tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post8213109298928661684..comments2024-03-27T13:12:00.821-05:00Comments on RAYTOWN REPORT: An Editorial ReplyGreg Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02133276387013984873noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-17550688215402288622010-03-18T11:28:31.503-05:002010-03-18T11:28:31.503-05:00I firmly convinced, that you are not right. Time w...I firmly convinced, that you are not right. Time will show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-87772180605955678842009-04-01T13:19:00.000-05:002009-04-01T13:19:00.000-05:00i hope people are looking at these tax percentages...i hope people are looking at these tax percentages and are voting for no more taxes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-67137637240005490812009-04-01T01:01:00.000-05:002009-04-01T01:01:00.000-05:00"For a real eye-opener go up to Westlake Hardware ..."For a real eye-opener go up to Westlake Hardware (which is in the same taxing district as Walmart) and compare its current sales tax charges to other area Westlake stores.<BR/><BR/>Westlake Hardware sales tax:<BR/><BR/>Westlake – Raytown . . . . . . . . 8.475%<BR/>Westlake – Lee’s Summit . . . . . 7.735%<BR/>Westlake – Blue Springs . . . . . . 7.350%<BR/>Westlake – Kansas City . . . . . . 7.250%<BR/><BR/>These are hard economic times for everyone. People are tightening their belts to get by until the economy rights itself. City Hall should do the same."<BR/><BR/>Here is the information I found on each city's website:<BR/><BR/>Westlake – Raytown -http://www.raytown.mo.us/vertical/Sites/%7B418C71C3-E397-4C87-B464-C498EC8900F9%7D/uploads/%7B04E67A22-70C5-41EA-86A2-8786BEF47B1C%7D.PDF Actually it is only 7.6%+1/2 cent CID =8.1% (How sad you do not know your own tax rate...)<BR/>Westlake – Lee’s Summit - http://www.lees-summit.mo.us/content/Finance6.cfm Actually it is 7.6%<BR/>Westlake – Blue Springs - http://mo-bluesprings.civicplus.com/index.asp?nid=521 7.35% CORRECT!!!<BR/>Westlake – Kansas City -http://www.kcmo.org/finance.nsf/web/Treasury 7.25% Correct!!!!Chris Wilmesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-27000465957736639772009-03-31T14:22:00.000-05:002009-03-31T14:22:00.000-05:00Good explainationGood explainationAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-35432393478992522472009-03-31T11:05:00.000-05:002009-03-31T11:05:00.000-05:00Pat, I agree with your 1:11 PM comment. Readers a...Pat, I agree with your 1:11 PM comment. Readers are smart enough to ignore personal attacks (if they want to) and comments that appear to be untrue. We can also ask for clarification and/or facts to back up a comment.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I ignore personal attacks (even about me) but if someone counters with a question or request for clarification, I will respond.<BR/><BR/>As for the person who wants to have a party when I move, that is you option. I will go out to a nice dinner to celebrate.<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-71971512033773137762009-03-31T08:58:00.000-05:002009-03-31T08:58:00.000-05:00The Mayor said $5.7 million in the last FIVE years...The Mayor said $5.7 million in the last FIVE years - NOT $5.7 million in TWO years. The voters approved a bond issue six years to get more streets done faster so the work was front loaded in the first two years and the payments made out over the next five years. Any alderman who has been on the board when the improvements were approved by the voters should be able to explain it. The voters approved the bond issue and the Mayor has to live with it. I also heard him say the city received stimulus money this year for overlay, that base repair was performed last year in anticipation for overlay of streets this year and that the bond payments were paid off last year, leaving more money for street improvements this year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-24038468930655903632009-03-30T20:39:00.000-05:002009-03-30T20:39:00.000-05:00The board that is there now will surround him like...The board that is there now will surround him like a "pack of dogs" if he goes against the board. <BR/><BR/>It doesn't make any difference what the district spends there money on books, astro turf (a waste of money) or what ever, they need to use up the money before July 1st or if the state of MO finds out they have money left, the state of MO will cut back on what is given to the district for the 2010 year. About the books, I have seen schools throw away supplies, books and what ever so they can order the same items the next year to use up the money. <BR/><BR/>From a school district employee!