To view the video of the Raytown Aldermen Meeting 
covered in this week's story
Board Meeting marked by Tension and Unusual Behavior
click on the following link to view the video of the meeting.

https://raytownmo.new.swagit.com/videos/377040

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Board Meeting marked by

Tension and Unusual Behavior

The latest Raytown Board of Aldermen meeting had more drama than usual.

During Public Comments, Mr. Morris Melloy, who ran for the Ward 3 seat last year,  paused mid‑speech to check on Alderwoman Bonnaye Mims. She was turned completely away from him, facing the opposite direction. It wasn’t the first time this has happened. At the previous meeting, she also turned her back while he spoke. 

People in the audience noticed. One alderman later called the behavior “bad manners.” Most folks would probably agree that when a private citizen takes the time to speak, the least elected officials should do is hear what they have to say.

After Melloy finished, Alderwoman Mims claimed he had called her a “______ ______,” language that is not allowed for print in the Raytown Report.

Mims also said she had an audio recording to prove it.

Melloy denied the accusation. He has since filed a Sunshine Request with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office to obtain a copy of the recording, which he is entitled to do since the comments were made by Alderwoman Mims during a public meeting.

The rest of the meeting was short — under an hour — but still managed to produce another awkward moment.

As the meeting ended, Alderman Greg Walters quietly said to his seatmate on the Board, Ward 1 Alderwoman Theresa Tush, “such as it is.” The Mayor immediately challenged him, asking if he had something to say to the Board. Walters replied that he did not have anything of significance and began gathering his papers in preperation of leaving. 

The Board is clearly under pressure, especially with potential legislation on the horizon that could remove one of its members.

But even so, it’s hard to understand why Alderwoman Mims repeatedly refuses to face Melloy when he is speaking.

Or, why the Mayor reacted so sharply to a simple four‑word comment spoken to his seatmate setting next to him after the meeting was over. 

Raytown residents deserve calm, respectful leadership. With ten people on the Board, there’s no reason for tension to spill into public meetings.

On a personal note, Greg tells us he has known Morris Melloy for three years. He describes Mr. Melloy's manner as polite, soft-spoken and what he called an "old school gentleman". Walters went on to say he has never heard Melloy use profanity in the three years he’s known him. The idea that Melloy would use a slur toward anyone simply does not match the character of the man I have known for three years.

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To view the video of the Raytown Aldermen Meeting 
covered in this week's story
The Big Issue: Impeachment Power
click on the following link to view the video of the meeting.

https://raytownmo.new.swagit.com/videos/375539

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BY PAUL LIVIUS

The Paul Livius Report

The February 17th meeting of the Raytown Board of Aldermen was unusually tense. It brought surprises, questionable behavior, and one of the most controversial issues the city has faced in years.

The Big Issue: Impeachment Power

The main topic was a proposed ordinance that would allow the Board to impeach one of its own members.

It has been nearly a year since Latrice Thomas defeated incumbent Ryan Myers in a three‑way race. Interest in her performance—especially in Ward 3—has remained high.

A large crowd attended this first meeting on the impeachment matter. Special Counsel hired by City Hall asked the Board to suspend its normal rules so the charges against Alderwoman Thomas could be read twice in the same meeting.

Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters objected. He said that in his 25 years on the Board, he had never seen an impeachment request and warned against rushing the process. Special Counsel eventually withdrew the request.

Because the rules were not suspended, the second public reading—and another chance for public comment will take place at the March 3rd meeting. On March 17th the Board will meet to 

Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting

Public Comments

Tuesday, March 3rd and March 17, 2026 — 7:00 PM

Raytown City Hall, 10000 East 59th Street

Speakers from the Public are allowed five minutes each to address the Board.

A Call for Basic Respect

Rude behavior from elected officials should never be acceptable—yet that’s exactly what happened.

