Watch for new publication of the Raytown Report this weekend.
Following are the vote totals for the April 5th Election - City of Raytown and Raytown School Board.
100% REPORTING . . .
ALDERMAN, WARD 1
JOE CREAMER . . . 342
GREG WALTERS . . . 280
ALDERMAN, WARD 2
JIM AZIERE . . . 549
JOHN JACOB . . . 77
ROBBIE TUBBS . . . 153
RAYTOWN ALDERMAN WARD 3
CHARLOTTE MELSON . . . 330
DUANE BASHAM . . . 128
RAYTOWN ALDERMAN WARD 4
PAT ERTZ . . . 434
MICHELLE WILLIAMS . . . 134
RAYTOWN ALDERMAN, WARD 5
MICHAEL LIGHTFOOT . . . 416
A Personal Note From Greg Walters . . .
The other day I was thinking about the political process and how it has changed. I am somewhat old fashioned, so I did my campaign the old fashioned way. I wore out a lot of shoe leather. If I did not catch you at home, then I was the one who left the brochure on your door.
I am a big believer that the best way to improve the future is to learn from mistakes of the past. I hope that message has come across during my campaign for Alderman in Ward 1.
These are tumultuous times in which we live. If you are at all hesitant about voting on Tuesday, consider this. In some parts of the world people are fighting and dying for the freedom that we enjoy each time we cast a vote.
Tuesday is Election Day. Please remind your family, friends and neighbors to celebrate our freedom by going to the polls and voting.
It's About Time!
The Raytown Report will carry up to the minute election results of the Raytown City and School Board on this page on Tuesday night.
Regular publication of The Raytown Report will be delayed this week until after the election.
As always, the Blog portion of the Raytown Report will remain active.
Every Picture
A promise to my readers. This will be the last winter picture on this page for a what I hope is a long, warm, summer.
A “Tax Incentive” Primer by Greg Walters
PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT: A property tax abatement “decreases” the amount of property tax paid by a business to locate and/or make improvements to its property. Two examples of a Property Tax Abatement in Raytown are Coldwell Banker (which has since gone out of business, but still receives the abatement) and a proposed Sav-A-Lot to be located at 63rd Street and Raytown Road.
The Raytown School District opposed the property tax abatement for Sav-A-Lot because of the financial drain it would Districts tax revenue. In fact, School Board members testified against the tax abatement for Sav-A-Lot in an open meeting of the Raytown Board of Aldermen. Despite the objections from the School District the Board of Aldermen approved the property tax abatement.
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (CID): The CID tax as used in Raytown is a 1% sales tax. It has been approved for use by the City at the following projects: HyVee, Aldi’s, Sutherland Lumber, and the House of Pancakes. Once collected, the 1% sales tax is remitted to the owners of the property to pay for upgrades and improvements on the property. The city does not receive any part of the 1% CID sales tax.
At the locations listed above, the one percent CID tax raises the sales tax to 9.10% on non-grocery items.
LOANS: Last summer the Raytown Board of Aldermen “loaned” the developers of the ALDI grocery store $600,000 to build an Aldi’s at Gregory Boulevard and 350 Highway. The loan is to be repaid, one penny at a time, through sales tax revenue created by a CID Tax at the new store. Another loan of $200,000 was also approved for a restaurant (to be named at a later time) at the same location. It is estimated that it will take 12 years for the loan to be paid back to the city.
TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF): Tax Increment Financing is used to “capture” the sales tax revenue to pay off TIF bond indebtedness. The city used a combination of TIF taxes and other special taxing districts to finance the construction of the entire Walmart complex. The Board of Aldermen voted to include what amounts to an additional payment to the debt retirement of the bonds that captures ALL of the sales tax revenue from the Walmart Store.
When issued, the estimated time for retirement of the TIF bonds was 23 years. The bonds can be paid off earlier, but in today’s economy, it is doubtful that will happen.
Walmart’s economic footprint is so large that it captures over 15% of the city’s sales tax revenue. That includes sales tax revenue that is supposed to be dedicated towards street maintenance and public safety.
The sales tax at the new Walmart Store on 350 Highway is 9.10% on non-food items.
The Bottom Line . . . The impact of the lost city revenue through “tax incentives” used to attract large footprint stores to a community are felt in many ways. You see it when . . .
Will the tax incentives create more revenue in the long term? In the case of Walmart, not for at least 20 years. In the case of Sav-A-Lot, the City will realize an increase in revenue. The School District will lose revenue for the life of the tax abatement. In the other instances, the city should gain sales tax revenue once the stores are up and running.
Has the city acted wisely in its venture into the world of tax incentives? Not always. The city has rarely used sunset clauses for CID taxes. It would be a good idea for the City to set performance standards for the continued issuance of tax abatements.
The City needs to learn from its mistakes. Some will remember how the old Schnucks property tax abatement, which was later bought and transferred to HyVee, was given for an empty building for over ten years.
The recent shuttering of the Coldwell Banker offices in Downtown Raytown has (again) put the City in position of awarding tax incentives to the owner of an empty building.
If tax incentives must be used to attract businesses to Raytown, then let us at least be smart about how we write the deals. An eye toward prudence and performance would go a long way in making the economic picture in Raytown improve.
Self-Defense Smarts by Erin Whitehead
1 Comment
If you’ve never taken a self-defense class, it’s high time you get yourself enrolled. It seems like a very glass-half-empty thing to do, but I say better safe than sorry. I took a two-hour class a couple of years ago and had a great experience learning techniques to defend myself should the need arise. Top 5 Self-Defense Tips
1. Think like a predator. Predators prey on the weak. They watch and observe, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Start spotting signs of weakness that may make you a target. Walking while listening to your iPod or walking and texting are two distractions that might make you an easier target.
2. A weapon is not a weapon unless it is drawn. Don’t rely on anything in your purse to save you. All the mace in the world cannot help you if you have to fumble around your purse to find it. Attacks happen quickly, in a matter of seconds, so you must be prepared to use a weapon to defend yourself. Workshops such Stilettos and Self Defense™ can teach you how to use everyday items such as your cell phone as defense weapons.
