Important for Platte Countians to pay attention to KC mayoral race

Kansas City is less than two weeks away from its mayoral primary election on February 22. The two receiving the top votes will advance to the general election March 22. While a crowded field usually fills the ballot when there is an open seat, Mayor Mark Funkhouser is only in his first term and running for re-election. Funkhouser has drawn sharp criticism from civic leaders and citizens from around the city for his handling of a number of situations and heading a city council that has found itself in near gridlock for the better part of three years. This has led several high profile community leaders to challenge him. In fact, with the strong support and credentials of the other candidates, Funkhouser is on pace to become the first Kansas City Mayor in over fifty years to not win re-election.

The 2011 mayoral campaign is unique because of the caliber of candidates in the race. While there are currently six candidates challenging Funkhouser’s re-election, four have risen to the top of the field. Slyvester ‘Sly’ James, Mike Burke, Deb Hermann, and Jim Rowland have a wide range of community, business, and government experience spanning their entire careers. All bring reputations generally held in high regard with specific strengths they’ve highlighted at various forums and debates this month. In a large city with many different constituencies to discuss issues, a city-wide campaign can be complex and unpredictable. Between the seven total candidates, 20% of the total vote could be enough for a candidate to advance to the general election campaign, meaning they will be working hard to earn it.

During Sly James’s 26-year legal career, he became the first African-American partner at the law firm of Blackwell, Sanders, Matheny, Weary & Lombardi, served as president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, was appointed to the board of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, and successfully twice chaired the Save Our Stadiums committee to bring improvements to the Truman Sports Complex. James currently runs his own small law firm, The Sly James Firm. His campaign has taken a broad focus to education, employment, government efficiency, and law enforcement (the four E’s). Supporters see strength in the fact that he hasn’t held elected office before and is known for bringing a positive approach to problems.

Long-time Platte County resident and economic development lawyer Mike Burke has participated in some of Kansas City’s largest job creation projects over the past 30 years. Burke recently served as President and CEO of the King Hershey law firm. He served a partial term on the City Council in the 80’s, but is known more for his involvement as President of what is now the Northland Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) which is responsible for distributing funds for public works projects, and a leading advocate of the development of Berkley Park along the Missouri River where Riverfest is held each July Fourth weekend. His campaign has focused on his vast knowledge of tools available for creating economic opportunities and his business experience leading successful organizations.

Northland neighborhood advocate and current City Councilwoman Deb Hermann served in a number of volunteer community roles throughout the 90’s and was appointed to the City Planning Commission and Property Maintenance Advisory Committee before running for office. Elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2007, Hermann is currently the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee which is responsible for making many of the budgetary and financial decisions for the city. In difficult economic times, many close to the actions of the city have given her positive credit on the steps taken in recent years to improve the city’s financial standing. Supporters of Hermann think her ‘accidental politician’ status allows her to rise above divisive politics, while her detailed knowledge of the budget will be an asset to a cash-strapped city.

Jim Rowland is a former I.T. business consultant and City Council member. Rowland left his position on the Council to accept the job of Executive Director of the Truman Sports Complex Authority where he oversaw $700 million worth of renovations and improvements. Rowland has been involved as a youth baseball coach and part-time teacher in recent years as well. His campaign has focused on his inclusiveness of women and minority businesses in the Truman Sports Complex project and handling of the funds along with his experience with city issues while on the Council.

Brushing just the surface of these candidates, many Kansas City residents will have a tough decision picking a single person. Each brings their own unique background, strengths, and persona leaving some to wish for a hybrid of them all. Any of the four top challengers could realistically advance to the March general election and even a glimmer of hope still remains for Funkhouser. Although there has been very little in-fighting between the challengers, Funkhouser’s likely opportunity to sneak through the primary would be if the vote were divided evenly between his opponents. However, the prowess of political consultant Jeff Roe and some last minute campaign donations can never be underestimated.

Even though the majority of Platte County’s land mass is not in Kansas City, a significant portion of its population is. Kansas City has served as a regional hub of commerce for decades and supports the many municipalities that border it. The election of the next Mayor of Kansas City will have wide ranging effects beyond the city’s limits so while many may not be able to vote in the election, turning your attention to it will be time well spent.

Trojans think their moment is now: Strong group of Park Hill seniors hope to blaze posteseason trail

Three and a half years ago Park Hill boys head basketball coach David Garrison took over a program that had not had a winning season in over five years. Looking to build a successful program, he turned most of his attention to the then varsity squad. Meanwhile, there was the optimistic comfort of seeing a freshmen team simply dominate at the lower levels that gave him hope there would be something special one day. A single loss to Lee’s Summit West in the postseason tournament was the only blemish on the young Trojans’ record that year.

Those Trojans are now seniors and have been part of a transformative change for the Park Hill program in recent years. It comes full circle Friday night as eight seniors play their final home game against the same Lee’s Summit West Titans who dealt them their only defeat three years ago, capping off a three game stretch over four days.

Following their freshmen year, the Class of 2011 played a role in gaining Park Hill its first winning varsity season in half a decade as sophomores. They took a huge leap forward last year as juniors, assuming four of the five starting roles, by racking up 19 regular season wins including an undefeated conference title, their first since 2002. As seniors, they’ve put together a 14-6 season so far while still undefeated in conference. Friday night’s game could clinch them a share of their second straight conference title and put them momentum for their ultimate goal: a district title and run through the Missouri Class 4 playoffs.

