KC Buzz Blog

Downtown courthouse closed

   The Jackson County courthouse is closing early because of the plant explosion.

   County spokesman Calvin Williford said employees were being sent home around 4 p.m. today. He said it should have minimal impact on the public since it was near the end of the work day.

   "We are shutting down early based on a prudent approach," he said.

   Williford said he did not know whether county officials made this decision based on the advice and recommendation of any federal, state or local official.

Posted by DeAnn Smith  

Henry Rizzo near explosion

    Jackson County Legislator Henry Rizzo and his son, John Joseph, a state House candidate, were driving on Front Street a few blocks from the site of an apparent chemical plant explosion this afternoon and heard and felt the force of the blast.

   "We pulled the car over because we thought we had dropped an axle. It felt like we had lost a wheel, which I thought was odd because it's a brand-new car," he said. "Then we saw the black plume go up. I thought it was a terrorist attack."

   Rizzo said his wife, Silvia, a county employee, called concerned due to the lights flickering at the downtown courthouse. He said he is anxious about inhaling contaminants and worried about the safety of county employees leaving the courthouse.

"I hope they test the air quickly," he said.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Short and sweet in JaCo

    Today’s meeting of the Jackson County Legislature was mercifully short, thanks to a light agenda and a welcome announcement by new County Executive Mike Sanders.
   He told legislators he would make it a practice to give concise reports and not take up their time with “flowery” pronouncements about special events and other things not essential to county business. It was, apparently, a reference to former Executive Katheryn Shields’ sometime tendency to wax on.
   Legislator Bob Spence literally applauded Sanders on his brief briefing.

Posted by Matt Campbell

Slow start for JaCo ethics commission

   The Jackson County Ethics Commission met this week but you didn’t see any headlines because the commishes didn’t do much except talk about their next meeting.
   New County Executive Mike Sanders has charged them with crafting a rigorous new code of ethics to keep employees and elected officials on the straight. Not a bad idea for Jackson County. And Sanders wants it done yesterday.
  So did the four members of the ethics commission -- Mike McCormick, Sly James, Carol Grimaldi and Robin Ryan -- seize the moment?
  They spent an hour groping for a direction. What does Sanders and his transition guy Larry Blick want? Should we have a draft before we start holding public hearings? What should we put in the draft? (James said he didn’t want to touch the messy issue of lobbying.)
   Here are some unsolicited musings:

• If you’re not going to address lobbying you might as well just adopt the Boy Scouts oath.
• If you wait for Sanders or Blick to tell you what to do you forfeit your authority.
• If you’re looking for examples, the National Association of Counties has a code of ethics. (www.naco.org)
• If you come up with something the legislature would be embarrassed to argue with, you will have succeeded.

Posted by Matt Campbell

You can't always get what you want

   A state district court judge giveth and taketh away today when it comes to Jackson County, former Legislator Bob Stringfield and a Missouri Sunshine Law lawsuit.

  In a hearing in Warrensburg, Judge Joseph Dandurand dismissed one of the four open-meeting violations that Stringfield has made against his eight former colleagues. (This one involved a discussion and vote in public.) But the judge is allowing to go to trial in October three allegations involved closed-session discussions of an aide to Stringfield. He said the county counselor telling legislators in one of the sessions that the discussion was OK did not absolve them.

   "I don't think that you have the right to rely on bad legal advice when it comes to violations of the Sunshine Law," Dandurand said to the county's attorney who had argued that the county counselor's advice meant legislators could not have intentionally violated the law.

   Look for a story in tomorrow's Star. But Dandurand gets points for candor for providing some advice to Jim Wirken, an attorney for Jackson County. Wirken suggested the county could go to an appellate court seeking direction on whether Stringfield has standing to sue because he participated in the closed sessions he now says are illegal and did not leave them.

   Dandurand: "That's not the stuff," the higher courts want to hear before a case is concluded and furthermore, "I don't want to lose credibility with them."

   But he made clear that he also has doubts about Stringfield's standing to sue.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

JaCo gets a new legislative auditor

   Jackson County legislators have forced Kelly Markham Stegall to resign as their auditor. Her resignation was effective Friday, said legislative chairman Dan Tarwater.

   He was unsure whether Stegall would receive a severance package. Legislators had been unhappy with the dearth of audits from Stegall and how long she took to complete them. In early November after a report in The Kansas City Star, legislators ordered Stegall to perform an audit of bond spending by then county Executive Katheryn Shields and hoped it would be completed before Shields left office last month.

    In mid-December, Stegall gave Shields a draft copy of her report before informing legislators about it. Shields then issued a news release based on the audit findings, drawing legislative ire. But earlier this month, Stegall said the final audit report was still a couple of weeks away, prompting looks of disbelief from legislators.

  Legislator Dennis Waits had championed finding former Clay County administrator Gary Panethiere a permanent job. He had been attending all legislative meetings in January, saying he was volunteering. Well, Panethiere need volunteer no more. He's going to replace Stegall. (And he had to overcome some stiff questions from both ends of the second floor because he supported former Sen. Charles Wheeler in his unsuccessful run for county executive.)

   Tarwater said Panethiere (a former legislative auditor during the Bill Waris administration) is qualified for the job and is a good man. Tarwater said legislators would forgo a search because, "We have the best person right here right now."

   Initially, Tarwater said Panethiere could wrap up the audit of bond spending. But part of the audit would examine no-bid consultant payments made by Shields to Panethiere with bond money. And Shields had designated Panethiere, hired as an aide in the waning weeks of her administration, to answer all of Stegall's questions.

   After conferring with his colleagues, including legislative vice chairman Henry Rizzo, Tarwater said legislators would hire an independent firm to finish the audit. He said it would not go by the way side and would be completed.

Posted by DeAnn Smith   

It was take-shots-at-Katheryn-Shields Day

   Katheryn Shields may be gone, but the former Jackson County executive definitely isn't forgotten at her old stomping grounds.