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-24767139320764247682009-03-30T15:11:00.000-05:002009-03-30T15:11:00.000-05:00I have been studying the school board candidates. ...I have been studying the school board candidates. I would like to know who voted for this astro turf to be put in? We spent this HUGH sum of money for a very few kids. A few years ago (maybe not that long ago) there was not enough books to go around the class and the student could not bring the book home to study or do homework. Now which is more inportant enough books to learn or astro turf for just a few kids? Seems to be a no brainer.Can we trust Toade to make wise decisions or will he fold to the pressure and be a member of the good 'ole boys club. I hope he is differant and will have the guts to stand up to them. There are a lot of people depending on him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-34313014798375877272009-03-30T14:11:00.000-05:002009-03-30T14:11:00.000-05:00I actually think I would rather see what is writte...I actually think I would rather see what is written before it <BR/>is taken off. That would also let the responses show up faster.<BR/>We are all adults even though some may not act it. But waiting<BR/>so long for writings I'm afraid will turn good minded writers away.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-19093244391493965392009-03-30T11:18:00.000-05:002009-03-30T11:18:00.000-05:00Pat, Why don't you apply when there is a vacancy? ...Pat, Why don't you apply when there is a vacancy? We need better people there. <BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-40378849999900850432009-03-30T08:00:00.000-05:002009-03-30T08:00:00.000-05:00I was told as a very young boy, if you want to get...I was told as a very young boy, if you want to get ahead <BR/>of the crowd work for the government. You will never get your hands dirty and the pay is always guaranteed to be there, after all, we all have to pay taxes.<BR/>If you are fortunate enough to be elected into the Congress<BR/>or Senate the first thing you do is vote yourself a raise and<BR/>you will have benefits for the rest of your life.<BR/>I guess it's no different in city government. If you are in upper<BR/>management, no matter what kind of job you do, you know a pay <BR/>increase is just around the corner. In bad times or good, whether the money is coming in or not, if the elected officials give away income, don't worry, they will tax the people more to make up the loss.Pat Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753840266376084738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-58112583643581370292009-03-29T11:46:00.000-05:002009-03-29T11:46:00.000-05:00Greg, Did I hear wrong? At the BOA I remember mu...Greg, Did I hear wrong? At the BOA I remember much discussion and it was my understanding that the Chief of Police's increase was changed to 5% annually for each of 4 years with you voting NO? Is my hearing, memory or both that bad?<BR/><BR/>I think an Alderman should introduce an ordinance that the salary of elected officials be established before the deadline registering for election. It is quite possible that if the increase was announced others may have filed in the one person races.<BR/><BR/>Actually in one race voting for the one candidate is a wasted vote. Maybe voters should write in a name.<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-83571248177531373882009-03-29T09:29:00.000-05:002009-03-29T09:29:00.000-05:00Chris,You are right. I took a short cut on the mat...Chris,<BR/><BR/>You are right. I took a short cut on the math and by rounding out the figures and simply looking at as the total amount for the four year term. <BR/><BR/>Seems the BOA had another one run by them.Greg Waltersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-4503157511125097922009-03-29T09:28:00.000-05:002009-03-29T09:28:00.000-05:00"How Much?The Municipal Judge currently draws a sa..."How Much?<BR/><BR/>The Municipal Judge currently draws a salary of $24,407.78 annually. The proposed ordinance sets the new salary $25,628.17. The Municipal Judge is a part time position.<BR/><BR/>According to a report from the city staff entitled “Compensation History of the Marshal (Chief of Police)”; the Chief of Police currently draws a salary of $86,821.88 annually. The proposed ordinance sets the new salary incrementally over a four-year period. The total salary at the end of four years will be $96,742.87. The Chief of Police is a full time job.