tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post5369065425920921514..comments2024-03-27T13:12:00.821-05:00Comments on RAYTOWN REPORT: Fun With NumbersGreg Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-29846352791480246572007-10-17T18:53:00.000-05:002007-10-17T18:53:00.000-05:00Published in the Raytown Post (Page 2):Mayor Bower...Published in the Raytown Post (Page 2):<BR/>Mayor Bower will hold <B>TOWN HALL</B> sessions at City Hall Tuesday Oct 30th. One session at 3PM and a 2nd session at 7PM.<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-66428185963072220592007-10-17T11:09:00.000-05:002007-10-17T11:09:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Andy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-73805146615215266882007-10-17T08:17:00.000-05:002007-10-17T08:17:00.000-05:00To Anonymous 6:11When will these town hall meeting...To Anonymous 6:11<BR/><BR/>When will these town hall meetings be held? I haven't seen anything about them, and I would love to attend! Even if they are in response to the other small groups that are starting up, they could be useful. <BR/>Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-69307104515093457152007-10-16T23:19:00.000-05:002007-10-16T23:19:00.000-05:00Sparky and AnonymousOctober 16, 2007 10:56 PM,Than...Sparky and Anonymous<BR/>October 16, 2007 10:56 PM,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the geography lesson. All I can do is look at my map. I made the wrong assumption that Rand McNally may be correct.<BR/><BR/>The comment about Mr Aziere and Ms. Melson is way over my head. I think both were trying to clarify the issues. They need to understand all of the facts to vote intelligently on the issue.<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-79195825010551333352007-10-16T22:56:00.000-05:002007-10-16T22:56:00.000-05:00Dear Sparky: Thank you for providing the geograpy ...Dear Sparky: Thank you for providing the geograpy lesson to Mr. Whiteman. I've given up.<BR/>Watching him and Charlotte Melson-Nunez at the city council meeting tonight I'm convinced that the two of them should be joined by Jim Aziere and the entire operation of the city should be turned over to them as a triumvirate. Compared to them I'm not even smart enough to vote, let alone tie my owns shoes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-18754098159321869662007-10-16T18:11:00.000-05:002007-10-16T18:11:00.000-05:00I see that Mayor Bower is going to have town hall ...I see that Mayor Bower is going to have town hall meetings. The first one will be for concerns about downtown. I suspect City Hall has heard about various groups wanting to do something and they want to maintain control. Get rid of Tim Trusedale and maybe some of the local business owners will work with the City. Trusedale is only out for him and his friends benefit, not the city as a whole. As the head of Community Development he's full of BS cause we haven't seen any development carried out in the 10 years he's been here. He's got a "pray for Raytown" website - asking for prayers cause he don't know what to do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-47208247133068748102007-10-16T17:27:00.000-05:002007-10-16T17:27:00.000-05:00Andy,The city limits of Raytown is 51st street to ...Andy,<BR/>The city limits of Raytown is 51st street to the north basically. As for the Blue Ridge Mall, when it was in existance, if there ever was a disturbance up there both Kansas City PD and Independence PD would show up on the premises. The majority of that property is within KCMO, but some of it is Independence, Mo.<BR/><BR/>All the little side issues are things to keep us entertained and pre occupied so as to keep what really is happening in local government quiet. That is the way that they prefer to have it.<BR/><BR/>KCMO is a fine example of government gone wild with TIFS and Code Nazi's. They make Raytown look like childs play, although Raytown has definately gotten worse in the past 15+ years.sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04867447880649690988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-80125720650264022302007-10-16T16:40:00.000-05:002007-10-16T16:40:00.000-05:00Anony 6:44 Pat is correct, there was nothing aga...Anony 6:44 Pat is correct, there was nothing against him in what I wrote about franchises.<BR/><BR/>Mr. Whiteman, on the other hand, appears to read into comments whatever he wants to. He also must be a little short on American history as property ownership requirements for voting rights was done away with a long time ago or the only people voting today would be Bill Gates and his ilk. Trust me, the Rockefellers and others from the past would have become the only land barons and controlled all the votes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-34988850846030749302007-10-16T12:26:00.000-05:002007-10-16T12:26:00.000-05:00Andy,I don't think Anonymous 6:44 was saying anyth...Andy,<BR/>I don't think Anonymous 6:44 was saying anything against me or what I<BR/>try to do here. Anyone that knows me or understands me knows that I<BR/>only want Raytown to be a better place. <BR/>As far as voting I would like to see a rule or law that would let duel city<BR/>property owners choose which one and only one town they could vote in.