ANOTHER FUNKY WEEK OF FAIL!!!

Mayor Funky's neck deep on the side of The Northland in this Redistricting fight and the weekly newsletter written by Co-Mayor Gloria Squitiro reveals as much. I understand the strategy despite the fact that it's not gonna work.

In any event . . . After the jump check the weekly newsletter that demonstrates the ongoing incompetent leadership that has lead to so much Kansas City divisiveness.


THIS WEEKS CITY BUSINESS

After weeks of wrangling, the City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to allow the redistricting process to move forward. This was a major victory for the Mayor and the residents of Kansas City.

The decision assures that the voices of Kansas City voters will be heard fairly when they go to the polls to choose their City Council representatives in 2011. The Council had been split over the redistricting issue, with some members opposing redistricting until after the 2011 elections.

Both the City Charter and the U.S. Constitution made it clear that redistricting was necessary. "I believe that those of us who are tasked with writing law have a higher moral duty to obey the law, or work hard to change it," the Mayor said.

"I fought hard for this measure, especially for our Northland residents who were grossly under-represented on the Council," the Mayor said. "As we all know, currently the city's Council districts are not equal and violate the U.S. Constitution. The Northland is underrepresented on the Council. We have districts that are almost 30 percent out of balance."

The Mayor on Monday vetoed an ordinance approved by the Council last week that would have delayed redistricting for what appeared to be political gain in the upcoming Council elections.

In an 8-4 decision, the Council voted to override the Mayor's veto. It was an odd action, obviously made for political purposes, to place a Charter revision question on the ballot in November, which is, in essence, useless. It requires a change in the redistricting process that won't be acted on for 20 years, long after voters are likely to be asked to approve a new Charter.

"The veto was meant to do what is right by and for our citizens and ensure that we redistrict," the Mayor said. "The resolution approved Thursday shows that one way or the other, the Council agreed with that goal."
The Mayor noted that, as he did in getting many of the planks in his Schools First initiative passed, he will not let politics come into play in doing what's right.

The Mayor expects redistricting to be complete before Nov. 9, when Council candidates can begin filing for election.
Last Saturday, the Mayor walked in the Rivalry Run, a bi-state competition and fundraiser designed to raise money to help prevent domestic violence. Team Missouri won, and the Mayor accepted the trophy on behalf of the state.
On Thursday night, the Mayor attended the fall cookout sponsored by one of the city's most unique community agencies, Working Families' Friend. The organization provides assistance, training, and support to working families in need.
And on Monday, the Mayor will celebrate Labor Day walking in the Labor Day Parade, which begins at the Liberty Memorial at 11 a.m.
Finally, we said goodbye to a good friend this week. Services were held Monday for Assistant City Manager Rich Noll, a city employee for 27 years who showed a true passion for life.

"I worked with Rich for years," the Mayor said. "He was a true professional, a dedicated husband and father, who devoted himself each day to the city and always put the best interests of the citizens first."

ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE

After neglecting our yard since the previous election, and then experiencing a 30-foot sink hole last summer from a city sewer main break, we have used the kids this summer to help us whip our yard back into shape. The garden is presentable again, and the roses have rewarded us for our efforts.

I can't deny that waking up to 50-degree weather this morning didn't make Funk and I feel a little melancholy. The good news is that when I polled my kids for the three reasons they adored me, one of them said that it was because we made him work in the yard all summer long. It seems that it made him feel a sense of belonging and pride. With that answer, I guess we can live with the summer having faded so fast.

Do you have a comment or question? Email us at funksfrontporch@gmail.com.

In Faith,
Gloria & Mark