Sunday, November 2, 2008

City Administrator Contract Flawed

This Wednesday evening the Raytown Board of Aldermen will consider adoption of a contract with interim City Administrator Mahesh Sharma. The contract will install Sharma as the permanent City Administrator. Highlights of the contract include: SALARY AND BENEFITS: $99,857 annual salary. Automobile allowance of $400 monthly ($4,800 annually), health insurance as provided for all other city employees, and an annual contribution equivalent to 5% of the City Administrator’s base salary towards a pension fund (approximately $5,000 annually). WAIVER OF RESIDENCY: City ordinances require that the City Administrator live within the city limits. The contract waives that requirement for Sharma for a three year period. At the end of the period, the city MAY (emphasis added) require Sharma to move to Raytown. At that point, he has 12 months to make the relocation. Costs involved in the move are to be paid by the City of Raytown. RETRO-ACTIVE PAY: The contract sets the term of Sharma’s service to begin with a salary of $99,857 retroactively set back to when he took the position of “interim” City Administrator on January 18, 2008. WAIVER OF TERM OF SERVICE FOR VACATION TIME: As a new city employee Sharma would be eligible for two weeks of paid vacation at the beginning of his term of employment. The contract calls for Sharma to begin his term of service with credit for five years of service to the city. This allows him to take four weeks of paid vacation instead of two. He would receive all other benefits for holidays and sick time enjoyed by all city employees. City employees receive 10 holidays a year and 12 days a year for sick leave. ONE YEAR’S SALARY UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT: Provided that the city releases Sharma from his contract without cause, he will be entitled to one year’s worth of salary upon termination. CELL PHONE AND LAPTOP COMPUTER: Unlimited cell phone and the use of a laptop computer are also included in the package. As the interim City Administrator, Mahesh Sharma has done an acceptable job of managing the day to day operation of city hall. He has instituted some changes in city policy (i.e., street lights in the budget, re-establishing a street improvement program) that are laudable and worthy of mention. He has also taken steps – whether you agree with them or not – setting goals to complete projects that were begun by the previous administration but never finished. There are still problems at City Hall that need fixing – and often times, the wait for those changes have been agonizingly slow. This year’s city budget, which was Sharma’s first budget for the city, left way too many unanswered questions as to future planned expenditures. (see last week's column for more details) Furthermore, there are concerns among many of the Board of Aldermen regarding personnel issues that have yet to be resolved. There is little doubt that the contract will win approval by the majority of the votes on the Board of Aldermen. But the removal of the residency requirement, the one year “golden parachute”, the retroactive pay, and not requiring terms of services for vacation time, are way over the top for a city in Raytown’s precarious economic condition. I support hiring Mr. Sharma for the position. But this contract is not in the best interest of the taxpayers in Raytown. There will at least one vote calling for a better deal for Raytown.

55 comments:

Anonymous said...

So what idiot negotiated this boondoogle?

Andy Whiteman said...

I support the hiring of Mahesh Sharma as CA. He is qualified, sets and achieves goals, gets along well with people, and is a good communicator.

He should have received the CA pay from the moment he took over as Interim CA so retroactive pay is reasonable. Actually it should be with interest!

As for vacation time, he should receive vacation time relative to the years he has actually worked for the city.

Cell and laptop (I assume wirless laptop) use should be restricted to use for city businesss ONLY.

As for relocation, he should be required to live in Raytown with relocation at he at his own expense with a reasonable time (1 year to complete the move and progress of the relocation monitered to make sure it is on going). If Mahesh really wants this job and plans to stay in it, he will make the effort and expense to move.

As for the $100K no cause termination, big business generally makes this related to salary and years of service. Maybe $25,000 is reasonable.

Actually I have said that this job is an unneeded waste of money. This is a good time NOT to fill the job (which I have already expressed) but if it must be filled, I support Mahesh as a high quality administrator. I am sure he will be a vast improvement to the tie wearing chair warmers we have had in the 8 years I have lived here.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

My dealing with Mr. Sharma has been exceptional. He is an honest person with high morals and ethics. Raytown should be proud to have him.