3. Your body is a weapon. We were all born with very dangerous weapons. Our hands, elbows, knees and feet can all be deadly weapons if we know how to use them. Many women don’t even know how to make a proper fist, let alone deliver a fierce punch with it. Learning just the basic mechanics about your body can give you that edge to get out of harm’s way.
4. Know three main targets. Learn the three best targets on your attacker to put him down quickly or at least to give you enough time to get away. Eyeballs can be gruesome, but impairing an attacker’s vision can save your life. Striking your attacker’s throat can disable his breathing long enough for you to deliver a blow, and kicking a man in the groin is always your best bet to getting a man to his knees, literally.
5. Release your inner she-beast! Every woman has an inner power that can be tapped in the face of adversity. Sometimes this power is enough to avoid trouble in the first place by using your inner awareness or scare your attacker away with your extreme confidence and fire. Don’t be afraid to unleash your inner she-beast in any dangerous situation! Stay safe out there, ladies! 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
Lock It or Lose it! by Lt. Wayne Wisner of the Raytown Police Department
If you ask people what is the easiest way to prevent someone from stealing your things, most will respond "lock your doors," but surprisingly, most people don't even follow their own advice! Since October 1st, we've had twenty people report to that their cars were broken into and their property stolen. Not surprisingly, ten of those cars had been left unlocked! Locked or not, it can take a thief as little as thirty seconds to break into your car (or simply open the door) and steal a purse, Ipod or bag sitting in plain view. It takes only a moment to lock your door and only a little longer to take your items inside with you or put them in the trunk. Is it worth gaining that extra moment of time by not safeguarding your property when someone steals it?
To post a comment click on the word comments below:
Following are the vote totals for the April 5th Election - City of Raytown and Raytown School Board.
100% REPORTING . . .
MAYOR
DAVID BOWER . . . 2574
DAVID BOWER . . . 2574
ANWAR KHAN . . . 319
ALDERMAN, WARD 1
JOE CREAMER . . . 342
GREG WALTERS . . . 280
ALDERMAN, WARD 2
JIM AZIERE . . . 549
JOHN JACOB . . . 77
ROBBIE TUBBS . . . 153
RAYTOWN ALDERMAN WARD 3
CHARLOTTE MELSON . . . 330
DUANE BASHAM . . . 128
RAYTOWN ALDERMAN WARD 4
PAT ERTZ . . . 434
MICHELLE WILLIAMS . . . 134
RAYTOWN ALDERMAN, WARD 5
MICHAEL LIGHTFOOT . . . 416
RAYTOWN SCHOOL BOARD
TERRY LANDERS . . . 2162
RICK MOORE . . . 1957
JEROME BARNES . . . 1510
LEE MARTIN . . . 983
ERIC TEEMAN . . . 969
TERRY LANDERS . . . 2162
RICK MOORE . . . 1957
JEROME BARNES . . . 1510
LEE MARTIN . . . 983
ERIC TEEMAN . . . 969
A Personal Note From Greg Walters . . .
The other day I was thinking about the political process and how it has changed. I am somewhat old fashioned, so I did my campaign the old fashioned way. I wore out a lot of shoe leather. If I did not catch you at home, then I was the one who left the brochure on your door.
I am a big believer that the best way to improve the future is to learn from mistakes of the past. I hope that message has come across during my campaign for Alderman in Ward 1.
These are tumultuous times in which we live. If you are at all hesitant about voting on Tuesday, consider this. In some parts of the world people are fighting and dying for the freedom that we enjoy each time we cast a vote.
Tuesday is Election Day. Please remind your family, friends and neighbors to celebrate our freedom by going to the polls and voting.
The Raytown Report will carry up to the minute election results of the Raytown City and School Board on this page on Tuesday night.
Regular publication of The Raytown Report will be delayed this week until after the election.
As always, the Blog portion of the Raytown Report will remain active.
Every PictureTells a Story . .
Yes, I know winter is over. And I know that we are all sick of the cold, cloudy days that seem to go on forever.
The picture on the right was taken in late summer at Mount Ranier during a snow storm. The mountain stream shows that even the cloudy, wet days have a beauty of their own.
A promise to my readers. This will be the last winter picture on this page for a what I hope is a long, warm, summer.
A “Tax Incentive” Primer by Greg Walters
The following is a primer on how the alphabet soup of “tax incentives” has been used in Raytown and how it impacts the bottom line on tax revenue for the city.
PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT: A property tax abatement “decreases” the amount of property tax paid by a business to locate and/or make improvements to its property. Two examples of a Property Tax Abatement in Raytown are Coldwell Banker (which has since gone out of business, but still receives the abatement) and a proposed Sav-A-Lot to be located at 63rd Street and Raytown Road.
The Raytown School District opposed the property tax abatement for Sav-A-Lot because of the financial drain it would Districts tax revenue. In fact, School Board members testified against the tax abatement for Sav-A-Lot in an open meeting of the Raytown Board of Aldermen. Despite the objections from the School District the Board of Aldermen approved the property tax abatement.
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (CID): The CID tax as used in Raytown is a 1% sales tax. It has been approved for use by the City at the following projects: HyVee, Aldi’s, Sutherland Lumber, and the House of Pancakes. Once collected, the 1% sales tax is remitted to the owners of the property to pay for upgrades and improvements on the property. The city does not receive any part of the 1% CID sales tax.
At the locations listed above, the one percent CID tax raises the sales tax to 9.10% on non-grocery items.
LOANS: Last summer the Raytown Board of Aldermen “loaned” the developers of the ALDI grocery store $600,000 to build an Aldi’s at Gregory Boulevard and 350 Highway. The loan is to be repaid, one penny at a time, through sales tax revenue created by a CID Tax at the new store. Another loan of $200,000 was also approved for a restaurant (to be named at a later time) at the same location. It is estimated that it will take 12 years for the loan to be paid back to the city.
TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF): Tax Increment Financing is used to “capture” the sales tax revenue to pay off TIF bond indebtedness. The city used a combination of TIF taxes and other special taxing districts to finance the construction of the entire Walmart complex. The Board of Aldermen voted to include what amounts to an additional payment to the debt retirement of the bonds that captures ALL of the sales tax revenue from the Walmart Store.
