tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post6100585891886043536..comments2024-03-27T13:12:00.821-05:00Comments on RAYTOWN REPORT: Greg Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-1436280404115154932010-09-17T21:42:28.862-05:002010-09-17T21:42:28.862-05:00I wish I could get a copy of the local news media....I wish I could get a copy of the local news media. I gave the owner/editor/publisher a stack of 10 prepaid envelopes to mail my copy in and he sent only 3. It is next to impossible to get a copy because I rarely go out. If I am out, my focus is on what I went for, not looking for a paper. If I remember the paper, they are usually gone. <br /><br />12:12PM Exactly what we need: A pile of debt and our good jobs sent overseas where people will work for next to nothing!<br /><br />Who will pay this debt since we don't have good jobs here?<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-57352180516182695872010-09-17T12:12:38.857-05:002010-09-17T12:12:38.857-05:00Like I said, some of those in our city government ...Like I said, some of those in our city government think that increasing the debt load actually is okay.<br /><br />It has not sunk in yet that our current national recession had its beginnings in a mortgage crisis that embraced the same nonsense.<br /><br />Get these people out of office as soon as possible. If not, all you will have left will be a pile of debt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-30956938385849073922010-09-17T12:08:33.615-05:002010-09-17T12:08:33.615-05:001) I will still shop at Apple Market, like the st...1) I will still shop at Apple Market, like the staff and the Pharmacy. They all know me and I feel like I know them. You can't beat good customer service in the world today.<br />2) I am quite happy with the Raytown Police Department. I do wish they would give more speeding tickets though - always a danger and who knows what other illegal items them may find from time-to-time.<br />3) What is Mount Olivet doing with those big hay bales. I am really sick and tired of looking at them every day! I think it is fine they let the grass grow and bale it, but then take it away in a decent amount of time. Someone told me last year's bales were still on the back of the property.<br />4) Remember change isn't all always good, sometimes things can get a lot worse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-40284662054695571662010-09-17T11:05:14.398-05:002010-09-17T11:05:14.398-05:00I doubt that the Aldi store will run any grocery s...I doubt that the Aldi store will run any grocery store out of business because Aldis does not have a good selection. There may be an occassional brand name but usually everything is an off brand or generic. Also Aldi has a very LIMITED selection. The only payment accepted is cash or Discover card. Those using Discover are charged 25 cents but you aren't told about it except the cashier says, "Push the green button twice." If you watch it, one of the pushes authorizes a 25 cent transaction charge.<br /><br />I think people will shop Aldi only for certain items, not general shopping. That is what I do. <br />***<br />The Red Star states the poverty level is 14.3% which is defined as a family of 4 making under <br />$20,500. I couldn't live on $20,500 as a family of 2.<br /><br />If 14.3% of Raytown is poor, it is logical to expect an increase in the crime rate. How do poor people live? Crime is unreport income which shows people to be in the poverty level.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-85839557299369963392010-09-17T09:29:40.718-05:002010-09-17T09:29:40.718-05:00Also, for those of you that read the new Raytown T...Also, for those of you that read the new Raytown Times it stated, "The board also approved payment of $5,090,000.00 for public improvements made<br />as "part" of the new store development." It's too bad<br />this multi-billion dollar company needed the people of <br />Raytown to pay for their building. Can anybody else here all that laughing coming from Arkansas?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-81613056593334428072010-09-17T08:22:56.932-05:002010-09-17T08:22:56.932-05:00Why do they keep paying big corporations to
come ...Why do they keep paying big corporations to <br />come to Raytown? I though they had learned their<br />lesson with the big box on 350 hwy.<br />Everybody but a new born, knows that giving away <br />tax money to multi million dollar companies<br />doesn't work out for the people of the town.<br />Almost always the property values go down<br />and taxes go up.<br />This is just my opinion but, wouldn't the money <br />be better spent making the town a better looking <br />place? If this town was fixed up maybe we wouldn't<br />have to pay businesses to come here.<br />Maybe if Raytown stayed out of the news for having bad <br />neighborhoods where people aren't safe to even take an<br />evening walk, without being jumped by punks and thugs<br />we wouldn't have to pay businesses to come to town.<br />We need to take care of Raytown before we take care<br />of companies.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-18008367539666342972010-09-17T07:53:32.022-05:002010-09-17T07:53:32.022-05:00I think you are wrong about Jim Lynch. He may hav...I think you are wrong about Jim Lynch. He may have wanted<br />to spend the "Safety Tax" on officers and equipment and<br />if you remember we were promised, as was Jim Lynch,<br /> that all the money would go towards<br />new hire police and equipment and none, none would go<br />into the "general fund." we were lied to. And it looks like <br />he was lied to also. He may have gotten the shaft like<br />we did on the "Street Overlay." Remember Jim Lynch<br />doesn't have the cities check book.