By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Mayor Mark Funkhouser is close to going off the political deep-end with his irresponsible behavior toward the people of Kansas City and the City Council, all in defense of his wife Gloria Squitiro.
On a radio show Friday with conservative talkmeister (and sympathetic Funkhouser backer) Chris Stigall, Funkhouser lashed out at the majority of council members.
Yes, the same members who are supposed to be his top priority to get along with.
Funkhouser was steamed about an effort -- led by council member Jan Marcason -- to make sure volunteers don't work for their own relatives (which would kick Squitiro out of Funkhouser's office).
Funkhouser said:
"It's just another attempt to embarrass me, to slow me up, to keep my from doing what I want to do."
So what would happen if the council actually passed a new city policy, to make it the official will of the elected representatives of the people of Kansas City?
"I'm going to ignore it," Funkhouser said bluntly, implying that his wife would stay by his side in defiance of a new city policy duly approved by the City Council.
That's not public leadership, that's blind loyalty to a spouse, the kind of nepotism-like act that would embarrass the city and Funkhouser.
During the interview, the mayor called people behind this effort "opponents" several time.
That was a senseless attack on Marcason, who worked tirelessly with Funkhouser to pass a more responsible budget earlier this year.
And it was an unnecessary blast at Russ Johnson, who was picked by Funkhouser to spearhead the successful effort to place a transit issue on the November ballot.
Get real, mayor.
Sure, Funkhouser is right that some council members appear to hate everything he does. Ed Ford has made no secret of his dislike for the mayor, for example.
During the interview, Funkhouser issued a plea to the public to telephone, e-mail or call council members and tell them to back off of him and Gloria.
Specifically, he wants the public to show up at a council committee meeting next week to protest the ordinance put forward by Marcason.
Funkhouser and his backers continue to think there's this large majority of people who support Gloria's continued stay in his office.
He's wrong.
Even the people who like a lot about what Funkhouser has done as mayor -- including this writer -- realize the continuing Gloria saga has stripped the mayor of his ability to lead the city even better than he has so far.
Indeed, the mayor's new blasts against the council just dig him a deeper hole with his harsh critics on the council -- and open new wounds with people he ought to be going out of his way to cooperate with (such as Marcason and Johnson).
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asquitiro ------- don’t get too warped out of shape over those who believe Gloria’s help “is a disgrace to the City of Kansas City” ---- You’re interacting with people that probably accepted a Bill and Hillary Clinton “combo” for eight long years and are bemoaning the fact they will be unable to repeat the same mistake in November of 2008!
inafunkaboutthefunk
I despised both Clintons. Still do. And I am inafunkaboutthefunk. And I think that the two of them are a disgrace. And I think keeping her at City Hall is a bad idea.
Cut her loose Funk...
mayors ability to lead
Maybe the controversy over the mayor and his wife's volunteering has damaged his ability to lead.
-----
Mayor Smart With Nothinghouser lost the ability to lead as the elevator was going from the ground floor to the 29th floor on his first day. His brains he left at the front door.
The is one of many major upheavals that Funk caused and otherwise brought upon himself.
Remember the extraordinary moment when Mayor Lying and Forked Tongue united the otherwise hapless Council against him and to foolishly extend the contract of the vile and putrid Cauthen.
As always this butthead stubborn cretin is his own worst enemy. The problem is we have to suffer the financial, political and emotional consequences of the ongoing saga of the once mighty (in his own mind) leader of the Orange Revolution.
mayor's ability to lead hurt?
Maybe the controversy over the mayor and his wife's volunteering has damaged his ability to lead. Or maybe not. If the mayor came up with a plan to get Sprint to pay for a light rail connection to KCI, would the city council say "No way as long as your wife hangs out in your office." I hope not. Likewise, I hope the city council wouldn't be less critical of things the mayor proposes just because they like him.
Good relationships probably improve communication. But in the end, proposals should go forward based on their merits. If the mayor is too distracted by the uproar to do good work, I hope he'll make a rational decision to end it and get back to work.
George Harris
KC Star reader advisory board
A Squitiro
You would agree that your efforts on this and the Prime Buzz Blog were infantile, sophomoric, vulgarity laced and immature... Yes? No?
As to your view of the current council, whoever you are, one thing that you have in common with the Squitiro of the past and perhaps the entire Squitiro clan is an inability to accept responsibility for your antics and the antics of Gloria and Mark. The current mess can again be laid at the feet of the Gruesome Twosome and their continued inability to behave like adults and recognize that they are not the smartest people in the room.
The Funk's latest line in the sand, stating in advance that no mere municpal ordinance is going to get him to send Gloria packing, is a perfect example of a bully getting knocked down and behaving both badly and irrationally. If this happens and the two of them don't watch out, the Funk's old friend Cauthen is going to have Gloria dragged out of the building in chains... you can rant and rave too but he will just be doing what the Funk has been lambasting him for not doing... enforcing the will of the Council.
