Sunshine Opportunity
By Greg Walters
There have been a number of posts alleging comments by local political leaders voicing complaints about the Raytown Report. Generally speaking, the complaint is that the Raytown Report is “too negative”.
Such complaints are an attempt to shift attention away from the topic under discussion. It is a tactic used to control debate by refusing to join this discussion. It is an age old debating trick that is transparent as it is frustrating.
Those who use it are fond of saying “I can’t go there” or, “I won’t discuss that.” Such arguments are the last refuge of those in an indefensible position. Their goal is simple. Change the subject as quickly as possible. Complain about the lighting, the shape of the table, complain about your opponent. Talk about anything else to divert attention from the subject at hand.
We have heard this “negative” accusation from other sources as well. Mayor David Bower and Ward 1 Alderman Joe Creamer are on record in the Kansas City Star as complaining that the Raytown Report website, and the public blog in particular, is too “negative”.
Very well then, let’s talk about what THEY want to talk about.
If Mayor Bower, Creamer, one of his seatmates, or for that matter, any private citizen would like to spread a little sunshine with some of their “positive” remarks, we invite them to do so on this page one week from today.
We will make space for their comments in our weekly post.
Who knows, maybe one of those writers will realize that we are all on the same side . . . that complaints (that they view as negative) are borne out of frustration and that the worst way to face a problem is to ignore it.
High School Football Standings
O'Hara High School.....................4 win /1 loss
Raytown High School...................1 win /4 loss
Raytown South High School............3 win /2 loss
O’Hara Celtics - 45 / St. James Thunder - 31
by Brother Richard Geimer
Led by T.J. White’s and Raphael Spencer’s two touchdowns apiece, the O’Hara Celtics downed the Saint James Thunder 45-31 on September 25th. Touchdowns were also scored by Terrell Johnson, Brett Coatney, and Louis Golden in the romp. Here is a rundown of the evening’s scoring:
O’Hara 0, Saint James 6: O’Hara received the opening kickoff but were stopped in three running plays. Saint James mounted a thirteen play drive to reach the scoreboard first. Grinding out yardage in which none of the plays netted over ten yards, Danny Manning scored from 10 yards out. In the drive the Thunder twice went for yardage on fourth downs. Their extra point kick was wide. It was the first time in five games that the Celtics were scored upon in the first quarter.
O’Hara 7, Saint James 6: Jimmy Clark returned the kickoff with a great run and the Celtics took over in good field position on the Thunder 41 yard line. Five plays later, Brett Coatney found his way into the end zone on a 14 yard carry. Julian Gidley kicked the extra point after which the Celtics never trailed in the game.
FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS REPORT PLEASE USE THIS LINK:
http://brrichard.blogspot.com/2009/09/ohara-45-saint-james-31.html
Raytown South - 19 / Lee’s Summit West - 21
Two fourth quarter touchdowns weren't enough to prevent visiting Raytown South from suffering a key Suburban Middle Six loss to Lee's Summit West.
Phillip Kind returned an intercepted pass for a touchdown and Dennis Tanner passed 27 yards to Dennis Turner for another during South's futile fourth quarter comeback.
In between the two scores Mick Medlock passed 43 yards to James Ritch for what proved to be the winning West touchdown. Three Medlock extra points proved to be the winning margin. Turner ran 33 yards and Seven Connick kicked the extra point as South (3-2 overall, 1-1 conference) took a 7-0 opening-quarter lead.
Then West ended South's 13 quarters streak of not being scored upon on as Luke Knott passed 27 yards to Trevor Smith. Jordan Wade's 9-yard run in the second quarter gave West (3-2, 2-1) a 14-7 halftime lead.
Raytown 17 / North Kansas City 20
NO REPORT AVAILABLE
O'Hara Volleyball Team Fares Well in Blue Springs Tournament
On Saturday, September 26th, the O'Hara volleyball team competed in the Blue Springs South Invitational in which sixteen powerhouses were represented, and did a commenable job even though unable to survive as one of the four semifinalists.
The team played in the White Pool losing only one game in overtime to Blue Springs South. They came back to win 25-20. The Celtics then beat Cor Jesu 25-20 and 26-24 and went into the Championship bracket.
Facing Nerinx Hall, O'Hara won 25-18 and dropped a 21-25 game. Nerinx Hall was one of the four teams to go on the the semifinals having the better overall scoring.
Comments
from our elected officials. In fact I look at this invitation
as a challenge to them because I don't think they can
do it without making themselves look bad.