During public comments, Mr. Melloy, a well‑known speaker who shares feedback from his Raytown Community Awareness facebook page, addressed the Board. While he spoke, one alderman reportedly turned their chair around and faced the wall.

Several people in the audience noticed. One alderman later confirmed he heard about the incident and called it “bad manners.” We would go further: It was disrespectful, unprofessional, and beneath the dignity of public office.

When citizens take the time to speak, the very least elected officials can do is face them.

Our View

Interest in the situation involving Alderwoman Thomas is clearly high, especially in Ward 3.

Because the Board kept its normal rules on February 17th, the second reading and discussion will take place on March 17th. If the Board chooses to move forward, a formal impeachment hearing would likely follow in April.

Editor’s Note: All Raytown Board of Aldermen meetings are open to the public. As is the Public's ability to address the Board of Aldermen. Comments before the Board are limited to five minutes per speaker.

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This week's story began as a friendly give and take by two writers on what we call the Raytown Report Back Pages. Also known as our "Comments Page". So we have picked up the story pretty much where it began. Hope you enjoy it.

BY GREG WALTERS

Is it safe? 

Is it safe anywhere? I maintain it is much safer at Royals /Chiefs Stadium than it is in the Crossroads District.

Even that portion that buts up agains Crown Center. Another interesting point is the lack of room. A new stadium in the confined area of the southern boundary of the Crossroads (at Crown Center) would mean a much smaller stadium.

Goodbye to the magnificient Fountains in the outfield. Goodbye to tailgating in a large (safe) parking area adjoined to the stadium.

Say hello to expensive bars and nightclubs to drink. This discussion covers several of the most heated points in the ongoing stadium debate. The move from the expansive Truman Sports Complex to a more urban setting like the Crossroads District represents a fundamental shift in the Kansas City fan experience. 

KAUFFMAN STADIUM
HARRY S TRUMAN SPORTS COMPLEX

Safety and Security

Fans often cite the "concrete moat" effect . . . controlled, gated environment where security is concentrated at entry points at Royals Stadium as a major safety advantage. 

While the Crossroads location is generally considered safe for daytime activities like gallery hopping and dining, it is still in a public urban area.  

While generally considered safe for daytime activities like gallery hopping and dining, it is a public urban area. Recent incidents, including shootings and at crowded events has fueled concerns about the district's ability to maintain safety during high-traffic night games compared to the private lots at "The K". 

ONE OF THE PROPOSALS UNDER
CONSIDERATION FOR THE CROSSROADS

The proposed Crossroads Stadium would seat approximately 34,000 to 35,000 fans, which is roughly 3,000 to 4,000 fewer than the current capacity at Kauffman Stadium. 

Fewer seats will undoubtedly mean higher ticket prices for fan.

Iconic Features: While the Royals have expressed a desire to keep some version of the famous fountains, the footprint is much more "confined  to an area spanning only 17 to 18 acres between Grand Boulevard and Locust Street.

Parking/Tailgating Culture

• The Loss of the Tailgate: The proposed plan relies on roughly 40,000 existing parking spaces scattered throughout the downtown area rather than a single, massive adjoining lot.

• New Norms: About 1,500 new on-site spaces would be built. This shift essentially moves the pre-game experience from personal grills and coolers in a "large (safe) parking area" to the district's bars, restaurants, and nightclubs—a move critics argue is designed to maximize commercial spending. 

Economic Motivations

The "Benjamins": The project is estimated at $2 billion, with the Royals ownership group pledging over $1 billion in private funding. The location choice was heavily influenced by "neighborhood connectivity," which is often code for capturing more consumer dollars before and after the game.

While it is true the area of Kansas City stretching from the Missouri River to Crown Center does have many entertainment venues, most notably the KC Streetcar will keep the area crowded. How many will attend  a baseball game? Do you think the convenience of the KC Streetcar and downtown proximity could outweigh the loss of traditional tailgating for the average Royals fan? Still, it is a culture that began at Royals Stadium and is loved by baseball fans in Kansas City.

