tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post7295558281015188157..comments2024-03-27T13:12:00.821-05:00Comments on RAYTOWN REPORT: Letter to Mayor Bower and the Board of Aldermen from the Mid-Continent Public LibraryGreg Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-12070283303367817092007-10-24T21:56:00.001-05:002007-10-24T21:56:00.001-05:00Because I'm not stupid enough to believe that it w...Because I'm not stupid enough to believe that it would do any good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-90331998572648299142007-10-24T21:56:00.000-05:002007-10-24T21:56:00.000-05:00Because I'm not stupid enough to believe that it w...Because I'm not stupid enough to believe that it would do any good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-56946938656584836752007-10-22T10:46:00.000-05:002007-10-22T10:46:00.000-05:00Anonymous 11PMWhy don't you (and others) come to t...Anonymous 11PM<BR/>Why don't you (and others) come to the Town Hall meeting Tuesday 10/30 and voice your opinions to Mayor Bower?<BR/><BR/>There was an article in the Local paper so it isn't one of those secret meetings I have been complaining about.<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-53102504384337325392007-10-21T23:00:00.000-05:002007-10-21T23:00:00.000-05:00"I have no idea" said Andy "Twitman" Whiteman.Yes,..."I have no idea" said Andy "Twitman" Whiteman.<BR/><BR/>Yes, Andy, you don't!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-79161864260297627882007-10-21T19:31:00.000-05:002007-10-21T19:31:00.000-05:00Anonymous 7:08PM,Since I am disabled, I get around...Anonymous 7:08PM,<BR/><BR/>Since I am disabled, I get around very little. When I do get out, I see only the areas where I go and are obvious. I am amazed that someone would drive around counting empty offices! This is really a safety hazard since your attention in not on driving. Do you stop at each one to make sure it is really vacant? <BR/><BR/>I have no idea how many offices a building contains. Is it 1 or 20 offices (or more) in each? If we are speaking only of 80 offices, that doesn't seem like a large number for a city the size of Raytown. What really sticks out is places like Raytown Plaze and the old Schnucks area. Did you count the Olde Baptist Church which is blighted and the city does nothing about its own code violation.<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-21874184774858237512007-10-21T19:08:00.000-05:002007-10-21T19:08:00.000-05:00Andy I once counted eighty (80) empty office build...Andy I once counted eighty (80) empty office buildings. I don't think there are 80 buildings in Paytown Plaza. You need to get with program.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-83076057828948090512007-10-21T18:37:00.000-05:002007-10-21T18:37:00.000-05:00The cost of a state audit is a mere drop in the bu...The cost of a state audit is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the money that is wasted daily by local, state, and federal governments on unnecessary things. Personally I believe that it would be a good thing for an audit by the state, and our city officials should welcome it especially if there is nothing to hide, then it will be out in the open for all to see. There should always be an annual audit done by an outside accounting firm, and an audit when there is a change of whoever may be in charge of Finance, and a periodic audit by the state. It will cover everyones tail and everyone will be happy.sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04867447880649690988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-28165661563741869882007-10-21T18:35:00.000-05:002007-10-21T18:35:00.000-05:00There would be no controversary if an audit proved...There would be no controversary if an audit proved everything to be on the up and up. We would all be HAPPY.True Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09557414413148419771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-3083559813291850322007-10-21T17:50:00.000-05:002007-10-21T17:50:00.000-05:00I am not going to get in to stupid discussion with...I am not going to get in to stupid discussion with you as it appears that you have no clue about audit requirements. You are naive and believe in controversies. No truth yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-67668852616231701912007-10-21T11:54:00.000-05:002007-10-21T11:54:00.000-05:00To anonymous 9:26 a.m. If you were to believe tha...To anonymous 9:26 a.m. If you were to believe that our city finances are perfect why spend the money on an annual audit that the city has done for years? Why didn't they turn up the mistake that Mr. Estes admitted to? It is apparent that you know NOTHING about what a state audit could do for the city.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-75359259710942848152007-10-21T09:26:00.000-05:002007-10-21T09:26:00.000-05:00Anonymous 9:58 PMAs a tax payer, I do not believe ...Anonymous 9:58 PM<BR/>As a tax payer, I do not believe in State Audit. But if you insist then it is OK. If they found nothing then it is a wastage of tax payers money. Are you willing to pay? If not then we can't and should not pay for something which is baseless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-57217521811905216912007-10-21T09:00:00.000-05:002007-10-21T09:00:00.000-05:00I do believe that Mr. Estes did wonderful job for ...I do believe that Mr. Estes did wonderful job for the city.