When issued, the estimated time for retirement of the TIF bonds was 23 years. The bonds can be paid off earlier, but in today’s economy, it is doubtful that will happen.
Walmart’s economic footprint is so large that it captures over 15% of the city’s sales tax revenue. That includes sales tax revenue that is supposed to be dedicated towards street maintenance and public safety.
The sales tax at the new Walmart Store on 350 Highway is 9.10% on non-food items.
The Bottom Line . . . The impact of the lost city revenue through “tax incentives” used to attract large footprint stores to a community are felt in many ways. You see it when . . .
- An oil/rock slurry sealant is used in place of asphalt to overlay streets.
- Funding for new streets lights are removed from the city’s budget.
- The School District suffers from a drop in property tax revenue.
- Taxes and fees at City Hall are raised but the revenue stream does not increase.
Will the tax incentives create more revenue in the long term? In the case of Walmart, not for at least 20 years. In the case of Sav-A-Lot, the City will realize an increase in revenue. The School District will lose revenue for the life of the tax abatement. In the other instances, the city should gain sales tax revenue once the stores are up and running.
Has the city acted wisely in its venture into the world of tax incentives? Not always. The city has rarely used sunset clauses for CID taxes. It would be a good idea for the City to set performance standards for the continued issuance of tax abatements.
The City needs to learn from its mistakes. Some will remember how the old Schnucks property tax abatement, which was later bought and transferred to HyVee, was given for an empty building for over ten years.
The recent shuttering of the Coldwell Banker offices in Downtown Raytown has (again) put the City in position of awarding tax incentives to the owner of an empty building.
If tax incentives must be used to attract businesses to Raytown, then let us at least be smart about how we write the deals. An eye toward prudence and performance would go a long way in making the economic picture in Raytown improve.
Self-Defense Smarts by Erin Whitehead 1 Comment
If you’ve never taken a self-defense class, it’s high time you get yourself enrolled. It seems like a very glass-half-empty thing to do, but I say better safe than sorry. I took a two-hour class a couple of years ago and had a great experience learning techniques to defend myself should the need arise. Top 5 Self-Defense Tips
1. Think like a predator. Predators prey on the weak. They watch and observe, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Start spotting signs of weakness that may make you a target. Walking while listening to your iPod or walking and texting are two distractions that might make you an easier target.
2. A weapon is not a weapon unless it is drawn. Don’t rely on anything in your purse to save you. All the mace in the world cannot help you if you have to fumble around your purse to find it. Attacks happen quickly, in a matter of seconds, so you must be prepared to use a weapon to defend yourself. Workshops such Stilettos and Self Defense™ can teach you how to use everyday items such as your cell phone as defense weapons.
3. Your body is a weapon. We were all born with very dangerous weapons. Our hands, elbows, knees and feet can all be deadly weapons if we know how to use them. Many women don’t even know how to make a proper fist, let alone deliver a fierce punch with it. Learning just the basic mechanics about your body can give you that edge to get out of harm’s way.
4. Know three main targets. Learn the three best targets on your attacker to put him down quickly or at least to give you enough time to get away. Eyeballs can be gruesome, but impairing an attacker’s vision can save your life. Striking your attacker’s throat can disable his breathing long enough for you to deliver a blow, and kicking a man in the groin is always your best bet to getting a man to his knees, literally.
5. Release your inner she-beast! Every woman has an inner power that can be tapped in the face of adversity. Sometimes this power is enough to avoid trouble in the first place by using your inner awareness or scare your attacker away with your extreme confidence and fire. Don’t be afraid to unleash your inner she-beast in any dangerous situation! Stay safe out there, ladies! 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
Lock It or Lose it! by Lt. Wayne Wisner of the Raytown Police Department
If you ask people what is the easiest way to prevent someone from stealing your things, most will respond "lock your doors," but surprisingly, most people don't even follow their own advice! Since October 1st, we've had twenty people report to that their cars were broken into and their property stolen. Not surprisingly, ten of those cars had been left unlocked! Locked or not, it can take a thief as little as thirty seconds to break into your car (or simply open the door) and steal a purse, Ipod or bag sitting in plain view. It takes only a moment to lock your door and only a little longer to take your items inside with you or put them in the trunk. Is it worth gaining that extra moment of time by not safeguarding your property when someone steals it?
To post a comment click on the word comments below:
Comments
The reality of politics in Raytown or anyother places is only good old boys get appointed to server on these boards. If we therefore only elect from this sub-culture within our city we would be elected the same good old boy thinking that has and keeps holding Raytown back.
Example: Why doesn't the city run over to Noland Road? Because the good old boys could see to the future and the advantage to Raytown as a whole.
Today this say good old boy network has moved several individuals from city boards to elected officicals. Who could make a good deal for us taxpayers if they had to.
Example: The mayor was reported a forum with the residence of Wildwood Lake to state the city is not and will not for some time make any money form sales tax at Wal-Mart.
No, I believe to move our city forward we need good citizens to come forward that have no ties to city hall.
Remember the 63rd Street Bridge and how it took FOREVER to build it?
How about when they raised our property taxes last year. My tax bill went up 15%!
I don't care who the candidate is. If they are in office now it is time for them to go.
1.)Increase property taxes by 13%
2.)Pushed the voters to pass a saftey sales tax
3.)Pushed the voters to renew the park tax.
Yes, with bright mind like we have for elected officials in Raytown it is no wonder we keep picking up the check.
It is time to stop this it is time to vote the incumbnants out of office.
VOTE April 5th like you pay check is going to be taken from you as with the leadership we have now it surely will be.
Andy Whiteman
Just because people are dissatisfied with the incumbent doesn't mean that another person can do better. He could do worse!
I am voting for DAVID BOWER for Mayor.
Andy Whiteman
The only reason for attending meetings and being on boards is to learn how the city works before you jump head first into a job you are ill prepared to do. You are right, you don't have to be on any of these things but why wouldn't you want to be to gain a lot of knowledge you could use later. At least, go to the council meetings and learn something. This man does not want to learn anything that could help him do his job if he is elected. He has had a year, scratch that, 30 years, to prepare for this and has done nothing not even vote. He talks the big talk, about what he will do when he's elected but 90% of what he wants to do he has NO control over. Another thing he does not know is with out the board behind him he can't do anything. From what I saw the other night that's not going to happen.