Anonymous said...

It's no wonder the city doesn't have any money for basic city services when we pay these "chair warmers" these outrageous salaries. I've never met this man but in these hard economic times he should feel lucky to have a job. And by not moving to Raytown he will not have the same interests that a Raytown resident does. Yes, folks just keep giving these idiots more of you tax dollars so they can waste them on HIGH PAID, WORTHLESS, CITY EMPLOYEES.

Anonymous said...

MAYOR BOWER AND HIS CRONIES ON THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN SHOULD BE IMPEACHED for wasting our tax dollars in this manner.

Andy Whiteman said...

ANON 9:29 PM, Sorry but Raytown is a 4th Class city and I was told that we have no recall rights. That was the reason for attempting to write a charter for this city a couple of years ago.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Impeachment is different than recall. Impeachment is allowed in a 4th class city.

Andy Whiteman said...

Can you prove legal grounds for impeachement other than you and others feel tax money is being wasted. A lot more than opinion will be required. Courts don't accept opinion. They require facts!

I don't agree with many goings on, but that is my opinion and will not stand up in court.

Anon 9:29, frequently I am the only one to speak to the board. If you feel this strongly, please appear at the meeting 11/5 7PM and state your facts or opinion, but you will not be anonymous. I think you should be heard.

Andy Whiteman

Pat Casady said...

Rules? We don't need no stinking rules!
At least that's how City Hall sees themselves.

The rule, all city department heads will live in Raytown.
Seven department heads are appointed and I believe two are
elected. Out of the seven appointed department heads only
one lives in Raytown.
It's no wonder people don't trust City Hall and our elected officials.
They follow the, do as we say not as we do, form of government.
If a rule gets in the way.....amend it to fit their needs.

Anonymous said...

It apears that our fine Police Dept. has done it again. Because of their lack of response to a parents call their son spent 24 hours trapped in his car with several broken bones and is now in a coma and they said he would not have made it if he had not been found when he was. The parents had to call KC's Police Dept. to get help in locating their son and it wasn't hard. Once again our crack Police Dept. have let their residents down. Who ever took that call for help or who ever made the decision not to help those parents should be fired now. There can be no excuse for this in our city.

The person who is ultimately responsible is our police cheif. Isn't it time to vote him OUT too? I believe that it is next April when he runs again. How much more is this city suppose to take between the BOA and the Police Dept?????

Andy Whiteman said...

I saw the news story on TV that 11:15PM refers to but I saw it Sunday night. The report stated this was a Raytown kid, but I didn't hear the location of the incident. Also, it was so foggy, the location cound not be seen. Either you saw a different report or the fog lifted when the accident was discovered.

I question where was the accident? If someone reports an accident with injuries, a full response is required. A missing person is a different matter. Most jurisdictions have a waiting period such as 24 or more hours before a person is considered missing.

Before blame is accessed, knowledge of the standard operating procedures and an investigation is needed.

Andy

Pat Casady said...

Sorry, I know I said I would try not to mention Wal-Mart again but
this I just can't keep quiet about.
I heard from a very reliable source yesterday that the only thing
Wal-Mart will be paying for on the 350why. deal is there inventory
and employees. Who is footing the bill for everything else? Construction,
excavation, planning and even the building? You guessed it. Our elected
officials gave them everything. Raytown will be paying for this for a long,
long time.
So, if some of you out there are still thinking our elected officials are doing a
great job, please take off the blinders and vote these people out next election.
April can't come soon enough but, we need good, intelligent, common sense
thinking people. New people that will look out for Raytown, and it's people and
not give away the farm.
Please help us find people that are interested in changing the direction
Raytown is headed.
If you are interested in starting or joining a group for change please reply or send me
an Email. My address is ccindustrial@kcnet.com .

Also you can count on another 1/2
cent tax increase to be on the
ballot in April.

Anonymous said...

Lee Gray here...

And the solution at City Hall is simple. Organize 200 people to show up at a specific meeting, sign in to get your 5 minutes before the board and mayor...and watch the mass exodus of elected officials.

