tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post6977378943966176264..comments2024-03-27T13:12:00.821-05:00Comments on RAYTOWN REPORT: Greg Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-88207324099465427722012-06-09T08:56:41.798-05:002012-06-09T08:56:41.798-05:00Andy, most likely because Ritter's could not h...Andy, most likely because Ritter's could not handle the volume needed. From what I have seen they are a fairly small operation, and perhaps could not handle it. Zarda has a large operation, and is set up for large catering events. Ritter's might handle a few hundred, while Zarda can handle in the thousands. While it might be "ideal" for a local business to be used, perhaps they are not able to handle the load. Also, perhaps they where offered the event, but declined. However, it is my guess that it is simply that Zarda is more able to handle the event because they are a larger operation.KMCCLAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-89531483176932628912012-06-08T20:26:10.786-05:002012-06-08T20:26:10.786-05:00I was looking at the ad for Summerfest in the Rayt...I was looking at the ad for Summerfest in the Raytown Times and am wondering why on earth Zarda BBQ us being sold for dinner on Saturday? Ritter's is just a few blocks away.<br /><br />This event is being sponsered by the Raytown Chamber of Commerce. I sure wonder why they don't use a Raytown business?<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-24085278688361152182012-06-08T14:47:00.276-05:002012-06-08T14:47:00.276-05:00I also have lived in and around Raytown my entire ...I also have lived in and around Raytown my entire life and still do. My grandparents lived here, my parents graduated from Raytown, and my kids have all gone to Raytown. I have seen changes, the biggest change being the lack of respect for each other and life. Instead of throwing a punch, a gun is used and a 20yo gets shot, or the poor man who was shot while jogging. How sensless is all of this. I want to personally commend the police in Raytown and Kansas City. They are extremely underpaid to do a very dangerous job. When crimes do occur they get very little cooperation if any, from witnesses or victims.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-90815634391293442922012-06-08T10:30:52.485-05:002012-06-08T10:30:52.485-05:00The decline of Raytown and the decline mentioned b...The decline of Raytown and the decline mentioned by 11:13PM are very similiar to the decline of Rome. In fact, in my opinion, the whole country is going that way...a general decline in morals and responsibiliy! It is time for <b>the people</b> to wake up before it is too late! The people need to take the streets and this country back by voting wisely! <br /><br />Greg, the link worket this time.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-73092232217414698982012-06-08T07:42:46.944-05:002012-06-08T07:42:46.944-05:00We need neighbors and city officials who will stan...We need neighbors and city officials who will stand up and do the right thing for our city, even when they are accused of racism. Codes should be enforced regardless of which part of the city it is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-83249804117937423202012-06-07T23:13:24.216-05:002012-06-07T23:13:24.216-05:00I was raised in KC,MO around 51st Street between S...I was raised in KC,MO around 51st Street between Swope Parkway and Prospect and Graduated from Paseo in the 50's. One day I was over on the Plaza and decided to make a detour to one more time see my neighbothood. Boy, was I surprised, I was so disappointed. The corners had gangs of mem standing on all of them, the houses were in disrepair snd I was differently concerned about being there. I was so concerned I did not even go down the street where I uses to live on.<br /><br />I am concerned that Raytown is on the verge of becoming like that. There have been numerous sudies done in several cities that show that deteriation bring crime and social disorder. It is very clear that other cities know that it is immensely important to keep our neighborhoods in good repair and our police department must be very visible in our neighborhoods and all areas of the city. <br /><br />Things have to change here in Raytown in a lot of ways and none of those ways are hard to do and don't cost the city any money since they already have salary expenses in both of those Depts. All we have to do is get them to do the jobs they should be doing already. I keep hoping city hall will wake up before it's to late.