Follow the Money!
The Missouri Ethics Commission Website has some interesting reading for those who follow the intrigues of those who dominate the Raytown political scene.
Most recently, Raytown’s most powerful political club, Continue Raytown’s Progress, was fined by the Missouri Ethics Commission for not filing its financial statements on time. On closer examination, timely filing of reports is not the only problem on Continue Raytown's Progress plate. Here is a short run-down recent reports filed by former Mayor Sue Frank's political club:
QUARTERLY REPORT – January 7, 2007: Twenty-two cents of income and $150 expenses paid to Belt Financial Services for bookkeeping.
8 DAY BEFORE ELECTION REPORT: $1, 715.00 income. ($250.00 from Dick Smith Ford and $300 each from three employees of Bartlett and West plus a smattering of smaller donors. Bartlett and West is the engineering firm that the city used in its multi-million dollar sanitary sewer improvement project currently going on in Raytown.
QUARTERLY REPORT – April 15, 2007: This is the quarterly report that was filed late on April 26, 2007. The Ethics Commission fined Continue Raytown’s Progress for the late report.
The report listed $250.05 income for the period - $50 from William Esrey and $200 from former Mayor Sue Frank’s mother, Bessie Frank. Claudette Price becomes the new Treasurer. This leads to speculation as to who really holds the check book in the group.
The balance on hand at this report is $2,311.48.
QUARTERLY REPORT – July 15, 2007: Expenses mount to $2,055.37. The breakdown on the expenses is interesting.
$1,605.37 is paid to former Mayor Sue Frank for reimbursement of supplies. There is no breakdown of supplies in the report.
Even though Belt Financial is not serving as the Treasurer, $350.00 is paid to the firm for additional bookkeeping.
$100.00 is paid to the Missouri Ethics Commission. The fine was levied against the club for late filing of the April 15th Report.
FOLLOW THE MONEY . . . Politics is a cash business. By that we mean that vendors expect to be paid up front for their work in supplying candidates with the tools of the trade. The yard signs, brochures, and other campaign paraphernalia usually taps dry most campaigns by election day. Not so with Continue Raytown’s Progress. Debts are being paid with little documentation three months after the campaign is over.
The contributions from Bartlett and West employees, fines from the Missouri Ethics Commission and the “reimbursement” of the former Mayor in the four-digit range for unspecified supplies should be read as a warning to voters in the future.
Questionable campaign finance tactics are not new in Missouri. That is why the Missouri Ethics Commission was established. The Missouri Supreme Court has placed a lid on campaign contributions recently. If the games being played by Continue Raytown’s Progress is any indication, it is a sign that we need even tougher ethics laws in Missouri when it comes to local politics.
Comments
Is the William Esrey the Blue Ridge Bank and Trust guy?
Congrats on writing an informative piece.
Did you know that Sue Frank and her club, Continue Raytown's Progress is not the only one to get in trouble with the Missouri Ethics Commmission?
Foul Mouth Al Maddox was also called on the carpet by the Ethics Commission for mailing campaign material without identifying where it came from.
Guess he didn't want Raytowners to see that it was guy living in K.C. that was pulling their chain!
Old Foul Mouth Al lives in Kansas City -- hasn't lived in Raytown for over 15 years!
Frank was without a doubt the worst Mayor the City has had in years. I hope that Mayor Bower has more ethics and honesty than Frank had during her reign of power. It should not be too difficult for that.
I say SHOW ME and everyone an audit and/or investigation to prove the credibility of the allegations.
This is the United States of America, not Nazi German, China, Russia, or Feudal England. In this country a person is considered innocent until proven quilty in a court of law.
Lets see some proof other than a fine from a commission that a report is late. An audit is really needed to bring forth proof of wrong doing. Lets see an independent audit by a CPA not associated with those who are named.
I am not supporting any particular individual. If these allegations were made towards anyone else in office (or out of office) I still would want to see an indpendent audit and/or investigation.
Concerning investigations: I feel an investigation is in order for the way the monstrosity of the Olde Baptist Church is being mishandled. It is in violation of city codes, nuisance, as well as being a health and safety hazard.
Andy Whiteman
That's right folks, it's for sale (I'm told) again!
After knowing and and having several friends try to open businesses in Raytown and knowing what they were put through. I can't understand why anyone would try to have a business here.
There needs to be some changes! We need people that want all kinds of business in town. As of late this town will bend over backwards for Wal-Mart but when a small business tries to come to town the codes people put them out of business before they can start.
Economic Director my A##!
This is not progress! This town should court anyone that would want to fill up any of these vacant holes. Instead is seems they would rather show the prospective business owners who's boss.
I still say this is the "Wenson" development attitude. Keep businesses out of downtown so it stays blighted and try to beg the state for money.........but at what cost?
There needs to be a change of attitude toward new business or a change of personnel.
I will say this though, I have meet with Mayor Bower and talked to a couple of Aldermen and they seem to want to keep and bring in new business. But three people out of City Hall is a bad average.
