Posted on 06/15/2007 9:02:15 AM PDT by Altura Ct.
In its first rebuke of Mayor Mark Funkhouser, the City Council has condemned his controversial appointment to the parks board.
The council voted 9-3-1 this afternoon to call for Frances Semler to immediately resign her days-old appointment to the Board of Parks and Recreation. In a resolution, the council said if she does not do so within a week then Funkhouser should recommend the council remove her.
It is a symbolic resolution that says Semeler’s appointment will be “a divisive force in our community rendering the work” of the parks board “suspect.”
While not legally binding, it is a public reprimand to the mayor as he faces controversy over Semler’s views on immigration, both legal and illegal.
Councilwoman Beth Gottstein said city appointees should be “models for our community,” and Semler would not be, especially with the “Latin community speaking out with such force.”
Councilmen Terry Riley and John Sharp said their call for Semler’s resignation has nothing to do with her anti-immigration stance, but her affiliation with the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.
“These affiliations here are very questionable and very offense,” Riley said. “I believe these affiliations will get in the way of moving the parks board forward.”
Sharp scoffed at the notion that Semler doesn’t support the Minuteman’s philosophy, saying she was a leader “in a hate group.”
“You don’t join the Minuteman and not believe in their main thrust, which is vigilante action on the Southern boarder,” he said. “They are a vigilante group, an extremist group. They are far outside the extreme.”
Councilman Ed Ford reminded Funkhouser of his support of school vouchers in the mayoral campaign and then his change of heart once a public outcry ensued. Ford urged Funkhouser to do so again, saying the issue is offensive to many Kansas Citians.
But council members Bill Skaggs and Deb Hermann said the council should not meddle in the mayor’s appointment decisions. Hermann, who has said Semler should voluntarily step down, said the resolution “means nothing.”
Skaggs, Hermann and Funkhouser voted against the resolution. Sharon Sanders Brooks abstained.
Funkhouser scolded council members for opposing Semler without knowing her or speaking to her.
“I may yet change my mind on Ms. Semler, but I am not yet prepared to do so,” he said, adding that he believes his former campaign volunteer is a hard worker who will be an exemplary parks board member.
Also Thursday, Hermann disclosed that she telephoned Funkhouser at home around 10 p.m. Saturday to urge him not to appoint Semler to the parks board. She said she was unaware of the Minuteman connection, but warned Funkhouser because she had been offended by Semler in previous meetings.
Hermann said Semler had made racially insensitive comments during discussions about Kansas City’s efforts to build an inland port with Mexico. Funkhouser told Hermann he planned to go ahead and make his appointments public on Monday, she said.
Only if we let it.
No. See my tag line.
Carolyn
Better be careful with that "models for our community," that can cut both ways. Everyone should take note of the intolerance of the Latin community. If you don't tow the line you can't work.
Councilmen Terry Riley and John Sharp said their call for Semler’s resignation has nothing to do with her anti-immigration stance, but her affiliation with the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.
Wouldn't that be anti-illegal immigration?
“These affiliations here are very questionable and very offense,” Riley said. “I believe these affiliations will get in the way of moving the parks board forward.”
Offense? Of a bunch of people who broke into our country? I find it offensive that government flunkies would cave to a bunch of scum.
Sharp scoffed at the notion that Semler doesn’t support the Minuteman’s philosophy, saying she was a leader “in a hate group.”
“You don’t join the Minuteman and not believe in their main thrust, which is vigilante action on the Southern boarder,” he said. “They are a vigilante group, an extremist group. They are far outside the extreme.”
Would someone point out to this boob, that there are many former law enforcement and military people in the Minuteman organization. These people have put their lives on the line so these stupid f%$&*$% idiots can open their pie holes to say this bull$^!+.
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