Last but not least... does it dawn on you that getting 10 Council people to agree on such a controversial maneuver takes a major doing? Not only must they think Gloria and Mark are running amok but that their constituents too must be pretty annoyed and dismayed as well. Stuff like this doesn't happen every day and without a major reason.
7,000 volunteers
“7,000 volunteers in the parks department that are inevitably related to employees who will have to forfeit their volunteer positions”
According to the 2007-2008 budget, the parks department has 456.9 full-time equivalent positions. So, with 7000 volunteers, that would be about 15 relatives per FTE. I find that hard to believe. However, even if that is true, I am confident the parks department could find a volunteer activity for them where they would be supervised by a non-relative.
Reality
Although I'm not a huge Funk fan, I don't think this type of ordinance is necessary. In some sense I agree with family members volunteering to help their family. This happens all the time. The difference is he's high profile. Also, some of the decisions being made by Mrs. Funk can easily be second guessed. The reality is Mrs. Funk isn't making bad decisions, Mr. Funk is. Why isn't the Mayor being held accountable? Targeting a specific volunteer by ordinance isn't really addressing the issue. It's a cowards way of trying to sweep a "problem" under the rug. Message to Council, either deal with the Mayors actions or leave his wife alone.
Get real asquirto,
do you think a real staff person could't handle the stuff Funks wife is doing now? No other mayor in history, in no city, has had to have his wife hold his hand 24/7 just to be able to do his job. How was Funk able to ever complete an audit without Squirt sitting at his elbow? How did he manage to get advanced degrees without Squirt holding his hand during class?
This is a disgrace to the City of Kansas City. Funk has made it clear he has no intention of removing Squirt from the Mayors office, even in the face of an ordinance requiring that he do so. It is well beyond time for Squirt to leave, however it is accomplished.
To oneobersver
How am I supposed to take you and your rebuttal seriously if you can't capitalize things or refer to my parents by their real names?
Calling my parents by TKC-propagated derogatory names just makes it obvious that you have no intent to debate me on a real level, and be able to do some critical thinking without being burdened by irrational contempt.
That is ok, asquito.
I didn't expect a reply to my questions from you; I have a pretty good idea what the answers are anyway. And why would I want to 'debate' you or a real level or any other level?
My contempt isn't irrational. It is the result of irrational actions by Kansas City's Mayor and his spouse. They obviouly have little respect for the citizens of Kansas City or for appropriate behavior in public life.
To asquitiro
"How am I supposed to take you and your rebuttal seriously if you can't capitalize things or refer to my parents by their real names?"
This coming from someone who posted a profanity laced tirade on Prime Buzz after the Christmas letter debacle....
I love how this whole ordeal is everyone's fault but the co-Mayors....
It's TKC's fault.
It's the Council's fault.
It's people who post on Prime Buzz's fault.
I will say, Andrew, your family plays the victim quite well...
Of course it's the council's
Of course it's the council's fault, they're the one who wrote and are pushing the ordinance.
So apparently instead of "playing victim" I should just continue to watch a slurry of mistruths/lies/rumors plague my family. Good idea. And my father should just step down at any sign of controversy, because that's that playing the victim at all. Brilliant.
Oh, and don't worry about the 7,000 volunteers in the parks department that are inevitably related to employees who will have to forfeit their volunteer positions. They're not victims at all, they'll understand.
Yes, this is Andrew Squitiro. I don't know how I could prove it to you, but it is. Unlike everyone else on these internet forums, I post using my real, full, name. And I write intelligent, poignant pieces, discuss real issues and are capable of analytical thinking. On an internet forum, imagine that.
wbahner - To asquitiro
I don't think the person writing this is Randy Andy Squitiro.
Critical Thinking
...realize the continuing Gloria saga has stripped the mayor of his ability to lead the city even better than he has so far.
"Even better than he has so far." He's gotten this far thanks to Squitiro, what makes you think that he'll be better to lead the city if he's down his #1 wingman?
People continously stop me and ask me if my father can fix this, if he's heard about that, and so on. Whatever it is I respond with the knowledge I have and direct them to his e-mail address . And you know what? It gets done! Unlike anything else in city government it gets done because he has his wife, Gloria Squitiro constantly connected to the populace through every medium of communication. Squitiro knows everything about Funkhouser, including most importantly his schedule. It would be impossible for Funkhouser to navigate multitudinous arrangements on a daily basis without an incredibly devoted assistant. So why not get the best, most personalized assistant there is and pay her nothing?
Furthermore Yael is this really how Squitiro should go out? With some bogus ordinance that will cost millions to enforce (since when is training free?) and scam thousands out of helping to contribute freely to their local government? All this will do is provide further grounds for bogus lawsuits that rob the city of valuable time.
