We have heard a lot about Lamar Hunt being a visionary. I hope after his memorial services that the community will come together and honor him in a meaningful way by getting on with building a roof over the stadiums, one of Mr. Hunt's much discussed visions.
It is time for us to get this done so that we can realize Mr. Hunt's dream of great events for Kansas City. The project should be a tribute to him and a validation of ourselves as a metropolitan community rather than the collection of contiguous pieces.
Thank goodness we have imports like Mr. Hunt, Rev. Emanuel Cleaver and others to make up for the apparent lack of home-grown vision.
Bob Hishaw
Kansas City
I am sorry of what I wrote. It was not after what I wrote I thought it sounded insensitive. I did work for Oceans of Fun in the early 90's and enjoyed it. I do wish his family and friends the best and hope they can make it through this hard time.
With apoligies.
Posted by: T. Hanson | December 23, 2006 at 04:55 PM
I never said that he was a bad man, I was just saying that he did what most smart business men do. They find what works and brings them profit and work on it. He did have heart for his business and had the funds to pursue it. Does that make him a hero? Well, no.
Kaufman (sp?) in my eyes did more for the community than Mr. Hunt, and we honored him which I felt was great. But so far I have not heard of any charities, I have not heard of any grants or other community programs that he lead up in KC. Instead I just hear that he started a few business in Kansas City, Hunt Midwest Underground complex, which of course is under the two amusement parks which he owned, and would later sell.
He owned of course the Chiefs which, yeah helped KC, but remember that this is the same team that said they would be happy to leave KC if we did not vote for improvements. He was a business man. I am glad he chose KC to do his endeavors in, but there are many millionaires in KC that do the same thing, in fact some actually help the community much more as the above mentioned or Secret Santa.
Posted by: T. Hanson | December 23, 2006 at 03:52 PM
The generation now paassing into history would be better described as the "Organization Minded" than the grandiose "greatest". I fear my generation, the "boomers" will be remembered as self-centered whiners. I hope my children and grandchildren's generations do better.
Posted by: jack | December 23, 2006 at 03:42 PM
I for one am saddened to see almost anyone of Mr. Hunt's generation pass on. Was he perfect? No. But his determination, dedication and humility are such rare traits today that I worry about what shape this country will be in when we're eulagizing the next two generations.
Hanson - he may not have lived here, but everyone in the metro has been affected by Lamar Hunt in some way - I would say mostly for the good.
Posted by: JUNGLEJACK | December 23, 2006 at 03:06 PM
ummm
Mr. Hunt wanted a football team that was not too far from his hometown of Dallas. Hence the reason why the Texans started in Dallas, but moved up to Kansas City since Dallas had another team there. In fact Mr. Hunt wanted the team to keep the name Texans.
Was he a great man? I can't really say, but I can say he was a man that had flaws as everyone does. He was a successful man and if the Chiefs did not preform well he would have moved them to another state that was close to Dallas, just like any other business man would have.
For one I am kind of getting tired of hearing about this man and how grateful KC should be for him, but I also know that he called Dallas his home. He did not live in KC, just visited it. I think if we are to shed tears we should do it for someone that liked KC enough to live here.
Posted by: T. Hanson | December 23, 2006 at 01:15 PM
Arrowhead was originally supposed to be a domed stadium. They ran out of money and left off the roof. IMO this was to the benefit of both the Chiefs and the community.
Arrowhead is one of the great stadiums in the country. The weather in KC is mild enough that virtually all games are enjoyably warm.
Kaufman is the same way. The weather here is mild enough an indoor stadium isn't needed.
The real reason to roof either is grandiosity. Even a "visionary" can be wrong on occassion.
Posted by: jack | December 23, 2006 at 10:31 AM