RAYTOWN'S LEADING NEWS SOURCE
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| Brewer and Shipley |
Brewer and
Shipley Concert
A HUGE
SUCCESS BY ANY MEASURING STICK!
An
estimated 1,500 Raytowner’s turned out for the annual Raytown Arts and Music
Festival held at Kenagy Park this past Saturday. Headlining the free concert
was the American folk rock duo, Brewer and Shipley.
Originally from the Raytown area, Mike Brewer
and Tom Shipley entertained the crowd by reminiscing about memories of Raytown
while entertaining with songs that put them on the national stage from the
1960’s and 1970’s. Included in their performance were many of their popular
hits like “One Toke Over the Line”, “Tarkio Road” and “Shake Off the Demon”.
The
Raytown Arts and Music Festival also highlighted works by local artists who
sold art in a vendor area surrounding the concert venue.
 | |
| SEARCHING FOR MOONSTONES |
Greg's Ramblings
Paul is off this week. So, in place of his “Paul’s Rant” column I
thought I would share a couple of photos from my recent trip to Paso Robles,
California and, of course share my insight into what is happening on the local
political scene.
First the
trip.
Paso
Robles is located about 30 miles west of the Central Coast of California,
roughly halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The area is currently
suffering from a three year drought, which, strangely enough, has been somewhat
of a boon to the local industry, which is producing grapes for wine.
Stressed
grapes make for a better wine. The soil, which is less than perfect for the
crops we grow here in the Midwest, the hot weather – temperatures in the 100+
degree range and the drought make for a mixed curse and blessing. The result is
excellent grapes for wine.
Just as
interesting is the unique nature that is Central California – as is evidenced
by the following pictures:
 |
| The locals call it a fish boil. Seismic activity in the Pacific causes water temperatures to rise at the bottom of the ocean. Schools of fish swim to the top of the water for cooler temperatures. Flocks of birds feast on the fish as they reach the top. Sea Gulls and Pelicans make up most of what you see in the picture. |
 | ||
| The Hearst Castle, home to Randolph Hearst took over twenty years to build. The newspaper mogul entertained news makers of the day to visit his estate. Over dinner he would pair liberals across from conservatives to hear the different viewpoints on issues of the day. He would then retire for the evening to create his political commentary for the next day's newspapers. In case you were wondering, Patty Hearst still frequents the Castle, as do many members of the family, and live in the residence section of the estate. One of three swimming pools (the other two are outdoor pools) is pictured above. |
 | ||||||||||||
| Rolling hills with stands of Oak Trees are typical between the Coast and Paso Robles. Three years of drought -- with temperatures frequently over 100 degrees inland (60's and 70's along the coast) have left the landscape arid and dry. Extremely low humidity makes the high temperatures feel almost comfortable by Midwest standards. |
 |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
Greg’s Rant (with apologies to Paul
Livius)
Paul has
taken a well deserved break this week so it falls to me to throw in my two
cents worth on local issues.
The hot
topic in town is undoubtedly the non-anouncement of a Walmart Grocery Store
planned for the old Sav A Lot location behind Wendy’s at 63rd and
Raytown Trafficway.
City Hall
has been mum on what is going on, but our sources are certain what is whispered
about now will become reality in the near future.
What I
find so interesting is some of the commentary from other news sources. One
local writer (Rand Battagler) wrote “it’s probably just a rumor started to rile
up the city.” He went on to say “someone
let the cat out of the bag prematurely.”
Riling up
city hall? Letting the cat out of the bag? A gunman at the top of a grassy
knoll?
Sounds
like conspiracy theory stuff, doesn’t it?
I don’t
think many people will have trouble with a Walmart Store at the 63rd
and Raytown Trafficway location. The zoning is proper. It will fill a space
that has been vacant for far too long. It will help the local economy. Most
importantly, it will leave the door open to develop the Green Space in Downtown
Raytown with something along the lines of what city planners have been working
towards.
The only
problem (and this is yet to be seen) would be if the Board of Aldermen and
Mayor go crazy giving out tax incentives to make this happen.
Let’s hope
they do not choose that path.
 |
| BY JENN |
FIT
BOTTOMED EATS
How to Eat
Healthy on a Budget
Trying to
eat healthy on a budget? Who isn’t these days, right? I mean, as much as we do
love Whole Foods (oh, the free cheese samples!), the ol’ “Whole Paycheck” joke
is kinda right on (as is this funny video). And healthy eating does have a rep
for being pricey. But don’t let that be a reason to reach for the cheaper
processed foods or hit the drive-thru. If you’re smart about it, you can
totally eat healthy on a budget. And maybe — even quite likely — save money on
choosing the healthy stuff versus the less-than-healthy stuff. READ MORE
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Comments
I have no problem with them putting their grocery store in an area already zoned for that type of business.
Hopefully since that center already has a TIF, the BOA won't be foolish and approve a TIF for only one business in the center.
Andy Whiteman
Andy
What’s not to understand?
