TKC BREAKING NEWS!!! SNAGGED FROM CONGRESSMAN CLEAVER: DANNY ROTERT STAYS WINNING AS NEW KANSAS CITY MAYOR SLY COMMUNICATIONS DUDE!!!



Former Congressman Cleaver Communications dude Danny Rotert leads the new hires for Sly James.



THAT'S A PRETTY BIG DEAL TO SNAG STAFF FROM A U.S. CONGRESS DUDE!!! NICE WORK MAYOR SLY!!!

All of these other people, I don't really know and neither does anybody else . . . Which is another good move for Mayor Sly.

First . . . Check the presser:

MAYOR SLY JAMES ANNOUNCES DANNY ROTERT AS COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

(Kansas City, MO) - Mayor Sly James has rounded out his staff at City Hall, including naming veteran spokesman Danny Rotert as his communications director. Rotert has served as communications director for Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II for the last six years and prior to that was a public affairs specialist at the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). Rotert is a fourth generation Kansas Citian and attended Raytown High School and Truman State University, where he received his bachelor’s in history. A resident of the Columbus Park neighborhood, Rotert’s first day at City Hall will be May 9th.

Mayor James also announced the remaining members of his staff. They include:

JONI SMITH - Deputy Communications Director.
Smith comes to City Hall from the Missouri Department of Transportation where she served as a legislative liaison and performed a number of communications duties, including on-the-record interviews with media. Smith also worked for Secretary of State Robin Carnahan as the deputy director of public policy and government affairs. A North Carolina native, Smith began her career in Missouri with the American Federation of Teachers. Smith received her bachelor’s in political science from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina and has a master's degree in political science from the University of Missouri. Smith, who is re-locating to Kansas City from Jefferson City, will begin in the Mayor’s office on May 18th.

DAVID ROWE – Policy Director.
Rowe most recently served as the manager for policy research at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), where he utilized his writing, policy and legal skills to support the university leadership and its key stakeholders. In his role, Rowe identified, researched, analyzed, and provided communications regarding legislative, regulatory, and other public policy issues impacting KUMC. Prior to working at KUMC, Rowe was a legal contractor for Interstate Brands Corporation. Rowe also worked for the renowned political polling firm Peter D. Hart Research Associates in Washington, D.C. Rowe received his bachelors in English from Wake Forest University and his law degree from the University of Kansas. Rowe begins his new position on May 4th.

ROOSEVELT LYONS – Special Assistant, Community Affairs.
Lyons most recently served as a regional field director for Organizing for America, where he recruited and trained volunteers on the grassroots level to support President Obama and his initiatives. Lyons has also worked with adjudicated youths in a residential treatment facility for the Missouri Department of Social Services. Lyons has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. A native of Phoenix, Lyons and his wife and daughter have lived in Kansas City for 10 years. Lyons joins the team on May 9th.

JASON HODGES – Senior Advisor.
Hodges was instrumental in Mayor James’ successful get-out-the-vote effort in Kansas City in his mayoral campaign and has been a key advisor during the transition. Hodges has worked on a variety of campaigns all across the country, including serving as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee western field director, quickly learning new communities and key constituencies. Hodges has his bachelor’s in philosophy and sociology from Baker University and a masters degree in business administration from Baker University as well. A Topeka, Kansas native, Hodges and his wife reside north of the river.

MARGARET HANSBROUGH – Special Assistant.
Hansbrough began working with Sly James on his campaign over two years ago when it began. She is currently working with the transition team on the May 7th Inaugural Picnic. Hansbrough received her bachelor’s degree in economics from Rockhurst University where she also received the Rockhurst University Regent’s Service Award in 2006.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the depth and breadth of the talent of this staff. The entire mayoral team looks forward to working with the city council and all city employees to move Kansas City forward,” said James.

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Comments

  1. Quick Tony, very quick.

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  2. Danny will be a valuable asset and he served the Congressman well.

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  3. Token cracker

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  4. Good choices all around. Top notch staff.

