The Salamander Returns!
by the Salamander
So, The Raytown Post bit the dust. Or, as they say in the field of journalism, the final “30”.
The Salamander is not surprised. The Post’s demise was inevitable.
Not one time, during its short life, did the paper assume its mantel of responsibility as a community leader.
Not even once.
The Post operated like a paper from my youth. It was called “The Grit Gazette.” The “Grit,” at the time had a national circulation. Its premise was that people wanted to hear only good news.
Nothing else.
The “Grit” adhered to this policy to an extreme. When John Kennedy was assassinated the paper carried no mention of the incident.
That head in the sand type of journalism died years ago. It is not coming back.
The function of a newspaper should be to print all the news; all the facts; all the varying opinions and then let readers make up their mind.
Not the Post.
Their policy was to print only one side of any issue. The result of such a misguided thinking is evident. No circulation; few readers; out of business.
The paper showed no leadership; none when an unneeded safety sales tax was the issue; none when the City Council allowed Walmart to commit the economic rape of the community -- even after it was exposed that the city will pay $800,000 of your tax dollars to the bond holders because Walmart has not opened on time -- the Post allowed the clever politicians at City Hall to act like that was "business as usual"; not even when an out of control school board ran around crying “poverty” while ordering up a two million dollar artificial football field for a handful of students to play on.
Every one of the items mentioned beforehand helped increase our cost of living. The Post totally ignored the impact of continual tax increases.
Just for the record – Missouri Gas Energy and KCP&L have both filed for rate increases. Dig a little deeper folks. You can bet the city will get its share of your hard earned dollars by taking a 7% Franchise Tax on each increase.
If the Post were in business, they would claim it is a sign of progress.
It was apparent the Post was on life support when, several months ago, the paper filled its editorial pages with obituaries. The point of no return had been reached.
Is the Salamander happy the Post is out of business? No. He is not. I am confident that if the publisher could afford another issue he would write an editorial extolling the “good sign of progress” his paper’s demise is a forerunner of.
Lee Gray, where are you when we really need you?
Hogs at the Trough (part 2)
by Greg Walters
It is old news now, but still deserves mention. Last Monday night the Raytown School Board increased the Raytown School District levy to a new high. The decision to increase the levy was approved by a vote of three yes, two no and one member absent.
Approximately 40 people attended the public hearing before the vote. All of the public speakers (except one) spoke in opposition to the levy increase.
The decision comes on the heels of a similar move by the Raytown Board of Aldermen to increase the city and park board's tax levy last Friday night. That levy increase passed by a vote of 7 yes, 2 no, 1 absent.
THE VIEW FROM HERE: There is little that can be done at this time to correct the injustice of such heavy tax increases in the midst of what is becoming known as the great recession. No doubt, those who voted for the levy increases are hoping that time and apathy will dull the memories of the voting public one and one-half years from now.
Remember their actions when the time comes. The Raytown community reached out for help and the two governing boards collectively turned their backs to them.
Comments
The Post missed out. They should have applied for a TIF.
Salamander, glad to see you are back, but not only does the city get their Franchise Tax but they also get their sales tax on both the bill and the Franchise Tax is also taxed! I have told the board they should give a break to seniors and low incomes the same as they do the on the sewer bill.
Andy Whiteman
I've been saying for over ten years that our elected officials,
you know the people that you elect to "represent" your feelings
and carry your, the taxpayers, wishes as to how you want them to
vote on an issue, don't care what you think.
Forty people show up at the school board meeting and express they
don't want the tax increase and they're wishes are ignored.
Three yes votes will cost thirty thousand taxpayers more of their hard earned money.
Same with the board of aldermen they don't and won't listen to anybody.
So, it's evident that the people mean nothing to any elected official.
It's evident that they are going to do what they want to do so, I say let them, let them
take this town we love on down the tubes all by themselves!
Let them do it by themselves and until new better people are elected to
truly represent the people, I suggest nobody go to the meetings.
That's right, I mean why waste your time when they won't listen to you anyway.
This way they only have themselves to blame when this town goes away.
Besides going to most of those meetings is like watching a sad comedy.
I am a member of KCBT, Kansas City Baptist Temple, and last week I was laughing about all of the comparisons and how we the Baptist are influencing the direction of Raytown. I must admit I have only lived in Raytown since 2002 so much of what was referenced was before my time and therefore seemed far-fetched. This week I received a letter in the mail from my senior pastor, Jeff Adams, which has me rethinking my laughter and feeling like I was being hit by a semi-truck of reality.