If you are an outsider interested in serving, forget about it.
If the Mayor was serious about opening up appointments to new people they would advertise the positions on the city Channel 7 or include a list of vacancies with the sewer billings.
By the way, Greg, thanks for the information on the different types of tax incentives being used in Raytown.
I live in Ward 2 and the incumbent city councilman does not seem to want to talk about it!
I wonder why.
3 people on the poll voted they will NOT vote in the election. Are these 3 people on this blog complaining about city government? If so they should vote or shut up and lie down.
Anwar Khan made a political speech at the BOA about controlling crime in Raytown. He made the same statement at the RDA meeting. He appears to be clueless on many issues. Crime is a metro wide issue. How will he reduce crime? Take a look at the photo on
http://ak4raytown.com/aboutus.aspx
Will these people control crime in Raytown?
When the public brought forth the issue of juvenile crime in Raytown, the BOA under the leadership of Mayor David Bower and input from Chief Lynch took prompt action to remedy the issue. I commend Mr. Bower on his action. Please vote for DAVID BOWER for Mayor of Raytown. I feel he is the only choice.
Andy Whiteman
Then those who are interested can apply in a timely manner.
Posting a generic application form on a website is not enough.
It is a half-step that takes you nowhere.
Andy Whiteman
Re-elect Mayor Bower, he is really the only
choice. Vote out everybody else.
Andy, I don't think a new person could do
any worse that this bunch has been.
Higher taxes, NO street overlays, safety tax
not being used as promised, codes violations
ignored, tax income given away, the taxpayers
money used to pay towards the Wal-Mart bonds
(over one point eight million so far) Promise
after promise not fulfilled. It's just too bad
there aren't more incumbents up for election.
Remember every dime the give away, every dime they
waste, every loan they make is your money! You
entrust them to used it wisely.....they haven't!
It's time to say good by to spenders and wasters.
Aziere and Melson have been nothing but yes men to
giving away and spending, as has been the rest.
They all are supposed to represent the people.
Ask yourself this when was the last time they
asked you for your opinion?.....NEVER!
I'm proud to sign my name to this post.
Pat Casady
I can't agree with a new alderman candidate when asked if when campaigning someone complained about an unregistered sexual offender living nearby what he would do. His answer was that he depends on what the offense was. As far as I am concerned, the law is the law. If a judge an jury convicted a person, he/she is guilty and an alderman has no business granting an exception.
Pat, I agree a new person can be better but there are 2 on the ballot who won't get my vote. Quite honestly, in many cases I think a new person is a better choice but not in the case of the Mayor's office. In Ward 2, I support a new person, ROBBIE TUBBS.
Andy Whiteman
The only viable alternative is to do a write in campaign for Greg Walters because none of the candidates have proven to me that they can get the job done, yet Mr Walters can, and I refuse to vote for who is offered on the ballot.
The one thing I can say about Mr Khan is he has yet to lie to us, raise our taxes, or give away tax dollars to large corporation.
Tax dollars that will not be paid back until 20 plus years later.
Yes, it is hard to understand someones speach when they talk about putting small business first.
Yes, it is clear to understand why he has not been on a city board when many have writen to this or other city publicantions that he is diffrent then us.
All I can say is the world has changed the cold war has ended and places throughout America celebrate their diversity.
It is time the good citizens of Raytown start to notice that Raytown is no longer the city of your grandparents and read the current census reports that prove it.
It is time to stop tax give aways at city hall and therefore it is time to elect Mr. Khan.
town?" You would look up Raytown Missouri City Hall
2000 thru 2012.
In that article you would see how to raise taxes
without cause, how not to maintain streets as well
as now to waste taxpayer money without really
trying. It would outline how you could loan taxpayer
money to companies that have more money than Raytown
has ever had. You could learn how to finance a Walmart
and lose tax income for twenty years.
Then for City Hall to find out an answer to any question that a grade
school student would know, you hire an outside source to
tell builders how far back a house may sit from the street
at a cost of $50,000 or as of late how to "Recodeify" our codes
department again $30,000.
Then we have the politicians. Now there's a bunch of smart
people. Sonetimes I wonder if they have to called in the morning
to remind them to start breathing. This bunch of non-caring money spending
so and so's actually want to be elected again! I guess they feel
they haven't done enough damage yet.
Please someone vote these losers out.
Andy Whiteman
I know at one time he appointed an African American to the Board of Alderman and there are a couple of other African Americans that serve on boards that the mayor appoints people. This leaves a great void with several other groups of Americans that are part of Raytown’s diverse culture.
I wonder how many Hispanic Americans or Asian Americans he has appointed to any boards let alone the city has hired.
I wonder when others within our community are going to stop writing letters to the editor of the Raytown Times that sounds like something from the late 60’s that lead to great civil unrest across this nation. We need to stand up and take a stance against those that write this hate and those that publish it. It is one thing to disagree with someone’s principles, but to take issues with their speech because it is hard for you to understand is walking that thin line between acceptance and hate. Further more when any individual shows concern because two national groups are supporting someone when those two groups are of a specific race, we must be consider are we not listen to a race hater whose true agenda is to keep a White America.
This also has me questioning if our mayor shares these believes of this writer being his failure to appoint individuals to boards that represent the diversity of Raytown and how highly this writer has written about our mayor.
I have intentionally not signed my name for personal fear for my family and myself from those that still fly the flag of the confederate states and believe spreading hate is acceptable.
It would appear that you have a huge chip on your shoulder! We need unity in our community, you don't bring that about by "celebrating" differences (or
“diversity”, as you call it).
Electing people to office is done by votes of the people; anyone that is qualified can always present themselves as a candidate. All races of people are qualified to file for any office in our city.
People should never be appointed or hired for any position based on race (just in order to achieve your "diversity" or a quota); it instead should always be based on the person that can do the best job for that particular position. People of any race can apply for any position open within the city and will be fairly considered.
It is your kind of rhetoric that creates division and hate
And if no one is serving currently on a committee thus making it diverse, maybe no one stepped forward to volunteer for it.
