New Recycling Center Hours Set
Heard on the Street by Greg Walters
O'Hara, Raytown South Post Season Hopes End in Semi-Final Round
New Recycling Center Hours Set
At its last meeting the Raytown Board of Aldermen set new operating hours for the Raytown Recycling Center. Those who wish to use the center should plan on dropping off their recyclables at the Raytown Public Works Garage located near Railroad Street and Raytown Road on the 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month. The Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The center will also begin accepting glass for recycling in the near future.
In a presentation to the Raytown Board of Alderman, the city’s Public Works Director, Andy Noll, explained that the center cost approximately $10,000 annually to operate. Most of that cost is paid out in over-time wages to Public Works employees who man the center twice each month. The change from four days to two days (by closing the center on Sundays) will effectively cut that cost in half.
It is understandable that City Hall will cut back expenses in financially tight times. But there are better ways to cut back the expense and still keep the center open four days a month.
Here is how . . .
City Hall uses full time public works employees to operate the center. This means the employees are being paid time and one half in overtime costs. Wouldn’t it make more sense to hire a part time person, preferably one who truly believes in recycling, to cut the costs?
The city could use the same plan to pay for its camera operators for official meetings of the City Council.
You guessed it. The camera person at city hall is also a full time city employee being paid time and one half to operate the camera.
It’s one thing to give lip service to cutting back when making the budget. But unless our representatives on the City Council follow through with real cost saving measures – such as hiring part time people to do tasks as described above, then it is only so much noise.
Speaking of Lip Service . . .
Ward 1 Alderman Joe Creamer deserves a “foot in mouth” award with this last move to save money at city hall.
Just one month ago, the Raytown School District and City Hall jointly raised property tax rates. Creamer made quite an issue of how he voted to raise those taxes so he “would not have to cut services”.
He got his way. Property taxes were raised to unprecedented highs for both the School District and City Hall.
Then he joined in the charge to cut the operating hours of the Recycling Center in half.
Way to go, Joe. Don’t expect any Christmas cards from us!
Heard on the Street . . .
City Hall sources say that there are three major retailers (restaurants?) who are taking a hard look at the “large green space” where the old First Baptist Church once stood. As we all know, talk is cheap. But some news is better than no news!
A regular reader pointed out to us that tow company has opened up shop in what was once Raytown Dodge. Not exactly the retail magnet city planners had in mind – but at least it is a business.
The Raytown Main Street Association Window Display Contest will end on November 30th. Entry forms can be found by visiting their website at http://www.raytownmainstreet.org/
Speaking of the contest – participants need to remember that to eligible to win the nearly $4,000 worth of merchandise in the contest they must be on hand when the winner is drawn. The Raytown Holiday Lighting Ceremony will take place on Friday, December 4, 2009 from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. at the Pocket Park located at 63rd Street and Raytown Road.
High School Sports
O’Hara, Raytown South Post Season Hopes End in Semi-Final Round
The Celtics and Cardinals both suffered a similar fate this past weekend. They were both defeated in the semi-final round of their respective football divisions.
Both teams had outstanding seasons. The players learned the value of perseverance, hard work and teamwork. The coaching staff of each school also deserves credit for taking the raw talent and molding them into a cohesive working unit.
O’Hara Celtics 7 / Cassville Wildcats to 23
By Brother Richard Geimer
For the first time in fourteen games, the O'Hara Celtic football team failed to score 20 points and at least three touchdowns as they lost 23-7 to the Cassville Wildcats on Saturday, November 21st.
Ending their season 12-2, the Celtics had outlasted 28 of the 32 teams that made postseason play in qualifying for the State's final four.
Entering the fourth quarter, O'Hara was down by only three points at 10-7, but Joseph Gouvion and Trevor Tanner scored on touchdown runs of 33 yards and 9 yards in the final quarter to seal the win.
At the start of the game the Wildcats scored first on a 21 yard run by Joseph Gouvion and Matt Angel kicked the extra point.
The Celtics came back with a breakaway run by Raphael Spencer for 31 yards and Julian Gidley kicked the extra point that tied up the game.
The score could have remained tied for half time, but an ill-advised O'Hara pass interception on a fourth down play gave the Celtics the ball on their own 8 yard line instead of the original line of scrimmage on the 27 yard line.
The Wildcats eventually profited from this gift because with just three seconds left to the half, they were close enough for Matt Angel to nail a field goal.
Neither team showed much spark in the third quarter as the game stayed close.
After the game was out of reach in the fourth quarter, the Celtics came alive starting from their own 24 yard line and got as close as the 11 yard line.
In this display of offensive comeback, T. J. White completed a 20 yard pass to Joe Melchior, ran for a 24 yard gain and a first down, and passed to Aaron Stubblefield for 15 yards.
Raytown South 6 / Fort Osage 13
Raytown South trailed Fort Osage by seven points with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter of their Missouri Class 5 semifinal game Friday. But with the clock dwindling and no timeouts, Cardinals quarterback Dennis Tanner was forced to try to make a play. So he threw a third-and-10 pass just inside Fort Osage territory as far as he could toward a player wearing the same color jersey.
Needless to say, nobody on Fort Osage’s sideline wanted to see the Cardinals get another shot at a first down. So when Hancock — who made the interception before slamming into fellow defensive back E.J. Gaines — rose from the ground with the ball in his outstretched palm, the party was definitely on.
Hancock’s interception sealed Fort Osage’s 13-6 victory and sent the Indians to the state championship game for the first time in school history, but it was just the last in a series of big plays made by the Indians’ defense.
That’s no hollow statement, either — the Indians’ defense set the tone early when Raytown South came up empty on two golden opportunities to score in the first quarter. After the Cardinals missed a 35-yard field goal at the start of the game, they advanced all the way to the Indians’ 20-yard line on their next possession before turning it over on downs.
Fort Osage’s offense quickly went to work, putting together an 11-play, 83-yard scoring drive capped with a 3-yard touchdown run by Gaines. Raytown South answered with a touchdown, but a 7-yard touchdown run by Fort Osage quarterback Edward Pearl gave the Indians a 13-6 lead heading into the break.
And the Indians’ defense made that lead stand in a hard-hitting second half in which neither team was able to do much with the ball. Raytown South, 10-4, had one final chance to tie the game when it got the ball back at its own 16 with roughly 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the game, but after the Cardinals managed to advance to the Indians’ 47, Hancock’s interception sealed the Indians’ win.
Reprinted from the Kansas Ctiy Star 11/20/09, by TEREZ A. PAYLOR
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
In This Week's Raytown Report . . .
O'Hara, Raytown South Move to Final Four!
Heard on the Street . . . by Greg Walters
63rd Street Bridge to be Closed
Raytown Main Street Contest Deadline Draws Near
Raytown Hires Economic Development Administrator
O'Hara, Raytown South Move to Final Four!
Raytown has been blessed with two area high school football teams, located within two miles of each other, that have distinguished themselves in the arena of high school sports. Archbishop O'Hara High School has already won one state championship in Women's Volleyball. Now, both the O'Hara Celtics and the Raytown South Cardinals Football teams have moved into the final four bracket of their respective divisions. Both are in the hunt to be called "state champions".
Next Friday, Raytown South will play Fort Osage in the state semi-finals. The game will be played on Friday, November 20th at 7:00 p.m. at Fort Osage.
O'Hara will travel Cassville, Missouri to play Cassville High School in its semi-final game next Saturday, November 21 at 1:30 p.m.
O'Hara Reaches Final Four
by Brother Richard Geimer
At one time in the close State 3-A quarterfinal game between the O'Hara Celtics and the Pleasant Hill Roosters, O'Hara led 35-7. But Pleasant Hill chipped away until eventually leading 49-42 with 2:72 remaining in the game. With 0:35 on the clock, the Celtics rallied to make the score 50-49, and their defense held on for the win.
So close was the contest that there were a number of parallels.
Both Raphael Spencer for O'Hara and Matt Hertzog for Pleasant Hill scored five touchdowns apiece. Joe Melchior and Jake Warren scored on pass plays for their respective teams.
Justin Starks returned a punt to offset a touchdown catch by Aaron Stubblefield. Raphael Spencer and Cody Todd ran in two-point conversions for their teams.
The difference ultimately was in the kicked extra points. Sophomore Julian Gidley won that battle succeeding with six while senior Jake Goosey missed one of his six attempts.
How They Scored . . .
At the beginning of the game, the Celtics scored on their third play of the game, a 65 yard TD run by Raphael Spencer [7-0].
On the Roosters' sixth play, Raphael Spencer picked up a loose fumble and returned for a 58 yard score [14-0].
In Six plays, the Roosters halved the score to 14-7 on Matt Hertzog's 11 yard run. On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Raphael Spencer broke free for a 72 yard TD run [21-7].
FOR THE REST OF THIS STORY CLICK ON THIS LINK: http://brrichard.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=50
Return of the Cardiac Cardinals
It appeared that the Nixa Eagles and Raytown South Cardinals were headed to overtime. But with seven seconds left, the improbable happened. Raytown South quarterback Dennis Tanner was flushed out of the pocket and in an attempt to get the ball off was hit by a Nixa defender.
The ball popped straight up in the air and came down to Cardinal running back Jerrick Walton, who headed for the left sideline and beat the Nixa defense to the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in a 21-15 victory.
It was Walton's third TD of the game, as Raytown South overcame a 15-7 deficit. Walton finished with 116 yards rushing and 40 yards receiving.
Nixa led the entire game until the six-minute mark of the fourth quarter, when the Cardinals tied it.
A Jarod Robillard 35-yard field goal and a Jordan Keeney 1-yard TD run gave Nixa an early 9-0 lead after the extra point was missed.
A late touchdown by Walton cut the lead to 9-7 at halftime. Ben Fisher hit Brandon Cobb for a 4-yard score in the third quarter to give Nixa a 15-7 lead after the two-point conversion was missed.