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-71255659972591073022012-06-07T21:58:12.689-05:002012-06-07T21:58:12.689-05:009:30PM, I overlooked the decline of Raytown for m...9:30PM, I overlooked the decline of Raytown for many years until an alleged codes issue came up. We used to walk the streets of Raytown 3 times a day so I started looking for code violations. Lo and behold, I found the city and school district both in violation of the same code but was told they are exempt from codes. I didn't want to admit it but I started noticing a general decline in street maintenance as well as undesirable people moving in. Now we have at least 1 (ONE) murder per year as well as quadruple and double homicides a few years back and Ms. White says there is nothing wrong in Raytown. I wonder is she ever gets out of her house or watches the news? Obviously she reads the Raytown Times but is still unaware of Harry Stone's recent murder. Or maybe a murder is a common occurrence in her mind.<br /><br />Greg, You might want to check the link again. I clicked it and got the same message. Being frustrated, I clicked a 2nd time and the page opened. I don't think most people will click twice.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-44676067266977880122012-06-07T21:30:10.657-05:002012-06-07T21:30:10.657-05:00Pat, you are so right on this one. I don't kn...Pat, you are so right on this one. I don't know Mrs. White but certainly she must know that there are things that could be improved. Constructive criticism is needed in our town. Not pandering.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-8057314087696755662012-06-07T21:25:02.875-05:002012-06-07T21:25:02.875-05:00Andy,
The link has been repaired. Thanks for poin...Andy,<br /><br />The link has been repaired. Thanks for pointing it out.Greg Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-26524081048550735302012-06-07T19:16:38.746-05:002012-06-07T19:16:38.746-05:00The link to Jason Green reaches, "Sorry, the ...The link to Jason Green reaches, "Sorry, the page you were looking for in this blog does not exist."<br /><br />Unfortunately I have lived in Raytown close to 13 years. I sure notice the difference. Either Ms. White likes to see positive that doesn't exist in everything or the change is so gradual, she didn't notice it. Another thought is she may be sequestered in a gated community or apartment. True, it was <b>very</b> gradual but things sure went so downhill that I noticed it.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-1405543893861618002012-06-07T08:11:09.362-05:002012-06-07T08:11:09.362-05:00A lady named Cheryl White wrote in the newest
Rayt...A lady named Cheryl White wrote in the newest<br />Raytown Times in response to last weeks<br />letter.<br />She said she was a transplant having moved<br />here from Milwaukee Wisc. ten years ago. She went on to say<br />if you want to discuss "hoods" that Ms. McLaughlin<br />didn't know what a "hood" really is.<br />Cheryl White missed the point altogether.<br />McLaughlin didn't say "in the hood" she said "Hoods"<br />as in punks thugs and so on.<br />I think if Ms White could have seen this town thirty<br />years ago she would be singing a different tune.<br />I know we can't go back in time and really I wouldn't<br />want to in some cases. But, Raytown has changed and <br />some changes are good and some are bad. It's the bad that could<br />have and should have been stopped early on. I mean<br />strict codes enforcement and being more careful what<br />businesses were allowed to come in. W-M brings with<br />it lower property values, blight and a heck of a lot more<br />crime. How this town and it's leaders handle the<br />next few years is critical in the future of Raytown.<br />If we actually want our neighborhoods to down the tubes<br />or prosper is in their hands. People like Ms. White <br />that look through rose colored glasses need to look harder.<br />They also need to look at what they are reading and try<br />to understand what they are reading.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-69336644509002134272012-06-07T07:38:10.333-05:002012-06-07T07:38:10.333-05:00I knew Beau Groceman during the years he worked fo...I knew Beau Groceman during the years he worked for the City of Raytown. I found him to be an honest and hardworking department head. We did not always agree on everything - in particular zoning issues, but he was one of those city employees, who, when help was needed in enforcing codes and cleaning up other messy situations, could be counted on to follow through and finish the task.<br /><br />When Beau resigned his job in Raytown he went to work in the private sector. He died of cancer a couple of years ago. He was a good man. <br /><br />Two of Raytown's senior staff at the the time did go to work for the City of Liberty. Curt Wenson moved to Liberty and became the City Manager. He hired Dan Estes (who was at the time, Raytown's Finance Director). Last I know of, Dan works as Curt's Assistant City Manager in Liberty.Greg Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-33743824286630664052012-06-06T21:21:51.951-05:002012-06-06T21:21:51.951-05:007:43 AM, I agree.