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-87713074291651773582007-10-16T11:16:00.000-05:002007-10-16T11:16:00.000-05:00PS. Every property owner should have the right to...PS. Every property owner should have the right to vote whether they live here or not. They are tax payers<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-7160199785534875042007-10-16T11:14:00.001-05:002007-10-16T11:14:00.001-05:00Pat is right. The Board of Alderpeople is using d...Pat is right. The Board of Alderpeople is using distraction to keep the peoples' mind on the trivial and off the important issues.<BR/><BR/>If people could stay on focus, the city wouldn't get away with all of this crap.<BR/><BR/>Sure we need street lights but suddenly they become more important than issues like TIFs. Let's stay focused on the important.<BR/><BR/>By the way, when the Walmart took over Blue Ridge Mall, I read in the Red Star that it was in KC. I looked Rand McNally 2002 Edition last night and it is in RAYTOWN. Did Raytown give that area to KC in the last 5 years? Who is collecting taxes on the Walmart at Blue Ridge? Do we need 2 Walmarts in Raytown and have to pay for the 2nd (unneeded) one? That is assinine!<BR/><BR/>In my opinion, we should be happy that Pat is working to improve Raytown. He has a business here that he needs to protect!<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-8134593200946721332007-10-16T11:14:00.000-05:002007-10-16T11:14:00.000-05:00To Anonymous 10:16Absolutely, I E-mailed my Kansas...To Anonymous 10:16<BR/>Absolutely, I E-mailed my Kansas City elected officials.<BR/>And as far as I'm concerned the Raytown elected officials are in fact my elected officials since I own property here. In some cases I even donate to certain people that are running for office in Raytown, not expecting anything in return<BR/>but I believe in them.<BR/><BR/>Every time my wife and I decided to move the first place we looked was Raytown.<BR/>We just couldn't find what we were looking for at the time here.<BR/>Fact is, as of three months ago I no longer live in Kansas City either.<BR/>Because of health reasons and my age, I have to start thinking about retirement.<BR/>I didn't know about the health reasons until last Wednesday.<BR/>Anyway, my wife and I bought a farm in Pittsville Mo. We have been working on it for almost a year to make it liveable. It's about thirty miles east of here.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-4863058477887516412007-10-16T10:16:00.000-05:002007-10-16T10:16:00.000-05:00Pat, this isn't meant to be a critisism, but do yo...Pat, this isn't meant to be a critisism, but do you fight Kansas City, where you live, like you do Raytown? They have the highest taxes, they are the most wasteful and they give out way more TIFs than Raytown. Do you call, E-mail and complain there? I was just curious, because you say things like "our elected official" but they are not YOUR elected officials because you don't actually have a vote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-46465766201686651352007-10-16T07:55:00.000-05:002007-10-16T07:55:00.000-05:00Anonymous 6:44,I think in the back of my mind I kn...Anonymous 6:44,<BR/>I think in the back of my mind I knew this.<BR/>But I was trying to nicely say this city has sold out the people and small businesses and in fact given away the farm, so to speak, for a damn Wal-Mart.<BR/>All the while diverting attention by fighting over trivial items like street lights.<BR/>They will fight tooth and nail over the little things but when it comes to something<BR/>that will affect every citizen and business in town they choose not to listen or ignore the people.<BR/>They are easily talked into spending taxpayer money as we have seen with the old church, the last developer and the T.I.F's they hand out in hopes of receiving sales tax revenue. <BR/>The street light issue should have gone through with no contest. Ten thousand dollars is nothing compared the money these people have wasted.<BR/>At least Mr. Walters, Mr. Aziere and Mr. Creamer are trying to do something the people actually wanted. I applaud them for that. <BR/><BR/>The other point I was trying to make was, if a huge store thinks they can add to their billions in profit by opening another store within seven miles of their other<BR/>store, IT SHOULD COST THE PEOPLE OF RAYTOWN NOTHING!<BR/>Nothing to move the school, no more in sales tax, and they should certainly be made to pay their fair share of real estate taxes too.<BR/>They should pay for the privilege of coming to Raytown and as a result closing down most of the other businesses.<BR/>I just don't understand why our city leaders can't remember what happened after the first Wal-Mart opened. We lost half of the businesses and we most certainly will lose most if not all the rest when this one opens.<BR/><BR/>I hope the two or three groups of concerned business and property owners can come up with something that will help the whole Raytown business and property owners community but I fear any group that has any city people<BR/>connected with it is just another diversion to keep our minds on something else. As I learned when Mr. Wenson was here. You can see what they are doing in front of you, it's what they do behind your back that worries me. <BR/><BR/>I know that some of what I say may be wrong. But I say what I feel and what I have experienced in the past. Until things change, I truly believe the majority of our elected officials don't care what happens to us as long as they can<BR/>bring in those tax dollars. So they can keep on paying people for not doing their jobs, waste money like they did on the old church and give raises to people<BR/>that are trying their best to run businesses out of town, or keep them for coming to town.