   During today's budget committee meeting, Jackson County Legislator Henry Rizzo pronounced that Shields had left the county's finances "in shambles," and it would take the county years to recover. It took her successor, Mike Sanders, about a nanosecond to agree.

   Later, Legislator Dan Tarwater took his own tart-tongued shot at Shields.

  Those three berating her certainly isn't anything new. But the unexpected shot came out of the blue from Legislator Fred Arbanas, who seldom criticizes anyone publicly.

   Arbanas was talking about an effort to arm park rangers, which has Sanders' support and apparently sufficient legislative backing. He said the only reason it couldn't get done before was because Shields didn't agree with it.

  "And now we do have a county executive that agrees," he said.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Parking pass snafu, JaCo style

   The hubub in the hallways at the Jackson County courthouse before today's budget meeting was over parking tags. Specifically, how to get 'em for county legislators and who issues 'em.

   That's because new Legislator James Tindall was stopped by a county employee Monday afternoon when he tried to park in his designated spot outside the Independence courthouse for the first time since taking office. The employee didn't believe Tindall, the legislator's only black member, was who he claimed to be and made him produce his driver's license and county identification badge. The employee then chastised Tindall for not having a county issued "hang tag" for his rearview mirror.

   So staff members are trying to get Tindall one. And finding out who issues 'em and where they come from hasn't been as easy as it sounds.

  Cause turns out hardly any county legislators have 'em either (Legislator Bob Spence has one and former legislator Rhonda Shoemaker did, prompting cracks about how they are issued to just Republicans). And much notice was made that the county employee didn't question new Legislator Greg Grounds, who is white, when he parked in his spot Monday.

   The legislature's [ fixed thanks to MeL -- Ed. ] only Hispanic and woman, Theresa Garza, wasn't questioned either. But that's because the new legislator forgot she had a designated parking spot and parked in a nearby office building parking lot. 

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Remember what was happening 360 or so days ago at JaCo?

   During today's Jackson County Budget Committee meeting, the county's public administrator, Rebecca Lake Wood, was trying to explain to skeptical county legislators why it is impossible for her to cut $7,200 from a $1.47 million budget.

   Legislative chairman Dan Tarwater was trying to work toward a compromise. He told Lake Wood he understood why she was pushing so hard for the money but also said with tough budget times legislators need everyone to make significant cuts.

   "I know a little bit about fighting," Tarwater said to Lake Wood. His comment, whether inadvertent or intentional, drew instantaneous and loud guffaws that reverberated throughout the hallway outside the chambers.

   That would be because on Jan. 30, 2006, Tarwater was at the center of the brawl on the legislative floor.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Granted, road construction is not as sexy as announcing murder charges

    As Jackson County prosecutor, Mike Sanders seldom met a news conference he didn't call. At times, he would face grumbles from those who thought he was stealing their thunder.

   So no one should be surprised his penchant for media events hasn't changed now that he's county executive. (As this post is typed he's on KMBZ live.)

   On Thursday morning, Sanders along with county Legislators Theresa Garza and James Tindall and Kansas City council members Alvin Brooks, Chuck Eddy and Terry Riley will attend a ground-breaking ceremony for a road project at 85th Street and Troost Avenue, according to a news release nicely headlined on the county's web site. (The joint venture between the county and city meant the demise of the Stroud's restaurant there.)

    This is what the county is calling a "delayed" official ground-breaking ceremony. Work began Jan. 8 but Sanders spokesman Jennifer Berry said when Sanders took office on Jan. 1 that "we just couldn't plan something for before construction started with such short notice."

   And the last time her former boss, Executive Katheryn Shields (who herself isn't known for being camera shy), invited the media to a ground-breaking ceremony? Er.....not in recent memory.

   Berry says Sanders "has a different philosophy to marketing road and bridge projects compared to what has been done in the past." Berry said Sanders will keep the public informed at every stage of road projects.

   "We also have a ground-breaking planned for an upcoming road project in Raytown," Berry says. ".....This is also one of Mike's first official public events and he wants to show his support for cooperative projects."

   Let's see how cooperative the four broadcast stations are in airing footage of road ground-breaking ceremonies (that aren't at the Sprint Arena, Kauffman or Arrowhead stadiums) compared to announcements of murder charges.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Chiefs fulfill Lamar Hunt's last promise to JaCo

   Jackson County officials were as happy as anyone yesterday when Chiefs honcho Carl Peterson announced that Missouri and Kansas would move their border tussle (a G.R.I.T.S. is mildly amused by the hoo-ha over a three-letter word) the next two seasons to Arrowhead Stadium. They were seeing $. Lots of $$$.

   That's because as The Star reported in November, the county and the city and the state stand to lose $500,000 or more in sales tax dollars because the NFL is mandating that all its teams play a regular season game overseas. The Chiefs hope to play their international game during stadium construction.

   But in a Nov. 17 statement then to the newspaper, Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt vowed "to redouble our efforts to attract a major college football game" to replace the loss of the Chiefs game. He sent a follow-up letter via e-mail just after 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22. It would be the last statement Hunt would make on behalf of the Chiefs because at some point that same afternoon/evening he would enter a Dallas hospital where he would pass away about three weeks later.

  Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders Tuesday afternoon praised Peterson, the Hunt family and the Chiefs organization for fulfilling Hunt's promise. He said two MU-KU games more than makes up for the loss of a single Chiefs game.

  And Sanders, also a Chiefs season-ticket holder, is already scheming about how to use his top post at the county to get an uber prime spot for the game (maybe he needs to personally inspect the condition of the field from the sideline? Hand over the Lamar Hunt trophy?) The MU alum/die-hard fan joked that if KU by some freak accident won then the trophy might get lost.

   "I am looking very forward this fall to Chase Daniel hanging four hundred yards passing on the Jayhawks defense if that's what it's called," he said this afternoon.

Posted by DeAnn Smith   

There's no place like home

   Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders today named Assistant Prosecutor Mark Jones as county counselor. Jones was a finalist for the prosecutor job that went to Jim Kanatzar recently. Jones served as chief deputy under Claire McCaskill.

