Ambulance Livery: A Brief Update

I saw, last night, at a common MAST post (44 for those in the know) an ambulance in the most generic paint job known. A red stripe around the rig with MAST in tiny letters in it and that was all! Not even a crummy Star of Life--and no nifty diagonal stripes on the back--it was just white back there! Nothing reflective either. No pictures of the rig unfortunately, because it was dark and I did not have a camera camera. New rig and they didn't want to paint it? Rig in process of being fixed/remounted on new chassis? Hmmm?

While we are on the subject of MAST, I found this pearl in the comments section over at Tony's place:

Anonymous said...

twas the week before christmas and all through the town,
the murders were up, instead of going down.
The guys were going down the chimneys with ease,
The soot inside, boy, made them sneeze!

The weapons were nestled all snug in their waists,
while cars ran away in a quick police chase.
My man in his doo rag and I in my cap,
had just settled down, when we heard him get capped!

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
the screams and the tears, they just didn't matter.
The cops did we call , but alas there were few,
For city council made deals, as they always do.

The moon on the breast of the man on the lawn,
showed glimmers of red, where he had fall'n
When what do my wondering eyes do appear?
A big white box with medical gear.

With an efficient driver, so learned and fast,
I knew in a minute, IT MUST BE MAST!
To the man on the lawn, they arrived so swift,
I knew in a minute they just started their shift.

Medic called on the radio, just need to know,
Man shot in the gut in the fresh fallen snow,
BP is not good, respers are weak,
Loading him now, will be there shortly, with whom do I speak?

The doctor said his name, which never is clear,
It did not matter for this life is dear.

Though things will be changing, come around May,
let's hope there'll still be money, for the city to pay.
The people who drive and ride in the box,
still will be swift and smart as a fox.

They may not have badges and training and such,
but some say they don't need them, they just need the touch.
Time will not matter, advance does not pay,
Load them up quickly and get on your way.

He is chubby and plump, a jolly old chief, I cringed when I saw him, in utter disbelief.
A wink of his eye to Louie he made, the deal was all done, boy what a trade!

He spoke many words, no sense did they make, the council all nodded,said he was great.
Laying pen on the paper they wrote it is done, MAST is all gone now we are one.

When taxes go up and time limits go away, remember the man, in the snow as he lay.
Will there be money to pay for the gal, the guy,the box,the equipment, will you be asking why?

We will hear them exclaim as they drive into to sight, lets load him and go, it is football tonight!

12/21/2009 01:32:00 AM

Oh, if it goes through to completion, this merger between MAST and the fire department is going to be interesting every single step of the way.

Two Videos from YouTube

OK, this is a little bit, you know, sappy...but you might still enjoy it.



and here is a video of a nifty Christmas song by the Christian group Jars of Clay. The song is better then the video.



Enjoy!

In The First Light

This song was part of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's Christmas presentation. It is a very simple but powerful song, originally done by the group Glad over a decade ago. It is at once a Christmas and an Easter song. It has always been a favorite of mine, and I have been singing it since last Sunday. It had been a long time since I'd heard it.

In the first light of a new day
No one knew He had arrived
Things continued as they had been
While a new born softly cried.

But the heavens wrapped in wonder
Knew the meaning of His birth
In the weakness of a baby
They knew God had come to earth.

As His mother held him closely,
It was hard to understand
That her baby not yet speaking
Was the Word of God to man.

He would tell them of His kingdom,
But their hearts would not believe
They would hate Him and in anger
They would nail Him to a tree.

But the sadness would be broken
As the song of life arose
And the First born of creation
Would ascend and take his throne.

He has left it to redeem us,
But before His life began
He knew He´d come back not as a baby
But as The Lord of ev´ry man.

Hear the angels as they´re singing
On the morning of His birth
But how much greater will our song be
When He comes again
When He comes again

Hear the angels as they´re singing
On the morning of His birth
But how much greater will our song be
When He comes again to Earth

When He comes to rule the Earth!

(words and music by Bob Kauflin)

If you have never heard the song as originally sung by Glad on their first a capella project album, here's a link to YouTube where someone so kindly posted the song for listening pleasure.

People Rooting for it to Snow Should Remember...

...that it may be pretty and all, but it can be hard to get around in and you have to shovel it!

Viewer photo to WABC-TV of snow in Wayside, NJ

Viewer submitted photo to FoxNewYork of snow in Brooklyn.

The east coast is just getting hammered with this snow. The storm is scooting up the coast and has hit Washington, DC, Philadephia and New York so far. These are just a few of the images I found on line of this good size storm. Models are somewhat muddled, but some snow could come to KC around Christmas Eve to Christmas day. It may be hard to get to Grandma's house!

Friday Funny

Blogging Tony and Darla Part the Second

Tony and Darla have not taken any callers yet. I hope they do. Interesting--KMBZ doesn't have many real ads on their streaming audio--just PSAs and promos for station programing. Well, back to the show.

2009--not one of Darla's favorite years [Amen!]. Hoping 2010 will be better--a whole 'nother decade. Tony wrote the list. Best Trends of 2009: Tea Parties--much to Darla's surprise. Tony: There was an impact by the Tea Party movement. Today's poll: Tea Party movement regarded better than both republicans and democrats. Discussion of crappy voter turnout: less than 10% for COMBAT Tax vote. Mike Sanders isolating vote from any other votes to pass this [miserable] tax.

