Opinion
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Yael T. Abouhalkah writes about Kansas City metropolitan issues and his columns are published on Thursday. To reach him, write in care of the Opinion desk at 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108, call (816) 234-4887 or send e-mail to abouhalkah@kcstar.com. |
RECENT COLUMNS
KC area’s interests get lost in inept state legislatures
Feb 8, 6:37 PMBoth the Missouri General Assembly and the Kansas Legislature too often are next to useless in promoting a brighter future for the region. This is unacceptable given the challenges facing us.
Local taxes keep going up, thanks to positive voters
Feb 1, 6:28 PMThe priorities set by voters are the keys to moving this region forward. A string of success stories — even during the long-lasting economic grind — indicates that most people still are ready to increase how much money they send to their local governments.
Sensible priorities needed to guide inner-city effort
Jan 25, 11:02 PMKansas City’s urban core — the big chunk of the city that’s hardest hit by violent crime, poverty, poor schools, abandoned houses, boarded-up businesses, and crumbling sidewalks and water lines — is suddenly getting plenty of attention. It’s about time.
Schulte’s budget irritates many, which is great news
Jan 18, 8:37 PMCity Manager Troy Schulte has made some powerful enemies with his budget proposal. But he deserves support from Kansas Citians who would benefit from a lot of his plans if they eventually are approved by Mayor Sly James and the City Council.
It’s not white or black: It’s a Kansas City thing
Jan 11, 5:05 PMBack in early October, Kansas City’s second black mayor helped appoint the city’s first black police chief.
He helped his members, gave taxpayers the bill
Jan 4, 3:22 PMFor more than 20 years Louie Wright was the firefighters’ ally and the taxpayers’ antagonist.
Six burning questions for the KC area in 2012
Dec 28, 6:13 PMThe year 2011 was a positive one in many respects for the Kansas City metropolitan area. That makes it easier for residents plus political and business leaders to look ahead to the important issues they must deal with in 2012.
Urban crime, suburban bliss in a new report
Dec 14, 10:02 PMThe rankings in “City Crime Rankings 2011-2012: Crime in Metropolitan America” have their limitations and aren’t infallible. However, the mayors and FBI doth protest too much. The rankings are based on data reported by local police forces to the FBI, so nothing’s made up there. They offer a snapshot of what’s happening in a city when it comes to crime.
Can the mayor run the schools? Too soon to tell
Dec 7, 5:07 PMSly James promised to be one busy guy if Kansas Citians elected him as their mayor earlier this year.
A new KCI is on the way, even if you don’t want it
Nov 30, 7:47 PMAviation Director Mark VanLoh has some curt advice for all the metropolitan area residents who love, love, love the convenience of Kansas City International Airport. Wave goodbye to KCI’s three-terminal design and get ready to see $2 billion or so spent to build almost an entirely new, shiny airport.
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