   Jones originally hired Sanders to the prosecutor's office back in the 1990s and was his boss. He also was a groomsman in Sanders' wedding. Sanders praised Jones' lengthy resume and his skills as an attorney and administrator. Katheryn Shields' county counselor, Ed Rucker, husband to school board member Harriett Plowman, will continue in the counselor's office into February to help with the transition.

   While making the Jones announcement, Sanders cracked, "Johnson County, Kansas, could learn something from us." (A reference to the hoo-haa over Phill Kline.)

   That wasn't the only pointed political comment Sanders made this afternoon. In telling legislators that budget talks continue with the courts and he is hopeful for a resolution, Sanders singled out Presiding Judge Peggy McGraw for praise and repeated plaudits. "She's working as hard as anyone else to find a solution. She's been great to work with," were typical comments.

   Obviously left unsaid was any praise for Sanders' current thorn in his side. That would be the past presiding judge and other budget negotiator on behalf of the courts, J.D. Williamson.

Posted by DeAnn Smith 

A sweet deal no more. Krispy Kreme promotion is out of here!

    First off, the bad, sad news from this afternoon's 15th Annual Baseball Forecast Luncheon: Krispy Kreme's 12-hits-gets-you-a-dozen-dough nuts promotion is no more, says Royals president Dan Glass.

   He said the dough-nut maker's corporate philosophy had changed and the company no longer wanted to continue the promotion. But Glass quipped the good news is, "We will all lose a lot of weight." And he joked Krispy Kreme execs were so startled by the team's improvements in the second half of last season that they were worried about the frequency of this year's giveway if the hit total wasn't raised to 24 for a dozen.

  (Catcher John Buck talked about the pressure put on a player coming up to bat when the Royals had 11 hits and the score of up 10 runs or down 10 runs didn't matter, it changed the feel of the whole at-bat.) 

   Glass did say the Royals are working on a replacement promotion, but don't look for it to be free tacos or barbecue.

   Other than that, the mood was upbeat at the luncheon held at the downtown Marriott.   

   Unlike last year, there was no cloud about the firing of the general manager or the team manager. There was no uncertainty over how to pay for overhauling the Truman Sports Complex. Jokes and one liners ruled the day. Pitcher Luke Hudson was a particularly good sport about all the jokes sent hurling his way. (Broadcaster Ryan Lefebrve started it off by reminiscing about a particularly bad outing for Hudson and then talking about his good looks and single status.)

  Glass and Royals owner David Glass were late arriving for pre-luncheon media interviews due to a meeting with the architects designing the voter-approved overhaul at Kauffman Stadium.

   Dan Glass told the throng that the Royals has been consulting focus groups and fans and visiting other stadiums during the off season as part of the design process. He said the priorities were to stay on budget ($250 million for Kauffman Stadium) and to "preserve and enhance" the stadium. The bulk of the work won't begin until after this upcoming season concludes.

   In response to a question, Dan Glass said the team is working with Major League Baseball and local civic leaders to determine which year Kansas City will host its second All-Star game.  (It definitely won't be before 2010 when construction is scheduled to be completed.) He said one of the issues being tackled now is ensuring there will be sufficient convention space for the extravaganza.

   "Be ready because it is coming to Kansas City," Dan Glass said.

   Among the luminaries attending the event hosted by the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation were Mayor Kay Barnes, former State Rep. Ralph Monaco (who wore a Royal blue 1985 World Series champion jacket) and mortage banker Jim Nutter Jr. 

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Kanatzar gets an overflow crowd

    New Prosecutor Jim Kanatzar formally took the oath of office this afternoon in a Jackson County courtroom to an overflow crowd. Afterward, a reception was held by the Tim Dollar law firm at a downtown hotel. The Dollar law firm employs Kanatzar's wife, Jill, who glowed throughout the event. Kanatzar was surrounded by family members during the swearing-in festivities. Afterward, his adorable four-year-old son, Sam, clutched his father's hand as they were surrounded by well wishers.

   Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks and former U.S. Attorney Todd Graves were among the overflow crowd spilling out into an outside corridor.

   In an interview, Graves wasn't exactly effusive with praise for John Wood's nomination to replace him as U.S. Attorney. He said Wood appears to be qualified for the job. Wood, the cousin of U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, was recently nominated for the post.  Graves said he likes that Wood has connections to the area. He said such knowledge is important to be able to do the job well.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Are Tigers tickets a sufficient consolation prize to losing out on suite Chiefs tickets?

    Remember last fall when Gov. Matt Blunt skipped over Warren Erdman for a vacancy for the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority? Most had expected Erdman to be the pick among the three candidates, but instead Blunt went with former Chiefs great Deron Cherry (which helped Blunt because Cherry was a charismatic well-regarded African-American Republican and, like Erdman, a campaign supporter).

   So for those scratching their heads about Erdman not getting a pass for the authority's suite at Arrowhead Stadium, perhaps his consolation prize was sweeeet Mizzou tickets. Of course, state Sen. Matt Bartle has other ideas.

  And for KC Buzz Blog readers who love irony, note who's Cherry's state senator and thus listed as making the recommendation for Cherry? Why our very own Bartle.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

For Jim's a golly good fellow

   Jackson County legislators unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday praising the selection of Jim Kanatzar as the new county prosecutor, citing his experience, qualifications and ability to work with others.

   The resolution also thanked his predecessor, Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders, for making the appointment through an open and public process.

   Kanatzar, formerly Sander's chief deputy, will be formally sworn in Thursday afternoon and a reception will follow afterward at a downtown hotel.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Transition no more: Ex Blue Springs administrator joins Sanders' team

   Former Blue Springs City Administrator Fred Siems is no longer a member of Jackson County Executive's Mike Sanders' transition team. As of yesterday, he is now acting chief administrative officer.

   In Tuesday's county legislative meeting, Legislator Bob Spence told Siems he thought he left Blue Springs because "you had enough government work for a lifetime."

