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BY GREG WALTERS

Cold weather slows
down the launch

of Alderman Races

The unending winter of snow and cold weather is keeping candidates from kicking off their door to door efforts to get elected.

Since it is too cold to launch a regular campaign, some have taken their campaign to voters via the internet.

The most notable candidate to take this path is Ward 3 Aldermanic candidate Morris Melloy.

Melloy started a Facebook Page named Raytown Community Awareness five years ago. It has gained a healthy following numbering over 3000 regular subscribers.

To view Raytown Community Awareness use the following link
https://www.facebook.com/groups/454412518731998/

Other campaigns, who asked us to hold off on any announcement, are known to have plans in the works to launch social media sights in the near future.

One candidate has already reached out to let the public share what is on his mind.

Ward 4 Alderman candidate Rodney Fritz told us: “Crime affects all of us. In Raytown we must send a message that criminal behavior will not be tolerated and that violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“This includes traffic law violators who speed, drive recklessly and believe they do not need to have a valid license plate on their vehicle.

“If we fail to enforce our laws to the fullest possible extend our city will become a target for those who believe they can ignore the law in Raytown.”

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It is too damned cold outside and I am soooo tired of watching television. So, I decided to find some interesting stuff on the wonderful world wide web. 

Here is a teaser for everyone. Is that a man running in the woods or is it a picture of a dog running towards you?

Single click on the photo for an answer!

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BREAKING NEWS . . . Mayor Michael McDonough has released a memo to the Raytown Board of Aldermen and Raytown Park Board regarding a potential ballot issue for the Parks Sales tax.

The City of Raytown will conduct a combined work session meeting with Board of Aldermen and Parks Board on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Raytown City Hall located at 10000 East 59th Street.

During the work session meeting the Parks Department will present their request and the City Finance Department will provide the taxing financial scenarios.

The topic of the meeting is a renewal of the Park Department Sales Tax. The Park Department Sales Tax is set to expire in April of 2026.

The filing deadline for the City to hold the election in the upcoming April 8th City Election has already passed.

The two election dates left open this year are August 5, 2025, and November 4, 2025. There are two election dates tentatively planned for February and April of 2026. But those particular dates will not be set until next year.

The meeting falls under the definition of a Public Meeting under Missouri State Sunshine Law. The public is allowed to attend and record the meeting.

BY GREG WALTERS

Abandoned buildings
cause for concern . . . 
Homeowners near the intersection of Blue Ridge Boulevard and 53rd Street have had to put up with more than their share of drama these past two years.

At first, their efforts met with success. The Raytown Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z Commission) recommended the City reject a planned development on property once operated as the Blue Ridge Nursery.

Unfortunately for the local homeowners, the Board of Aldermen, which has the final say on all zoning questions, voted to approve the zoning application despite P&Z's recommendation.

The final vote by the Board of Aldermen was 7 in favor of the proposal, with three members opposed.

Neighbors of the proposed gasoline station/convenience and liquor store proposal  have reported that squatters have been trespassing at three buildings on the property.

Evidence of a building that has been entered is shown in the following photo. The owner of the property has since  boarded up the points of entry to the building to dissuade trespassers from entering.

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Raytown Citizens 
Express Their Views

Last Tuesday’s meeting of the Raytown Board of Aldermen was unique. Not so much because of what the Board did. They only had two items on the agenda to discuss.

But what was interesting were the comments from three private citizens at the beginning of the meeting.

To hear what these three brave souls had to say to the Board of Aldermen use the following link marked Public Comments. The speakers in the order they spoke are:

SPEAKER 1:       SCOTT STORMER
SPEAKER 2:       LISA BLOOM
SPEAKER 3:       MORRIS MELLOY

Public comments is the second listed item on the agenda
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK TO VIEW VIDEO

https://www.google.com/url?sa=j&url=https%3A%2F%2Fraytownmo.new.swagit.com%2Fvideos%2F333915&uct=1735238922&usg=DCF_0VsJEiL7ik6k3oqdyyouH7g.&opi=98421741

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We were wondering how Raytown can best show support of the Kansas City Chiefs quest to win a third Super Bowl in a row.

Our solution was to take advantage of the sign located in front of City Hall.

