Make a difference

During difficult economic times, there are two ways that a city can improve its financial situation — cut expenses and increase revenue. But it takes much more than a balanced budget for a city to thrive. It takes citizens who care deeply and take action — people like Linda Callon and Mark Forsythe.

Linda Callon is an activist on the city’s West Side. She mobilized an effort to improve the neighborhood sprayground by adding shade so the children could enjoy the park all summer.

Mark Forsythe, a former neighborhood president, learned that an electric car company was looking to relocate, and he contacted the city’s Economic Development Corporation. Because of his initiative, an electric car plant is being built that will employ 200 people.

Look around and imagine what you might be able to accomplish. If we are going to weather this economic storm, we all need to be part of the solution.

Jan Marcason
Kansas City Council, Fourth District, in-district
Kansas City

Comments

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

One more note Casady, think about this. The hypocrite enviro whackos want to shutdown coal. Do you realize how many jobs across the globe that will affect? Nearly half of the railroads revenue comes from transporting coal, we export 40% to other countries and the long list of ancillary jobs that benefit and put food on the table for mmiddle class Americans would evaporate.
What's sad is many of the union skilled trade vote Democrat, the very same bunch trying to eliminate their jobs.

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

All I am saying Casady is that it is unfortunate that people buy into "the sky is falling" hype. Sorry, poor people do not or should not frequent casinos, sporting events, high-line dept stores, Footlocker, the cell phone kiosks, etc. It has been highly inflated. Will these jobs be union only gang membership jobs or open to everyone based on their merit? The 2 new 750Mw clean coal power plants in Holcomb,KS would have brought 400 permanent jobs and 1500 interim skilled labor positions, unfortnately much of the same crowd that is pro-electric car is against the very engines that poewr said vehicles, that is all the point I am trying to make. We have crook for governor so I can defintely see some more shinanigans and claw attachments to any business venture.

[Stifled Freedom]

Or the council could pass ordinances specifically targeting certain business and run them out....and then wonder later why revenue is down the KC is a boring place that cannot attract tourists.

[Casady]

While I think we are in agreement regarding restrictions to industry and free market concepts, I don't think the letter writer is asking for a mandate on electric cars, she is merely saying that someone brought a electric car venture to KC, thereby bringing jobs to the area. It's a pretty far leap between bringing a business venture to the area and mandating use of it's products, don't you think?

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

NO Casady, I do not see just the bad side, I see the realistic side. Sure, 200 jobs is a good thing. Have I done anything like what, bring jobs into the community? I guess that depends on what you define as bringing jobs. To some extent, yes what our company does brings jobs to many states.
My point being that many of those that are for mandating electric cars regardless of how inefficient and unpractical they may be for many, also are opposed to the energy industry or at least opposed to the mathetmatics and ANY company being allowed to profit. It just irritates me that people think lawyers know more about things like energy than people that ACTUALLY WORK in the industry. The other part that is getting tired is this VEREYONE is in distress, total BS. The biggest pinch many of us feel is the ridiculous taxation on our EARNINGS, not everyone's kids count.

[Casady]

Wow, NM. You see only the bad side in just about everything, don't you? Doing something that brings 200 jobs to this city is quite commendable IMO. Have you done anything like that?

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

Those electric cars will increase our dependency on electricity especially during peak times. I would imagine many of these same involved citizens are against thge power and energy sector yet want to consume more of what they are against. Parks for kids is great but that will not direct them out of poverty.