tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post6491535259239991626..comments2024-03-27T13:12:00.821-05:00Comments on RAYTOWN REPORT: Greg Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-39958884878522627722010-11-19T09:01:59.368-06:002010-11-19T09:01:59.368-06:00BTW: Our police officers and master police office...BTW: Our police officers and master police officers are doing a great job and we all owe them a great thanks for the service they provide us.<br /><br />They face the same issue anyone in private employment faces, which is when management doesn't have a clue about making good decissions then the bottom line and view of that business is seen as less then standard. Stock prices fall and customers stop shopping. <br /><br />When it is the government we the people are force to speak out and blogging is one of the newest ways. We can call our elected officials, but they too often are the root casue of the problem.<br /><br />The best hope we have at helping those police officers on the street is a strong turn out on election day and by bring new leadership to the Board of Alderman by electing people who will help provide for those on the street and reduce the over abundant and costly upper management that is bringing shame to the department.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-55963792770094010152010-11-19T08:54:10.891-06:002010-11-19T08:54:10.891-06:007:48 Might recomend you check the numbers.
The po...7:48 Might recomend you check the numbers.<br /><br />The police department currently writes half the number of tickets as they did 10 years ago. <br /><br />Yet crime has grown by about 500% and alot is thanks to the new Wal-Mart as well as the number of murders in the past couple of years.<br /><br /><br />Now I will be the first to agree writing tickets will not impact our murder rate, but it will impact the number of criminals coming to Ratyown as they then risk a higher chance of being stop for some traffic violation.<br /><br />Now to your point on warrents.<br /><br />I agree with you 100%. Being our department has 8 detectives there is no reason that we are not out serving warrents and sending the message that if you break the law in Raytown you will be held accountable.<br /><br />Additonal tickets and warrent enforcement does send a message to criminals that you best take your activities to some place that tends to take the lazzy method on enforcement.<br /><br />Sad, by Raytown is know as being layed back and taking the easy way when it comes to addrssing problems. <br /><br />Part is a less then energetic city marshall and part is a mayor who doesn't want conflict or a negative imagie of the city. <br /><br />Sad, that our mayor is to blind to notice that by not sending a strong message to criminals and code violaters that we now do have a very negative imagie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-53750117955820042752010-11-19T07:48:30.545-06:002010-11-19T07:48:30.545-06:00The problem in the p.d. is not so much a matter of...The problem in the p.d. is not so much a matter of writing tickets. They write plenty of them. The problem is that the people do not show up for court. Whenthat happens a warrant is or or should be placed for the arrest of that person for a failure to appear. <br /><br />If the police were to follow up and enforce those warrants it would send a very strong message to those who do not follow laws in Raytown that it you do the crime you will pay the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-62730061835524337412010-11-19T07:48:29.192-06:002010-11-19T07:48:29.192-06:00Greg, lets do a poll on how good the citizens feel...Greg, lets do a poll on how good the citizens feel that Mayor Bower is doing. I think the good mayor will be surprised on the out come.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-7581469019250379662010-11-19T07:38:44.709-06:002010-11-19T07:38:44.709-06:00I don't know how the ladder is climbed to high...I don't know how the ladder is climbed to higher positions<br />in the Police Department. I think there is tests and a lot of<br />studying. I don't think it is on an appointed whim.<br />I do agree that there wouldn't be a financial problem if the <br />speeding was watched closer. If you break the rules you <br />should pay for it. Old, young, black, white or whatever.<br />My point is, the Police Department may be a little top heavy,<br />I don't really know. What I do know is that when we need <br />them they are there. I still think that taking taxpayer dollars<br />to finance a private company, then cut our police and service <br />budgets is wrong. The only reason we pay taxes is to benefit <br />the people of Raytown. Not some company. <br />I guess The next time we need a policemen or our streets cleared of<br />snow or over laid we..............call Aldi's, Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee etc. <br />It's where your tax dollars wind up.<br />Thanks to the wonderful minds at city hall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-62066735230728818902010-11-18T11:44:25.554-06:002010-11-18T11:44:25.554-06:007:26
