Letters: Readers discuss Clay County commission and Kansas City versus San Francisco

Clay County mess

Clay Country residents ought to be fed up with the costly, petty political antics of Commissioners Gene Owen and Luann Ridgeway. (Dec. 20, 12A, “Can anyone stop Clay County’s corrupt commissioners? Help from courts, lawmakers needed”)

They represent all that’s wrong with government leadership and waste of taxpayer money. Their political, self-serving decisions are not good for Clay County residents. They’ve left an expensive, mismanaged swath in their leadership wake — and taxpayers will pick up the tab.

Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte, caught in the middle of this embarrassing mess, is asking both to resign. Clay County residents and the sheriff’s department deserve better from those in power.

- Phil Swayne, Gladstone

SF versus KC

I sent this message to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Scott Ostler, regarding his disparaging column that The Star republished: (Jan. 24, 1B, “San Francisco writer trashes Kansas City”)

“I just read your uppity writing about our beloved cowtown. You forgot one thing: Joe Montana left the 49ers for the Chiefs in 1993. Even Joe couldn’t get us a Super Bowl, but one of our famous barbecue joints — Joe’s Kansas City — shares his name, which you failed to mention.

“Just remember: For every burnt ends or pulled pork sandwich we eat, that’s one fewer cow or pig belching and flatulating methane gas into the atmosphere. Take that, Lefty!

“Seriously, I haven’t laughed this hard in years. You nailed it.”

- Ted Steinmeyer Jr., Overland Park