“Sky’s the limit. Our goal last year was to get to the Independence Event Center (quarterfinals), and we haven’t even mentioned that this year, because we know we want to go to Columbia (state),” Nathan Wilson said.

Wilson, Chris Nsenki, De’Aris Flint, Anthony Walters, Burt Taylor, Luke Bossert, and Travis Perry make up a group of seven that have played together throughout their high school years and even beyond as some competed both with and against each other throughout their youth. The eighth senior, transfer point guard Tre Durham, was welcomed with open arms this season, fitting in almost immediately.

“The thing about these seniors is that aside from Tre, you’ve got a group of kids who’ve been around each other forever, they’re like a family. They know each other’s quarks,” Garrison said. “It’s nice to get a guy like Tre who has just gelled right away.”

“He distributes and he doesn’t mind,” Wilson said. “We needed someone who can push the tempo and he can do all that.”

“I wish he would’ve been here last year. He’s kind of a missing piece,” Flint added.

Speaking of history, Flint and Wilson themselves have been best friends since middle school. The two recently committed to play football next fall at Northwest Missouri State.

“He’s the quarterback and I’m a receiver, we’ve got to be friends of some kind. We’re best friends and enemies at the same time,” Flint joked about the competitive nature they have between them.

On the court, Nsenki has been their top scorer for the better part of two years as he recently surpassed 1,000 points for his career. On any given night he can be a game changer. His knowledge of the game has allowed him to open up opportunities for his teammates, but one thing that can be said of this year’s Trojan squad is each player knows their general roll. While Durham, Walters, and Taylor provide a consistent presence at the point guard position and tenacious defense at the top of the key, Wilson and Flint provide an agile, but strong mid-post game threat to Nsenki’s scoring. Junior Connor Farmer at 6’6” contributes as Park Hill’s go to pure post player.

“We like to hang our hat on defense, we brag about steals and charges,” Wilson said.

“We know who the scorers are, Chris is going to get his points, but we come out and see who can get the most stats on defense,” Flint added.

While on the court is certainly important, Garrison pointed out that the entire class has contributed to this year’s success including Bossert and Perry who haven’t seen as much playing time due not only to the Trojans’ larger than average senior class, but also the depth of the team overall.

“I can’t say enough good things about them. They’re ultimate team players. During games, they’re like coaches, always looking for things that we need to do better. When they get an opportunity to play they make the most of it,” Garrison said.

The past several years will culminate in the next couple weeks into what the Trojans hope are their finest moments.

“That last week of February we’ll put all the chips on the table and see what happens,” Garrison said. “We’ve built the program on defense and blocking out. We just have to remind ourselves of what has helped us win games.”

While their coach is focused on the mental and strategic approach to the season’s final stretch, the players know exactly what they want and speak candidly about it.

“He (Garrison) knows where we want to go. We talked about it, because we think we can go all the way,” Flint said.

South Wrestling on verge of being annual contender

With Park Hill South Wrestling’s 44-24 dual victory over Belton last week, Dan Dunkin’s Panthers have assured themselves at least a share of the Suburban Mid-Seven conference championship, the first in school history. Bret Rounkles, Jimmy Carpenter, and Sam Eickhoff led South with pins in their respective matches. While the achievement is something to hang their hat on, Dunkin sees the title as a step on the way to what he hopes is sustained success in coming years. The young wrestlers South sees filling their varsity spots is reason to believe the Panthers are on the right course.

“I don’t know if we’re ready yet,” Dunkin said of excelling into the area’s group of elite programs. “It’s coming and it’s on the horizon.”

Sophomores Carpenter, Adam Weatherly, and Chase Gray qualified for state last year as freshmen and didn’t perform as well as they would have liked leaving room for improvement and a burning desire to return again. Alex Fortuna and Eickhoff were one match away from qualifying last year, but fell short of advancing.

“It’s a very similar story for most of them,” Dunkin said. “But I expect big things from them now. We’re getting a nucleus of kids coming back with quality experience.”

Eickhoff is one of two seniors in the starting lineup for the Panthers. After leading in his state qualifying match last season, he got pinned, leaving him with a goal to be fulfilled in his final tour.

“Sam wants to beat if not emulate one of his older rivals from the past, since he’s not there anymore it allows him the chance to fill that void,” Dunkin said of his captain.

At the heavyweight position, South has had trouble finding a mainstay throughout the season, but feel they have a good candidate to compete for them in districts.

“We’re playing musical chairs with our heavyweights. At certain times we’ve had as many as five guys,” Dunkin said. “We’ve talked about it already and we’ve got some young, good looking guys, but they’re willing to give it to Cody Hodges, our senior.”

The Panthers have been battling injuries throughout the season, but hope to be getting healthy at just the right time. After accomplishing the goal of winning a conference title, Dunkin still believes he can get a solid group of wrestlers qualified for the state tournament in late February.

“I’m still focused on that right now (getting six to state), depending on how some of our injuries shape up,” Dunkin said. “The goal still stands.”

As he looked up at the banner that would eventually list their newly clinched title, Dunkin indicated they wanted to hold the title by themselves and could earn that this week as they complete their conference season against Winnetonka.

“That banner up there, I’d rather have the title outright than share it as co-champs. I’m greedy when it comes to things like that,” Dunkin said.