Chris Turnbow only drew 75 people to City Hall when he decided he could be full-time City Marshal, a full-time security official at Liberty's Hallmark (I believe it was) and part-time MLB security at Royals Stadium. He was also active Navy Reserve.

Even his friends showed up to tell him that just wasn't going to work.

I helped Chris earn his 65-vote victory in the election before all that...so this isn't about Chris...but it's ABOUT what IT TAKES to get public officials' attention.

And that's POLITICAL ACTION!

There's your solution, Pat.

Get Greg to print up signs: We're Mad As Hell and We're Not Gonna Take It Anymore! or No Taxation Without Representation! (etc, etc, etc,).

With Greg's 25 years in office and bid for mayor a couple of times, I bet he even has a list of potential people to make up that 200 to perform Civil Disobedience.

Up to that...Pat and Greg?

Best wishes, Lee

Andy Whiteman said...

Just a thought: If I want to open open a busines, will the BOA but the land and complete the building (of course in accordance the city code in force that particular day)? If they will do it for Walmart, they should do it for anyone.

I agree with Lee. I would like like to see many people show up to speak at the BOA. Just think some could reprecent a group and get 10 minutes! There was a big turn out for the dog BSL ordinance. That is what got me coming to the meetings. Even though it is not about dogs, there are other important issues to comment on. That is not civil disobedience. It is our right as citizens. Of course all comments should be relevant to some issue and not just rambling.

I have plenty to say Wednesday. I hope others are willing to take the time to state their opinion(s).

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

anon 11:15
the car was found in kc 51st noland road the same road his father drove up a past the car several times according to his interview on the news.
i would say police put out a attempt to locate the vehicle,however there is no way to expect them to drive all over the place looking for a single vehicle...im mean come on, how can that be the police depart fault.....the car was not even in raytown....

Anonymous said...

heres some more obama fun

black panther party intimadating voters in pa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCeD1RcJjAg

beware what you wish for its coming

Pat Casady said...

Lee, I understand what you mean but it's time for most of the
City Council to be removed. That won't happen without an election.
They actually think they are doing good work, they tell each other
they are doing great work but the people know damn good and well
most of their decisions have ruined Raytown financially, physically
and emotionally.
Their track record should have eliminated them in the last election but,
less than half the voters turned out to vote. This has happened
in at least the last tow elections I've seen.
I believe the true work that needs to take is in the field. Trying to find good
people to run against the incumbents. Then going door to door and explaining
how and why these people should be NOT reelected.
I really believe that if we can point out how much these people have cost
the taxpayers and how much they have given away, wasted and deceived them, it
can work. If not, all I can say is Raytown will be in deep trouble and may never,
ever be able to recover.

Anonymous said...

Poor white folks or is that white trash Anon 1:05 pm. Why didn't you also report the North Carolina election officials showing blacks a coffin at the absentee balloting spot? You should be more afraid of Dick Cheney cracking into all your personal information and computer under the Patriot Act. Don't worry, the Panthers won't let the air out of your home's wheels.

Anonymous said...

hey there homeez.everyones personell info is out there for the taking...well before the patriot act(have u ever read the patriot act?) im sure you have not nor the 9/11 report...dick cheney come on my whinning from the dummycrats...cant wait more taxes,gay marriage,more tv time for pelosi and that beaded curtain harry reid,more bull hit from kennedy,dick durbun,barbara boxer,john murtha,more troops in afganastan,darfur,somilia.....defense department cuts,gona be a fun 4 years...and buy the way william jefferson clinton signed in the wire tap law in his first term and called in a matter of security for the united states...and you all im sure didnt even know it happened or you patted him on the back

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the new United Socialist States of America!

Anonymous said...

A reading from the First Book of Latter Day Democrats

PSALM 2008-2012

Obama is my shepherd,
I shall not want.

He doth lead me beside still factories
As he guideth me onto the line of unemployment.

He doth restore my faith in the Republican Party.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of equitable financial redistribution
On my way to the bread line,
I shall not go hungry.

Obama has anointed my income with taxes and
My expenses doth run over my income.

