Sunday, March 13, 2011

Every Picture Tells a Story . . . A hawk weathers a snowstorm in the late summer at Mount Ranier in Washington State. The hawk, perched on a log, sat motionless the entire time we observed her. Ranier is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. The picture was taken on a hike that began with snow flurries and ended in four inches of fresh snowfall. Like most late summer snow storms in the mountains the snow was shortlived, most of it melted as we returned to lower elevations. Wildwood Lake Homeowners Meet with Candidates by Greg Walters Last Friday evening Mayoral candidates David Bower and Anwar Khan were vetted by the Wildwood Lake Homeowners Association at the Wildwood Lake Homeowners annual meeting. Candidates for Ward 2 Alderman, Jim Aziere, John Jacobs and Robbie Tubbs, were also introduced to the dozen-plus members who were in attendance at the meeting. MAYORAL ELECTION: Bower and Khan agreed that there was a need to reduce crime in Raytown. Bower told those present that the City had hired seven new police officers but also said six officers had resigned their position. In the question and answer session Mayor Bower told the audience that the Walmart TIF will not generate any sales tax dollars (for the city) in the next twenty years. Sales tax dollars from the Walmart development area are earmarked for debt retirement of the TIF bonds that financed the project. WARD 2 ALDERMEN CANDIDATES SPEAK OUT: Jim Aziere gave a recap of public works projects, his experience, and how it has benefitted the Wildwood Lakes neighborhood while he served as Alderman. Candidate John Jacobs told those present the reason he was running was to stem the increase of juvenile delinquency in the neighborhoods through city sponsored programs. Robbie Tubbs spoke of the proliferation of the use of TIF’s and Tax Abatements by the city to attract businesses. She also spoke on the need of a policy requiring future senior department heads to take up residency in Raytown. Mayor Bower was the only candidate to receive a follow-up question. Candidate Forum to be Held by the Raytown Democratic Association The Raytown Democratic Association (RDA) will conduct a Candidate Forum on Tuesday, March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Raytown Emergency Assistance Program headquarters located at 9300 East 75th Street. Candidates for the office of Mayor, Aldermen and City Collector and School Board have been invited for the forum. Candidates will be given a one and one-half minute time period to introduce themselves. Questions will be taken from the audience for the those candidates in attendance. The Raytown Democratic Association asks that everyone in attendance bring a canned good as a good will donation to REAP for use of the meeting room for the event. Any questions regarding the Raytown Democratic Association forum should be directed to Mr. Richard Tush, President of the RDA. Mr. Tush can be reached at 356-0003. Sign Wars One sure sign that it is election time in Raytown is the proliferation of yard signs by the various candidates. So far this year signs have been spotted for Mayoral candidate David Bower, Aldermanic Candidates Pat Ertz, Charlotte Melson, Greg Walters, Joe Creamer, Jim Aziere and Robbie Tubbs. Most of the signs going up are located in Wards 1 and 2. In both wards it appears that a good old fashioned "sign war" is going on between Tubbs and Aziere in Ward 2 and Walters and Creamer in Ward 1. David Bower, since he is running city wide for Mayor, also has a large amount of signs dotting the landscape. Candidates in active campaigns seem to agree that yard signs are very important for a number of reasons. "Name identification is my main goal," said candidate Robbie Tubbs. "My opponent has been in office many years . . . yard signs are the most effective tool I have to level the playing field," continued Tubbs. When asked about the proliferation of yard sign signs in Ward 1 Walters said, "Since Raytown does not have regular newspaper coverage delivered to the voters, the signs serve as a very important reminder to voters that an election is coming." Former Raytown Alderman Sandy Hartwell summed up her feelings on yard signs this way, "Some candidates use the signs to mark their perceived political strength, others as a personal endorsement from the person who owns the yard in which they stand. It is a part of campaigning that us uniqely American. It is part of our political heritage." FitStars: Dr. Oz by Erin Whitehead 3 Comments Today’s FitStars takes on a slightly different format. Usually, we get a one-on-one interview, whether by phone or email, to ask all of our burning questions. But Dr. Mehmet Oz—a heart surgeon, frequent medical expert on Oprah and the host of his very own The Dr. Oz Show—is apparently a busy man, so I settled for an hour-long conference call in which he answered the burning questions of myself and other journalists and bloggers. And because an hour of talking translates to pages and pages and pages of written text, I’m including the best highlights, take-home messages and snippets from the discussion. What is your regular routine? Dr. Oz: I get up about a quarter to six. I always do a morning yoga stretch that’s about seven minutes long. There’s a reason why it’s seven minutes long: because it’s hard to admit to yourself that your life is so out of control that you can’t carve out even seven minutes in the morning. And once I’m out of that seven minute stretch, I usually don’t eat breakfast until I get to work, but it’s still pretty early at that hour. I endorse people having breakfast—I don’t care if it’s the first thing you do when you get up, but it should be something you do within the first hour or so of awakening so that you stabilize the nature of your food intake throughout the rest of the morning. Especially high-fiber, high-protein foods satisfy that purpose for