By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Mayor Mark Funkhouser said Wednesday that he's ready to tackle the city's financial struggles.
It's good to have the mayor back on target, talking about something that is of real importance to KC taxpayers.
It's especially good if the mayor will focus on finances and stop talking so much about having his wife, Gloria Squitiro, work at City Hall.
On Wednesday Funkhouser announced he'll sponsor a financial summit on Dec. 22 to discuss the long-term impact of the nation's economic problems on KC and how City Hall should respond to them.
The mayor also brought up the fact that -- as city auditor -- he had held a forum in late 2005, where speakers warned about some tough times ahead for the federal government and cities.
Read Funkhouser's excellent 2006 audit report on the forum here.
Bottom line: Funkhouser and his experts didn't predict the housing bubble and financial meltdown. However, he outlined a number of ways KC government could get ready for the fiscal crisis that has hit now.
Unfortunately, former Mayor Kay Barnes and City Manager Wayne Cauthen didn't take steps at the time to follow Funkhouser's many good suggestions.
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No. He. Wasn't. It doesn't
No. He. Wasn't.
It doesn't take a genius to conclude that a series of unending $300B+ annual deficits will create issues.
Dahhh!!!
Like predicting that hitting yourself in thehead with a hammer will hurt.
"prescient"? - my rear-end.
It's a case of too little,
It's a case of too little, too late. After Funkhouser has held the city hostage for the past few months over keeping his wife at his side, he's squandered whatever credibility he might once have had with his constant buffoonery that seems to rise to new heights on a daily basis.
Frankly, by this time if Funkhouser announces it's a sunny, beautiful day, I'd be inclined to make sure I take my umbrella with me.