Sunday, June 27, 2010

In This Week's Raytown Report

August Primary + Big Ballot = Big Turnout? by Greg Walters
Retro Review: Abs & Buns of Steel by Jenn Walters


Every Picture Tells a Story . . . "CACTUS IN BLOOM" The picture below is of what remains of a wagon bed at a Mormon outpost n the high desert between the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Zion National Monument in northern Arizona / southern Utah. 


The outpost was abandoned in the late 1800's.





















COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
RAYTOWN GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
A 50th Year Celebration is planned in conjunction with Closing Ceremonies on Tuesday, July 13 at 7 PM at Little Blue Trace Park.  Anyone who has ever played, umpired, coached or directed in the league is invited to be part of the reunion celebration.  Help us spread the word!  In addition to the trophies and Ann Harrison check presentation, we will celebrate the league turning 50 this year and recogonize all those in our history.




NEWS AND VIEWS
by Greg Walters

August Primary + Big Ballot = Big Turnout?
The Fourth of July marks the beginning of the mad dash for the August 3rd Primary by candidates hoping to make the cut for the November, 2010 elections. The 2010 August Primary ballot is, in a word, huge – especially for an off-year election. The Raytown area is especially crowded with interesting races. 


Will the large number of races increase voter tournout? Typically, primary elections are low turnout events because many people do not like to claim party affiliation. Without any over-riding issue on the ballot (the only non-candidate issue are changes to the Jackson County Charter) the turn-out on August 3rd is anyone's guess.


Since a good number of the races are being determined in the primary, if you want your vote to count the most, then plan on heading to the polls on August 3rd. 


Here is the list of local races to keep an eye on August 3rd.

Jackson County – 1st District at Large
Incumbent County Legislator Theresa Garza-Ruiz is being challenged by Ray Salva, Jr. The winner of this Democratic contest will walk into a no-lose situation in the November general election as no Republican has filed for the seat.

Jackson County – 2nd District at Large
Incumbent County Legislator Henry Rizzo is challenged by Crystal Williams. A third candidate has filed as well, but has not campaigned actively for the seat. Like the 1st District at Large race, no Republican has filed. So the winner here will sail through the November election.

Jackson County – 3rd District at Large
Incumbent County Legislator Fred Arbanas is being challenged by Kansas City Councilman Terry Riley. The diverse demographics of the Jackson County area make this an interesting race. Like the 1st and 2nd District – the winner here will waltz into the general election as no Republican has filed.

Jackson County – 6th District
Former Raytown City Councilman Greg Walters is facing off against political newcomer Syed Asif. The winner of that contest will square off against the winner of the Republican Primary in November. On the Republican side of the ballot  incumbent County Legislator Bob Spence is being challenged by Lee’s Summit City Councilman Joseph Spallo.

State Representative – 43rd District
Mark Wasserstrom, Kim Douglass, and Gail McCann Beatty are in a three way tug of war for this open seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. There is no Republican filed for the seat, so the winner of the Primary will be elected in November.

State Representative – 48th District
Three Republican candidates are vying for the open seat being vacated by Will Kraus. Those candidates are Gary Cross, Bob Gough and Pam Osgood. The winner of that race will face the Democrat, Gavin Fletchall, in the November general election.
  
Committeeman – Brooking Township
Three candidates are vying for two seats in both the Democratic and Republican primaries. On the Democratic ticket the three candidates are Michael Downing, Richard Tush and A.K. Khan. On the Republican side Bill VanBuskirk, Mark Moore and Michael Lightfoot are in a race for the two seats.