I know that a lot of people didn't vote for Obama because of his race, which is wrong. He met the qualifications, and that is all that matters. People need to get over this issue, all races included.
Sincerely,
A member of the Human Race.
Sarge is extremely qualified. I am sure he was chosen based on qualifications, not race.
I notice 4 people in the poll will not vote. I wonder if they are also complaining about city government on this blog?
Andy Whiteman
I have noticed that Mr. Kahn's signs had been going up in the area. I also noted that there was an unusually high number of his signs going into yards that already had a sign in them. I checked with other candidates and learned they had noted the same.
For the record, I have not made an endorsement in the Mayor's race in Raytown. Nor do I plan to.
My concern and hope is in getting elected to the Raytown Board of Aldermen.
Mr. Ertz's comments are appropriate. I share his message.
Andy Whiteman
People will make a statement and when that
statement is about someone, a person they
will sign "Anonymous." Stating their fear
of retaliation. I have been writing either
on this blog or in the Raytown papers for
over fifteen years. Stating my feelings about
bad decisions from City Hall to how bad I think
a politician in Raytown is.
I have never been attacked, except by words and I can
tell you they don't hurt. There may be people that
won't use my business because of what I write.
That's their problem, not mine.
The city has never come after me. If you write
the truth, and say what you mean but, without taking
cheap shots or calling names, nobody should be
afraid to write or say what they feel and sign their
names to it.
Anonymous 12:33 sounds like he/she wants change in Raytown.
That may be a good thing but, I didn't see an "Anonymous"
running for office in Raytown.
I have been playing music for over fifty years. I have a
fellow band member that had the fortune to talk to the late Mr.
James Brown. He asked Mr.Brown why he didn't have any
white band members? Mr.Brown told him "Race don't make the man."
I have to agree.
The Board of Alderman are who actually have the power.
The Mayors main job is to make sure the city ordinaces are enforeced, which does not happen in Raytown. This is why code viloations go unenforced or are only enforced on select individuals.
Now knowing what the Mayor should be doing why would you vote for a him!!!
Fact is there were many more who voted for him because of his race than people who didn’t vote for him because of his race. That was wrong also!
I haven't received robo calls from Mr. Khan. That may be because I refuse to provide my phone number when I register to vote. It would take them some work to look it up.
Greg, The winter pics look cooling in the summer.
Andy Whiteman
Joe,
I received your lettter the other day about your tax increases. I see from the information on it that your taxes went up on your property in 2010.
So did mine.
What I cannot understand is how our taxes went up when our properties were devalued by Jackson County by 13%.
If our homes are not worth as much as they were the year before how can the tax on the devalued property go up?
Oh, that's right. You guys at City Hall held a special meeting on Friday night to increase the taxes up when our property was devalued!
Pretty sneaky, Joe.
Shame on you. If our property values go down. So should the taxes we pay on that property.
The city taxes are very minimal. What really concerns me is the Dysfunctional School District. I wish people would check their tax bills! 75% of my property taxes go to schools! This is outrageous. How can anyone afford to live in Raytown? Taxes are outrageous and utilities are outrageous with the city getting something like 11% of the utility bills as franchise tax.
VOTERS: Please vote wisely for school board. This is where most of your tax dollars go. I can't believe there is nothing posted here about the school board candidates! When I questioned these canidates about the tax issue, not one could give a satisfactory answer. I wonder why no attention is paid to the school board election? They are the ones who are really ripping off the taxpayers! Please watch this board unless you are rich and don't object to HIGH taxes.
Andy Whiteman
I work for a company with offices in Kanas city, who opened an office an office in Lee Summit a couple of years ago.
We all fought hard to justify who should be assigned to that office so we could save 1%.
Luckly the company look for to those who would be closest to the new office, which counted me in for this tax savings.
They then looked at those who didn't live in Kansas City.
It is nice that there are business who know the earning tax is just wrong for everyone.
Those who pay the e tax should have a vote! It is taxation without representation.
Andy Whiteman
Businesses aren't going to pay a living wage because it takes away from profits. With the high property tax rates and high cost of utilities in this area people need more money to have a living wage. When I was working, I worked overtime, shift differential, 6 days, and holidays to have a living wage. I needed at least one 6 day a month just to pay the utilities.
Raytown is NOT an affordable place to live especially with 75% of property taxes going to Raytown Dysfunctional Schools and aproximately 11% combined franchise and sales tax on utility bills which are already outrageous without the tax.
BTW: The so called "windfall" from the phone companies was not a gift. It is being added to your phone bill if you read the bill which most people don't.
Andy Whiteman
The stream of comments sent by readers is unique to each week's post. I suspect that you passed over the current week's post and unknowingly sent your comment to an earlier post.
It is easy to miss the COMMENTS button and to move to the next post without realizing it.
I have done this myself on occassion.
Please re-send your post to this week's comments and I will be happy to publish it.
Political campaigns are supposed to enlighten and explain. If all you have to offer is empty headed slogans and little more than soundbites you will not get my vote.
YOu can be sure that I will be voting on Tuesday. I hope everyone who reads this blog does the same.
This would give all of us who work in Kansas City some representation of how our money is spent.
It might also address some of the following issues that I have seem while traveling to and from work.
1.) Kansas City has had the cost of their trash service included in their taxes for years, but for years their citizens have just dumped trash throughout the city, which the city just never addresses.
2.) The streets compare to those seen in news clippings from the Middle East. The difference is the Middle East can explain the condition of their streets as a direct result of ongoing military conflicts.
3.) The traffic issues around the Gorge Brett Bridge when the Chiefs play or when a team like the Cardinals plays the Royals. This is when people think it is okay to block the intersection and the police who are present stand around and do nothing. Sure looks like a way to generate more taxes and address the issue at the same time, so why are they not missing tickets that they would any other time. I guess a cut in around 500 offices as the supports wouldn’t quite be if they would start doing their jobs!
4.) The number of water leaks, which leads to ice in the winter and further street issues year around.
5.) The number of vacant and dangerous properties that are allowed to remain standing and exposing harm to neighborhood children and property values.
It is time salaries at Kansas City’s City Hall are cut and it is time issues like I have mentioned above are address.