Now that's a message
on which we can all agree!

FOR YOU TRIVIA BUFFS:

Chief's Super Bowl Victories and Losses
Chief's win in red / Chief's loss in black 

SUPER BOWL I (played in 1967)
Kansas City 10   Green Bay 35

SUPER BOWL IV (played in1970)
Kansas City 23   Minnesota 7

SUPER BOWL LIV (played in 2020)   
Kansas City 31   San Francisco 20

SUPER BOWL LV (played in 2021)
Kansas City 9     Tampa Bay 31

SUPER BOWL LVII  (played in 2023)
Kansas City 38   Philadelphia 35

SUPER BOWL LVIII (played in 2024)
Kansas City 25   San Francisco 22

SUPER BOWL LIX (to be determined next Sunday)
Kansas City __   Philadelphia __

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Homeowners Distrust
of City Hall Grows
BY PAUL LIVIUS
DEVELOPER CALLS OFF PUBLIC MEETING ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 53RD AND BLUE RIDGE BOULEVARD

Approximately two years ago, seven of the ten members of the Raytown Board of Aldermen gave approval for the development of a gasoline station / convenience store / liquor store to be built at 53rd and Blue Ridge Boulevard.

Fast forward to today. The owner of the property did not meet an 18 month deadline to begin the project. The announcement of homeowners close to the proposed gas/liquor/convenience store gave a collective sigh of relief.

Homeowners living near the location were informed three to five days before the meeting by mail from the developer to hear of his plans to re-submit* his application.

A large number of Raytown homeowners living near the 5835 Blue Ridge Property Boulevard were on hand for the so-called four o’clock “informational meeting” with the developer. Ward 3 Alderwoman Janet Emerson and Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters were also in attendance

At 3:55 a city employee from the Community Development Department entered the entrance to the Council Chambers and announced the developer had called off the meeting.

This caused an immediate reaction from the homeowners on hand who questioned (1) why the meeting was called off . . . and (2) . . . who had given the messenger the direction to notify them. To which the messenger said she “did not know who told her” to post signs up announcing the meeting had been called off!

And people say Raytown City Hall is not transparent!

The event was a black eye for the City Administration on the rezoning of the property. It was appeared to the homeowners from the neighborhood waiting for the meeting to start that the cancellation of the meeting was contrived by City Hall and the developer.

All that was accomplished was a deepening of the mistrust between homeowners and City Hall.

We will continue to follow and report on this story as it slowly unravels.

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The Winds of Change
Continue to Blow in Raytown
RAYTOWN SCHOOL BOARD ATTRACTS SEVEN CANDIDATES

The winds of change are blowing in Raytown. You have heard about the number of individuals who have stepped up to represent Raytown on the Board of Alderman. Raytown has more change coming and it is to the Raytown School Board. One school board member is not seeking re-election. Six non-board candidates and one current member have filed for the two seats that are up this year.

This year the Raytown School Board Elections are held on April 8th. The same date as the Raytown City Elections. 

The elections are a "winner take all" format. The two candidates receiving the top number of votes will become new members on the Raytown School Board

Candidates are listed below:

Joe Creamer
Former Alderman and Raytown South graduate is at the top of the list of candidates. Creamer has historically been concerned around the direction of the Raytown School District.

Bobby Saulsberry
Has served on the Raytown School Board since 2007.

Jordan Jamerson
Has been a coach for the Raytown School District.

Edna Adelusola
This is her first time running for the Raytown School Board.

Sam Madson
This is his first time running for the Raytown School Board.

Jules Sneddon
She ran unsuccessfully for the school district in 2023 after moving to Raytown from California a few years prior.

David Holman
This is his first time running for the Raytown School Board.

Evergy Substation Public Hearing

The City of Raytown will hold a Public Hearing on a proposed Evergy substation on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 during the City Council’s regular business session. The public is invited to attend and speak at this public hearing.

Time and place of the meeting:

Raytown City Hall, 10000 East 59^th Street, Raytown, MO 64133
Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.
The Public Hearing will be the first Agenda Item
QUESTIONS?
Call Raytown City Hall at 816 737 6000 (extension 9)

 

The Paul Livius Report

Much has Happened
in the past 18 Months . . .

