Sunday, November 14, 2010

Every Picture
Tells a Story . . .
Montezuma's Castle is located about two hours north of Phoenix, Arizona. It is one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in the American Southwest.
The best time to visit this part of the country is in the spring when temperatures are mild and rainfall brings color to the landscape.

An Opportunity to Make a Difference BY GREG WALTERS

The November General Election had one resounding message. The voters said loud and clear that they want more accountability from those who run their government. On the local level, that small but important group of people are those who are elected to your City Council, School Board, Water and Fire Districts.

The City Council has diverted tax dollars that were promised to be used for street improvements and police protection to pay off the (TIF) debt of giant retailers in Raytown. They have made loans to private corporations to underwrite the opening of private businesses in your city. To add insult to injury, they have created special “tax districts” that increase your sales tax at these same facilities without your vote of approval.

If you have ever considered taking a more active role in your community by running for public office then now is the time to give it some serious thought.

The following information is an outline of “how to” start your political campaign. More information is available.

Former Raytown Alderman Jerry Briggs, who is also a current member of the Jackson County Water Supply District, has offered to field any questions from potential candidates of any of the following offices. Mr. Briggs has been active in Raytown politics for many years and is a familiar with all the rules governing the above mentioned governmental bodies.

He can be reached at 358-0584.

City Elections Just Around the Corner PART TWO

Last week’s Raytown Report outlined which offices were open for election in the School Board, Fire District, Water District and the City of Raytown. This week’s report will cover requirements for filing for office, where to file and how much the different position pays in salary or benefits.

You must be registered to vote to file for election. All of your taxes must be paid in full. In the City of Raytown you can file by petition or by paying a minimal filing fee.

CITY OF RAYTOWN

WHERE TO FILE: City Hall, 10000 East 59th Street

POSITIONS UP FOR ELECTION:

MAYOR: $1,000 Monthly + $200 Monthly Car Allowance / Eligible to join City’s Health Insurance Plan

CITY COLLECTOR: $100 Monthly / Eligible to join City’s Health Insurance Plan

ALDERMAN: (Five seats open) $400 Monthly + $50 Monthly Car Allowance / Eligible to join City’s Health Insurance Plan

RAYTOWN FIRE DISTRICT

POSITION UP FOR ELECTION: One Seat Open

WHERE TO FILE: Fire District Headquarters, 6020 Raytown Trafficway

SALARY: $100 per meeting (two meetings per month)

RAYTOWN C2 SCHOOL DISTRICT

POSITIONS UP FOR ELECTION: Three Seats Open

WHERE TO FILE: Raytown School District Headquarters, 6608 Raytown Road

SALARY: None

JACKSON COUNTY WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT No. 2

POSITIONS UP FOR ELECTION: Two Seats Open

WHERE TO FILE: Water Supply District Headquarters, 6945 Blue Ridge Boulevard

SALARY: None

This Week's Poll Questions . . .

Local businessman Pat Casady suggested that the Raytown Report conduct a poll of how people rate the job performance of the five individual Raytown City Council members up for election next April.

Good idea, Pat. The poll question(s) for those five members are in place.

Let's see how it goes.

Remember to vote on each individual, and of course, vote only once.

Election Results

Everyone knows that the November 2nd Election was a Republican juggernaut of unprecedented size in this Kansas City area. Or course, I am disappointed that I did not win, but as with all clouds, there is always a silver lining. I did some "drilling" down of the results for the Kansas City and Raytown precincts. Here are the results:

Raytown Precinct Results: Walters – 2862 (56%) Spence – 2238 (44%)

K.C. Precinct Results: Walters – 1812 (51.48%) Spence – 1702 (48.35%)

The Lee's Summit results were a different story. In fact, so bad, that I did not bother copying them down. Though I did manage to win three precincts in the Lee's Summit area.

My thanks to those who supported me. It is appreciated. -- Greg Walters

Obesity Blamed for Cancers BY ERIN WHITEHEAD

Obesity is a punching bag, and it takes the blame for a lot of health problems. Now the American Institute for Cancer Research is pointing its fingers at obesity for causing some cancers. According to a recent study, more than 100,000 cancers are caused by excess body fat. And more than that, extra fat can also make cancers harder to treat and give victims a more difficult struggle against the disease. Knowing that you may be preventing a future cancer makes hitting the treadmill a nd watching those portions just a tiny bit easier, doesn’t it?