4:44PM, If people won't vote...7:43 AM, I agree.<br />4:44PM, If people won't vote for the Mayor if they are mad about codes, who is voting for him? As I see it plenty of people are mad about codes. Are the votes fraudulent? <br /><br />I moved to Raytown bust before Beau Grosmann left. He and I had a verbal dispute about miniature lots. He told me that he could hear his neighbor's a/c. I told him his lot was too small. I later learned that he lived in Lees Summit so he had no right commenting on Raytown. In my opinion, he was one of the most worthless tie wearing chair warmers that Raytown has ever had. I am glad that he and some of his associates were hired in Liberty.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-6843933297732330142012-06-06T16:44:39.515-05:002012-06-06T16:44:39.515-05:00I have lived in Raytown close to 50years now and I...I have lived in Raytown close to 50years now and I have seen the deteriation coming over the last 20years. I even went so far as to put my business in Indep. which i did not want to do because I could see that I would not succeed here in this city. Sorry to say, I did not make in there either but it was not for the same reasons. I just ran out of money just when people started to find out I was thered.<br /><br />Raytown has had codes problems at least from the early 80's if not before. Things started to turn around when we had a Director of public works that went by the name of Beau Gorsman. Mr. Gorsman and several of our dept. heads left their jobs why I do not know. What I can tell you is since then things have gone to Hell in a hand basket. NO one does anything about codes except to drive by and smile thinking "I don't have to do that because no one will make me, even the mayor doesn't care."<br /><br />Our mayor is the problem. He doesn't want to loose the next times he runs for office so nothig get done. If he makes someone mad over codes they won't vote for him. I rest of us can only watch but can do nothing because if we turn anything in it won't be followed up on so why try. Maybe we should all just move if you can afford it and if you can't I guess we watch our property values go down the toilet and stay indoors so we won't get shot,mugged or robbed.<br /><br />In all fairness, it's also the fault of this city's police chief but I here he's going to retire when his term is up,GOD, I hope so.<br />It's time we get an appointed Chief not an elected one so he can be fired if he dosn't do his job. swe also need someone who is "old school" that is I'll do my job no mater what.<br /><br />I agree with the person that said Raytown uses to be a great place to live and raise your family. The person that said that must have moved here when I did. We had the best school rating in the state, we had a police chief that was not afraid to do what needed to done to have a safe city. You could leave your doors open and not be home, you could let your children play outside without the fear of lossing them to a crazy person, we could ride our bikes without getting shot, everyone took care of their property and we appreciated the city we had then. I don't know about you, I want that back again because I am one who cannot afford to move and there is NO reason why it can't have it but we have to have people in office who care as much as we do. That's not going to happen if our department heads and city adminstrator live some where else and unless we have a mayor who is willing to do what his job is without worrying about the next election, if you do your job you will get re-elected.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-88002270263690833682012-06-06T07:43:06.002-05:002012-06-06T07:43:06.002-05:00I have no desire to "get along" with peo...I have no desire to "get along" with people who have no respect for others or the law, regardless of their skin color.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-48958933529931855342012-06-05T11:03:00.737-05:002012-06-05T11:03:00.737-05:009:40PM, There may be a law giving tenants a certai...9:40PM, There may be a law giving tenants a certain time to claim their property. I don't know much about landlord-tenant law.<br /><br />I suggest you call both codes and the Fire Department since this is also a fire hazard.<br /><br />Also call your Alderman. They usually take an intrest in stuff like that.<br /><br />Andy WhitemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-23047371433334492582012-06-05T07:42:47.777-05:002012-06-05T07:42:47.777-05:00There a parts of KC, which borders with Raytown, t...There a parts of KC, which borders with Raytown, that you would not feel safe in during the day and would fear for your life after dark. Very dangerous places. I do not want Raytown to be like that, but it appears that more and more the ghetto is creeping toward Raytown and has taken hold in several spots. I hate East KC with its thug kill, steal and deal mentality. I beginning to hate Raytown for the same reasons. Can't even fight back to save our town for the fear of being labled a racist or bigot. <br /><br />This is not a Raytown issue, but rather a social issue on a much large scale.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-26534460734389724202012-06-04T21:40:40.458-05:002012-06-04T21:40:40.458-05:00Speaking of codes enforcement, check out this scen...Speaking of codes enforcement, check out this scene at 5521 Sterling Ave. south of Blue Ridge Blvd. Took this Monday evening. <br /><br />Click <a href="http://i.imgur.com/ljQ57.jpg" rel="nofollow">here</a> - sorry it's blurry, low light, but you get the idea. What a mess. <br /><br />Doesn't a landlord have the responsibility to keep up his property....even if he has to evict his tenants?