How corrupt is it?

Rumor has it that the Parkville Birdcage Liner has labeled the Parkville Old Towne Market Community Improvement District (POTMCID), "the most corrupt organization this side of Kansas City, Kansas." This may not be the exact quote since, like most folks, I have not (and do not) read the Birdcage Liner. If the POTMCID is the most corrupt, then the rest of the organizations in Missouri are, by extension, beyond angelic...godlike, in fact. When Kevin Heaton, the owner of the Stone Canyon Pizza Company and board member of the POTMCID, was asked what he thought about the statements in the Birdcage Liner he reportedly said, "I don't read that rag."

Other POTMCID board members, when asked their thoughts, said they had not seen the issue in question and most shrugged it off as meaningless drivel. One board member said it was "just more shit at the bottom of the cage."

We have formally asked the POTMCID District Manager, Carol Kuhns, to put us on the official media notification list of board meetings. She told us that she has recently sent out a blanket email to local, regional and national media informing them that since the POTMCID has not received any previous requests for meeting notifications that each of the emailed organizations should respond in writing or by email to be put on the email notification list. She also told us that even though no local media has previously asked for notification that most that have an interest have seen notices posted elsewhere or have gotten personal (official?) notification from other POTMCID board members.

John Kuhns, the POTMCID Treasurer, has reportedly requested of the Main Street Parkville Association (MSPA) that POTMCID information be posted on the http://www.parkvillemo.org/ web site. The information, reportedly, will include information on how to apply to the POTMCID for grants, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and, yes, meeting notices. Further, the web page will supposidly have PDFs of the official grant application forms that can be downloaded. There will also be a complete list of the POTMCID board members and their contact information.

WAG

Downtown CID Approves Grants to the MSPA

Last week the Parkville Old Towne Market Community Improvement District (POTMCID) approved the marketing budget submitted from the Main Street Parkville Association (MSPA). MSPA's marketing plan was developed by a marketing committee made up of volunteers from the MSPA membership. Despite some heated discussions and strong objections from Melissa Robbins of Nine Lives and Kevin Heaton of Stone Canyon Pizza Company; the majority of the board voted for the grant's approval. It is interesting to note that the POTMCID bylaws allows the executive committee to approve grants and other such business without a vote of the full board.

The elected offices are Tom Hutsler, Chairman, Ralph Liebetrau, Vice-Chairman and John Kuhns, Treasurer. Carol Kuhns was elected to the position of District Manager, and she handles most of the responsibilities of the POTMCID's business. Ms. Kuhns was also appointed acting secretary (the job having been turned down by Ms. Robbins). Mr. Hutsler, Mr. Leibetrau, Mr. Kuhns and Ms. Kuhns constitute the executive committee.

At a previous meeting of the POTMCID board, its attorney, Charles Renner was present to provide advice and council. Renner was the lawyer who steered the formation of the POTMCID two years ago under the direction of the MSPA. Its purpose is to provide funding for the MSPA's projects and especially marketing. The POTMCID is prevented by its bylaws and establishing city ordinance from assuming any projects that were (are) the responsibility of the city.

WAG

Main Street Parkville Association monthly meeting

At Wednesday's meeting of the Main Street Parkville Association Carol Kuhns was elected as the association's chairperson; she had filled in as interim director since the resignation of Angelo Gangai. Tom Hutsler was elected as the vice-chairperson and Linda Varner was elected as the association's secretary.

PCDC treasurer John Kuhns reported on the association's financial condition, and except for a large difference between the budget and the actual income and expenses for this past years acoustic festivals the overall difference was better than the budget expected. There was a short discussion of the Christmas on the River event (even though COTR is not an MSPA event) and that it was another success. Kuhns noted that the event for the past two years has operated in the black. Kuhns contrasted that to the situation of COTR for 2005 and 2006 when it emmerged about $19,000.00 in the red.

The MSPA signed up nore than 25 members at their breakfast meeting and Hutsler immediately went out into the community and started signing up additional members who were unable to make the early morning meeting. The representative from Park University commented that she was excited about the coming year and all that MSPA has planned.

Anyone can join MSPA. The fee is $25.00 year; contact either the MSPA office at 816-505-2227, or speak to Hutsler at 816-918-0057.

Platte County Business of the Year for Parkville

H.M.S. Beagle was honored today at a luncheon at the Embassy Suites Hotel as Platte County Business of the Year for Parkville. The Beagle's nomination was submitted by the city's Board of Aldermen and the award was presented by Mayor Gerry Richardson. Calling the beagle "part museum and retailer of science supplies" the Beagle and its owners John and Carol Kuhns were cited for their entrepreneural abilitieas as well as their community and civic involvement.

The Kuhns were guests of the Oppenheimer companies and were seated at the table with Platte Commissioner Elect Kathy Dusenbury, Parkville Mayor Gerry Richardson, executives from Openheimer, Michael Short and others.

WAG

Main Street Parkville Association monthly meeting

The next meeting of the Main Street Parkville Association (MSPA) is next Wednesday morning at the American Legion Hall on Main Street. The meeting starts at 9:00 am with a breakfast, provided by MSPA, at 8:30 am. This is the annual meeting where officers will be elected and where dues can be paid. Paid memberships allow businesses and individuals to vote on all matters that come before the group at its regular monthly meetings for the coming year. Dues are $25.00; memberships can be purchased by individuals and/or businesses. Each paid membership is entitled to a vote. Member businesses are encouraged to have their employees (clerks, wait staff, sales people, etc.) personally join MSPA. This will give the organization a larger pool of potential, and hopefully committed, volunteers for the many committees and festivals and events during the year.
The officer positions that are being elected at this meeting are the chairman, vice-chairman and secretary. MSPA is part of the Parkville Community Development Corporation (PCDC) and it operates under its organizational umbrella. However, PCDC does not direct the actions of the MSPA, but the PCDC's elected treasurer serves as the treasurer of MSPA (as well as of all the other organizations that are under the PCDC umbrella).
A slate of candidates was submitted at the last monthly meeting; it is composed of Carol Kuhns as chairman, Tom Hutsler as vice-chairman and Linda Varner as secretary.

==JFK==

Christmas on the River Donor's Party

The donor party was well attended even though some folks who paid did not make it. Most of the Parkville restaurants donated food and desserts. Jenny McCoy was the facilitating hostess and Kirby Varner and Tom Hutsler served drinks from behind the bar. Linda Varner, Debbie Hopkins, Carol Kuhns and Tom Hutsler who are once again the movers behind the Christmas on the River event. The same folks were the co-chairs last year and were able to turn around the losses the event suffered from the previous two years. Melissa Robbins and Kathy Cline who are heading up the Gallery of Trees event brought several local artists who showed their works that will be auctioned off at that event.

The many works of art were on display as were this year's new blue-on-white ceramic Christmas tree ornament. Remember, commemorative ornaments are for sale at a few local stores in Parkville.

There was an interesting discussions last night at the Christmas on the River donor's party at the lovely home of Don & Linda Julian. Don Julian had been in some of the early discussions about the Steamboat Arabia Museum's desire to move to Parkville. He and I, Tom Hutsler and Carol Kuhns discussed the possible reasons that Park University had for deciding against allowing the museum to locate on undeveloped land on the university's campus.

The currently preferred location was discussed and everyone agreed that it would be great for Parkville. The plans for a larger museum, to house a second riverboat, as well as the construction of an hotel on the site was also discussed. I mentioned the seeming disinterest by Platte County leaders.

I encourage this blog's readers to pick up the buzz and to post your comments here. This blog is the first to have any relevant news on this subject (remember, you heard it here first).

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