Turkey Time

I commend people who can exercise portion control on Thanksgiving Day. You know, those will-power-of-steel types who don’t get tempted to go back for that second helping of stuffing or that extra piece of pumpkin pie. I admit that I am not one of them. I indulge more than is probably healthy on Turkey Day.

Last year, my hubby and I were on our own, so we went out for our turkey dinner. We thought that surely we’d come out ahead because we didn’t have leftovers from a bountiful feast tempting us for the entire day. Enter a four-course deluxe and delicious meal, and we waddled out of the restaurant miserable. This year I vow to wear my FBG pride a little more prominently upon my sleeve with these four tips, adapted from Life Fitness.

1. Every Bit Counts

Sure, you may not fit in an hour-long session with your trainer on Thanksgiving Day, but every little bit of exercise during the holiday weekend will help offset any splurges. Take 20 minutes a day to be active, whether it’s a series of push-ups, lunges and squats, or a walk with a friend. It might even be a good escape if your family stresses you out!

2. Take It To Go

If you’re on the road, you might have an extra-hard time fitting in your workouts. Hit the fitness center at your hotel, pack your resistance bands or pick your favorite body-weight-only exercises. And there are very few excuses for not being able to get out for a short walk (swine flu and massive blizzards may buy you a pass).

3. Make It a Family Event

Get the family moving instead of curling up on the couch all day watching television. Seasonal activities include sledding, jumping in piles of leaves, playing football, ice skating and walking around the neighborhood to see the holiday lights and decorations—especially those crazy blow-up lawn art Santas that are so popular these days.

4. Meal Management

The average American is said to consume 3,000 calories at Thanksgiving dinner. This means that there are probably people out there who are eating 5,000 calories this one day. (I was probably one of them last year.) Practice portion control by eating small meals throughout the day so that you don’t hit dinner starving and risk knocking people to the side to devour the turkey on your own. If it’s just not possible for you to take it easy on T-Day, tack an extra 10 minutes on to your next few workouts and watch your portions the day after the holiday. Your waistline will thank you.

Jenn Walters and Erin Whitehead jointly publish Fit Bottomed Girls. To read more of their thoughts on lifestyle choices and fitness go to Fit Bottomed Girls

High School Sports . . .

To catch up on O'Hara Sports use this link O'Hara High School

To catch up on Raytown South Sports use this link Raytown South High School

Last Week’s Poll Results . . .

The City of Raytown conducts "winner take all" elections. Do you support the creation of primary elections for races in which more than two candidates have filed?

YES . . . 48%

NO . . . 50%

UNDECIDED . . . 2%

32 comments:

Andy Whiteman said...

Greg, I was disappointed but not surprised that you lost the election. People were unhappy with Dictator Obummer and his puppet Congress. This dissatisfaction seemed to bleed into state/local offices. I am surprised that Comrade Cleaver wasn't voted out.

You and how you represent the people are known in Raytown. You are unknown in Lees Summit and KCMO. I think in the areas you lost people were voting Republican or for the incumbent because they recognized the name. Like I said, maybe you were in the wrong Party.

I have reported the City street lights to an official who will report it to Public Works. My street light has been out over 2 weeks and I called them for the 4th time tonight! I don't know if the city repairs their own or has to call KCPL. If they the depend on KCPL, apparently there are issues with KCPL.

Andy Whiteman

Pat Casady said...

Greg,
Could you please have a vote to see if your
readers are happy with the aldermen in their
wards?
I think this could help in several ways.
One, it would let people that were thinking about
running see where the incumbent stands.
Two, let City Hall know what kind of job the people
think they are doing.
Three, this could let the people know who is and isn't
doing the job they were elected to do.
Raytown needs people who will represent the people
and make sure they get what they vote for.

Andy Whiteman said...

Pat, The same holds true for the this country: "needs people who will represent the people
and make sure they get what they vote for." Congress and the Dictator haven't represented the people. Hopefully the recent election sent a message.

If people in Raytown would vote in city elections, they could send the same message.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Pat,

Good Idea!

Pat Casady said...

Maybe Raytown needs it's own "Tea Party!"

Anonymous said...

It's been clear to me that we need some changes at city hall for quite some time. The current policy of creating debt for commercial developers at the expense of our city's maintenance is a bad idea.

I hope some good people step up and run for office.

For a better Raytown we need to make some changes.

Pat Casady said...