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USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO VIEW THE VIDEO OF THE JANUARY 30TH MEETING OF THE RAYTOWN BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

https://raytownmo.new.swagit.com/videos/372731

What Impact can Raytown expect from the

World Cup Tournament next July?

BY GREG WALTERS

Once every four years nations from around the globe participate in the World Cup. This year Kansas City will be one of the host cities in America to serve as a game site for early rounds of the World Cup.

Those games will be played at the home of the Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium. Five games will be played between June 16^th through July 11^th.

As one can imagine, the World Cup being held so close to Raytown’s borders will definitely have an impact on our city.

Consider the following . . .

The Kansas City Metropolitan area only has 36,000 hotel rooms. Tournament officials anticipate 650,000 guests to the Kansas City area in the one month of games played at Arrowhead Stadium.

Some of those traveling from countries across the world will not be staying in hotels. A significant number of them will bring a tent and make for shelter while in the United States.

This is expected to be most notable in cities surrounding the Harry S Truman Sports Complex.

It is important to remember Parking will not be allowed at the parking lots at the Truman Sports Complex during the World Cup games.

Those cities surrounding Arrowhead Stadium are expected to be witness to this overflow of fans looking for a place to stay and park their vehicles during games.

Jackson County Parks officials have voiced concern of people setting up their base camp along the Rock Island Bicycle and Walking Trail. The northern terminus of the trail is located at the Sports Complex near the Chiefs Stadium.

From there it crosses the City of Raytown south along Raytown Trafficway and then southwest diagonally across Raytown to the intersection of Noland Road and 350 Highway. From there it stretches across Lee’s Summit west for a total of 13.6 miles.

The trail has been a popular location or homeless to set up their camps. Jackson County Park officials have expressed concern the practice may increase during the one month of World Cup games.

The Raytown Park Department plans to use the Terry Copeland Dog Park as a parking location for fans to park their vehicles.

Park Board member have recognized there may be an influx of visitors looking for a place to park their cars during World Cup games.

• Terry Copeland Dog Park is located one mile from the Truman Sports Complex. The park has 200 parking spaces on its property.

• Colman Park is located within 1.5 miles from the Truman Sports Complex. It also has 200 parking spaces at its location. According to Park Board Director Dave Turner a final decision has not been reached on whether or not to use Colman Park as a parking location for the tournament.

The Park Board’s intention is to use the parking revenue to pay for an increase of the number of security personnel at Raytown Parks during the month of July.

In our view, the Park Board deserves recognition for taking a proactive approach to addressing the increased number of Raytown visitors during the World Cup Games in Kansas City.

There was much more said during the Aldermen meeting. Most interesting were remarks by Raytown Police Chief Bob Kuehl addressing the Police Departments plans for enforcement of City Ordinances during the World Cup games.

We urge you to view the following video to view what transpired at the meeting.

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USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO VIEW THE VIDEO OF THE JANUARY 30TH MEETING OF THE RAYTOWN BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

https://raytownmo.new.swagit.com/videos/372731

23 Hour Operating Hours allowed
at Liquor by the Drink Establishments 
in Raytown during World Cup?!?

IS THIS A GOOD IDEA?

For the 2026 World Cup (June 11-July 19, 2026), Missouri law allows bars to serve alcohol from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. (23 hours), but Raytown, like other cities, can opt out or modify the operating hours. So check local Raytown ordinances, though generally, they've discussed allowing extensions or similar to Kansas City.

At the last meeting of the Raytown Board of Alderman, Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters brought forth the item for discussion. He noted that the City of Independence has already "opted out" of the extended hours for by the drink laws and was also aware that Lee's Summit City Council has discussed limiting operating hours in their town.

Mayor Michael McDonough responded saying that there will be a presentation at the next meeting covering this item.

Walters replied he did not think 23 hour daily oprating hours in Raytown for bars is a good idea.