David Bower is in bed with WalMart.
He is going to show the people that didn’t want
A WalMart grocery store planted in our green space
that he’s the head man in Raytown.
The thing is, if there are plans for this store
to go in, then why all the secrecy?
I can only think of as few reasons,
One, to hide another big tax deal.
Two, city hall is afraid of what the people will say,
remember elections are coming.
Three, something underhanded may be going
down.
Looking at past dealings with our elected people
not telling us what was or is going on, how can we
trust any of them.
2)Vote out these Aldermen that have such poor attitude toward the community.
3)If the Mayor runs again, make sure he is sent home forever.
Time for new blood up there!
To them the citizens of Raytown are just something to put up with, after all they sit on the board so they must be better.
They make me sick.
Do you have any ideas on how to get off of our back side?
Tell us what you would suggest.
You sure do a lot to promote stores that the mayor would like to put out of business.
Keep up the good work Randy.
I hope there were not any deals made on tax abatements to Walmart on this store. The city cannnot afford to give away any more tax money.
Please forgive those city hall for they know
not what they are doing.
Thanks
Don't know about you, but I promise I will vote against everyone one of those at city hall who participate in the kind of politics that hides the truth from the people.
That includes lying by omission.
It also includes those who mistakenly believe they are not allowed to speak of city business to the public. They should sit down with the city attorney and have a serious talk. They will find there is no law forbidding them from discussing city business with the public.
It is unfortunate that the Mayor and City Council think it is best not to inform the people of Raytown of major developments coming to the city.
I hope it is not because they want to line the pockets of Walmart with tax abatements. The earlier post is correct. A good business will stand or fall on its own merits.
Being handed tax dollars to set up shop in a city is not standing on its own merits.
I am sorry 5:06 but Wal-Mart is not a big donut seller. You sound like you are in the Mayors pocket or else you do not understand business in this days of rough competition. The business that get tax abatement when they come to town and leave the other competitors at a disadvantage. It would be sad to see one our our existing grocery stores close up because of too many competitors so close to each other.
Walt-mart already has a big advantage on the 350 location. I just wonder how many pockets are being lined. I can not imagine any one really thinking that we need 3 Wal-Marts in a 5 mile area. Talk about overkill.
I just wonder when Wal-Mart will decide that the 350 location is now not that profitable and abandon it and leave Raytown high and dry with money still owed.
It seems like only the Mayor and the City Manager know all the ins and outs.
It might be nice for those businesses, but it is the businesses that have to decide to come to Raytown no one can force them.
It should also be noted that the other business need to make sure they maintain their properties.
Okay...nice to dream, but when we wake up we are still in Raytown.
town. I believe, a town can pass ordinances against
a certain type or a certain number of businesses
it will let in but even at that, it is hard.
You have to ask yourself, if you were a small retail
business, would you want to try and open a store
with a Walmart in Raytown on the south side and
a Walmart to the north less than six miles apart and
downtown Raytown in the middle? Most would say
no. Mr. Chris Payne is a great exception to the rule.
He has helped this town bring in more businesses than
any “Economic Developer.” Of course Mr. Payne is a
businessman. He understands what it takes to bring
in potential business owners.
He also did it without the ability to give huge tax
breaks. You also have to hand it to the small business
owners that have to fight the unrealistic codes department.
There have been several small business that have
wanted to open in Raytown only to be run out of town
by costly code demands, that have nothing to do with
normal sewer, gas, water and electrical codes.
Andy Whiteman
As for the donut analogy, all it did was make me think of the delicious donuts at Doughboys. Remember when Dunkin' Donuts opened on 350 Highway? City Hall and its ever decreasing circle of supporters acted like it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think it was the Raytown Times and that other blog actually made front page stories of the opening of the franchise giant. Don't blame the owners of those Raytown news sources. I am sure they were just "following orders."
Doughboys is proof that cream rises to the top in business and customer service.
Send your photos to:
gregtwalters@sbcglobal.net
Hhis so called progress has left the city broke. Next time you wonder why Raytown does not use asphalt on its streets like every other city in the area, go drive by the monument to city hall's stupidity on 350 Highway.
Then drive by HyVee, Sutherland Lumber, the vacant Sav A Lot, House of Pancakes, Aldi's, Benetti's Coffee, and many more businesses to see where your tax dollars were NOT collected.
When you give a away your tax base to corporate America someone has to pay in reduced services.
That is why your streets are paved in slurry seal instead of asphalt. It is why potholes are not repaired.
Mahesh Sharma, David Bower, Joe Creamer, Charlotte Melson, Michael Lightfoot, Pat Ertz and Jim Aziere may call his tax giveaways progress.
I call them a failure.
Royals won the major league baseball pennant.... and ..... it was the first series that had a best of seven game format for the National and American League. Thank you, Kelly.
I hope Randy reads it.
Maybe you should send a letter to the editor to explain this bit of 29 year old triva to him! on RAYTOWN'S LEADING NEWS SOURCE