Mismanaged Public Assets Become Liabilities

The investments we make, as citizens and taxpayers of Independence, especially for those dedicated to the education of our youth, are significant.  And many of these assets are historic, some are located in struggling neighborhoods, and a few are even located in a National Historic Landmark District.  These places are not just buildings, commodities, or line items on an accounting sheet but reflect the vitality and success of our neighborhoods and our community.  They also represent significant contributions of our forefathers and, in some cases, contributions of individuals and families.  This is one of the things I like about the Independence schools.  Almost all of them are named after and honor outstanding individuals who made a difference (instead of geographic features or directions on a compass).  In some cases, the land was generously donated to be used for the education of our youth.  This heritage should not be taken lightly.  When properties become no longer necessary or viable for their intended use, it doesn't mean that we stop maintaining them or practically give them away to anyone with a plan.  It was obvious that the old Pitcher Elementary School had not been maintained for the last few decades, which can be mostly attributed to its time under the care of the Kansas City School District.  It appeared that the grass had not been cut all year.  And it was reported that vagrants had been using the building and had even been using the lights and the air conditioning.  No one was really surprised by the recent arson and some may have actually welcomed it.  Does this honor the Pitcher family?  Does this honor our community?  We should respect the valuable public assets that have been passed down to our care.  If there are surplus properties, then every effort should be made to make sure those properties are maintained, cleaned up, and protected from damage and criminal activities.  If the ownership gets transferred to a private entity, then legal provisions should be in place to take back properties where plans have not materialized and promises have been broken.  Any new plans and rezoning efforts have to involve the surrounding neighborhoods and be compatible with adjacent land and, in some cases, historic preservation guidelines.  It seems that the only tool in the tool box for surplus school buildings is to convert them into low-income housing.  If the surrounding blocks are already saturated with low-income housing, then placing a big block of even more low-income housing doesn't seem appropriate or sustainable.  If the developer promises to reserve it only for senior housing, then what happens decades from now when ownership changes and agreements expire?  We tend to look ahead only about 5 to 10 years.  There are numerous instances here in Independence where planners did not have much foresight.  Appropriate planning and community discussions need to occur early as opposed to just moth-balling these assets while waiting for anyone to come along with a bail-out plan.  The Independence School District used to have a Facilities Planning Committee made up of community-minded folks and professionals that met regularly and planned walk-throughs of district properties.  This committee has been inactive since Dr. Hinson has been superintendant.  We can and we should do a better job with our public assets.  So why don't we?

The Real Independence Events Center

Come to the "Real" Independence Events Cneter.  It's the place where fur traders did business, where pioneer trails began to open up western territories of this great country, where slaves were bought and sold, where Civil War battles were fought, where brave soldiers died, where US Presidents delivered speeches, where regional banks conducted international trade, where one of the greatest US Presidents honed his political skills, where outlaws of the Old West were jailed, and where religious leaders came to spread the Word.  It is the center where events occurred that actually changed the lives of local citizens and shaped a great nation.  If anyone asks you if you've been to the Independence Events Center, ask them if they mean the real one or the one down south for minor league games and the occasional concert and, yes of course, cage fighting.  Is it the one our forefathers built and graciously passed down to us or is it the one we borrowed over $80,000,000 so we can enjoy it today while leaving the debt to future generations?

Full Frontal Disclosure

This entry is to give equal billing and to provide full disclosure of tax-exempt properties posting signs to persuade citizens to vote on tax-related issues (see blog entry from 10-27-10 "Would Jesus Vote Yes on Amendment 3?"). In the recent election last Tuesday, several frontal areas of the front yards on Delaware Street were displaying "Vote Yes for a Safer City" here in the Truman Neighborhood. At least 2 of those homes had been granted tax abatement through the Midtown / Truman Road Corridor (M/TRC) Neighborhood Revitalization Program. And one of those homes is the residence of a familar face on City 7 (the taxpayer-supported public access information channel which is accessible through Comcast Cable, Facebook, YouTube, Vineo, & the City's website and had been broadcasting "Vote Yes" messages for many weeks from the City Council chambers). It's certainly noteworthy that homeowners who do not pay any property tax are willing to post a sign and actively campaign for higher taxes for the rest of the community. It was just a few weeks ago that the Kansas City Star Editorial Board published a column in the newspaper commenting about the campaign and City Hall using expressions like "damage their creditability" and "neither honest or transparent" and "should not be trying to mislead residents." As most citizens are aware, the "No's" won that election last Tuesday (by almost a 3 to 1 margin, the highest margin I recall in any election over the last few decades). Frankly speaking, I don't believe anyone came out a winner on this issue. I recall a few years ago when we had a spike in neighborhood crime and a few citizens complained about it to their public officials. City Hall soon after that removed most of the annual crime statistics from their website and accused those annoying complainers as being alarmists and spouting harangue. Those same officials would end up doing a complete 180 and use the same tactics they criticized to convince voters that the crime wave is upon us. As folks try to put a spin on the election results, we are starting to hear that it was all about our poor citizens who couldn't afford the extra tax. But from what we heard in the community, not to mention the KC Star, it seemed to be about creditability, honesty, transparency, and leadership. In hindsight, our "Vote Yes" efforts to fight crime and improve public safety here in Harry Truman's hometown might have been more successful if the City Council had not campaigned at all or had actually come out against the tax!