KC DUers - any of you on Funk's email list?

[proud2BlibKansan]

I am going to start posting his wife's email newsletters because they just get more outrageous. Last week she admitted offering TIF financing to WalMart in this email letter. Now this week she praises the president. Yet, Funk claims to be a liberal Democrat.

Dear Folks,

The next Town Hall Meeting is at 6 pm at:

New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church 2701 East 43rd Street

This Week’s City News:

Funk went to hear Barack Obama speak at Municipal Auditorium this week. He arrived too late to take his place in the VIP section, so he stood for a couple of hours by the side of the stage instead. Funk is accustomed to standing though, as every council session finds him on his feet for however long it takes to finish the city’s business.

Obama’s campaign has many parallels to Funk’s campaign, with the main similarity being that Obama appears to be a man of the people – able to draw support from both sides of the party line. This doesn’t surprise me, as it appears that our country is weary of politics as usual. People seem to want a bold leader who is willing to stand up to the heat that comes when one is making the real changes that citizens are craving.

Speaking of party lines, the Mayor was at the airport last night, having been charged with the honorable duty of welcoming President Bush to Kansas City. Funk said that he about froze while waiting on the tarmac for the President to step off Air Force One, but that he wouldn’t have missed the opportunity for the world. Like Obama, the President is also extremely charismatic and has an air of power about him.

The council met for about three hours this week to work on the city budget together. This was an historic occasion as typically the Mayor receives the budget first, holds it for one month, and then passes it off with recommendations to the council to review for just one week. But Funk felt strongly that the rest of the council should have as much time to comb through the enormous document as he does since he sees the budget as the main tool in driving the city forward in accordance with the council’s unified vision statement. This was the first of many long work sessions that they will have before voting to adopt the budget this year.

On a More Personal Note:

There have been rumblings of a recall since Funk was elected last March. If Funk was not doing what Kansas Citians elected him to do - change the culture of government to again make it a government of the people, by the people and for the people - the grumblings would probably not be as strong. Even amidst the grumblings, Funk continues to do what he promised that he would do and as such, he is marching forward to get the work done. Fortunately, it is worthy and honorable work that he feels privileged to be a part of.

It’s February 1st today. Spring, in so many ways, is right around the corner.

As always, Funk is working hard to keep your faith and trust,
Gloria & Mark

[protect our future]

1. Yes, I am on The Funk's email list. The Mayor appeared to have a

great time welcoming Barack Obama to Kansas City. He was one of the VIP guests at Obama's Town Meeting in Kansas City last Tuesday. I was in the press section and snapped a pic of him (Funkhouser) when he stopped by our area.

Are you one of the folks attempting to have the Funk recalled, proud2Blib? Personally, I feel he should be given a chance. He has done some things right and some things wrong. In any case, he does not deserve to be facing a recall petition so early in his administration. And he DEFINITELY does not deserve all the hatred directed toward him by certain interests.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. He wasn't even on the stage with Obama

He stood over to the left in the crowd. We could see him from where we were standing. The KCK mayor was on the stage but Funk wasn't.

No I don't live in KC so I am not working on the recall. And frankly, I would prefer for his wife to stay at home. She is an idiot. She offered TIF financing to a WalMart executive, Frances Semler was her friend, she wrote that stupid stupid letter describing his prostate exam, she goes around barefoot in city hall and calls black women "mammy". She needs to let him be mayor and keep herself at home.

So I don't favor recalling him, but I do think Gloria needs to be recalled. :)

[protect our future]

3. Funk was not on stage because he was late.

But the place where he was standing was a spot reserved for VIPs who weren't on stage. The reason he was in the press section where I photographed him was that VIPs were being escorted through the area (we were notified in advance that this was going to occur) and he was with a group of several.

I agree that Gloria appears to be causing problems, but what do I know. This could just be more hype and rumors to discredit Funk further, and I do not know where the truth lies. I do know he relies on her, and with all the hate directed towards him, I wonder if there is anyone else he can trust. Much of that hate appears to be simply because he won the mayoral election, and nothing more.

I am not saying here that I am in total support of the mayor. I did vote for him, but both candidates seemed excellent. But recall him? No. That is one creepy precedent to set here.

Hey, if he gets recalled I am going to feel deprived of a great opportunity cuz I sure would have liked to recall Kay Barnes after her first year.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Well I would have voted for Alvin Brooks

But my DFA group did endorse Funk and worked on his campaign. I voted against the endorsement though. I just didn't find Funk to be as progressive as Alvin Brooks.