<BR/><BR/>The breakdown of the pay increases for Municipal Judge and Chief of Police are as follows:<BR/><BR/>MUNICIPAL JUDGE:<BR/>Current Annual Salary................$24,407.78<BR/>Proposed Annual Salary..............$25,628.17<BR/>Percentage increase over four years.........5%<BR/><BR/>CHIEF OF POLICE:<BR/>Current Annual Salary.................$86,821.88<BR/>Proposed Annual Salary*..............$96,742.87<BR/>*Increased incrementally at 5% the first year, 2% years 2, 3, and 4.<BR/>Percentage increase over four years..........9%"<BR/><BR/>Sorry, I work for a living and cannot read this blog everyday.<BR/><BR/>I think a little math lesson is needed here.<BR/><BR/>First, if you have $10 dollars and I offer to give you 2% a day for 10 days, or 20% the first day, which is more?<BR/><BR/>If you said 2% a day for 10 days...YOU WOULD BE CORRECT!!!<BR/><BR/>This is that little math fact called compounding.<BR/><BR/>$10 * 20% = $12<BR/>$10 * 2% per day for 10 days $12.19 or 21.19%<BR/><BR/>In fact, the Chiefs raise at 5% the first year and 2% each year thereafter is 11.43%, not 9%<BR/><BR/>The same principal applies. $86,821.88 *9% = $94,635.85<BR/>But the Chief is actualy <BR/>$86,821.88 *5% = $91,162.97 * 2% = $92,986.23 *2% = $94,845.96 * 2% =$96,742.88<BR/><BR/>If you devide $96,742.88 from $86,821.88 you get 11.43% not 9%.<BR/><BR/>You are welcome for the math lesson. Come back anytime...Chris Wilmesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-90311353821386732822009-03-29T09:12:00.000-05:002009-03-29T09:12:00.000-05:00Just because this comment is being made does not i...Just because this comment is being made does not imply that I am being negative, however, there sure seems to be a lot of people that believe that everything is wonderful all of the time, and it is a perfect world. Hate to give you a dose of reality, but there are bad things that go along with the good, and negativity will be a part of it. It is called life, so go ahead and stay in your 'perfect world' bubbles and point out things like, 'Oh, he or she is really negative, it is sinful, the nerve of him/her to think like that!' Get real, people! Ones opinion, negative or positive should be heard no matter what. Fear the government that fears us, censorship is yet another tool to help government to promote it's agendas. Freedom of speech is one that many have died for in this country so that we can exercise that right. I agree that if you cannot express an opinion without name calling or insults that it probably should be censored. Learn to control yourself and be civil with your discussions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-70688243187550105102009-03-29T08:53:00.000-05:002009-03-29T08:53:00.000-05:00Greg,I'm glad to see you have taken steps to clean...Greg,<BR/><BR/>I'm glad to see you have taken steps to clean up the blog. It was becoming very clear that a small minority of people using it were determined to undermine its purpose of people being able to share ideas about politics in Raytown.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-23739377041042329582009-03-29T01:01:00.000-05:002009-03-29T01:01:00.000-05:00Anon 2:39 am "I challenge anyone to find anything ...Anon 2:39 am "I challenge anyone to find anything positive on the internet. "<BR/><BR/>Deal! Check this out...<BR/><BR/>http://www.jongordon.com/blog/2009/01/18/11-benefits-of-being-positive/<BR/><BR/>Happy now, or do you want to complain about something else???Chris Wilmesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-511507920341056622009-03-28T20:15:00.000-05:002009-03-28T20:15:00.000-05:00I believe in the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) syst...I believe in the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) system . Wouldn't it be easier if Greg could request the city to display the map on its website for all to see?<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-87316047306957368822009-03-28T12:06:00.000-05:002009-03-28T12:06:00.000-05:00I've been following the conversations about street...I've been following the conversations about street overlay. It seems to me that a simple way to determine where streets have been overlayed in the last two years is to publish them here. Then anyone can go an look at them. <BR/><BR/>To be fair about the process we should set some simple rules. <BR/><BR/>The streets listed should be residential streets overlayed in the last two years. No "gateways" no collector street re-construction - no improvements made by utility companies, etc. <BR/><BR/>Just simple overlay of a residential street. <BR/><BR/>This should settle the matter once and for all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-54087273378865653012009-03-28T11:20:00.000-05:002009-03-28T11:20:00.000-05:00OK, I see now. I just noticed that it is not disp...OK, I see now. I just noticed that it is not displayed until the blog owner approves it. That is what I do with the guest books on my websites to keep the junk out.