Surely, poverty and hard living will follow me the rest of the days of my life and
The Democrats and I will now and forever
Live in a rented home.

But, I am glad that I am an American,
And, I am glad that I am free.
I just wish I was a dog
And Obama was a tree.

Anonymous said...

Lee Gray here...

And your ignorance is what's wrong with this country and this town.

Move.

Anonymous said...

Ditto! The people have voted and have spoken. Let the healing begin. All will come together for the common good of our country as patriots. What more could we be blessed with? Yes, finally, after 8 years of our country held hostage by the terrorist controlled Republican party we will finally have a Democrat in the White House, and a Democrat controlled House and Senate.

I love it!

Anonymous said...

yea bigger govt, more taxes it so sad that you just dont get it...look at the voting breakdown state by state...urban areas (blacks) and college towns went for obama...all the rural people the backbone,brunt of our armed forces all voted republican....in missouri alone all but five counties voted republican.....i stood next to a guy yesterday who just had to bragg to me about his son turning 18 so he could vote for obama.....i lokked at his son and wanted to say what do you think about obamas tax plan....or his defense bills or pork barrel projects.....but it wouldnt have mattered...in a couple years we will find out what this cost us......so congrats to obama and im glad his wife is finally proud to be a american,biden will get his wish there will be combat troops in darfur after the first of the year.......cant wait to see pelosi on the news today....what a waste......come on big govt my money is hidden along with my guns.....later girls

Anonymous said...

Clever Psalm 2008 - 2012.

Obama has a lot of promises to make good on. Do you think he can deliver?

Where was Mayor David B. last night? Maybe that was him over Funkhouser's light rail bash.

Anonymous said...

Maybe we can now get some action on the important needs of the PEOPLE of our country. I congratulate the Democrats and look forward to them dealing with our REAL problems of this country instead of spending 10 Billion dollars a month on a war that we should have never gotten involved in. The health care crisis in the nation has become an emergency, 47 million people without health insurance, while Bush and his cronies are lining their pockets from the war in Iraq. Look for great things from President Obama and the Democrat controlled congress over the next 2 years. THANKS AMERICA FOR JUMP STARTING OUR GOVERNMENT. Better days are surely ahead.

Anonymous said...

A few comments -- one I am glad the Presidential Election is over.

Presidential politics is exciting, but the truth is that we are really affected more by our local politics than what happens in Washington, DC.

Bob Phillips of the Raytown Post, I am told, wrote that he did not understand why I and other members of the BOA spoke against the city's budget at the last meeting.

The three of us that did so were very clear -- it was the lack of any clear definition as to how the city planned to spend over a quarter of a million dollars for economic development.

If it includes more tax abatements, you can count me out. I am also suspect of creating another department at city hall to handle economic development -- throwing another bureaucrat at the problem does not strike me as a solution to anything.

On a personal note -- Lee, I will be happy to print you a sign -- will you lead people by carrying it?

Andy Whiteman said...

Greg, If you print signs, I will give you a well travelled location to post it as long as it is within ordinance. (and I am sure they will be.)

Now lets get back to Raytown issues!

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

(Smile) Very clever Greg...but you're the elected official.

Don't pass the buck to me.

I'll make you a sign to carry: "The buck stops here."

You have the political organization and stake in your legacy here...not me.

And --- as an elected official for over 25 years --- you're more part of the problem and solution than I've ever been.

Remember no one read or reacted to that "little rag" the 16 years I published it - smile.

Best wishes,

Lee Gray

Andy Whiteman said...

From what I have observed at BOA meetings, Greg is an elected official who is trying to be part of the solution. He is limited by up to 9 others who may not agree with him.

Lee, I think you were publisher when I moved here in 2000. I never read your rag because it was thrown like trash onto my driveway or into the gutter. I started reading it when it became a subscription paper and I subscribed. If I pay for something, it has value, but if it is thrown like trash, it is trash.

Andy Whiteman

Pat Casady said...