<br />Isn't anybody curious about where the city will get the<br />almost one million dollars to "loan" the Ditzler Community<br />Improvement District (CID)?" By the way, city hall invented this CID!<br />They are loaning the money to themselves to give to a developer!<br />It's our tax money collected by these<br />spenders we have elected. You and I are financing these <br />corporations. Both of which make more in a day the we do in <br />a year. We are financing these just like we financed Wal-Mart<br />and HY-Vee!<br />If the city has a million dollars extra, then why are our streets<br />in such bad shape? Why are our neighborhoods going downhill as <br />is our downtown? Why does city hall spend our money on corporations and<br />not the citizen services we pay for? We deserve safe neighborhoods, good<br />safe streets to drive on, codes enforcement and traffic control. We pay for it!<br />We should get more for our tax dollars. We should come first before corporations!<br />It is our money they collect it from us. We the people, are not a finance company.<br />Next time you wonder where did our "Safety Tax" and our "Street Overlay"<br />money go, just look at the new businesses that you have financed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-82432196629960275502010-09-16T22:07:01.927-05:002010-09-16T22:07:01.927-05:00A new Aldi Store will probably push out one of the...A new Aldi Store will probably push out one of the older stores. More likely than not, you can say goodbye to the Apple Market at 350 and Raytown Road.<br /><br />And why not. The new Aldi Store gets a half cent sales tax tacked on to every dollar spent there to pay maintenance and improvements on their property. <br /><br />The long time Raytown Apple Market does not.<br /><br />This type of economic development makes as much sense as the homeowner who keeps getting second mortgages to pay off the debt of his old mortgage.<br /><br />Apparently there are some at city hall who thinks that is sound economic policy.<br /><br />Boy, are we in trouble if keep this bunch in office past next April.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-47478846296934370162010-09-16T09:49:23.209-05:002010-09-16T09:49:23.209-05:00Can somebody tell me if this isn't the same ol...Can somebody tell me if this isn't the same old thing<br />only worded different?<br />"The Board of Aldermen, at last meeting on September 7, <br />approved and ordinance that created the "Ditzler<br />Community Improvement District (CID) to help the development<br />and also authorized a cooperative agreement with the district.<br />at a later date the city is expected to authorize a $600,000 "loan"<br />to the district, which would be repaid from an additional one<br />Cent sales tax charged within the district."<br />A separate $250,000 loan is expected to be made to the <br />CID for a second phase of development , which is expected to be a restaurant."<br />It sounds like the people of Raytown are once again building the buildings<br />for yet another large corporation.<br />Not to mention, Raytown is a ten square mile town. This brings the grocery store tally up a grocery store for every square mile of town.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-79428708629238146622010-09-16T09:16:55.149-05:002010-09-16T09:16:55.149-05:00I am all for the poll. Let's give the mayor a...I am all for the poll. Let's give the mayor a wake up call!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-27589129550054039852010-09-16T09:16:18.919-05:002010-09-16T09:16:18.919-05:00Why hasn't the Chief hired any new patrolman? ...Why hasn't the Chief hired any new patrolman? He has the money from the safety sales tax to do it. We hired a crime analyist, now get some patrol man on the street. You got your new toy, a vehicle to go to drove to stand offs in, so now how about doing something for the citizens of Raytown crack down on speeders and the thugs. If they get a ticket for speeding them all they have to do is slow down. Quit giving excuses and start working.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-65818521689772203122010-09-16T09:12:45.435-05:002010-09-16T09:12:45.435-05:00Along the lines of John Wiley's rant last week...Along the lines of John Wiley's rant last week I was just informed that Aldi's and Ihop both have put thier projects on hold, due to an inability to reach an agreement with city staff. In addition I was told a large lumber yard was looking at the old Wal-Mart, but has also met a brickwall at city hall. Good'ole Beth Linn killing more growth before 9 am than most city's do in a year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-33801395076893120882010-09-16T08:26:20.478-05:002010-09-16T08:26:20.478-05:00I too am waiting to see the benefit of the new &qu...I too am waiting to see the benefit of the new "safety sales tax". Where are the new officers that we were promised? It is my understanding from " insiders" that Jim Lynch wants to spend all of this new tax money on new equipment and raises for his highly paid command staff. Sounds like Lynch has his priorities mixed up. I believe Lynch needs an opponent in next April's election. Maybe with an open debate about how the police department is ran, it could only improve things down there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-34856604435918381922010-09-16T07:17:35.307-05:002010-09-16T07:17:35.307-05:00I don't believe the police are lazy either.
