KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jackson County residents headed to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the general election.
The question on the ballot surrounded the stadium tax, however, The future of Kauffman Stadium.
Willie Aikins is a former player who has fond memories of Coffman. He has the rings to prove it.
“We got swept by the Yankees in the playoffs in 1980 and went to the World Series,” Aikins said while showing off his 1980 ring.
Aikins played from 1980 to 1983. He now works in the front office, but his mind is always on the memories he made on the field.
“I spent the best years of my baseball career here in Kansas City,” Aikins said. “But hey, this is a great stadium here. But I understand the decision. It's been here since what, 1969? Why, 63, 64 years?”
Aikens calls Kaufman home, and for him, it will remain home even if it's downtown.
“It has become a point in time where it is time to move on,” he said.
Not everyone feels the same way as he does. KC renters rallied on the first day of no-excuse absentee voting against the tax.
They are concerned about price increases, which could displace residents and businesses.
“I, in particular, live 344 feet away, like I said, from where Royals Stadium is going, and I'm going to have to move out because of the rent hikes that are already happening, and the noise in general,” Sarah Didier said. , volunteers with KC Tenants.
Aikins said he loves the Royal Family and wants what's best for them, being able to make memories and earn rings, like his own.
“It will always have a history as one of the great places in Kansas City, Missouri,” he said.
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