About Town . . . by Greg Walters
“The asphalt overlay on Raytown Road was completed this week. The overlay was to be a ½” thick which would have resulted in a reasonable ride over manholes and water valves however the actual thickness varied significantly and some manholes and water valves are now significantly below the finished roadway surface to cause a rough ride. Public works will now evaluate the manholes and water valves and determine if adjustment rings are available to smooth the ride at the worst locations. It is imperative that the manhole lids and water valve rings are at or below the finished roadway surface or during winter weather the snow plows will damage the manhole lids or water valve rings.”
I hope that translates to “we will fix the problem.”
· Personnel changes at Raytown City Hall have been fast and furious this past year. The City’s Community Development Director, Beth Lynn, resigned from her position this past summer. City Finance Director Jeremy Wilmoth recently announced that he was moving on later this month. Mr. Wilmoth’s number two man in the City’s Finance Department also resigned his position last month.
Makes one wonder who is next as the door continues to revolve at Raytown City Hall.
In the wake of these resignations there is an opportunity for the City Council to change its course and require Raytown residency of is senior department heads. It would allow city employees to plant roots within the community and add to the city’s tax base. The positives definitely outweigh any negatives if the Council decides to move in that direction.
· High school football headed towards post season. One of our local teams, Archbishop O’Hara High School, is on track to repeat last year’s run at a state championship. Last Thursday the O’Hara Celtics won first place in their Class 3 Division with a victory over Central. (see related story below for more details)
· Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, November 8th. The only issue on the ballot is another eighth cent sales tax increase for the Kansas City Zoo. The ballot language reads:
QUESTION
Shall a retail sales tax of one-eighth of one percent (1/8%) be levied and collected for the benefit of the Kansas City Zoological District, which shall be created and consist of the county of Jackson and the counties of Cass, Clay, and/or Platte, if approved by such other county’s voters, for the support of zoological activities within the district?
Shall a retail sales tax of one-eighth of one percent (1/8%) be levied and collected for the benefit of the Kansas City Zoological District, which shall be created and consist of the county of Jackson and the counties of Cass, Clay, and/or Platte, if approved by such other county’s voters, for the support of zoological activities within the district?
If it passes the sales tax rate in Raytown will skyrocket to 9.25% at some of the major retail outlets in Raytown.
The Raytown Report has recommended a NO vote on the sales tax increase.
· That’s all we have for now. Watch for The Paul Livius report later this week with news of what will take place at the November 1st City Council meeting.
O’HARA WINS DISTRICT WITH 55-6 VICTORY by Brother Richard Geimer
With Ronnie Sailer an Gabe Spencer each scoring two touchdowns, the Archbishop O’Hara High School football Celtics won the Class 3 District 13 on October 27 defeating the Central Blue Eagles by a score of 55-6. It was the most points scored by the Celtics this season, the previous high being 47 against the Saint Pius Warriors.
O’Hara’s other four touchdowns were scored by Jake Fortin, Tanner Hull, Brandon Dennis, and D.J. Griffin, while Julian Gidley connected on seven extra points for eight attempts. Continue Reading
O'HARA DEFEATS LINCOLN PREP IN POST SEASON GAME
With two first quarter touchdowns and two in the fourth quarter, the Archbishop O'Hara High School football team won their first post season game against Lincoln Prep 28-0 on November 2. The Celtics scored on the first drive of the game on a rainy and windy evening. Continue Reading
I love, love, love Halloween! It’s not really the candy that gets me (I try to stay away from getting too much of a sugar-high, although I do have some of my faves—all good things in moderation!), rather it’s the silliness of the entire premise of the holiday. I mean, really. One day where you get to dress up as something... Continue reading
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Comments
People using this town as a stepping stone
to move on to greener pastures.
The only problem is they make a mess out of
this town before they move on. Why not most
don't live here. Why shoud they care.
I hope City Hall can take a hint finally and
do the right thing.
It may be a stepping stone. but the last 2 department heads had inproved the city. Beth Linn brought in the vacant property ordinance. Jeremy Wilmoth did an excellent job with the city's accounting as well as preparing and presenting the budget in a manner us serfs could understand.
Hopefully this will post. I am being blocked outm can't remember my password or read the unreadable word that must be entered to prove that I am human.
Andy Whiteman
As for not living here, if we had a mayor and a police dept. that is willing to do their jobs and listen to the citizens who have tried over and over again what is expected of them it would be a great town again. I am so disappointed with our elected officials excepted for 2 and the police Chief. When are we going to see people in office that truly care what their constituents have to say or want or feel. We sure on't have them now.
Mahesh Sharma trying to talk around the problem dos not solve the problem. Of course the manhole covers cannot be above street level.
The point is they should not have put in city made potholes.
I'll bet you our city council and mayor do not even mention the poor work on Raytown Road at the city council meeting. It should be there number one topic. You can bet I'll be watching the meeting tonight to see if any of them are man enough to at least admit the job was botched.
same way as Raytown road is now. The manhole covers
were about an inch to two inches below the road surface.