I agree with you that our city doesn't ...7:26 <br /><br />I agree with you that our city doesn't need to fund private business. <br /><br />No area of our government should!!!<br /><br />We do need to either cut funding to our police department or level out the management to officer ratio. <br /><br />It seems our elected officials decided it is okay to be top heavy in the police department, but this is an issue that is facing all of the departments and overall management at city hall.<br /><br />You should ask why we have so many officers with rank in the department. This creates an added expense and levels of management that our city based on its size doesn't need nor can it afford.<br /><br />You should ask why we have so many detectives and why if our city police department head thinks he needs all of these management levels and detectives why they are not our too patroling our streets.<br /><br />By the way and for everyones clearification, the police budget was not cut. What has the police officers and several of their good old budies who have also been apart of the tax give aways upset is the fact the department will not get raises this year.<br /><br />Well to bad and time to grow up. To many individuals in the private sector have not gotten raises in the past couple of years. People who work for Jackson County like members of the sheriff department have not gotten a raise in many years.<br /><br />So not getting 5% one year or more years in only fitting. If you want to be mad be mad a our elected city marshall for allowing for so many levels of management in his department. NOTE: Base on the salary for 1 Lt, we could have 2 patrol officers. By the way we have at least 4 Lts. <br /><br />So do the math and see how our city marshall has been taking advantage of our tax dollars for many years. Review his management skills and ask why we don't have the patrols passed city marshalls have provided or why the issuing of tickets is down compared to pass years, but crime is up. Odd, as it sounds the two go hand in hand. That is right criminals don't want to go to an area were traffic stops are higher. Why, simple: most crimainals are caught by the simple things like traffic stops.<br /><br />No, I am not running for city marshall, but maybe it is time someone with common sense would.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-20381189605169970942010-11-18T07:26:53.600-06:002010-11-18T07:26:53.600-06:00I can't remember being so disappointed in a ci...I can't remember being so disappointed in a city's<br />Bunch of elected people as I am with Raytown's.<br />How could they let this town go down as they have?<br />How dare them give away tax dollars and finance<br />private businesses and let our town turn into a haven<br />for thugs. In some neighborhoods we are not safe to<br />even take a evening walk. Our parks have been taken<br />over by loud music and people that have no respect<br />for others. We have had more murders than any time<br />in Raytowns history.<br />Now this city wants to cut funds to the police and city<br />services. Does this make sense to anyone?<br />It seems our city will spare no cost to bring in big box<br />stores and finance, give tax breaks and bend over<br />forward for these out of town businesses. But, when<br />it comes to protection, services and safety that we pay <br />for with our taxes, they can't find the money.<br />I have a suggestion. Don't give $600,000.00 of our<br />tax dollars to finance another grocery store we don't need!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-76642644326978012372010-11-18T07:09:38.328-06:002010-11-18T07:09:38.328-06:00R.E.A.P. does do more than just help with food.
In...R.E.A.P. does do more than just help with food.<br />In some, and probably most cases, if people can't<br />pay their utility bills REAP is there to help them.<br />So please when you are able to donate to a cause<br />Please make it REAP. These days you never know,<br />it may be you that needs the help.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-62805400617742169972010-11-18T05:19:51.351-06:002010-11-18T05:19:51.351-06:00David Bower was right when he was running for mayo...David Bower was right when he was running for mayor and said he would bring things to Raytown. This is one voter that wishes he had not listened as crime sure was not on my list, but since he has taken office it is the one thing we sure have alot more of. Doesn't same much about his ablity to manage things at city hall and come up with a working means to bring about programs and changes in the police department to address issues like this. However, I don't know of anything he has taken the time to address other hen his public attacks on current and formor Alderman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-14167039275987378842010-11-17T22:16:03.454-06:002010-11-17T22:16:03.454-06:00Is there any member on the fire board that has mad...Is there any member on the fire board that has made any effort to keep us informed as to what the fire board has been doing. <br /><br />It would be nice to know how they spend our money.<br /><br />It would be nice to know what steps they have been doing to save us money.<br /><br />It would be nice to know they give back to Raytown.<br /><br />Funny, I have not heard anything about any of them, which would mean they sure are not doing anything for Raytown.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-54174148626358875682010-11-17T22:11:29.453-06:002010-11-17T22:11:29.453-06:00Mr Walters:
Several people have posted some very ...Mr Walters:<br /><br />Several people have posted some very nice comments about REAP on your blog this week.<br /><br />I want to thank you for posting these positive messages and hope that being next week is Thanksgiving you would run a special piece on the benifits REAP provides to the community as well as ways we can help them help others.<br /><br />If I understadn correctly they are a true non-profit and donations are tax deductable should one itimize their deductions.<br /><br />I also understand they do alot more then just provide food to those in need. However, I am the first to tell you I don't know everything they do to bring a positive light to our failing city.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-29513641495847936002010-11-17T20:25:04.942-06:002010-11-17T20:25:04.942-06:008:03AM, I missed it. Had to leave at the break 9:...8:03AM, I missed it. Had to leave at the break 9:45PM to let Red Dogg out and catch up on my things. What did Alderman Ertz get fired up over?<br /><br />Greg, I like the desert SW too. That is why I am moving to Alamogordo, NM. I can't take the humidity here. It is a dry heat there. I used to carry mail in Albuquerque and never built up a sweat except under my satchel. Alamogordo doesn't get as cold in the winter as Albuquerque or Flagstaff so the climate will be much nicer. Also a big savings on utilities which only the rich can afford in Raytown.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-72713532327625154292010-11-17T10:58:34.188-06:002010-11-17T10:58:34.188-06:00I printed the property tax bill for my house yeste...I printed the property tax bill for my house yesterday. <b> The Dysfunctuional School District got a big 75% of my tax money (up from 69% last year!)</b> That is a rip off! Will 2 board memebers pay their taxes or wait until after they file for election? These 2 should be recused from voting on tax issues.<br /><br />Was there a Public Hearing? I saw no legal notice. Of course the local printed media has a very poor distribution and is not available to me as a disabled person. If notice was in the Red Star, it is hidden among many notices and too small to read.<br /><br />The voters need to do something about this wasteful board at the next election. We can't afford this wasteful board!<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-30178723277826958642010-11-17T08:03:18.371-06:002010-11-17T08:03:18.371-06:00Praise the Lord finally an alderman on fire. Way ...Praise the Lord finally an alderman on fire. Way to go Alderman Ertz! Let's see if it is catching and the rest of the board get on fire also. I don't mean to have to listen to Joe Creamer praise the staff for a job they are paid to do and by the way paid very well to do. Joe you need to find a differant song to sing. Let's get behind Pat and get him re elected in April!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-59747881253171030812010-11-17T07:59:33.091-06:002010-11-17T07:59:33.091-06:00Nov.17 6:58am You just stated one very good reaso...Nov.17 6:58am You just stated one very good reason for me not to vote for this guy,Palmer. Thanks for the informationAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-1320787993211605232010-11-17T07:59:27.640-06:002010-11-17T07:59:27.640-06:00Here is a little info about Mr. Palmer. He lives n...Here is a little info about Mr. Palmer. He lives next door to Mayor David Bower and has been a big supporter of him in the past. <br /><br />Can't speak for his politics now. Probably not that big of supporter if he is as high up in the Democratic party as was reported here.<br /><br />Part of the problem. Not the solution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-53583556982440231702010-11-17T07:19:11.613-06:002010-11-17T07:19:11.613-06:00Andy,
Montezuma Castle area was populated by the ...Andy,<br /><br />Montezuma Castle area was populated by the Sinagua. Chaco Canyon was settled about the same time so the people are probably related.<br /><br />I've never been to Chaco.<br /><br />I really like the desert southwest though the heat in summer can be pretty harsh and winters can be very dry and bitter. Spring is the best time to visit -- the color that blooms during that time is beautiful against the harsh landscape.Greg Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-55727772862628556882010-11-17T06:58:18.730-06:002010-11-17T06:58:18.730-06:00Got news for you. Heard it from Willard Ross this ...Got news for you. Heard it from Willard Ross this morning. The Fire Board member up fpr re-election this term is long time Democrat and labor boss Bob Palmer. If the RDA is thinking of running a canidate against him they might want to rethink it. Accordong to Willard Mr Palmer is wired tight into the Missouri Democratic Party.