Of course Funkhouser is angry! What else do you expect Yael? His family is constantly under attack! My sister dates an African-American, I dress emo and shop in the women's section, my mother is a witch who doesn't wear shoes. All this GOSSIP has been reported (and eaten up daily by the council) by Tony's Kansas City, the same guy who has been calling for this movement since the very first spark of controversy.
And now Funkhouser's wife is being targeted by the majority of the city council! And for what? I can't even begin to see the rationale behind this other than sheer, obvious contempt. They are seriously willing to layoff THOUSANDS of city volunteers all for one controversial woman.
Politics are controversial Yael! They always will be! Is that really what you want a leader to do in the face of controversy? Appease? Funkhouser is unconventional, unique, and intimidating. If Squitiro goes will he really never be criticized again?
critical thinking
I wonder who is writing this piece? Certainly not the young Funk Jr.
Yael --- Off your leash again????
The Star has been "ragging" on Funkhouser (and wife) ever since they failed to force him to fire Semler in the La-Raza convention fiasco! They continue in their attempt to dictate social and political policy in Kansas City rather than to report on those issues and Council “Toadies” who value endorsement over the needs of the community often serve their own needs by surrendering to the Star’s “Ivory Towered” editorial meandering. The Council's proposed ordinance to remove Gloria Squitiro proves that scenario!
At term’s end both council members and the Mayor will be retained or rejected by popular vote. Regrettably the public lacks that option to dispose of the aging Haight-Ashbury staffers at the KC Star.
Until then the malcontents on the council should depend on the voter to judge whether this mayor or a newspaper will determine Kansas City’s future?
Incidentally Yael – since you and Star helped private business owners disallow smoking how many of those establishments have you supported or frequented???
frequenting establishments
"Incidentally Yael – since you and Star helped private business owners disallow smoking how many of those establishments have you supported or frequented???"
Can't speak for Yael, but since renfro brought it up, I'm happy to report that 75th Street Brewery, Hooper's, and Dave's Stagecoach are much more enjoyable w/o smoke. It's pretty darn awesome that KC voters voted that ban into place.
the peanut
I was at the Peanut during the week at 6/7PM... three-quarters empty. The other restaurants may have some outdoor dining space which will help them through the smoking ban up until the winter. If there is damage to be done, that's when it will show up.
I enjoyed eating wings and a BLT without being overwhelmed by smoke but can appreciate the fix the smokers are in. Unlike Yael and others, I could have easily survived letting people smoke at the Peanut.
Oh well, the smokers salute you Yael. The rest of us think that you are down to the smoking ban for things to write about with any consequence.
I feel worse for you than the smokers...
Oh, I don't think you sre welcome at the Peanut not that you ever were nor does it matter.
That's right,
the Peanut, too. I've been to both the downtown and midtown locales in the past month (for wings, natch), and much more enjoyable.
I have to agree with fella for once, that I feel worse for Yael than for the smokers, but then again, I don't feel bad for the smokers at all, while I actually feel a bit sorry for Yael that he has to endure kcfella's inane and repetitious whining.
How would the Mayor feel…
if one of his staffers insisted on bringing a family member to work everyday? Obviously, that staffer would be fired quicker than you can say “Gloria Squitiro.” The Mayor would not tolerate such a disruptive act from anyone else, yet he insists on doing that himself. If the Mayor thinks he needs his wife to motivate him, fine. I assume she is perfectly capable of providing whatever motivation he needs every night when he goes home.
I voted for him, not his wife. If he runs for reelection, I will think long and hard before I vote for him again.
how many sides?
You and Mayor Forked Lying Tongue can't seem to tell either the truth or a straight story. How many sides of this issue do you want to be on Abooboo? That you would even think of writing that this issue is preventing him from doing an even better job than he is doing now just defies belief and puts you into the same category of thrid dimension dwellers as the Gruesome Twosome seem to enjoy inhabiting.
So what will it be Abooboo... Funk is a pathetic loser who has alienated most everyone in the political process and many if not a majority of his followers (remember them? the regular guy voter?) and can't seem to see reality (as well as creating such an enormous amount of tension, racial and otherwise, ill will, public humiliation for all of us, lying about most things, messing up his campaign books (auditor of the century, huh?), the Cauthen debacle, the Semler Debacle, the Waldo Dog Park debacle, taking a raise while not balancing the budget and cutting essential and promised services, taking money from the same developers, real estate lawyers and other assorted power brokers that he once reviled and on and on and on...) or is he the historic leader of the Orange Revolution, delivery the promise of hope and change that he promised?
WHAT SAY YE YAEL T ABOUHALKAH?????????
The Funk needs to remember who is he working for!!!!!!
He may work for his wife at home but he should not be at City Hall.
The Funk needs to remember who is he working for!!!!!!
He is an equal participant in this madness. And to the extent that he is the one we voted for, who cares about her. Turns out that he wasn't ever working for anyone but himself... Viva the Orange Revolution, the Orange Revolution is dead!