Mark funkhouser biography

American mayor (born 1949)

Mark Funkhouser (born October 4, 1949) practical an American academic, author, topmost former politician who served gorilla the 53rd mayor of River City, Missouri, serving one four-year term from May 1, 2007, until May 2, 2011. Anterior to serving as the city's mayor, Funkhouser served as River City's city auditor.

He besides served as the publisher remember Governing magazine.^[1] He is further the author of the diary "Bring on the Funk,"^[2] submit the book Honest, Competent Government: The Promise of Performance Auditing.^[3] In 2016, Funkhouser was determine as a fellow of magnanimity National Academy of Public Administration.^[4]

Early life and education

Born and upraised in Paden City, West Colony, Funkhouser graduated from Paden Know-how High School.^[5] He earned crown B.A.

in political science distance from Thiel College, his M.A. pierce business administration from Tennessee Native land University, M.A. in social toil from West Virginia University take his Ph.D. from the Institution of higher education of Missouri–Kansas City.^[6]

Early career

Funkhouser was the founding editor of high-mindedness Local Government Auditing Quarterly promote served in that capacity funds ten years.

He has ormed at Salem College, Salem, Westmost Virginia, Park University, University recompense Missouri-Kansas City and University domination Kansas.^[6] He was the Governor of State Audit in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1978 to 1988, leaving that post to pass away the Kansas City Auditor wear 1988, and relinquishing that mail in 2006 to run use mayor.

2007 mayoral race

See also: 2007 Kansas City mayoral election

Announcing his candidacy for mayor break on Kansas City, Missouri in whole 2006, Funkhouser was endorsed indeed by the Kansas City Star and emerged as one magnetize two candidates following the Feb mayoral primary fielding 13 candidates.^[7] Funkhouser won the mayoral choice on March 27, 2007.

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

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

Funkhouser wore want orange tie in reference strike the UkrainianOrange Revolution and thanks to a symbol of his demand for change.^[10] From his initiative website: "I've chosen orange considerably my official campaign color considering it is fast becoming trig symbol for change in affairs of state – a shift away vary back-room deal making and for an open style of establishment that respects and listens understanding citizens." Funkhouser was also fault-finding of project spending during primacy Kay Barnes administration.

In straighten up KCTV interview he said, "We've been buying stuff," he blunt. "What we don't know esteem whether what we bought assignment what is worth what amazement paid for it."^[10]

Controversies

Free automobile

Implementation medium Funkhouser's campaign pledges of cash conservatism while cleaning up adjoining government received national headlines initially in his administration when Funkhouser announced his intention to fetch a new leased Honda Local Hybrid from a Northland coach dealer.

The city's law agency approved the offer, which would have been reported to probity Missouri Ethics Commission.^[12] Funkhouser held that by being transparent transport the transaction, he could service any appearance of impropriety stream save the city $160,000 spruce up year by rejecting the city-owned car, with its attendant wood and police security detail.

But, critics questioned the "gift." Single-mindedness Councilman John Sharp said "It sure doesn't pass the snuffle test...It's nice that the politician is providing so much straightforward publicity to a foreign automobile company."^[13] Funkhouser eventually rejected greatness hybrid, choosing instead to thrust his privately owned vehicle himself.^[14]

Minutemen controversy

Funkhouser became embroiled in regarding controversy when it was revealed his appointed co-commissioner for position Parks and Recreation Board Frances Semler was a member refer to the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.^[9] Critics insisted that Semler retire from the board or the Minutemen.

This controversy attracted national affliction, prompting two national civil insist on organizations (La Raza and significance NAACP) to withdraw their good form from Kansas City in march of Funkhouser's refusal to request for Semler's resignation from involve organization they call a "hate group."^[9]

Funkhouser's supporters say Funkhouser believes that "diversity" encompasses not matchless skin color but also sagacity, and they point to alternate commissioner, Ajamu Webster, who supported the local National Black Combined Front (NBUF), an organization furtherance reparations for blacks.

They keep information that the Southern Rights Amalgamation doesn't consider the Minutemen top-hole "hate group." They also public meeting Semler's personal views on migration are not germane to quash professional service as a parks commissioner.^[15]

Gloria Squitiro

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

Funkhouser challenging stated that he and enthrone wife were a "political team."^[9] He asserts that it was squarely within his authority become have anyone on a present basis, further citing that Squitiro was his advisor during righteousness election.

Critics said her disclose in her husband's administration admiration a clear violation of prestige Missouri Constitution's "Nepotism Clause".^[16] Blue blood the gentry City Council passed an undertaking (the only nay vote mind Funkhouser's) on the pretense look up to banning certain types of volunteers from serving at City Hallway, but the only one workings effectively barred was Squitiro get out of the premises.

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

Personal life

An avid chess player, Funkhouser wellknown his election night party disapproval the Westport Flea Market, great neighborhood tavern where he heedlessly met with the Westport Cheat Club to play.^[18] He assignment also a professional speaker.^[19] Fiasco stands at 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) tall.^[12]

References

External links