tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post1476995296627588460..comments2024-03-27T13:12:00.821-05:00Comments on RAYTOWN REPORT: Greg Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-11744921218219712602013-06-06T16:04:42.249-05:002013-06-06T16:04:42.249-05:00They ask that caps be removed in court, not at cou...They ask that caps be removed in court, not at council meetings!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-51910463016629938762013-06-06T16:02:25.385-05:002013-06-06T16:02:25.385-05:00The city of Raytown has no control over the Raytow...The city of Raytown has no control over the Raytown Fire District. It is controlled by their own board, which is elected by the citizens of Raytown. They are not conected to the city government.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-6340616258569412132013-06-02T22:03:18.210-05:002013-06-02T22:03:18.210-05:00When is the next Fire Board meeting, a change like...When is the next Fire Board meeting, a change like this should have been approved by the voters. Not the fire chief he works for us. If he is our sourcing the service why do we need him. Time for him to go...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-28481124968772288752013-06-02T21:20:00.348-05:002013-06-02T21:20:00.348-05:00John, I heard the same thing from some of the Rayt...John, I heard the same thing from some of the Raytown Police. They claim the fire dept can no longer talk to anyone in Raytown by walkie talkie. Also if you live on the edge of town you might have to wait 8 minutes for a Kansas City truck because Raytown fire will no be responding. The next time Raytown fire wants more money maybe they should ask Kansas City. <br />Raytona Beach BumAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-42301161491016387202013-06-02T18:04:08.670-05:002013-06-02T18:04:08.670-05:00Let us join their fight and get them to join ours!...Let us join their fight and get them to join ours!<br /><br />PLEASE INVITE ALL OF YOUR NEIGHBORS. THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE TO LET OUR VOICE BE HEARD...<br /><br />KCPS Repurposing Office will be discussing recent proposal changes, soliciting community feedback, and reviewing next steps for the Bingham site.<br /><br />Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 5:30pm<br />Keystone Church in Waldo<br />406 W 74th St, KCMO 64114<br /><br />To recap:<br /><br />1. Proposal came in to sell Bingham to Walmart for a new Walmart Neighborhood Market. Many people did not approve.<br /><br />2. Waldo Area Business Association has written a letter of support to move forward with a decision, regardless of what it is, in order to get rid of the blighted building. They didn't outright say they wanted Bingham sold to Walmart, but they DO want progress so if it means selling to Walmart, then so be it.<br /><br />3. Tower Homes Association has not made an official statement due to the many issues that came up between their member base. Some are opposed to certain PARTS of the proposal and some are completely against Walmart.<br /><br />4. There was a meeting between WABA, THA, the Repurposing Committee and Walmart to go over, in fine detail, the many issues that were raised to see if Walmart could address those concerns.<br /><br />5. This last meeting will be Walmart's newly revised proposal with all of the neighborhood's concerns addressed to some extent.<br /><br />NOW IS OUR MOMENT.<br /><br />We really need a great turnout at this meeting. If you have been on the fence about this situation, then you'll really want to go to this meeting to see what they have to say.<br /><br />There will probably be NO MORE community meetings to garner input so this is the time we've been waiting for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-51966361105543173002013-06-02T16:11:19.660-05:002013-06-02T16:11:19.660-05:00Everything changes in the morning. With no one tal...Everything changes in the morning. With no one talking open about the big changes. When we call for help we will be dealing with Kansas City from now on. This will not be good for Raytown. Most of the city officials are doing all they can to bring in another Walmart in and now all our calls for the Fire Department will need to go through K.C. This is not a Chicken Little Story. This is just sad news that I have been told.Elisa Breitenbachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-76561005296763869732013-06-01T08:59:36.252-05:002013-06-01T08:59:36.252-05:00just talked with a few of our local firefighters. ...just talked with a few of our local firefighters. They say big changes are coming and they did not seem pleased. They said they are being forced into kansas city fire to help fix response times for them.I got the feeling that there is a mutiny about to happen. I always thought the fire department had my best intrest in mind. I think these guys have no trust in the Fire Chief or the Fire Board. I plan on calling the Fire Department on Monday to see what i can find out. Greg,you should investigate this.<br />JohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-90794554876082219442013-06-01T08:02:42.298-05:002013-06-01T08:02:42.298-05:00Double standard or plain discrimination
