by Jay Kerner

My buddy Deny Staggs is a Raiders fan. This in itself makes one
question his credibility, when he calls me a “homer.” The term as it is used
here doesn’t refer to the long ball, instead it’s a derogatory reference
to somebody who automatically roots for the local team no matter how
lame they may be.

The label doesn’t bother me. Number one, I am a homer. I’m a great big
homer. My teams are the Royals, the Chiefs, Missouri Western and the
Missouri Tigers, in that order, and if you don’t like it, tough patootie.
 

Second, why get worked up over comments from a member of a group, who
over compensates for reduced testosterone, with spikes and ridiculous
body armor?

I’ve been taking some shots around town the last couple of weeks over a
story in the last issue concerning a new eatery in town. Go ahead, let
me have it. I can take it. I admit, I think Vennis A. Vennable is
funny, and while I don’t always agree with his positions on everything, and
I seldom agree with his delivery, this time at least, I think he’s
right on.

There are always folks quick to jump on any bandwagon. New is sexy. We
get it.

We’re not against progress. Not by a long shot. We just hope our
community doesn’t fall into the trap of assuming that the opening of a
corporate chain restaurant is some giant leap forward. I’ll be interested to
see the local restaurant sale tax figures over the next few years. My
concern is that we’re just exchanging existing dollars for new dollars.
That’s not progress. If that’s true, and if those new dollars were
brought here with tax incentives, then aren’t our schools and local
government entities going to be receiving less support from the same dollars,
at least for the next 20 years? We’re dividing the same dining out pie
into smaller and smaller servings. What do you think will happen?

This is still the good old USA, and these new places are a reality. If
any good comes of it, maybe it will be that the competition will
encourage the locals to step up their game even more. Scrutinize their
businesses and improve their products and procedures. What do I know? Maybe
all we do want is generic national chains. God, I hope not.

Our paper has some unusual policies, and we may be off base here or
there, but we’ll always come down on the side of local, home grown,
businesses and individuals. That’s what we’re all about. Let other sources
tell you what’s going on in KC or even Savannah for that matter. We’re
The Regular Joe, not the Northwest Missouri Bugle.

We like to poke fun at ourselves around here, but outsiders better
watch what they say. Northside Ned may take a shot at or from Southside Sam
in our pages now and again, but some idiot from Overland Park? I don’t
think so.
I cheer for my local high school to beat the hell out of yours every
time, but if yours is in the playoffs and mine isn’t, I’m cheering for
yours all the way to state. (Especially against snotty KC or St. Louis
schools). That’s how we roll.

So as long as they keep giving me this space to fill, I’m gonna keep on
keepin’ on. You’re going to keep getting local people, local
businesses and local stories. Call me a homer all you want. I’m going to cheer
my Royals back into contention, and I’m still a Chiefs fan no matter
their record. (As long as they continue to pound the lame-ass Raiders
twice a year.)