Another week, another column. Let’s try to get through this with our sanity somewhat intact.
Ifs and buts, squirrels and nuts.
That’s why we have power outages in Platte City, apparently.
Though I wouldn’t eliminate the possibility of old infrastructure.
Tony Luetkemeyer. Freaking legend. Modern day American hero.
As you’ll see on our front page, State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Platte County is one of those leading the efforts to get sports wagering legalized in Missouri.
Missouri is playing catch-up on this one, but better late than never. There are at least 30 states already ahead of us on this topic, including Kansas, where unfortunately many of us Platte Countians who dabble in that sort of thing have had to spend too much time lately just so we can get a few bucks down on sporting contests. And when you consider those trips often include stops at nearby restaurants and stores, it all adds up to considerable dollars being bled from Missouri into Kansas.
Columnist Guy Speckman and I good-naturedly jabbed Luetkemeyer on this topic a couple of months ago when we had him on Landmark Live. Speckman drives to Iowa to place his sports bets, mainly because he hates everything Kansas. On the other hand, I live off of I-435 not far from KCI so it’s a short and convenient drive for me to the Hollywood Casino at Legends to get in on the sports wagering, and this often leads to a stop at the Longhorn Steakhouse near there. Also, the Sam’s Club, Yard House and Famous Dave’s at Legends have been secondhand recipients of some spillage due to my sports betting trips into Kansas. See what I’m saying about the residual effects?
Anyway, when we had Luetkemeyer on the show and were jousting him about legalized sports betting he assured us “You don’t have to convince me.” That was comforting to hear. He is backing up those words and on Saturday morning Luetkemeyer lit up my cell phone with a text message letting me know he has pre-filed a bill that would legalize sports betting in the Show-Me State.
“This is one of my prefiled bills. . .because I know you and Guy maintain a mild interest in the subject matter,” he texted, with a link to the senate.mo.gov website listing his sports wagering proposal.
“You just earned yourself a lifetime endorsement,” I responded, and I’ll let you guys figure out if I was kidding or serious. I would bet on serious.
At the invitation of Tony Luetkemeyer, at some point we will be doing a Landmark Live from the Missouri State Capitol. Speckman and I just have to pass the background check. Better make that reservation in pencil.
I watched two soccer games last week and now I’m faking injuries and growing a man bun.
According to the internet, it takes about six months to get your hair to a good man bun length. So scratch the idea. I’m not sure I have the patience. Plus I’m follicly-challenged.
Find someone who loves you as much as Eric Schmitt loves a frivolous lawsuit.
Bumped into Parkville Mayor Dean Katerndahl at Christmas on the River Friday evening for some conversation and now we’re scheduling a Landmark Live appearance by the mayor in January to discuss upcoming city issues, like a vote on a proposed law enforcement sales tax in Parkville as well as a use tax vote. Should be fun. We’ll keep you posted on the date for our talk of the town.
What an improved atmosphere. It’s the first time in years that I’ve run into a Parkville mayor and didn’t have to start the conversation by saying “put away the crazy.”
Katerndahl said Jim Brooks, a former Parkville mayor, was back in town and was to be in attendance at Christmas on the River. Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to catch up with Brooks, who was always a fun conversationalist. Brooks now lives in Florida and told Katerndahl that he “gets all his Parkville news from The Landmark.”
Speaking of getting news from The Landmark: Google Analytics reports our website at plattecountylandmark.com had 252,000 page views in the month of November.
Name any other Platte County-based website drawing that kind of attention. I’ll wait.
Made a trip to Smithville on Saturday and made sure I drove there with a practically empty gas tank so I could fill’er up with 16 or 17 gallons of $2.54 gasoline. Filled it to the brim, baby.
On Tuesday of this week, a Landmark reader tells me the price in Smithville is now down to $2.51. The going rate in Platte City at this writing? $2.79.
(Send tips on man buns and ponytails to ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)
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