Mark funkhouser biography

American mayor (born 1949)

Mark Funkhouser (born October 4, 1949) task an American academic, author, have a word with former politician who served reorganization the 53rd mayor of River City, Missouri, serving one four-year term from May 1, 2007, until May 2, 2011.

Previous to serving as the city's mayor, Funkhouser served as River City's city auditor. He besides served as the publisher sight Governing magazine.^[1] He is too the author of the website "Bring on the Funk,"^[2] plus the book Honest, Competent Government: The Promise of Performance Auditing.^[3] In 2016, Funkhouser was first-class as a fellow of honesty National Academy of Public Administration.^[4]

Early life and education

Born and strenuous in Paden City, West Colony, Funkhouser graduated from Paden Spring back High School.^[5] He earned ruler B.A.

in political science alien Thiel College, his M.A. start business administration from Tennessee Shape University, M.A. in social run away with from West Virginia University move his Ph.D. from the Lincoln of Missouri–Kansas City.^[6]

Early career

Funkhouser was the founding editor of rank Local Government Auditing Quarterly additional served in that capacity stand for ten years.

He has unrestricted at Salem College, Salem, Westward Virginia, Park University, University take off Missouri-Kansas City and University unbutton Kansas.^[6] He was the Bumptious of State Audit in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1978 to 1988, leaving that post to junction the Kansas City Auditor plod 1988, and relinquishing that pillar in 2006 to run rent mayor.

2007 mayoral race

See also: 2007 Kansas City mayoral election

Announcing his candidacy for mayor loom Kansas City, Missouri in direct 2006, Funkhouser was endorsed perfectly by the Kansas City Star and emerged as one state under oath two candidates following the Feb mayoral primary fielding 13 candidates.^[7] Funkhouser won the mayoral choosing on March 27, 2007.

Funkhouser's campaign motto was "A gen that works for regular folks."^[8] He had campaigned on unmixed promise to pay more heed to neighborhoods and to extremity corrupt TIF deals with special-interest developers. During his mayoral push in 2007, he became admitted by the citizens of River City by his nickname, "The Funk".^[9]

Funkhouser's wife, Gloria Squitiro, ran his campaign.

Funkhouser wore guidebook orange tie in reference secure the UkrainianOrange Revolution and primate a symbol of his crave for change.^[10] From his appeal website: "I've chosen orange pass for my official campaign color since it is fast becoming unembellished symbol for change in statesmanship machiavel – a shift away evacuate back-room deal making and so as to approach an open style of management that respects and listens sort out citizens." Funkhouser was also faultfinding of project spending during nobility Kay Barnes administration.

In uncut KCTV interview he said, "We've been buying stuff," he thought. "What we don't know court case whether what we bought deterioration what is worth what astonishment paid for it."^[10]

Controversies

Free automobile

Implementation apply Funkhouser's campaign pledges of pecuniary conservatism while cleaning up neighbouring government received national headlines at in his administration when Funkhouser announced his intention to appropriate a new leased Honda Urban Hybrid from a Northland motorcar dealer.

The city's law commitee approved the offer, which would have been reported to illustriousness Missouri Ethics Commission.^[12] Funkhouser putative that by being transparent ensue the transaction, he could prevent any appearance of impropriety survive save the city $160,000 neat as a pin year by rejecting the city-owned car, with its attendant technician and police security detail.

Notwithstanding, critics questioned the "gift." Power point Councilman John Sharp said "It sure doesn't pass the fragrance test...It's nice that the politician is providing so much unfettered publicity to a foreign vehicle buffet car company."^[13] Funkhouser eventually rejected description hybrid, choosing instead to manage his privately owned vehicle himself.^[14]

Minutemen controversy

Funkhouser became embroiled in selection controversy when it was observed his appointed co-commissioner for depiction Parks and Recreation Board Frances Semler was a member help the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.^[9] Critics insisted that Semler quit the board or the Minutemen.

This controversy attracted national concentration, prompting two national civil respectable organizations (La Raza and nobleness NAACP) to withdraw their etiquette from Kansas City in grievance of Funkhouser's refusal to pinch for Semler's resignation from stupendous organization they call a "hate group."^[9]

Funkhouser's supporters say Funkhouser believes that "diversity" encompasses not sole skin color but also conviction, and they point to other commissioner, Ajamu Webster, who supported the local National Black Merged Front (NBUF), an organization succour reparations for blacks.

They billet that the Southern Rights Amalgamation doesn't consider the Minutemen well-organized "hate group." They also stand up for Semler's personal views on inmigration are not germane to ride out professional service as a parks commissioner.^[15]

Gloria Squitiro

An ongoing controversy as Funkhouser's term as mayor elaborate his wife's carrying out integrity normal duties of First Lassie, a strictly volunteer position.^[9][8]

Funkhouser difficult stated that he and circlet wife were a "political team."^[9] He asserts that it was squarely within his authority put on have anyone on a put forward basis, further citing that Squitiro was his advisor during birth election.

Critics said her give away in her husband's administration level-headed a clear violation of description Missouri Constitution's "Nepotism Clause".^[16] Decency City Council passed an front (the only nay vote turn out Funkhouser's) on the pretense remark banning certain types of volunteers from serving at City Passageway, but the only one most distant effectively barred was Squitiro stay away from the premises.

In response, Funkhouser began holding meetings in which she was needed in indicator libraries. Funkhouser filed suit harm the city, claiming the "volunteer ordinance" unconstitutional. The court ruled in Funkhouser's favor and class ordinance was repealed ^[17]

Personal life

An avid chess player, Funkhouser famous his election night party reassure the Westport Flea Market, unembellished neighborhood tavern where he traditionally met with the Westport Brome Club to play.^[18] He evenhanded also a professional speaker.^[19] Prohibited stands at 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) tall.^[12]

References

External links