Forced to choose between admitting the former or perpetrating the latter, most of us would like to think we would do the right thing. Yet, so few people are ever in this role that their goofs get amplified for all the world to see.

Let's examine the case of Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser. After winning an election where he championed a no-nonsense, accountable City Hall, better public services and a new policy on TIF grants, Funkhouser has accomplished very little, while alienating a large percent of his coworkers and constituents. Funkhouser is known for being stubborn, but to effectively manage a city the size of Kansas City, you have to be a little flexible.

A wise leader knows how to play to his audience. Why would the mayor not have security at an event downtown, but bring a squad to speak in the east side? After an election platform where Funkhouser promised to rid the city of corruption, why would he accept a free automobile from a Honda dealership? After promising open government, why would he systematically enrage almost every City Council member?

Sometimes though, you are just wrong and it is best to deal with it right away.

It all started when Funkhouser announced his appointments for the (until now) uncontroversial Parks and Recreation Board. His selection of Frances Semler for board member outraged civil rights groups, because she is a known member of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps,considered by many to be a radical-right or hate group. Semler offered Funkhouser her resignation as soon as the story broke, but he refused.

This is where the Mayor set the tone of his administration up front, and many were displeased. Rather than admit he didn't know there was this much animosity toward the group, or that he hadn't known Semler all that long, Funkhouser dug in and stuck by his choice.

No one would have thought less of Funkhouser if he had accepted Semler's resignation. Then maybe we could have moved on to deal with city business at hand.

Instead, Funkhouser has fueled a controversy that goes beyond Kansas City borders. The Minutemen are now planning to hold their first-ever national convention here in Kansas City. On the other side, the NAACP and La Raza, two civil rights organizations, have cancelled their planned Kansas City conventions. Yet the gain of one doesn't compare to the loss of the other two.

Economists estimate that our local economy stands to lose between $15-20 million. That's a lot of tourists not eating at our restaurants, staying at our hotels, and not having a positive experience with our city. Such losses ramify far beyond these two conventions.

Perhaps Funkhouser should remember key aspects of leadership: humility, service, and courage. So far he has failed at every major task put before him. He needs to go back to the drawing board and decide whether he prefers to be accomplished, or inflexible.

Tell us what you think. Write Spectrum at editor@mcckc.edu.

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