Keeney, who had been averaging 127 yards per game was held to 66 yards on 25 carries.
FOR MORE SPORTS INFORMATION ABOUT RAYTOWN SOUTH USE THIS LINK: http://school12220.ihigh.com/
O'Hara's Boehm is Athlete of the Week
With four All-State volleyball players from the Archbishop O'Hara High School 3-A State Champions to choose from, Michala Boehm was named ATHLETE OF THE WEEK by the Kansas City Star on November 13th.
Her 17 kills in the State final was a strong boost in influencing the panel as the Celtics defeated Villa Duchesne 25-16 & 25-13 for the State Title.
Boehm had 47 kills as a middle hitter in the games against the other teams that made the final four. Her "kill efficiency" was .482 for the weekend. Michala Boehm is a junior and was named First Team All State along with senior Katie Huber and juniors Lindsey Hanaway and Tory Hurtt.
Of the players mentioned, Hurtt lives in Raytown.
Heard on the Street . . .
Politics and regular news has taken a back seat to all of the sports activity in the Raytown area. However, the calm of the lake should not be mistaken as a lack of turbulance below the surface. If you pay close attention you can hear and see signs of activity.
63rd Street Bridge to be Closed for Construction
The Raytown 63rd Street Bridge will be closed beginning December 1st. The old bridge is to be demolished and a new structure put in its place. Demolition and construction is expected to last through the winter into late spring - depending upon weather conditions. Traffic will be detoured along 59th Street during construction.
Raytown Main Street Contest Deadline Draws Near
The deadline for entries to the Downtown Raytown Main Street Contest is November 30, 2009. One lucky winner can win over $4,000 worth of prize merchandise from local businesses by correctly guessing the value of merchandise on display at 9615 East 63rd Street.
For an entry form and a copy of the rules use this link: http://www.raytownmainstreet.org/
Heard on the Street . . . by Greg Walters
63rd Street Bridge to be Closed
Raytown Main Street Contest Deadline Draws Near
Raytown Hires Economic Development Administrator
O'Hara, Raytown South Move to Final Four!
Raytown has been blessed with two area high school football teams, located within two miles of each other, that have distinguished themselves in the arena of high school sports. Archbishop O'Hara High School has already won one state championship in Women's Volleyball. Now, both the O'Hara Celtics and the Raytown South Cardinals Football teams have moved into the final four bracket of their respective divisions. Both are in the hunt to be called "state champions".
Next Friday, Raytown South will play Fort Osage in the state semi-finals. The game will be played on Friday, November 20th at 7:00 p.m. at Fort Osage.
O'Hara will travel Cassville, Missouri to play Cassville High School in its semi-final game next Saturday, November 21 at 1:30 p.m.
O'Hara Reaches Final Four
by Brother Richard Geimer
At one time in the close State 3-A quarterfinal game between the O'Hara Celtics and the Pleasant Hill Roosters, O'Hara led 35-7. But Pleasant Hill chipped away until eventually leading 49-42 with 2:72 remaining in the game. With 0:35 on the clock, the Celtics rallied to make the score 50-49, and their defense held on for the win.
So close was the contest that there were a number of parallels.
Both Raphael Spencer for O'Hara and Matt Hertzog for Pleasant Hill scored five touchdowns apiece. Joe Melchior and Jake Warren scored on pass plays for their respective teams.
Justin Starks returned a punt to offset a touchdown catch by Aaron Stubblefield. Raphael Spencer and Cody Todd ran in two-point conversions for their teams.
The difference ultimately was in the kicked extra points. Sophomore Julian Gidley won that battle succeeding with six while senior Jake Goosey missed one of his six attempts.
How They Scored . . .
At the beginning of the game, the Celtics scored on their third play of the game, a 65 yard TD run by Raphael Spencer [7-0].
On the Roosters' sixth play, Raphael Spencer picked up a loose fumble and returned for a 58 yard score [14-0].
In Six plays, the Roosters halved the score to 14-7 on Matt Hertzog's 11 yard run. On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Raphael Spencer broke free for a 72 yard TD run [21-7].
FOR THE REST OF THIS STORY CLICK ON THIS LINK: http://brrichard.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=50
Return of the Cardiac Cardinals
It appeared that the Nixa Eagles and Raytown South Cardinals were headed to overtime. But with seven seconds left, the improbable happened. Raytown South quarterback Dennis Tanner was flushed out of the pocket and in an attempt to get the ball off was hit by a Nixa defender.
The ball popped straight up in the air and came down to Cardinal running back Jerrick Walton, who headed for the left sideline and beat the Nixa defense to the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in a 21-15 victory.
It was Walton's third TD of the game, as Raytown South overcame a 15-7 deficit. Walton finished with 116 yards rushing and 40 yards receiving.
Nixa led the entire game until the six-minute mark of the fourth quarter, when the Cardinals tied it.
A Jarod Robillard 35-yard field goal and a Jordan Keeney 1-yard TD run gave Nixa an early 9-0 lead after the extra point was missed.
A late touchdown by Walton cut the lead to 9-7 at halftime. Ben Fisher hit Brandon Cobb for a 4-yard score in the third quarter to give Nixa a 15-7 lead after the two-point conversion was missed.
Keeney, who had been averaging 127 yards per game was held to 66 yards on 25 carries.
FOR MORE SPORTS INFORMATION ABOUT RAYTOWN SOUTH USE THIS LINK: http://school12220.ihigh.com/
O'Hara's Boehm is Athlete of the Week
With four All-State volleyball players from the Archbishop O'Hara High School 3-A State Champions to choose from, Michala Boehm was named ATHLETE OF THE WEEK by the Kansas City Star on November 13th.
Her 17 kills in the State final was a strong boost in influencing the panel as the Celtics defeated Villa Duchesne 25-16 & 25-13 for the State Title.
Boehm had 47 kills as a middle hitter in the games against the other teams that made the final four. Her "kill efficiency" was .482 for the weekend. Michala Boehm is a junior and was named First Team All State along with senior Katie Huber and juniors Lindsey Hanaway and Tory Hurtt.
Of the players mentioned, Hurtt lives in Raytown.
Heard on the Street . . .
Politics and regular news has taken a back seat to all of the sports activity in the Raytown area. However, the calm of the lake should not be mistaken as a lack of turbulance below the surface. If you pay close attention you can hear and see signs of activity.
- Former Ward 2 Alderman John Wiley is said to be testing the waters for a possible run for mayor. Wiley chose not to run for a second term at the completion of his one term in office.
- Speaking of Mayoral aspirations . . . Mayor David Bower, who was rumored to have decided not to run when his term expired, has now told confidents that he will not run if a qualified candidate does not surface. Sounds like Wiley is not the only one testing the water!
- Driving by the Walmart Store located at the old Blue Ridge Mall site I noticed that a uniformed Kansas City police officer was on security duty outside of the store. It may be a sign of the times. Will Raytown's new Walmart have need of on-site security during the upcoming Christmas shopping season?
- A number of potential challengers are said to be queing up for a possible run at the Ward 1 seat held by Joe Creamer. One such candidate in waiting (who has asked for anonymity)sent us the following poem as it relates to Creamer.
As I was walking up the stairs,
I saw a man who was not there.
He was not there again today,
Oh, how I wish he'd go away!
63rd Street Bridge to be Closed for Construction
The Raytown 63rd Street Bridge will be closed beginning December 1st. The old bridge is to be demolished and a new structure put in its place. Demolition and construction is expected to last through the winter into late spring - depending upon weather conditions. Traffic will be detoured along 59th Street during construction.
Raytown Main Street Contest Deadline Draws Near
The deadline for entries to the Downtown Raytown Main Street Contest is November 30, 2009. One lucky winner can win over $4,000 worth of prize merchandise from local businesses by correctly guessing the value of merchandise on display at 9615 East 63rd Street.
For an entry form and a copy of the rules use this link: http://www.raytownmainstreet.org/
Raytown Hires Economic Development Adminstrator
The City of Raytown has hired Mr. Thomas Cole of Liberty, Missouri to the position of Economic Development Administrator. Mr. Cole will officially begin his administrative duties for Raytown on November 23, 2009.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
In This Week's Raytown Report . . .
Will the Real Joe Creamer Please Stand Up?
What Raytown Needs
O’Hara Women’s Volleyball Team Repeats as 3A State Champions
Raytown South and O'Hara Football Teams Advance in Post Season Play
Will the Real Joe Creamer Please Stand Up?
by Greg Walters
I received a call yesterday asking why the city’s recycling center has had its hours cut. To be honest, I have never heard a reasonable answer. I do know that when City Hall increased our property taxes this year Ward 1 Alderman Joe Creamer was quoted as saying that he voted for the tax increase so that services would not have to be cut. Two weeks later, Creamer voted to cut the hours of operation for the recycling center by half.
Go figure!
Unlike other city services, the Recycling Center actually produces income for the city. So, why did Creamer and his seatmates on the City Council vote to cut one of Raytown’s most successful operations?
A telephone call your area representative would appear to be in order.
What Raytown Needs
By Greg Walters
It is the nature of blogs to attract people who are generally dissatisfied with how things are running in this world. That is not a bad thing. By and large most who post on this page are genuinely interested in their home town and want things to go well.
With that in mind, here are my suggestions for making Raytown a more efficient and viable community. I urge my fellow readers to throw in with their suggestions. Who knows, maybe our city leaders will take note and do some proactive thinking to take care of some of Raytown’s needs.
MAYOR DAVID BOWER refuses to use the tools at his disposal to clean up Raytown. Instead he wants neighbors to tell each other how to maintain their properties. Hardly a proactive approach. Here is my suggestion. Mr. Mayor, get past the sloganeering and recognize that there are a lot of people who want their neighborhoods to look as nice yours. They need the city’s help to enforce the city’s codes. Put your code enforcement people to work on a proactive basis – not a complaint basis.
