Let the madness begin

The City of Platte City could be nearing a deal that would land it about 39 acres of undeveloped land on the City’s east side that could spur long-coveted development east of I-29. That’s the latest in the ongoing story of the City’s months-long process to acquire the land, which sits on the southeast corner of the I-29/HH Highway intersection and is owned by the F.M. Wilson Family Trust. We’ve covered this process from the beginning and most times, the news has been of the not-very-stimulating nuts and bolts variety. If the City actually closes on the deal, it could make for exponentially more exciting reading. Anyway, Platte City City Administrator DJ Gerht said Tuesday night that the City’s Economic Development Subcommittee reviewed in closed session a settlement offer from the Wilson Trust. This came after the City — as we reported — made an offer of $940,000. Gehrt would not disclose the Wilson counter-offer, but he did say that the EDC “took it under advisement and provided guidance to special counselor Doug Patterson.” Wanna know what that means? Me, too. I imagine it will be on the Board of Aldermen’s agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting. Stay tuned. MAD MARCH OF HOOPS BRACKET CONTEST Well, here it is….. time for the single greatest sporting event of the year — the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. I’m a little sad that Mizzou didn’t get in, but they didn’t really deserve a berth given the way they played the last month of the season. Brutal. Anyway, thanks for entering our contest or, if you haven’t yet and are reading this before 11 a.m. Thursday, fill out a bracket and get it to me ASAP. Check out the big color ad on B1 for details and rules, prizes, etc. Just know this: if I can’t read your handwriting, then I can’t score your bracket. And if I can’t score your bracket, you can’t score more points than yours truly. And if you can’t score more points than yours truly, you can’t win a free subscription and you sure as heck can’t win the fabulous cash prizes we are giving away. So, take your time, write legibly or fill one out online and then print it and get it to me. Following are my picks, which are not really based on any formula or hours of research or anything. In fact, I filled out my first bracket in about four minutes, and what you see here are those picks, with one exception — I changed my mind and picked Louisville over Duke in the Midwest Regional final. FIRST ROUND Florida, Pittsburgh, Stephen F. Austin, UCLA, Ohio State, Syracuse, New Mexico, Kansas, Virginia, Memphis, Harvard, Michigan State, North Carolina, Iowa State, St. Joseph’s, Villanova, Arizona, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, San Diego State, Nebraska, Creighton, Oregon, Wisconsin, Wichita State, Kentucky, North Carolina State, Louisville, Tennessee, Duke, Texas, Michigan. SWEET 16 Florida, UCLA, Ohio State, Kansas, Virginia, Michigan State, Iowa State, St. Joseph’s, Arizona, San Diego State, Creighton, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Louisville, Duke, Michigan ELITE 8 Florida, Kansas, Virginia, Iowa State, Arizona, Wisconsin, Louisville, Duke FINAL FOUR Florida, Iowa State, Arizona, Louisville CHAMPIONSHIP Florida 72, Louisville 68 Here are a few observations about this year’s tournament field: • Louisville and Kentucky are woefully under seeded and they are both in Wichita State’s bracket. Tough draw for the Shockers and they will be the first No. 1 seed to go down in the second round to Kentucky. If I’m wrong about that, I’m confident I won’t be about this. Louisville will beat WSU in the next round. Like I said, tough draw. • I had an internal struggle that caused me to break out into a rash for a minute or two, but I ended up picking Kansas to advance to the Elite 8. New Mexico is a tough matchup, though and I would love to hear the whining from Lawrence after that possible upset in the second round. Check The Citizen’s Facebook page, plattecountycitizen.com and my Twitter timeline: @leejstubbs, for weekly standings. Good luck and thanks for reading Lee Stubbs is owner/publisher of The Citizen. He may be reached by e-mail at editor@plattecountycitizen.com or by calling 858-5154. Follow him on Twitter @leejstubbs.