okansas.blogspot.com

okansas.blogspot.com
Occassional thoughts about orienteering

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Kansas City is Funky Town

It is hard to relate local politics to orienteering. But, I'll try.

Back in 1992, I was hired by the city auditor, Mark Funkhouser, to work as a performance auditor. I've been at the same job since then. Last November, Mark announced that he was retiring as city auditor. Just after retiring, he announced he was running for Mayor of Kansas City.

Funk was a long shot. He had no background in electoral politics. He was getting a late start in the race, which would make raising enough money for the campaign difficult. His goal was clear - to become mayor.

It is fair to say that he worked hard. He surrounded himself with people who could help him. He learned as much as he could and as quickly as he could. He wasn't affraid to try new approaches.

And he won. Kansas City's next mayor is Mark Funkhouser. He won yesterday's general election with a narrow margin of just over 1000 votes (of about 90,000 votes cast).

To relate this to orienteering is easy. Set a goal, work hard, surround yourself with people who can help, and learn as much and as quickly as you can. Try new things. Good things will happen.

Back to okansas.blogspot.com.

posted by Michael | 8:18 PM

3 comments

Comments:

Wow, omly 90000 votes cast! For a city the size of KC, that must be a ridiculously low turnout. Or am I off?

- Boris

# posted by

Anonymous : 2:12 AM

KC has a population of about 440,000 - if you take out kids and folks who aren't registered, there must be something like 250,000 elibigle voters. For a non-national election, the turnout was considered "normal."

Michael

# posted by

Anonymous : 6:49 AM

Lots of people just don't think it's worth their time to vote.

# posted by

Rogers Place : 9:23 PM

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