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-168403796543512952010-11-16T23:14:22.818-06:002010-11-16T23:14:22.818-06:00I noticed there is no longer a place on the water ...I noticed there is no longer a place on the water bills to donate to REAP. <br /><br />I wonder if the lack of those running for fire board could be due to lack of real public notice? If anything is published in the local paper type media, the circulation is poor. I am unable to receive copies of it. If published in the Red Star, the font is too small to read and is concealed among numerous legal notices. It also might have to do with their 9AM meeting time that interested prospective board members would be unable to attend.<br /><br />Greg, Is Montezuma Natl Monument in any way related to the inhabitants of Chaco Canyon? About the same time period and a large civilization. I had a friend who used to explore Chaco Canyon but never mentioned Montezuma.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-28009693835418553292010-11-16T22:26:30.635-06:002010-11-16T22:26:30.635-06:00After seeing the posting about Hy-Vee helping REAP...After seeing the posting about Hy-Vee helping REAP, I spoke with the lady who runs one of the local church food pantries and she said if they go to harversters to help stock their food they have to pay a very step fee and often will shop some place like Aldi's<br /><br />I am glad that someone is finally letting the cat out of the bag and this is one Raytowner who is going to start only supporting Raytown and therefore donating to REAP.<br /><br />I hope others too will take some pride in our city and support REAP over Harvesters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-35011092850457127482010-11-16T21:51:15.785-06:002010-11-16T21:51:15.785-06:00Andy,
Montezuma National Monument is near Camp Ve...Andy,<br /><br />Montezuma National Monument is near Camp Verde on Interstate 17. A little more than half way to Flagstaff.<br /><br />The area is rich in Native American archeological finds. At Montezuma's Well, a large sinkhole about 10 miles from Montezuma's Castle, there are ruins and evidence of civilization dating back to the 600 a.d.<br /><br />As for the the Fire District Elections, they are and have been held on a regular basis. Typically there have been no challengers for the seats on the Fire Board. The three member board has been occupied by the same people for the past 15 years.Greg Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-29450803464526983452010-11-16T20:05:48.210-06:002010-11-16T20:05:48.210-06:00I was reading on here about fire board elections, ...I was reading on here about fire board elections, but I sure don't recall voting in one in the past 10 years.<br /><br />Are you sure we actually elect fire board members and would you explain to me why I have not seen anything about this ever before.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-62771354002879189862010-11-16T18:36:38.951-06:002010-11-16T18:36:38.951-06:00Something finally good at the Raytown Hy-Vee!!!
I...Something finally good at the Raytown Hy-Vee!!!<br /><br />I couldn't believe it had I not seen it with my own eyes, but the Raytown Hy-Vee is actually collecting for REAP.<br /><br />It is about time the local grocery stores support the local food bank. I hope the others will jump on the band wangon and if not Hy-Vee will be getting more of my business.<br /><br />By the way to all of you that donate to Harvesters and think they give food to REAP or other local food pantries think again. They actually charge them a fee, so the next time you want to help those in need of food in Raytown please write your check to REAP and help those in Raytown.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-4613462580906825382010-11-16T18:31:09.952-06:002010-11-16T18:31:09.952-06:00Andy
Actually the city marshal position is also c...Andy<br /><br />Actually the city marshal position is also ceremonial.<br /><br />You and the good members on the Board of Alderman should read under the state statues what options they could take.<br /><br />I think if you read it you will find it will address at least on chair warmer who has let crime raise in the city as much as his departments budget.<br /><br /><br />This is bad for you and me (the taxpayer) that gets to pick up the tab for people (City Marshal, Capt and Lt) to enjoy the warmth of a chair and catching up on events and each others lives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-67454461033091101832010-11-16T10:59:44.594-06:002010-11-16T10:59:44.594-06:00Greg, I like your photos. You said that Montezuma...Greg, I like your photos. You said that Montezuma Castle is 2 hours north of Phoenix. That is vague and depends on the spreed driven. What national park is it in? Near what city?<br /><br />I can't agree with some of the voting on Alderpeople. If people were actually at the meetings and heard what these Alderpeople had to say, I think that Jim Aziere and Charlotte Melson would have had fewer "poor" votes. I really hope that the people express their views at to polls in April. There can be no change unless the people get out and vote.<br /><br />It does not good to bitch on this blog unless you get out and exercise your right to vote.<br /><br />BTW: Greg, you forgot thw Mayor, Police Chief, and muni judge. The City Collector is a ceremonial issue.<br /><br />In my opinion the right to be part of the City's health insurance plan is of more benefit than the pittance of a salary. <br /><br />Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.com