My column on today’s Opinion pages notes how Wichita Mayor Carlos Mayans’ bad-mouthing and unsubstantiated allegations have cost him the trust and confidence of most of the City Council and many in the business community. Be sure to watch the accompanying video excerpts from The Eagle editorial board’s interview last month with Mayans. He accuses council members and the city manager of trading votes and city staff of being out to get him.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
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35 Comments
I just read EAGLE opinion editor, Phillip Brownlee’s early Sunday morning musings on the Wichita EAGLE’s editorial page.
1) Sorry Phillip, local politics is not meant to be clean and categorized IF THE PUBLIC’S INTEREST is to be protected.
2) Carlos Mayans represents a hairline crack in the Wichita city hall fortress which EXCLUDES CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS from participation and right to know on decision-making.
3) Obviously the Wichita EAGLE’s opinion staff considers itself part of city hall’s “good old boy network” (GOBN).
4) Phillip Brownlee’s editorial page article this morning appears to be his opening cannon shot over the bow of the approaching April city elections.
As a believer in experience in politics when all other factors are equal, I think the best approach to the coming mayor’s race is:
1) Re-elect Mayor Carlos Mayans to the office of Mayor of Wichita.
2) This will retain Councilman Carl Brewer in his current city council position.
This would continue the valuable experience of both these fine gentlemen on the Wichita city council.
I know a lot of people including me hoped an experienced motivated LONE RANGER would charge into Wichita to bring powerful new leadership … but that didn’t happen in 2007.
I did want a candidate who isn’t already part of the problem. I’m sorely disappointed that our only choice is satuts quo. Each man has ONE vote today and both are inept (at best) at seeing beyond what might get them reelected. Brewer is pretending his ONE vote might mean more if “Mayor” is in front of his name.
That said, I have decided the way to get rid of one of them is to vote in Brewer as mayor and then another election cycle can eliminate the second proven part of the existing problems.
Takes longer but is the road to better.
Mayans is his own worst enemy. To my view- from a distance I admit- Mayans appears to be a capable administrator and good with city funds but he spoils all of it by being terrible at politics. He doesn’t seem to ever say the right things to anybody. My advice to him would be to shut up or at least choose your words wisely and do the job.
Mayans did “bad mouth” them, but they deserve it… Our current form of City Manager Government needs to be repealed with more power given to ELECTED officials.
lindainks: You are correct about the power of the mayor and city councilmen in Wichita. Under Wichita’s outdated, outmoded “strong” city manager plan, the mayor and city council are basically equal and subservient to the city manager.
The mayor does receive a little more pay because of additional responsibilities such as presiding over council meetings and welcoming out of town groups to the city.
But the mayor has no power to hire anyone, not even a secretary or assistant. The mayor and city council people each have one equal vote on city business. Their answer to all questions asked of them, large and small, must be: “Ask the city manager.”
Its the mayor and city council who office near the back (outside) door of city hall’s first floor. Its the city manager who has the beautiful view from the entire top penthouse floor of city hall.
Obviously, the city manager does not talk to ordinary citizens. With the new security system, its difficult for common citizens to even get into the building. So, under this system, voters have minimal access to effectively lobby for their ideas.
City council does have the power by majority vote to fire the city manager … but that level of anger hasn’t surfaced SO FAR.
AS IN ANY ORGANIZATION, TWO MAIN CURRENTS exist: 1) the organizational structure and 2) the people involved directly and indirectly in the organization. Obviously, its better to have a good organization and good people. But sometimes one element must carry the other on its back.
In Wichita, I believe the structure of our City Government must be examined and compared to successful municipalities with an eye towards making adjustments to let the voices of the citizens penetrate the walls of the current city hall fortress.
A strong attitude is developing in Wichita to abandon the city manager plan altogether in favor of a strong mayor plan. I don’t favor that but would like to see a middle ground reached.
Tony: I didn’t see your comments before I posted mine. Agreed. You said in one paragraph that which took me ten paragraphs!
Brownlee was dead-on with his remarks. Kudos Phil.
The rest of you aren’t happy with anything and won’t be even if the form of government changes. Strong Mayor or strong manager makes no difference. The council-manager form of government is probably the most widely used across the nation.
Let’s elect the Mayor and put him in charge. Let the GOBN that funds the election put him in place. Yeah the Mayor WILL BE responsive then. Geesh.
What else would you expect from a Democrat whose years of training was to badmouth people and smile at the Public. Maybe we need Hillary to come to Wichita and put on her best Kansas accent for a kumbaya speech. She and Mayans can later meet up to badmouth people.
Yep, definitely a trait characteristic of Democrats.
Wait…they’re not bad mouthing, they are just articulate.
Never mind, can’t use that word anymore.
That’d be interesting to see Mayans and Hillary together; considering he is a right-wing Republican.
Would be a perfect fit Ralph. Sorry, I was delusional after reading the Captain America thread. I was trying to stick a Bush and Cheney did it in the Wichita Mayor’s race, but couldn’t manage to do it. So I use Hillary, the champion of sincere speech.
Repub, I think you are confused, Mayans is a Republican.
Also I was shocked when I watched his comments. While he may have all these conspiracy theories in his head, they should not come out of his mouth if he has nothing to back it up.
He states he is disappointed in Cathy Holdman. It turns out it is for things he says he assumes she said to Mr Kolb due to how Mr. Kolb’s interacts with him.
As I said the other day, you think he would have more sense than to antagonize the people he needs to get his agenda passed.
I was being sarcastic. (rolls eyes)
Wink, YOU GO BOY!!!!!!
Keep posting Jerry. The peanut gallery will tire soon.