TURN OFF THE TIF MACHINE: The new Walmart Store that was supposed to lead an economic boom in Raytown is actually draining the city of needed tax dollars. This December over $800,000 of city money will be paid out to make up the shortfall of sales tax revenue that Walmart did not produce. The money will pay investors the interest owed on TIF bonds that built the project.
One business owner currently enjoying a free ride on property taxes in his downtown business also owns blighted property that is a health hazard in a residential neighborhood. The property, located at 79th and Spring Valley, is turned into a swamp every time it rains. Within days, the neighborhood is swarmed by mosquitoes.
It does not take a financial genius to see that what has been done is not working. In the case of the property on 79th Street – it is downright disgraceful.
THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN HAS GIVEN THE CITY OF RAYTOWN a reputation of being way behind the times in the eyes of the metropolitan area. A good compromise bill on smoking legislation that would have allowed people to smoke in social settings in public but still respect those who wanted to sit down to a meal in a smoke free environment was thrown aside.
City Hall, get your act together. The bill should have passed. It should not have taken a $5,000 study (yes, they did!) to come up with a solution that no one had the presence of mind to count the votes before calling the roll!
A PROMISE to move forward on waste management and curbside recycling has been broken by the current administration. Even worse, they have cut the number of days the highly successful recycling center is open to the public to only once a month.
Every community that has embraced solid waste management has saved money for the city and for homeowners and business owners by doing so. Check it out. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) has done the studies to prove the point. The blue print for a successful curbside recycling program is already in place. Copy it and use it.
EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD AT RAYTOWN has a buy-out clause in their contract. The buy-out clause guarantees six to 12 months (depending on the individual) a full salary and insurance benefits AFTER they leave City Hall. This insulates the bureaucracy at city hall from being responsive to elected official desires. I experienced this myself when a key member of city staff’s response to a request to move solid waste legislation forward was to throw a temper tantrum. Alderman Jim Aziere experienced the same stonewalling when his no smoking legislation was held back for nearly two years before it was considered. The same was true for fireworks legislation sponsored by Alderman Pat Ertz was put on hold for over nearly one year.
City leaders need to re-think the hiring practices at Raytown City Hall. Raytown is the only city in the metropolitan area run by a staff of non-residents. Residency requirements on new hires and a re-negotiation of contracts without buy out clauses would go a long way in fixing the problem.
So, what can be done?
In some instances, like Walmart, very little. The TIF agreement ties up Raytown for 23 years. The only hope to turn Walmart into a winner for Raytown is to pay down the debt as quickly as possible. At that point, the city will start to collect and keep the sales tax dollars. Even then, you are looking at a solution that will take up to at least 15 years.
In other instances – frankly speaking, there is a lot the city can do.
The first would be an attitude adjustment by our city leaders. As has been pointed out time and time again by contributors to this blog, code enforcement needs to be improved. Drop the excuses. Start thinking about solutions. Get serious about cleaning up the city. The people are crying for it. Surely our elected officials can hear them.
O’Hara Women’s Volleyball Team
Repeats as 3A State Champions
by Brother Richard Geimer
Once again the O'Hara High School Celtic volleyball team successfully defended its 3-A State Championship, and this year, with relative ease.
Villa Duchesne had to settle for second place after O'Hara posted 25-16 and 25-13 games on Saturday evening. Numerous kills by Michala Boehm and Tori Hurtt, spectacular digs by libero Katie Huber, and accurate settings by Lindsey Hanaway led the way with support from Jordyn Wyatt, Madison Clark, and Janell Jordan.
In the first game, the score was close until it reached 6-5 with neither team leading by more than a point. Then the Celtics pulled away and led by as much as nine at 21-12 and coasted to the win. In the second game, the Celtics jumped ahead 4-0 immediately and stretched the lead to ten midway through the contest.
The defending State Champs won all of their pool games on Friday, November 6th to face Villa Duchesne for the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP on Saturday. Villa Duchesne was the only team to score more than 16 points against the Celtics!
O'Hara's scores in the pool games were: O'Hara over Villa Duchesne 25-11 & 25-20; O'Hara over Logan-Rogersville 25-16 & 25-14; O'Hara over Notre Dame Cape Girardeau 25-11 & 25-14.
In the other pool games, Villa Duchesne won over Notre Dame 25-12 & 25-22. The other two games were splits: Villa Duchesne winning 25-16 and losing 19-25 to Logan-Rogersville AND Notre Dame winning 26-24 and losing 27-29 to Logan-Rogersville 27-29 in the closest contest on the evening and determined which team had the honor to face the Celtics for the Championship game.
O’Hara and Raytown South Football Teams
Advance in Post Season Play
RAYTOWN SOUTH 30 / LEE'S SUMMIT WEST 14
Raytown South beat the Titans on the strength of several big plays and a high-flying defense. The Cardinals defense harassed Lee's Summit West all evening, forcing four interceptions, taking away two fumbles and sacking West quarterback Zach Harris twice.
Cardinals linebacker Eric Brantley led a spirited group of defenders, recording a sack, forcing a fumble, recovering it and returning it 50 yards for a touchdown with 10:33 left in the fourth quarter. The highlight-reel play gave Raytown South a commanding 30-7 lead.
FOR THE REST OF THIS STORY CLICK ON THIS LINK http://www.ihigh.com/raytownsouth/article_15324.html
O’HARA 32 / CHILLICOTHE 29
O'Hara got by Chillicothe 32-29 in scoring five touchdowns and a two-point conversion.
The Celtic defense held the Hornets to two offensive touchdowns. However the game was close because Chillicothe scored a defensive TD, three field goals, converted two 2-point conversions and a kicked an extra point. But that wasn't quite enough.
The real excitement in the close game came at the very end. The Hornets were ahead 29-26; the Celtics had the ball on the 12 yard line needing 8 yards to accomplish a first down, and it was fourth down with 21 seconds left in the game!
FOR THE REST OF THIS STORY CLICK ON THIS LINK
http://brrichard.blogspot.com/2009/11/celtic-football-team-win-regional-game.html
What Raytown Needs
O’Hara Women’s Volleyball Team Repeats as 3A State Champions
Raytown South and O'Hara Football Teams Advance in Post Season Play
Will the Real Joe Creamer Please Stand Up?
by Greg Walters
I received a call yesterday asking why the city’s recycling center has had its hours cut. To be honest, I have never heard a reasonable answer. I do know that when City Hall increased our property taxes this year Ward 1 Alderman Joe Creamer was quoted as saying that he voted for the tax increase so that services would not have to be cut. Two weeks later, Creamer voted to cut the hours of operation for the recycling center by half.
Go figure!
Unlike other city services, the Recycling Center actually produces income for the city. So, why did Creamer and his seatmates on the City Council vote to cut one of Raytown’s most successful operations?
A telephone call your area representative would appear to be in order.
What Raytown Needs
By Greg Walters
It is the nature of blogs to attract people who are generally dissatisfied with how things are running in this world. That is not a bad thing. By and large most who post on this page are genuinely interested in their home town and want things to go well.
With that in mind, here are my suggestions for making Raytown a more efficient and viable community. I urge my fellow readers to throw in with their suggestions. Who knows, maybe our city leaders will take note and do some proactive thinking to take care of some of Raytown’s needs.
MAYOR DAVID BOWER refuses to use the tools at his disposal to clean up Raytown. Instead he wants neighbors to tell each other how to maintain their properties. Hardly a proactive approach. Here is my suggestion. Mr. Mayor, get past the sloganeering and recognize that there are a lot of people who want their neighborhoods to look as nice yours. They need the city’s help to enforce the city’s codes. Put your code enforcement people to work on a proactive basis – not a complaint basis.
TURN OFF THE TIF MACHINE: The new Walmart Store that was supposed to lead an economic boom in Raytown is actually draining the city of needed tax dollars. This December over $800,000 of city money will be paid out to make up the shortfall of sales tax revenue that Walmart did not produce. The money will pay investors the interest owed on TIF bonds that built the project.
One business owner currently enjoying a free ride on property taxes in his downtown business also owns blighted property that is a health hazard in a residential neighborhood. The property, located at 79th and Spring Valley, is turned into a swamp every time it rains. Within days, the neighborhood is swarmed by mosquitoes.
It does not take a financial genius to see that what has been done is not working. In the case of the property on 79th Street – it is downright disgraceful.
THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN HAS GIVEN THE CITY OF RAYTOWN a reputation of being way behind the times in the eyes of the metropolitan area. A good compromise bill on smoking legislation that would have allowed people to smoke in social settings in public but still respect those who wanted to sit down to a meal in a smoke free environment was thrown aside.
City Hall, get your act together. The bill should have passed. It should not have taken a $5,000 study (yes, they did!) to come up with a solution that no one had the presence of mind to count the votes before calling the roll!
A PROMISE to move forward on waste management and curbside recycling has been broken by the current administration. Even worse, they have cut the number of days the highly successful recycling center is open to the public to only once a month.
Every community that has embraced solid waste management has saved money for the city and for homeowners and business owners by doing so. Check it out. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) has done the studies to prove the point. The blue print for a successful curbside recycling program is already in place. Copy it and use it.
EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD AT RAYTOWN has a buy-out clause in their contract. The buy-out clause guarantees six to 12 months (depending on the individual) a full salary and insurance benefits AFTER they leave City Hall. This insulates the bureaucracy at city hall from being responsive to elected official desires. I experienced this myself when a key member of city staff’s response to a request to move solid waste legislation forward was to throw a temper tantrum. Alderman Jim Aziere experienced the same stonewalling when his no smoking legislation was held back for nearly two years before it was considered. The same was true for fireworks legislation sponsored by Alderman Pat Ertz was put on hold for over nearly one year.