Yes, I might not live in Kansas City, but I pay taxes to you and it is time this 50% of the tax payers have a voice.
It is time you stop spending my taxes on foolish things like the Sprint Center.
I know I have been very vocal around the water cooler at work reminding my co-works in Kansas City to put an end this foolish earnings tax and instead contact their elected officials and get on them to fix up Kansas City and instead of keep letting it crumble because they spend our taxes foolishly.
I bet those who would be on the board but not live in Kansas City would want the infrstructor fixed as that is what impacts them when in Kansas City.
Maybe if the tax passes those against it can get a bill through Jeffeson City that forces Kansas City and St Louis to have their city council be representative based on where their earning tax dollar are coming from.
Yes, for once Kansas City would have true voices wanting to improve the city for everyone.
I was surprised to see him out in my neighborhood as I have not seen anything of Mayor Bower this year nor four years ago. He told me he wanted to meet the people who would be electing him and share with them his concern about the crime in our city and the decrease in our property values.
He shared with me that he attended a candidate’s forum on April 22nd, but he was the only mayoral candidate in attendance. He couldn’t tell me where the mayor was or why he was not in attendance. This had me wondering what type of guy is Mayor Bower. I thought part of the job of elected officials was to get out and meet and answer questions from the people elected officials represent. I guess Mayor Bower doesn’t want to answer my questions about why he finds it necessary to yell at other elected officials and why nothing is done about the people in my neighborhood, who pile trash done about their yards, let their grass grow nearly three feet high and need to think about painting their house. If he would come to my house I would be more then happy to point out these issues as Mr. Khan took the time to walk the street with me and hear about how these fine neighbors sure are not helping my property value.
I know I am voting for Mr. Khan as it is time we have someone who is kind and wants to listen to the people of Raytown out the issues we see facing us.
I lock all of my doors as a reflex action. I had an Raytown police officer here taking a report. When he was leaving, he was locked in because I had dead bolted my security storm door. He questioned why I locked the door when a police officer was inside? I have a routine and don't deviate or things will go wrong. My car and house doors are always locked except of the car when it is locked in the garage.
Andy Whiteman
Sadder yet, the Distinction in Performance recognition has been given for 10 years starting in 2001-2002. Raytown has not received the recognition in even one of those ten years. Our district is one of only 50 districts never to receive the recognition, while 32 districts have received it in each of the 10 years, with 20 districts receiving it in nine of the 10 years and 45 districts receiving it in eight of the 10 years. And here we are, zero for 10.
Zero for 10. That, I’m afraid, leans more to the dysfunctional than the exceptional. Clearly, our kids are capable of doing better than that, and many, if not most of our teachers are better than that. So, who’s to blame? The buck stops with the board of education.
We need a school board that will demand change in our district and get for our children the quality of education they deserve and the quality of education our community is paying for. Most of the members of our current board are not focused on student achievement. If they were, our district would be among the 115 districts last year to increase the number of performance standards met by 1 or 2, or the 30 districts to increase the standards met by 3 to 5. But, they weren’t. And we’re not.
We need new board members who will recognize the need to improve, who will truly study the issues, and who will not rubberstamp whatever the administration puts before them. We don’t need board members who are just there to support the issues important to their friends and former colleagues in the district. We need a school board that will focus exclusively on doing what is best for our children and community. It doesn’t appear we have one now. Vote with change in mind.
We checked with another alderman we know and found out that joe is a little guiltyof stretchiing the truth.
The money for the sidewalks came from Washington DC. It was our share of President Obama's stimulus plan.
The sidewalks were built on Blue Ridge becasue the KCATA bus service runs along there. Not because Creamer said to build them there.
we are both wondering if this guy can tell the truth about anything!
He misleads about the tax increse he forced on us. He claims to be responsible for things he did not have anything to do with.
Shame on you Joe. Didn't your mother tell it was wrong to make up stories?
Anwar has listed his goals on his website. The following is a section taken DIRECTLY from the above address.
When I am elected our goals will be to:____________
* Reduce Crime
* Improve Public works and safety
* Insure Property Maintenance
* Improve Economy
* Obtain new sources of revenue
* Re-instill a since of community
* Increase Real Estate Values
____________________________________
Now here is my problem with these goals.
1) You list what the problems are. Everybody on this blog can identify the same problems. There is no solution given whatsoever.
2) And probably more importantly - you ENSURE property maintenance, you don't INSURE property maintenance. This can not be a typo as the E and the I are on opposite sides of the keyboard. This is either flat wrong or a poor job monitoring of a website. It is one thing for Greg to make a typo on this blog, but on something that represents the legitimacy of a campaign, it is poor poor management.
Bower isn't perfect. But his re-election will not be the disaster that comes with electing Anwar. AK is OK for Raytown? I say no way to AK.
Al Maddox is typical of what is wrong with a lot of communities. He does not live in Raytown. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri.
Mr. Maddox is no different than the rich millionaires who live in Missioin Hills, Kansas. The are always sticking their noses into the business of Kansas City.
Maddox has not live in Raytown for many, many years. Understand he moved out shortly after a fire of mysterious origin destroyed his residence in Raytown.
I also recall when the tragedy of the fire occurred, Maddox and his cronies actually held a fundraiser to help him financially. The fact taht he was insured didn't deter him from trying for a handout.
Maddox is hte last person on earth who should run around making spurious charges about others.
Let me point out Postal abbreviations:
AK=Alaska
OK=Oklahoma
Translation: "Alaska is Oklahoma for Raytown." That is how I read it and it is nonsense!
Agreed, Mr Khan states his goals, but NOT how he intends to achieve them. How will he fight crime? One of his photos shows a mob of people. Will this mob be his crime fighters?
***
I have an antique American Standard 4043 toilet needing repairs. My plumber claims he is unable to obtain parts and wants to sell me a new toilet for just under $1000. Since I am moving and selling my house "as is", I am not going to waste money on a new toilet. I called Wel-Don Plumbing in Raytown. They got the parts at Smith Brother's and did the job for a little over $100! Their hourly rate is lower than the other plumber. I recommend Wel-Don Plumbing.
Andy Whiteman
Sorry, but Bower had four years to do what....