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-3181162965423766882007-10-15T22:30:00.000-05:002007-10-15T22:30:00.000-05:00Businesses like Walmart and also the franchised bu...Businesses like Walmart and also the franchised businesses are taxed by means of a construction permit, hassels with the Code Nazis, business license, property tax,personal property tax, etc. I think the Code Nazis alone are enough to keep most of them away.<BR/><BR/>I have watched Walmart's business practices for quite some time. They have a good scam going with the getting a TIF and making the paxpayers pay for the "privilege" of having a Walmart here. That is partly why Walmart makes so much money! The cost of a new store doesn't come from their pocket. The taxpayers pay for it.<BR/><BR/>I really question why there is not bond issue election for TIFs? I resent the taxpayers having no say in the matter.<BR/><BR/>As for TIF's, they create little islands of higher sales tax rates. I wonder how many people will stay away from Raytown Plaza Walmart, or other merchants in 350 HWY plan because the sales tax is higher? If someone is buying an expensive item, they may be better off going elsewhere! That is why I don't go to the Plaza except to see the Christmas lights: Free parking and no money spent except on dinner with my discount card.<BR/><BR/>Andy Whit<B>E</B>man<BR/><BR/>PS. When people write about Whitman, who are the refering to? There is a Witty Wi<B>TT</B>man (no H and no E but 2 T's) who is president of the Wildwood Homeowner's Assn. My name is Whit<B>E</B>man but my name is commonly misspelled and missprouncounced. I am unclear who is being referred to because I know of no one named "Whitman" on this blog or whinning at City Hall. Maybe it would be less confusing if we were referred to by our nick names. No big deal, but this is confusing.Andy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-36195140081647651072007-10-15T18:47:00.000-05:002007-10-15T18:47:00.000-05:00PS. If I were Verizon, I would take the city to c...PS. If I were Verizon, I would take the city to court contesting a franchise fee as other cell carriers/providers can exist here unless Verizon is allowed the only towers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-72697556382451589142007-10-15T18:44:00.000-05:002007-10-15T18:44:00.000-05:00Pat...a franchise is "not" a "franchise."Business ...Pat...a franchise is "not" a "franchise."<BR/>Business franchises for fast food, etc. are part of free enterprise. Just like Wal-Mart is. Wal-Mart may not let another Wal-Mart come into the same geographical area...but it can't stop Kmart/Target/etc.<BR/>Franchises that pay the city are utilities like Aquila, water companies, cable TV, etc. That's because those public service type businesses can't come in and compete and provide the service without an exclusive. Their "franchise fees" to the city end up in your bills from them. So the franchises just pass on the city's fee and you end up with another hidden tax.<BR/>In many towns, people also franchise trash pickup so one hauler can make enough to exist without having to go down every street for just one or two pickups. Here that's not the case as 7 to 9 trash companies have always competed here.<BR/>Everyone needs electric service. Not everyone buys <BR/>Mickie Dee's or Wal-Mart's crap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-27122057815048629402007-10-15T12:01:00.000-05:002007-10-15T12:01:00.000-05:00What we need is Mrs. Ertle, Whitman and Adkins up ...What we need is Mrs. Ertle, Whitman and Adkins up at city hall singing and whinning and then we would get lights.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-89266797272889585802007-10-15T12:00:00.000-05:002007-10-15T12:00:00.000-05:00We don't need a five year plan to get street light...We don't need a five year plan to get street lights. Let's put one of Mrs. Flemings or Mrs. Whites projects on a five year plan and see how they like it. What's good for the citizens if good for the alderman also. Get off your asses and do something good for a change!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-33809974498268602172007-10-15T11:56:00.000-05:002007-10-15T11:56:00.000-05:00If the city officials ARE SMART they will replace ...If the city officials ARE SMART they will replace someone who is a chair warmer and tie wearer with someone who will actuallly work and not have to be paid a HUGH slary to do so and someone who will not screw up the budget!!!! We don't haVe to compete with the big cities to get a qualified person to work here and live here. Let's keep an eye on city hall. AND BY THE WAY MR MAYOR NOW IS THE TIME FOR A STATE AUDIT. GET THE BALL ROLLING!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-12136165196487908562007-10-15T08:17:00.000-05:002007-10-15T08:17:00.000-05:00I must admit and apologize to Mr. Walters, I have ...I must admit and apologize to Mr. Walters, I have just now read the "Fun with numbers"<BR/>I scanned it earlier but didn't pay much attention to it until now.<BR/><BR/>I ask you, what good is a survey or for that matter a news letter if our own aldermen don't use it.