City leaders need to re-think the hiring practices at Raytown City Hall. Raytown is the only city in the metropolitan area run by a staff of non-residents. Residency requirements on new hires and a re-negotiation of contracts without buy out clauses would go a long way in fixing the problem.
So, what can be done?
In some instances, like Walmart, very little. The TIF agreement ties up Raytown for 23 years. The only hope to turn Walmart into a winner for Raytown is to pay down the debt as quickly as possible. At that point, the city will start to collect and keep the sales tax dollars. Even then, you are looking at a solution that will take up to at least 15 years.
In other instances – frankly speaking, there is a lot the city can do.
The first would be an attitude adjustment by our city leaders. As has been pointed out time and time again by contributors to this blog, code enforcement needs to be improved. Drop the excuses. Start thinking about solutions. Get serious about cleaning up the city. The people are crying for it. Surely our elected officials can hear them.
O’Hara Women’s Volleyball Team
Repeats as 3A State Champions
by Brother Richard Geimer
Once again the O'Hara High School Celtic volleyball team successfully defended its 3-A State Championship, and this year, with relative ease.
Villa Duchesne had to settle for second place after O'Hara posted 25-16 and 25-13 games on Saturday evening. Numerous kills by Michala Boehm and Tori Hurtt, spectacular digs by libero Katie Huber, and accurate settings by Lindsey Hanaway led the way with support from Jordyn Wyatt, Madison Clark, and Janell Jordan.
In the first game, the score was close until it reached 6-5 with neither team leading by more than a point. Then the Celtics pulled away and led by as much as nine at 21-12 and coasted to the win. In the second game, the Celtics jumped ahead 4-0 immediately and stretched the lead to ten midway through the contest.
The defending State Champs won all of their pool games on Friday, November 6th to face Villa Duchesne for the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP on Saturday. Villa Duchesne was the only team to score more than 16 points against the Celtics!
O'Hara's scores in the pool games were: O'Hara over Villa Duchesne 25-11 & 25-20; O'Hara over Logan-Rogersville 25-16 & 25-14; O'Hara over Notre Dame Cape Girardeau 25-11 & 25-14.
In the other pool games, Villa Duchesne won over Notre Dame 25-12 & 25-22. The other two games were splits: Villa Duchesne winning 25-16 and losing 19-25 to Logan-Rogersville AND Notre Dame winning 26-24 and losing 27-29 to Logan-Rogersville 27-29 in the closest contest on the evening and determined which team had the honor to face the Celtics for the Championship game.
O’Hara and Raytown South Football Teams
Advance in Post Season Play
RAYTOWN SOUTH 30 / LEE'S SUMMIT WEST 14
Raytown South beat the Titans on the strength of several big plays and a high-flying defense. The Cardinals defense harassed Lee's Summit West all evening, forcing four interceptions, taking away two fumbles and sacking West quarterback Zach Harris twice.
Cardinals linebacker Eric Brantley led a spirited group of defenders, recording a sack, forcing a fumble, recovering it and returning it 50 yards for a touchdown with 10:33 left in the fourth quarter. The highlight-reel play gave Raytown South a commanding 30-7 lead.
FOR THE REST OF THIS STORY CLICK ON THIS LINK http://www.ihigh.com/raytownsouth/article_15324.html
O’HARA 32 / CHILLICOTHE 29
O'Hara got by Chillicothe 32-29 in scoring five touchdowns and a two-point conversion.
The Celtic defense held the Hornets to two offensive touchdowns. However the game was close because Chillicothe scored a defensive TD, three field goals, converted two 2-point conversions and a kicked an extra point. But that wasn't quite enough.
The real excitement in the close game came at the very end. The Hornets were ahead 29-26; the Celtics had the ball on the 12 yard line needing 8 yards to accomplish a first down, and it was fourth down with 21 seconds left in the game!
FOR THE REST OF THIS STORY CLICK ON THIS LINK
http://brrichard.blogspot.com/2009/11/celtic-football-team-win-regional-game.html
Sunday, November 1, 2009
In this week's Raytown Report . . .
Vote Yes on Combat Tax Renewal by Kristi Wyatt
Bare Curse Revisited by Greg Walters
Win the Window Display Contest
High School Sports
Vote Yes on Combat Tax Renewal
by Kristi Wyatt
You've probably seen the billboards and read news about the Nov. 3 election to renew the Jackson County anti-drug sales tax called COMBAT.
It's fair to ask: What does COMBAT do for your community?
Quite a bit, in the opinion of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Our board endorsed the quarter-cent sales tax in August. We think its benefits are many.
First, a little background. Voters first approved the COMBAT tax in 1989, renewing it in 1995 and 2003. It will be good for another seven years if passed on Nov. 3.
The tax pays for investigation of drug crimes and the prosecution and incarceration of offenders. Importantly, it also provides funds to 80 community and faith-based agencies to provide prevention, treatment and counseling services to those with drug problems.
Willing offenders go through this rehabilitation in an innovative Drug Court program. More than 1,600 people have graduated drug court, kicked the drug habit and gone into full-time jobs or school. Nearly 94 percent of graduates since 2001 have remained free of felony convictions.
This brings us back to the business community and your interests.
COMBAT helps keep the metropolitan area safe as it pays for 24 positions in the Kansas City Police Department alone. Officers have removed $250 million in drugs from the county since 2002.
Drug crimes are not confined to drugs. They are also a major factor in homicides, assaults, robberies, burglaries and other serious crime. Everything COMBAT does to keep drug dealers and addicts off the street has a compound impact In area communities.
The efforts of COMBAT-funded agencies to treat people with drug problems, whether involved in crime or not, contributes to a healthier workforce and a healthier environment in which to do business. These agencies would have to turn away many people if their COMBAT funds disappeared.
The Drug Court funded by COMBAT has become an international model. Every year people from around the world come to Kansas City to see how our court functions. Any positive attention from beyond our boundaries is good for the business climate here.
COMBAT also pays for Drug Abuse Resistance Education or D.A.R.E., which has brought officers to local elementary and middle schools to teach children about the dangers of drugs. So far, more than 200,000 kids have gone through the program.
Like any other enterprise, we'd expect COMBAT to be accountable for its revenue and spending. To that end, there is now a nine-member commission of legal, civic and law enforcement leaders that oversees COMBAT and approves all funding. The program is also subject to annual independent audits.
The quarter-cent sales tax only amounts to a penny for every four dollars in taxable purchase in Jackson County. But the tax goes a long way, raising about $20 million annually for the services I've mentioned. It needs our support on Nov. 3. Remember to vote YES on this important measure.
Kristi Wyatt is the Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Development for The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce since 1995. She oversees and directs public policy efforts, working with elected officials and Chamber members on priority issues such as energy/sustainability, life sciences, quality education, regionalcooperation and infrastructure. Previously she served as Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard Berkley of Kansas City from 1980 to 1991. She also served as Staff Assistant for U.S. Congressman Jerry Litton in Washington D.C.
The Bare Curse Re-Visited . . .
By Greg Walters
I remember it well. It was a balmy fall evening in the Fall of 2004. My long time friend and co-founder of the Raytown Report, Garth Bare, and I had been enjoying some adult beverages while watching the New York Yankees challenge the Boston Red Sox for the American League Championship. It was late in game six.
Suddenly Garth jump up from his easy chair, raised one trembling hand at the television and shouted, “I curse thee, I curse thee, I curse thee”. He turned an ashen shade of white, his eyes rolled back into their sockets and he collapsed back into his chair.
A few minutes later, he came around. His shirt was soaked sweat. He smiled and said, “the deed is done”.
I asked him what it all meant.
He explained that he was sick and tired of the New York Yankees buying pennant races year after year. "So," he said, "I cursed them”.
He told me had used the same type of curse Billy Sianis used against the Chicago Cubs in 1945. Sianis and his pet billy goat were thrown out of Wrigley Field even though Sianis had bought a ticket for the goat. Most readers will recognize the infamous “Goat Curse”.
Garth said the Curse was necessary to break another curse the that had kept the Boston Red Sox from winning the World Series since 1918.
“That”, he explained, “was why I had to intone the curse mantra three times.”
It made sense to me.
There was no doubt the Yankees had been buying pennant races ever since George Steinbrenner took over ownership of the team in 1973. And, the effectiveness of the curse on the Boston Red Sox was a historical fact, as was the Goat Curse against the Cubbies.
So we sat back to watch the rest of the game. Boston came back in the ninth inning and finally won the game in the 12th. They went on to win the World Series that year against the St. Louis Cardinals in four games.
The Boston curse had been broken. The Bare Curse had been established. The Yankees have not won a World Series since 2000.
Garth and I reminisced about the Bare curse while discussing the first game of this year’s World Series. For those not keeping up, Philadelphia won game one against the Yankees.
We are still avowed Yankee haters. And, though the Phillies had an impressive start, we both see that they could use some help. With that in mind, Garth has decided it is time to invoke the Bare Curse once more.
You just watch . . . the Phillies in Seven!
Bare Curse Revisited by Greg Walters
Win the Window Display Contest
High School Sports
Vote Yes on Combat Tax Renewal
by Kristi Wyatt
You've probably seen the billboards and read news about the Nov. 3 election to renew the Jackson County anti-drug sales tax called COMBAT.
It's fair to ask: What does COMBAT do for your community?
Quite a bit, in the opinion of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Our board endorsed the quarter-cent sales tax in August. We think its benefits are many.
First, a little background. Voters first approved the COMBAT tax in 1989, renewing it in 1995 and 2003. It will be good for another seven years if passed on Nov. 3.
The tax pays for investigation of drug crimes and the prosecution and incarceration of offenders. Importantly, it also provides funds to 80 community and faith-based agencies to provide prevention, treatment and counseling services to those with drug problems.