To Anonymous 5:29,
Don't forget that the lack of income this city has
caused has not only made City Hall come up with
cutting our Police budget by over two hundred thousand.
We could lose our city services and the police
protection we need so badly.
Giving away tax income in this small of a town has
jeopardized our safety. We have street gangs and
some neighborhoods are unsafe. Cutting the police
budget will only make it worse. We have had record numbers
of murders and attacks and with our police spending a
lot of time at the big crime magnet box store on 350 Hwy.
the good people of Raytown are at risk. City Hall should
put the people first and foremost. We pay taxes for our
safety and city services and the retail newcomers don't have
to pay their fair share. It's us the taxpayers that get the bill
and nothing in return. Now the taxpayers have been turned into
A financial lending company. The taxpayers are financing the
Developer on the new Aldi's store. Has anyone asked how much
the developer is spending of his own money?
Remember R.E.D and Dial developers? They left with tens of
thousands of taxpayer dollars and did NOTHING FOR IT!

Andy Whiteman said...

Greg, I like your photos. You said that Montezuma Castle is 2 hours north of Phoenix. That is vague and depends on the spreed driven. What national park is it in? Near what city?

I can't agree with some of the voting on Alderpeople. If people were actually at the meetings and heard what these Alderpeople had to say, I think that Jim Aziere and Charlotte Melson would have had fewer "poor" votes. I really hope that the people express their views at to polls in April. There can be no change unless the people get out and vote.

It does not good to bitch on this blog unless you get out and exercise your right to vote.

BTW: Greg, you forgot thw Mayor, Police Chief, and muni judge. The City Collector is a ceremonial issue.

In my opinion the right to be part of the City's health insurance plan is of more benefit than the pittance of a salary.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Andy

Actually the city marshal position is also ceremonial.

You and the good members on the Board of Alderman should read under the state statues what options they could take.

I think if you read it you will find it will address at least on chair warmer who has let crime raise in the city as much as his departments budget.


This is bad for you and me (the taxpayer) that gets to pick up the tab for people (City Marshal, Capt and Lt) to enjoy the warmth of a chair and catching up on events and each others lives.

Anonymous said...

Something finally good at the Raytown Hy-Vee!!!

I couldn't believe it had I not seen it with my own eyes, but the Raytown Hy-Vee is actually collecting for REAP.

It is about time the local grocery stores support the local food bank. I hope the others will jump on the band wangon and if not Hy-Vee will be getting more of my business.

By the way to all of you that donate to Harvesters and think they give food to REAP or other local food pantries think again. They actually charge them a fee, so the next time you want to help those in need of food in Raytown please write your check to REAP and help those in Raytown.

Anonymous said...

I was reading on here about fire board elections, but I sure don't recall voting in one in the past 10 years.

Are you sure we actually elect fire board members and would you explain to me why I have not seen anything about this ever before.

Greg Walters said...

Andy,

Montezuma National Monument is near Camp Verde on Interstate 17. A little more than half way to Flagstaff.

The area is rich in Native American archeological finds. At Montezuma's Well, a large sinkhole about 10 miles from Montezuma's Castle, there are ruins and evidence of civilization dating back to the 600 a.d.

As for the the Fire District Elections, they are and have been held on a regular basis. Typically there have been no challengers for the seats on the Fire Board. The three member board has been occupied by the same people for the past 15 years.

Anonymous said...

After seeing the posting about Hy-Vee helping REAP, I spoke with the lady who runs one of the local church food pantries and she said if they go to harversters to help stock their food they have to pay a very step fee and often will shop some place like Aldi's

I am glad that someone is finally letting the cat out of the bag and this is one Raytowner who is going to start only supporting Raytown and therefore donating to REAP.

I hope others too will take some pride in our city and support REAP over Harvesters.

Andy Whiteman said...

I noticed there is no longer a place on the water bills to donate to REAP.

I wonder if the lack of those running for fire board could be due to lack of real public notice? If anything is published in the local paper type media, the circulation is poor. I am unable to receive copies of it. If published in the Red Star, the font is too small to read and is concealed among numerous legal notices. It also might have to do with their 9AM meeting time that interested prospective board members would be unable to attend.

Greg, Is Montezuma Natl Monument in any way related to the inhabitants of Chaco Canyon? About the same time period and a large civilization. I had a friend who used to explore Chaco Canyon but never mentioned Montezuma.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Got news for you. Heard it from Willard Ross this morning. The Fire Board member up fpr re-election this term is long time Democrat and labor boss Bob Palmer. If the RDA is thinking of running a canidate against him they might want to rethink it. Accordong to Willard Mr Palmer is wired tight into the Missouri Democratic Party.