TO YOUR HEALTH
by Jenn Walters
Retro Review: Abs & Buns of Steel
Buns of Steel is the quintessential exercise tape. It brought the term “gluteus maximus” into everyday speech, and, for better or for worse, it defined aerobics fashion, resulting in an entire generation of leotard-clad ladies. For the bun betterment of humanity, Buns of Steel and Abs of Steel were recently released in a combo Buns & Abs of Steel DVD. Its a two-fer! Apparently the makers of Steel wanted many more generations to enjoy Tamilee Webbs’ buns and abs.
Although the fashions on the DVD scream 1985, after a bit of research, I was surprised to learn that the original VHS tapes were made in the mid-90s. What also surprised me was how advanced the exercise science was for 1994. Tamilee Webb knows her stuff. She’s likeable, cues well, provides options for beginners, and describes exercises and postural alignment in an easy-to-understand way. And she’s cute, especially in the Abs section of the DVD, where she’s working mall bangs, spandex and the all-white high-top Ryka’s with accompanying scrunched down white socks. Rad. (In the Buns sections, she’s less cute and more sex kitten, with her hair teased and down, and her brightly colored thong leotard on, but more on that later…)
The DVD is easy to navigate. The menu divides up the Abs and Buns sections separately, with three 15-minute workouts in each section. Each section contains a warm-up and cool down, so you really can just do 15 minutes a day. The sections build in intensity as you progress. Abs #1 and Buns #1 are pretty basic. Abs #2 and Buns #2 are a bit more difficult, and Tamilee saves the most challenging routines for the #3 segments. As someone who regularly exercises, I found the #3 workouts to be my favorite.
Despite how much I’m raving about this DVD, there is one major problem I have with it: I wouldn’t feel comfortable having it on my television set if someone randomly dropped by. Is this because I would feel un-cool doing leg lifts with a perky woman in a neon pink leotard? No. I’m really fine with that. Is it because the music it just too embarrassing? Nah, for 1994, it’s really not too bad. I couldn’t have it on my TV set because it makes me blush.
Not only does the set contain two TVs—one showing Tamilee from afar and another serving as the crotch/booty cam—but in the Buns segments you can see, er, A LOT of Ms. Webb. Like too much. Way too much. I’ll spare you the details, but really, in a workout video, do you really want to see “too much” of anyone?
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction:
★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability:
★★★★
Music:
★★
Fun Factor:
★★★
Meets Expectations:
★★★ (and then some)
Overall:
★★★★
Fit Bottom line: Fourteen years later, it’s still a good workout for all levels of exercisers, but be warned, cable TV couldn’t show it until after 10 p.m. —Jenn Walters




39 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't remember the name of the Alderman who wanted fireworks in Raytown again but I hope he feels great that one of our residents has been severly injured because of fireworks and it's not even the 4th yet. Of course once again it was on TV announcing how backward we are becoming. I do hope it not a child next time.

Andy Whiteman said...

8:15PM, I fail to understand what relationship legal fire works in Raytown has to an injury. First a permit is required, and 2nd, there are only 2 days when fireworks may be discharged legally and only during specific time periods. Anyone injured by fireworks in Raytown was discharging them illegally. I feel sorry for the person but also hope they were cited for illegally discharging fireworks.

In every other state I have lived, a party is declared when registering to vote. If a person wants to switch parties for the primary, they may do so by changing their registration within a certain number of days before the election.

Missouri is truly the show me state allowing people to declare a party on election day.

As an FYI for those who qualify for the Homestead Preservation Credit, I attempted to print a form HPC for a friend and received a message that HPC sunsets on 10/28/2010. Be prepared to pay outrageous property taxes after this year! I am glad that I will be out of this State of Misery.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Not only is it illegal to shoot of fireworks before the Fourth of July in Raytown. The fireworks sellser are't allowed to sell them until Tuesday.

Andy Whiteman said...

9:01PM, I was thinking the fireworks were obtained early. Obviously they weren't purchased in Raytown.

Andy Whiteman

Jim said...

This election cycle we need to elect conservative people who will not do stupid things like raise our taxes for BASIC services. It seems our governments, at all levels, do not have a money problem but rather a budgeting problem. They have an existing pool of tax money and they should pay for BASIC SERVICES FIRST. This IS NOT the government's money. This is OUR money and the government should spend AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE and WISELY!

Lee said...

Andy, That is August 28th, not October.

http://dor.mo.gov/tax/personal/homestead/

But note the link at the bottom of that page. There is still a property tax credit for seniors and disabled.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but the HPC seems to be related to increases in property taxes. Something that is probably not a problem for most of Jackson County. I know the county valued my house $10k less this year.

Anonymous said...

I saw the news item about the explosion in Raytown too. The people were using commercial grade fireworks. Here's a news flash for you. Commercial grade fireworks are not sold in Raytown.

I agree with the writer that says we need more conservative people elected to public office. I noticed on the list of candidates running in Raytown that nearly all of them have held public office before.

Check their records. It is all public. Then go vote!

Anonymous said...

That's right. Our property valuation did go down last summer when the county re-evaluated our property taxes.

But then the school district stepped right in an raised the levy to the highest it has ever been to make up the difference.

One of the school board candidates (bobby saulsberry) didn't even bother to pay her taxes until she was foreced to by people who write on this blog.

Those million dollar football fields sure look like a dumb idea now, don't they.