NOTHING
....Time for a change, Time for AK!
___________________________________
How can Bower be the answer if in four years crime is up, property values are down!
Tax give aways are up, and property maintance is down!
Bower is NOT mvoing Raytown in the right direction unless you like living in the GHETO!
Guess it is time for me to join others in move out of this city while I can still get something for my home.
Poor management is the mayour and any other elected official that tells us what a great job the codes department head is doing to keep our neighborhoods clean
Please if you are going to get on this blog or anyother and talk about stuff make sure those you are talking great about are not the problem that we all are dealing with becasue they just will not enforce code violations and work to restore our property values.
Bower might have that lady from Wildwood Lake fooled and the person who said AK needs a plan, but after four years anyone that votes for Bower need to not complain about our crime and decrease property values.
I am voting AK becasue I want someoone who will listen to the people and not get mad and yell!
I am voting AK becasue it is time to fix Raytowns issues as saying how great our out of town department heads are doing just doesn't get the job done!
When you do the math it is clear We cannot aford Bower
AK will prove a new direction to four year old problems that Mayor Bower still doesnot have an answer as how to fix.
AK is Okay!!!
I am moving but not because of the government. My move is because of miserable climate, high utility rates, and high Dysfunctional School District taxes. Simply put, the climate is unhealthy and this area is too expensive to live in unless one is rich.
Andy Whiteman
Raytown doesn't need people from Kansas City telling us how to vote.
It got me so mad that I decided to work the to put an end to the etax in Kansas City.
When we put an end to this etax, I hope the fire fighters and police officers in KC take the time to thank there fine resident Al Madox for messing in Raytown, which has me and several others going to help him end the etax in KC.
Maybe next time the fire fighters and police officers in KC will ask Al Modox to stay out of Raytown politics being he doesn't live in Raytown.
So you never have gone by AW?
Please think about it AK stands for Anwar Khan and OK stands for Okay.
Not all of us work for the post office and by the way these days you put the street address and full nine digit zipcode on a first classs letter and it will find who you are sending it to.
Major changes in how it uses, spends
and wastes taxpayer money.
Raytown needs to cut away the department heads
that are not doing their jobs.
Raytown also needs to get rid of the aldermen that
endorse the above. As I have said before, their
job is to represent the people not big business.
Their job is to use voted for, tax increases for
exactly what they promised they would be used for.
Nobody running to be re-elected has done any of this.
Ask yourself what this means? It means they either
don't know what they are doing or they have forgotten
what their job description is.
Raytown needs new people that will ask questions, not
be a yes machine just get out of a meeting as soon as
they can.
You also have to remember there are people out there
that are hangers on. Like Witty Whitman. She and Jim Zaire
were on the Charter commission for only one reason and one
reason only. To sabotage the whole thing. The were working
top impress the leaders of this town that didn't want the charter.
Which means they were not working for the people that
elected them do make the charter.
It's time for a change for the better in Raytown.
PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE!
Ask your neighbors to vote too.
That is a position where we need new blood.
As for today's election, and I'm sure both would disagree, but we need Bower as Mayor and Walters as Ward 1 Alderman.
These two men appear to despise one another and are as adversarial politically as it can get. This makes them perfect to serve together. We won't have continual unanimous votes. Issues will be fully thought out and discussed.
Here is my take on the current board.
Strong- VanBuskirk, Ertz
Mediocre -Mock,
Weak - Par Due, Lightfoot, Creamer, Melson, Aziere
We have a chance to vote out 60 percent of the weak today!
In regard to the school board:
Strong- Thode, Moore
Mediocre - Collins-Delarber, Landers
Weak - Tittle, Mack, Saulsbury
I encourage to retain Landers and Moore and add Barnes.
AK is NOT OK!
Show me one person that offers a city that has prospered over the past four years and I will show you a liar. Bower has had a number of struggles, absolutely. But he also has brought new businesses in without using ridiculous TIFs (please don't say Wal Mart because that was not Bower's deal) The economy is improving and he has re-built the administrative staff at City Hall. With AK as the only alternative, I say give Bower 4 more years. If things don't get better, hopefully a better candidate will emerge (Walters, Ertz, Thode, VanBuskirk)
OK is an offensive term to me because it is used mainly by people trying to get me to agree with them. One of my employees always used the word "OK" at the end of sentences. I told him to stop because I will not be forced to agree. Maybe it was the way he talked but I found it offensive.
I feel AK is trying to force an agreement using the term OK. I do NOT agree with AK and he will not use his psychology to force an agreement!
AK is NOT OK.
Most people don't use a nine digit zip code. Since most of the time only 5 digit Zips are used on letterheads, bills, and business cards, I have to look the the 9 digit code so my bar coder will work when addressing an enevelope.
Andy Whiteman
I wonder how many votes are really counted? They give you a little blue pin to color in a square. Is the blue ink dark enough? I am unable to color in anything very well so brought a black Pentel Rolling Writer. Others may want to do the same next time.
Andy Whiteman
The problem with Fann is no one wants to run against her. The requirements for running are:
1) be a licensed attorney
2) a Raytown resident
The last time did a write in for Michael Hannah because a vote for her is wasted. I know a write in vote is wasted too but either way it is wasted.
I doubt any GOOD attorney would run for that gob because a good attorney can make more in one month than the city pays the judge for a year!
I would like to see Ms. Fann's license to practice law. From what I have heard and observed, I find it difficult to believe she is an attorney.
Andy Whiteman
election and a sad condolence to the rest of Raytown.
It would seem the voters and happy with their streets falling
apart. It would also appear they are happy with their
neighborhoods and the downtown area heading down hill.
But what the heck, they have a new Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee,
a new Aldi's going in and a new Ihop started.
Lower property values and higher taxes, and almost no
code enforcements. Life is good.......I guess.
Greg, I am so sorry you didn't make it in. I have learned
a lot from this and past elections in Raytown. If you ever
get back in you will need to spend and waste taxpayer money
to succeed. Never under any circumstance represent the the
people and small businesses of Raytown.
Greg, Since I am not the only one with difficulty finding the current COMMENTS link, have you thought of placing
**********************
or
_______________________
under the link or at the top of your next post as a divider?