I could go on and on but I'm sure I'm going to be in trouble with what I've written, but at this point I don't care. I'm so tired of hearing how hard it is to open a business in Raytown. I even hear about it in Lee's Summit and Holden. What a reputation.
OUTRAGEOUS SCHOOL TAXES
Has anyone checked their property tax bills? If you have a mortgage, the county refuses to send them to you unless you make numerous calls or get it online. They act like it is a secret you should have no knowledge of.
My school taxes are 67% of the entire tax bill. I suggest everyone do the math. The C of C told me before I moved here that Raytown had the lowest property tax and sales tax of the metro area: however, they neglected to mention school taxes!
I have no children and feel that school taxes are discrimination against those who can't afford children. I agree a good education is necessary for every child, but the owners of children should be the ones who pay for this service. I can count 9 homes within 1/2 block of me who don't own children. It is really a rip off that these people (mostly senior citizens) are required to pay school taxes.
It is rediculous that people can breed, haveing numerous children, and pay the same taxes as those who don't own children.
I already expressed this to Cathy Mack: "Tax the owners on a per child basis. Those who don't own children shouldn't be taxed."
Andy Whiteman
children here when they need to attend the school in which they live is if they say they have legal guardianship or custody of that child is to show their income tax papers if they are divorced and have custody or have guardianship then they would claim them on their yearly income taxes and the child is elgible to attend school here. I wonder if the school board is listening or if they are turning a deaf ear as they always do.
Does anyone remember the crime rate in Raytown before Wal-Mart came to town?
I read in the Independence and Raytown section every week the police reports. And almost every week there are four to five 6700 Blue Ridge incidents alone. Sometimes more.
So what do our city officials do? They are getting an even bigger Wal-Mart installed on 350hwy. Progress?
I must say I truly feel for the home owners and business owners in that area. Not only will the danger of more crime come to be, but property values will fall by 25 to 50% and businesses will close. Progress?
Real estate taxes will climb because of the T.I.F.'s and gifts handed out to the developers. Progress?
School taxes will have to go up for several reasons. Progress?
Running businesses out of town, making it impossible to open new businesses, spot coding, running homeowner's off, making truck driving families move out, some that have been in Raytown for over twenty years, ticketing some code violators while ignoring others is NOT progress.
I know I sound like a broken record but, try and remember some of this come next election! I know I'm talking to a wall but at some point maybe someone will finally see the light. Hopefully before this wonderful small town goes down the tube!
I agree that the school district should check if a child has a legal residence in the distrct. I know of one case where a child lived in Raytown M-F due to child care issues and went home on weekends. I felt that since the people who owned the house the child spent M-F in paid school taxes and had no children, they had the right to send a child to school to get their money's worth.
I have no way to verify it, but someone told me that that children from "over 20 miles away" are left in Raytown child care facilities and attend Raytown schools. Seemed unbelievable to me, but now I wonder.
I know a good school system will attract home buyers. I know of one family who stayed in Raytown because of the school system's special needs classes.
I still feel the expense should be taxed to the users rather than those who don't have children. Paying over $900 taxes per year to the school district when I am disabled and don't have enough to live on is totally ridiculous. I feel the same applies to seniors with no children at home, but I can't speak them except I am considered a senior by the AARP. I pay for my dog license, my property taxes, my gas taxes,etc.; and don't expect others to pay them for me. I just feel that those who have children should be responsible for that expense.
Andy Whiteman
The coffee is fantastic and the people who serve you are the friendliest in town. They allow folks to use their facility for events and I like the walls being covered by artwork and paintings from local artists.
I hope you will bite the powers that be when they deserve it.
I am glad that one of the anonymous writers now has an identity. Actually so many are anonymous that I never know if it is the same person or not!
I can agree with the anonymous who said that only children with legal residence should be in school here. I was told about the children from 20 miles away going to Raytown schools by a friend down the street. I told her at the time that it shouldn't be happening. It was hard for me to believe when I heard it. Just think that my over $900/year pays for non-residents!
Maybe the school district should require proof of address and residency (such as parents' ID, utility bill, tax receipt, rent receipt, etc.) and if a child is dropped off at day care in Raytown attending Raytown schools, the parents or the district the child should be attending should be billed. I know it will be hard to enforce but in the long run it would be worth it.
Andy Whiteman
It appears to be to be here to only establish a link. Links get search engine ranking, especially reciprocal links!
I suggest that Greg delete it as an advertisement because that is all it really is.
I would like to see Raytown merchants add their links and perhaps publish their sales and sepecial offers. That would make the readers aware of what businesses are here.
Andy Whiteman
May even think about a comeback since Roger Clemens, Reggie Miller et al are coming out of retirement.
Lee Gray
But to "anonymous DemoRATS" comment...are you just plain stupid? Or dumber than a rock?
It's you Lil' Bush baby and the new Republican SlaveHolders who are creating the illegal immigrant problem.
This blog is for intelligent, thinking people. You need to be in front of the Raytown board of aldermen with your opinions...some place where your peers appear!!!