They caused quite a bump.
That road was finally ground down and new asphalt was
installed and it took out the big bumps.
Raytown road was ground down too but, it evidently
wasn't enough. All they need to do is feather the rough
edges and the problem is solved.
The taxpayers paid good hard earned money for the overlay.
The reason they passed a street overlay tax in the first
place was to do away with bumpy streets. Now they have paid
to put in a bumpy street.
Wouldn't you think our so called inspectors that hinder
every other business would have caught this substandard overlay?
Where's the codes people when we need them.
Somebody needs to start earning the money that the taxpayers
hand out every year!
Bottom line here, is do your job and do it right or get the
Hell out!
Andy Whiteman
If the former, that contractor shouldn't be paid. In either case the city knows about this hazard and is liable for accidents, injuries, and property damage.
Andy Whiteman
Thanks for posting the election editorial and notice. I have posted it onto a letter and mailing it out.
Andy Whiteman
Andy Whiteman
Raytown is having a Holiday lighting ceremony. What is wrong with Raytown? City workers receive a paid day off for that unnamed holiday. If the holiday can't be named, the day off should be charged as a vacation day. Why can't Raytown acknowledge Christmas?
Andy Whiteman
All spending items on the consent agenda were OVER $15000. Who in their right mind considers that much money to be routine? The reason the board is voting on it is because board action is required but it is hidden away as routine and not worth wasting time over.
If our elected officials don't want to waste their time, then we need NEW elected officials. That should be a simple solution if Raytown Citizens will get out and vote.
BTW next Tuesday there is an election to hike the sales tax to finance the Zoo. That is something that should be accomplished by admissions or donations. Raytown sales tax is close to 10%. We don't need to add anything to it! NOT ONE RED CENT!
Andy Whiteman
What were there fifteen items on the agenda and thirteen were on the consent agenda? Unbelievable!
For those that do not know. The consent agenda is where the city council puts a bunch of items up for a vote at one time.
Van Buskirk asked that five of the consent items be pulled from the consent agenda.
Pardue and White through a fit. Aziere, who was chairing the meeting, (who knows where bower was)said that people get bored with the meetings if all of the agenda items are read.
No, Jim. They get bored with you blow gas out of both ends at the same time.
Why on earth you were elected mayor protem is a mystery. Tehre are much better people on the council who would not use the position to bully another alderman.
THERE WILL BE A CHILI DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION FUND RAISER FOR REAP(THE RAYTOWN EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM) ON SAT NOVEMBER 12TH, 2011
FROM NOON TO 5PM AT THEIR BUILDING 9300 E. 75TH sTREET. RAYTOWN,MO.
All proceeds will go to help payoff the used Van they bought after their old truck was stolen. The truck did not have full coverage because of it's age. They still owe about $3000.00 on the Van. Come and have some chili, a Chicken Pot Pie or a hot dog, desert and drink, meet people, make your bid and have some fun. The tickets are $8.00 and can be purchase at the door or call me at 353-4431 or 462-3975.
See you there.
Sandy Hartwell
The question should be where was the Mayor (Bower) and Mayor Pro Tem (Cramer) Tuesday night?
Now you can ask your question as to how was and when was Jim Aziere elected the current Mayor Pro Tem.
The one thing that is clear is nothing is clear (transparent) at Raytown city hall.
For more information about the EAS test, see:
I believe I saw Joe come in late. He has a full time job and can't just leave work because of a meeting.
As with any bureaucracy there has to be chain of command in the event one or more top officials are unavailable. I don't know how the chain of command runs in Raytown.
Andy Whiteman
Another concern is with this announced test and live broadcast off the air for 3 minutes, it would be a perfect time for a terrorist attack! Remember 11/9 is 9/11 backwards!
Andy Whiteman
It is doubtful on all counts, it is simply not logical. All broadcast stations have to have a monthly EAS test, this one is simply a coordinated test, to see if it all works in case it is needed. I have no love for Obama either, but I think you are reading too much into it. Not long ago there was a statewide coordinated test -- was that Jay Nixon trying to take over the state of Missouri? No. The same could be said here, it is a simple test, nothing more, nothing less. As for the date, mere coincidence -- it happens to be the second Wednesday (the first Wednesday often being used to test tornado sirens). The NOAA weather radio, tests their alert system every Wednesday as well (in the evening). So in short, it is on 11/9 because it is a -- Wednesday. As for a terrorist attack, given the propaganda -- much like it was during the Cold War -- could happen at anytime anyway.
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
Joe Creamer is an elected official who needs to show up on time for meetings or step down as an Alderman.
I understand him and the others have regular jobs, but he should have checked on the amount of time he would need to be at city meetings and events before running for office.
Speaking of events has anyone ever seen him attend anything in the City besides an board meeting.
Why doesn't he get out and aboout like Mock, White, Van Buskirt, Melson and Ertz?
We need to thank these five for thinking enough about our city to get out and meet with the people of the city.