Unity?! What unity, Clark Hunt must be wondering

   Remember when birds chirped, flowers bloomed, the mercury hit 100 degrees and Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields and would-be successor Mike Sanders hugged and pledged unity for the good of the Democratic Party? Well that was soooo last summer.

  And it's now the cold of autumn and hell hath no fury like a county executive scorned or at least dissed on Kevin Kietzman's "Between the Lines" radio show.

  When Sanders commandeered the cameras at the Oct. 2 legislative meeting where the Chiefs ticket issue first came up publicly, Shields made biting comments to virtually anyone in earshot about his affinity for the cameras. But she was later pushed over the edge apparently when Sanders made several appearances on Kietzman's radio program to discuss the surcharge issue and either tacitly agreed or giggled when Kietzman lambasted the "reign of terror" of Shields.

  So then Wednesday afternoon, Legislator Dan Tarwater was summoned by County Counselor Ed Rucker. The mission? Complete the deal on the Chiefs' parking fees. But Shields was balking. So Tarwater gets on a conference call with Shields, Sanders and Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt.

   And that's when Shields chewed up Sanders and spit him out, according to multiple sources either familiar with or present for the phone call. She complained in particular about those radio appearances and his involvement in the issue. Tarwater was doing his best to point out, Hey guys, Clark Hunt is listening in on the spat, but apparently that wasn't quite taking. And Shields was vowing to publicly oppose the parking surcharge deal.

  After the conversation ended Tarwater sheepishly called Hunt back to apologize for the behavior of the "two-year-olds." Later that night, Tarwater got the foursome back together for a smoother chat, but that apparently took some doing.(See update below)

  Shields had pushed for the $131 surcharge over three years to season-ticket holders, calling the change "one little thing." And on the parking surcharge, Tarwater says Shields was against exempting Jackson County taxpayers because doing so would have created roughly a $50,000 shortfall that the Chiefs agreed to pick up. She wanted to charge everyone -- including county residents -- the full rate so there would be no revenue shortfall, he said.

  The irony, he says, is the surcharge she championed would have resulted in a $6.5 million deficit. And about her threat to oppose the $3.50 surcharge or even veto it? Tarwater says he explained to her that she would face dire political consquences if she did that.

  As KC Buzz Blog readers know, Shields skipped the special meeting yesterday for a long-planned vacation. But she did leave behind a "Memo to Legislature."

  "It is my position that any amendment to the Chiefs's lease should be revenue neutral and be based upon payment by a user fee. While it is the prerogative of the County Legislature to amend as it sees fit, it is not the recommendation of this administration that the lease be amended other than as stated above."

  When asked by reporters if he feared a Shields veto, Tarwater grinned and said he was quite confident he had the votes to override it.

  Hunt was ever the gentleman. After the deal was reached yesterday, he chose to focus on how great it was to get the situation resolved. But if Larry Johnson gets hurt again, let's say that by the way Hunt, a former star Texas athlete, bolted to the elevator afterward, the team need look no further than the owner's box for a replacement.

   UPDATE: Sanders called after reading this post to set the record straight on the record. He said a second foursome call did not occur. He said the first foursome call ended after about five minutes when Shields slammed the telephone down. He said he told Shields in response to her questions and criticism that he would not engage her and it was not the appropriate time to have the conversation. He said he, Tarwater and Hunt continued talking for about five minutes after Shields abruptly exited the conversation.

Posted by DeAnn Smith 

Comments

[3 adults, 1 child]

Not buying the "two year olds" part of this. Only one spoiled brat in that conversation, and her initials are K.S. Losing it just doesn't say it anymore. She's lost it. All contact with reality.

I'm shocked, shocked to find that Jackson County Democrats are fighting! (Captain Renault)

[Dave P.]

I am shocked that Jackson County Dems are fighting with Shields, no less! Shocked, shocked, shocked I say! Shields is just such a unifying force, sin't she?!

[County employee that hates Shields]

ALL HAIL QUEEN KATHRYN!!!!! ALL SHALL TREMBLE AND OBEY!!

Give me a break, this woman has lost her f***king mind. Create the problem, then attack the people trying to pikc-up the mess she made. She ought to be thanking them for bailing her worthless but out. She takes the cake (and, obviously, eats every piece of it).

