Fast-food promotion questioned
A county commissioner who is a franchise owner rejects bond opponents’ allegation of a conflict of interest.
Critics of a proposed Johnson County soccer park say a county commissioner’s fast-food business could benefit if voters approve a ballot issue on Nov. 7.
But Commissioner Dave Lindstrom, a 19-year Burger King franchise owner and key leader in the county’s $75 million bond campaign, dismisses the charge as a last-gasp effort to derail the election.
“If they want to speculate about that, that’s fine,” Lindstrom said. “But it’s not true.”
Soccer field critics Bob and Shirley Phillips of Overland Park say they were surprised to learn of a June 19 news release from Burger King announcing a partnership with the U.S. Youth Soccer Association.
The national soccer group is an umbrella organization to promote the sport.
The promotion kicked off five months ago during the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Series. The fast-food chain included $1 off meal cards in tournament gift bags handed out to players.
Under the continuing promotion, franchise owners could, for example, sponsor a team or host “Soccer Saturdays” where teams with Burger King patches on their uniforms could get free or discounted food after the game.
Lindstrom manages four area restaurants, including one at 136th Street and Metcalf Avenue. The proposed soccer complex is at the northwest corner of U.S. 69 and 167th Street, about four miles away.
The Phillipses — who run NeighborhoodNet, a development watchdog Web site — say that even if Lindstrom had no intention of profiting, he should have alerted the public to what some could view as a conflict of interest.
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