I want to share with you from the letter, so you to may have a laugh at my church’s expense and understand those who had been complaining about the direction of the city thanks to the two alderman from ward one are right on track. I doubt Alderman Joe Creamer and Alderman Shane Pardue share my concern about this letter being sent out. However, when just last year we were all told by Pastor Adams we had the funds and commitment to move forward on expansion. I then spoke out to a few of my fellow congregation about the economy and this was not the time for expansion. In each case, I received a stern look to indicate I was a nay sawyer and not someone trying to look logically, intelligently and holistically at the problem that would lie ahead.
“The same economy that brought us unbelievable savings also brought some financial challenges. Although our attendance increased from 2008 to 2009, our offerings have dropped 7 percent. While some of this can be attributed to the many families in our body who have experienced layoffs due to the recession, we believe God brings times of testing so we might evaluate our individual faithfulness, stewardship, and priorities. If this trend continues, our ministries will be impacted by the reduction of staff members.
Every month I meet those who are joining our church, and I stress the responsibility God gives members of a local church community to give to that local church. I rarely preach an entire services focused exclusively on giving, preferring to teach through books with an expositional discipline. The recent drop in our offerings, however, prompted me to write this letter. In light of God’s abundant blessing that he gives to us, we need to be certain that we are faithful in our giving to him.
While I do not adhere to stringent approach to tithing, I do believe our individual giving reflects our response to God’s giving, our ability to manage our God-given resources, and our focus on eternal things. The tithe is a good place to start.
As we enter the fall season, witnessing the faithfulness of God in our lives and anticipating what God will do in our midst, I ask you to prayerfully consider your reasonable service and responsibility in regard to giving.”
Having now read the letter for the fifth time I am still dumbfounded and numb that Pastor Adams would expect the congregation, including myself, to dig even deeper into our pockets for the mistake he and the leadership at the church made with the expansion we are currently undertaking. It is clear that this is an underlining influence into Alderman Creamer and Alderman Pardue voting last Friday, August 28th to increase the mil rate on our personal property. Let me clarify this translates into a higher tax rate on our homes, vehicles and other items.
I feel for my fellow citizens who are being held hostage by the lack of compassion and understanding of the additional impact as a direct result from the mentality and actions of my fellow church members, Alderman Joe Creamer and Alderman Shane Pardue, have help impose on all of us.
We can only hope that these three men, Adams, Creamer and Pardue will realize the true state this nation is in and none of us can continue to reach into our pockets to cover the expenses of misguided thinking. I hope they wakeup from the daydream they are living in and ask for public forgiveness in an attempt to show remorse for the damage they have caused.
As for myself, it is time to find a levelheaded church even if it means finding a new denomination for this old Baptist. For those in ward one I will be glad to help whoever you can find to run against these two misguided souls as long as there is no ties back to KCPT as Raytown cannot afford anymore of this abuse.
I am sorry to hear about the letter you and others received from Mr. Adams. It is apparent those tied to KCBT like to write letters without either checking the facts or rationalizing the role they played as related to the message they are trying to relay.
I live in Ward 1 and received a very hateful letter from Mr. Creamer last March, which indicated all the reasons why I shouldn’t vote for then Alderman Walters. Unlike Mr. Creamer I had done my homework and found that the facts presented were miss leading and base only on opinion and hate. At the time, I was shocked that Mr. Creamer would have actually done this, but upon speaking with him about it was clearly from him. I have never met a man with such hostility towards another individual. The surprise was that anyone would want to associate with Mr. Creamer as my other Alderman is currently doing. I guess now I shouldn’t be surprised hearing that these two are acquainted through KCBT.
Being you indicate you do not live in Ward 1, you might not be aware that Mr. Pardue played up on the fact he works for KCBT doing the web and other IT needs.
You need to let Mr. Adams know that these two members and the out reach they are doing within the community should embarrass him.
I am glad that the actions by the leaders of your church are not driving you from God, but from those who take advantage of others using “God’s Name”. I hope you are able to find comfort within one of the other local churches as I ensure you not all think as those you have unfortunately been dealing with.
Seems the chamber is doing more to bring us down then to bring us together. Maybe the problem is Vicki doesn’t live in Raytown any longer.
Our community is facing more and more vacancy and higher and higher property taxes, as we no longer have the merchants to provide a strong and steady sales tax base.
Again, why is the chamber not out celebrating our city and trying to bring new sales tax based business to our city? Every time I stop by the chamber I either find Vicki warming her chair with a smile on her face praising her hard work.
