KansasCity.com

The ‘good’ Funkhouser vs. the ‘bad’

Hard times are coming for America’s large municipalities. Atlanta’s employees face a 10 percent pay cut. St. Louis County’s workers probably won’t get pay raises next year. Philadelphia plans to shutter 11 of its 54 libraries.

Excessive handouts given to projects

A new report on economic development in Kansas City should have been printed in red ink. The analysis shows how public subsidy programs are damaging the city budget.

Low grades for Funkhouser's high priorities

Is Mayor Mark Funkhouser doing a good job, despite all the distractions? A church friend recently posed that legitimate question after saying she was tired of all the attention given to the mayor’s wife, Gloria Squitiro.

Funkhouser, City Hall get poor report card

Kansas Citians spoke loudly and clearly in the 2008 citizen survey released last week. They are extremely dissatisfied with services from City Hall.

Johnson County moves ahead, Kansas City stalls

The two most important decisions from Election Day concerned the rejection of light rail in Kansas City and the passage of a sales tax for research and education facilities in Johnson County. In the end, neither decision was that surprising.

Time to predict the winners on Election Day

Here are just a few predictions before Tuesday’s elections. By the numbers: • 77 percent of Missouri voters will approve Constitutional Amendment No. 1, which mandates English as “the language of all governmental meetings.”

Johnson County’s compelling election issues

This is not your typical go-along, get-along election cycle in Johnson County. That’s encouraging news, because it means people with passionate arguments are supporting — and opposing — candidates and two important issues on November’s ballot.

Some answers to Cordish’s criticisms of Kansas City

Bless David Cordish for being someone in the public spotlight who will speak his mind. Don’t you wish everyone did?

Women on KC Council playing pivotal roles

Look beyond the mess involving Gloria Squitiro, and there’s a more important topic that deserves attention from Kansas Citians: Mayor Mark Funkhouser has entrusted women with handling some of the biggest priorities of his first term.

City Hall’s tepid response to violent crime

The City Council and Mayor Mark Funkhouser must be leaders on the issue of violent crime. They have the biggest bully pulpits in fighting crime, as well as the most money.