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes I hit POST accidnetly instead of REVIEW and want to go pack, delete, and revise. I guess this is no longer possible without a time delay.<BR/><BR/>Since this is not a live blog, we have will have delays to reading new posts. The actions of a few hurt all.<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-81488523801827194712009-03-28T11:13:00.000-05:002009-03-28T11:13:00.000-05:00Greg, What is wrong here? I spent over a half h...Greg, What is wrong here? I spent over a half hour on a post, clicked publish and it disappeared.<BR/><BR/>Since I am running late, I don't have another 1/2 hour to type it again.<BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-85460266827115179452009-03-28T11:10:00.000-05:002009-03-28T11:10:00.000-05:00The Salamander said about Bower,"He went on to cla...The Salamander said about Bower,"He went on to claim $5.7 million has been spent on street overlays in the last five years."<BR/><BR/>I was thinking of 2 possibilities after I went to bed: 1) The entire $5.7M was spent 4 and 5 years ago which seems unlikely--$5.7M in one year? 2)Where did this really money go? We need an audit! I have seen patching, but where is the overlay? In fact the overlay is so overdue that some streets have FAILED and the work will cost much more!<BR/><BR/>Justin, I just saw your comment since you were posting at the same time as me. (Each post takes me 30 minutes or more.) I have nothing against developing downtown. My issue is the focus for several years has been on downtown and overlooking other areas unless a big store pops up.<BR/><BR/>7:20 AM, I made the same point about the Hy-Vee sales tax at the public hearing.<BR/><BR/>As for the anonymous personal comments written without facts, I ignore them with the assumption that the writer is unable to state a logical opinion with facts and/or thoughts and can only result to personal attacks to defend his/her views. This seems to me to be childlike--at least the type of children I went to school with. I don't have time to read that garbage and move to the next post. Since Greg deletes them now, why do these posters waste their time? <BR/><BR/>Andy WhitemanAndy Whitemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663722316994895141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-60030485208288124202009-03-28T10:57:00.000-05:002009-03-28T10:57:00.000-05:00Have you heard about the national "Tea Party"? It ...Have you heard about the national "Tea Party"? It will be a protest against run away spending and high taxes! Their motto is "WE ARE TEA'D" (Taxed Enough Already)<BR/>It is meant to reflect the mood of the people who held the Boston Tea Party.<BR/><BR/>We could defiantly apply that same logic to our current situation here in Raytown, with out of control or misdirected spending. They are requesting new taxes every time you turn around in order to fund the waste. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately we only have one or sometimes two people on the board of aldermen who question the misuse of taxpayer’s money. We need more people on that board who will actually look out for our best interests.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-29523567420177625442009-03-28T08:20:00.000-05:002009-03-28T08:20:00.000-05:00I watched the debate the other night on Channel 7....I watched the debate the other night on Channel 7. One of the candidates, Bill VanBuskirk, made some interesting comments about the sales tax rate in Raytown.<BR/><BR/>He compared the tax rate at Westlake Hardware in Raytown to other West Lake Hardware stores in the Kansas City area. <BR/><BR/>Raytown's was the highest of all of them. <BR/><BR/>I know that the Raytown Westlake Hardware is part of the Walmart TIF deal, but I didn't know they had to pay the extra tax too.<BR/><BR/>If this new sales tax passes it could go up to nearly 10% at the new Walmart and at Westlake.<BR/><BR/>I live on a fixed income. How much do they think I can afford?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767127531333372490.post-32993743244354860682009-03-28T07:54:00.000-05:002009-03-28T07:54:00.000-05:00What street did you say was overlayed?What street did you say was overlayed?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com