Anonymous said...

I wanted to know what the law was on fireworks for the City of Raytown so I went to the city's website to check it out.

There's a button on the right side of the home page that says to click it for frequently asked questions about fireworks in Raytown.

The link does not work!

I saw at the bottom of the page another button about the 63rd Street project. I went to it and found another button that has the construction schedule on it.

So I clicked on it.

A screen came up that said the schedule will be added soon!

Whoever is running this page ought to be fired. No wonder our city's image is like it is. The incompetence demonstrated on the city's home page of its website shines through like a beacon to anyone who would think otherwise.

Anonymous said...

Pat Ertz was the alderman who thought we had to have fireworks. The city gets no financial benefit from selling fireworks because the $1000 fee per stand goes to the Fire District. Figure that one. Also, according to news reports, the fireworks involved in the home explosion WERE legal fireworks, but the individuals were trying to modify them to make a larger explosive. I hope the police department will charge these people involved to set an example that Raytown will not tolerate "bomb building" in the city limits. I hope the voters remember Mr. Ertz when they go to the polls next April.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm
getting pretty tired of other people telling me
if I can smoke ( I quit over ten years ago.),
shoot off fireworks, include God in the Pledge of
Allegiance or various other freedoms
we have given up because some do-good-er jerk
got offended. Our government even this small town's
government has gotten out of hand. As has our school
district. Not only do they try to tell us what and where we can
do things but they spend our money any way they see fit.
Until we get rid of all incumbents and get new good people
in office we as a town and a nation are doomed to failure.
Elected people are charged with watching over how and
where our tax dollars are spent. This city has given more to
Wal-mart than they have ever done for the people of Raytown.
Yes, they even took your tax overlay money and used it for Wal-
Marts parking lot.

Anonymous said...

No wonder the BoA thinks this blog is a threat. The writers point out elected officials who don't bother to pay their taxes. And, to add insult to injury, they point out that the city's main form of communication with the residents, mainly the city's web site doesn't work. What will the city's elected officials complain about next?

Andy Whiteman said...

I saw on the news last night that the illegal fireworks were actually purchased in Parkville.

Jim, I agree, but first we need intelligent voters who will vote. I think you are expecting more than is possible.

Lee, Sorry, your date is correct. Something distrated me. My property value went down too, but my taxes didn't. The city and the school district did NOT lower taxes as a normal person would expect. The city had to raise the mill levy to keep the dollar amount because if they didn't, state law wouldn't allow them to raise tazes back to what they were. What a lame excuse. I say cut wasteful spending.

You are correct, there is still a property tax program for seniors and disabled but it is limited to thosse under a certain poverty level income limit.

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

It was stated on CH 9 tonight the fireworks incident in Raytown was caused by people combining fireworks. Also they stated that their website showed fireworks ordinances by city.

6:21AM, The way the City website is not updated, I wonder if anyone is responsible for it. The bridge will probably be complete before they post the schedule. By then it will be unnecessary. With Alderman Pad-Due being an IT person, one would think he could take care of it. Really makes the city appear incompetent.

For the Fireworks ordinance, click on ORDINANCES, click Code of Ordinances. Then on the "+" at Chapter 9 Fire followed by the "+" at Article II Fireworks.

Andy Whiteman

Andy Whiteman said...

6AM, How do you gte the hyper links onto this blog? I can do it on a website, but can't figure it out here.

Andy Whiteman

Greg Walters said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rebecca said...

5th murder in Raytown this year. Praise the Lord and pass the ammuniton. Color me armed.

Anonymous said...

Thank you ward 5 Alderman Mock and Lightfoot for all you have and are doing for the citizens of this ward. It has been a very long time since we have had good alderman who really get out and work for us. We really appreciate all of your labor. To bad some of the others don't take note and follow. I have a friend who lives in ward one and she says those two, all they ever do is run their mouths and do nothing. Those are the ones we need to vote out.

Andy Whiteman said...

Rebecca, 5 murders in a year are 5 too many in my opinion. KCMO has a much higher murder rate. At one time KCMO was averaging one or more per day. Raytown is a much safer place to live.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

And if the young lady injured in the fireworks explosion dies, it should be treated as number six.

Anonymous said...

We need to put the heat on the RPD. We passed a safety sales tax!!! Tell us what you are doing with the money to protect us!!!!

Anonymous said...