   Siems retorted that he had enough masochism left in him to want to undertake the job.

   KC Buzz Blog readers will remember that legislators recently agreed to spend $100,000 to do national job searches for five positions, including the one that Siems now has on an interim basis. But some county legislators had suggested that Sanders not spend the money for the formality of a search if he knew who was going to wind up with a job in the end. And no one was questioning Tuesday that when search for the chief administrative officer search is done, the person Sanders thinks is best suited for the job is already doing it.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

The honeymoon is over for Sanders. At least with the judges

   Come sleet or snow, the Jackson County Legislature's Budget Committee was determined to meet Friday afternoon. The official reason? To plan out a calendar of budget hearings. The real reason? So that new County Executive Mike Sanders could take the circuit court judges to the woodshed and use the media to pressure the courts to whack their budget.

  Past presiding Judge J.D. Williamson unleashed his own tongue-lashing in response.

   And both sides released their own dueling letters (while legislators basically pleaded with the executive and judicial branches to work together, which ultimately everyone thinks will happen).

   Sanders and his top budget adviser, Fred Siems, complained to four legislators that unlike everyone else the judges were refusing to cut their 2006 budget 5 percent to 7 percent. Instead, the judges sought more money. The courts are uncooperative and obstructionists, they charged.

   "Unless someone has a money machine in their basement, it does not exist," Sanders said. "I would love to tell you the county has millions of dollars in a shoe box."

  During Siems' remarks, Williamson sat toward the back of the chambers with his lips pursed and his hands clasped in front of him. But as Sanders spoke, he stood up and made clear he had a rebuttal ready.

   When given that opportunity, Williamson said the court is doing its best with less as its caseload increases. He said the courts were doing their best to be cooperative and thought a budget accord had been reached.

   What was Sanders doing while Williamson was facing the legislature? Looking straight ahead toward the legislators and fiddling with his fingers. He never once turned around to look at Williamson the entire time he was speaking.

   And what could cause such unlovey-dovey feelings? Well, obviously Williamson and the other judges were none too happy over the past few years when then-prosecutor Sanders pushed through 9 percent to 12 percent raises, including a included 3 percent cost-of-living boost, for his employees.

   Former Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields opposed those raises in 2005, saying they were unfair and it was fiscally irresponsible to give more than 3 percent raises. Shields later agreed to give other county employees 3 percent raises on top of the initial 3 percent for a total of 6 percent. She said she was doing so because Sanders' people were getting as much as 12 percent. But she repeatedly said it would lead to significant budget woes down the road because the raises would cost the county an additional $3 million plus a year.

   So we would love to know what she's thinking now. The county's current projected budget shortfall is $3 million.

Posted by DeAnn Smith 

A not guilty complex

   Katheryn Shields and husband Phil Cardarella appeared in court today to answer federal charges against them in an alleged mortgage fraud scheme. They and other defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Said Cardarella: "Absolutely not guilty."

Posted by Keith Chrostowski

Congrats to Kanatzar

  Chief Deputy Jim Kanatzar is County Executive Mike Sanders' choice to replace him as prosecutor. Five of nine legislators wanted Mr. Nice and Diligent Guy to get the job so he should face no resistance there. There will be some unhappy folks, of course.

   More here and in tomorrow's Star. And now  speculate as to who gets the county counselor gig.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

JaCo legislators say Kanatzar is da man

   Rumors are flying as Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders prepares to pick this week his replacement as prosecutor from three white men.

   The official announcement is set for 2 p.m. Thursday.

   The buzz is focusing primarily on whether unions are backing chief warrant officer Mark Jones or State Rep. John Burnett and will Sanders kow tow to the unions? The consensus seems to be that union leader Louie Wright is very much against chief deputy Jim Kanatzar.

   But five of nine legislators, a majority, tell the KC Buzz Blog that Kanatzar is far and above their choice because he is the best qualified and has the best disposition to do the job. Legislators have no official say in the selection of prosecutor, but could veto a pick.

   One of those supporting Kanatzar, Legislator Henry Rizzo, is saying loudly that he won't support Burnett getting the job just so that his son, John Joseph Rizzo, can have a clear path to Burnett's representative seat. Papa Rizzo says that his son, who lost last August by just seven votes, can out and out beat Burnett next year and doesn't need a clear path via a Burnett resignation. 

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Walter-Mack is back

   Kathy Walter-Mack, former in-house legal counsel at the Kansas City School District, is working as a consultant on the overhaul of the Truman Sports Complex.

  Walter-Mack has been hired by friend, Gayle Holliday, whose company has been tasked with ensuring that women and minorities get their fair share of construction work at Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums. Walter-Mack will focus on compliance both pre and post bid.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

The new JaCo reaches back to the old JaCo

   Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders announced Monday a slew of interim department head and other appointments (plus made official his new medical examiner). But one appointment stood out in part because he's gotten the job without having to go through a competitive search process and doesn't have "acting" in his title.

   Former Public Works Director Jerry Page has his old job back. (His resume says he served as public works director under George Lehr, Mike White, Dale Baumgardner, Bill Waris and Marsha Murphy, who fired him in early 1991.) Page does have one "acting" title, which is as director of facilities management.

   Most recently, Page had been managing his own properties and working part time at Harvey A. Jones Engineers, where he is still listed as part of the staff.

   But it's another county connection that had some county officials grumbling Monday and others stunned that Sanders would make such a move so early into his tenure. That's because Page is married to Debbie Carnes Page, ex-wife of former Jackson County Legislator John Carnes, an Independence politician who went to prison on bribery and bank fraud charges.

   Debbie Carnes Page supported Carnes' successful effort to get his law license restored and said in her 2004 letter to the Missouri Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel that her husband "supports his reinstatement also."

   Sanders said he chose Page because, "He is eminently qualified to do the job." When asked for specifics, he repeated his assertion. He said he didn't know of Page's connection to Carnes.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Euphemisms JaCo style

   At yesterday's Jackson County legislative meeting, County Executive Mike Sanders said his staff is still working on the budget and plans to present it next Monday (of course, since that's the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and the courthouse is closed Sanders may have a very small audience for his first budget presentation. Hopefully/obviously he meant Tuesday).