Willing offenders go through this rehabilitation in an innovative Drug Court program. More than 1,600 people have graduated drug court, kicked the drug habit and gone into full-time jobs or school. Nearly 94 percent of graduates since 2001 have remained free of felony convictions.
This brings us back to the business community and your interests.
COMBAT helps keep the metropolitan area safe as it pays for 24 positions in the Kansas City Police Department alone. Officers have removed $250 million in drugs from the county since 2002.
Drug crimes are not confined to drugs. They are also a major factor in homicides, assaults, robberies, burglaries and other serious crime. Everything COMBAT does to keep drug dealers and addicts off the street has a compound impact In area communities.
The efforts of COMBAT-funded agencies to treat people with drug problems, whether involved in crime or not, contributes to a healthier workforce and a healthier environment in which to do business. These agencies would have to turn away many people if their COMBAT funds disappeared.
The Drug Court funded by COMBAT has become an international model. Every year people from around the world come to Kansas City to see how our court functions. Any positive attention from beyond our boundaries is good for the business climate here.
COMBAT also pays for Drug Abuse Resistance Education or D.A.R.E., which has brought officers to local elementary and middle schools to teach children about the dangers of drugs. So far, more than 200,000 kids have gone through the program.
Like any other enterprise, we'd expect COMBAT to be accountable for its revenue and spending. To that end, there is now a nine-member commission of legal, civic and law enforcement leaders that oversees COMBAT and approves all funding. The program is also subject to annual independent audits.
The quarter-cent sales tax only amounts to a penny for every four dollars in taxable purchase in Jackson County. But the tax goes a long way, raising about $20 million annually for the services I've mentioned. It needs our support on Nov. 3. Remember to vote YES on this important measure.
Kristi Wyatt is the Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Development for The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce since 1995. She oversees and directs public policy efforts, working with elected officials and Chamber members on priority issues such as energy/sustainability, life sciences, quality education, regionalcooperation and infrastructure. Previously she served as Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard Berkley of Kansas City from 1980 to 1991. She also served as Staff Assistant for U.S. Congressman Jerry Litton in Washington D.C.
The Bare Curse Re-Visited . . .
By Greg Walters
I remember it well. It was a balmy fall evening in the Fall of 2004. My long time friend and co-founder of the Raytown Report, Garth Bare, and I had been enjoying some adult beverages while watching the New York Yankees challenge the Boston Red Sox for the American League Championship. It was late in game six.
Suddenly Garth jump up from his easy chair, raised one trembling hand at the television and shouted, “I curse thee, I curse thee, I curse thee”. He turned an ashen shade of white, his eyes rolled back into their sockets and he collapsed back into his chair.
A few minutes later, he came around. His shirt was soaked sweat. He smiled and said, “the deed is done”.
I asked him what it all meant.
He explained that he was sick and tired of the New York Yankees buying pennant races year after year. "So," he said, "I cursed them”.
He told me had used the same type of curse Billy Sianis used against the Chicago Cubs in 1945. Sianis and his pet billy goat were thrown out of Wrigley Field even though Sianis had bought a ticket for the goat. Most readers will recognize the infamous “Goat Curse”.
Garth said the Curse was necessary to break another curse the that had kept the Boston Red Sox from winning the World Series since 1918.
“That”, he explained, “was why I had to intone the curse mantra three times.”
It made sense to me.
There was no doubt the Yankees had been buying pennant races ever since George Steinbrenner took over ownership of the team in 1973. And, the effectiveness of the curse on the Boston Red Sox was a historical fact, as was the Goat Curse against the Cubbies.
So we sat back to watch the rest of the game. Boston came back in the ninth inning and finally won the game in the 12th. They went on to win the World Series that year against the St. Louis Cardinals in four games.
The Boston curse had been broken. The Bare Curse had been established. The Yankees have not won a World Series since 2000.
Garth and I reminisced about the Bare curse while discussing the first game of this year’s World Series. For those not keeping up, Philadelphia won game one against the Yankees.
We are still avowed Yankee haters. And, though the Phillies had an impressive start, we both see that they could use some help. With that in mind, Garth has decided it is time to invoke the Bare Curse once more.
You just watch . . . the Phillies in Seven!
Raytown Main Street Association
Sponsors
Win the Window Display Contest
The Raytown Main Street Association is sponsoring a "Win the Window Display Contest".
Contestants must fill in a minimum of 15 items on display in the window. Each item displayed in gthe window will have the name of the business and location where you will be able to find the exact item with the price.
Potential entrants can view the Awesome Window Detail located at 9615 East 63rd Street. The contest runs from November 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009. The winner of the contest will be drawn at the Pocket Park during the Raytown Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 4, 2009 which begins at 6:15 p.m. The winner must be present at the lighting ceremony to claim the prize.
For more information visit the Raytown Main Street Association website at: http://www.raytownmainstreet.org/ click on the "News" button and then on the "Raytown Events" drop down to view all the rules of the contest. Or, you can call 356-3208 for more information.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS . . .
O'Hara, Raytown South win District Championships
O'Hara 42 / St. Pius 3
by Brother Richard Geimer
Raphael Spencer, T. J. White, and Aaron Stubblefield each scored two touchdowns in the O’Hara Celtics 42-3 victory over the Saint Pius X Warriors on October 30th. The two teams were undefeated in the District showdown which was played at the Paul Monteil Field at O’Hara High School.
To provide an exciting start, Raphael Spencer took the opening kickoff on his 8 yard line and returned the ball all the way for the TD. Chuck Preston crashed in for the two-point conversion. Spencer scored his second touchdown on a 29 yard run just before halftime, and this TD was followed by another two-pointer on a pass play to Louis Golden.
T. J. White had two touchdown runs for his scores, a 33 yarder at the very tail end of the first quarter, and an impressive 50 yard run up the middle right after halftime. On White’s second touchdown, Raphael Spencer caught a pass for a two-point conversion.
Aaron Stubblefield caught two touchdown passes, one in the second quarter for 10 yards and the other in the third quarter covering 37 yards.
The Warriors’ only scoring was a 35 yard field goal by Michael Kaufman early in the game when the Celtics were up 8-0. The entire fourth quarter was played with a running clock when neither team added points to the total.
The win for O’Hara made them the hosts of the first round of post season games on Wednesday, November 4th against Chillicothe.
In their ten regular season games, the Celtics scored three or more TD’s in each game played. Only once were they held to less than 32 points, and in five of their games they scored more than 40 points. The Celtics were runners-up to Smith-Cotton in the West Central Conference, losing that game by eight points 28-20. However, they scored more points against the Sedalia team than the combined total scored by the other four teams of the Conference.
By scoring 392 points in their ten games and giving up 155, they average 39.2 points to their opponents’ 15.5 points.
As for O’Hara High School records, Raphael Spencer moved to 10th place in individual rushing yards for a season with a total of 915. Lamar Dawn ’93 holds the 9th place spot with 1,035 yards. Aaron Stubblefield advanced to 9th place in catches for a single season with 23, and only four players ahead of him have more total yardage. Stubblefield is in 5th place among the top ten receivers for a career with 41 receptions needing only three more to move into 3rd place. Already he is in second place for total reception yardage with 1,056 yards. Joe Pepple reached 1,259 yards last year to take the top position.
For more information on O'Hara sports visit http://brrichard.blogspot.com/?2072Nav=&NodeID=191
Raytown South 56 / Raytown 7
With a convincing win on Saturday over cross town rival Raytown the Raytown South Cardinals return to the state playoffs for the third consecutive year. The first round of the playoffs will have a rematch between Raytown South and Lee's Summit West. The Cardinals will have the home field advantage this time so lets pack the stands at Chitwood for iHigh Night. Come out and support Cardinals Football.
For more information on the Raytown South Cardinals visit their website at http://school12220.ihigh.com/
O'Hara District Champions in Volleyball
O'Hara topped Pembroke Hill in two games for the 3-A District 14 Championship played at Center High School.
The scores were 25-12 and 25-4.
They go on to meet Holden who were victorious over Pleasant The Archbishop O'Hara High School Celtics volleyball team will join Villa Duchesne, Logan-Rogersville, and Cape Girardeau-Notre Dame for the November 6th State semifinals to defend their State Championship of last year.
The Celtics had an easy first round against Holden winning 25-10 and 25-16.
In the quarterfinals, they encountered a determined Saint Pius X team who took the first game with a close 25-23 score. The Celtics stepped up on the next two games winning both by 25-12 scores.
Both Logan-Rogersville and Cape Girardeau-Notre Dame had tough quarterfinal games to make the final four. Logan-Rogersville made it with scores of 21-25, 28-26, and finally 25-23 playing Republic High. Cape Girardeau-Notre Dame was 25-19, 17-25, and 25-23 with Rosati-Kain as their opponent. Villa Duchesne had the easiest route with 25-19 and 25-20 scores eliminating Francis Borgia.
Huber and Wyatt to Play in MO/KAN All Star Volleyball Game
Selected among the top twelve seniors in volleyball from Missouri,
O'Hara's Katie Huber and Jordyn Wyatt were selected to play in the
November 15th MO/KAN All-Star Game at 5:30 at Avila College.
Both were named to their All-District First Team.
Also:
From O'Hara, four players were named to the First Team All-Region.
They were Katie Huber, Lindsey Hanaway, Michala Boehm, and Tori Hurtt.
This makes them eligible for All-State honors.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Broken Promise
by Greg Walters
Regular readers will remember a story we ran last Spring about Frank Potter and his neighbors on 84th Street in Raytown. Their back yards and adjoining woods were the site of a sanitary sewer renovation project built by the city in their neighborhood. The result of the new sewer construction is most accurately described by the term “scorched earth”.
Potter was told by representatives from City Hall that upon completion of the project the property would be returned to its original condition.
