Cauthen’s dismissal

I was watching the City Council meeting on Nov. 19 on Channel 2 when I heard a “breaking news” announcement on television that Wayne Cauthen was being fired by Mayor Mark Funkhouser and the City Council.

With all the problems that confront Kansas City, I cannot believe how dysfunctional and confrontational the mayor and members of the City Council have become. I will be anxious to see how the decision to fire Wayne Cauthen plays out. The process was certainly backhanded on the mayor’s part.

I am embarrassed once again at the unprofessional behavior at City Hall. Hopefully the interim city manager will have the skills to mend the wounds caused by this abrupt action.

This wasn’t political savvy on Funkhouser’s part. It just showed meanness and disrespect for certain members of the City Council.

 Sandy McGuire
Kansas City

“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth a thankless child.” Wayne Cauthen took part in a lot of brilliant programs that brought new life back to a decaying city core. To have this man of achievement ushered out of the building was an unbelievable insult.

They tossed out the wrong man. This is a matter that will not go away soon. Kansas City has had enough of an incompetent lightweight who lacks common sense and leadership quality. He is directly responsible for the negative perception that has tarnished our image around the nation and beyond.

 The council needs to rethink just who should get the heave-ho.

J.B. Ulmer
Overland Park

Comments

[renfro]

Stated -- a lack of political savvy on Funkhouser’s part “showed meanness and disrespect for certain members of the City Council” Mr./Ms. McGuire? ------ Viable or not the procedural complaints of council members Ford and Sharp looked more like mayoral “Stealth” campaigns and Riley’s repetitious droning was enough to cure insomnia. Cathy Jolly’s concerns could probably be satisfied with that desk in the Mayor’s office the Council forced his wife to vacate?
Our Kansas “sharper than a serpent’s tooth” Shakespearian friend congratulates Cauthren’s “brilliant” ability to bring new life back to a decaying city core! --- Without a tax base or funds to “Pay the Piper” If that appears particularly bright or brilliant to Mr.Ulmer he should move to KC and run for office. Councilman Riley voiced the same admiration for Cauthren’s urban improvement while simultaneously denouncing our 60 million dollar budget deficit.
Funkhouser’s not going to starve to death without the constant complaints or lack of co-operation that goes with the Mayor’s office -- What’s puzzling is why he doesn’t tell KC, their “Saturday Night Live” city council and the Star’s editorial staff to Take this Job and Shove it!

[Kee]

Lets recap, we have an arena with anchor tenant, and not likely to meet its interest call. We have a city with a huge deficit, tremendous amounts of deferred maintainece for parks, bridges, and streets; and the budget for all city services had to be slashed to the bone.

Please tell me again what a great manager he was Mr. Ulmmer?