Sunday, September 27, 2009

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.

41 comments:

Pat Casady said...

I too would like to see or read something positive
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.

Anonymous said...

Greg, I applaud you for offering those who think this blog is too negative to join in and tell us what is "right in Raytown". If they were solving these problems that are discussed on this blog then I'm sure the blog would get much more "positive". Problems solved, then it should all be good news.

Andy Whiteman said...

I have spoken with city leader(s) who said the blog is negative, and anonymous postings are likely to be untrue. My translation of that remark is that anything the don't agree with is negative. The don't want to hear it unless you praise them. I don't take it as changing the subject. I take it as an avoidance of the issue which to me is insulting especially if I am complaining about the same issue.

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

Insider said...

Some are going to say this is just sooooo "negative" but it fits. I will bet dollars to donuts that none of our elected officials reply.

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.

Anonymous said...

As a parent of children attending one of our high schools I want to thank the Raytown Report for carrying news of our local high school sports.

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.

Pat Casady said...

When I first moved my business downtown, I was eager to
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.

Andy Whiteman said...

On Channel 9 you can vote for high school game of the week. They will televise clips of the winner on the 10PM news. Raytown South is on the list to vote for. As of the 6PM news yesterday Raytown South was #1 in votes with close to 49% of the votes.

You can go to www.kmbc.com scroll down and vote. (I did)

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Someone recently mentioned that a large number of businesses have closed in Raytown. Is there a list? I would like to see the names.

Andy Whiteman said...

After reading Pat's post, I concluded that negativity originates at City Hall.

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

Anonymous said...

Why on earth is that tattered and ragged sign still up on the 63rd Street Bridge? I can understand mourning a death. But after nearly two years, isn't it time to let go?

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.

Pat Casady said...

To Anonymous 12:16, this is a partial list of Raytown's lost businesses:

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 said...

9:56PM, I have noticed that sign long ago but have not noticed it recently. Is is called a scotoma. After it is there too long, people no longer see it. Quite possibly city enforcement no longer sees it. Maybe someone needs to call them. I rarely go that way, but the next time I do, I will look for it.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

I, too, wonder about the sign half draped over the railing on the 63rd Street Bridge. City Hall is about two blocks away from it. Th sign is in Ward 1. There is not doubt that Aldermen Joe Creamer and Shane Pardue drive by it on his way to City Council meetings.

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

Anonymous said...

I, too, wonder about the sign half draped over the railing on the 63rd Street Bridge. City Hall is about two blocks away from it. Th sign is in Ward 1. There is not doubt that Aldermen Joe Creamer and Shane Pardue drive by it on his way to City Council meetings.

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

Anonymous said...

Do you think City Codes department director Beth Lynn drives by the monument banner on he way to city hall from Shawnee, Kansas?

The Bower-Sharma Memorial. Very fitting!

Anonymous said...

you guys have sunk to a all time low, that is prbably from his parents, unless you have lost a child you have no idea when its time to let go..they can leave that up as long as they want..do you want them to remove the stone plaque also...you want them to move on and forget or get past...but you guys cant let the wal-mart deal go...or bashing former mayor frank...how dumb is that..think about it..cant believe i was dumb enough to come on here and see page after page of same drivle...wasted 30 mins of my life i like back please...

Andy Whiteman said...

We can only speculate everyone's route. If they are looking at the road, they won't see it at all. If I was aforementioned, I would turn on 59th St because it is a more direct route with fewer turns and one less red light.

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

Anonymous said...

That weather worn, beat up sign is not a memorial. It is neglected.

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.

Anonymous said...

9:15 pm is the one with all the drivel with the same tired excuses and uncaring attitude from city hall.

Not really a surprise when you consider that the ones running our city do not even live near it!

Anonymous said...

I guess it's obvious, after almost a week our elected officials
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.

Anonymous said...

Raytowns problems run much deeper than a memorial on the 63rd street bridge. If this is one way the parents can deal with their grieve then leave them alone. Codes has so many problems to deal with such as 79th and Spring Valley Rd. But God forbid that one should be fixed,or any other problem. Citizens have come to Beth Linn and Nancy Thompson for help and have been turned away with an answer like "there is nothing we can do." We need to elect a mayor who will deal with these employees with your "fired deal with it." Of course that will mean electing a mayor who has the balls to do it.

Anonymous said...

It's nor just Raytown, folks.

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.

Anonymous said...

Today's KC Star has an interesting commentary by Yael Abouhalkah. In short it talks about suburban growth in population among our neighboring cities. It only mentions Raytown in on short sentence saying that people aren't flocking here to live. Wonder why? Mayor Bower and his board should be trying to find an answer to this question, I'm sure it couldn't be because of the trashy neighborhoods, the lack of small business, (you can't buy anything in Raytown) the rising crime rate, the highest sales tax in the area, high water and sewer bills( Lee's Summit water and sewer are cheaper) and poor streets. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the picture. It take residents to support these higher taxes and fees and I just wonder what our leaders are going to do when they find out that Raytown's population has shrunk closer to 25,000 than to the 30,000 that we had in the 2000 census? I'm sure their solution will be to add another tax to support the incompetent city government that we have. I don't know about you but I'm preparing to move away from this mess. Bower is driving out city into bankruptcy. Just hope my house sells soon and I don't have to take too big a lose to get out.