Trees were cut down and ground into mulch which was then spread over the construction area. The work crews then took pulverized rock mined from under four lanes of Raytown Road and graded it over the mulch. What was once an idyllic wooded glen is now a wasteland of rock and mulch.Potter contacted the Department of Natural Resources and was told the city did not have a current Land Disturbance Permit for the project as required by state law. The DNR visited the site and informed city hall of the violation. Potter received phone calls from his Aldermen and Interim Public Works Director Jason Hanson promising to seed the area this fall.
Fall has arrived. The city has done NOTHING.
We visited with Mr. Potter over the weekend. He told us that he has given up on City Hall keeping its promise. He is extremely disappointed in his elected representatives, public works officials and in particular, Mayor Bower.
There is a lesson learned from Mr. Potter’s experience for all Raytowners. When the city wants to use your property, you would be well advised to be compensated before the first shovel full of earth is turned. Otherwise you may end up as the Potters did on 84th Street.
As for our elected officials . . . they need to remember their role as stewards of the city includes a responsibility to protect and ensure that abuse such as the Potters have experienced should not be tolerated in Raytown.
Has Anyone Noticed?
While driving by the construction at Raytown Road and Gregory Boulevard I had a feeling that something was wrong with the picture. So, I pulled over and studied the site. Then it occurred to me. The ugly utility poles and the spider nests of wires are still in place. Yet concrete sidewalks and curbs are near completion.
Apparently the city does not intend to bury the lines as was originally discussed when plans were being drawn for the new intersection.
Guess that’s part of the price you pay when you hand over $800,000.00 of the taxpayer’s money to pay off debt created by the new shopping district on 350 Highway. Walmart did not open in time to create tax revenue to satisfy interest payments due bondholders of the project. The TIF Agreement signed by the City of Raytown requires the city to make up any shortfall of tax revenue from the project.
By the way, if you go by the new Walmart, you will find ALL of the utilities on their property are buried.
Other Cities Seek Solutions . . .
There were some interesting stories in the Kansas City Star this weekend. One had to do with a nuisance problem common to all cities – barking dogs.
The City of Prairie Village, Kansas has adopted a policy of impounding dogs that bark continuously during the night time hours. Captain Tim Schwartzkopf told the Star, “. . . when dogs bark nonstop at night, that’s when it becomes a nuisance.”
The city’s policy is to contact pet owners and ask them to take the animals inside during the evening hours. If the resident does not cooperate, the dog will be seized and placed in an animal shelter.
That is innovative governing. Most impressive is that it seeks solutions rather than excuses . . . it is a model that should be followed in Raytown.
A Kansas City, Kansas police union has voted to forgo a pay increase to help ease a budget crunch in Wyandotte County’s Unified Government.
According to the story, the possibility of layoffs and further pay cuts was a major factor in the decision. The Unified Government has already placed a two year pay freeze and pay cut through the use of furlough days for some city employees.
Last year the Raytown Board of Aldermen approved five percent pay increases for all city employees. This year the Board increased salaries by two percent.
High School Football Standings
Regular readers will remember a story we ran last Spring about Frank Potter and his neighbors on 84th Street in Raytown. Their back yards and adjoining woods were the site of a sanitary sewer renovation project built by the city in their neighborhood. The result of the new sewer construction is most accurately described by the term “scorched earth”.
Potter was told by representatives from City Hall that upon completion of the project the property would be returned to its original condition.
Trees were cut down and ground into mulch which was then spread over the construction area. The work crews then took pulverized rock mined from under four lanes of Raytown Road and graded it over the mulch. What was once an idyllic wooded glen is now a wasteland of rock and mulch.Potter contacted the Department of Natural Resources and was told the city did not have a current Land Disturbance Permit for the project as required by state law. The DNR visited the site and informed city hall of the violation. Potter received phone calls from his Aldermen and Interim Public Works Director Jason Hanson promising to seed the area this fall.
Fall has arrived. The city has done NOTHING.
We visited with Mr. Potter over the weekend. He told us that he has given up on City Hall keeping its promise. He is extremely disappointed in his elected representatives, public works officials and in particular, Mayor Bower.
There is a lesson learned from Mr. Potter’s experience for all Raytowners. When the city wants to use your property, you would be well advised to be compensated before the first shovel full of earth is turned. Otherwise you may end up as the Potters did on 84th Street.
As for our elected officials . . . they need to remember their role as stewards of the city includes a responsibility to protect and ensure that abuse such as the Potters have experienced should not be tolerated in Raytown.
Has Anyone Noticed?
While driving by the construction at Raytown Road and Gregory Boulevard I had a feeling that something was wrong with the picture. So, I pulled over and studied the site. Then it occurred to me. The ugly utility poles and the spider nests of wires are still in place. Yet concrete sidewalks and curbs are near completion.
Apparently the city does not intend to bury the lines as was originally discussed when plans were being drawn for the new intersection.
Guess that’s part of the price you pay when you hand over $800,000.00 of the taxpayer’s money to pay off debt created by the new shopping district on 350 Highway. Walmart did not open in time to create tax revenue to satisfy interest payments due bondholders of the project. The TIF Agreement signed by the City of Raytown requires the city to make up any shortfall of tax revenue from the project.
By the way, if you go by the new Walmart, you will find ALL of the utilities on their property are buried.
Other Cities Seek Solutions . . .
There were some interesting stories in the Kansas City Star this weekend. One had to do with a nuisance problem common to all cities – barking dogs.
The City of Prairie Village, Kansas has adopted a policy of impounding dogs that bark continuously during the night time hours. Captain Tim Schwartzkopf told the Star, “. . . when dogs bark nonstop at night, that’s when it becomes a nuisance.”
The city’s policy is to contact pet owners and ask them to take the animals inside during the evening hours. If the resident does not cooperate, the dog will be seized and placed in an animal shelter.
That is innovative governing. Most impressive is that it seeks solutions rather than excuses . . . it is a model that should be followed in Raytown.
A Kansas City, Kansas police union has voted to forgo a pay increase to help ease a budget crunch in Wyandotte County’s Unified Government.
According to the story, the possibility of layoffs and further pay cuts was a major factor in the decision. The Unified Government has already placed a two year pay freeze and pay cut through the use of furlough days for some city employees.
Last year the Raytown Board of Aldermen approved five percent pay increases for all city employees. This year the Board increased salaries by two percent.
High School Football Standings
O'Hara High School.....................8 wins / 1 loss
Raytown High School...................3 wins / 6 losses
Raytown South High School............6 wins / 3 losses
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:
O’Hara 35 / Pembroke Hill 13
by Brother Richard Geimer
After a sluggish three quarters with the O'Hara Celtics owning a 14-0 lead over the Pembroke Raiders, the scoring picked up for a final score of 35-13.
Both teams had to adjust to a slippery field and neither could put any points on scoreboard in the first quarter. The Raiders reached the 12 yard line before Andre Jordan intercepted a Jacob Gerson pass.
The second quarter also had a slow pace until a poor Raider punt gave the Celtics the ball on the 44 yard line. The Celtics were on the move with a 10 yard run by Raphael Spencer and two T. J. pass plays for 20 yards to Joe Melchior and 16 yards to Louis Golden. Melchoir scored just before halftime on a 5 yard pass play. T. J. White ran the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead at the half.
In the middle of the third quarter, T. J. White was able to complete a 36 yard touchdown pass to Louis Golden, but his two-point attempted pass to Joe Melchoir, although complete, did not cross the goal line. O'Hara was up 14-0 entering the final quarter.
O'Hara scored three of the five fourth quarter touchdowns. Their first score of the quarter was set up by a 45 yard pass to Louis Golden and a 20 yard run by Raphael Spencer. The TD was scored on a quarterback keeper by T. J. White. The Celtics' other two TD's were on long runs: a 65 yarder by Raphael Spencer and a 61 yard run by T. J. White.
The Raiders scored the other two touchdowns. The first was on a fourth down with 25 yards to go for a first down. Jacob Gerson passed to Jak Kittoe in the endzone covering 36 yards. The second was scored with just three seconds remaining in the game, a 4 yard run by Jacob Gerson.
Julian Gidley kicked two of O'Hara's extra points and Nathan Wagner kicked the lone Raider extra point.
After a sluggish three quarters with the O'Hara Celtics owning a 14-0 lead over the Pembroke Raiders, the scoring picked up for a final score of 35-13.
Both teams had to adjust to a slippery field and neither could put any points on scoreboard in the first quarter. The Raiders reached the 12 yard line before Andre Jordan intercepted a Jacob Gerson pass.
The second quarter also had a slow pace until a poor Raider punt gave the Celtics the ball on the 44 yard line. The Celtics were on the move with a 10 yard run by Raphael Spencer and two T. J. pass plays for 20 yards to Joe Melchior and 16 yards to Louis Golden. Melchoir scored just before halftime on a 5 yard pass play. T. J. White ran the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead at the half.
In the middle of the third quarter, T. J. White was able to complete a 36 yard touchdown pass to Louis Golden, but his two-point attempted pass to Joe Melchoir, although complete, did not cross the goal line. O'Hara was up 14-0 entering the final quarter.
O'Hara scored three of the five fourth quarter touchdowns. Their first score of the quarter was set up by a 45 yard pass to Louis Golden and a 20 yard run by Raphael Spencer. The TD was scored on a quarterback keeper by T. J. White. The Celtics' other two TD's were on long runs: a 65 yarder by Raphael Spencer and a 61 yard run by T. J. White.
The Raiders scored the other two touchdowns. The first was on a fourth down with 25 yards to go for a first down. Jacob Gerson passed to Jak Kittoe in the endzone covering 36 yards. The second was scored with just three seconds remaining in the game, a 4 yard run by Jacob Gerson.
Julian Gidley kicked two of O'Hara's extra points and Nathan Wagner kicked the lone Raider extra point.
