RAYTOWN REPORT

Fireworks On Tuesday, March 3rd the Board of Aldermen will vote on an ordinance lifting the ban on the sale and shooting of fireworks in Raytown. The ordinance would allow: The sale of fireworks by Raytown non-profit organizations. The period for sale would run from June 27th through July 4th. The shooting of fireworks on July 4th until 11:00 p.m. in the evening. Bottle rockets, missiles with sticks and roman candles would be prohibited. The March 3rd meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. at Raytown City Hall located at 10000 East 59th Street. The public is allowed to voice their opinion on the ordinance during the “Public Comments” segment held at the beginning of the Board meeting. Raytown Democratic Association Alive and Kicking The Raytown Democratic Association (RDA) held its monthly meeting last Thursday. About 40 people were on hand to hear National Democractic Committeewoman Sandra Quearry give a report about events at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC.. Since...

To my readers: My wife and I felt that for all her loyalty, love and help in raising our family that the above tribute to our family dog, Biskette, was in order. I will resume regular publishing next week. -- Greg. Biskette 1994 – 2009 I had to have our family dog, Biskette, put down this week. About a year ago we noticed that she had lost a lot of weight. The veterinarian did some blood tests and diagnosed her with liver disease and arthritis. Through a regimen of medicines and supplements she had rebounded to a healthy “elderly” dog. Not as rambunctious as a puppy but still full of life and aware of her surroundings. Biskette was the only dog I have ever heard of who came into this world toilet trained. Even as a puppy, she would patiently wait at the door to go outside to take care of business. When finished, she would simply scratch the door with her paw to get back in the house. She was a mutt. Part American Eskimo and part Cocker Spaniel. She also had characteristics – pointi...

“This isn’t your run of the mill recession.” President Obama could not have said it more eloquently than he did tonight in his address to the American people. Our country is in a deep recession and it is not just those of us in business who are seeing the devastating affects it is having on the area economy. Many of our neighbors are out of work, in real fear of losing their job, or, in worst case scenarios, in fear of losing their homes. The reality is shocking. Just one year ago, the economy was humming along at a fairly brisk pace. The housing market was slumping, but not totally unexpected in an industry that cyclically has its ups and downs. The President’s message was one of hope that was well balanced with the sincere desire to do more than just throw money at problems. His recognition that the private sector is the engine that drives the train spoke of a realized need to jump-start the economy. Plainly stated, something must be done to get money flowing into the economy. Th...

A NOTE TO MY READERS: A complete listing of the April 7th Election Ballot has been certified by the Jackson County Election Board. For a listing of all the candidates for Municipal and School District seats, and the ballot language on the proposed half cent sales tax increase, scroll down to my January 18th posting, Municipal and School Board Races Take Shape. O nly the most starry eyed optimist can look at the condition of the American economy and say that things are getting better. But there are indications that some common sense is beginning to take hold locally – some could even be called success stories. So here is my read on some small but not insignificant changes in the direction of how things are being done on the local, state and federal levels. Raytown Success Stories . . . LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: During the Sue Frank Administration, there was the equivalent to a Raytown “executive order/policy” to not install any new street lights in Raytown. That ended three years ago w...