By cosmic coincidence, I know Mr. Bonapart (I’m from Topeka). He did a decent job, and I certainly don’t have an axe to grind; but, his record is not perfect. He just started his job in Sanford, because he was let go from Topeka. He didn’t do anything wrong...but, coincidentally, he was criticized for mishandling a situation (employees recycled pipe and pocketed the money). Bonapart is very cautious; and, I can see that trait front and center in this case. I worked with him a few times, and I was generally impressed...but trust me, he is not the shining example hinted at in this thread...just a run of the mill city manager.
All that matters in this case is that he look like either Obama’s father or son.
That alone is what the entire case is based on.