[countyshmounty]

The Red Queen is just angry because she got caught. And then to make it worse, she didn't get to play business as usual with her secret deals and clever cover-ups. (Off with their heads, and get me out of town!)

And speaking of cover-ups, I still want to know what Shields knew, and when she knew it before the vote. Somebody better answer that question when and if Shields shows her face in KC again. Although I think we know the real answer, nobody should be let off the hook so easily for what is essentially voter fraud.

"Shields skipped the special meeting yesterday for a long-planned vacation"

Appearently the "vacation started quite some time ago...
Word around the courthouse is that Katheryn hasn't signed any legislation for quite some time and has stopped the government from several things they were trying to do for her no less!!!

Hey Fish, go ahead and try to spin this one.......

[somewhere in the middle]

Interesting and sad that a private business entity sits back and watches the public servants do the dirty work; all the while patiently waiting for kickoff to begin.

[BeProudAmerica]

I just find it interesting that Sanders reads this blog.

I am still trying to figure out how this woman got elected in the first place (and kept getting elected).

[Greg Logan]

This episode is a classic example of how arrogant and full-of-self some politicians get after they are in office for a few years. Katheryn Shields has pretty much lost the ability to see the world around her in an objective way. Rather than accurately seeing her three terms as County Exec as Democratic Party "process" wins, she thinks her wins resulted from voters liking her personaly and respecting her ability. We all know the opposite is true. She will not be the first person to leave political life on a sour note. We'll be much better off without her around.

[Dickeylee]

Good riddance! She's an embarrassment to all redheads even. Seems that MLB and the Royals are sticking to their agreement, but not the NFL. They told her in August-AUGUST-that the surcharge couldn't go directly to the county. And What does she do? She uses Taxpayers dollars to hire a personal services lawyer that is beholden to no one but her to come up with another way to fleece us. Amazing, isn't it?
Stay in Texas, Katheryn, you're an idiot we don't need anymore.
She wants to be Mayor? Hahahahahahahaha!

[Charcoal Briquet]

I was a lifelong Jackson County resident until a job change prompted a move to the Kansas side about five years ago. Try as I might, I haven't been able to find any sort of floor show in Johnson County politics that even compares to the entertainment value of the Shields administration (and the Jackson County legislature in general)! If there is personal politics or corruption in Johnson County, it is at least veiled in the cloak of professionalism. No such wrappings across the state line, I guess. Seems to me that the poor voters of Jackson County stand to see a significant improvement come November, no matter how the election turns out!

[Cyrilla the Source]

Amen sister/brother. To use a sports phrase, in November, the citizens of Jackson County are "trading up." I guess she will be an embarassment to us until the bitter end. Also, you gotta respect the man that unltimately lead to her fall from grace in politics. We all owe Sanders a beer the next time we see him.

[Jimmy Cantrell]

I have never been a big fan of Shields. She has always had an air of smarmy, scheming, eletism about her. Over her tenure as Exec, she has made commitments and not honored them, actively sought to destroy her enemies careers thru lies and deceit, and been less than forthcoming when called to explain her actions. Not the picture of unity that she was trying to portray two months ago when the "Hug Heard Round The World" occured at the Dems Unity Breakfast. Of course, we Jackson Countians possibly now sit at the dawn of a new day; The reign of "His Royal Moistness" Mike Sanders. This is an individual who has has always had an air of smarmy, scheming, eletism about him. During his stint as Prosecutor, Sanders has made commitments and not honored them, actively sought to destroy his enemies careers thru lies and deceit, and been less than forthcoming when called to explain his actions...I believe certain folks would call that the "Same whore, different dress" scenario. This Stadium issue does serve as a good push off point for his career as the Exec, but lets face it folks, there has got to be a cheaper alternative. I think we should all take the Metro to the games anyway. Clay Chastains lightrail was supposed to have a stop near the Complex as well, but that was an idea well ahead of its time. Oh well...Who is Sanders running against again?

BTW Sanders doesn't read the blog. But he knows people who do.