Greg Walters said...

Andy,

Montezuma Castle area was populated by the Sinagua. Chaco Canyon was settled about the same time so the people are probably related.

I've never been to Chaco.

I really like the desert southwest though the heat in summer can be pretty harsh and winters can be very dry and bitter. Spring is the best time to visit -- the color that blooms during that time is beautiful against the harsh landscape.

Anonymous said...

Here is a little info about Mr. Palmer. He lives next door to Mayor David Bower and has been a big supporter of him in the past.

Can't speak for his politics now. Probably not that big of supporter if he is as high up in the Democratic party as was reported here.

Part of the problem. Not the solution.

Anonymous said...

Nov.17 6:58am You just stated one very good reason for me not to vote for this guy,Palmer. Thanks for the information

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord finally an alderman on fire. Way to go Alderman Ertz! Let's see if it is catching and the rest of the board get on fire also. I don't mean to have to listen to Joe Creamer praise the staff for a job they are paid to do and by the way paid very well to do. Joe you need to find a differant song to sing. Let's get behind Pat and get him re elected in April!!!!

Andy Whiteman said...

I printed the property tax bill for my house yesterday. The Dysfunctuional School District got a big 75% of my tax money (up from 69% last year!) That is a rip off! Will 2 board memebers pay their taxes or wait until after they file for election? These 2 should be recused from voting on tax issues.

Was there a Public Hearing? I saw no legal notice. Of course the local printed media has a very poor distribution and is not available to me as a disabled person. If notice was in the Red Star, it is hidden among many notices and too small to read.

The voters need to do something about this wasteful board at the next election. We can't afford this wasteful board!

Andy Whiteman

Andy Whiteman said...

8:03AM, I missed it. Had to leave at the break 9:45PM to let Red Dogg out and catch up on my things. What did Alderman Ertz get fired up over?

Greg, I like the desert SW too. That is why I am moving to Alamogordo, NM. I can't take the humidity here. It is a dry heat there. I used to carry mail in Albuquerque and never built up a sweat except under my satchel. Alamogordo doesn't get as cold in the winter as Albuquerque or Flagstaff so the climate will be much nicer. Also a big savings on utilities which only the rich can afford in Raytown.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Mr Walters:

Several people have posted some very nice comments about REAP on your blog this week.

I want to thank you for posting these positive messages and hope that being next week is Thanksgiving you would run a special piece on the benifits REAP provides to the community as well as ways we can help them help others.

If I understadn correctly they are a true non-profit and donations are tax deductable should one itimize their deductions.

I also understand they do alot more then just provide food to those in need. However, I am the first to tell you I don't know everything they do to bring a positive light to our failing city.

Anonymous said...

Is there any member on the fire board that has made any effort to keep us informed as to what the fire board has been doing.

It would be nice to know how they spend our money.

It would be nice to know what steps they have been doing to save us money.

It would be nice to know they give back to Raytown.

Funny, I have not heard anything about any of them, which would mean they sure are not doing anything for Raytown.

Anonymous said...

David Bower was right when he was running for mayor and said he would bring things to Raytown. This is one voter that wishes he had not listened as crime sure was not on my list, but since he has taken office it is the one thing we sure have alot more of. Doesn't same much about his ablity to manage things at city hall and come up with a working means to bring about programs and changes in the police department to address issues like this. However, I don't know of anything he has taken the time to address other hen his public attacks on current and formor Alderman.

Pat Casady said...

R.E.A.P. does do more than just help with food.
In some, and probably most cases, if people can't
pay their utility bills REAP is there to help them.
So please when you are able to donate to a cause
Please make it REAP. These days you never know,
it may be you that needs the help.

Anonymous said...

I can't remember being so disappointed in a city's
Bunch of elected people as I am with Raytown's.
How could they let this town go down as they have?
How dare them give away tax dollars and finance
private businesses and let our town turn into a haven
for thugs. In some neighborhoods we are not safe to
even take a evening walk. Our parks have been taken
over by loud music and people that have no respect
for others. We have had more murders than any time
in Raytowns history.
Now this city wants to cut funds to the police and city
services. Does this make sense to anyone?
It seems our city will spare no cost to bring in big box
stores and finance, give tax breaks and bend over
forward for these out of town businesses. But, when
it comes to protection, services and safety that we pay
for with our taxes, they can't find the money.
I have a suggestion. Don't give $600,000.00 of our
tax dollars to finance another grocery store we don't need!

Anonymous said...