53^rd Street / Blue Ridge Property Owner
late on Property Development Deadlines

In April of 2023 the Raytown Board of Aldermen approved a contentious zoning change for the former Blue Ridge Nursery Property located at 53^rd Street and Blue Ridge Boulevard.

Homeowners from surrounding neighborhoods vigorously opposed the plan to open a gasoline / convenience and liquor store in their neighborhood. 

Three Public Hearings were held by the City for meetings concerning the planned development. 

The first meeting, held by the Planning and Zoning Commission went well for the homeowners. 

Private citizens met with members of the Commission for over four hours. After hearing the evidence and comments from area residents, all but one member of the Commission voted to recommend the City deny the application. 

The issue then went before the Board of Aldermen for consideration. 

The City held two public hearings on the issue. At both meetings the Council Chambers was filled to capacity. 

The Mayor had a City Hall Clerk take down the names of anyone who wished to address the Board of Aldermen. The clerk then cross checked the names of those who had signed up with those who had already spoken previously at the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The Mayor then pulled a of stunt that should go down as one of the dirtiest political tricks I have ever witnessed in politics.

He ruled that anyone who had spoken at the Planning and Zoning Commission would not be allowed to speak at the Board of Aldermen meeting! 

There is a lesson to be learned here. If you ever attend a meeting at City Hall and they want you to sign a list saying you intend to speak, it would be in your best interest not to sign -- but to simply say, "I am thinking it over. Let me get back to you."

Otherwise you will end up sitting for over three hours to speak only to be told you will not be allowed to speak.

Shame on you Mr. Mayor. Raytown taxpayers deserve better treatment.

The “gag rule” the Mayor used was a dirty trick with the intention of keeping the public from having their say.

At the end of the night, the Board voted 7 yes to 3 no to approve the application. 

HOW THEY VOTED: Rezoning of the property located at 53^rd and Blue Ridge Boulevard to commercial use as gasoline/convenience and liquor store.

VOTING YES:   Ryan Myers, Loretha Hayden, Bill VanBuskirk, Bonnaye Mims, Ian Scott, Diane Krizek, Janet Emerson

VOTING NO:   Teresa Garza, Greg Walters, Jim Aziere

Fast Forward to December, 2024 . . .
Morris Melloy is a local Raytown resident who worked with neighbors and testified in opposition to the opening of a gas station/convenience/liquor store in their neighborhood.

From his point of view, the fight over the zoning of the property at 53rd and Blue Ridge is not over. He points to the language Raytown’s City Attorney drafted approving zoning application.

The pertinent language reads . . .

“Performance zoning shall be applied to this rezone, establishing an 18 month time frame from the date of approval of the rezoning ordinance. Within this time frame shall occur approval of Conditional Use Permit for the Fuel Station component, approval of the Final Site Plan, issuance of building permits, and the start of project construction.” 

Should construction not commence by the end of this 18-month period, the Planning Commission may publish a notice, conduct a public hearing for purpose of determining whether or not the zoning is in the public’s interest by recommending to the Board of Aldermen that it either extend the deadline, or  rezone the subject land to another specific district.”

In December of 2024, Mr. Melloy attended the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. He pointed out the lapse of enforcement by the city. The attorney for the Planning and Zoning Commission told Mr. Melloy she would be back to him with a response.

That was over one month ago! Melloy says he has not heard from the Planning and Zoning attorney or anyone from City Hall regarding the issue.

Our View . . .

Melloy is running for a seat on the Board of Aldermen currently held by Ward 3 Alderman Ryan Myers. 

The two men are complete opposites. Ryan Myers was the most outspoken member of the Board to support the zoning change at 53rd and Blue Ridge Boulevard.

Mr. Melloy worked the neighborhoods in opposition to the zoning change. 

When asked why he was opposed to the zoning of the property from residential to commercial Morris said, “I simply asked myself if I would want such an establishment in my neighborhood.” He continued, “Those on the Board who voted to approve the zoning change turned their back on the people elected to represent them.” 

Morris has not given up the fight to block the unwanted development. 

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Final list of candidates
for Raytown Municipal Election
April 8, 2025
Filing for office in Raytown has closed.

