Off to See the Wizards
As recapped over at Kansas City Bloggers, a group of us headed over to the windy prairie west of civilization to watch the Wizards play Toronto FC on Saturday evening. Truly, 5 people wedged into a hybrid vehicle plastered with liberal bumper stickers may have been the most left-wing event in suburban Kansas so far this century.
Since others have already discussed the social aspect, I'll tackle the sporting aspect. Believe it or not, the Star's coverage actually had it right! The game was dominated by Toronto in the early going, but the Wizards controlled the second half. One of the goals came off what appeared to be a sloppy rebound, though it's hard to judge whether the goalie really had a chance to smother the ball since I was at the far end of the field.
The outing was my first visit to Community America Park, and I intend to go back. The family atmosphere was nice, the game was good, and the parking was free. The level of talent on the field was better than some of the games I see on the Fox Soccer channel, and 5 goals made for an exciting game.
Labels: diversions, soccer, sports
posted by Dan at 3/23/2009 06:06:00 AM
9 Comments:
I ended up watching a lot of this on Metrosports and thought it was in Toronto for a good 10 minutes because I couldn't figure out the space but it looked cool. Instead of building a new stadium on Bannister or playing to 9/10's empty ones at Arrowhead, what's wrong with the Wiz at community ballpark fulltime?
But that wouldn't involve a TIF.
Dan, you certainly are a "wizard" at avoiding the hard questions.
I mean really, you called, a few paragraphs below, the Savoy TIF a "disgusting display of legislative sell-out".
Funkhouser turns around and supports it, and all of a sudden this "disgusting display of legislative sell-out" is something worth suppporting?
Without any explanation of why?
Well, I think we're under a blackout here in Funkytown, and that blackout is Dan selling out to Funkhouser.
This is Day #3 of the Savoy Sellout.
The council had the votes to override a veto, and the Mayor got the developer to agree in writing to more favorable terms. By no means was it a victory - it was merely the best result for an awful situation created by an irresponsible council.
Only in the sense that they chose to play political games and harm the city rather than do their duty.
Other than that, I have no problem with what they did.
You said in your 3/20/09 post that it “all came out ok”.
I just don’t understand – if the developer is going to do what they originally said they would do, and the project is still subsidized by our tax dollars, and you previously stated on 3/19/09 that the project approval was a “disgusting display of legislative sell-out”……
How can a “disgusting display of legislative sell-out” turn into, again in your words, something “OK”, something our mayor termed “in the best interests of the city”?
Did the project change? Is it no longer subsidized by our tax dollars?
The Mayor did not merely hold his nose and sign this deal, he stated is was in the best interests of the city. Isn’t that a little bit different than the way you characterized it?
There is a difference – you characterized it as “the best result for an awful situation created by an irresponsible council” but the mayor said of the city “their best interests are protected.”
So they Mayor contends he signed a TIF that protected the interests of the city. Do you agree, Dan?
Feel free to speak indirectly and not address the core issues and questions here. Feel free to ignore obvious, well-intentioned questions like “what terms and conditions were agreed to in the back room that you, Funkhouser and EDC officials allude to, but never explain”.
A little transparency would be appreciated - but maybe it's just too complicated for us constituents to understand.
And, again, feel free to ignore the fact that you term this deal a necessary evil and the Mayor thinks it is in the best interests of the city.
Not as big a stretch as the "gotcha gang" mistakenly thinks it is. In an environment where you have a majority of the council willing to go along with a very bad deal, going along with a bad deal is certainly in the best interests of the city.
Sorry if I don't answer all your questions on the schedule you would prefer. Perhaps I should put up some sort of Paypal system where you could pay me to address your concerns even when they don't particularly interest me.
Instead of building a new stadium on Bannister or playing to 9/10's empty ones at Arrowhead, what's wrong with the Wiz at community ballpark fulltime?
Probably too late for this, but: the field layout means that there are almost no prime seats--no one is actually on the sidelines, or even very close. The Wizards have shown the capacity to draw around 15K, while Community America holds half that or less. Finally, at a guess, club house/locker type facilities are not up to snuff for the Wizards; D-league baseball isn't going to have the amenities that (even) the MSL demands. The capital and payroll structures aren't in the same ballpark, so to speak. All of that said, I hope the Wizards can duplicate some of the feel and experience of Comm. America--it's a fine little park and a lot of fun to attend, for both sports currently using it.
As an aside, very good coments, Les. We appreciate your insight and opnion, especially on this post and the one above.
Well, we have Day #4 of the Sellout at the Savoy.
Any day now we'll be doing some Stompin' at that very same ole place, ya think?
More and more of the some old nonsense, Dan.
You criticize the Jackson County legislature for making backroom deals, having backroom conversations out of the sunlight. Yet, you won't elaborate on the backroom deal struck for the Savoy TIF, and you even defend the backroom dealing. So much for your transparency, and the transparency of the Funkhouser administration.
At least you and your boss are on record as supporting every TIF that has come forward in this administration.
Well, for those of us who care enough, this is Day #4 that you and your Funkhouser administration have not explained the backroom deal that was struck at the Savoy. And why this unknown backroom deal turned a bad deal into a deal that is in the best interests of the city, as the Mayor maintains. And what role Jeff Roe and Jack Cashill have played in this whole deal.
As we contemplate Day #4 of the ongoing ethical crisis we call the Funk Administration, we might as well bring up the fact that our Mayor tried to fire someone, directly, whom he had no authority over at MAST. And the fact that the people actually in charge, support the very person Funkhouser wanted to fire.
Wait a minute, that was yet ANOTHER meeting held out of the sunlight - the Mayor trying to fire Hooten at MAST, in thbe Mayor's home.
And, his discussions with Louie Wright (Fire fighter's Union) on this whole deal.
Let's see, The Sellout at the Savoy, firing people he has no authority over in private meetings at his house, receiving backroom advice from Jeff Roe and Jack Cashill, and having backroom dealings with Louie Wright at the Fire Fighter's Union.
So many backrooms, so little sunlight.
Day #4.
Post a Comment
<< Home