7:26

I agree with you that our city doesn't need to fund private business.

No area of our government should!!!

We do need to either cut funding to our police department or level out the management to officer ratio.

It seems our elected officials decided it is okay to be top heavy in the police department, but this is an issue that is facing all of the departments and overall management at city hall.

You should ask why we have so many officers with rank in the department. This creates an added expense and levels of management that our city based on its size doesn't need nor can it afford.

You should ask why we have so many detectives and why if our city police department head thinks he needs all of these management levels and detectives why they are not our too patroling our streets.

By the way and for everyones clearification, the police budget was not cut. What has the police officers and several of their good old budies who have also been apart of the tax give aways upset is the fact the department will not get raises this year.

Well to bad and time to grow up. To many individuals in the private sector have not gotten raises in the past couple of years. People who work for Jackson County like members of the sheriff department have not gotten a raise in many years.

So not getting 5% one year or more years in only fitting. If you want to be mad be mad a our elected city marshall for allowing for so many levels of management in his department. NOTE: Base on the salary for 1 Lt, we could have 2 patrol officers. By the way we have at least 4 Lts.

So do the math and see how our city marshall has been taking advantage of our tax dollars for many years. Review his management skills and ask why we don't have the patrols passed city marshalls have provided or why the issuing of tickets is down compared to pass years, but crime is up. Odd, as it sounds the two go hand in hand. That is right criminals don't want to go to an area were traffic stops are higher. Why, simple: most crimainals are caught by the simple things like traffic stops.

No, I am not running for city marshall, but maybe it is time someone with common sense would.

Anonymous said...

I don't know how the ladder is climbed to higher positions
in the Police Department. I think there is tests and a lot of
studying. I don't think it is on an appointed whim.
I do agree that there wouldn't be a financial problem if the
speeding was watched closer. If you break the rules you
should pay for it. Old, young, black, white or whatever.
My point is, the Police Department may be a little top heavy,
I don't really know. What I do know is that when we need
them they are there. I still think that taking taxpayer dollars
to finance a private company, then cut our police and service
budgets is wrong. The only reason we pay taxes is to benefit
the people of Raytown. Not some company.
I guess The next time we need a policemen or our streets cleared of
snow or over laid we..............call Aldi's, Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee etc.
It's where your tax dollars wind up.
Thanks to the wonderful minds at city hall.

Anonymous said...

Greg, lets do a poll on how good the citizens feel that Mayor Bower is doing. I think the good mayor will be surprised on the out come.

Anonymous said...

The problem in the p.d. is not so much a matter of writing tickets. They write plenty of them. The problem is that the people do not show up for court. Whenthat happens a warrant is or or should be placed for the arrest of that person for a failure to appear.

If the police were to follow up and enforce those warrants it would send a very strong message to those who do not follow laws in Raytown that it you do the crime you will pay the time.

Anonymous said...

7:48 Might recomend you check the numbers.

The police department currently writes half the number of tickets as they did 10 years ago.

Yet crime has grown by about 500% and alot is thanks to the new Wal-Mart as well as the number of murders in the past couple of years.


Now I will be the first to agree writing tickets will not impact our murder rate, but it will impact the number of criminals coming to Ratyown as they then risk a higher chance of being stop for some traffic violation.

Now to your point on warrents.

I agree with you 100%. Being our department has 8 detectives there is no reason that we are not out serving warrents and sending the message that if you break the law in Raytown you will be held accountable.

Additonal tickets and warrent enforcement does send a message to criminals that you best take your activities to some place that tends to take the lazzy method on enforcement.

Sad, by Raytown is know as being layed back and taking the easy way when it comes to addrssing problems.

Part is a less then energetic city marshall and part is a mayor who doesn't want conflict or a negative imagie of the city.

Sad, that our mayor is to blind to notice that by not sending a strong message to criminals and code violaters that we now do have a very negative imagie.

Anonymous said...

BTW: Our police officers and master police officers are doing a great job and we all owe them a great thanks for the service they provide us.

They face the same issue anyone in private employment faces, which is when management doesn't have a clue about making good decissions then the bottom line and view of that business is seen as less then standard. Stock prices fall and customers stop shopping.

When it is the government we the people are force to speak out and blogging is one of the newest ways. We can call our elected officials, but they too often are the root casue of the problem.

The best hope we have at helping those police officers on the street is a strong turn out on election day and by bring new leadership to the Board of Alderman by electing people who will help provide for those on the street and reduce the over abundant and costly upper management that is bringing shame to the department.