[George]

Jimmy, I certainly understand your skepticism about Sanders in the context of Jackson County politics. But it seems you are making the mistake of painting him with the same brush as Shields. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Consider the stadium October Surprise. Sanders not only singlehandedly put an end to the latest Shields "cover up and fix it" scheme, he also stood up to the Chiefs and the NFL (he told them "No", a word they haven't heard in a very long time). Then he got to work finding a better solution. In short, he didn't make the mess, but he was willing to roll up his sleeves and help clean it up. Most importantly, he never lost sight of the Jackson County taxpayers.

The stadium issue is only the beginning. If voters continue to support him in November, and I think they will, much more is to come. Fasten your seatbelt. We will be measuring change in Jackson County with a seismograph and a geiger counter.

Is DeAnn Smith really a reporter? I think she should shed that title for "columnist" or, better yet, for "on Mike Sander's payroll." Really, it's ridiculous.

[LMAO]

"Most importantly, he never lost sight of the Jackson County taxpayers." If that was true then the parking surcharge would not affect us. Yet it does!

Not sure why the reference to 810 radio. I hardly think the Father of the Year needs plugging on this blog. Of course, 810 used to have discussion forums, but the Father of the Year turned it off when people started talking about an incident with him and an employee. His divorce soon followed.

LMAO - if by "us" you mean Jackson County, you are wrong. Actually the parking surcharge won't affect you or other Jackson Countians by 2010 when it starts because Sanders got Clark Hunt to agree to find a way to exempt not just season parking, but daily parking too. Check it out. Hunt confirmed it last week at the meeting.

[Dave P.]

BTW LMAO, the parking surcharge will NOT affect Jackson County taxpayers if they chose to buy thier parking in advance. Thus, if they chose to get the parking break, then they will. I for one think that this is a better deal for us then what was put on the table during the election. And whetehr you want to agree or not, kudos to Sanders for heloing gt this done.

[LMAO]

"Actually the parking surcharge won't affect you or other Jackson Countians by 2010 when it starts because Sanders got Clark Hunt to agree to find a way to exempt not just season parking, but daily parking too."

"BTW LMAO, the parking surcharge will NOT affect Jackson County taxpayers if they chose to buy thier parking in advance."

These statements contradict themselves, however the second one is the only one reported along with paying for the whole season in order to recieve this. Please state your source.

[LMAO]

@Dave P: Yeah if I purchase a ticket for the game in November I'll be sure to buy that parking pass in August???? Great deal huh?

[LMAO]

"Tarwater says Shields was against exempting Jackson County taxpayers because doing so would have created roughly a $50,000 shortfall that the Chiefs agreed to pick up."

Notice the last 7 words of this quote. Oh can't be allowing the Chiefs to put out any money can we Katherine? Way to be looking out for your constituants!

[Dave P.]

My source on the exemption forll Jackson County residents is the actual written lease amendment. I read it, you should to. An Clark Hunt at at the press conference I saw on Channel 5 that everything will be in place in 2010. I for one am happy with this. I get your angst with the Shilds-run Jackson County, but times are changing. This is a better deal for us then what we had originally. KUDOS to the people (not Shields) that got this done.

[LMAO]

Maybe you should read it again. I have it at home and have read it many of times. It states "pending NFL approval" to the "ticket surcharge" there is nothing in there about a "parking surcharge" with Jackson County privelages. As for 2010 that is correct as reported by every media source in the metro, that is the estimated completion of the renovation and that is when the increase will take affect. Still there is NO exemption for Jackson County residents UNLESS you purchase a "WHOLE" season of parking IN ADVANCE.

[LMAO]

And to back up my statement you can read it here.

http://www.jacksongov.org/meetings/2006/10/4154_M_County_Legislature_06-10-12_JOURNAL.pdf

[LMAO]

Oh and on another note there is a waiting period for parking passes along with season tickets so how again does Jackson County residents benefit?

[jenniferm]

There isn't a waiting list for parking passes.

That myth about the waiting list for season tickets was debunked long ago. You have been able to purchase season tickets for the past three or four years--they are up in the corners but they are season tickets.

I have had season tickets for about 16 years now and I am a Jackson County resident. This isn't a great deal but it is a good one for county residents.