I was pla...Double standard or plain discrimination<br /><br />I was playing catch-up on this blog and it sounds like the man who was told to remove his hat while the wife of an Alderman was not needs to contact the US Justice Dept. about a the potential of discrimination against men.<br /><br />After all this was on tape and in front of a large group of people, so hard for the "Good Old Boys" to hide at this point form a Federal Agency.<br /><br />This is most important as it gives that agency an in for looking at other misconduct going on at city hall.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-8713908152932764802013-05-31T20:45:40.695-05:002013-05-31T20:45:40.695-05:00Been watching the business of Raytown, particularl...Been watching the business of Raytown, particularly the Walmart section of it.<br /><br />Some points of view. <br /><br />Mary Jane Van Buskirk. You are ashamed of the people at the meeting!?! I am ashamed of your husband. Plain and simple, he sold us out.<br /><br />I was at the last meeting when Walmart was voted in by the BOA. I have never seen a governmental body thumb their noses at the people like they did that night. <br /><br />I believe the people who spoke were sincere. It is real clear that these were Joe Citizen coming to the meeting on their own.<br /><br />To the four who voted against the zoning change. Good job! We will remembef that you stood with us when we needed you.<br /><br />The rest of you are finished. Time to start looking for another job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-30569594118397160052013-05-31T20:20:44.195-05:002013-05-31T20:20:44.195-05:00What is in the dough?
If you check the facts you ...What is in the dough?<br /><br />If you check the facts you will find that our over worked and underpaid chief of police actually had budgeted for the 5 positions for some time, but he decided not to fill them.<br /><br />After many years of not hiring anyone the Board of Alderman had enough and pulled the funding from the budget.<br /><br />You also need to keep in mind the public sales tax does not fund the police department all by itself. If not from funds from the general fund we wouldn't have much of a department and those officers we did have wouldn't have any pension.<br /><br />The real question that needs to be asked about our police department is where all the spending going is.<br /><br />Examples of good questions:<br /><br />1.) Why are we funding the gas, maintenance and other expense for police cars at Wal-Mart and Hy-Vee for the officers who are working off duty?<br /><br />2.) How much money was spent on riding boots for our officers per pair of boots and did we really need that high class of a boot?<br /><br />3.) How many officers do we have that seat at city hall do a job that could be done by a civilian position, which would put more officers on the street?<br /><br />4.) Why do we have as many if not more officers with a rank (title) then those without and why extra expense is this to the city?<br /><br />All these questions is going to lead to the chief asking that no one brings up the removal of the 5 officers from the budget in the future as it just leads to questions he would prefer not to answer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-13925258304045178172013-05-31T20:06:13.546-05:002013-05-31T20:06:13.546-05:00I was just wondering if in three years after Wal-M...I was just wondering if in three years after Wal-Mart opens their Neighborhood Market if they will then start the process to bring a Sam Club to town.<br /><br />This I am sure would making us the smallest town in the World with all three of the wonderful Wal-Mart businesses.<br /><br />What a proud moment for our fine mayor and embarrassment for our town!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-6812487256792996772013-05-31T19:30:56.705-05:002013-05-31T19:30:56.705-05:00If you want to know about the public safety tax a...If you want to know about the public safety tax and the funds and the police positions that were promised not fired then do some research into documents. Otherwise you will get alot of "chicken Little" the sky is falling! Theatrical comments to insure attention and confusion as well as uprise and separation. Take the time to educate yourself on items otherwise you may fall prey to someone's plotAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-49996174975618304082013-05-31T06:37:51.367-05:002013-05-31T06:37:51.367-05:00Want the real story on the police department layof...Want the real story on the police department layoffs? Why not call he Chief of Police? He is an elected official. He is in office to represent you.<br /><br />That's a pretty serious allegation -- that the police department laid off five positions in the p.d.<br /><br />It most certainly is not the story that I heard.<br /><br />All I know is that when they proposed the public safety sales tax they promised these positions would be created. <br /><br />Now they have un-promised them. In a simpler time we would say we were lied to by City Hall. <br /><br />Let's see. The BOA and Mayor adopted that budget unanimously. Guess we now know who made the final decision on it. Don't we?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-18432026913855691082013-05-31T02:41:28.599-05:002013-05-31T02:41:28.599-05:00What happened in Raytown is happening all across t...What happened in Raytown is happening all across the Mo. The citizens are flocking to these meetings and begging the city officials not to put anymore Walmarts in but the city officials vote for Walmarts to go in anyway. Randy with the Raytown Times and these city officials have not only covered this Walmart Deal up but they have lied about it over and over again. Why would they do this? What is in it for them? Only time will tell. How are citizens going to handle all of this, again time will tell. Many people have said they will move out of Raytown is Walmart goes in Downtown Raytown. It's sad city officials could careless about the people who put them in office and the city of Raytown. Elisa Breitenbachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-2546037177948730812013-05-30T21:39:07.530-05:002013-05-30T21:39:07.530-05:00The police department let the five police go not c...The police department let the five police go not city hall. Maybe they should have used the money they spent on motorcycle riding boots ( a thousand dollars a pair) to fill the vacant positions. Get it right next timeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-925466313299196462013-05-30T20:52:44.308-05:002013-05-30T20:52:44.308-05:00I see Randy Battagler is upset because the BOA vot...I see Randy Battagler is upset because the BOA voted to have a 10 o'clock closing time for the planned Walmart Store for Downtown.