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Election Results

CHARTER QUESTION

1537  Yes

1903  No

MAYOR

1513  Pat Ertz

2002  Michael McDonough

ALDERMAN, WARD 1

176    Joe Creamer

244    Karen Black

225    Greg Walters

ALDERMAN, WARD 2

447    Jim Aziere

121    Chris Rathbone

276    Steve Guenther

ALDERMAN, WARD 3

277    Mark Moore

264    Ryan Myers

54      Sterling Brown

ALDERMAN, WARD 4

373    Mary Jane VanBuskirk

411    Steve Meyers

ALDERMAN, WARD 5

353    Eric Teeman

248    Barry Park

FOR RAYTOWN SCHOOL BOARD (vote for two)

2907  Kristie Collins Delarber

2596  Amy Beth Tittle

1896  Thomas Granger Estlund

Candidate Forum Video 

Use the following link to view the Candidate Forum co-sponsored by the Raytown Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters held last Tuesday night. The event was attended by over 100 Raytowners who listened to speeches from the two Mayoral candidates and 12 candidates for Alderman.

To view the video use this link CANDIDATE FORUM

BY PAUL LIVIUS

Charter / Mayor

Lead Crowded Ballot

The crop of candidates running for office in Raytown this year is impressive. Greg and I have discussed whether or not to make endorsements. Our final decision was to step back. One reason being that we do not agree on who is the best choice in three of the races.

We finally agreed to disagree privately. After all, the candidates have had their chance to take their message to the public. Now it is up to the voters to make their decision.

In the scheme of things, the only endorsement that really counts is the one given by the voters at the polls next Tuesday. We will be watching the results and posting them as quickly as they are released by the Jackson County Election Board. To see where we will be posting the results scroll down to the bottom of this week's Raytown Report.

TO VIEW POLL RESULTS ON TUESDAY GO TO THE BOTTOM

OF THIS WEEK'S RAYTOWN REPORT

BY GREG WALTERS

Meet and Greet Speech

Last Tuesday was the last public meeting in which Raytown candidates had an opportunity tell the public what they had in mind for Raytown’s future. Following is the speech I gave at the forum. If you do not have the time to watch the video – here is a faster way to see what was said.

Good Evening,

My name is Greg Walters. I am running for Alderman in Ward 1.

The Chamber of Commerce and League of Women Voters have asked me to tell “what I would like to achieve in a four year term as Alderman”.

I think it would be fair to say that everyone in this room wants to see Downtown Raytown rejuvenated.  And, I am sure we all want to see Raytown’s economic engine to continue humming along. More than anything else, we want to feel safe and secure in our neighborhoods and homes.

Please know that I will work to make those goals an important part of my agenda in the next four years if elected.
 

My campaign slogan is “back to basics”. I chose that theme because it is a city’s first responsibility is to maintain the basic services of a city. The infrastructure, our roads, streetlights and sewers may be mundane subjects but when done correctly, they make a city become the place you want to call home.

Many years ago when I was first elected to the Raytown City Council, it was an election year very similar to this one. When the votes were counted, we had a new city council.

We were a bunch of young Aldermen anxious to take on the challenge of running a city. A number of us took it upon ourselves to visit with the Public Works Director. We very bluntly told him to discontinue the use of slurry seal (a mixture of oil and gravel) on city streets.

Today, that substance, though not exactly the same, is another mixture of tar-like substance and gravel. It is called Light Aggregate Seal.

I wonder how many people drove here this evening on the newly asphalted Raytown Road?

That is what a re-furbished street is supposed to look like.

It is smooth.

It does not have cracks.

It adds to the value of the homes that line the street.

Light Aggregate Seal has a place and purpose. It can be used to extend the life of a roadway surface. But if that surface is degraded to the point that it is cracked and falling apart, then the surface needs to replaced . . . not sealed into place.

Another area of basic service that needs attention is streetlights. If Raytown has a streetlight program it is one of the best kept secrets in town.

During my campaign I have walked every street in Ward 1. There are many intersections and lengthy streets in need of proper lighting. I promise you that if elected next Tuesday this city will have a viable street lighting program long before my four year term is completed.

Finally, I want to discuss an issue that is a concern to all of us.

Crime is not a problem exclusive to Raytown. It is rampant throughout the metropolitan area.

Unfortunately, there are many people in this world who believe that if you want, you take.

I wish there was an answer to the problem of crime as simple as changing the method of street overlay or adding streetlights to alleviate the problem – though, I will say a properly lit neighborhood is a known deterrent to the criminal element.

The best step we can take is to become familiar with our neighbors, watch out for each other and certainly not be shy about contacting the police in the event of suspicious activities. I live near one of the city’s parks and therefore I frequently see police patrolling the neighborhoods around the park.

The effect is dramatic. People who break into homes do not like to be around the police. I believe an increased police presence in our neighborhoods would have a good effect in keeping our neighborhoods safe. I would work with the police to make this a practice a reality city wide.

So there you have it . . . It may not be dramatic.

If we have properly maintained streets, more and improved street lighting in our neighborhoods, and more interaction between the police and the people of Raytown we would be a better community.

Finally, I want to say thank you to the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters for hosting this event tonight.

Thank you for listening.

Thank You Candidates!

The Raytown Report would like to thank the following candidates for sharing information with the public about their campaigns and plans for Raytown.

Pat Ertz, Tommy Estlund, Mike McDonough, Chris Rathbone, Ryan Myers, Mary Jane VanBuskirk, Eric Teeman, Steve Meyers and Greg Walters.

You have done the public a service by running for election in Raytown and for taking the time to expand on your ideas before them on the Raytown Report. Good luck to all of you!

Steve Meyers  

Candidate for Alderman, Ward 4

I am Steve Meyers a longtime Raytown resident and business owner and a candidate to be your Ward 4 Alderman. I firmly believe that an active and vibrant community starts with ongoing positive citizen involvement along with a committed and accountable city government. We are very fortunate in Raytown to have many community anchors in both categories who work together to make a collective difference in the lives and services our city provides its citizens. As your Alderman in Ward 4 I have the ability, experience, and commitment to assist in that valuable process.

As a longtime Raytown resident, and business owner, I join many longtime stakeholders in the continual positive growth and prosperity of our community. I pledge to be an active, positive, and "independent" voice and I will diligently serve with honesty, integrity and respect. I graciously ask for your vote of support and appreciate your longtime commitment to Raytown!

VOTE TUESDAY, APRIL 7^TH 
Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. 

Results from the April 7, 2015 Election will be published beginning at 7:00 p.m.on the Raytown Report.

VOTE TOTALS ARE ABSENTEE VOTES ONLY

CHARTER QUESTION

84    Yes

63    No

MAYOR

50    Pat Ertz

97    Michael McDonough

ALDERMAN, WARD 1

8      Joe Creamer

20    Karen Black

26    Greg Walters

ALDERMAN, WARD 2

10    Jim Aziere

8      Chris Rathbone

4      Steve Guenther

ALDERMAN, WARD 3

9    Mark Moore

5    Ryan Myers

5    Sterling Brown

ALDERMAN, WARD 4

15    Mary Jane VanBuskirk

17    Steve Meyers

ALDERMAN, WARD 5

9      Eric Teeman

12    Barry Park

FOR RAYTOWN SCHOOL BOARD (vote for two)

88    Kristie Collins Delarber

108  Amy Beth Tittle

65    Thomas Granger Estlund

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