TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! A NEW CONTENDER FOR CITY MANAGER AND A CHANCE AT A KANSAS CITY COMPROMISE BETWEEN MAYOR AND COUNCIL!!!

Let's start his off with an admission . . . This is all theoretical until we know if the Funkhouser Recall has been successful. It's worth noting that their numbers are pretty good for a grassroots movement and this final weekend will determine their success . . . As far as a court challenge goes (which TKC reported first), it's worth remembering that THEY'VE ALREADY SURPASSED THE PREVIOUS BENCHMARK FOR RECALL!!!

Now, on with the chatter and speculation that makes this blog so gully . . .

There's a new name out there for the City Manager's job. While Mayor Funkhouser imploded during budget talks and his last shred of credibility was exposed as nothing more than a lie . . . There were a few stars in the process. Deb Herman strengthened her reputation as a politico with the ability to relate difficult situations to the public and handle tough choices. And now . . .

Budget Director Troy Schulte has been touted as an acceptable interim replacement for Wayne Cauthen IF the City Council moves to fire the City Manager!!!

Now, I don't even know if Shulte wants the job (doubtful) but here's how it would go down:

Mayor Funky would have to pretend to be a reasonable person for 30 seconds and promise to appoint Schulte as the interim City Manager. This move would calm the Council's nerves about firing Cauthen since I've heard they're more concerned about the rehiring process than any embarrassment they would face for going back on the huge contract they gave the City Manager in order to smack down the Mayor and his wife at the outset of their reign as Co-Mayors.

And then the real fun would start . . . As Mayor, Funky would get to make an appointment for next City Manager and the Council would ultimately vote down every lame candidate offered by Funky and his wife . . . In the meantime . . . Schulte, who is regarded by almost everybody as a very capable and knowledgeable guy could pretty much serve out Mayor Funky's term as City Manager.

Here's why this is important:

The Council is at an impasse with Cauthen . . . There are 5 strong votes to get rid of him already. They only need 7.

The Cauthen/Kay Barnes era is over. Cauthen's presence is a legacy of pre-recession Kansas City. His style and tactics are simply outdated.

Obama stimulus cash has been a disappointment, the economy is not getting better any time soon and next year's budget battle is going to be much worse.

In the meantime as long as the situation at City Hall boils down to Funkhouser vs. Cauthen vs. The City Council . . . This town can rest assured that NOTHING significant will be accomplished. And maybe that's a sign that none of this will come to pass given that KC has struggled to make any real change for as long as I can remember.

Finally . . . For this final weekend recall push . . . I've heard that one of the selling points to white people signing the petition is that a new Mayor most likely means a new City Manager as well . . . As far as Kansas City politics goes, that's a rather tempting 2 for 1 offer.