Our New Look

I'm enjoying the Pitch's new design. I had no issues with the old design, but the new format is nice, and I look forward to seeing its evolution.

I have to point out my favorite feature — the staple. Although that metal clasp is something hated by many males who might be perusing other alternative-like publications, it's a very welcome addition to the Pitch. It makes reading easier, not to mention making it easier to avoid the Pitch at top of the stack.

David Douglass,
Kansas City, MissouriBackwash, August 24 Off Track
Besides Clay Chastain, who I am trying hard to improve, there appear to be two primary concerns that critics of my light proposal have:

No. 1: It is too big, too expensive and will not likely secure enough federal matching funds to construct. A defeatist attitude has never powered any human progress. Rather, we must get started building light rail even if there are some risks involved. At the worst, we could start building the first stage from the Plaza to downtown and then, as funds permit, expand the line toward the zoo and the airport. I designed this initiative to be flexible in its implementation.

No. 2: We have billions of dollars in repairs to sewers and roads that need our tax dollars more than light rail. A valid concern. However, providing the people a modern public transportation system is every bit a basic service, as are good roads and functioning sewers. Light rail has one huge benefit that cannot be overlooked. Unlike diesel buses, light rail has the attractiveness and, thus, economic power to draw new development, business, tourists, and people back to the city. This means new city revenues, which means new funds to help pay for sewers and roads.

Clay Chastain is not the issue. Helping people, preserving the environment, and making Kansas City a better place to live are the issues.

Clay Chastain,
Bedford, Virginia Feature: "We're Pucked," September 7Where's the Love?
Justin Kendall's article seems to be lacking reality. Its entire view is that the Sprint Center will not be able to lure a major tenant. On the contrary: The deal to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh relies on the taxpayers of Allegheny County to pass a measure that will basically throw the potential new arena in bed with the casinos. Not likely. Sam Fingold has said time and time again he would move the Penguins to Kansas City if the bond issues to build a new arena do not pass. A "50-50 chance," he was quoted as saying. That sure sounds more optimistic than your article.

Regarding your caption of Mayor Kay Barnes announcing a restaurant instead of a sports team: The Cordish Group and the city will be announcing gradually the new tenants of the Kansas City Live entertainment district. It seems the Pitch could do an article on the $800 million development revitalizing the downtown area. Why so negative? The new Sprint Center will attract potentially 200 nights a year of entertainment acts, not including a sports franchise.

I hope in the future the Pitch can find the time and space to publish articles about the success of the downtown area and the millions of dollars of tax revenue that will pump into the city due to the rebirth of downtown Kansas City.

Philip Strnad,
General Manager, Hilton President, Kansas City, MissouriKick in the Head
First of all, great story. I've been wondering about this subject since I started driving by this behemoth each day to and from work. Did Kay forget to do some research into sports leagues "on the rise" and sports leagues "past their prime"?

The rise of professional soccer in the United States over the past 10 years outshines the rise of every other popular sports league in the history of America. It is growing quickly, and the soccer-specific stadiums sprouting up across the land are a real testament of its long-term growth. Los Angeles is strongly supporting two pro soccer teams and has no NFL. Did Kay think a town with barely any youth hockey or basketball would be interested in these two past-their-prime sports?

Walk into any retail box chain in the metro area, and I doubt you'll see even one little Gretzky or LeBron, but you'll see dozens of little Beckhams and Peles on any given weekend shopping between matches with their parents.

Johnson County, along with the wise big boys at Cerner, have made a monumental and future-thinking choice by getting involved with keeping a "league on the rise" in the metro. It goes to show that big business always out-thinks big government when it comes to big spending. Go, Wizards.

Matt Potter,
IndependenceHock One Up
"We're Pucked" is a great wake-up call to Kansas Citians, and hopefully it will help persuade those who are making the big decisions at the Sprint Center to follow more realistic paths.

I play hockey and attended and followed the Blades and the Outlaws, so I have a feel for hockey in KC. When talk of the NHL arose, I got a thousand questions about it. We cannot support an NHL team here.