Kansas City Suburbs

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Edwin Hall's surprise plea Wednesday that he murdered Kelsey Smith means he'll die in prison. It's a just punishment.

Johnson County has legitimate public safety needs. But an antiquated state law has hamstrung county officials, resulting in a flawed plan to pay for a larger jail, new juvenile services complex and crime lab.

City officials have crafted responsible plans to improve sewers and roads in Blue Springs. Voters have good reasons to approve two questions on the Aug. 5 ballot.

If Question 1 passes, the city could use a Missouri low-interest loan program while issuing up to $35 million in bonds. The city would upgrade and expand its sewer treatment plant, partly to comply with new federal and state environmental rules.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Right on cue, here come the Johnson County commissioners and staff to try to scare voters into approving the sales tax for public safety. Don't fall for it, voters.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Johnson County Chairwoman Annabeth Surbaugh and other sales-tax supporters are threatening to cut services or raise property taxes to pay for public safety projects if the Aug. 5 election fails. Actually, those are pretty good alternatives. Here's why.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Johnson County officials want to siphon $750 million from taxpayers over the next 25 years, ostensibly for public safety needs. That's outrageous. Especially when cities will skim more than $250 million of that money.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Are Johnson County voters sheep when it comes to passing tax increases? It's been that way for a long time, seemingly. But the times, they are a changing. And that's good news for opponents of the county's sales-tax request on the Aug. 5 ballot.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Board

Johnson County officials are threatening voters with this ultimatum if a sales tax for public safety does not pass on Aug. 5: We might raise property taxes to pay for the projects. Hey, that's actually not a bad idea.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Here's what supporters of the Johnson County sales tax for public safety aren't clearly telling the public: Approving the tax on Aug. 5 would create a $10 million fund for cities to spend, not the county.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

The campaign to pass the Johnson County sales tax for public safety has a number of problems. I will point out several over the next few days. Here's the first.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

(Updated at 2:30 p.m. with Sprint comments.)

Call it the Sprint Shocker.

Led by Overland Park, Johnson County cities will have to refund millions of sales-tax dollars to the county's largest employer over the next year or so. Road projects will be delayed. Citizen services will be affected. Why?

By Barbara Shelly, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Leon Dean figures he’s got one chance to crack City Hall, and he’s come prepared.

He’s got a poster board adorned with photographs. He’s got a petition with 500 signatures. He’s got a 10-minute audience with Joe Reardon, mayor of the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kan., and Wyandotte County.

Prairie Village is poised to approve a responsible smoke-free law, making it one of the last major Johnson County cities to act on the issue.

The City Council tentatively approved an ordinance to ban smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars. A final vote is expected next Monday.

Lenexa residents are already pleased with their roads and parks. In fact, their satisfaction scores are the highest of all those reported in recent metropolitan-area surveys.

But Lenexa officials say it will take more money to properly maintain the city’s extensive road system and to improve the growing parks system.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Board

So much for principle.

Cass County Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory caved in to pressure from Aquila and has blessed an agreement to let the utility continue operating its controversial power plant.

Experienced elected officials and well-qualified newcomers are running for city council seats in Independence and Lee’s Summit.

Voters will make their decisions next Tuesday. The Star’s recommendations:

By Denise Tiller, 2008 Midwest Voices Columnist

I think it's unfortunate that Kansas City is facing such grim financial problems, but these problems didn't just happen overnight. It took years to get in this situation and it will take years to solve it, if they can solve it all.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Board

Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline is on a losing streak when it comes to wisely spending tax dollars and competently prosecuting criminal cases.

Supporters think a soccer stadium at Bannister Mall could be the springboard for making south Kansas City more like...Wyandotte County?

Granted, folks in Missouri are only talking about the portion of Wyandotte County around the Kansas Speedway. But any show of envy is stunning evidence of the recent turnaround in Wyco's fortunes.

I wouldn't put a stadium for the K.C. Wizards in the same league as the Kansas Speedway.

The Wizards, on a good day, draw 12,000 fans. They watch the game and go home. A NASCAR event at the Speedway draws a crowd of about 110,000. Many of those fans are from out of town, and they're here to make a weekend of it.