Kansas City will soon have a new mayor. Mayor-elect Funkhouser, aka the Funkster, Lurch, the big lug (as his wife calls him). Hasn't even taken office yet and already he's made his first rookie mistake. The Funkster, who m.o.i. heartily supported in the campaign, tapped his close friend and confidante Ed Wolf to be his chief of staff. Problem. Mr. Wolf, who retired from Director of Public Works for the City 4 years ago ran straight away into one of KC archaic laws. Seems that you have to be retired for at least 5 years before working again for the city. Oops! It's ok to retire and be hired as a consultant. Many former employee immediately jump on the consultant gravy train within months of retirement, but to enter again into public service with the city, this will require a change in the city charter. Time for compromise as Mayor-elect Funkhouser insists that Ed is the man for the job. Wonder what the current mayor, and departing council (5 of whom got soundly trounced by the Funky grassroots campaign) will demand in return for this change to the charter. More tax breaks for the wealthy? Ah, the art of sucking up errr politics. Here's a photo of the neophyte taking a call during his election night acceptance speech flanked by his son and wife. I love the honesty of this guy.