RAYTOWN REPORT

I took some time off last week to make my annual pilgrimage to Iowa to take part in RAGBRAI -- the annual bicycle trek that begins in on the shore of the Missouri River and ends on the banks of the mighty Mississippi five days later. Last year was my first trip to the annual event that has been going on since 1972. Like last year, this ride attracted approximately 25,000 riders. Towns and cities along the route throw open their doors of welcome as the party on wheels made its way across the state. I had anticipated another ride similar to last year's event. Hot weather in the mid-nineties and very little breeze to cool off the riders. But this year the weather gods were on the riders side. Clear blue skies with temperatures ranging from the mid-seventies to low eighties were common. Brochures touting the ride speak of towns that will never see a Walmart. The route that zigzagged across the state showed that statement to be true. Thursday's ride went through 67 miles of Amish...

Last Tuesday night’s Board of Aldermen meeting literally ended in display of fireworks. Ward 4 Alderman Pat Ertz brought forth a discussion item – the topic – the legalization of selling and shooting of fireworks in Raytown. The current ban on the sale and shooting of fireworks in Raytown dates back about 25 years. Recently, communities surrounding in the Raytown area have reversed the ban and have allowed the sale of fireworks. Most notable of these changes has been the recent legalization of sales shooting of fireworks in Lee’s Summit. Discussion on the matter was varied and somewhat explosive. Ward 5 Alderman Marilyn Fleming came down hard against the sale and legalization of fireworks. Other aldermen were more cautious in letting their position be known. Though it is quite clear that Mr. Ertz would support a change in the city’s code. It was also suggested that if the city does legalize the sale of fireworks that it open the sales to private businesses. In that way the city can ...

The next Raytown Board of Aldermen meeting, to be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2007, should be interesting. Consider the following: Next week the Board of Aldermen will probably vote on four ordinances that, if passed, will have a detrimental impact on property values. In so doing, it will also seriously hinder plans for the future economic growth of Raytown. In a time when the other communities in the K.C. metropolitan area are competing for more businesses, jobs and residents – Raytown is on the cusp of turning many away by: 1. Allowing dogs to be chained in front yards. 2. Allowing vehicles to be dismantled in residential neighborhoods. 3. Rescinding an ordinance that prohibits fences in front yards. 4. Allowing the breeding of animals in residential neighborhoods. A recent contributor to the Raytown Reporter who goes by the pen name of “Over Easy” wrote the following earlier this week. The letter speaks for itse...

TAX INCREASES ON THE HORIZON? A recent comment to the Raytown Report suggested Raytown School District is planning a very large property tax increase next April. If it is true, and word on the street is in the works, it may not be the only property tax increase Raytowners will be deciding next April. (see comment posted "Raytown Home Property Values Threatened" July 4, 2007 5:37 PM) At a recent meeting of the Raytown Municipal Committee City Administrator Michael Miller presented the five-member board with various plans to increase the number of streetlights in Raytown. At the end of the meeting the majority of the Committee sent a proposal for a property tax increase to the Board of Aldermen for consideration. Any increase in the city’s property tax or the school district’s property tax would require approval of the voters. MONEY FLOWS FOR TRIPS – NOT FOR LIGHTS At Tuesday night’s meeting the Board of Aldermen approved $4,700.00 in trips for three city officials. City...

It is an oddity of our times that people who bemoan the fact of undervalued homes in Raytown would bring legislation that will ultimately drive residential real estate values down even further. Consider the following story. Let’s pretend you are planning to buy a home in Raytown. You have studied MLS listings, visited open houses, talked to realtors, and, finally, after a couple of months of work, made a short list of three potential homes. All the houses are located in nice neighborhoods. You like the schools that serve the area and they are convenient to where you work. You decide to walk through each house one last time before making your decision. That’s when you start to make discoveries. HOUSE #1: You drive up to the house. You get out of your car – and – the neighbor's dog comes running to greet you. You start to get back in the car when you notice the dog comes to a very abrupt stop. You let out a sigh of relief. The dog is tethered. Not that you don’t like dogs. But tha...