You know if coultergeist is calling you names, you are on the right track!
Local politics in doodah…
Yawn.
Stupid troll can’t even spell. “Walla”, Sheesh. Spend your many idle hours with a dictionary instead of porn magazines and pork rinds, miscreant.
OMG, now THAT is funny. I see the trolls are out again in full force.
Heheheheheheheheh. Like Patrick Swayze said, “my fans, they are devoted, arent they?”
hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee
Who said here that it is only the left side of the blog that gets trolled? So much for the integrity of the right!
Nice job of diverting the thread though. Seems to be a pattern of THAT too lately.
Which one of mayan’s supporters might want this thread derailed?
How is that funny? The irony of it? The lack of spell check?
Now Ann Coulter — that’s funny@@@
Calling JWink or anyone else a fag just shows ones stupidity! What the hell does that have to do with this post? I know Jerry and he never calls names or attacks anyone – on this blog or elsewhere. Whoever wrote that should grow up!I disagree with almost 100% of what farmgirl has to say most of the time, but again, I ask what does her preference have to do with anything here? I would remind all that this blog is public and that means anyone can and does read it. This includes children – my 12 and 10 year old children read it. Think about that the next time you name call or use abusive words. Make your point and state your case, but act like an adult and good citizen when doing it.Jerry & Farmgirl, keep up the good work, I always enjoy what you add to the conversation.
Hey cool, 3 readers.
If you “disagree with almost 100% of what farmgirl has to say most of the time”, you probably think much the same of me and that’s fine. But as a reader, I have a question of you and your kids.
When we get a troller like that, how do you think we should handle it? Some say ignore. “Don’t feed the trolls.” I used the troll’s poor vocabulary to call it out and take a shot back at it. Trolls are easy to make fun of because they are generally stupid.
How would you readers like to see us deal with such folk?
J R
To get this thread back on the right track, the video clips are illuminating to say the least. Mayans reptutation in Topeka was no different than that as Mayor. The difference is that he was 1 of 125 state reps and the leadership for the state is the governor. Here he is the figurative leader of the community. His divisive style was easily lost in the statehouse, but here is much more open.
I think that his whining about the votes is pathetic. Whaaaaaaaaaah! Has he already forgetten his bullying tactics as committe chair in Topeka? Apparently.
Not a consensus builder. Not a leader. And not right for Wichita.
It appears to me that Carlos needs to use the fine City of Wichita medical insurance and see a psychiatrist NOW! How do you spell paranoid? MAYANS. I’m sure, though, that there are medications that can help.
Mr. Brownlee,
Would you care to discuss ISSUES that Mayans has addressed in office? Rather than joining in on the drama in City Hall? It appears that the Eagle enjoys and contributes to the chaos rather than reporting the truth and only the truth. Mr. Brownlee, if you ever get bored in Wichita, I’m sure the tabloids would love to hire you. Sensationalist journalism isn’t classy.
The Wichita Eagle has gone to court over the Kansas Open Meetings Act.The Eagle wants the Act enforced against its oponents, but the Eagle laughs when the Eagles opponents bring up the Open Meetings Act.
Carlos is frustrated. He’s human, no matter how hard politicians these days try not to be. The culture of exclusion and elitism is alive and well on the 13th floor, and Brewer will do nothing about it. Until Rebenstorf, Holderman and the other enforcers are gone, Real Wichitans have no say in city government.Linda, if Brewer gets in, I fear it will only be worse. At least now, we have two people who represent us on the City Council.
Paul, ease back from the keyboard. Take a deep breath. Keep in mind that the whole world is not out to get the Republicans. It is only a nightmare in your own mind.
There is not a VAST LEFT WING CONSPIRACY.
Repeat that mantra until you feel better.
Hey Phillip,
Maybe you should put the entire video on instead of just your hand-picked excerpts. Some of us would like to see your questions as well so we could see your tone.
R O’D – GOOD POINT!
I have known carlos for several years – he is a bit “hot-blooded” – so what?
I hate minorities. They are scum on “my” planet. As soon as I get my new storm trooper boots, I plan on getting rid of every one of them.
Since J R doesn’t seem to be around I want everyone to know the post at 8:44 WAS NOT MADE BY HIM.
Thanks Linda!
I’ll remember that.
Yup at 8:44 I was watching “An Inconvenient Truth” and was not anywhere near this blog.
I guess the early morning troll didn’t like my spelling lesson?
It’s too bad no readers weighed in on how to deal with these trolls. SO I will do what I always do.Let me finish it since the troll likely did not follow my advice and spent the day with kiddie porn and pork rinds.
Voilla not “walla” moron.
And of all the posts since, he only attacked ME. TRULY an honor.
It means I hurt his little troll feelings.: )~
Sounds like someone is trying to create controversy where none exists by playing on the penchant of some for conspiracy. Mayans hasn’t really “done” anything in office other than stir the pot and appear at photo ops. He’s a sad little man who sees the writing on the wall. And by the way, I know this will be interpreted as “racist” but I don’t really care. How long have you been here, Carlos? Lose the accent.
Maybe Carlos will unleash his invective on Brewer in the coming weeks. Could be interesting.
It’s not so much his accent that has me so worked up, it’s his lack of decorum and civility I deplore! Carlos has been in Kansas politics far too long to wage the kind of personal and sensless attacks against Brewer. He knows he has nothing to support his allegations yet he goes off on these long-winded diatribes about how GREAT he is! Hell, Carlos! It takes all who are on the council including the mayor to make this city go! You, sir have a case of “Look-At-Me!” fever. And it’s in full outbreak mode!!!
Gotta say this OMR – this is getting fun!