Municipal Judge - 4 year term expiring April 2029

Traci Fann

Alderman Ward I - 4 year term expiring April 2029

Theresa Tush

Demonte Rochester

Phillip D. Conway

Alderman Ward II - 4 year term expiring April 2029
Loretha Hayden
Ryan Hoffman

Alderman Ward III - 4 year term expiring  April 2029

Morris Melloy

Ryan Myers

Latrice Thomas

Alderman Ward IV - 4 year term expiring April 2029

Josh Morales

William E. (Bill) Van Buskirk

Rodney V. Fritz

Alderman Ward V - 4 year term expiring April 2029

Bonnaye Mims

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Paul's Rant!
BY PAUL LIVIUS

New Year's Eve will soon be upon us. Greg told me he and his lovely wife have special plans for the New Year Year Holiday. So,  he left me here at the keyboard to send out our final message of the year.

I am more than up to the task.

The Christmas / New Year Holiday season is a slow time for social media sites. As you can see, most of what has been reported has been keeping track of who has filed for next April's Election to the Raytown Board of Aldermen.

This filing season has been a very active one. Thirteen candidates have filed for five open seats on the Raytown Board of Aldermen.

The extremely active filing period is an indication that Raytown voters want a change. 

One final note . . . I understand the Mayor recently referred to people in Raytown who participate on social media pages as "keyboard warriors".

Coming from the Mayor it certainly does not seem like a compliment.

From our point of view Raytown has a very healthy social media community. It is clear that most who post are advocates of free speech. 

I did some checking with our friendly AI app and found an appropriate definition for the term "keyboard warrior" as used by the Mayor at the last meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

The tactic would be to use a simple term such as "keyboard warrior" to degrade who the author considers a political opponent. AI defines this tactic as that of a "troll".

Explanation: Trolls intentionally provoke or offend others online by posting inflammatory or disruptive comments, often with the goal of eliciting a reaction and then disappearing before consequences can occur, including deleting their comment quickly. 

Sharing information and informing the public as to what is going on is a noble and time honored tradition in America. Raytown may have lost its local newspapers. But some innovative individuals have stepped up to fill that void. Judging by the surge of interest in what we and others publish in Raytown.

Want proof? Check out what we call the "Back Pages" of the Raytown Report by clicking on the Comment link below to find out what your neighbors have to say.

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Our home planet, Earth, as seen from the moon.

All of this could not have happened by chance.

Merry Christmas from the Raytown Report.

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BY GREG WALTERS

Raytown taxpayers have had a very rough year when it comes to taxes.

Jackson County raised the assessment of our homes to historic highs in 2024. To add insult to injury, the County also filed a law suit against approximately 1,000 of our fellow taxpayers because they had challenged the County's failure to notify taxpayers of a deadline set by state law. Postmark dates on the mail showed mail was late in appearing Jackson County homeowner's mailboxes. 

The law suit, which is still being heard at this writing, asks the property tax rate in 2024 be rolled back to 15%.

Those named in the lawsuit are made up of individuals who challenged Jackson County's mishandling of the notification process. I found out about the lawsuit when a local news station called asking if I was aware I had been name in the suit!

The Raytown School Board may have over-taxed Raytown School District patrons with higher rates than allowed by law. There is a lawsuit slowly working its way through the judicial system to determine who is right and who is wrong on this matter. If the Court sides with the plaintiffs in the case, Raytown taxpayers will see a reduction in their Property Tax bills from the Raytown School District.

Seven of the ten members of the Board of Aldermen voted to increase the sanitary sewer bills we all pay by a 7% increase. Raytown City Staff had recommended an increase of 5%. For reasons that were never explained, seven of the Board of Aldermen voted to increase the tax increase to 7%.

The vote seemed somewhat contrived. Very little discussion and, even more telling, no explanation by the City Administrator or his staff in defense of the lower tax amount they had recommended.

On a more positive note, Raytown Taxpayers can ease the burdens that have been heaped on them this year. There is also a way you can save 2% on your annual sanitary sewer bill from the City of Raytown. Sanitary sewer bills are based on the winter average of water used at your home bills. 