<br /><br />I think it is a good idea. Nothing but trouble with five bars within walking distance of the store. It would become an unsafe hangout for people too tipsy for their own good.<br /><br />I've noticed a pattern here. Randy writes about it. Soon it becomes a discussion item at City Hall.<br /><br />Mayor Bower you should be more discreet!<br /><br />I am sure the folks in Bentonville are upset with a 10:00 p.m. closing time. <br /><br />What a dilemma!!! You have to choose between supporting the people of Raytown or the Walmart gods in Bentonville.<br /><br />What will you do?!? What will you do?!?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-87902632306949382592013-05-30T20:32:40.167-05:002013-05-30T20:32:40.167-05:00Pat Casady did you know the City Administrator who...Pat Casady did you know the City Administrator who got the $30,000 a year raise along with the Mayor and city officials played the shell game with the Safety Tax $$$. The got rid of 5 people from the police department. The money the citizens voted to go into public safety did go into the general funds. Public Safety is not what they stand for. It's only about what they want & they will lie & do what ever it takes to get it. I took the last 4 days off to clean up my little shopping center we walked away from in Independence because of city officials just like the 6 who voted for Walmart, the Mayor & the City Administrator. The city officials changed the rules about the City Administrator needing to live in Raytown. Just as they changed the rules for Walmart. It's about them having no respect for the people who put them in office. It's about not having enough pride to even want to live in the city that employees them. Pat did you take the time to look at the Raytown Times this week? Randy needs to change the name of his paper to "The Walmart Times" His paper has no respect for the many people who called the BOA asking to vote for the people and not for Walmart. This paper has not been welcomed in our shop for sometime now. After this week I bet that I am not the only one who feels this way. Pat you know what you are blogging about and it's truly a shame!Elisa Breitenbachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-69829859390405119232013-05-30T20:30:38.957-05:002013-05-30T20:30:38.957-05:00One of the directors of finance (I believe it was ...One of the directors of finance (I believe it was the one who moved to KS as a county manager but really can't remember who said this) once stated that all funds are placed into the General Fund but items such as the safety sales tax are a separate budget item to separate these funds. I can't confirm or deny the accuracy of this person's statement. Someone would need to examine the budget and the current accounting. I took a budget home once and the font was too small for me to read.<br /><br />We had a similar issue I was a secretary/treasurer of a fire district that was solely on a cash basis. Sometime after I was elected someone asked how close we were to getting the new fire truck we were saving for? My response was that there was no funds for it. After the board meeting the previous sec/treas and I sat there and debated it for over an hour. Finally he said, "In my mind, the money is there." I said, "The problem is that it is in your mind, but not in my mind." I handed him the ledger and asked him to show me where it was. He had named the ledger column "Equipment" which in my mind is various and sundry items ranging from hoses to bunker gear, to radios. At that point I backtracked the the $2000 that had been added yearly and transferred it to another column called "Fire Truck." After the next tax collection, I called the Lt. who wrote the specs and gave him permission to ask for bids. My point is Safety Sales Tax was started by a previous Finance Director so someone needs to follow up to make sure the next finance director carried through with the same procedure and didn't funnel the funds elsewhere. That is why I maintain separate bank accounts for various purposes and don't keep money in my checking account. BTW: Our money for the new fire truck was in CDs purchased yearly but for some reason unknown to me, the last person mingled the accounting as "Equipment" rather than keeping it separate as he should have done.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-49795120003129573662013-05-30T19:21:45.046-05:002013-05-30T19:21:45.046-05:00I have become very confused with all of this walma...I have become very confused with all of this walmart stuff going on. It seems that the current boa and mayor (they don't deserve caps.) have forgotten who elected them to their seats they are in. When you are elected by the people you should at least try to do what their constitunets especially when there are so many who are so adamant about what they want. What ever happened to listening to those poeple who elected you? What ever happened to alderman who think for themselves even when the powers that be don't want you too? I do think it's time that those who have been on the council for so long need to go, they have forgotten why they are there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-39194213363751796482013-05-30T14:55:26.312-05:002013-05-30T14:55:26.312-05:00Gosh you'd think the citizens were like Royals...Gosh you'd think the citizens were like Royals fans and city hall is David Glass. Guess who loses? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-42581331465283195152013-05-30T08:48:33.199-05:002013-05-30T08:48:33.199-05:00Let’s take a look at our City Hall and what we hav...Let’s take a look at our City Hall and what we have been promised.