The Weekly TKC Power Rankings

I'm late to the Freedom Inc. X-mas party . . . So we'll have to make this quick.

Maybe these people aren't as impressive as hottie professional body building ladies but here are the most powerful people in all of Kansas City anyway . . .

POLITICOS

1. Jason Kander is the most powerful politico in Kansas City this week thanks to his ethics work that not only crosses party lines Statewide but also might impact the political process in Kansas City for years to come.

2. Gloria Squitiro - She defied all of Kansas City by showing up at City Hall today. She will shape local politics as long as her husband is in office.

3. Clinton Adams - TKC featured this attorney telling Council what to do. That's pretty powerful stuff.

4. Gwen Grant - She's taking shots at Council Dude Terry Riley on Ruckus and she has managed to stay above the fray despite the fact that she opposes so the vast majority of the African-American community most of the time.

5. Dr. John Covington - His firings have gone well. The KC School District is enjoying less unquestioning PR . . . But canning one person after the next is always a great demonstration of local power.

NEWSIES

1. Russ Ptacek is doing great followup to his Bannister Toxic Story that has been one of the most important investigations this past month.

2. Joe Miller - He's gaining steam at The KC Downtowner and coming up with some thoughtful stories.

3. Lynn Horsley - Old gal is hanging in there and there's something to be said for survival and longevity at the struggling/imploding Kansas City Star.

4. Sylvia Gross - KC Currents is probably the smartest local news magazine and Sylvia is the most beloved, well-educated and wicked smart newsie currently calling Kansas City home.

5. Mike "Human Stain" Hendricks - When he writes about his own neighborhood he's not that bad. Usually.

ARTS

1. Marisa McKay-Smith is the lady mostly responsible for the Burlesque Downtown Underground hosting the show of the week in this cowtown.

2. Bryan Stalder - El Bryan nearly beat out sexy burlesque chicks with his awesome political cartoons and amazing work in the Kansas City Comics Scene.

3. Charlotte Street Foundation . . . I hate these hipsters, but there's no doubt they are powerful.

4. Bill Brownlee - KC's Best Music Blogger is still coming up in the world.

5. May's Machete - Kansas City's artsy blogger deserves a mention for her consistently great work.

Now . . . Onto the holiday partying.

These rankings were determined using precise, scientific data collection methods and a patented public opinion survey process based on mainstream media reporting, Internet content searches and community discussion research.