[craig]

jenniferm is right, the waiting list myth is something that King Carl has perpetuated to artificially keep ticket prices high. You can call the Cheifs office every summer and buy season tickets.
And Dave P., I agree with LMAO that in order to get the reduced rate for parking you have to buy a whole season parking pass, do you have anything that states differently?

[craig]

But lets all not lose sight of the fact that the Jackson County taxpayers are still getting mugged by the ineptitude of the outgoing County Exec and the neutered County Legislature in this debacle of a lease that they signed with the Cheifs and Royals.

[jenniferm]

You can't buy partial season parking passes NOW? So, yes, if you buy the pass for the season you get the break. I believe I read if you went to the ticket office when Jackson County residents purchase tickets you can buy parking passes with the exemption. I don't see the issue here at all.

[LMAO]

@jenniferm: You should read again.

Clark Hunt said the individual would probably need to purchase the parking on a season
basis.Clark Hunt said they do not pre-sell parking on a single game basis only on a season
basis. Historically, reserved parking has been held for season ticket holders. It is possible
in the future that this policy can be changed and allow the sale of reserved parking on
something other than a season basis. "IF" that change is made, then it would accommodate
the suggestion offered by Mr. Spence.

That word "IF" doesn't mean "It will" They said the same thing with the original ticket surcharge so I don't give them the benefit of doubt.

[jenniferm]

LMAO, they have until, what, 2010 to make that "change"? I can see it happening, IF, and only IF, the county and residents keep pushing them. The Chiefs, historically, do nothing for their season ticket holders or county residents unless they are forced to. If we let this item drop, to change their policy of allowing the single game parking passes to be purchased, then it will.

[milwolf]

As a Jackson County taxpayer who voted NO on the Stadium Tax, the Chiefs, Clark Hunt ,and the NFL validate my decision.

Quite frankly, who does the NFL think it is that it can veto any surcharge? The NFL is not paying for their playground, JACKSON COUNTY IS !!

I believe the Chiefs and NFL have reneged on the Lease agreement. Therefore the tax should be voided as well. The County is taking the tax under false pretenses. However, our brillant Legislators -- Tarwater, Rizzo ( a convicted Federal felon ) , and Waits have alreadt will not do this because they have already soldout..

LMAO sounds like an angry Johnson Countian. Either way, the original agreement gave NO PREFERENCE to Jackson Countians, this one does. LMAO is just stirring the pot on what was a good solution to a very bad problem.

[DaManInDKnow]

People can blame Rizzo et. al. for the problem, but the only one who knew about it and lied to the public is SHIELDS. This is her problem, no one else's. Don't blame the men who tried to solve the problem that she created.

[LMAO]

@milwolf: There is talks about a lawsuit being filed to have this tax repealed for that exact reason. Stay posted for updates

[LMAO]

"LMAO sounds like an angry Johnson Countian. Either way, the original agreement gave NO PREFERENCE to Jackson Countians, this one does. LMAO is just stirring the pot on what was a good solution to a very bad problem."

Wrong judgement as you usually do. Jackson County resident here. Yeah "good solution" Thousands of Jackson County residents who go to just 1 or 2 games disagree with that. What say you?

[craig]

LMAO,
and anyone else who may know something that I don't, if there is a lawsuit or a petition initiative brewing to repeal the "no billionair left behing" tax, PLEASE make it public so that we can overturn this nonsense and have some one with a little common sense and intestinal fortitude negotioate these leases.

When you speak of felons in the legislature don't forget good ole Tindal

LMAO, you are such a drama king/queen, if you go to "1 or 2" games Hunt said they will put the mechanism in place by 2010 (when all this starts getting collected) to give you a break IF you buy in advance. Otherwise, (if it wasn't done in advance) the lines into the stadium would be HOURS long while people like you held us up to get you $3.50 price break. The reality is, if you don't care enough to buy in advance, then you honestly really don't care that much about the $3.50.

[George]

It bears noting that just because the media didn't focus on Hunt's agreement to make the single game parking exemption happen by 2010 - doesn't mean he didn't say it. He said it. There were lots of people there. Even better, it's on tape!