I think we are starting to miss the point here .....again.
City Hall needs new faces! We need to find quality and
qualified people to run against some of the incumbents.
Lee, how about running this April? Do you know anyone
you can recommend to run?
I would like to see someone that has at least some education
in business. That way maybe some developer couldn't come in
and snow Raytown out of their shorts.
We need people that are business smart and will help bring in new
small business instead of running them out of town.
People that will ensure safe neighborhoods. But most of all keep promises
made when asking for tax increases for things like street repairs.
The current elected officials it seems are like that little guy some people
have on their back window whizzing on something or another. Only this
time they are whizzing on taxpayers of Raytown and flipping us off at the
same time. They won't listen or even ask questions of their constituents.
Greg may have burned some bridges and made other elected officials
upset with him but, If an idea is good for the people or city of Raytown they
should not care who introduced that idea. But these people seem to take
pleasure in shooting down Greg no matter who or what they hurt.

Anonymous said...

Using your logic, Andy, the BOA should be paying you for your opinions expressed before them every meeting. Otherwise, why would the BOA even consider what you have to say?

And, Pat, with everything being a personal attack (ie. "whizzing on taxpayers"), why would anyone with a brain want to be on the BOA?

Lee

Andy Whiteman said...

Lee,

You may have a point. My point is both papers were littered about town. In some cases they lay there weeks and were never picked up---JUST LITTER. My point is if you want your paper read, deliver it properly! When the Post went to s subscription basis, they HAD to deliver it properly so it would be read. Your competitor folded. I can't say if it was because of the way they delivered or not, but who wants to buy an advertisement in a rag tossed like litter not knowing how many people actually read the ad.

As for the city paying me, they pay many people big bucks and many of those who are no longer there never should have been listened to. If the city would like to make an offer, I will listen but my advise is cut the pay for tie wearing chair warmers. I suspect any offer would be too low for me to accept if my advise is followed. Actually, in good conscience, I would not accept something that violated my own policies.

Andy Whiteman

Pat Casady said...

Lee,
I may have chosen poorly on my terminology.
What I meant was most of our elected officials don't seem to care about
the people or what they think. They give away taxpayer money like candy
on Halloween. They feel they are accountable to nobody.
They won't listen to criticism or even good ideas when presented to them.
Me asking you to run for election wasn't a slam on you, I meant it.
You have the education, knowledge and common sense most of them
don't have.
As far as, Why would anyone with a brain want to run?
I just feel that if someone would be elected with at least some idea of how
business works they wouldn't be taken in by fast talking lawyers, City Administrators
and developers, as has happened in almost every decision in the last ten years.
In fact I can't remember when a decision was made without the City Lawyer or
City Administrator telling the aldermen if it was OK or not.
I don't know if it was a lack of knowledge because they almost never ask any
questions or, they just can't make a decision on their own.
As for a personal attack, I'm sorry if I come off that way. I try not to call names
or be too hard on people but it is so flustering watching how things are pulled
over on our elected officials.
Even worse, if they knew or understood what they were doing to this town with the 350hwy
deal, financially, that alone would or should call for them to be voted out.
Most of the people don't know or understand the deal that was handed out with
Raytown taxpayers being the financiers for this big store.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Walters are you gonna let Mr. Phillips call you out over making a living? Seems he didn't like you printing for Krause's opponent. It doesn't seem to bother Mr. Phillips that the top city employees live out of town but he sure takes exception with printing being done out of town.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Walters,

As a fellow lover of Raytown I am asking you, begging you to please disable the comment section on your blog. There is great value in having a blog where people can stay connected with their representative, but the negativity and insults that take place only give Raytown a negative image, as well as its representatives. By all means question and be critical, but don't you care about this townls image at all? Good for you in communicating with the public, but each day this blog only makes you appear more against Raytown than for it.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Walters,

As a fellow lover of Raytown I am asking you, begging you to please NOT disable the comment section on your blog. Although the blog comments certainly contain more than their fair share of bloviating hypocrites, there is no other forum where the problems of Raytown are currently discussed freely. One attitude is that if we don't recognize a problem then it doesn't exist. This attitude is false. Raytown's city government already has a well-deserved negative image, and without recognition and action against these problems nothing will ever get better. I am for Raytown, but it does no good to worry more about our image than substantive reality that needs serious change. While this blog is a pale shadow of the discussions that need to take place to push this city toward the direction that it needs to go, I think that on balance this blog, acknowleging its flaws, is still a positive force and is sorely needed.

