That's what I read on Page A4 of The Kansas City Star today. Why is the Star burying this huge scoop on page four in the second to last paragraph of a Mary Sanchez column?
Solidifying the [Tour of Missouri] for our state would be akin to Missouri hosting the World Cup every year, without having to bid for it.
So I’d love to hear the explanation for why in tough economic times small businesses across Missouri might lose out on a $30 million return for a $1 million state investment.
Who knew that hosting the Tour of Missouri "would be akin" to hosting the most widely-viewed sporting event sporting event on the planet -- every year, instead of every four years?
I'd love to see the data and hear an explanation for why this isn't an absurd statement, but this is the Tour of Missouri we're talking about! You can just make up your facts, and then supporters will worry about whether or not they make sense.
I’d love to hear the explanation for where the 71,000 people parked when they came to watch the Tour in Jefferson City last year. I’d love to hear the explanation for where and how they spent $5,410,128 in our fair Capitol City in just a few short hours in one evening. I’d love to hear the explanation for why we're supposed to discount all of the first-hand accounts of local tourism officials who say the economic impact wasn't close to what they were promised or what TOM officials tell them it was. I’d love to hear the explanation for why the TOM won't publish its 2009 economic impact study. And I’d love to hear the explanation for how much of the $1M supporters want from the state will be spent on booze and VIP tents.
But mostly, I'd love to see the World Cup in Missouri every year, without having to bid for it.
Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/isakaronsson/ / CC BY 2.0