Walters said, "Raytown just went through a very rough couple of years of lawlessnes, gunfire and shootings at a bar in Gregory Heights as well as similar problems near 87th Street and Blue Ridge Boulevard."

He continued "I know of at least three deaths that resulted during that time from gunfire . . . keeping bars open 23 hours a day will not decrease the problem . . . it will increase the problem."

Mayor McDonough said the item would be on the next agenda scheduled for January 20, 2026. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and held at Raytown City Hall located at 10000 East 59th Street.

This meeting is a Public Meeting and the Public will be allowed to speak.

BY GREG WALTERS

The Long Goodbye . . .

A “Farewell” to the Kansas City Chiefs
and a word about where the Royals should call home.

For a “cow town” located in the middle of the United States, Kansas City does pretty well in the arena of professional sports.

Be that as it may, this story is about Chiefs and Royals and their future in the Kansas City area.

Both the Chiefs and Royals have had their ups and downs as a Professional Sports Franchises. But it is difficult to think of them without remembering their glory days of Championship runs, fueled by innovative coaching, that carried them to the the top of the game.

Who can forget the Royals as they literally clawed their way to their epic Chamionships in 1985 and 2015?

The Chiefs, not to be outdone, brought home Super Bowl Chamionships in 1970, 2020, 2023 and 2024.

Their home stadiums located at the Truman Sports Complex are one of the most recognizable sports venues in American professional sports. Easily accessed either Interstate 70 or Interstate 435, it is one of the most convenient major league sports complex in football and baseball.

The Royals homefield is named after their founder (Ewing Kauffman). Mr. Kauffman recognized that Kansas City had always been a baseball town. He brought Professional Baseball back to Kansas City when he founded the Kansas City Royals in 1969.

The Chiefs have already decided to move to Wyandotte County, in Kansas. The Royals have yet to make a decision on their future location. I am hopeful the team will continue to call Kaufmann Stadium their home. It is a tribute to Ewing Kauffmann and his successful bid to keep professional baseball in Kansas City after the Kansas City Athletics moved to Oakland, California.

Another amenity for those who live near the stadiums is the Rock Island Bicycle and Walking Trail. The Rock Island Trail is a premier bicycle and walking trail and was built by Jackson County Missouri specifically for that destination. The trail terminates at the entrance to the Chiefs and Royals parking lots.

Raytown has always been my home. I live one mile from the Stadium Complex. It is always refreshing to be able to drive by the home of championship baseball and football teams.

If both of those teams leave the Sports Complex it will be a loss the entire metropolitan area  will find hard to replace. 

The Royals options of relocating their team appear to be dwindling. Two of the venues they have been looking at, one in Clay County and one in Kansas are no longer being offered. The option of a location near Crown Center is deeply flawed with limited parking and the prospect of a much smaller stadium.

If you like tail-gating before your basebal game, it most likely will not happen at Crown Center. There simply is not enough room.

It is my hope the Royals will remain at their current location and continue the tradition of world class baseball in their world class home at Kauffman Stadium.

The Boston Red Sox have been playing at Fenway Park in Boston since 1912. The Chicago Cubs have been at Wrigley Field since 1914.

Kauffman Stadium may be close to close to 53 years old, but it remains one of Major League baseball's most enchanting ballparks. It is not worn out. It is just coming into its prime. I hope the owners of the Royals realize the opportunity they have in growing their home at Kauffman Stadium for another 50 years.

With the Chief's leaving, the Royals have an opportunity to use and expand their operation to include a destination hotel with tourist attractions conveniently next door to Kauffman Stadium.

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Board places two

taxes on April 7th Ballot

BY GREG WALTERS

At its last meeting the Raytown Board of Aldermen voted to set an election date of April 7, 2026 for voters to consider two Sales Taxes. Those two sales taxes are:

• A one-half cent Transportation Sales Tax for a term of ten years
• A three-eights cent Capital Sales Tax for a term of ten years

By so doing, the Board doubled the term length of the term of the sales tax from the original term of five years (approved in 2002), which was subsequently changed in the following two elections to a 3/8 cent tax for a term of ten years in 2006 and 2014.