Celtics Head for District Championship
Bringing their season record to 8-1, the O'Hara Celtics football team headed into the District Championship game with the Saint Pius X Warriors on Friday at O'Hara. Both teams are 2-0 in District play.
For more information please go to http://brrichard.blogspot.com/2009/10/celtics-beat-raiders-35-13-head-for.html
Raytown South 42 / Northeast 0
Cardinals Head to State Playoffs
With yesterdays convincing win over the Northeast Vikings the Cardinals have put themselves in position to enter the state playoffs for the third year in a row. The district championship will take place next Saturday at Chittwood Stadium when the Raytown South Cardinals are the visiting team in a game against the Raytown Bluejays. Please come out and support the Cardinals as they attempt to extend their winning streak over the Jays.
For more information on the Raytown South Cardinals visit their website at http://school12220.ihigh.com/
Raytown 20 / Truman 16
NO REPORT
South JV Gets Rolling Again
The South JV squad moved to 6-2 last night with a convincing victory over Truman. After a slow start, Marc Alan Tucker caused and recovered a fumble on a punt by Ishmail Wainright. A few plays later, Tucker dove in for a 1 yard touchdown score. The Cardinal offense was rolling on the ground after that. Tucker led the rushing attack, but big runs were added by Justin Turner, Mustafa Rose, Marcus Moye and Delvon Rouser.
South JV Gets Rolling Again
The South JV squad moved to 6-2 last night with a convincing victory over Truman. After a slow start, Marc Alan Tucker caused and recovered a fumble on a punt by Ishmail Wainright. A few plays later, Tucker dove in for a 1 yard touchdown score. The Cardinal offense was rolling on the ground after that. Tucker led the rushing attack, but big runs were added by Justin Turner, Mustafa Rose, Marcus Moye and Delvon Rouser.
After Truman scored on their first drive, the defense became very tough, keeping Truman contained for the remainder of the game. Big plays by the front seven of the Cardinals kept the Truman offense stifled all night long.
The Cardinals will finish their season at home next Tuesday, 10/27, at 5 PM against KC Northeast. Please come out and support your Cardinals one more time.
O'Hara Girls Post Win in Cross Country
In the Saint Mary's Fall Classic Cross Country Run held at William Jewell on October 24, the O'Hara Celtics girls squad won the championship. The team had 36 points, easily ahead of the next two teams of Saint Mary's (62 points) and Odessa (66 points).
Leading the Celtics was Claire Becker who was the first runner across the finish line with a time of 23:56!
The other four contributing to the victory were 4th place Amy Gaston (25:47), 7th place Katelyn Gutteridge (26:28), 11th place Allison Seck (28:00), and 13th place Mackenzie Shelton (28:47).
In the boys race, the Celtics took fourth place as a team with 162 points. Lowell Thomas was 11th and Chris Wesche finished 20th. Collin McKinney, James Keeney, Andy Meyer, and Ronald Clark also ran for O'Hara.
The ten schools invited to the meet were Saint Mary's, O'Hara, Odessa, Lone Jack, Drexel, Lee's Summit Community Christian, Barstow, Sherwood, and Princeton.
Not all of the schools had complete squads for team scoring.
O'Hara Girls Post Win in Cross Country
In the Saint Mary's Fall Classic Cross Country Run held at William Jewell on October 24, the O'Hara Celtics girls squad won the championship. The team had 36 points, easily ahead of the next two teams of Saint Mary's (62 points) and Odessa (66 points).
Leading the Celtics was Claire Becker who was the first runner across the finish line with a time of 23:56!
The other four contributing to the victory were 4th place Amy Gaston (25:47), 7th place Katelyn Gutteridge (26:28), 11th place Allison Seck (28:00), and 13th place Mackenzie Shelton (28:47).
In the boys race, the Celtics took fourth place as a team with 162 points. Lowell Thomas was 11th and Chris Wesche finished 20th. Collin McKinney, James Keeney, Andy Meyer, and Ronald Clark also ran for O'Hara.
The ten schools invited to the meet were Saint Mary's, O'Hara, Odessa, Lone Jack, Drexel, Lee's Summit Community Christian, Barstow, Sherwood, and Princeton.
Not all of the schools had complete squads for team scoring.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Busy Intersections are No Place for Chilren
RAYTOWN COMMUNITY PLANNING PRIORITIES
Next Tuesday, October 27th, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Raytown City Hall (10000 East 59th Street) the Raytown Board of Aldermen is conducting a public hearing to review and provide input on the draft City of Raytown Community Planning Priorities Study. A draft copy of the study can be obtained on the city's website at http://www.raytown.mo.us/ or by contacting Mr. John Benson, Senior Planner for the City of Raytown at 737-6075.
This is the Raytown community's opportunity to provide feedback on development and reinvestment priorities for the future. The meeting time is not very convenient for most working individuals, but it is chance for the public to be heard.
Busy Intersections Are No Place for Children
by Greg Walters
Raytown has a unique soliciting ordinance that requires individuals begging for change on street corners to obtain a license to do so. The license does not cost anything. The law also requires that those soliciting on street corners wear reflective vests as a matter of safety.
As I drove up Raytown Road on Saturday I saw a couple adults (wearing safety vests) and about a dozen children at the intersection of Gregory Boulevard and 350 Highway. The children were walking out into the traffic asking for change for a basketball team. None of them were wearing safety vests.
If an entire vehicle can be lost in the notorious “blind spot” we have all experienced then it stands to reason that a child is at greater risk of being hit by a vehicle.
The police should be aware of the safety vest requirement. And, it should be strictly enforced.
The Board of Aldermen should take the ordinance one step further. A busy traffic intersection is no place for children to be milling about between cars. It is a safety issue the Board of Aldermen should look into.
High School Football Standings
O'Hara High School.....................7 wins / 1 loss
Raytown High School...................2 wins / 6 losses
Raytown South High School............5 wins / 3 losses
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
O’Hara 55 / Lincoln Prep 0
by Brother Richard Geimer
On October 16th, the O'Hara Celtics won their first District game defeating the Lincoln Prep Tigers 55-0.
It was O'Hara's Homecoming Game.
Scoring 21 first quarter points, the Celtics had two TD runs by T. J. White for 11 and 30 yards along with a 2 yard scamper by Terrell Johnson. Julian Gidley kicked an extra point while Keon Young and Tyler Houser combined for a safety tackling the Lincoln quarterback in the end zone.
Four additional touchdowns were scored by the Celtics in the second quarter.
Terrell Johnson scored on a 7 yard run, Chuck Preston scored from two yards out, Joe Melchior caught a one yard pass from T. J. White, and Raphael Spencer had a TD run for 6 yards.
At halftime the Homecoming queen and king were announced: Katie Huber and Travis Peter.
Alumni from O'Hara's State Championship team thirty years ago were honored and a special award was made for Mary Jo Post Sandburg '71 for achievements made over the years.
With the running clock, the Celtics managed one more second half touchdown: Terrell Johnson scored on a 14 yard run in the third quarter.
Raytown South 33 / Truman 21
By Kevin Easley
The breaks that went against the Patriots in the first half typically came on special teams. The Cardinals jumped out to a 14-0 lead before either team had picked up a first down. Ray-South senior Phillip Kind returned a punt 53-yards for a touchdown and senior Eric Brantley later returned a blocked punt for another score. "The margin of victory was special teams," Truman coach Craig Lewis said. "If we could have just taken care of business there it wouldn't have been quite as bad I'm sure."
But after a slow start the Patriots would battle back to cut the Cardinals' lead to six after junior wide receiver Adam Farrell caught a 52-yard pass from sophomore David Franklin late in the fourth quarter. With 2:16 remaining the Patriots found themselves lining up for an onside kick that could have given them the ball back with a chance for a dramatic victory. But Ray-South senior Darrien Bruster recovered the kick and moments later senior Alex Sanders scored on a 52-yard touchdown reception from senior quarterback Dennis Tanner. Tanner finished the game with 213 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns while wearing the No. 19 instead of his usual No. 10 in honor of his teammate Courtney Green. Green, a senior receiver, underwent knee surgery on Friday and will miss the remainder of the season.
GO TO "SPECIAL TEAMS PROVE TO BE THE DIFFERENCE" by KEVIN EASLEY at http://school12220.ihigh.com/
Raytown 34 / Northeast 12
NO REPORT
Raytown South Freshman Football Update
Last Week...The Freshman football team hosted the Bluejays from Raytown and ended up in a tie, 8-8, after overtime. The Cardinals had too many turnovers on offense, but the defense gave up only two points on a conversion after a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Last night...The Cardinal freshman football squad hosted Lee's Summit West last night suffering their first loss of the season, 8-0. The team will travel to Ruskin next Wednesday for their last contest of the season. Their record stands at 5-1-1.
O’Hara 10 / Ruskin 0 in Soccer
Led by Jerry Rellihan's three goals and Kyle Quirk's shutout, the O'Hara soccer team won a 10-0 game with Ruskin on October 16th. It was the Celtics' 5th win in 15 games. Kevin Hogan, Matt Shelton, and Taylor Mathews each had two goals, and Julian Gidley got one.
O’Hara Girls Volleyball Ranked #1
On October 13th, the Missouri Volleyball Coaches Association State Class 3 Ranking has the Archbishop O'Hara High School Celtics RANKED # 1. O'Hara's win-loss record is 15-4. Ranked #2 is De Soto with an unblemished 24-0 season. O'Hara is the defending State Champions. Ranked #3 and #4 are Saint Francis Borgia and Notre Dame Cape Girardeau.
Five O’Hara Softball Players Named to All West Central Conference
Five softball players from Archbishop O'Hara High School were named to the All West Central Conference Team. The three that made the First Team were infielder Andi Davis, outfielder
Kellie Bachkora, and utility player Ashley Clark. Making the Second Team were pitcher Allison Clark and outfielder Brittany Gallatin.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Potemkin Village . . .
by Greg Walters
. . . a pretentiously showy or imposing façade intended to mask or divert attention from an embarrassing or shabby fact or condition.