Anonymous said...

"But most of all keep promises
made when asking for tax increases for things like street repairs." - Pat Casady

OK, I am really getting sick of this! Please tell me Pat how much the City has spent on street repair since 2003 and how much the City said they would spend on street repair? You are soo adament that the City has not kept this promise PLEASE for the first time ever, back up your assertion with some FACTS!!!!

"I just feel that if someone would be elected with at least some idea of how
business works they wouldn't be taken in by fast talking lawyers, City Administrators
and developers, as has happened in almost every decision in the last ten years." - Pat Casady

Great idea Pat. But why are you pushing soo hard for OTHER people to run? Why don't YOU run if you think you can handle it????

Anonymous said...

"Raytown's city government already has a well-deserved negative image" - Anonymous 10:50 AM

I know I am in the minority here, but haven't we been reading that the current administration - most of them- have been here less than one year? What have they done to deserve a negative image??? Shouldn't they at least be given a chance to make positive improvements before you write them off as "over paid chair warmers"???? If not, what makes you think that any new people elected or appointed after April will have any more chance for success???

Think about it.......

Anonymous said...

I would love to see Pat run for public office, but unfortunately you see he doesn't live in Raytown. He's a very concerned business owner and in the past has backed very progressive candidates for public office in Raytown. Maybe we should do away with the residence requirement to run for public office, as the council has done for department heads and now the city administrator. These jokers at city hall just don't get it. I think that they're all just there to feed their big egos and pick up a paycheck every month. Yes, we actually pay these idiots to make all these bad decisions.

Anonymous said...

Lee Gray here...

As a long-time critic of City Hall, I've been thinking...

Maybe my criticism has focused too much on the personalities and not enough on the issues.

If we all started our discussions with the idea that our elected officials "intend" to do right by us...if we all believed that they are well-meaning...that they want to be good public servants...maybe we could get more cooperation from them. And open up a more constructive dialogue where they would actually listen to us.

Don't start with the: "Lee you're so naive..." because the last thing I am is naive. But I am hopeful.

Having served on two charter commissions, I know there's little joy trying to accomplish something for the community good if everyone is belittling everyone else.

Yes, everyone has an "ego." And, yes, there are some people who believe they are better than other people. But it's time to put that thinking aside and put all our egos on hold to turn this city around.

If we all look for the best in each other, then it's more likely we'll find the best solutions to the community's problems.

Yeah, I know, "naive."

But it's worth a try because what we're doing isn't working.

If respect was given on all sides, and we just stick to the specifics of the issues, I suspect we'll find: 1) Opportunities to work together; 2) To compromise; 3) To bring new talent into local elections; and 4) Provide a better atmosphere to foster better results.

But, hey...what do I know? I'm naive. (smile)

Lee

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

As a city employee I feel that this blog does tend to focus on the negative. There are departments within the city that are run well with employees that are knowledgable and do a good job. There are also departments that could provide better customer service.
There are reasons some of the people remain anonymus, like me, because I know that management does read this blog.
I feel that Andy nailed it on his comments about the hiring of Mahesh. His pay does not bother me, what does is treating him differently than everyone else and giving him four weeks of vacation right off the bat. Everyone else has to work at least ten years for the city to get that kind of vacation time. The city also needs to figure out a different way to give raises. It should be based on work accomplished not just raises for everyone across the board. Believe it or not some people pull their load and others do not.
Some people have complained about the budget, one thing on there is money for improvements on the public works facility. This is greatly needed, if you don't trust me go check it out.
I am just an hourly worker but from what I see people need to get more involved. Check out the Boards & Commissions List that is on the City's website. Here is the web address just cut and paste it. http://www.raytown.mo.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={46AD5802-B1E8-445E-9526-0D06CD9880D4}
One final thing, don't call City Hall with only complaints, call when we have done something right, or when someone has been very helpful to you.