   Sanders said he would propose the 2007 budget "in a way to minimize staff displacements."

  That would be layoffs in JaCo-speak.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Committee 101

   The new Jackson County budget committee will have its first meeting Friday afternoon. The committee has been downsized from the membership last year (Bob Spence and Dan Tarwater have been kicked off, to Spence's raised eyebrow). Henry Rizzo replaces Dennis Waits as chairman. Waits remains on the committee along with Scott Burnett.

   All other committee assignments were announced Monday by Tarwater, the new legislative chairman. All the legislators but Tarwater get to chair a committee. And the choice of one committee chair had much of the county abuzz Monday afternoon. (Some committees do little but other committees are powerful because they hold much sway over the spending of millions of tax dollars.)

  The committee assignments are as follows:

  Land Use: Fred Arbanas (chairman), Spence and Theresa Garza.

  Finance & Audit: Burnett (chairman), Rizzo and Spence.

  Anti-Drug: James Tindall (chairman), Rizzo, Waits and Garza.

  Health & Justice: Garza (chairwoman), Greg Grounds and Tindall.

  Public Works: Spence (chairman), Garza and Grounds.

  Intergovernmental affairs: Waits (chairman), Tindall and Spence.

  Rules: Grounds (chairman), Waits and Rizzo.

  Legislators hope to have the 2007 budget adopted by Jan. 29. When Arbanas wanted to know about the budget meeting schedule to ensure he didn't have any conflicts, Tarwater quipped that he shouldn't have any problems, "because I don't think you're planning on going to anymore Chiefs games," before then.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Campaign promise update

   During the 2006 primary campaign for Jackson County executive, Mike Sanders had a handful of major promises. He promised to move to end federal court oversight of the county jail in his first week (check), work on a new ethics policy for county employees and elected officials (in the works), eliminate no-bid personal service contracts (check thus far) and create a leaner, more efficient county government with no new taxes (department heads have been ordered to come up with 7 percent across-the-board cuts so that gets a check thus far).

  But he also promised to "immediately" call for a top-to-bottom independent performance review of county operations and conduct a national search for chief financial officer. And last week during his inauguration he pledged to have an open government.

  So when asked this afternoon how things were going on the performance audit, Sanders got a blank look and said, "What performance audit?"

  When reminded of his campaign promise, Sanders said he had been in office only seven days and hadn't had time to tackle it yet. But last fall he worked on getting proposals from search firms, so why not do that last fall with the performance audit? Sanders indicated it wasn't feasible and because of budget cuts the audit might have to occur internally rather than externally and independently. When asked if that meant a change to his campaign promise, Sanders said no and that the independent audit would eventually occur, it just would take time.

  And the search for a chief financial officer is off. That's because there will be no chief financial officer. (There will still be a director of finance. Troy Thomas, the former CFO, has the title on an interim basis and most expect him to keep the job.) Sanders said he was making a decision based on what what other similar-sized governments do, which is give the financial duties to the chief administrative officer. So what all will that job entail and which departments will that person oversee?

   Sanders said he couldn't name 'em off the top of his head. "We will get you a copy of the CAO" flow chart, he said.

   Later, Monday night he said on the return drive from Jefferson City that the chief administrative officer will essentially combine the duties of the former chief financial officer and administrative officer while the deputy administrative officer will handle most of the responsibilities of the former chief operating officer. Plus he will have a chief information officer (who would handle far more than it sounds like on paper, including lobbying oversight, customer service and economic development). Got all that?

   And finally, when county legislators were considering hiring Mercer Group for almost $100,000 to conduct five searches, Sanders' transition adviser Larry Blick told legislators that, "I've discussed with each of you restructuring" the county executive's administrative team. The legislators may know but the public doesn't because neither Sanders nor Blick discussed the reorganization publicly Monday.

  Legislators praised Sanders Monday for doing the national searches. Legislator Henry Rizzo lauded Sanders "for being really professional. We are starting out on the right foot."

  Savings from unfilled positions will cover the cost of the searches.

  Posted by DeAnn Smith

Driving Mr. Sanders

   With a grand jury probing former Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields' use of her staff as drivers, county officials couldn't resist ribbing successor Mike Sanders Monday afternoon.

   That's because Legislator Henry Rizzo, a former state representative, was driving Sanders to Jefferson City Monday afternoon for meetings with legislators and some old-fashioned JaCo-style backslapping/meetings/lobbying. Rizzo has a snazzy new Land Rover to show off plus those 400 number state license plate (indicates a former state official) to ensure a sweet parking space. And Sanders said they could take his "junky" car, but it wasn't the kind of ride Rizzo would be used to. 

Posted by DeAnn Smith

All smiles and chuckles

   Camaraderie was the mood of the day as the Jackson County Legislature had its first official meeting of 2007.

   By acclamation, Dan Tarwater was chosen as chairman (he most recently served in 2005) while outgoing chairman Henry Rizzo was named vice chairman.

   Legislator James Tindall raised the sartorial splendour bar immeasurably Monday, showing up in a natty brown suit, brown with orange hues tie and some sort of skinned reptile/animal-looking orangey brown shoes.

   It's purely concidence but it was striking to see the only African-American (Tindall) and the only woman and Hispanic on the legislature (Theresa Garza) sitting side by side at the far end of the legislative table.

   And it may have been Tindall, Garza and Legislator Greg Grounds' first meeting officially, but during the Martin Luther King celebration funding discussion (see Tuesday's Star) they made it clear they wouldn't be silent back-bench sitters.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Interim U.S. attorney makes his mark

   Back on April, the new U.S. attorney said in his first interview that he planned an ambitious contribution to federal law enforcement in western Missouri.

  Bradley J. Schlozman said he would add the fight against human trafficking to the existing priorities of combating terrorism, illegal drugs and guns and cyber-crime. (public corruption wasn't mentioned). Schlozman created a task force and got the area's first sex-trafficking indictment plus other human trafficking indictments.