The city will reduce your sanitary sewer bill by 2% if you pay a lump sum payment at the beginning of the year. For more information call 816-737-6000 (extension 9) to contact City Hall if you have any questions regarding this program.

The Raytown City Council has directed City Staff to make available to Raytown homeowners a fund of $200,000 for the clean and maintenance of homeowners property. The money comes from the American Rescue Fund Act established during the Covid19 Epidemic.

If you are a homeowner in need of repairs on your property the City can       arrange for low interest loans and/or a grant to help pay for the cost of needed repairs. To find out if you qualify for this program contact Diane Egger at Raytown City Hall at 816-737-6093.

For those who are over 62 years old and own their own home, please read the following press release regarding the Jackson County Missouri Property Tax Credit for homeowners 62 years and older living in Jackson County. Provided you make application before January 1, 2025, your property taxes will be frozen at the current rate you are paying in 2024. There is no cost to join this program.

The following press release from Jackson County, Missouri goes into further detail on this program.

Raytown
Police Report

Period of Review: November 18 - December 8th

Number of calls for service:          755
Number of Arrests:                         14
Number of Reports:                        87

Summary of Notable Events:

On November 21st, at approx. 2:00 am, a Raytown officer on routine patrol conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Gregory Blvd & Evanston for an equipment violation. The driver turned out to have a revoked driver’s license and was also on parole for a previous burglary. The officer could also see drug paraphernalia in plain view in the passenger compartment. A search of the car resulted in the officer locating fentanyl and meth. The driver was arrested on drug and parole violation charges. The investigation is ongoing.

On December 2nd, at approx. 6:45pm, officers were called to the 8800 block of 86 Street regarding a shooting. The victim reported that while physically grappling with a male acquaintance, he was shot one time by the other male’s girlfriend. Both suspects fled the scene before police arrived and the victim was transported to the hospital. Charges on both suspects have been submitted to the prosecutor.
 
On December 8th, at approx. 12:50am, officers were dispatched to a bar in the 7100 block of Ditzler Avenue on a robbery. The female victim reported that she was in a physical altercation in the parking lot with some acquaintances, and the suspects sprayed her in the face with pepper spray and stole her purse. The two female suspects fled before police arrived. The investigation is ongoing.

A Candidate's Primer

for the April 8, 2025 Election

Five Seats on the Raytown Board of Aldermen are up for election on Tuesday, April 5^th . . . If you are interested, here is the “low-down” on what is involved in running for public office in Raytown.

 

So, let’s get to it. Here is the first question most perspective candidates ask.

“How much does the job pay?"
The Board of Aldermen recently approved an increase of the compensation package Aldermen to $525.00 per month. The compensation package is a combination of salary ($450 monthly) and automobile allowance of &75 per month.

"Which Ward do I live in?"
The City is divided into five wards equally divided by population.* Each Ward is represented by two Aldermen. Collectively they make up the ten members of the Board of Aldermen. 

To view a map of how the wards are geographically divided go to the end of this story. 

"Candidate Requirements"
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Be a registered voter within the City of Raytown.
Have all state and local taxes paid up to date.
Be at least a one year resident of the City of Raytown.

"Do you file by party affiliation"

No. Raytown City Elections are non-partisan elections. There is not a Primary Election. The elections are a "winner take all" election. 

"When will the Election be Held?"

The election will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

"What is the Filing Deadline?"
Filing Closes on December 31, 2024. There is not any fee to file for the election.

"Where do you file to run?"

At Raytown City Hall. Contact City Clerk Theresa Henry to make an appointment to file. The City Clerk’s office can be reached at 816-737-6000, Extension 9.

How often does the City Council Meet?

The Board of Aldermen meet twice monthly on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Meetings generally last from one to three hours in length.

The Board of Aldermen is the legislative branch of Raytown City Hall. The Board’s job is to oversee and approve all ordinances and budget of the City of Raytown. 

 

The Mayor has the authority to call an occasional work session on dates other than the first and third Tuesday of each month – in the last year there has been one such meeting called.

 

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Richard Tush. Mr. Tush can be reached at 816-914-9423.

Official Ward map of the City of Raytown. Click on image to enlarge.
Hard copies of the map are available at Raytown City Hall.

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