Anonymous said...

Jack, you can bash Greg and this blog all you want, but the truth is since there are no longer any REAL newspapers in this town this is the best we got to get any real information about city government. Their has been a cloud of secrecy over city hall for a long time starting with the Nesbitt administration, followed by Frank and now Bower is continuing it. That's why until we know more about what our city government is doing,( with our tax dollars) I will NEVER VOTE FOR ANOTHER TAX INCREASE. The Walmart deal is a good example, we will probably never really know how much the city gave away to get this sleazy company to locate here. TOO MUCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS BUSINESS.

Anonymous said...

Chris Wilmes says:
the current administration - most of them- have been here less than one year? What have they done to deserve a negative image???

Here is the list of the current BOA and Mayor:

David Bower
Joe Creamer
Greg Walters
Jim Aziere
Jim Hamilton
Christine White
Charlotte Melson
Barb Schlapia
Pat Ertz
Clifford Sargeon
Marilyn Fleming

There is one name that has been serving less than a year. Yes we have an interim city manager, but a poor reputation does not appear ovenight, and a revolving door at the city manager's office does not exactly elevate the city government's reputation.

Sure, I'm hopeful that things will improve. But I've been hopeful a long time. If you think that Raytown's govt. has a good reputation, then you haven't been paying attention.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 3:58 pm
Please do not fall into intentional errors (lies) of Greg and posting of misinformed and untrue information on this blog. The information about the vacation is false. The point is before you bash something please try to obtain the correct information.

Andy Whiteman said...

I agree with Lee that the focus should be on issues and not personalities. I may not like an administrator's decision, but I don't attack him personally.

I have observed most city workers are hard workers. That is why I feel they should receive at least a living wage.

We should commend the hard workers who clear streets of snow day and night during storms. Also the Police, Fire Fighters, EMS, and dispatchers who are here 24/7 to serve and protect us.

I have lived in many places ranging from a village to big cities. Compared to all I rate Raytown Fire, Police, and EMS as top notch! When we had a prowler in KCMO, I waited 6 minutes for 911to answer and the dispatcher asked me if I was sure there was a prowler there? 2 officers arrived 30 minutes later! I called 911 in Raytown for an open business door with an immediate answer. 6 officers arrived within 3 minutes!

When I observe a job well done, I send an email to the Mayor, CA, and the employee's supervisor. I hope others do the same.

I suggested Mahesh for the CA job. He is well qualified, sets and achieves goals, communicates well, and gets along well with people.

I wonder why this city has ordinances? There is selective enforcement. There is a requirement that the CA live in Raytown but this is ignored if it suits the city. I was persecuted about my fence with a fabricated violation. Finally it cost my over $1000 to apease the powers that be. An ordinance was re-written to allow a pot bellied pig. The same could have been done for my fence. This selective enforcement strikes a bad note with me. If ordinance requires that a person live in the city, the person should live in the city. True it would impose a hardship due to the high property taxes (especially Disfunctionbal School District taxes.)

By the way, I backed the pig ordinance because pot bellied pigs are accepted as pets by many people in many cities.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

I believe Chirs Wilmes was referring to the current administration for the appointed city staff not elected officials. Few people who write on this blog regularly confuse when they use the word administration. Pat always refers administration for elected officials and it looks like you are using administration in the same manner.
For the city worker – You are not a city worker and if you are then should be happy that you have a job and got raise this year. I do agree that this blog provide bogus information.

Anonymous said...

I have no idea what Greg achieve by providing incorrect and misleading information on this blog. Most of the people who write on this blog deviate from the editorial topic. They just want to criticize something. People who remain anonymous can write whatever they want without any facts and criticize the people they never met. If Greg is so worried about the image of Raytown then he himself need to set a higher standard. He is on the board for a long time and he is part of what has happened in the past. If he is so disgusted then he need to move on with his life. In reality, Raytown is a great city and lots of positive things are happening. Greg is not a leader who can pull people together for the betterment of this town. It is time for a change and April is coming soon.
Jack (Ward I resident)

Andy Whiteman said...