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  5. It didn't take long for Sly the Fly to demonstrate to Kansas Citians that he's a dick. There is nothing mayoral about kickin your predicessor while he's going out the door. At least the Funk had class. Sly is just another "democrat"... what an Ace

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  6. What happened to Kendrick Blackwood?

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  7. Kendrick is now cleaning house with Funk while Gloria laughs.

    And Rotert was a great choice. He kept the controversy and the local media away from Congressman Cleaver and should do the same for Sly.

    Sorry haters.

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  8. Someone with a Brain5/3/11, 3:05 PM

    2:34 Said:

    "There is nothing mayoral about kickin your predicessor while he's going out the door."

    You could have said that when Funkhouser pissed all over the Parks Board calling them elitist.

    Funkhouser got what he gave. Loser.

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  9. What about Carol Grimaldi?

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  10. First, he stole Cleavers staff and everyone knows there's bad blood between them. I'd say some payback there. Second, Looks like mostly out of towners, Hodges just moved here from the East Coast and Sly told him to live N of River. Finally, looks like he is trying to put together a partisan staff which won't play in Jeff City or in D.C since Cleaver hates him too. This is a Non partisan Government. Correct me if any of those people are affiliated with any other party.

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  11. A good Spin Director is a must.

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  12. Interesting group. Most of these folks do not have any connection that I can discern to Kansas City government or City Hall. Maybe that's what is needed? I think not. Some maybe, but not all.

    A lot of folks from Congressman Cleaver's staff which can be seen as good for Cleaver and bad for the Mayor.

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  13. Looks partian to me too. Sly didn't run with a (D) by his name so why the big build up of partisan operatives unless he is already looking forward to a run for higher office. $10 says he won't finish 2 terms.

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  14. Congrats to Margaret Hansbrough. She worked extremely hard on Sly's campaign and is an excellent addition to his staff.

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  15. Hmm. Maybe he's thinking of taking on Cleaver himself? Why else would he want a staff of Democrat campaign staffers? That won't get him far except within party circles and won't help KC at all.

    Note to Sly: Don't get any ideas about healthcare.

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  16. Wait until that smart group run into the girth of the tenured, long term, employees, who are extremely adept at appearing capable while doing absolutely nothing. If he can't find someone who can navigate around these buffalo, it will take him 3 years just to catch wind. Been that way for years, and I understand it only got worse under Cauthen.

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  17. Grand Old Patronage5/4/11, 7:08 AM

    These are all Kander political operatives who need parked on the public payroll until Jason runs for Emporer of the Universe.

    In the mean time, we all get to pay for them.

    Margaret Hansbrough is Diana Kander's go-fer, so of course she needs a job on the public pad. The Hell with finding money to pay for street lights and road repairs when Diana's little friend needs a job.

    Then look at the hack who worked at Peter D. Hart Research Associates, which is a political polling firm that they are trying to pass off as some kind of public policy think tank. Why does the Mayor Sly James of Kansas City need a pollster on the public payroll?

    The real story here that The Star does not have the balls to investigate and Diana's pal Tony will not blog on is: How is Diana Kander being paid and how was she paid through the campaign?

    The answer to that question certainly rests outside the framework of the (unconstitutional) Kander Ethics Reform Law.

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  18. Now maybe Sly can get EDUCATED on the NEW NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLANT CLEAVER SOLD TO THE CITY, get some good LIABILITY INSURANCE KANSAS CITY AND A GOOD SHOVEL TO CLEAN UP THE MESS, remember Sly, it is a FEDERAL THING...oh my bad!

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  19. Has any former Mayor had so many Party campaign workers on staff? If not, Sly should answer why he decided to campaign up and does that mean they will be campaigning non stop instead of performing city related support?

    Professional Pollster's, campaign organizers, campaign communications/spokesperson. It seems innappropriate and might lend itself to accusations of campaigning using city dollars. I want Sly to do well. Be careful.

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  20. It is my understanding that the mayor pays Diana Kander through his law office to avoid campaign finance laws.

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  21. Wow, he hired Joni Smith!.!.
    She's one person who knows her job! Robin Carnahan had her on staff at Sec. of State's office and couldn't stop raving about her. What a great choice! You go girl!

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