Welcome to Funk's Front Porch
13 July 2007
Dear Folks,
First on my mind this newsletter cycle is to say thank you for all the support you have given us this past week in response to the media coverage regarding our family; it sure has meant a lot to know that you are behind us so solidly. The cards, emails and flowers choked us up at times, but in a good way! I was particularly moved by tenacious supporter Bill Drummond when he told me that he was a member of the GSA (Gloria Squitiro Army) – he’s probably the only member, but I’ll take what I can get. We were also moved by a letter to the editor written by a widower who longed to have his wife back as a full partner in his daily life; how we wish we could help fulfill his desire. Thank you again for bolstering us up. As before, we promise to work hard to keep your faith and trust in us.
Funk has asked Councilwoman Jan Marcason to run with her idea of organizing a Council retreat in the near future. The purpose of the one-day event would be to develop a strategic plan that outlines the priorities and goals of the Council as a whole, and what they would like to accomplish in the next four years. This is a brilliant idea. Any time you come together as a group, you can accomplish much more than by standing alone.
We are beginning to enter the water with regards to lending the support of the Mayor’s office to the school district. During the campaign, there was a constant, heartfelt theme as to what the community wanted the new Mayor to address once in office, and the schools were one of the biggest themes. We are all very excited to begin the preliminary stages of planning for a citywide, community-focused summit on schools.
The Council had a very spirited business session this past Thursday about extending the city’s moratorium on new billboards. You would have been proud of your City Council in action, and, in fact, several citizens came up to me afterwards to say that they have never seen a better-run session. Council members John Sharp and Beth Gottstein did a wonderful job of drafting and getting passed what will almost definitely be the final moratorium before a new ordinance is passed regarding the subject.
The Mayor was in Amsterdam this past week to discuss his book on auditing around the world. He is getting ever so close to having the first, and most dreaded, draft done by the end of this month. I won’t hold my breath though, lest I run out of air.
We hope you have a relaxing week with loved ones.
All the best,
Gloria & Mark
You can respond to this newsletter at funksfrontporch@gmail.com
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The Mayor’s top ten priorities:
1. Establishing a good working relationship with the Council
2. Getting the City’s finances in order
3. Making downtown work
4. Tending to our neighborhoods
5. Implementing the Housing Policy task force recommendations
6. Improving the perception and the reality of public education in Kansas City
7. Reducing Crime
8. Repairing our sewer systems
9. Establishing an excellent regional transit system, which includes light rail
10. Improving citizen satisfaction with City services.
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