A Message To G-L-O-R-I-A
It was told to me that you were seen sobbing in a lobby area full of people waiting to do business at City Hall, You were overheard telling someone that you were distraught over your daughter going away o school. Gloria, get a grip. Gloria, you do a disservice to your husband and your children with these dramatic public meltdowns. And more importantly – you do a disservice to the residents and businesses of Kansas City. If you need therapy; there are lots of great therapists in Kansas City. Thousands of mothers sent their children off to school yet they did not feel a need to turn it into a soap opera. You make it difficult to respect you and even worse, you make it difficult to respect the man that a small majority elected mayor. You say you want to help your husband and the City. I would not be alone in saying – then in the name of love and in the best interest of the City, put your shoes on and find something else to do, some other worthy cause. There are thousands children being served by social service agencies that could benefit from your attention and title as 1st Lady of KCMO. Our senior population needs a champion to bring the needs of their growing ranks to the forefront. Pick a cause suitable to your passions and your capacity other than that of your husband and City politics. Think "Noblese Oblige." Your misguided, ill conceived interference has ignited our barely suppressed racism; Kansas City will need years to rebuild local bonds and our national reputation. Admit that you have no political acumen – and try to make amends by being successful in your own right fulfilling a need in Kansas City. Pack up your chachkes/knick-knacks, put your shoes on and go find yourself, find something that you’re good at. Thousand's of us will be rooting for you.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Lowering the Bar To Be Assistant City Manager
Human Resources lowered the qualifications in order for overpaid, underperforming, (at City Hall that is) Waynette- LT could be promoted to Assistant City Manager. Hey Mr. HR Director do we or don't we have a merit system for City employees? And, doesn't it apply to all employees the same? (See Judy Hadley posting) LT is reportedly earning $100,000 plus. As a curious footnote though, Gary O'Bannon, HR Director, has received a $21,000.00 increase in his salary over a two year period. Things that make you go...hummmmmm.
Where's Wayne?
Rumor has it that Wayne goes out of town almost every weekend, often Denver sometimes other places. Who is paying for these trips? Just curious if he is or he has benefactors.
Inquiring Minds Want to know - 30% Raise?
What was the justification in giving Judy Hadley, Commissioner of Revenue/Finance Dept. received a 30% raise - although her tax amnesty program did not bring in enough funds to cover the expenses of the program. I think I want to be Wayne's friend and work for City Hall.
Tara's Tiffany Springs Party - Taxpayers Get Soaked
Taxpayers - you will be picking up the tab for Tara Squitiro's Tiffany Springs Aquatics Park Party for the 18-23 year old set who can't entertain themselves. Apparently, this expensively promoted party needed a minimum of 500 to break even. In addition to wet wild fun there were DJs and security. The official head count was 70 and apparently that count includes the staff. So much for the Funk/Squitiro's being "regular folk" How many of you would like to have the tax payers pick up the tab for your kids' party, bar/bat mitzvahs at the Springs?
Despot Wayne
There was quite a todo over City Council's efforts to renegotiate City Manager Wayne Cauthen's contract. Somehow or other it became a race issue rather than a merit issue, business issue, but then race colors just about everything in Kansas City these days.
The City Manager's compensation package looks something like this:
Base Pay: $215,000.00 per year
Incentives: $ 90,000.00 per year
Car Allowance: $ 800.00 per year
Benefits: $
10% of his wages are put into deferred compensation which has a value of about $224,000.00.
6 weeks paid vacation (keep in mind that benefits are generally figured at about 17% of one's base salary.)
All in all - Wayne's benefit package is approximately $350,000.00 per year. Nationwide, the average compensation package for city managers in cities our size or larger is approximately $200,000.00 per year. If Wayne's contract is renewed as is, his base pay will be $247,000.00 per year - but his performance measures (or lack thereof) remain the same.
Dear fellow citizens, are you okay with this? Don't you want better performance measures to ensure getting more bang for our bucks? We still don't have a functioning housing department after The Despot dismantled it with no plan in mind; we have the debaucle of CIMO with neighborhoods and businessess saying City Hall is less responsive than ever. And still we don't want performance measures for the City Manager? This is not a race issue. This is business, and it's business with our money. Wayne has hired his buddies, particularly those from Denver, and the Waynettes at outrageous salaries regardless of whether they can do the job or not. We elected to keep a strong City Manager form of government. We didn't make it a fiefdom with no accountability, no transparency, no integrity. If we want accountability and transparency in government, then demand your City Councilmembers have the courage to address Wayne's contract from the perspective of good business rather than racial bullying. The rumor mill has it that the issue is not really about keeping Wayne as the City Manager, but just to see that he can get as much money out of the situation as possible. Is this what they call honor among thieves or 21st Century Carpetbagging?