<br />First this town has gone through several developers. First was Dial.<br />They were paid tax dollars to come up with a plan for our downtown.<br />After threatening the downtown business owners with eminent domain<br />and condemnation, and taking taxpayer money they left Raytown’s<br />downtown and didn’t even turn a shovel of dirt.<br />Then came R.E.D. our leaders paid them over seventy thousand of<br />your tax dollars…….again for nothing. City Hall has paid thousands <br />of tax payer dollars for several surveys that did nothing.<br />Our leaders talked taxpayers into voting for a “street overlay.”<br />They told us all the money would go towards making our streets <br />better. Wal-Mart got the asphalt and we got…… a little chip and seal<br />on a couple of streets. <br />Our leaders talked taxpayers into voting for a “safety tax” this<br />money, we were told would not go into the general funds.<br />All money collected would go towards more policemen and equipment<br />to help keep the people of Raytown safe. Did the general fund get<br />any of this money? YES. <br />Now we have the bunch at City Hall saying for a long time they didn’t<br />know anything about a Wal-Mart grocery store coming into the downtown<br />area. We all know how that worked out. We the people got the shaft on that one.<br />The only one I see this city has done anything for is the City Administrator.<br />After all other city employees, including our police’s wages were frozen for<br />three years the CA got a $30,000 a year raise and didn’t have to live up to<br />his agreement with taxpayers, he would move to Raytown as the rules<br />state.<br />To the people that I don’t know what I’m talking about, if I have written<br />anything false here, please point it out.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-26118299456706851152013-05-29T22:03:44.889-05:002013-05-29T22:03:44.889-05:007:44 AM, I agree. We can suspect money changing h...7:44 AM, I agree. We can suspect money changing hands in a bad way but it must be proved for criminal charges or impeachment. Unfortunately since Raytown is a 4th Class city, there can be no recall. The sheepole must take a stand at the next election. <br /><br />Andy WhitemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-64755331356807198502013-05-29T07:44:00.048-05:002013-05-29T07:44:00.048-05:00The people of Raytown have been lied to, been betr...The people of Raytown have been lied to, been betrayed by the <br />representatives they elected to work for them. It’s time for a legal<br />look into the way this town is being run. I believe there is more to<br />this story than meets the eye. I believe there is money exchanging hands<br />in a bad way. Either directly or indirectly.<br />Why else would our leaders at city hall betray us. <br />We need to look into the possibility of impeachment or criminal charges<br />that might be in order. <br />It’s time to form our own Tea Party!<br />It’s time to stand up for the people of Raytown!<br />It’s time to get rid of what stinks in city hall!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-65403567285267603492013-05-28T11:56:58.904-05:002013-05-28T11:56:58.904-05:00If Walmart in Springfield and Butler asked the pol...If Walmart in Springfield and Butler asked the police to stay away, that is pure stupidity. I have law enforcement experience and it is common practice for an officer to stop at a business to use the restroom or on a break or lunch for shopping or eating. Many businesses encourage officers to stop there offering discounts.<br /><br />Recently I went to a military surplus store in Albuquerque. There was an EMS vehicle and a K9unit already there. As I arrived so did another K9 unit. I asked if there was a crime in progress and the officer stated that they were "just shopping."<br /><br />I have wondered why I don't see police cars at other Walmarts. I think the answer is there are crime ridden neighborhoods close to the Raytown Walmart. I remember the south part of Lane had many yourth problems resulting in BOA action. I still see crime reports for the 8400 block of Lane. which is close to Walmart. The Kansas City Star had a series last summer about a high crime Zip Code west of Raytown which is pretty close to Raytown. Obnviously criminals from high crime areas will navigate to whatever area they can conduct their "business." Bannister Mall and the Walmart across from Bannister Mall used to have high criminal activity but since they closed, the Raytown Walmart has become a place of opportunity!<br /><br />I am not speaking for or against Walmart. Just saying that Walmart being a large store with a high variety of merchandise is a place to supply business opportunities when there are crime ridden neighborhoods nearby.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-78588410022473861792013-05-28T07:17:03.902-05:002013-05-28T07:17:03.902-05:00I wonder how long it takes to book an arrest in Ra...I wonder how long it takes to book an arrest in Raytown. It would be interesting to see how much of our police department's time is used booking arrests made at Walmart.<br /><br />Whoever wrote that every time an arrest is made at Walmart it takes an officer off of our streets hit the nail right on the head. Not only does the city NOT make any money from sale tax at the 350 Highway Walmart, it costs the city more to police it than any other location in town.<br /><br />Thank you Mayor Bower for this boondoggle to Raytown. It was under your watch that the 350 highway Walmart was signed, sealed and delivered. <br /><br />The Bentonville crowd should throw you a party for delivering again. This time Downtown Raytown.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com