  But after last week's three big indictments, Schlozman is indeed having an ambitious contribution to law enforcement. But human-trafficking prosecution probably is not how the interim prosecutor will be remembered for making his mark.

Posted by DeAnn Smith 

Whatever the title is he's still the Grand Poobah

   Last week, Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders' right-hand man and campaigner extraordinaire Calvin Williford was fielding most media-related calls (and calls from legislators and others about the budget and inauguration and you name it).

   He said his title was chief inter-governmental affairs officer or some equally sounding prestigious title and would oversee the public information officer and coordinate with others in the county. But he made clear he was not and would not be the public information officer, a.k.a. spokesman. He also said he wouldn't get the title of chief of staff or any of the other three "chiefs" jobs, which would require overseeing a bunch of department heads.

   So lo and behold on the desk today is a news release that calls Williford "the acting chief administrative officer." (So much for the plan to take it easy after inauguration day.) Williford just called to say he's also got the title of acting chief operating officer but says he's doing so primarily so that there is someone on site to make sure paperwork is signed promptly. And he says, "Temporary, temporary!"

   Of course, as one legislator joked today,"He's really the Exchequer. Or the Pope." And, no, Calvin it's not the legislator you think it is who said that.

Posted by DeAnn Smith 

Former JaCo legislator indicted in judge loan case

   A federal grand jury indicted former Jackson County legislator Carl W. Bussey today for perjury and making false statements in an investigation of loans made to former Kansas City Municipal Court Judge Deborah Neal. More here.

Posted by Keith Chrostowski

Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets

   Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders will hold a news conference at 2:45 p.m. today to discuss 1) filing a motion in federal court seeking to end federal court oversight of the county's jail 2) an update on the search for his replacement as prosecutor.

   How many more questions will he get about the indictment of his predecessor, Katheryn Shields, than he does about the two topics he plans to discuss? And how many times will Sanders say no comment other than he'll trust the justice system to play out and how saddened he is by yesterday's news? And which news stations will cover his no comment on Shields and will any of them spend air anything on the jail motion and, if so, which ones?

   And, no, that isn't a typo in the news release. Shields' most recent public information officer, Jennifer Berry, is still apparently doing that function for Sanders (along with two maybe three other people but, hey, who's counting?)

   UPDATE: The presser was canceled. Official reason given was Sanders arrived too late from D.C. to prepare for the event. (One broadcast newser grumbled, "When has Sanders not been been prepared to talk about anything?") Rumor mill says he read the KC Buzz Blog and said, "Oh-oh, just how many Katheryn questions will I face?" 

Posted by DeAnn Smith   

Hanging on the telephone

   Phil was so impassioned that beads of perspiration speckled his temples. Katheryn was stoic and controlled. And the grand jury was late and the soft-spoken U.S. Attorney was apologetic for keeping reporters hanging around three hours past schedule.

   Those are some impressions from a bizarre few hours Thursday evening as a grand jury at 5:50 p.m. returned indictments against former Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields, her husband, Phil Cardarella, and nine others related to the sale of the couple's home. The grand jury had been expected to return the indictment at 2:30 p.m. and the announcement was set for 3 p.m.

  Why the delay?

   Well, that was a big point of contention between Shields and Cardarella and U.S. Attorney Bradley Schlozman. Mid-morning, reporters began calling Cardarella about a rumor flying around that a major public figure would be indicted Thursday afternoon but it would be unrelated to his or her official duties. Cardarella said he couldn't imagine that it would be Shields.

    However, unknown to the reporters was that Cardarella and Shields had received target letters on Nov. 17. (Later Thursday, they said the letters were personally delivered by an FBI agent at their new home about an hour after they left the closing in question. Cardarella said the target letter was dated prior to Nov. 17.)

   Cardarella said he reached Curtis Woods, Shields' attorney and now also Cardarella's, before lunch Thursday. Woods knew nothing but said he would check on it. Shortly thereafter, Woods learned that they both would be indicted.

  The couple, their attorney and Schlozman agree that sometime early afternoon Woods and Cardarella called asking/demanding/pleading/requesting/ that Cardarella appear before the grand jury that day. Schlozman had not intended to have either appear, saying he was not required to do so. But he said he conveyed Cardarella's request to the grand jury members, who then indicated they wanted to hear from him.

   Schlozman said he called Woods' office at 1:50 p.m. and left a message saying he was prepared to have Cardarella appear. Schlozman maintains, "Mr. Woods never returned my call so there was no opportunity."

   Woods vehemently denies this.

   He said he got a message from Schlozman indicating he was returning his call, but nothing was said about allowing Cardarella to appear. Woods said he tried to reach Schlozman but that Schlozman's secretary indicated he was unavailable and sent him into Schlozman's voice mail. Woods said he left a message and that he never heard back from Schlozman.

  Later, announcing the indictments, Schlozman accused Shields and Cardarella of "pure unadulterated greed." The couple and their attorney accused Schlozman of a political witch hunt intended to thwart Shields' mayoral aspirations. (Ironically or not depending on which side of the fence you are on, she had planned to kick her campaign into high gear this week via her Web site and a TV ad buy and was going to file her petitions Friday. Obviously Shields never imagined she would have mayoral ads appearing on the same 6 p.m. newscasts that were announcing her indictment.)

   Schlozman says the timing of the indictment had nothing to do with her mayoral campaign.

   The couple thinks it had everything to do with it. Cardarella says the lead picture and story in Friday's paper would have been the senatorial swearing-in of favorite daughter Claire McCaskill. He says the indictments changed that. (Dear reader, you can judge for yourself.)

