THE TKC WEEKLY POWER RANKINGS!!!

It was a powerful week in Kansas City and it's worth examining exactly what happened. While I'm mostly interested in Denise Milani and her many poses, that's no excuse not to review who stayed winning.

Here we go:

POLITICOS

1. Missouri State Rep. Ryan Silvey - A Kansas City guy named as The Missouri State Budget Chair is a very BIG DEAL. Even better, this local Republican is making powerful connections among Kansas City's political elite.

2. Missouri State Rep. Mike Talboy - The STL Biz Journal named him "The Legislator of the Year" and his upcoming role as Missouri House Democrat Leader is going to make him one of the most powerful dudes in the State who calls Downtown KC Proper his home.

3. Leonard Jonas Hughes IV - He called out the Mayor to the press and the youngest guy in the Mayor's race seems to be getting busy early.

4. Pam Whiting - This hard working lady from The Chamber Of Commerce also responded to The Mayor's smack talk this week and her powerful friends make her statements VERY IMPORTANT.

5. Councilman Russ Johnson - He's the dude who pretty much killed The Mayor's Speech before it was even delivered. A room full of bored City Hall Employees were the majority of folks in attendance while Johnson saved the Council from Mayor Funky's silliness.


NEWSIES

1. DeAnn Smith - The KMBC Newsie is still making an impact on local news with her reporting. Meanwhile, her web presence makes her one of this town's best at understanding the future of news gathering in the digital age.

2. Clara Reyes - My old boss at Dos Mundos consistently puts out one of the best papers in town. And given all the hardships for dead tree media . . . That is a very powerful gesture.

3. Joe Arce - The Founder of The KC Hispanic News is always in the middle of most downtown issues and his news organization is one of my favorites.

4. John Landsberg - He is the Kansas City Media referee and a strong authority of what passes for journalism in this town. Even better, he breaks a lot of news on his own.

5. Gary Lezak - This local weather guru has a very loyal following both online and off and he's generally regarded as being the least panicky of all weather newsies. That's important during this time of year.

DISASTERS AVERTED

1. Big 12 Didn't Go Completely Bust - Kasnas City holds on to the cash and we all had to endure other excuses that didn't speak to the fact that college sports is all about nothing more than money and TV contracts.

2. The 2012 All Star Game - It would have been a shame to spend all of that local tax money and not get at least a token gesture with minimal economic impact in return.

3. Metro Flooding - Light rain nearly wrecked this city but not quite. The crazy weather season is upon us but has been somewhat kind . . . Not counting some of the destruction to basements and businesses. Still, it could have been worse.

4. The Murder Rate has not yet ramped up - KCPD is clearing 60% of their cases according to Crime Scene KC. The work of these dedicated officers is keeping this town safe while most people don't realize that even more community involvement would provide an even more powerful force to help stop crime.

5. Mayor Funky's Last Big Speech - Our long, local nightmare is running for reelection and it's obvious to everyone that he's losing.

As always, this list has been compiled according to scientific TKC polling and market research data and it's the strongest guide to local powerful people.