I mean, what can they say besides they have spent taxpayer
money, raised taxes, done nothing for the people of
Raytown, given away almost a quarter of this cities income
and have helped to run businesses out of town.
They have nothing to brag about.
By the way, you just published 2 negative football scores so these leader(s) are correct on that point.
There is news thay any critism of the President is racial. That may or may not be true but obviously those making those commenys are raciasts. My father criticised Nixon not because of race but because of Nixon's wrong doings. I had no respect for Clinton, not because of race but because the man is a liar and abused his power with interns. What he did is morally wrong but if he did it with someone who didn't work under him, it would be nobady's business and I wouldn't care.
I don't agree with what out dictator is doing. It is not because of his race. If he was Caucasian, I would have the same complaints. Remember a Causians named Hitler and Mussulini did much of the same.
Andy Whiteman
Oh, maybe Simple Joe will write something about wanting to "echo" what someone else said. But certainly nothing original.
To be very honest I hope someone steps up like a real leader and responds. But I am not going to hold my breath to see it happen.
The youth of Raytown need to know that people do pay attention to what they accomplish.
Please keep and expand the coverage of our local high school sports.
make the downtown a great place to be. We had meetings
on Saturday mornings in the UMB for a kind of strategy on
how to make the downtown a better place. We were all thinking
positive to come up with new ideas and strategies. This was over
twelve years ago.
Even back then City Hall didn't want to here from us, in a way I guess
you could say several of us including myself learned how to be
"negative" from City Hall.
Nothing has changed. Some of the faces have changed at City Hall
but the attitude hasn't. I don't know if the "Main Street" organization is
still around but, I know they are trying to do what we did twelve years
ago and I feel for them. They want good things for the downtown as we all do
and really the whole town but, there is more negativity coming
from City Hall than has ever been posted on this blog. I have never
seen a small town who's elected officials work so hard at ignoring
and avoiding the people as we have here in Raytown.
This may sound "negative" but, I'm "positive" I'm right.
You can go to www.kmbc.com scroll down and vote. (I did)
Andy Whiteman
12:16PM, I have been here been in Raytown just over 9 years and have noticed several closings just walking downtown with my dog. Some have moved but I count them as closing since the business is vacant. I submited my meager list to Pat. Maybe he will Post a more complete list.
Andy Whiteman
Perhaps it would be appropriate to call it the David Bower / Mahesh Sharma Memorial Bridge.
They know there is a problem there but they choose to ignore it.
Doc's Ice Cream
City Grounds Coffee Shop
Marvin's Gardens
Pippo" Italian Restaurant
Coddibgton's Thriftway
The Bread Crumb
5K Cafe
Mr. B's
Joe Henderson Photography
Funky Monkey Gifts
Big Momma's Bakery
Oasis Coffee Shop
Fetish Footwear
Blockbuster Video
Raytown Post
Raytown Tribune
Skippy's Ice Cream
Raytown Office Supply
Lazy Boy
The Music store in the Plaza
Drug store in the Plaza
Just for Birds
Jan's Flowers
Bledsoe Rental
Car-X Auto Service
Wenchell's Donuts
Dave's Sweet Savor BBQ
Chinese Restaurant on 63rd west of Raytown Rd. (Wang's)?
World Wide Music
There are many more but I only have descriptions of where they were
not who they were. I am still taking information on more lost businesses
so if any of you can add to this list please send to ccindustrial@kcnet.com
This is probably one of the saddest articles I have ever worked on.
Andy Whiteman
City Administrator Mahesh Sharma must drive by on his daily commute to Raytown from Belton.
Even the mayor has to be aware of it.
I can understand the grief of those close to the young man. But this "memorial" has been left to rot in the weather for nearly two years.
Even the M
City Administrator Mahesh Sharma must drive by on his daily commute to Raytown from Belton.
Even the mayor has to be aware of it.
I can understand the grief of those close to the young man. But this "memorial" has been left to rot in the weather for nearly two years.
Even the M
The Bower-Sharma Memorial. Very fitting!
I like the KISS system. Has anyone notified codes? Personally I think whoever placed it would be appalled at the condition and either maintain it or remove it.
I think the gateway memorials should name those in office who wasted money on them so they may be remembered for centuries!
Andy Whiteman
My guess you are part of the see not evil crowd that dominates at city hall. So typical, the same neglect that the sign is evidence of can be seen everywhere in Raytown.
Golly, do you you think that anyone in codes ever drives the 63rd Street bridge. Or do they take that alternate route around 59th street?
Those city folk are probably wearing those same glasses that don't allow them to see illegal signs, houses rotting on their foundation, and streets crumbling beneath them.