   This is at least the third investigation of Shields. So the question lots of folks have is whether Schlozman is done with her. He says he never comments on potential or ongoing investigations. And Shields and Cardarella say they have no idea.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Shields wasn't invited to the Sanders shindig, sayeth the Philster

  Outgoing Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields didn't skip last night's inaugural festivities. She wasn't invited, says husband Phil Cardarella.
  In an e-mail, Cardarella says, "If she had been invited, she would have attended out of respect for the office or at least sent her regrets and wishes for good fortune."
  Also, Cardarella notes that Mike Sanders wasn't exactly "Mr. Nice Guy" when he called several department heads, including Finance Director Gloria Fisher, into work on New Year's Day and then summarily dismissed them. Cardarella notes that in December Sanders said he didn't plan any significant staff changes before Jan. 31, so some folks now fired bought more Christmas presents then they might have otherwise.
  A couple of legislators also said this week that Sanders could have waited until Jan. 2 to pink slip the employees rather than hauling them in on a day intended for families and relaxation.

Posted by DeAnn Smith   

And the JaCo job carousel goes round and round

   That sound you may have heard this morning was some Jackson County employees on the first floor of the KC downtown courthouse humming or out and out singing a certain song from the "Wizard of Oz."   

   Some of outgoing Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields' lieutenants knew the inevitable was coming and chose to leave as of Dec. 31. Others were fired Tuesday or allowed to resign. And at least one will find out today that his or her services are no longer needed, Sanders hinted with a smile.

   New Executive Mike Sanders confirmed to the KC Buzz Blog after his inauguration Tuesday night that Finance Director Gloria Fisher has been replaced by Troy Thomas as interim director. Until this summer, Thomas had served as Shields' chief financial officer.

   Jail Director Graham Morris is out. He has been replaced temporarily by Charles Megerman, who had served as Shields' first corrections director before he unexpectedly left in 1996 after 23 years with the county.

   Gary Salva has been demoted as parks director. He will continue in a temporary gig to finish up on a couple of projects, including looking at whether county park rangers should be armed. The interim director is Michele Newman. She begins her duties Friday because she and mother, Dutch, are flying to D.C. to attend the Senate swearing-in ceremonies Thursday for long-time friend Claire McCaskill. (BTW, a hot rumor flying around the Liberty Memorial tonight was that a job offer from McCaskill to a KC council contender could dramatically affect one of the races -- if the candidate accepts.)

   Thad Thomas is also out as computer guru. Steve Marsh is taking his place temporarily.

Sanders says all the directors are interim for up to four months until national searches are completed for permanent hires.

   Stay tuned to "As the Courthouse Turns."

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Inauguration JaCo style

   Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders was interrupted by applause 12 times during his 30-minute inaugural speech last night. By the second paragraph, he was rewriting the prepared text, and continued to change words throughout the speech. One paragraph in the prepared text but omitted in the delivery was, "And finally I want each of you to know that I am confident that I possess the energy and the hope not to compromise the vision we have created here today."

   He got one standing ovation, which came at the conclusion. Most of the audience, but not all, rose to applaud when he finished taking the public oath (a private oath was administered earlier). He blushed at the conclusion when he was presented with a game ball from the Sun Bowl signed by all the University of Missouri football players and coach Gary Pinkel (MU alum Sanders is an ardent fan).

  He had just one laugh line in his speech. Legislator Henry Rizzo drew one of the night's few big laughs when he said about the large throng, "I had no idea Mike Sanders had that many relatives." But Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks arguably got the biggest laugh when he said he had known Sanders "since he was in high school a couple of years ago."

  KC Buzz Blog spotted four mayoral contenders in attendance: Council members John Fairfield, Becky Nace and Jim Glover and Brooks. Former Auditor Mark Funkhouser , who assisted with the Sanders transition, wasn't seen. And no, this apparently wasn't like a presidential inauguration where the outgoing person attends because Katheryn Shields wasn't in the house. 

   Quite a few county employees did attend with several admitting they don't know whether they'll have a job or not come Feb. 1. And several people who aren't county employees but want to be openly hit up Sanders for jobs during their few moments with him. (Note to Calvin Williford: Sanders was saying, "You got it" to most of those job seekers).

   The county had budgeted $50,000 for the event but Sanders declined to accept that money in tough budget times. Instead, he used private donations. The sponsors were construction magnate Terry Dunn (a Sanders campaign supporter and part of the dynamic duo with Peggy), Excel Linen Supply, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Lathrop & Gage (the county's primary law firm including on the lease negotiations with the Chiefs and Royals), Liberty Memorial, Needham Floral, White Goss Bowers March Schulte & Weisenfels (the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority's primary law firm including on the Chiefs and Royals leases) and XS Lighting.

   Williford pledged to the KC Buzz Blog that once all the money rolls in then all the information will be made public. "Transparency and openness," he says.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

So is this what's wrong with Jackson County?

   Jackson County County Clerk Mary Jo Spino swears (pun intended) that the oath that county elected officials take is a standard one used around the country.  But even she admits -- along with some county legislators taking the oath tonight -- it sounds a bit strange when they have to repeat, "I will faithfully demean myself in the office of of county legislator."

   Maybe that's what five of 'em had in mind when they brawled on the legislative floor a year ago. 

  Jitters and whispered murmurs did break out when James Tindall repeated his oath to faithfully uphold the United States Constitution. Tindall left his legislative seat while he was under federal scrutiny for crimes including his actions as county legislator. A federal jury found him not guilty of taking bribes while in office but he was convicted of falsifying a federal income tax return. He did his time and found redemption when he beat Legislator Eugene Standifer last year.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Head held high, just don't look up

   Yes, the painting is still there. No, white paint hasn't been ordered. Yet anyway.

  When Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders reported to work for his first official day this morning, he focused on the smiling face of the receptionist and ignored the hovering visage of predecessor Katheryn Shields, a county official said. (BTW, the charming receptionist answering the phone today held the post under Shields in 2005 but had been let go in part after Shields suspected her of being a spy for Sanders.) 

   Sanders and his staff are busy preparing for tonight's inaugural activities. Ruckus darling Mary O'Halloran is polishing the speech, and based on the past speeches she's ghostwritten for Sanders it should be full of soaring rhetoric, and references to unity and a new beginning.