More trends: Kansas City School Board forums--to get/beg people to get involved. Tony went and saw a turnout of 100 people. People said they would indeed run. Eric Leonard West is considered a good change from the usual run of KCMSD board members--like Helen Ragsdale, whose daughter is a principal of one of KC's high schools [no conflict of interest there--snort.] Sup John Covington has not set the world on fire yet, but has done some--

[Whoops! Have to sign into the Wi-Fi again!]

More trends--joined in progress--P&L District not doing well business wise except for Constantino's Market.

Missouri Ethics Commission getting going in Jeff City.

Gloria Squitero--going back to City Hall. "Barefoot in City Hall" is just the best stuff to write about!!! The suspense is killing Tony!

Darla: Biggest and best trend for 2009--the Tea Parties

Tony: Biggest and best trend for 2009--the hope that Gloria Squitero will be coming back to City Hall, and giving Tony new blog fodder.

The Worse Trends, as listed by Tony: Restaurant closings outside of P&L District and surrounding downtown area, over 15 establishments--recession, smoking ban, etc. as well as P&L District sucking all the retail air out of the room. Now P&L struggling, plus district lacks character and variety.

Funkhouser recall failure--[for some reason] Darla is glad it failed.

All the newspaper layoffs and the continued struggle of the Kansas City "dead tree media"

MAST merger/takeover, Combat tax renewal, Cauthen suspension rammed through the City Council by political gamesmanship by the mayor and select council members.

Mayoral candidates announcing two years early. Fear of a continual reelection, people always running for the office--how in the world do you get any thing done? Plus how does the ordinary person keep up with the candidates over such a long course of an election?

Darla and Tony wish each other a Merry Christmas and a "see ya in 2010."

Tony's time with Darla is always way too short. I always enjoy it when they get together. Thanks for reading my little experiment in blogging during their talk together. You can find Tony's news, rumors and pictures of scantily clad ladies at www.tonyskansascity.com. You can find Darla's stuff here.

Blogging Tony and Darla Part One

It's their fault. It's their fault that I have two blogs. It's all their fault.

You see, Darla had Tony on as a guest on her radio program one evening, talking things Kansas City. Tony talked about his blog, and of course I just had to look and read. I was hooked then, and in the heat of summer, I decided to start a blog of my own. So off we go, listening to Tony and Darla and blogging along: First the current topics, then the best/worst of 2009 in KC news.

Citadel Plaza: Darla--dead project? Tony--TIF for Citadel Plaza pulled. Community Development Corporation in trouble for money and environmental violations. $75-$100 million more needed after the money that no one knows where it went (?$25 million) Drive by the Citadel Plaza site and see it looks like a lunar landing site. First plan was retail and grocery, but neighborhood around it may not support it. Per Tony, currently rats run the property and are shot by little old ladies regularly. [In case you are curious, the property is just north of 63rd street, behind Metro Patrol, cross street Euclid Drive. When I moved here in 1989, the area now devoid of much of anything had several derelict buildings on it. They were torn down, but badly, and now there are EPA concerning hazardous materials on the site. This might be a topic to explore myself. I wonder if this Community Development Corporation is the same bunch that spent more than $25,000 each to rehab two houses at 28th and Tracy. That was some boondoggle!]

Des Moines IA first for business environment--Kansas City getting its butt kicked by Omaha, NE. KC--21st. Big ticket items [i.e. P&L, Sprint Center] vs. slow steady infrastructure development. Other reasons for poor KC business environment: Mayor, two crappy teams, the murder rate, newspaper, union station and liberty memorial sitting empty. Also the earnings tax--supplies 40% of operating budget [That's frightening; it was just supposed to support trash pick up.] JP Morgan locating in Sprint campus on KS side, rather than downtown KC or SKC. Wal-Mart conventions leaving--Tony broke this in summer. Overall theme of this trend: business leaving/not coming to KCMO.

Wayne Cauthen. They could not get a crowd together for Cauthen. He was entitled to hearing for 14 days after suspension, but 14 days passed. Cauthen could not get community support from East Side or West Side. Cauthen's payoff--$300,000 or more. Case against Cauthen mounting: power grab over budget. City Council frustrated. Troy Schulte--strong rep, 10+ years at City Hall, has 12 bosses, CM very political job. Schulte is probably safe until next election cycle. City Council supporters Skaggs and Hermann term out, depends on mayor election, rest of council. Schulte gets about 24 months to work.

Third District KS Congressional Race: Darla received odd emails from potential US congress candidate. Tony to Darla: Have you made the big decision about running for congress? Darla: No have not made decision, it's a big decision--going to Florida to think on it and visit with family. Darla: If I win, where will you go on Thursdays, Tony? Tony: I'd just hang around the office, it's nice here. Darla: would you come to Johnson County if I got elected? Tony: I'd have to come in before dusk so I don't get racially profiled. Half hour ends with laughter.

Red Or Something Else?

The Kansas City, MO Fire Department is poised to merge with MAST and essentially take over ambulance services in May 2010. There are many important issues that will come up during the merger/takeover, but here is a really important one...

Red ambulances or something else? You make the call...

A sampling of local liveries for your consideration...pictures snatched from various websites, except the last two which are mine.