrong, the newscaster could be fiscally
illiterate and not know any better. I doubt the “media consultant” can use that
excuse. It falls on the shoulders of those who honestly report the news to
raise the bar on that kind of “news reporting”. Mr. Helling’s article fills in
the blanks.
New terminal at KCI won’t be cheap,
and
it definitely won’t be free BY DAVE HELLING / Kansas City Star
But
voters should be clear: Building a new terminal at KCI will cost more than a
dime. Several billion of them, as a matter of fact.
To read Helling’s entire article, use the following link: Dave Helling
To read Helling’s entire article, use the following link: Dave Helling
Paul’s Rant BY PAUL LIVIUS
The recent recount of
votes in the race for Ward 5 Alderman was a waste of tax dollars. Take away the
fact state law allows for a recount. The simple fact is that for the time and
money spent, it was a complete waste of time.
For those who may not be
aware, I am writing about the recount of the Ward 5 race.
The race was a three way
contest. Bonnaye Mims won the race by five votes over Diane Krizek. Third place
went to Phylis Goforth.
Krizek petitioned the
Jackson County Circuit Court to enforce the recount.
When all the smoke had
cleared and the recount was over, Phyllis Goforth received an additional vote. Mims
and Krizek’s vote totals remained the same.
I asked Greg about the
chance of a recount changing election.
He told me he doubted
the outcome would change. In his words “Raytown elections are squeaky clean.I
would be surprised if a swing of three votes will occur to change the results”.
Greg was speaking from experience.
It just so happens he had been involved in a recount of an election back in
1996 In that election Greg had lost to his challenger, Steve Scheetz by three
votes.
When the recount was
finished, he had closed the gap by one vote.
As he explained,
election totals are pretty much like baseball scores. There are all kinds of
statistics that can be counted. The final count is the only statistic that
matters.
Which makes me wonder,
will we have another 11 year wait before we have another close race in Raytown?
Time will tell.
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Comments
Any emergency vehicle can park there whether on emergency or not
Really we don't have more to worry about besides this
It sets the wrong example
Keep in mind those at city hall work for us not the other way around.
However to many Bower and Ertz supporters believe it is the other way around.
I know, I know, Neil is in bed with the city and he can do pretty much as he pleases when he pleases and the city turns their head. Just wait till that road collapses on some one's car, then there will be a lawsuit on Neil and the city.
If it is not fixed right the Public Works Dept will take him to task before final inspection
Just how does Kansas City or any entity lower water and sewer bills?
Keep in mind it is your question so you need to answer it!
Maybe you lack the proper education and or history, so let me help you with that.
The rates that you feel are to high are a result of public official, both elected and appointed, who for years listen to folks like you and didn't raise rates, which also keep them from fixing the infrastructure (the pipes and treatment plants.
The longer the wait is to start address the infrastructure the more costly it becomes as prices go up (products and labor) as well as the number of pipes that need replaced.
If I recall KCMO has not done a true replacement plan in about 50 year. It has also been reported that they are loosing an unrepeatable amount of water. This is done when you know you made X amount at the treatment plant but cannot account for 50% of it.
If you want proof that this type of mismanagement doesn't work look at 59th street in Raytown. The entity maybe private in which the reason not to replace lines is to increase profit. However, that type of thinking is gong to impact all of the users in the near future.
The lesson therefore is one of greed rather it is for political gain as in KCMO or profit as with Raytown Water.
Keep in mind those of us in Raytown are starting to see increase in our sewer bills of 15%, which is to offset the increase cost of the system and also to stop the political game of waiting for 20 - 50 years and letting the next group deal with the issue.
I don't know about the rest of the folks on this blog, but myself and I am sure those elected officials that claim to never read this blog would like some to explain some other way to fix this problem.
I agree they need to learn respect for those paying for their salaries, but part of the problem is the head of EMS.
He needs to go and should have been sent on his way last year.
The only good thing parking in the fire lane has shown is that we actually have a crew to run the EMS calls something the head of EMS likes to tell everyone was not an issue last year, but too many know better don't we.
Raytown is gradually being swolled by KC and I for one do not like it.
Don't you me Trumped by Trump
Andy Whiteman
If you don't think the BOA read this blog you are wrong.
However, I know that is what they want us to believe.
Thank you for educating many of us and I guess the cat has Mr Marx's tongue.
I am not surprised that he is trying to hold people down in Raytown after all his voting record on things that would benefit poor military families and the ability to get on a base to see their family is always "NO" to the point of trying to kill the bill.
Why would someone who plays up on his service be so hateful to other service families.
This also says alot about the local church he and his family attend.
Oh how I forget the party of love war and forget the vet!