All of you nay sayers. Here is another prime example of Police Chief Lynch not having to account to anyone for what goes on in the city or at the department. IF you people had passed a charter he would have to be accountable to someone either a board or panel. Sue Frank did a number on the city with her attitucde of "NOT THIS CHARTER" I guess she was protecting her hubbys job!!!! It troubles me that Joe Creamer was also one of the nay sayers and now he is mayor protem. The guy doesn't know shoe polish from applebutter. Jim Aziere is another, but he just likes to hear himself talk. Vote these people OFF the board.

Anonymous said...

Called and talked to Matt Mace, Raytown's Fire Marshall about the fireworks permit fee and here is the truth. Yes the Fire District gets all of the permit fee, thats because while the city can legalize the shooting of fireworks, only the Fire District\Fire Marshall can authorize the selling of fireworks. This is not only true for the local level, but also the state level as well. He said both the State Fire Marshall and Raytowns Fire Marshall have to approve the permits. On a better note 100% of the revenue generated from the sale of fireworks goes to fire prevention education programs. As for the City they to can make as much as they want, all the Police have to do is write tickets to anyone illegally using fireworks.

Andy Whiteman said...

11:02 AM, I am thinking negligent homicide. When my wife was run down in Denver, the charge was a 6 point violation: carelessness resulting in death. Totally different circumstances but laws can be strange.

Technically the incident is a Federal Offense. Under old laws it should be handled by the ATF but now it is manufacturing an IUD. The Feds should handle it since it is a federal issue and they won't have to debate murder, carelessness, accident, etc.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Rebecca you are so right.

What a fine job the police are doing to keep the public safe?

It is time someone looks at department policy and back log of warrents.

Also funny is still have yet to see our "ELECTED" police chief on TV.

Anonymous said...

There is a new element moving into Raytown brought on by lower property values, Wal-Mart
and a few other factors. Murders, thugs, robbery's
and other lawbreaking are a byproduct of this element.
It's an old story but fairly new to Raytown.
If you have all the above and a codes department that
does not stay on top of their job the city goes downhill
fast. We all see this happening around us.
Who is to blame?
City Hall and everyone inside it's walls!
Our city officials need to grow a pair and do their jobs.
Our city officials want to only take credit for the good
things that happen in town. They turn a blind eye to
the bad hoping they will go away.
Here's a news flash city hall, it will only go away when
you all do your damn jobs!

Andy Whiteman said...

There are complaints in Raytown. Lets look at crime near Raytown:

www.crimespot.com
A Theft 06/22/10. 86XX S BUCKINGHAMLA KANSAS CITY Details
B Theft 06/23/10. 112XX E 49 ST KANSAS CITY Details
C Theft 06/27/10. 88XX E 52 TR KANSAS CITY Details
D Burglary 06/21/10. 71XX S JAMES A RERD KANSAS CITY Details
E Burglary 06/24/10. 54XX S RINKER RD KANSAS CITY Details
F Theft 06/21/10. 87XX S SNI-A-BAR RD KANSAS CITY Details
G Burglary 06/23/10. 87XX E 77 TR KANSAS CITY Details
H Theft 06/21/10. 87XX E 77 TR KANSAS CITY Details
I Burglary 06/24/10. 46XX S NORWOOD CT KANSAS CITY Details
J Theft 06/27/10. 86XX E 78 TR KANSAS CITY Details
K Robbery 06/23/10. BANNISTER RDSPRING VALRDE KANSAS CITY Details
L Theft 06/21/10. 76XX E 75 TR KANSAS CITY Details
M Theft 06/27/10. 106XX E 43 ST KANSAS CITY Details
N Burglary 06/25/10. 79XX S SYCAMORE AV KANSAS CITY Details
O Theft 06/27/10. 79XX S SYCAMORE AV KANSAS CITY Details
P Theft 06/27/10. 42XX S STERLING AV KANSAS CITY Details
Q Theft 06/21/10. 51XX S EASTERN AV KANSAS CITY Details
R Assault 06/27/10. 53XX S PERSIMMON TL KANSAS CITY Details
S Burglary 06/22/10. 75XX E 49 TR KANSAS CITY Details
T Theft 06/21/10. 68XX S CRABAPPLE CR KANSAS CITY Details
U Burglary 06/22/10. 74XX S OZARK RD KANSAS CITY Details

Too much if you ask me. It is creeping into Raytown. People are blaming Chief Lynch. There is no way any police department can stop crime even if they put an officer on each city block and restricted who is allowed into the city. The fault is with the criminals, not the police.

Andy Whiteman

Andy Whiteman said...