State law requires all municipal ordinances be read before the Board of Alderman in Public Session twice before they are approved.

The purpose of the two public readings is to gurantee the public has been informed of the upcomign election. This allows the public the ability to reach out to their elected representatives in a two week “window” in which they can communicate with their representatives on the Board of Aldermen regarding the issue.

Two votes were held on the proposed taxes at the meeting. The first for suspension of the rules allowing the majority of the Board to push the legislation through in one meeting instead of (State  Law) requiring two separate reading before proposed ordinances are considered.

The vote fairly close, it was approved by one vote (suspending of the rules requires a two-thirds majority to approve a vote without conducting a second public hearing. The moiton was made by Ward 5 Alderwoman Bonnaye Mims

VOTE TOTAL:    7 YES    1 NO    2 ABSENT for suspension of the rules

VOTE TOTAL:    7 YES    1  ABSTAIN     2 ABSENT  to approve holding an election on April 7th

Our View . . .

What we find bothersome about the tax proposal is that the Board chose the most expensive date available to them to place the item on the ballot. Consider the following:

APRIL 7TH IS AN “OFF YEAR” ELECTION FOR RAYTOWN

In other words, if Raytown holds the election in April, they will probably be the only city to do so. Elections are not inexpensive to hold. We checked the record. There is no doubt about it. Holding a "stand alone" in April is much more expensive than placing it on the August, 2026 election date. 

The reason is simple. The cost of the election per community is based on the number of governmental institutions participating in the election. The August Election date has state, national, political and county elections. All those costs are divided by the number of participants. This lowers the cost per voter dramatically. 

In April the only elections planned would be the City and School District. That means those two entities must pay the same cost without the benefit of other governmental agencies sharing in the cost.

AUGUST AND NOVEMBER  ARE “MID-TERM” ELECTIONS

Mid-term Elections are held by the Democrat and Republican in State and other regional government entities. This influx of fees to the election Board creates lowers the cost to cities like Raytown that have only two tax issues on the ballot.If Raytown has the only item on the cost will be significant. If other races and issues are on the ballot . . . the Raytown would realize a significant savings in election costs.

TWO OTHER ELECTION DATES ARE SCHEDULED FOR 2026

Both elections are expected to be crowded with State and National elections and issues. Elections are billed to the governmental body holding the election. Larger elections cost more. Smaller elections costs less.

The cost of Raytown holding an election in April is significantly higher than holding it in August or November. That is because State and National issues will be filling up most of the ballot. The savings to Raytown wouldj be significant. It is estimated the City could save up to $30,000 on holding the elections in August or November.

Who knows? Perhaps the Board of Aldermen will jump at the opportunity by using tax dollars saved on lower election cost by spending the savings on improvements on our neighborhood streets.

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BUDAPEST

ROAD TRIP

Photography on Display at Raytown City Hall

For more information contact

Mecee Walters 816 358 1930

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TRUTH WATCH RETURNS!
"Follow the Process"

TO VIEW A VIDEO OF THE MEETING USE THE FOLLOWING LINK:

https://raytownmo.new.swagit.com/videos/362494 

At last Tuesday's Board of Aldermen Meeting three applicants applied to change the zoning of their homes from "commercial" to "residential" property. Their reason was simple. Changing the zoning from commercial to residential would save the applicants money on property taxes. The change would also expand insurance benefits for their property.

Their goal was to reverse a decision made by City Hall in 1972 when the property was changed from residential to commercial property. 

The State of Missouri requires specific procedural processes be followed when  changing the zoning of private property. The City of Raytown is subject to those procedures and State laws.

A Zoning Application is first reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The application is then reviewed by the Board of Aldermen. Under Missouri State Law the City is required to hold Public Hearings in both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Raytown Board of Aldermen before a decision on the Zoning  Application can be approved.

Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters pointed out to the Board of Aldermen that he did not believe the Public Hearing requirement(s) had been met. 

A check of the record shows the Board of Aldermen voted on the issue on Tuesday,  December 2, 2025. Details of the Planning and Zoning Commissiion meeting were not published until two days later on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Walters also suggested the number of Public Hearings had not been met.

Another Alderman stated that the applicants had met at a neighborhood meeting between prior to a meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission . . . implying that a Public Hearing Meeting had been held.

Morris Melloy, was then recognized by Mayor Michael McDough to speak. 

Melloy reminded the Aldermen the meeting referred to was in fact "a neighborhood meeting", not a Public Hearing. His point is valid. The City does allow for an informal neighborhood meeting between applicant and neighbors to clarify the complexity of the application. 

A meeting disclosing the intent of the applicant is held. However, that meeting is not a Public Hearing per se. City Staff does not participate in the meeting. The purpose is for area residents to meet with applicants in an informal setting to become become familiar with what the applicant has in mind. 

There are not any minutes or any other written record made of what transpires at the meeting. Witnesses are not sworn in to speak, nor are they recognized to give testimony.

Melloy told the Board of Aldermen the Neighborhood Meeting held with the applicants and the public was not a formal Public Hearing. He urged the Board to "follow the process" as layed out by the State of Missouri.

Shortly afterward the Mayor called for a vote on the application. 

The Board approved the application by a vote of   8 YES   0 NO   2 ABSENT.

If there is a lesson to be learned from what transpired at last Tuesday's meeting it is this:

• Rules are made to be followed.
• States laws are not to be ignored.

Mr. Melloy was right . . . There is a process by which Public Hearings are to be held. The city would be wise to "follow the process" when considering changes to zoning laws.

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Every Picture tells a Story (part 2)

Just before Thanksgiving we announced an art display of photography by Greg and Mecee Walters. As some are aware, Greg and Mecee had displayed some of their work at the Raytown Library on Raytown Road. This "new" display at Raytown City Hall does have some of the material shown at the Library.

This showing is expanded . . . with a mix of photos shown at the library and some new ones as well.  

The showing is open to the Public during Raytown City Hall operating hours . . . 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday throughout the month of December. 

The following photo (which is not being shown at City Hall) is a sample of what you can expect to see.

The picture is of a narrow city "street" between two buildings in Budapest, Hungary. The business owners along the street have painted the cobblestones with bright colors to lead potential customers to their stores. It worked well enough to lead us down the street.

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Tax Forgiveness for vendors of Raytown event raises eyebrows

The Publisher of Raytown Community News (Morris Melloy) sent us a copy of a message he received from Ward 4 Alderman Theresa Garza. The message was one of putting out the word for the Raytown Community Tree Lighting program. The event has been held in Raytown for a number of years and, if the weather cooperates, usually brings out a good number of people to view the lighting.

What we found puzzling was the fifth and sixth paragraphs of Alderwoman Garza's message in which she wrote:

"NO RAYTOWN BUSINESS LICENSE IS REQUIRED FOR VENDORS OR POP-UPS FOR THIS EVENT!! (food trucks need county and state permits and Kansas City Metro HOA fire sticker, but no Raytown business is required for this event day)."

$20 for Non-Profits/Municipalities
$35 for Food Trucks, Vendors, Pop-ups.

The language of the notice is confusing to say the least. If there is not a "business license" required, then why are they charging $20 to $35 for operating a business at the event?

It is also questionable that anyone at City Hall has the authority to arbitrarily not charge a city tax that was put in place by the City Council.

From our point of view, it is not vendors that will bring a crowd. 

It all comes down to the weather, Good weather will undoubtedly bring out more people. Cold windy conditions, and even worse, cold rain, will dampen any outdoor event a this time of the year.

In other words, Pray for a small heat wave to hit the area next weekend.

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