<BR/>I know that it's just a dream and heaven forbid an elected official actually did something the majority of people deem necessary. Good example...Aldermen White and Fleming on street lights.<BR/><BR/>Here's an idea. If Raytown charges companies like Verizon a franchise tax, I'm assuming that because there are Verizon stores everywhere and use is high,<BR/>this is where the tax comes from.......I could be wrong but that is not the point I'm<BR/>trying to make. We all know what franchise's are. Every McDonalds, Burger King, Dairy Queen, etc. is a franchise. Do they pay a franchise tax?<BR/>Does Wal-Mart? They are everywhere.<BR/><BR/>My point is this. If big brother Wal-Mart can make news papers actually pay them to run their adds, then why don't cities and towns charge them for coming to town?<BR/>Is it that Wal-Mart has more power over a city or town than the elected officials?<BR/>It's no secret that when a Wal-Mart comes to a town most small businesses fold up. People lose there jobs, and in our case we will probably lose most if <BR/>not all of our grocery stores. <BR/><BR/>Why can't our elected officials see any further down the road than sales tax?<BR/>Why can't small town "any-town" charge them if they want to come in?<BR/>Wal-Mart nation wide is known as the small business and town killers.<BR/>They should pay for the destruction and the vacancies they will cause. <BR/>No, our elected officials give them T.I.F.'s and just about anything else they <BR/>wanted.<BR/>So how dare the people of Raytown ask for street lights, more police protection, safe parks and neighborhoods! Shame on us.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-27642810024458997112007-10-12T11:02:00.000-05:002007-10-12T11:02:00.000-05:00Pat has a good idea about watching each other's ba...Pat has a good idea about watching each other's back. I was at first thinking neighborhood watch. Red Dogg and I essentially do a neighborhood patrol whenever she is walked. She is very alert to anything that appears out of place. If we observe a suspicious vehicle, something that shouldn't be there (a large knife left near 2 businesses which could be a weapon), or a business door unlocked, the Police get a call.<BR/><BR/>But after reading some more, I think Pat was referring to bullying by the city with the code Nazis. I doubt the city will listen to a group of business people. They do what they want, whether it is reasonable or not, whether it is legal or not, whether is is discrimination or not. They just don't give a damn what about what the people think. The Board of Alderpeople sits there like Zombies when citizens speak. How does one get their attention?<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-82703853001079361292007-10-12T08:12:00.000-05:002007-10-12T08:12:00.000-05:00I just wanted to say something about another local...I just wanted to say something about another local business.<BR/>To be honest I have never been in a coffee shop before.<BR/>I stopped by the City Grounds Coffee Shop this morning as I <BR/>promised to do at our Tuesday evening meeting.<BR/>Folk's this was the best coffee I have ever had the pleasure to<BR/>have tasted. <BR/>Not only does this lady have a great coffee shop but she has some <BR/>great ideas for promoting the downtown area.<BR/><BR/>All in all there were several promotional ideas laid out for us to think about at that meeting.<BR/>None of which would cost much if any money. We talked about discounts and promotional items given out and watching each others back.<BR/>What I mean by that last one is if we see something that doesn't look<BR/>right around each others business we call or if help was needed we would be there for each other. <BR/><BR/>I would like to see any group of business and property owners become large enough to be able to help any business or property owner that is being unjustly picked on or abused by the system.<BR/><BR/>As we all learned by some of the past organizations the city started, there is strength in numbers.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-53928932831363546022007-10-10T23:55:00.000-05:002007-10-10T23:55:00.000-05:00Anonymous 7:18 AMAnonymous 11:46AMMy comment does ...Anonymous 7:18 AM<BR/>Anonymous 11:46AM<BR/><BR/>My comment does NOT apply to Teresa, but there are others who are <B>RUDE</B>. I was answered with no name stated. I asked who I was speaking with. The reply was, "City of Raytown." I thought maybe I was rude, so said, "This is Andy Whiteman, whith whom and I speaking please?" The response, "Just a moment," and then I was dumped to voice mail. My next call was to Mr. Miller.<BR/>*********<BR/>I am pleased to hear of the success of Pat's meeting. I think an organized group minus city administration can work out issues. What I wonder is will the city listen with an open mind when the solutions are proposed?" <BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-59836893307726721652007-10-10T15:18:00.000-05:002007-10-10T15:18:00.000-05:00I attended the meeting Pat mentioned and am very g...I attended the meeting Pat mentioned and am very glad that I did. I feel that the people there want what's best as a whole for downtown Raytown not just for what can benefit their individual businesses. <BR/><BR/>Pat - I thought the turn out was good for an informally announced meeting. It will grow as people hear about it. I'll do my part to spread the word.<BR/><BR/>Greg - thank you for the nice words about my business.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com