Isn't all politics exhibitionism when it comes down to it? It's a funny thing that people assume without as much money available to government, the police and fire department will be the first to go, then the schools, then they will let all the rapists and murderers out of jail. Fear is an excellent way of controlling people. Rather than assert senseless hyperbole like "I like police and fire departments," which infers that Ward is against these things, one should bring real issues or questions to the table.
You have Yael T. Abouhalkah over at "Please just go away" Star and Steve "I never met a tax I didn't like" Glorioso slamming her already. Hey Steve, how did that Kay Barnes for US House thing work out for you?
She has actually stated that she will take a 50% pay cut in her salary if elected. Ask her, she will tell you.
I hope Ms. Ward has steeled herself for the onslaught cheap shots heading her way. The powers-that-be don't like it when regular people run for office.
I wonder if she would decline her city council person's stipend in an effort to cut spending? Doubtful. This is selfishness masquerading as political theater - I live in the 6th and Ward's consistent insistence that she speaks for the people of her district - much less actually gives a shit about us or anything but her ego is laughable. We like having police and a fire department, thanks. Stick to pretending you're Rand Paul.
You paint a rosey picture but lets get real here. The feeling of entitlement, a lack of assimilation and over all respect for OUR country is the reason for so much anger at illegal Mexican immigration. ( Lets not even get into how Mexico treats others). The racist groups like La Raza who feel that because someone is a native Spanish speaker they can do as they please. Oh and as to your comment on speaking English, please explain why when there is a case mentioned in the news of a person being deported, who as been here for years, they can still not speak English? Because the people who come from south of the border could care less about America, it laws or customs.
Go, go, go!!!! I wish you well.
If Tracy Ward wins, maybe the city council will simply reverse the decision like they did with the Chastain Light Rail plan. After all, what do the wishes of the citizenry have to do with it?
The last several paragraphs of this article reads like an editorial or a primer instructing the masses how to think.
Wow, fiscal responsibility and someone who cares about the constituents, what a concept! It's a shame the liberal reporter couldn't contain their views. Whatever happened to unbiased reporting?
Oooooh sick burn. Take that Dave.
Wow! She sounds perfect for the job!
Very refreshing. The author sounds a bit biased; spending in any political fair can use more than a bit of shaving. I can only imagine the sewer dept, the water dept, and the trash dept have a great deal of irresponsible spending and unnecessary buget allowances ripe for the trimming. You GO pink haired girl!
If you want to see the speech tracy gave that night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOt91NZfqy0 So proud of you, girl!!!
I think it's funny that being opposed to the E-tax is "provocative". I'm pretty sure the only people that will vote to keep the E-tax are the people somehow reliant upon it passing (dogcatchers, city hall employees) or people too ignorant to understand the reason for taxes in the first place (pooling money to pay for services, not wastefully spending other people's money on pet projects). It is beyond absurd for the Pitch to suggest that the city would have difficulty functioning without the E-tax. Most cities do not have this tax and are a hell of a lot better/efficient at handling "basic services".
Tracy Ward is a very earnest and hard working candidate. I think she sincerely wants to make Kansas City a better place.
Sounds like an excellent candidate to help restore fairness and freedom to Kansas City. She has my vote!
I know Steve Glorioso and he's a nice guy that's been around the politics of this city for several decades, but it's time for some non-politicians to help bring back this city into accountability to the people. The politicians have held the reigns for far too long. I know Tracy Ward and I will vote for her! She is a stand up woman with a trademark pink hair style WHO CAN THINK for herself. She's NOT a yes girl and that might be a little too unconventional for some! I am ready for a LOT of UNCONVENTIONAL. The political pundits and "conventional" got us where we are -- in a mess!! Bring it on Tracy!!
Seems people who don't want Tracy to win are the very same who like the statist quo and want things to remain the way they are. Especially Republicans who are nothing more than hypocritical statists who pretend to be for "limited government". I wish you the best Tracy.
Re: “Is City Council candidate Tracy Ward a breath of fresh air or a political exhibitionist?”
You'd do well to stop pretending that completely funding all city services is anything but a very real issue. What is NOT a real issue is Ms. Ward's recent knee-jerk reaction about KCPD DUI checkpoints being "a waste of money" and then saying police need to be in the community more. Last time I checked DUI checkpoints were not conducted in the station house. What's worse is her consistent assumption that everyone in her district is a Libertarian, anti-earnings tax zealot. There are in fact real issues in the 6th Dist. that she runs from in favor of whining about red light cameras, the Police Department, etc.. It causes me, as a citizen of the district, to wonder why she has it out for the KCPD. I am a gun-owning, self-employed parent of two children. Given how it affects businesses, I venture I've paid more in earnings taxes than most participating in these responses. Over thirteen years of running a business "in the black" has taught me that real fiscal responsibility means focusing on both the expenses AND revenue sides of the balance sheet. Judging by her resume, Ms. Ward has never had fiscal responsibility for a budget much larger than four-figures - and her deleterious attitude about the earnings tax proves she's woefully unprepared to handle KCMO's impending budget problems. I don't have much faith in more than a couple members of the current city council, but Ms. Ward doesn't even measure up to this current crop of do-nothings.