I read somewhere that the city workers got only a 5.5% raise. That is a pittance. City workers are still NOT paid a living wage.

Administration and administrator are generic words. To me the word administrator refers to a upper level appointed official. Administration could be taken either way, I don beleive I have ever used the word administration. I normally refer to BOA or elected officials. I agree we all need to be specific to identify what type of city official we are refering to.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Jack, I don't know how long you have lived here, but the reason that people choose to remain anonymous is the fear of retribution by city officials. They will and have in the past used city employees to "get those people" that don't agree with the "sick mentality" at city hall. You'll suddenly find yourself being harassed for a minor code violation that is not being addressed elsewhere. I don't always agree with Greg, but at least he has the courage to say what he thinks instead of being a little "bobble head" like the other nine of them.

Anonymous said...

Not just retaliation by city officials upon residents that take a stand for what is right, some find that codes officers are suddenly on their doorstep harassing them. And some people, like aldermen can be sue happy. Ever heard of libel???? Hence that is why several will not disclose their names, addresses, etc on this blog, or even show up to a BOA meeting in person, for fear of retribution. Some misuse their power in office, and do not follow through with their duties as elected officials representing their constituients, and should be voted out at the next election. These officials, along with the Chamber of Commerce, and some other do gooders in Raytown have helped to further degrade this city. They have turned this into a dead city, yet they party and socialize to their hearts content like nothing is wrong at all. Vote the bums out in April!

Andy Whiteman said...

Does the last few sentenances of the above sound like the downfall of the Roman Empire to andyone?

Andy Whiteman

Pat Casady said...

Chris Wilmes and others,
I can't tell you how much the city has spent on street repairs.
If I would guess, I would have to say very little. You need only to
drive around to see the bad condition of Raytown's streets.
I complain about it for two reasons.
1. The streets are in such sad shape.
2. Most of us feel betrayed by our elected officials because they
pushed for a new 1/2 cent tax increase just for street overlays and repairs,
then they chose not to use most of it in that manner.

If I could, I would like to run for an elected position but as has been said I
don't live in Raytown. I own property here but that doesn't count.
As far as your statement about most elected officials have only been here
less than a year......let's just say your facts aren't on target.

I feel I have to say too, that I have always been for the city workers as well
as the Police, Fire and EMT departments in this town. I would back them
as far as needed to keep them the high quality departments they are.

I also have nothing personal against our elected officials, I'm sure most of
them thought they had only the best in mind for Raytown but they have hurt
Raytown financially and unless changes are made in the way they do business
Raytown will never recover from mistakes made.

Evidently some on this Blog think what has been going on in the past years
is a good thing. It's my right to think differently.
It is my right to wonder why this city has spent money on developers that did
absolutely nothing. Or hire City Administrators and pay them huge salaries
just to watch them move on after they have done nothing.
I have watched our elected officials turn their heads on businesses being
treated badly by not only developers but even worse a city employee that
actually ran businesses out of town and prohibited new from coming into town.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this is the way the world works now. Maybe it's OK to
enforce codes on some but not others. Maybe it's OK to make new small business
spend money on items at the whim of an official that makes up codes as he goes
along.

I don't know about anyone else on this Blog but I would love to write how good
this town is doing and how great our elected officials are. How they are looking
out for the people's best interest. How they have spent taxpayer dollars wisely.
So, if you have a good "for instance," please tell us about it.
Although it may not sound like it most of the time, I like this town. I have always
looked here first before I bought a house. I just never made the right connection.

Anonymous said...

Pat, please re-read my comments! I NEVER said the Elected Officials were new, I said the ADMINISTRATION was new! Perhaps this is the problem. You all treat your legislative branch as if it were the executive branch! I know greg wishes he were in the executive branch but he is not...

Anyway, why I am frustrated is because you seem to be adament that the Board did not spend the 1/2 cent on streets, but you do not know how much they did spend? How can you be so sure that they did not spend it if you do not know how much "it" is?