Money Tree
There is very little middle ground when it comes to TKC.
People either seem to love the blog site tonyskansascity.com (TKC) or not. Operated by Tony Botello, the site raises a variety of emotions with its readers on a daily basis.
He can be sexist (see his photos of scantily-clad women), outrageous and sometimes downright silly.
But one key fact that cannot be overlooked is that the blog site attracts thousands of visitors each day.
Most media people will deny it, but most are loyal readers. Why? Because the hard-working Botello very frequently drops legitimate media bombshells in the midst of routine stories.
A week ago TKC did a blockbuster story on the salaries of executives who will be pushing hard for a renewal of Kansas City’s Health Care Levy. Without a doubt the levy will be pitched as something necessary to help the least-fortunate in the community.
You can also be confident the Kansas City Star will very likely endorse the levy. It would be like coming out against United Way. It just never happens. What media outlet could be against helping the poor?
But voters might also want to read Botello’s exclusive story that highlighted that E. Frank Ellis, CEO of Swope Community Enterprises, was paid a jaw-dropping salary of $1,187, 178 in 2011.
John Bluford of Truman Medical Center brought in a nice salary of $817,887. Not bad for non-profits asking for additional funding to help the poor.
“The real story is this: People have long complained about salaries for those two considering the low income clients they serve,” Botello told Bottom Line Communications, who did his own research to determine the salaries.
Botello said he did the story because he felt the Star wouldn’t touch it with a 10-foot pole.
“Here is the thing: I knew I would be the only one to do this story because Ellis and Bluford are major power brokers in KCMO and nobody at the Star wants to tangle with them,” he says. “That’s what I think is kinda sad.
“I think poor people should have access to healthcare as well but this Question 3 is just sloppy and the mainstream media outlets won’t point this out because it involves confronting some uncomfortable facts about the most powerful people in KC and questions of financial priorities on a ballot issue that’s supposed to help the neediest in this town.”
Agree or disagree with Botello all you want.
But voters have a right to know the salaries of key individuals when they are casting their ballot on a health levy. And so far he is the only one willing to provide the information.
REMEMBERS BUS TAX
A few years ago when the bus tax was up for renewal, a representative from the committee in favor of that renewal came to our homes association meeting. I asked him, in light of the 15 year term of the renewal, how would we hold future councils accountable for the spending of the money. He told me not to worry the funds would ONLY be spent for busses.
Now money is going to a streetcar… well, fool me once…. etc.
TKC POWERFUL
Tony uncovered information organized opposition can use. That’s how the connection of journalism is to issues and how they affect the public. It’s really powerful and can’t wait for his next exclusive.
THOUGHTS ON TKC
I don’t like the sexist and degrading portrayals of women he uses to attract people to his page.
That said…
While we get hype on hype about the Big 12 Tournament (and I am fine with it, but there’s other stuff happening) we get these types of stories that actually take some work to uncover.
Given that the monopoly Kansas City Star is cheerleading the health tax extension, you have to ask, what is the motivation? Aside from not identifying a tax they can glom onto, this is a huge investment, giving a few high paid and high ranking officials much more say without public input, the type of input the Star were prefer to not have to see from the “unwashed”.
The editorialists are also lamenting the decision to suspend asking for tax money for a commuter train from Eastern Jackson County. Given the train would run on their tracks, would it not be logical the rail companies would want some say in the operation? Since the editorial crowd would likely never be seen on the train, it’s not an issue for you.
Just the usual power-broker and self-aggrandizing attitude I sadly USED to expect from the Star until I decided to stop shelling out my money for about 5 minutes’ reading a day.I have plenty of local sources that do a much better job keeping me informed.