KC Buzz Blog

A rose by any other name...

   A big event like the State of the City address apparently calls for a big flower. A big winter white silk flower.

    Mayor Kay Barnes pulled out of her closet a white pantsuit with gold buttons for Thursday's State of the City. And perched on her left shoulder was an enormous silk flower. For even a woman known for her flower decorations this was huge. Like can't stop staring at it huge. But per usual, Barnes pulled it off.

       Also striking was which council members intently listened to Barnes' 45-minute address (Becky Nace, Chuck Eddy) and which ones briefly chatted to a nearby colleague (Troy Nash, Saundra McFadden-Weaver, Terry Riley, Alvin Brooks, Bonnie Sue Cooper and Bill Skaggs) and which ones had their attention diverted (Deb Hermann seemingly spent half the time examining her fingernails, Jim Glover gazed around the chamber regularly and City Manager Wayne Cauthen even caught up on some paperwork). Guess neither the speech nor the flower was totally riveting to some....here's hoping next year Barnes tosses in some quips and one liners for her last State of the City to keep everyone hanging onto her every word.

To see the flower, check out Dave Helling's video. 

Posted by DeAnn Smith at 3:35 p.m.

Term limits or not, Barnes is done

   The Kansas City Council is still debating as I type what to take to voters about term limits, but Mayor Kay Barnes was adamant after her State of the City speech about her future. No Hillary Clinton or John McCain dance for her.

    "Even if a third term were an option, I have no plans to run for re-election," she said. She said her position is clear and absolute.

    Besides focusing on her last 11 months as mayor, Barnes is already entertaining offers for her future. She said she wants to teach at the university level, give speeches and serve on some corporations' board of directors (which could net her $$$).

Barnes said she's talked to specific schools and heard from some corporations, but declined to tip her hand.

   Returning to the Council Chambers, more soon.

Posted by DeAnn Smith at 3:30 p.m.

Wow! Are we good or what?

   Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes delivered her "State of the City Address" today. City Hall has just put up the text.

Posted by Keith Chrostowski 2:50 p.m.