Potemkin villages were purportedly fake settlements erected at the direction of Russian minister Grigory Potyomkin to fool Empress Catherine II on tours along the Volga River where she witnessed a happy and thriving bourgeoisie living in clean and prosperous villages. But this was all a show to cover disease, poverty, and misery that lay just behind the facade that had been erected for her benefit.
This is the origin of the phrase Potemkin Village, a place where a politically generated appearance covers a less impressive underside.
The term came to mind as I drove past the Raytown Road/Gregory Boulevard construction site of Raytown’s newest “Gateway Intersection”. Just south of that construction site is another at 350 Highway and Raytown Road where a new traffic island is slowly taking shape.
No doubt the new intersection will be impressive. But does it hide a secret found on neighborhood streets off the main roads of Raytown. Drive through Southbrooke, Southwood or any number of local neighborhoods. More than likely you will be in for a bumpy ride with views of eroded curbs, crumbling intersections and freshly filled potholes on what should be pristine neighborhoods streets.
Streets that our local leaders promised would be maintained regularly if the voters approved a Transportation Tax just a few years ago.
I remember a City Council meeting not so long ago when the Public Works Director reported that a number of streets in Raytown were rated as “failed”.
Of course they are! That is what happens to streets when you do not maintain them.
The new intersection will look nice. Many out-of-towners will drive through Raytown and take note of how Raytown is moving forward.
However, just as in Czarist Russia in the 19th Century, they will not see the lack of maintenance or the broken promise of regularly maintained streets just a few blocks from where the new obelisks will stand at Gregory and Raytown Road.
Are the improvements at the intersection a bad thing? Certainly not.
The mistake being made by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen is in breaking their promise to the voters for regular maintenance of residential streets as well.
Empress Catherine II had Potemkin. He built false villages to impress her. In Raytown we have city leaders who, like Catherine’s minister, have placed style over substance.
Sanders to Address RDA
County Executive Mike Sanders will be the featured guest at the monthy Raytown Democratic Association meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Las Chili’s Restaurant located at 6210 Raytown Trafficway. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. Guests are urged to come early at 6:00 p.m. to socialize before the meeting.
Pancake Fundraiser
The RDA is having its annual pancake fundraiser Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 7:30 am - 10:00 am at Applebee's located at 9330 E 350 Highway. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $6.00 per person.
Meeting Notice Space Available
The Raytown Report will make available space for local organization meeting notices. Send your notice to gregtwalters@sbcglobal.net
We will post the meeting notice on our next regular publication date (Monday morning).
The best part? The service is free!
High School Football Standings
O'Hara High School.....................6 wins / 1 loss
Raytown High School...................1 win / 6 losses
Raytown South High School............4 wins / 3 losses
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
O’Hara 32 / Center 0
Raphael Spencer scored four touchdowns for O'Hara and T. J. White returned an interception for a TD as the Celtics shutout the Center Yellowjackets 32-0 on October 9. Julian Gidley kicked O'Hara's two first quarter extra points, but those were the only extra points scored in the game.
At the very beginning of the game, O'Hara was unable to sustain a drive and punted. Center, after four short gains, lost the ball on a fumble on their own 26 yard line. Raphael Spencer ran the ball in with just one play.
On Center's third play in the next series, T. J. White intercepted and returned the ball to the end zone with a 42 yard return. The Celtics moved the ball within the 20 yard line with their next possession, but gave up the ball on downs.
The Yellowjackets took the ball from deep in their own territory to midfield when Ted Dujakovich recovered a fumble for the Celtics. It took O'Hara ten plays to gain their third touchdown; Raphael Spencer carried the ball for the final three yards in the drive.
In the third quarter following a Yellowjacket punt, the Celtics took over on their 26 yard line. They mounted a nine-play drive ending with a 4 yard run by Raphael Spencer, boosting the score to 26-0. As the third quarter came to a close, the Yellowjackets gambled on a fourth
down fake punt, but gave the ball over to the Celtics. Three plays later, T. J. White completed a 32 yard TD pass to Raphael Spencer.
Center's last drive to get on the scoreboard was halted by an interception by Jimmy Clark.
Raytown South 47 / Belton 21
Darrien Bruster scored three touchdowns and Eric Brantley added two to lead the Cardinals (4-3, 2-2) to a Suburban Middle Six win at Belton (2-5, 2-2). Bruster caught 40-, 47- and 5-yard scoring passes from Dennis Tanner and Eric Brantley scored on 8- and 3-yard runs.
Tanner tallied a score on a 2-yard run. Marc-Allen Tucker made the other South score on a 1-yard burst.
"We did a good job of getting the ball to our receivers," South coach David Allie said. "Our defense played well. Hopefully, this win will help us with momentum going into district.
"Our players did a good job of focusing in practice this week and we had a good way of practice."
Raytown 0 / Fort Osage 49
NO REPORT
. . . a pretentiously showy or imposing façade intended to mask or divert attention from an embarrassing or shabby fact or condition.
Potemkin villages were purportedly fake settlements erected at the direction of Russian minister Grigory Potyomkin to fool Empress Catherine II on tours along the Volga River where she witnessed a happy and thriving bourgeoisie living in clean and prosperous villages. But this was all a show to cover disease, poverty, and misery that lay just behind the facade that had been erected for her benefit.
This is the origin of the phrase Potemkin Village, a place where a politically generated appearance covers a less impressive underside.
The term came to mind as I drove past the Raytown Road/Gregory Boulevard construction site of Raytown’s newest “Gateway Intersection”. Just south of that construction site is another at 350 Highway and Raytown Road where a new traffic island is slowly taking shape.
No doubt the new intersection will be impressive. But does it hide a secret found on neighborhood streets off the main roads of Raytown. Drive through Southbrooke, Southwood or any number of local neighborhoods. More than likely you will be in for a bumpy ride with views of eroded curbs, crumbling intersections and freshly filled potholes on what should be pristine neighborhoods streets.
Streets that our local leaders promised would be maintained regularly if the voters approved a Transportation Tax just a few years ago.
I remember a City Council meeting not so long ago when the Public Works Director reported that a number of streets in Raytown were rated as “failed”.
Of course they are! That is what happens to streets when you do not maintain them.
The new intersection will look nice. Many out-of-towners will drive through Raytown and take note of how Raytown is moving forward.
However, just as in Czarist Russia in the 19th Century, they will not see the lack of maintenance or the broken promise of regularly maintained streets just a few blocks from where the new obelisks will stand at Gregory and Raytown Road.
Are the improvements at the intersection a bad thing? Certainly not.
The mistake being made by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen is in breaking their promise to the voters for regular maintenance of residential streets as well.
Empress Catherine II had Potemkin. He built false villages to impress her. In Raytown we have city leaders who, like Catherine’s minister, have placed style over substance.
Sanders to Address RDA
County Executive Mike Sanders will be the featured guest at the monthy Raytown Democratic Association meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Las Chili’s Restaurant located at 6210 Raytown Trafficway. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. Guests are urged to come early at 6:00 p.m. to socialize before the meeting.
Pancake Fundraiser
The RDA is having its annual pancake fundraiser Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 7:30 am - 10:00 am at Applebee's located at 9330 E 350 Highway. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $6.00 per person.
Meeting Notice Space Available
The Raytown Report will make available space for local organization meeting notices. Send your notice to gregtwalters@sbcglobal.net
We will post the meeting notice on our next regular publication date (Monday morning).
The best part? The service is free!
High School Football Standings
O'Hara High School.....................6 wins / 1 loss
Raytown High School...................1 win / 6 losses
Raytown South High School............4 wins / 3 losses
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
O’Hara 32 / Center 0
Raphael Spencer scored four touchdowns for O'Hara and T. J. White returned an interception for a TD as the Celtics shutout the Center Yellowjackets 32-0 on October 9. Julian Gidley kicked O'Hara's two first quarter extra points, but those were the only extra points scored in the game.
At the very beginning of the game, O'Hara was unable to sustain a drive and punted. Center, after four short gains, lost the ball on a fumble on their own 26 yard line. Raphael Spencer ran the ball in with just one play.
On Center's third play in the next series, T. J. White intercepted and returned the ball to the end zone with a 42 yard return. The Celtics moved the ball within the 20 yard line with their next possession, but gave up the ball on downs.
The Yellowjackets took the ball from deep in their own territory to midfield when Ted Dujakovich recovered a fumble for the Celtics. It took O'Hara ten plays to gain their third touchdown; Raphael Spencer carried the ball for the final three yards in the drive.
In the third quarter following a Yellowjacket punt, the Celtics took over on their 26 yard line. They mounted a nine-play drive ending with a 4 yard run by Raphael Spencer, boosting the score to 26-0. As the third quarter came to a close, the Yellowjackets gambled on a fourth
down fake punt, but gave the ball over to the Celtics. Three plays later, T. J. White completed a 32 yard TD pass to Raphael Spencer.
Center's last drive to get on the scoreboard was halted by an interception by Jimmy Clark.
Raytown South 47 / Belton 21
Darrien Bruster scored three touchdowns and Eric Brantley added two to lead the Cardinals (4-3, 2-2) to a Suburban Middle Six win at Belton (2-5, 2-2). Bruster caught 40-, 47- and 5-yard scoring passes from Dennis Tanner and Eric Brantley scored on 8- and 3-yard runs.
Tanner tallied a score on a 2-yard run. Marc-Allen Tucker made the other South score on a 1-yard burst.
"We did a good job of getting the ball to our receivers," South coach David Allie said. "Our defense played well. Hopefully, this win will help us with momentum going into district.
"Our players did a good job of focusing in practice this week and we had a good way of practice."
Raytown 0 / Fort Osage 49
NO REPORT
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