   And Attorney General Jay Nixon is making his first appearance in 2007 in Kansas City to introduce Sanders at the Liberty Memorial festivities. Is Nixon running for something?

UPDATE: Nixon may be running for Missouri governor, but he ain't running to KC today. Spokesman Scott Holste called after reading this post to say Nixon had knee surgery last week (he's propped up by a crutch in this picture taken Friday). Nixon had hoped still to come to Kansas City, but the knee swelled up and his doctor advised to stay off his feet and avoid traveling. So Nixon sent his regrets this weekend, Holste said.

  Now chew over this: Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks, and, of course, mayoral contender, is replacing Nixon, says Sanders spokesman Calvin Williford. Williford, himself a big Brooks supporter, says this is not a mayoral endorsement by Sanders; Brooks was chosen because of his position as mayor pro tem. Uh huh. Was Mayor Kay Barnes unavailable?

Posted by DeAnn Smith

Radio radio

    Outgoing Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields will be on KMBZ-AM about 5:05 p.m. doing an interview with the station that is the home of Darla Jaye. Shields will be discussing all the news this week and hopefully her mayoral prospects.

   Posted by DeAnn Smith

Riddle me this

   Incoming Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and his allies were claiming this week that this is the first time in eons that Jackson County has faced a budget deficit.

   Outgoing Executive Katheryn Shields is firing back via a press release (written in a sarcastic/comedic tone most county insiders think sounds like husband Phil Cardarella) that it's the fault of Sanders and county legislators for approving raises.

   But could someone please explain the riddle of why Shields isn't pointing out how it's an exaggeration or even flat out wrong to say this is the first time the county has faced a budget deficit in a decade-plus?

   On Oct. 24, 2005, Shields told county legislators that they faced a $16.2 million deficit for 2006 and an immediate hiring freeze. Shields said then that the budget shortfall included $8.7 million in the general operating budget if employees received 3 percent raises, $1.7 million in the anti-drug tax account, $1.3 million in the 911 emergency system fund and $4.5 million in the road and bridge fund, which pays for public works and some sheriff's deputies.

   Shields and legislators eventually approved a balanced budget for 2006 but not before imposing layoffs and department cuts. So besides the messenger and $10 million more last year, what's the difference between the budget shortfall announced last year for 2006 and the budget shortfall for 2007 announced this week?

   Posted by DeAnn Smith

   

Twenty paces, JaCo style

    Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields today issued a news release declaring that a legislative audit had found she spent all bond money appropriately. County legislators had demanded the audit after reading a report in The Kansas City Star raising questions about how Shields' spending practices.

   Except one problem: Shields was provided a draft audit report for a response; the final report won't be ready until Monday. Legislative auditor Kelly Markham Stegall said Shields' response is changing her audit findings and her statement doesn't reflect "the entire breadth" of the findings.

  Jackson County Legislature Chairman Henry Rizzo erupted when he heard Shields had issued the news release vindicating herself before the final audit was given to county legislators.

  "She's a liar," he said. "This is typical Katheryn Shields' government."

   Rizzo then issued his own press release excoriating Shields for "falsehoods" and questioned her ethics.

   Shields says Stegall's findings were sufficiently complete for her to issue the statement. "Unless Kelly makes some major changes to the draft report to where the conclusions are the opposite of what they state now, which is unlikely, the statement would remain regardless of the time of release."

  Between the audit findings and incoming Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders' budget presentation, the county might want to consider selling tickets to Monday afternoon's special legislative meeting to help make up the deficit that Sanders is telling folks that Shields has created (she, of course, says the county's finances are in swell shape).

  Stay tuned to "As the Courthouse Turns."

Posted by DeAnn Smith            

NFL: We LUV NYC. KC? Er, not so much

    Visitors to the NFL.com web site will find a headline story about the news that NFL owners are "lending" [ clarified, thanks to jenniferm ] $300 million for a cutting edge $1.1 billion-plus stadium in New Jersey for the Giants and Jets. The article is filled with enthusiastic quotes from the team owners. But notice what isn't worth mentioning on the NFL web site?

   Well, the Chiefs also got NFL approval for a "loan" for the Arrowhead Stadium overhaul. The Chiefs' share of club-level seats shared with the league will count toward "repayment" of the $42.5 million loan.

  The 385-word AP article on the Giants-Jets deal includes a comment from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell proclaiming, "It's absolutely important to have a world-class facility in the No. 1 market for the NFL."

  The Arrowhead loan got 19 words in the AP story and no comments by Goodell or anyone else for that matter. Maybe that was an oversight by the AP. So The Kansas City Star yesterday asked NFL spokesman Greg Aiello for a comment on why the KC loan was important. We're still waiting for a response.

   Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields was available for a comment and she said via phone yesterday that, "It's exciting to hear that one more milestone in the renovation of Arrowhead has been completed."

  The Chiefs also didn't have a prepared statement or an executive ready to comment, but team executives are preoccupied with the health of an ailing team owner and founder Lamar Hunt. The silver lining from yesterday's league meeting in a Dallas suburb was that Chiefs executives and NFL owners could stop by the hospital to visit Hunt.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

JaCo prosecutor interview schedule set

    The committee picking Jackson County prosecutor candidates to recommend to incoming County Executive Mike Sanders (and outgoing prosecutor) has scheduled two days worth of interviews. About five to 10 finalists will be interviewed.

   The interviews will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 at the Mid-America Regional Council offices at 600 Broadway, Suite 300, according to a news release. For more information, including how to apply, go to MARC's web site.

Posted by DeAnn Smith 

A not-so-fuzzy-wuzzy moment

   Jackson County politicos and African-American political leaders are buzzing today about incoming County Executive Mike Sanders' efforts delaying (and maybe stopping?) the Kansas City chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from getting $60,000 for the area's most extensive Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Don't think the "R" card isn't being bandied about (after all during the August primary KC Urban League president Gwen Grant questioned Sanders' ties to "racially unenlightened" pols, which came e