breakfast. The other thing I’m very strict about is trying to be on time. I was just in the operating room, which is why I delayed this call for about five minutes, but even that frustrates me. If you’re late then you’re out of control, and maintaining the focus of control is an important part, I think, of us leading the healthiest lives we can. I can go on and on, but it ends with my going to sleep pretty religiously around 10:30 at night so I can get about seven-and-a-half hours by 6 in the morning. That’s probably the single biggest and easily achievable goal that most Americans can commit to in the New Year. How would you advise someone in setting their weight-loss goals? Dr. Oz: First off, you’ve gotta measure the right thing. I wouldn’t focus on weight; I’d focus on waist. And the reason I say that is because the dangers of obesity are much more related to your waist size than the actual weight you carry around. Your weight can be distributed in your thighs, in your hips, the so-called pear shape, which does not actually offer a mortality risk to you. On the other hand, waist girth in the abdominal area reflects omentum fat—belly fat that’s deep inside the belly, underneath the muscles—that’s fat that’s next to the liver, and it poisons the liver, and it causes inflammation throughout the body. So it is imperative that people have waist sizes that are less than half their height. You need to actually clean out the kitchen and get rid of foods that disobey the rule of fives—these are the five ingredients in a food that we know are toxic for you and will increase your belly fat. They include simple sugars—syrups like high-fructose corn syrup. Saturated fat—these are fats that come from animals. Fat that comes from things with faces are often saturated. Trans fats and enriched flours, the simple white flours. Those foods you want to get out of your refrigerator, out of your pantry and replace them with foods that do not have those ingredients in their top five listed, and by doing that you make it easy to do the right thing. So essentially what we’re trying to do is force people to make a difficult decision in the supermarket and not at home. If you had to offer only three health tips, what would they be? Dr. Oz: If I had to cut it down to three, the first thing I’d say is to have some stretching routine that you do every day. Yoga happens to be my favorite because there’s some muscle-building elements to it as well, and it can be cardiovascular, but the stretch is the important part. Number two is to make sure there is a ton of fiber in the foods you eat because that stabilizes your metabolism so that your mind can work at its best throughout the day. And the third is to make sure there is a purpose for what you’re pursuing. And that sounds sorta soft and touchy-feely for a doctor, but having been a heart surgeon my entire life, when the heart does not have a reason to keep beating, it doesn’t. Experts say this generation may not outlive their parents. Do you think that’s true? Dr. Oz: I do. I don’t think they’re going to unless we make some changes. I think we can do it. The good news is that obesity rates in kids stabilized last year from the best we can tell. So I think we’re starting to get a lot of people upset about this issue, but we cannot let up at all…I’m just one example, but it is very common for me to operate on 30-year-olds now. That was unheard of when I was training 20 years ago. What do you think of TV weight-loss shows? Dr. Oz: Of course anything that’s good can be perverted for wrong. At their core, I think these shows are very good shows because they take people having a lot of problems, they train individuals, working with them usually because their show’s investing money to make sure they do well because that’s the foundation for success. And admittedly, sometimes the amount of improvements seen by some of these folks is a little bit greater than you’d ever be able to get on your own, but the challenges they face are representative of yours as a viewer. So I think they’re popular for good reason because so many of us are struggling with weight. And they’re effective if they provide you a role model that you can resonate to. During the conversation, Dr. Oz started discussing “blue zones,” areas of the world where it is common for people to live active lives past the age of 100. Dr. Oz discusses the reasons why. Dr. Oz: It is true that they never joined yoga clubs, but in Okinawa, they had physical ceremonies. It was part of the culture … it’s fascinating to see how they deal with it. They get up in the morning early—when the sun comes up, they’re out. If it’s nice out, they’re out. It doesn’t really matter that they’re not doing yoga class, their physical activity levels are dramatically greater than ours because it’s part of their lives. I was cutting corn with a 99-year-old gentleman in Costa Rica, and he was showing me how to do it, crouched on his knees with a machete I had trouble lifting—but he’d done it his whole life. How fast could he run a football field? Not much. But I think there’s a lot of evidence now that our physical fitness is curtailed more by our lifestyle than by our genetics. So although we didn’t get our official one-on-one time with Dr. Oz, as you can see, it was well worth it to sit in on a chance to hear his philosophies on health and wellness. Keep spreading the word, Doc! 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 LINKS TO OTHER RAYTOWN NEWS SOURCES 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 To catch up on Raytown High Sports use this link Raytown High School To catch up on the Raytown Police Blog go to Raytown Police Blog To view Raytown Crime Statistics go to Raids on Line Last Week’s Poll Results Do you plan to visit the Midwest Democracy Project website? (see "In Their Own Words" story)70% . . . Yes 30% . . . No To post a comment click on the word comments below:

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know how the Raytown Democratic forum will be conducted? Will there be give and take in the debate? Who will be moderating the debate?

I plan to go and wonder how much audience participation will be allowed.

Anonymous said...

The gentleman John Jacobs who is running in ward 2 seems to have the idea that the city is responsible for the children of this city. To provide something for them to do. Mr. Jacobs these are not my children they have parents who are to provide for them. My understanding is that you belong to Kansas Baptist Temple. This church has a wonderful gym and a fantastic athletic field. Why doesn't your church open these facilities up for the kids to use.

Anonymous said...

I hear the Mayor is not going to show up for the RDA debate. I wonder why.

I'm glad that at least one organization is stepping up to help get the word out about the candidates and where they stand on the issues.

Andy Whiteman said...

Why shouldn't ALL candidates show up at the meeting?

Pat Casady said...

I would like to remind all voters in Raytown
that it doesn't matter what promises candidates
make or where they stand on issues. It is what
they do after in office.
We have seen what the incumbent aldermen have
done to this town and how they voted to give
away your tax dollars and divert your street overlay
money to other projects. You have seen how they have
loaned your tax dollars to the developer of yet another
grocery store. Almost eight hundred thousand of your
tax dollars that could have gone to making Raytown a better
place. In some cases with the longer sitting aldermen
you have seen how they have voted to give away millions
of tax income that could have helped this town. But they
gave it to Wal-Mart.
Please don't fall for what they say they will do. Vote against
them for what they have done! Vote in new people, people that
want to make Raytown a better place. Don't keep the people
that want to impress big corporations.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about the rest of you but I made my mind up about who to vote for when I received my property tax bill this year.

My property value went down. But the taxes went up!

The city council made this vote. They did not have to. I will not vote for an incumbent. I don't care who his or her opponent is.

We need a change to a city council that understands the hardships it places on people when it raises taxes during a recession.

I lost my job three years ago through a massive layoff at the compnay I worked for. I have since found another job. But it does not pay near what the old one did.

The people who run city hall act as if what happens to the little people in Raytown is not their concern.

I say vote them out!!!

Anonymous said...

I have NEVER watched a more stupid city council meeting than the one last night. Alderman Aziere and Melson are worried about a salt pile at a snow plowing business. The point was could it be seen from the roadway!!! Do either of you ever drive throught your ward and look at all the code violations there? The ones that are making the city look like a Kansas City ghetto. The two of you make some of the other alderman look smart. I have to say if changes are not made at the board level we might as well kiss Raytown good bye, because it will be a ghost town. The April election is your chance to make a differance so vote!!!!

Andy Whiteman said...

The problem is approximately 80% of the sheepole don't vote meaning that fewer than 20% of the sheeople elect officials and they may be voting stupidly!

Andy Whiteman

Andy Whiteman said...

I am voting for Robbie Tubbs, Alderman for Ward 2
http://www.tubbs4ward2.com/
Lets take this city back!

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Is it ethical for an elected official to use his city email address on is paid political advertising?