I wonder if the pastor will be taking a cut in his
$300,000.00 a year salary or dies he just expect
everybody else suffer in these bad times like the
school district and city hall.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I guess it is a good thing I have decided to find a new church. When I was working I was only make a 10th of that amount. I have been out of work for sometime and find it disrespectful to be asked to help find extra funding for the church. Now I learn this! It is no wonder Pastor Adams wants more donations.
I cannot tell you how happy I was when I got the notice from the county my property value went down figured it would mean a savings for me. However, as I stated before my fellow church members, Alderman Joe Creamer and Alderman Shane Pardue, decided to kick me when I was down by increasing the property taxes. Yes, you are correct that Monday night those self-thinkers on the school board did the same thing.
I do want to say I took the advise that was listed on the blog and found out that the school board president too must be having financial issues as she seems to often be behind on paying her taxes. I don’t understand why someone that is struggling to make ends meet would force others into financial hardship.
Seems like some where the school district is failing to teach basic economics and spending within ones means. Odd as the overspend and over valuing is what got our country in this mess we are in. I wonder when we will wakeup and realize we need to get the school system back to basics and less focus on sports. I don’t believe there are that many professional sports position available as well what is the average number of years someone plays professional sports. Best they have a good education as a fall back plan!
So Mary Jane,
Yes I am the person who had a meeting with the mayor, the city Administrator and city Attorney before the election. I asked for that meeting so that I would be up on things going on in the city if I were to win that election. I didn't do that because the first time I was elected and it took sometime to get caught up on what and how things were being done. I wonder why the people who were telling you how to run your campaign did not tell Bill to ask for one as well. Oh Maybe it was because he would rather whine instead of stepping up and asking for a meeting himself that way YOU would have something to whine about.
Once again I asked for that meeting and anyone of the candidates could have done the same thing. No, it is not illegal anyone can ask for a meeting with whoever he/she feel they need to talk to at city hall because it is their right as a citizen and tax payer of Raytown or any other city they may live in.
I'm sure much to your disappointment, Bill's name never came up in this meeting. I had several questions about codes, economic development, Wal-Mart, the south side of 350 highway and what if anything might be changing with the downtown.
My advice to you is to quit whining "Oh poor me" and tell Bill to do the job he was elected to do. Also stop talking to poeple who just want to keep stirring the pot, you do that well enough on your own. You should be in this job to make Raytown a better place not just to show the world who you are by being the loudest mouth on the block. Sooner or later people will stop listening to someone who never shuts up.
P.S. Mary Jane you might just as well sign your name because we all know win it's you on the blog. You anger, negativity, and self- centered personality shows right through.
Sandy Hartwell
Seems like who called the meeting is a he said/she said type of thing. Assuming Sandy asked for the meeting, any citizen has that right and I feel that it was an intelligent approach to gain knowledge to better server the people.
Pat, you have a point but who knows what idiotic things they would sneak through without our knowledge! We need to watch those beaurocrats!
Andy Whiteman
Thank you so much for the clarification. I voted for you but unfortunately you lost the election by few votes. I wish you were representing us.
We all knew who has been behind all the venomous writing. She has been stirring the pot and trying to promote herself as a future mayor. We all know her depth and personality. The minute she open her foul mouth you would know what kind of person she is.
She has been hateful towards the neighbors, city hall employees and elected officials by writing feebly on this blog regularly.
I know that is to simple for you, which is why on this blog you have earned the nickname “Simple Joe”.
Stop patting yourself on the back and start bringing results to our city.
I wonder if it can be used for ice skating in the winter? Mr. Knabe could charge admission.
Andy Whiteman
I can not wait until this April to vote against Joe Creamer and Bobbie (President of the School Board).
If I caught someone breaking into my home I would call the police and make sure they served time. If some elected official steals from me I am going to call everyone I know and make sure they have plenty of extra time on their hands seating at home and wondering what they did to get voted out of office.
Anyone with respect would know stealing form the elder is wrong these two don’t have a clue I guess the Raytown School District failed them because at least Joe Creamer is a Raytown South Graduate, which is something based on his voting I wouldn’t be proud of. Shame on the school district for giving this guy a diploma we all deserve to graduate those that help the community not those who are going to steal from it.
Mr. Larry Edwards needs to make up and see that all the money in the world is not going to stop people like Joe Creamer from learn to steal from others.
Thanks you for your support in the last election. I appreciate everyone who gave me their vote.
Sandy Hartwell
I hope everyone enjoyed their 3 day vacation! We should change the name to SLAVE LABOR DAY since we really are slaves paying exorbitant taxes.