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-8975144835062455002007-10-20T23:32:00.000-05:002007-10-20T23:32:00.000-05:00I used to do the budget for a Fire District but Ra...I used to do the budget for a Fire District but Raytown's budget is so complex and detailed that I wouldn't want to compile it. I think Mr. Estes did a great job on the budget. <BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-19763110709092371012007-10-20T23:31:00.000-05:002007-10-20T23:31:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Andy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-21052043934805794002007-10-20T21:58:00.000-05:002007-10-20T21:58:00.000-05:00Not everyone is a CPA and would understand the cit...Not everyone is a CPA and would understand the city budget, but the people that work in the state auditors office are CPA's and would let the chips fall where the may.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-52799409638416238322007-10-20T21:54:00.000-05:002007-10-20T21:54:00.000-05:00To anonymos 7:02 Guess we will never really know ...To anonymos 7:02 Guess we will never really know the truth about the city's finances until we have a truely INDEPENDENT AUDIT.True Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09557414413148419771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-78069192852000098552007-10-20T20:02:00.000-05:002007-10-20T20:02:00.000-05:00Andy Whiteman has great suggeston. Good Job Andy.Andy Whiteman has great suggeston. Good Job Andy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-52551254434391811102007-10-20T19:38:00.000-05:002007-10-20T19:38:00.000-05:00I disagree with Anonymous 9:48 AM: Raytown is in ...I disagree with Anonymous 9:48 AM: <BR/>Raytown is in a lot better shape than Bannister Mall. The closed stores I notice are mostly at Raytown Plaza and that is being remodeled and will be leased out. The other vacant stores are where Hy-Vee wants a new store. Yes, there are some vacant homes in Raytown but there is a mortgage problem and real estate sales are generally slow. My Realtor told me 4 years ago that the average selling time in Raytown is 6 months. I don't know what it is now. If the homes are not selling it is because they are overpriced! One thing I really notice is that Raytown does NOT have the crime rate that Bannister Mall did. Whenever we went to Bannister Mall, we parked as close to the Sears door as possible.<BR/><BR/>I agree with anonymous 7:02 PM. We are losing a fine finance director. I wish he had stayed. Dan was a part of the community and everything he did in his job had a direct effect on his family as residents. I certainally hope the board requires his replacement to be a Raytown resident and does not hire an alien who commutes from another city.<BR/><BR/>I can see legitimate reasons for remaining anonymous such as being a city employee. But definately when someone wants to personally attack city officials and demand the firing of some, there is good resaon to remain anonymous. Just send that type of letter to the Post or Tribune and they won't publish an anonymous letter! If you state truthful reasons (facts) and sign the letter, they may publish such a letter and/or do an investigation of their own.<BR/><BR/>I suggest that Anonymous 4:43PM write a letter stating the facts (if any) and send it to an appropriate State official.<BR/><BR/>I support the 353 plan for Hy-Vee, but anyone whether for or against needs to be at the public hearing at the Board of Aldermen (I believe it is Tuesday 11/6) to voice their feelings or forever hold your peace. If you can't be there send a notarized letter for the public record. <BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-90723557460441209992007-10-20T19:02:00.000-05:002007-10-20T19:02:00.000-05:00Anonymous 4:43 PMI disagree about your comments. ...Anonymous 4:43 PM<BR/>I disagree about your comments. You are suspecting and challenging the integrity of a fine man who served well for this city. He has guts to admit that mistake happened. Your comments are just based on a false hypothesis with no base. Have you read the survey about the other cities who conducted state audit and found nothing. The fact is this city is doing a fine job and should not be worry about any wrong doing.<BR/><BR/>City's books are open and you can review it, if you can understand. But try not to blame the city official if you know nothing about accounting. Explain how educated are you? Explain how many talented people left the city because of this kind of personal attack on a daily basis. What you have to offer? You are pointing fingure on others but you forgot that when you do that there are three fingures pointing at you. Stop this nonsense and think about us loosing a fine finance director. It is great loss because of comments like you made. Look yourself into the mirror and think what you are doing.