Anonymous said...

Pat, Another lost business for the list is Medlin's Restaurant. Boy, I sure miss that place. It was honestly the best place in Raytown to eat for many, many, years. So sad that it is gone.

Anonymous said...

Also the Chrysler dealerships are gone. Not sure if the city could have done anything about this, but the bottom line is they they are now empty buildings, where once thriving businesses used to be.

Anonymous said...

Midwest BBQ, Macco Paint and the car wash on Raytown Road

Anonymous said...

Hey guys, it's no so bad. Don't we have a shiny new Walmart being built by our tax dollars so that we can spend the second highest sales tax in the area?

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.

Pat Casady said...

I really don't know how I would handle the passing of
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.

Anonymous said...

I am surprised at the people that I talk to that WILL NOT shop Walmart. I think the more you know about this company and how it conducts business the less likely you are to patronize them.

Andy Whiteman said...

6:19 AM, You have to be kidding! Officials like this never resign from a permanent job! The only way to get rid of them is to vote them out, impeach them, or discover illegal activities they may have committed and remove them.

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

Anonymous said...

The Love of Animals and a mortgage company have left the centre 65 building in the last month also.

Andy Whiteman said...

I remember a Pet store on Raytown Tfy in a stand alone building when I moved here in 2000. People couldn't believe it when I told them Raytown had a pet store. Now it doesn't except Walmart and I don't class Walmart as a pet store.

Andy Whiteman

Andy Whiteman said...

Check out The Pledge of Allegiance broken down and defined word by word.

http://www.thejesustv.com/main/media/4053/AMAZING_VIDEOOne_Nation_Under_God/

Andy Whiteman

taylor said...

this is what i think is funny evry thread on this blog is a bash wal mart then the next is bash lynch and city hall then we go to bash bower frank and whatever other fool you voted for at the time who wont take your phone call. great now we are listing buisness that have left raytown like we are the only town that is losing buisness or that we have the only mayor that is not preforming up to everybody expectation...pull your heads out people every city is losing buisness and jobs..local govt is failing ,state govt is not much better and obama and the federal govt is worse....so thiking that raytown is all by itself in failure is dumb and ill informed.
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

response to taylor said...

taylor,

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 said...

wow you went into such detail i just dont now where to start...first off...i dont believe anything a politician says because they are in someones pocket and i meen evryone of them lie and do it regular..you cry tax dollars going to pay for traffic signals and parking lots...the federal govt is debating on raising my taxes to fund a health care system that wont work allows for illeagal aliens the right of coverage and will fine me if i dont buy insurance and if my employer pays for it i get that money taxed as earned income..shall i go on massive tax bailouts for banks,aig and the auto industry..guess what banks are still failing another one today,aig still paying big bonuses to lousy ceos(kinda like re electing some turd back in office) and unemployement is at 10%..postal service going bankrupt providing worst service possible and reducing days of delivery.however post master got big bonus..govt funding amtrack...attorney general investigating CIA and giving rights to terriosts captured on the battlefield..everyone of which i hope got waterboarded...obama change we can do it...lets see patriot act RENEWED...gitmo..STILL OPEN...iraq..STILL THERE...afganistan..STILL THERE STILL NO OSAMA AND 21,000 MORE TROOPS PLUS 40,000 WAITING FOR APPROVAL..wire tapping by NSA..STILL DOIN IT and we have been doing it since Clinton..who called it a matter of national security....these are just a few ...thats why your wal mart is so small this is the only town it matters in...dont you get it..that is just a little bit of the federal problem do you really want to break down the state problems...reduction in services, do you get it...has it registered yet.....anymore questions maybe you should read more...taylor

Andy Whiteman said...

Walmart has taken their conventions away from KCMO and they are now in AR. We criticize Walmart but at least it is run as a business even though we don't like the way it is run. In my opinion Walmart could run the city, county, and state better than they are being run now. Heck, they could do much better than Dictator O'Bomba.

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.

response to taylor said...

taylor,

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.

taylor said...

what happens in washington is so far away....what? cigarette tax,soda tax,personel prop tax more federal income tax,health care taxed on my paycheck and at end of year on my return,reduced medicare benifits,higher copays....all came from washington and they feel pretty close to home...

Anonymous said...

I agree with Taylor what happens in D.C. is felt here.
People wake up this is bigger than Wal-mart and City Hall..

Anonymous said...

I urge every Raytown citizen to call their alderperson and tell them not to vote for raises for city employees. At the rate they are going they will bankrupt the city. If the raises are passed they will come crying to us, the taxpayers for more taxes, because the city is broke. Make them use good judgement and be held accountable for what they do. They work for us but they have for gotten where their money comes from. The mayor, Beth Linn and Nancy Thompson are worthless.