Andy Whiteman
I am curious do you have a 401k or invest in the Stock Market? If you do, please take a long hard look in the mirror, because you are helping to fuel the corporate greed, etc., that you comment on.
A few years ago a mentor of mine made the comment, "if you really want to understand something in Government or business follow the money trail, it will expose all".
As for the migrant workers...I hope they are all legal to work here. Assuming they are, my hats off to them because they are most likely willing to do a job many of us on this blog are not, in my opinion.
BTW, for the record I do not shop at Walmart, nor do I plan to when the new one opens.
Justin Tomac
When I worked, I worked every weekend and had days off during the week. I didn't want off on weekends because I couldn't get anything done, such as see a doctor, get my car serviced, go to the bank, etc. Besides that Saturday afternoons when I was going to work, were like rush hour with too much traffic. Just too many people fighting for space. Have you ever tried to go to a nice restaurant in the KC area on Friday or Saturday evenings? Almost impossible (before the economy became bad) due to too many people off and fighting for space.
Weekends off are really useless days and I feel sorry for anyone who is forced to be off on weekends.
Now that I am retired, I am off every weekend and hate weekends and holidays because I can't do much.
Andy Whiteman
milking us tax payers."
Who better than Simple Joe Cream-er.
He may not want it pronounced that way but that's how it's
spelled. And it's exactly what he and the rest of them do to us.
and most migrant workers are going to vote dummy-crat because obama/pelosi/reid promised them health care...grow up obamas on preaching to the kids...
PS Wish we had a Costco though - hope that's not a bad thing.
I'm afraid I have to disagree with you to a point.
"Immigrant" workers don't do the jobs we won't do.
They do the jobs we won't do for minimum wages.
Most of the time with low wages by these people comes
inferior workmanship. But, what the heck the contractor
saved ten bucks an hour by hiring these workers.
However it fits with the way we Americans think anymore.
We will hop in our Toyota's, Nissan's and Kia's and
go into the big box store and buy nothing made in
the USA. We brought all this on ourselves. While we are
buying cheap labor, cars and other products, our jobs, our
neighbor's jobs and our small family owned stores and shops
are going away.
Some people when elected need to keep their spouses out of government business, you can see the mess that KC is going through with Funks wife.
Her opinion like your's Mary Jane, doesn't matter in the scheme of things and sooner or later they will refer to you as the crazy alderman's wife in ward 4.
I sign this as Anonymous, being I live in ward 4 and fear retaliation.
The true issue we need to look at in conduction with today’s message from the President is “Stay In School”. If more parents would get out of the easy chair, turn off the TV and spend sometime helping their kids understand their schoolwork and the importance of it we would have a stronger nation. At this point in time individuals what the sex, but not the responsibility that it might lead to. People seem to think that food and shelter are the only two thing kids need, which is the furthest thing from the truth and harmful to all of us. Just look at our prisons and find out the real reason the people are there.
and really if you cant pray in school you cant have politics in school...have you seen the latest bill coming from the house if you dont get health care coverage you will be fined $3800.00 and moved to the govt plan....and how soon you forget in 1991 dems launched investigation into George H Busch school speech........what do you think is really wrong with this country i got news for you...everyone should look in the mirror.
Ar you saying that all southern missouri residents are rednecks and conspircy nuts? or are they just so dumb that they will be thanking god that you and obama will take care of them ..that is of course if they give up their guns....Its funny my son says most of the kids he goes to class with still dont know the difference between congress and the senate,most have no clue why the UN was established or even what NATO stands for. The one that gets me the most is not one person he has met so far(students)knows who is third in line if obama and biden where to be lost or killed..they do all now where the kegger is next friday...i wonder if your kids are in that group?...but hey as long as they voted left you are ok...right...i will enjoy next couple years next election somebody from the right will get in and then it will be screwed up more...dont you see it will never be right because there is nothing to win...
As has been stated many times, this is
"taxation without representation."
Our city and school officials don't know the meaning of
cutting back on spending.
These people only know one thing, it's not service to the
public, it's not serving our students, it's how to spend
your hard earned money on worthless property,
artificial turf and monuments to themselves.
VOTE THEM OUT!!!!!!!!!!
Andy Whiteman
I still think the best answer is to remove all of the department heads except the city administrator have those reporting to the department heads report directly to the city administrator. Cut the city administrators salary by 50% if he moves in the city otherwise cut it by 60%.