7:52AM makes a good point. The old Hypermart/Bannister Mall area was surrounded by a bad neighborhood. Obviously Walmart attracts criminals. I heard from someone before this Walmart opened that the Walmart on I-70 was pretty bad.

Obviously if you look at Crimespot.com , crime surrounds Raytown and Raytown is not an island as we would like to think. Just bring it up and look at the red dots around Raytown.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Sources close to city hall are saying that another longtime Raytown business closed it's doors yesterday. Laurel Lanes/ Fitzs Restaurant is said to have closed it's doors for good. It's so sad to see our longtime, established businesses going away. Just another sign of what's wrong with Raytown, no leadership at city hall has a lot to do with all the businesses that are leaving. With code enforcement to be non excitant, no street improvements and the highest taxes around, there is really not much reason to want to LIVE HERE. Wish I could sell my house and I'd be gone tomorrow.

Andy Whiteman said...

9PM, There is leadership at City Hall but apparently they are deaf. I recall speaking many times, but they don't listen.

Why don't you move and then sell your house? That is what I am doing. I already bought another house and am waiting for remodeling. I still have a lot of packing to do.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

It was reported in yesterday's KC Star that the only city loosing more population than Raytown, over the last ten years, was Sugar Creek. This information should tell Bower and his cronies that they aren't doing a good job at city hall. People are moving away because of the high crime, the high taxes and just general decay of the city. Bower is all talk and no action. VOTE THEM ALL OUR NEXT APRIL and that includes Jim Lynch too.

Anonymous said...

7-2-10 7:26am

Amen!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I am putting over $31,000 in my home here in Raytown because I love where it is and I love Raytown. I however, sometimes wonder if I've lost my mind. I watch my neighborhood going to pot with all of the rental properties that no one cares about. It's certainly not the city or the landowners and differently not the renters.

My neighbors across the street put out 3 trash cans the day after their trash was to be picked up, I guess they did not like the smell of the trash in the garage. The animals got into the cans and the trash has been all over the street for days now and everyday it gets worse. My husband came home last night and did not see the woman sitting on the porch. He was so upset that they have not cleaned up the mess he said "is anyone ever going to cleanup this mess?" So you know that pretty much set the mood for any relationship with them.
He was so upset because I went out already once this week and cleaned up a mess that someone through out of their car. The animals got into it the very first night. I am 70 and really don't want to have to cleanup someone else trash or look at it either because they are to lazy to get off their ass and clean it up. Where is the city codes dept.? All they had to do is drive down the street to see these messes but NO that's to much to think that would happen. Thanks mayor Bower.

We should all be asking why should we have to move because no one at city hall cares about our properties values and what is happening to our neighborhoods? Isn't the responsiblity of city hall to see that these things don't? How disappionted my husband and I are with this administration. We will never ever vote for anyone that is on this city council from the mayor down.

Andy Whiteman said...

I wish everyone a safe and sane
4th! If you want to enjoy your own fireworks, please handle them carefully.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Perhaps if parents would begin with teaching their children how to respect other people, their property, to take care of their things, put things away when done, clean up after themselves, proper etiquette, keep things looking nice and in order, and to think how their actions could potentially cause negative reactions from others, for instance, painting your house hot pink ??? just because you like the color....

Basically it starts with the parents or whoever is lucky enough to raise the kids. And if those people did not learn any of those things from anyone before them, how do they break that cycle of laziness/don't care????

It also is a socioeconomic thing. If you only make minimum wage or below, you are below the poverty level. There is too much temptation to get something the easy way and steal, kill, whatever, just for a few bucks. Sad situation, and it is only going to get worse unless people wake up and help by educating people.

Anonymous said...

What is the city going to do... let us make up the rain out of the 4th on the 5th, or are we going to be arrested and thrown into jail? I have fireworks, and I am still going to use them!

Anonymous said...

Anon 07-04 10:25pm
Go ahead and use your fire works. Your neighbors might care, but the city doesn't. The web site is very specific. Fireworks only the 4th and not after 11:00pm. At 12:35am on the 5th, I called the police to ask them to tell my neighbors it was time to put the fireworks away. The dispatcher (not 911) said she'd send someone as soon as possible. My neighbors finally quit shooting their fireworks at 1:30 in the morning. My point is - your safe. The city won't do anything about you breaking the law.

Andy Whiteman said...

The rain didn't stop fireworks in my neighborhood. Maybe that is the excuse they are still going off today.

Andy Whiteman