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-23638902279079572402012-06-04T21:11:52.241-05:002012-06-04T21:11:52.241-05:00That is a good ad. I wish they were all that posit...That is a good ad. I wish they were all that positive in their message.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-90591702694091109502012-06-04T21:07:16.854-05:002012-06-04T21:07:16.854-05:00It is no surprise that somebody threw in with raci...It is no surprise that somebody threw in with racism as an excuse to ignore a problem. To a certain extent he was successful in trying to derail the debate. So many posts (even this one) has taken the path he wanted. Don't be fooled by this red herring. The complaints the lady wrote about are very legitimate. Notice that there is no rush to "solve the problem" of lax law enforcement and no code enforcement. Of course not. That would point a finger at failure at city hall. And we all know that is not allowed to be discussed at city hall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-49963425642731977462012-06-04T20:29:03.931-05:002012-06-04T20:29:03.931-05:00Said by Bill Cosby:
They're standing on the co...Said by Bill Cosby:<br />They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English.<br />I can't even talk the way these people talk: <br />Why you ain't,<br />Where you is,<br />What he drive,<br />Where he stay,<br />Where he work,<br />Who you be...<br />And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk. <br />And then I heard the father talk. <br />Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth<br />In fact you will never get any kind of job making a decent living.<br />People marched and were hit in the face with rocks to get an Education, and now we've got these knuckleheads walking around.<br />The lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal.<br />These people are not parenting. They are buying things for kids.<br />$500 sneakers for what?<br />And they won't spend $200 for Hooked on Phonics.<br />I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit. <br />Where were you when he was 2?<br />Where were you when he was 12?<br />Where were you when he was 18 and how come you didn't know that he had a pistol? <br />And where is the father? Or who is his father? <br />People putting their clothes on backward:<br />Isn't that a sign of something gone wrong? <br />People with their hats on backward, pants down around the crack, isn't that a sign of something? <br />Isn't it a sign of something when she has her dress all the way up and got all type of needles [piercing] going through her body? <br />What part of Africa did this come from??<br />We are not Africans. Those people are not Africans; they don't know a thing about Africa ..... I say this all of the time. It would be like white people saying they are European-American. That is totally stupid. I was born here, and so were my parents and grand parents and, very likely my great grandparents. I don't have any connection to Africa, no more than white Americans have to Germany , Scotland , England , Ireland , or the Netherlands . The same applies to 99 percent of all the black Americans as regards to Africa . So stop, already! ! ! <br />With names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap ......... And all of them are in jail.<br />Brown or black versus the Board of Education is no longer the white person's problem.<br />We have got to take the neighborhood back. <br />People used to be ashamed. Today a woman has eight children with eight different 'husbands' -- or men or whatever you call them now.<br />We have millionaire football players who cannot read.<br />We have million-dollar basketball players who can't write two paragraphs. We, as black folks have to do a better job.<br />Someone working at Wal-Mart with seven kids, you are hurting us.<br />We have to start holding each other to a higher standard..<br />We cannot blame the white people any longer.' Dr.. William Henry 'Bill' Cosby, Jr., Ed..D.<br />WELL SAID, BILL<br />It's NOT about color...<br />It's about behavior!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-26811246699734243222012-06-04T20:12:03.786-05:002012-06-04T20:12:03.786-05:00God loves you all.God loves you all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-85981129525350984272012-06-04T19:51:13.585-05:002012-06-04T19:51:13.585-05:00Why is it that when someone advocates law and orde...Why is it that when someone advocates law and order, common courtesy, respect, obeying signs and codes, and just plain common decency; another person has to turn it into a race issue?<br /><br />As 1:45 PM, that writer wants what many of us want for Raytown but we may have expressed it in different words. Read the message and don't blame the messenger. <br /><br />Andy WhitemanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-65983238637855520172012-06-04T17:36:35.546-05:002012-06-04T17:36:35.546-05:00There is an element in all of the kc area that thi...There is an element in all of the kc area that thinks the laws do not apply to them. They believe if you want, you take. They have little respect for anyone or anything. It is the duty of our police and local governemnts to clean up the problem. Ignoring it does not work and does not make it go away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-69200732854698755642012-06-04T14:43:39.434-05:002012-06-04T14:43:39.434-05:00god if you people only had a clue to what was goin...god if you people only had a clue to what was going on you might join her in her beliefs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com