This will send the message to move into our city so you can at least act as if you understand the issue we the citizens are facing. We also will save a lot of money but cutting these high paying positions that with Wal-Mart we just can not afford at this time.
By the way, I would think if you want you children to be well rounded you would have them listen to the President. I am not taking a position that you would agree with the President, but how can you or others teach respect if you the parents don’t set the right example. I might always agree with in of our Presidents, but I respect them enough to listen to what they say and find the parts that I do agree with.
As for your point on section 8, seem the police and the public safety tax took us. If those living in the section 8 housing are breaking the law then those in law enforcement should address the issue. If they don’t have what it takes to do the job like their chair warmer of a boss, who Lynched the old into voting in his tax. Then I am sure we can find some willing to do the job with the amount of unemployed people we have right now in this nation. Maybe you need to ask the police why they are complaining about something they should be fixing. Just a thought. While you are at it could you please find out why they will not address the issue with those at Kenagy, which they too know about? As well as the items being smoked by the teens. I am not surprised we have a bunch of scared cops as I have lost count the number of traffic stops I have seen with two or three police cars to check out little old ladies. Please give us some real officers and stop picking on grandma.
In Raytown..............taxes are too high.
Sales tax, personal property tax, school taxes and
real estate taxes. Not to mention "Safety tax,"
"street repair tax" which I might add we see very
little of.
Up until now every City Administrator Raytown has had in the last twelve years has cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.
They do this then leave for greener pastures.
Who do we have to thank for all of this spending?
The same people that are still spending!
We pay more in taxes and get less than ever before in
the history of Raytown. City hall says we are in line with
other cities this size. Wrong! Other cities taxpayers get
Services, children get an education without fake grass.
They have streets that don't need monuments and don't jar your teeth out. Bridges that are safe to cross.
In other words they have people that do their jobs.
Watch out the next thing they will do is help former Alderman John Wiley of the River Church bring a halfway home to the old Park Lane Hospital. Boy, that will be great just a short walk for them to visit our city. I am sure that will not have any additional negative impact on our property values. I bet the good old folks that complain about section eight housing will singing a new tune then.
It is time citizens of Raytown wake up and address the things that are driving our property values down for if we don’t our elected officials we keep taking advantage of us.
I don't see Police cars unless I happen to be looking out the window or am outside. Since the sun has shifted, I have adjusted my blinds and can't see out the window, so, like you, I never see a Police car drive down my street. Since they are doing their job, they are somewhere else. If they drove by your house several times a day, you would say they are wasting time. What is important is they respond promptly when called.
5:53PM, It was stated at the BOA meeting that by survey 60% of the citizens wanted Raytown to be nonsmoking. Obviously the wishes of the people on a $20,000 survey don't mean anything. Why did the city waste money on a survey if no action is taken?
What we really need is for 60% of the voters to remain angry enough when the next election comes up in less than 2 years to vote these bureaucrats out of office. But by election time, no one will remember this or the mill levy increase (which is not a tax increase) and everything will remain the same. Anyway, people in Apathytown don't vote.
Someone needs to keep a list of issues along with hoe each Alderperson voted and publish it when election time comes around so those with memory loss will have their minds refreshed.
Andy Whiteman
I see the waste every day in the schools by the head administrators at 6608 Raytown rd. They may have a paper that says "degree" but they don't have a "lick" of common sense.
I also see the great Raytown school district purchase of the "old sewing machine shop" still sitting there and adding to the vacant buildings in Raytown. Now the district doesn't have the money to tear it down plus pay for the hazardous building materials to haul off!
A school district employee.......
Actually I couldn't understand the need to waste my time and money to get that piece of paper that says "degree." Really disappointed my mother, but other than making her happy, what purpose would it serve?
My father said that he was a college graduate. He graduated from the College of Hard Knocks.
Andy Whiteman
But, here goes. I agree with the Board of Aldermen.
I am and will always be against anyone taking away
the right to freedom. Until smoking and tobacco become
illegal nation wide, I find it offensive for anybody to tell people
what they can and can't do, as far as smoking goes.
I also found it offensive for a city to tell a business owner
who can and can't come into their business.
If you are over the age of twenty-one you should have
the ability to turn your......self around and leave a business
if you don't like smoke, or for any other reason you choose.
You shouldn't have to rely on some elected official to tell
you what to do. Besides in this town our elected officials
haven't exactly been a shining example of how to do the right
thing very often.
Now having said I agree with the board I need to get the nasty taste
out of my mouth, and no it's not from smoking, I quit ten years ago.
Andy Whiteman