Th...I don't believe the police are lazy either.<br />They have a thankless job. <br />On the other hand you might ask, "Safety Tax?"<br />What "Safety Tax?" remember it was for more officers<br />and better coverage of our city,<br />because of the increase in crime. But, with city hall giving away <br />more and more tax income to any business that asks, there is<br />little tax money to add to the coffers.<br />Every sales tax increase for every new business just pushes<br />Raytown into the highest taxed town with no services for<br />the citizens. Here's something city hall doesn't want you to know.<br />There have been well over three hundred police calls to<br />the new Wal-Mart! W-M doesn't contribute any sales<br />tax toward the "Safety Tax" because city hall gave them a free tax ride.<br />(The city doesn't get a cent of taxes for twenty years)<br />It looks like your safety tax has gone to keep W-M safe not you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-65158677723851494282010-09-16T06:58:56.715-05:002010-09-16T06:58:56.715-05:00the slow 25 mph on Hedges has been repainted. now ...the slow 25 mph on Hedges has been repainted. now if they can keep the armada of cars that are usually parked on the street on both sides out of there that would be a plus. If you absolutely feel that you have to have all of these cars, make some off street parking. This is just as dangerous as anyone speeding through the area.<br /><br />BTW, the speeding is not going to subside on it's own. There are a lot of irresponsible 'adults' that are in a hurry trying to get to and from their house to where ever they are going that are the main culprits that are blowing through stop signs, speeding, blasting their radios, etc. It is not just limited to the high school kids at 2-2:30 pm. Try 4:30-6:30pm and early in the mornings.<br /><br />Speed bumps are not the answer. I don't need to be penalized any more by the city by wearing out my vehicles suspension system way before it's time because of the irresponsible people. And the potholes don't help either.<br /><br />If something is not done about this problem, then the city is just as negligent as the perpetrators and should be held accountable as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-33558631615607942122010-09-15T22:16:55.454-05:002010-09-15T22:16:55.454-05:00I agree with KMCCLA. The Police are NOT lazy. Th...I agree with KMCCLA. The Police are NOT lazy. There are only a certain number of officers on duty at one time. Also an officer has to observe a violation to write a ticket. It is purely luck if an officer happens to be at a given point to observe a traffic violation. If an officer observes a violation and is dispatched an emergency situation, he/she must respond to the emergency.<br /><br />10:52 AM, I suggest you call the non-emergency number of the RPD and ask to speak with a traffic Sgt. Ask the Sgt. for selective enforcement of the area you have a concern about. If you notice infractions during certain time periods such as before or after school please be sure to mention the approximate times. I have done that twice in the 10 years I have lived in Raytown and both times, my request was complied with. <br /><br />I used to work in law enforcement. Comparing the RPD to everywhere I have lived, I rate the Raytown Police Department as top notch!<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-8671409270839405682010-09-15T21:46:46.557-05:002010-09-15T21:46:46.557-05:00If, for one, do not believe that the rising crime ...If, for one, do not believe that the rising crime rate is something only happening in Raytown. <br /><br />Last weekend I was campaigning in Lee's Summit. I came upon a house where a police car was parked. In the driveway of the house was a Highway Patrol vehicle. Many Missouri State Highway patrolman take their vehicles home. <br /><br />During the night, someone had thrown a paving block through the passenger window of the patrol car.<br /><br />My point is that crime is on the rise everywhere.<br /><br />And there no doubt that those who are committing the crimes have an advantage over the police because they can pick and choose when they break the law.<br /><br />The best we can do is look out for each other and call the authorities when we suspect something is not right in our neighborhoods.Greg Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-35503232469463353232010-09-15T20:47:37.196-05:002010-09-15T20:47:37.196-05:00Anonymous 10:52 AM --
The police are not lazy. Aw...Anonymous 10:52 AM --<br /><br />The police are not lazy. Awhile back I was able to speak to Chief Lynch, and asked him about not having as many patrols for the speeders on James A Reed. He basically said that they did not have the time, money or the manpower to do it at this time. People are complaining about the raising crime rate, and then complain that they got a ticket, while the police should be out catching the criminals. While I agree that there is a growing crime problem in certain areas of Raytown, I would also like to see our street patrolled as well. But do not call them lazy, because unlike you, they are willing to protect and serve -- what are you willing to do?KMCCLAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-47201172156566073472010-09-15T17:25:48.993-05:002010-09-15T17:25:48.993-05:00Greg I know this a very busy time of the year for ...Greg I know this a very busy time of the year for you