The City Manager's compensation package looks something like this:
Base Pay: $215,000.00 per year
Incentives: $ 90,000.00 per year
Car Allowance: $ 800.00 per year
Benefits: $
10% of his wages are put into deferred compensation which has a value of about $224,000.00.
6 weeks paid vacation (keep in mind that benefits are generally figured at about 17% of one's base salary.)
All in all - Wayne's benefit package is approximately $350,000.00 per year. Nationwide, the average compensation package for city managers in cities our size or larger is approximately $200,000.00 per year. If Wayne's contract is renewed as is, his base pay will be $247,000.00 per year - but his performance measures (or lack thereof) remain the same.
Dear fellow citizens, are you okay with this? Don't you want better performance measures to ensure getting more bang for our bucks? We still don't have a functioning housing department after The Despot dismantled it with no plan in mind; we have the debaucle of CIMO with neighborhoods and businessess saying City Hall is less responsive than ever. And still we don't want performance measures for the City Manager? This is not a race issue. This is business, and it's business with our money. Wayne has hired his buddies, particularly those from Denver, and the Waynettes at outrageous salaries regardless of whether they can do the job or not. We elected to keep a strong City Manager form of government. We didn't make it a fiefdom with no accountability, no transparency, no integrity. If we want accountability and transparency in government, then demand your City Councilmembers have the courage to address Wayne's contract from the perspective of good business rather than racial bullying. The rumor mill has it that the issue is not really about keeping Wayne as the City Manager, but just to see that he can get as much money out of the situation as possible. Is this what they call honor among thieves or 21st Century Carpetbagging?
Back In The Saddle Again
Sorry, seekers of truth, honesty and integrity in government. I've been out of town addressing some family matters that took precedent over the chaos, sloth, incompetence, inanities, and idiocies, of City Hall. Although I was glad to be with my family, it seems I have missed a good deal of excitement. You have been having all the fun. So, now I'm back, things are good with the family and it's once more into the breach, dear friends. Let's go get 'em!
Parks Commission -
Perhaps the Funk should just start over with the Parks Commission - thank them all for their time, energy, and controversies and pick a few more, this time following proper protocol and procedure, properly and thoroughly vetting the candidates and keeping G-L-O-R-I-A and T-A-R-A out of the process.
The Frances Semler appointment has garnered national attention and drawn the Minutemen's National Convention to town, the only thing missing from this three-ring circus is her personal appearance on Lou Dobbs or Jay Leno. Frances hopes to further the agenda of the Minutemen and the Federation of Americans for Immigration Reform so she comes with a bias. Aggie Stackhaus has infuriated the dog-park advocates as has John Fierro with their support of back-room deals - so much for transparency in government. Tyrone Aiken is a talented dancer and choreographer but he has contractual obligations with many dance companies - how much time does he really have to devote to Parks & Rec. issues? (not to mention he is Princess Tara's pick). Mr. Webster and his family have so many business ties to City Hall - he has a myriad of conflicts of interest on very important issues that need open, honest discussion and every vote is important - and he can't or shouldn't be voting on these. Municipal Ethics Commission - pay heed here - keep your eyes open - ask questions - take nothing for granted - do your own research. The "Big Lug" can openly apologize to the the residents of Kansas City saying that he promised honesty, integrity and transparency and to follow the rules and he didn't and he's sorry and he's going to do a "Do Over."
Parks Commission -
Perhaps the Funk should just start over with the Parks Commission - thank them all for their time, energy, and controversies and pick a few more, this time following proper protocol and procedure, properly and thoroughly vetting the candidates and keeping G-L-O-R-I-A and T-A-R-A out of the process.
The Frances Semler appointment has garnered national attention and drawn the Minutemen's National Convention to town, the only thing missing from this three-ring circus is her personal appearance on Lou Dobbs or Jay Leno. Frances hopes to further the agenda of the Minutemen and the Federation of Americans for Immigration Reform so she comes with a bias. Aggie Stackhaus has infuriated the dog-park advocates as has John Fierro with their support of back-room deals - so much for transparency in government. Tyrone Aiken is a talented dancer and choreographer but he has contractual obligations with many dance companies - how much time does he really have to devote to Parks & Rec. issues? (not to mention he is Princess Tara's pick). Mr. Webster and his family have so many business ties to City Hall - he has a myriad of conflicts of interest on very important issues that need open, honest discussion and every vote is important - and he can't or shouldn't be voting on these. Municipal Ethics Commission - pay heed here - keep your eyes open - ask questions - take nothing for granted - do your own research. The "Big Lug" can openly apologize to the the residents of Kansas City saying that he promised honesty, integrity and transparency and to follow the rules and he didn't and he's sorry and he's going to do a "Do Over."
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