I wonder about this because I see that Joe Cramer is using his city hall paid email address as a way for people to contact him. I saw it on his door hanger and have heard that he is using it in print advertising in a local newspaper as well!

I pay taxes like everyone else and resent my tax dollars being used to support his campaign.

Does anyone know a way to keep him from using a city hall email address in his advertising?

Anonymous said...

At the Wildwood Lake Homeowners Association meeting last week, Mayor Bower told of his first Board of Alderman meeting. He said that during the open public comment section “some guy with a bicycle helmet on his head got up to talk”. He winked and laughed and said that everyone had seen and heard this guy. Do we really want someone as our mayor who makes fun of our handicapped citizens?

Anonymous said...

I just had the biggest laugh of the day,possibly of a lifetime.I read an article signed by Cathy Sims in the Raytown Times. Everyone should read this and get a laugh like I did. I didn't know we had a Superman on the board. Why do we have nine other board members, a mayor,a city administrator,and other department heads when Superman Jim has the allusion he does it all. This man is the most self righteous, arrogant person I know. He does very little on the board except expell hot air which he has plenty of. The artice I feel was written by Superman himself and he got some poor soul to put her name to it. Sorry Superman but this is the article that broke the camels back and you won't get my vote.

Anonymous said...

The best way to stop this man is to vote him out. I feel he thinks he is above the law. It is time,we voters of Raytown send a loud message to him. Obey the law or else.

Andy Whiteman said...

8:36PM, I don't know about the law but I would say most employers state that company computers and email is for company use only.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

In response to anomymous March 16 6:28am. I agree the property tax hike was inappropriate when property values went down. I did look the voteing info up on that levy increase. For the record Mock was absent, VanBuskirk and Lightfoot were the only two to vote no on raiseing our taxes.

Andy Whiteman said...

If anyone can validate (signed with their name) what Anonymous 7:14 AM said, please post it here or contact me personally.

Thanks,
Andy Whiteman

Pat Casady said...

Anonymous 8:36 asks a good question.
The taxpayers money shouldn't help any person
running for office other than volunteering to do so.
Anonymous 7:27 is also right. That is why I ask the people
of Raytown to look back at what these incumbent aldermen
have done to this town. Stupid decisions that cost the
people their money either by increasing taxes at a time
when it is hard to make a living. Or giving away tax income
to multi-million dollar corporations then expecting the already
over taxed taxpayers to make up the difference.
Please remember, it's your tax dollars that have to make up
the W-M bond payment difference. So far, to the tune of over
$1,800,000.00. How far could that money have gone to overlay
the streets of Raytown?
Please remember the tax increases voted for by the people that
never happened. The safety tax and the street overlay.
The three mentioned, Aziere, Creamer and Melson should go.

Anonymous said...

I have witnessed many instances when Mayor Bower has acted or said things inappropriate. He needs to remember the golden rule. Treat others how you want to be treated. By the way what was the deal at the council meeting Tuesday night. When at the close of the meeting Alderman Aziere started his rambeling about some issue. If that had been any other alderman you would have shut them down. Playing favorites are we? All it was was a little free campaign time for him. Mayor you need to be consistent.

Anonymous said...

I read the article in the Raytown Times that was memtioned by the blogger on March 17th at 9:19a.m. Mrs. Sims had some inaccurate facts stated. Jim "Superman" Aziere as the blogger called him was only at the first meeting concerning the smoking ban and then he left the country. This is typical of Alderman Aziere. He starts something then drops the ball,leaving the work for the rest of the board to do. We need an Alderman who will truly work and be there for the citizens of Ward 2. Alderman Aziere is not that person.

Anonymous said...

Andy,

Where can you be contacted? Email or phone number would be helpful.

Andy Whiteman said...

8:17AM, Since I get too much SPAM, I don't post my email on public sites. I am on FaceBook and may be emailed via FaceBook. Also my phone number is in the phone book. Since I sleep much of the day, I accept phone calls only from 10AM-12N or after 3:30PM.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

The neighbors of Alderman Bill Van Buskirk want to thank him for all of his efforts to help us resolve a property issue on our block. He spent countless hours helping us and as of today we are seeing progress. Accept our thanks, you are an example of what an alderman should do for his ward and his city. Keep up the good work.