Kansas City elections

Mayoral forums

Steve Penn’s column “Political forum’s glaring absence” (3/13, Local) was way off. As a young Hispanic college student from the inner city and a volunteer on the Mark Funkhouser campaign, I am disgusted to see Penn and ACORN make this into an issue. Funkhouser had a legitimate reason to miss this forum, and I would assume these people would understand that family values come first.

According to Penn’s and ACORN’s logic, Brooks insulted the Hispanic community this week by arriving an hour late without explanation. The same goes for other forums he has been late to. We demand an explanation! But of course, you won’t see Penn acknowledge this.

Crispin Rea Jr.
Kansas City

A vote for Funkhouser

Candidates always say they’ll make a difference. But how often do they make no difference at all, or just make things worse? But lo and behold, along comes a mayoral candidate who unexpectedly raises my hopes.

Short and simple, I really like Mark Funkhouser. I appreciate his obvious love for this city and his brain power. I trust him to think clearly, consider all sides fairly, and explain his decisions fully and truthfully. When he’s wrong, he will say so. He will hold other city employees, public officials and other movers and shakers to the highest standards, because he holds himself to those same standards.

If you doubt it, see him in a mayoral forum. I attended one recently. Afterward I overheard two people talking. The first said, “I had no idea Funkhouser was such a great candidate,” and the other replied, “I’m glad enough people realized it and voted for him in the primary.” I hope enough people realize it in time for the general election, too.

Carla Mahany
Kansas City

Drive American-made

I saw in Sunday’s A&E section the item on Mark Funkhouser, where the person states he saw Funkhouser get into his Toyota Corolla (3/11, Hearne Christopher column, “Seen on the street...”).

Wow. He’s running for mayor and you have two U.S. auto plants, General Motors and Ford, in the area. I know who I wouldn’t vote for if I lived in Kansas City.

Lee Henry
Garnett, Kan.

Comments

[Mark K]

Mike Thomas- Consider this: Toyota Corollas for the North American Market are assembled in California with engines built in Virginia. I found this on the other hand, on GM's web site:
"General Motors de Mexico leads automotive companies in Mexico in sales. It began operations in this country in 1935 and today has efficient and modern manufacturing plants in Toluca, State of Mexico; Silao, Guanajuato; Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila; and in Mexico City. GM's investment is substantial as Mexico's single largest private employer. GM Mexico assembles many models for the domestic sales and worldwide export. It markets the Chevrolet, Pontiac, Cadillac and Saab brands, and Fiat."

Considering GM bragging on its own web site about its substantial foreign operations, perhaps "made in America" would be more appropriate to place on a Toyota.

[Mike Thomas]

As a GM employee I would have to agree with Mr. Henry that Mr. Funkhouser would probably do better with the thousands of UAW employees that live in KC if he were seen in a locally built vehicle. While I also do not live in KC, I almost sent in the same letter that Mr. Henry did. Hopefully Mr. Funkhouser has an American car also. I believe Mr. Brooks drives a Cadillac and I appreciate that. Mike Thomas