I assume the "DemoRats" being referred to are illegal aliens. I saw in the paper today that there has been action to close the borders and crops or not being harvested.
The thought that I have heard on the radio is that if the Democrats allow immigration, they will be reelected by those who immigrate. My feeling is the immigrants, who are a majority in some areas, will form the own party so that will hurt both the Democrats and Republicans (actually all of us).
You all get pretty heavy with your politics.
I've always found that no matter who gets elected Democrats or Republicans they are turn into one and the same.
Even in city or state elections runners will tell you what you want to here then do what they damn well please.
When my friends get into politics I always ask the same question, "What has the government ever done to make your life better?"
Newly elected federal and state officials always seem to vote themselves a raise shortly after they are elected but they do nothing for the taxpayer except take our money.
I think the two party system was invented to keep the average person arguing and busy defending a party so the taking and spending of taxpayer money is easier for them.
Here's a thought,
Employer's with illegal immigrants (but have fictitious papers) pay into the social security system and other withholding taxes.
Illegal's can't collect on their S.S. or get tax refunds because they aren't real. Just think how much money the government collects that they don't ever have to return.
As many illegals as there are, the Social Security System should NEVER, EVER, run out of money.
That is until the government figires out a way to get their greedy hands on it.
I agree with you in theory about illegals paying into Social Security and never collecting from it but:
I heard (I believe on Rush Limbaugh or one of the other talk shows) that the government has previously withdrawn from the SS fund to pay other expenses. True they shouldn't do this but they did. Also the baby boomers are starting to retire and will take out more than is currently being deposited into SS.
The govt. has a new requirement of verifying SS number on employees. If a number is fake or doesn't match the name, the employer receives a notice and must either fire the employee or file an appeal. This new policy, if enforced will stop payment into SS under fake numbers. True, any illegal could use a false identity of a real person, but they would then be drawing at retirement time.
I figured the logo was from Clip Art. Someone collected $2500 using clip art that cost less then $100! With repeated use they could make $2500 several times from the same Clip Art. I don't like the new logos you see on companies anyway. They don't look real. I like the old type that showed something understandable. I prefered the old Post Office logo of horse and rider before the weird eagle and the old AT&T globe before they redesigned the it.
Actually what is so important about a logo? Just delete it from new letter heads. It is totally unnecessary.
Andy Whiteman
DemocRats/RepubLIEcons are all the same.
Tellitlikeitis lives in the netherland of the blissfully ignorant. Sorry about that ---dumb a...
And, Andy Whiteman, "Russ Limbaugh?" C'mon. He was in over his head as a PR flack for the KC Royals. He's even dumber "off the drugs!" I saw elsewhere on this blog, a while back, a real dufus belaboring the wisdom of Ann Coulter. Ann Coulter is to intelligence what protozoa is to evolution. (That may be over your head!)
But, hey, we're just having fun here. Exposing the real American psyche and misinformation. American civilization ended a long time ago. While I respect others' different opinions and right to express them...sometimes someone just needs a smack upside the head to shake his or her brain loose... A little reality check,you think?
Raytown's crime rate not only prior to Wal-mart but early after it came to town was, according to FBI KC area stats: 2nd safest town in the metroplex. Overland park was usually first. But that's changed everywhere!
Raytown Watchdog: How are you no longer anonymous? Or is that your real name.
Please get what you think are true facts correct, you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about...The people who owned the Landers Farm ARE NO RELATION to Terry Landers. That issue was addressed SO long ago you have gotten your answer why are you still bringing it up? Does this mean that everyone who has the same last name as you is your relation? As far as the location...have you seen the high numbers of enrollment in the elementary schools that are close to that area...they are busting at the seams! I don't understand people who do not want something better for our kids and our community.
My neighbor employees about two hundred fifty, that's right two hundred fifty Latin people. He tells me that he knows that probably more that half are illegal but have the paper work to permit them to work.
He also told me the U.S. Government told them that as long as they had papers they could hire them.................real or not.
It's wasn't the employers job to know if the papers are real or not.
There is also a company in Fairfax that employees well over four hundred Mexicans or Latino's. Only few can even speak English. This company is U-Haul. It's an overhaul base for the truck parts. They don't even have a sign on the building, it's right across the street from the G.M. car plant.
I know for a fact that ninety percent are illegal.
You might be right about the S.S. thing but I doubt it is ever enforced.
You hang in there with that Rush/Russ dumb----.
Maybe he can get his "maid" to pick up another "script" in the parking lot...smile
Success always equals intelligence, eh? Talk about having one's head up his ---!
Don't suffocate there, buddy!
The school district already requires proof of residency. However, proof of residency doesn't mean proof of parentage/guardianship, and no way to really determine that. Too many children with different last names from their parents, siblings with different fathers, etc. I imagine it's quite easy for a babysitter to pass off a child as her own. That is an issue that really makes my blood boil. Raytown schools should only be for children actually LIVING in the district.