with your campagin and everything else going on. May I offer a suggestion for a poll you could do on your blog. Put one out there for the citizens to vote on if they think the mayor deserves a second term or if he doing a good job of governing our city. Let's see how LOW in the poll he can go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-28588289295619207292010-09-15T10:52:23.060-05:002010-09-15T10:52:23.060-05:00There is speeding on all Raytown streets. The oth...There is speeding on all Raytown streets. The other day while I was outside three cars ran all three stop signs on my street. We could have more revenue if the police department ran radar and wrote some tickets. I don't know if they are just plain lazy or scared!!! Either way they need to get off their a-- and do their job.Here is another prime example of no LEADERSHIP!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-35399146260910585402010-09-15T10:40:28.099-05:002010-09-15T10:40:28.099-05:00Frank,
Drive down 350 highway. Fewer vacancies th...Frank,<br /><br />Drive down 350 highway. Fewer vacancies than 10, even 5 years ago. Change is slow to come. But at least there has not been an increase of vacancies along that strip.<br /><br />Yes, I am aware that there are some recent vacancies like the old bowling alley. But from a retail perspective there is more now than there was before.Greg Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-83109825605337189762010-09-15T09:31:33.982-05:002010-09-15T09:31:33.982-05:00Greg,
Could you explain why you think
"Rayto...Greg,<br /> Could you explain why you think<br />"Raytown is on the rebound & things<br />are looking up".Other than a few <br />retail prospects I am not aware of<br />much positive going on in Raytown.Frank Potternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-66569125726871026852010-09-14T21:31:04.898-05:002010-09-14T21:31:04.898-05:00Pat,
You are 100% correct on your analysis of th...Pat, <br /><br />You are 100% correct on your analysis of the problem in Raytown. John Wiley said it best at the last City Council meeting.<br /><br />Raytown does have a lack of leadership crisis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-76658451982552741732010-09-14T20:02:05.703-05:002010-09-14T20:02:05.703-05:00What about another busy Raytown street, it only ru...What about another busy Raytown street, it only runs for a short distance through Raytown, about 4 or 5 blocks. Both sides are 35 on either side (of Raytown) it is a collector street as well. For the most part is unimproved, with only a small part even having curb. There is also a lot of foot traffic, considering there is a Middle School near by. I have lived here all my life, and we too have had our share of speeders. Almost forty years ago, they tried to raise the speed limit, but a petition led mostly by my parents returned it back to 25 MPH. We are grateful (although it has been awhile) when the police patrol the speed limit. Now there seems to be a problem on Hedges, with much of the same one we have here on James A Reed Road. Posting speed limit signs, and painting them on the street will do little if people do not pay attention to them. I have noticed on some streets (in Kansas City) that have speed bumps in the street (Booth, just south the 87th, and 93rd Street, just west of James A Reed Road). Perhaps this could be a solution to part of the problem. The only way is to get the police out there and issue tickets, even perhaps have them park an "empty" patrol car near the north end near 350, might even slow some of the traffic down. But wanting a street painted, and more signs put up will do nothing, unless it is enforced, because people simply will just ignore them.KMCCLAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-36262645952347373892010-09-14T11:31:36.873-05:002010-09-14T11:31:36.873-05:00Is a 25MPH speed limit sufficient? Maybe these re...Is a 25MPH speed limit sufficient? Maybe these residential feeder streets passing through a residential area with high traffic volume should have a 15MPH speed limit. 15 was the school zone limit when I was in school.<br /><br />My wife was run down and killed in a parking lot by someone who was driving too fast. I later discussed this with a California Highway Patrol accident investigator who stated that the injuries would be deadly in this type of "accident" regardless if the speed is 40 or 25. It seems to me that in the case of high speed residential feeder streets, 15MPH is something that could be enforced. <br /><br />I called RPD about 10 years ago agout speeding on 67th. I met with the officer who was doing speed checks. Since the area was down hill, people tended to speed up due to gravity. The officer stated that in 2 hours he issued only one ticket because most officers allow some leeway in speed since a car going (especially down hill) 37 in a 30 zone could claim defective equipment. If the speed is 15MPH, those going 35 are clearly in violation and can't claim defective equipment.<br /><br />The speed limit on Willow from 63rd to 67th is 30. I normally drive it at 25 and people pass me which is really unsafe.<br /><br />Isn't it reasonable to lower the speed limit before a child is killed or seriously injured? Enforcing a 25 limit isn't enough because inforcement isn't 24/7 and drivers are allowed a leeway to exceed the limit due to alleged equipment error.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.com