<BR/><BR/>Please stop this nonsense of attacking city official, you will gain nothing out of it. Get involve and offer some suggestion and try to be part of TEAM.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-32394107375821221062007-10-20T16:43:00.000-05:002007-10-20T16:43:00.000-05:00What about ole Dan Estes going to join his good bu...What about ole Dan Estes going to join his good buddy Curt Wenson in Liberty. Something sounds kind of fishy to me. All I ever remember is Dan saying how much he liked being the finance director for Raytown and how he hoped to retire there. Sure singing a different tune now. What gives? Will he have to move to Liberty? Maybe the talk of a state audit had something to do with it. Who would have the most to loose if the city's finances are not on the up and up? And after Sue Frank and Curt Wenson running the show for 8 years things are probably more screwed up than we will ever realize.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-13396613431640992002007-10-20T11:55:00.000-05:002007-10-20T11:55:00.000-05:00I totally disagree with anonymous 9:48 AM. What ...I totally disagree with anonymous 9:48 AM. <BR/>What he has to offer buy to oppose a good plan? <BR/>What is the future of this town?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-65896758688141779642007-10-20T09:48:00.000-05:002007-10-20T09:48:00.000-05:00In not to far into the future Raytown will look li...In not to far into the future Raytown will look like the Bannister Mall area. Closed down stores, vacant houses---like a ghost town if you will. I urge everyone to come to city hall and voice your disapproval at giving out more 353's.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-70443860572696605502007-10-19T22:56:00.000-05:002007-10-19T22:56:00.000-05:00To: Anon 5:39PMAlderman Ertz recused himself durin...To: Anon 5:39PM<BR/><BR/>Alderman Ertz recused himself during the Hy-Vee presentation and sat with the public. Since he has a conflict of interest, it is my understanding that he will have to recuse himself for the vote also.<BR/><BR/>FYI: Tuesday the 30th is the Tuesday after next. I knew that with out looking at the calendar because I have several conflicting appointments/events during that time frame. I mention it because I wouldn't want someone to go on the wrong day. Please mark your calendars.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-4152845188803808652007-10-19T17:39:00.000-05:002007-10-19T17:39:00.000-05:00Hy Vee bought out snucks years and years ago so th...Hy Vee bought out snucks years and years ago so they already own the property and have been using it for storage for all of these years. They will nor be a new owner.<BR/><BR/>HyVee owed the City of Raytown more than $40,000.00 in taxes at one point and they had to go after them to get it. What makes you think that they will do what they should now. <BR/><BR/>Whoever said it is a cost of doing business is absolutely right. HyVee is just moving into a building that they already own and yes there probably will be some things that need to be updated but they new that when they decided to make the move. Ask yourself, why are they asking for this abatement? Could it be because we gave the city away to WalMart and they think so why wouldn't they do it again.<BR/><BR/>HyVee for years said that the Snucks store was to small for them and that they would not move in there. Now because they can force 2 small businesses out so they can have more space it's ok. Those 2 small businesses are currently taxpayers. Is this fair to those small businesses that are already in that development. We all know that if one of those other businesses ask for an abatement they would not give it to them because they do not produce enough taxes as it is. They would be told that their improvements would be a business expense.<BR/><BR/>I am the first to say we need business here in Raytown but when does this stop. We have the abatement for GE, Shamrock Cabinets, Walmart, The South side of the 350 Hyway, and the downtown all are 23 years abatements and now even though we already have a 23 abatement on this development that HYVee wants to move into they want another 10 years. I hope our council people are smart enough to say NO but I would not hold my breath if I were you.<BR/><BR/>Alderman Ertz works for HyVee in Lee's Summit I hope he is not allowed to vote on this. <BR/><BR/>We all need to go to the Mayor's Town Hall meeting on October 30, that's next Tuesday, and tell him <BR/>what you think about this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-47921964828389363562007-10-19T17:00:00.000-05:002007-10-19T17:00:00.000-05:00I am an established citizen who is going to stay i...I am an established citizen who is going to stay in Raytown I have spent money on my property to make it look good.Which I did not only for myself but also for the community. So give me a tax break and by the way I pay taxes so how about it????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com