Andy Whiteman
If I have my yard mowed before April 30, I will ask my mowing person if he will take them. If not, they will sill be here.
Andy Whiteman
On the other side you had Michael Downing, the senior Democratic Committeeman and self-annointed political guru running right winger Republican Joe Creamer's campaign for Alderman.
Will someone explain this picture to me?
Andy Whiteman
Sec. 18-4. - Reserved.
Editor's note— Ordinance No. 4197-96, § 1, adopted August 20, 1996, repealed § 18-4. Formerly, such section pertained to qualifications of municipal judge and derived from Ord. No. 1925-78, § 1, 12-19-78.
Does this mean any idiot may run for judge?
Andy Whiteman
a deep dislike for Greg Walters. Personally I think he would
have served Raytown better if he had just kept to himself.
Helping Joe Creamer did nothing to move Raytown forward.
Please believe me when I say I appreciate what Randy
Battagler is doing with his weekly paper. But if Raytown
had a true "news paper" I believe the election would have
turned out differently. The average Raytown citizen doesn't
know some of the bonehead decisions this bunch of elected
officials has done or how much they have cost the taxpayers
of this great town. If the give aways, spending and waste
was watched and reported the people would have seen just
how inept most of the aldermen that were running for re-election
are and how they have wounded the financial structure of Raytown.
A "news paper" would keep after these elected people asking
hard questions like what happened to our street overlay tax?
What have you done to make our neighborhoods safer? While
we are at it what happened to that safety tax? Why did the
people's tax money go toward the building of Wal-Marts building
and parking lot and last but not least why do the taxpayers
have to pay for the Wal-Mart bonds when they didn't buy them
in the first place. Remember it's over $1,800,000.00 so far.
We have around ninteen more years on W-M's deal. This could end
up costing the taxpayers ten's of millions.
Downing is a flaming liberal. There is not a left wing cause he does not embrace.
Creamer is so far right that he considers making everyone else breath cigarette smoke a Constitutional right!
Politics shure does make strange bedfellows.
If Raytown had a real newspaper, it would have an established circulation rather than requiring people to remember to pick it up in a haphazard manner. I have no way to pick it up due to disability. I can't afford or remember to make a weekly trip in search of a paper that may or may not be there. I know Randy is trying to cut costs by having no circulation but he still has 7 of my postage paid envelopes with 61 cents postage on each! Starting April 17, each will require 64 cents because the postage rate is going up. I am not goint to send him 3 cent stamps because he never used my envelopes. I am out $4.27 in postage, the cost of the envelopes, plus postage to send the envelopes to him. What a rip off. Maybe he doesn't really want his papers to be read or he is selective as to who he wants for reader(s).
Andy Whiteman
I no longer think Raytown requires an attorney as Judge. In all honesty, an attorney isn't needed to execute the duties of municipal judge.
I had considered running against her, but no longer think that I will. I hope somebody does though
RSMO 497.020:
Municipal judges, selection, tenure, jurisdiction, qualifications, course of instruction.
479.020. 1. Any city, town or village, including those operating under a constitutional or special charter, may, and cities with a population of four hundred thousand or more shall, provide by ordinance or charter for the selection, tenure and compensation of a municipal judge or judges consistent with the provisions of this chapter who shall have original jurisdiction to hear and determine all violations against the ordinances of the municipality. The method of selection of municipal judges shall be provided by charter or ordinance. Each municipal judge shall be selected for a term of not less than two years as provided by charter or ordinance.
2. Except where prohibited by charter or ordinance, the municipal judge may be a part-time judge and may serve as municipal judge in more than one municipality.
3. No person shall serve as a municipal judge of any municipality with a population of seven thousand five hundred or more or of any municipality in a county of the first class with a charter form of government unless the person is licensed to practice law in this state unless, prior to January 2, 1979, such person has served as municipal judge of that same municipality for at least two years.
4. Notwithstanding any other statute, a municipal judge need not be a resident of the municipality or of the circuit in which the municipal judge serves except where ordinance or charter provides otherwise. Municipal judges shall be residents of Missouri.
5. Judges selected under the provisions of this section shall be municipal judges of the circuit court and shall be divisions of the circuit court of the circuit in which the municipality, or major geographical portion thereof, is located. The judges of these municipal divisions shall be subject to the rules of the circuit court which are not inconsistent with the rules of the supreme court. The presiding judge of the circuit shall have general administrative authority over the judges and court personnel of the municipal divisions within the circuit.
6. No municipal judge shall hold any other office in the municipality which the municipal judge serves as judge. The compensation of any municipal judge and other court personnel shall not be dependent in any way upon the number of cases tried, the number of guilty verdicts reached or the amount of fines imposed or collected.
7. Municipal judges shall be at least twenty-one years of age. No person shall serve as municipal judge after that person has reached that person's seventy-fifth birthday.
8. Within six months after selection for the position, each municipal judge who is not licensed to practice law in this state shall satisfactorily complete the course of instruction for municipal judges prescribed by the supreme court. The state courts administrator shall certify to the supreme court the names of those judges who satisfactorily complete the prescribed course. If a municipal judge fails to complete satisfactorily the prescribed course within six months after the municipal judge's selection as municipal judge, the municipal judge's office shall be deemed vacant and such person shall not thereafter be permitted to serve as a municipal judge, nor shall any compensation thereafter be paid to such person for serving as municipal judge.
I hauled the branches from the front yard to the curb in preparation for pick up. This afternoon, I hauled the branches from the back yard to the curb and discovered the big pile gone. If someone on this blog picked them up, I thank you.
I think Khan is a name that is easy to misspell. I did it myself and spell check corrected me. There is a possibility that when Mr. Khan called to start is phone service, the person taking the order spelled it wrong. Since my name is unusual and many misspell it, I always spell it to another person. Mr. Khan spells it Khan. At least that is on his website and brochure. I questioned him about his similarity to Dictator O'Bummer as community organizer. He stated that I didn't read correctly. He is the Democratic Asian organizer. BY the time I checked his web site, it was changed.
9:34 AM, I didn't state who Mr. vanBuskirk endorsed. My statement was about who I endorsed.
Andy Whiteman