[ezjay]

First of all I missed the entire 810 thing becuase they are a bunch of Jackasses and I do not listen to them anymore! They need to stay out of the Stadium issuses. Because they could have put their new offices in downtown KC but choose not too! So stay out of Jackson County and Kansas City politics! If they want a say they can move over to this side of the State Line until then Shut up! Until Mike Sanders is elected I am not sure why he is even in on the whole thing. You want to talk about eletism not even elected and wants to be involed and not letting the others do thier jobs. Keep up the good work Dan Tarwater and Ed Spence!

[craig]

anon @11:41
I wouldn't call anyone a drama king/queen for questioning the accuracy of the deal that has been made by Clark Hunt and Jackson County. 2 weeks ago everyone (except for Miss Piggy and Clark Hunt) thought that the $1 surcharge was approved by the NFL. Why should we take him at his word now without something written down, when he has a recent history of not abiding by what is written down?

[craig]

"Keep up the good work Dan Tarwater and Ed Spence!"

Are you smoking crack?

[jenniferm]

craig, don't go after someone for calling them a drama king and then in the next line call someone Miss Piggy.(Regardless of the accuracy of the comment--both anon's and yours.)

[craig]

jenniferm,
Have you met Katherine? I look at my comment as a compliment to her. She is called much worse by people that I know. The reasoning behind my comment to anon was that calling LMAO a drama queen at the time was not appropriate for vehiminately questioning what comes out of the mouths of the Hunts or anyone else dealing with this debacle.
I am not really against name calling (if in fun) but you should have some basis for it.

[jenniferm]

craig, no I have never met Katherine and calling someone Miss Piggy is NOT a compliment. And I don't care what other people call her (probably behind her back or as some anon on a blog). I'm against name calling. Period.

I disagree with people a lot. I think some write stupid and ignorant comments. I have quit a job because I worked for a less than competent boss. But the name calling. No basis for it. Just my two cents.

[craig]

jenniferm
I respect that. And I was joking about it being a compliment. If you notice, I do not use name calling in my blogs, but my disdain for the great majority of Jackson County officials gets the best of me. I have a whole vocabulary of names for the bunch of them, but out of respect for you I will keep them to myself.

[Dave]

I absolutely despise this puffed-up county exec cakehole. Her new mural can only mean a rise in public urination arrests.

[plattecohighschooler]

That's funny as hell, dave.

[LMAO]

"LMAO, you are such a drama king/queen, if you go to "1 or 2" games Hunt said they will put the mechanism in place by 2010"

As I copied earlier in the blog the exact minutes from the jackson county legislator meeting Hunt stated "IF" nowhere does it say they "WILL" so get the facts straight anonymous.

Second if I decided to purchase tickets right now (in 2010) to go to Sunday's game then sorry Jackson County resident your outta luck? Thats nice whenever we (jackson county residents) are footing more of the bill than the people whom are profitting from it. Oh and who is responsible for spending that extra $5.00 not $3.50 they already stated they round up to prevent lines from backing up? Oh yeah the chiefs are!

[craig]

LMAO,
This whole deal reminds me of an old saying.
"Don't pi** on my shoes and tell me its raining."

[DeAnn]

Dear LMAO,

Thirty minutes after the meeting, I pressed Clark Hunt on the issue Bob Spence had raised during the news conference as it was an issue I knew many readers would have a personal interest in. And Hunt was far more unequivocable than he was in the meeting and I made sure to include his comments in the news story in case there was a question in future years. Here are the pertinent sections of the article:

County taxpayers who buy parking for an entire season would be exempt from the surcharge. About 22 percent of the Chiefs’ 70,000 season ticket holders are county residents, and Tarwater estimates about 10 percent will buy in advance.

By the time the surcharge takes effect, Hunt said, he expects the Chiefs “for sure” will allow county taxpayers purchasing single-game tickets when they go on sale in the summer to also buy a surcharge-exempt parking pass.

He said the Chiefs also will explore allowing county taxpayers who purchase advance parking once the season starts to get the exemption, but it definitely will not be allowed for game-day purchases.

Also, proof of residency is not enough to get the exemption. As with single-game tickets sold in advance to county residents, proof of a paid tax receipt will be required, Hunt said.