Not really a surprise when you consider that the ones running our city do not even live near it!
Haven't got the intestinal fortitude to come forward with any
of their "Positive" remarks or deeds. However there may be another
reason they haven't come forward.
Maybe they are too embarrassed and ashamed for what they have
done to this little town to comment.
More likely, it's because they haven't done anything positive
for the town, it's people or it's hometown businesses, from the list above.
We really can't blame them. It's so much easier to stick your
head in the sand or other dark places, than to face the people or
justify the waste at 10000 E 59th St.
Read this morning's paper. The head of the Department of Natural Resources kept results from tests showing e coli levels at 8 times what is allowed under Missouri law.
That means that people were swimming in what is basically sewage.
His job is to protect Missourians from such threats.
His punishment. Two weeks without pay! Wow, our Governor is soooo tough on bureaucrats that refuse to do their job.
Kind of like our Mayor and city council. A quick drive around Raytown and you can see what they find as acceptable.
Keep putting 'em back in office folks. They will keep doing the same sub-standard performance.
Thank you, Mayor Bow Wow, Simple Joe, and all the other great city leaders we have. You have driven out local businesses so that one of America's most vicious corporations can bleed the community dry.
They should be ashamed. They should resign.
one of my children. It is a painful thing to even think
about. The memorial on the bridge doesn't hurt anyone.
I'm sure with time things will change but for now it may be
too painful for them to fix it up. Lets give them more time.
The reality is the fact that the deteriorating of the memorial
stands for two or more reasons. The deterioration of the
memorial is no worse than the deterioration of the bridge itself
or the rest of downtown or our streets. Thanks to our leaders.
Raytown will have a shiny new Wal-Mart, a great looking
school and some new "Gateways" to the town, all paid for
by the people and taxpayers of Raytown. While the people
that have had to pay for these items receive nothing for their
tax dollars.
To Anonymous 9:15,
I'm sorry to say you are right about the Wal-Mart deal. I for one can't
let it go. I want everyone in this town to know exactly what City Hall did to this
great town and why it is going downhill.
So you keep those rose colored glasses on, keep paying more and more
taxes without question and the rest of us will keep you caught up on reality.
BTW Walmart happended long before "Simple" Joe was elected. I have met the man and while I may disagree with his opinion, I don't consider him simple.
I question why Walmart wasn't located downtown? That would have run out downtown business, but it would have solved the problem of a mostly vacant downtown.
Andy Whiteman
Andy Whiteman
http://www.thejesustv.com/main/media/4053/AMAZING_VIDEOOne_Nation_Under_God/
Andy Whiteman
and if walmart would have built just outside of raytown on westridge in kansas city by the frontier motel and jerrys steakhouse you would be screaming foul and wanting to lynch city hall for losing another buisness...is it any wonder that people and buisness dont flock here...hummmm
you forgot the part about the city paying $800,000 of your tax dollars to pay the bond holders for the new walmart.
you also forgot the broken promises that transportation tax dollars would be spent on repairing our neighborhood streets. now we learn that about 18% of that money was used to pay for the walmart parking lot, entry ramps and traffic signals on 350 highway all in honor of the walmart gods.
comparing this local fiasco to state and federal government may seem clever to you but i noticed you did not go into any detail about it.
i went into some detail here. why don't you do the same?
hummmmmmmmmmm
Taylor, it is a fact that you can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.
A lot also depends on peoples' level of expectation. I am unhappy with the quality of the streets while others don't care or don't take the time to complain. I am extremely satisfied with the Police, Fire Department, and EMS, and have so stated while others complain. I am satisfied with city employees (those who do the work, not chair warmers) while others get on this blog and call them lazy and incompetent. People complain about a swamp with mosquitoes at 59th and Spring Valley while I don't go out of my way to inspect it. But if it was across from me, yes I would complain.
I think that the Walmart TIF was thew stupidest thing this city has ever done but on the other hand, when I am looking for a house, I look for where the nearest Walmart, Target, or KMart is.
Some people expect more than others. I am very difficult to please but from what I read here, some people are more difficult than I to please.
what you are missing and do not seem to grasp is that what happens in washington, d.c. is very far away. What happens to us in raytown is not. The ones who made these bone headed decisions can be found at 10000 east 59th street. they live in our city. there is more control here. throwin up your arms and saying it is going to hell in a hand basket does not solve a damned thing.
Learning from our mistakes does. There are a bunch of mistakes up at city hall.
Don't give them a free ride because of your anger a national politics.
People wake up this is bigger than Wal-mart and City Hall..