Sunday, August 19, 2007
Random Thoughts
New City Logo: It appears that many people are very unimpressed with the proposed city logo.
I happen to be one of them.
The proposed logo is bland – it has a cookie cutter look to that would fit ANY area city. But what I find most disturbing is the political overtone of the “Reaching for Tomorrow” language affixed at the bottom. Like it or not, the simple fact is that “reaching for tomorrow” is synonymous with a political faction in Raytown. That is the truth. And any thinking person who votes in Raytown is well aware of it.
It would be the same as if Lee’s Summit created a logo that with at tag line that read, “Lee’s Summit . . . a Republican stronghold east of Kansas City. Or, if Wyandotte County in Kansas had one that read, Wyandotte County . . . the most Democratic County in Kansas.
City logos should speak for all the community – not just to those of a political club or faction.
How about a contest? I’ve received calls this past week from individuals within the community who believe that Raytown should conduct a contest of local artists to design a logo that reflects the heritage of the Raytown area.
It is not a bad idea. The large mural at the back of the Raytown City Council Chambers is the result of just such a contest. The mural depicts Raytown’s past and present. Hundreds of local artists vied for the honor of creating the work of art. Local historians tell me that a non-partisan commission chose the winner of the contest. The mural can be viewed anytime city hall is open.
I’ve also heard it said that it may be too late to conduct such a contest – because so much time and effort has already been spent on the “new” design.
Time spent does not especially mean that we must accept the result. The new design will be another straw on the camel’s back that would further divide our community. There is room for compromise here. But compromise is not defined as a political faction flexing its muscle on the City Council.
Other area cities have been down this road before. We should learn from their mistakes.
Years ago the City of Kansas City, Missouri dumped their logo for a design that looked like four paper clips stacked on top of each other. The public reaction was so negative that the design was scrapped in less than two years. The current design was created by an ad agency that ballyhooed the number of fountains in K.C. being greater than that of Rome or Paris. Hence, the tag line, the city of fountains.
Last year an article in the Kansas City Star exposed the claim was bogus. But the lesson learned is that simply adopting a poorly designed logo (such as the paper clips) was not and is not a wise move.
Trying to create an image that does not fit is also a bad idea. Some marketing analyst at an ad agency probably thought the “city of fountains” tag line was clever. It was also untrue. The end result is a logo that does not fit the city it represents. Ultimately the effect was just the opposite, by leaving the city open to ridicule.
The Raytown area is rich with history and people who want the City of Raytown to succeed. Many want to help in that endeavor. Open the creation of a new logo up to the citizenry – give the people of Raytown a chance to prove themselves.
Hold a contest to learn what the people of Raytown have in mind for a city logo.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on this item at its next meeting, Tuesday, August 21st at Raytown City Hall (meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.). The meeting is open to the public. Any interested Raytowner may address the City Council at a time set aside for public comments at the beginning of the meeting.
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54 comments:
Great comments Greg, on the new logo. You are right the new design, it is an insult to those that were excluded from playing politics with Sue Frank's political club Reaching for Tomorrow or as it came to be known for Mo. Ethics Commission reporting, Continue Raytown's Progress. It was really one in the same and anyone who follows Raytown politics knows this. Frank divided the community by being a Mayor of exclusion rather than inclusion and that is exactly the message this new logo will send if it is adopted by the city.
I don't like the new logo either. I urge all alderman to vote no (and have personally called mine, which is much more practical than spewing on a blog, dont you think?).
What I may dislike more is that it, like just about everything else that occurs in this city, becomes a stepping stone for partisan, mean-spirited attacks.
I like Greg's idea for a contest. Now, who else can step up with a solution, instead of just another attack?
My first thought was that the new proposed city logo was designed by a kindergarten class during "art time”, or perhaps by a group at one of our local nursing homes during “craft time”. But, then I realized that it would be an insult to either one of those groups to even suggest such a thing, I ask their forgiveness.
It's a terrible design, very un-professional looking, with no reflection of our communities history. It was designed with obvious political overtones and motivation, intended as a slap in the face to a large part of our community who choose not to be aligned with the "in" group who has been in power at city hall these last few years.
I like Mr. Walters’s idea regarding the logo. I'm not really sure why we need to change it at all, but if we must, let's get it right. Actually we have many important issues that need to be addressed by our city, and I don’t think the city logo is one of those!
I think I just had a brilliant thought, or maybe I'm really tired and having strange visions in my head! How about leaving "Reaching for Tomorrow" on the new city logo and adding a drawing of a skunk holding its nose? This might portray the feelings of many of our citizens relative to this elite group!
I wish I could call the alderman and alderwoman in my ward and tell them how I feel about the new logo but they vote how they want to they don't listen to the people they represent. Let's remenber this when it comes time to re elect these people. I don't like the logo either.
I too agree with Greg on the logo and I apologize for changing the subject.
But two of my customers last week had moved to Lee's Summit a couple of years ago, basically because of all the reasons we have mentioned in the past, but here's what they said that was kind of disturbing. They told me that the Lee's Summit schools were a year ahead of Raytown's. They said their children had to play catch up to stay in the grade they were supposed to be in.
I'm not knocking the Raytown school district, but isn't there a standard that Missouri schools have to uphold?
If in fact this is true maybe the school district should concentrate on education instead of buying properties.
My understanding, from TV news, is that the schools must pass a state test of students. St. Louis has lost accreditation. KC appears close to doing the same. Also there is the Federal No Child Left Behind act. It could be that one system is a grade behind another, but passes the state accreditation tests for that grade. I think cirriculm may be a local decision.
When I was forced to move here, I was first considering KC because of lower home prices. I didn't care about the quality of schools because I have no children (except a dog who is my child and medical situation alert).
School taxes in Raytown are 67% of my property taxes which are totally outrageous to be paying close to $1,000 per year! Home prices in Lees Summit are outrageous and the Post Office didn't pass my inspection so I choose Raytown. I wonder what school taxes are like in Lees Summit? I bet they are higher than Raytown.
Andy Whiteman
I drove through Downtown Raytown yesterday. Saw the new pocket park.
It got me to thinking.
Ol' Foul Mouth Al Maddox said he was raising money for trees and plants at the park.
Since there are not any new plantings at the park I wonder what he did with the money.
One sure way to make sure your child passes every class, plays every sport and gets into no trouble is to be a minority.
I know of a family where the child failed every class and they still passed him to the Freshman class. It seems like the school has an attitude of just pass him and get him out of the system. Pretty sad situation.
I walked by the pocket park 2 evenings ago and it was dry, cracked ground. Obviously too hot to plant anything. This park is a SAFETY HAZARD for anyone walking accross it towards the south: There is about a 5 foot drop off! I hope a wall or other safety barrier is planned.
I think this park is too small to properly care for. How does anyone mow with industrial size mowers when short, frequent turns are required?
I don't quite understand its purpose. Is it supposed to be a hang out for drug dealers or gangs like the park to the north attracts? We really need drugs and obnoxious music to activate downtown!
Andy Whiteman
Andy,
I'm not sucking up to the city but I think the mini park is kind of nice.
Look at it as a start for the downtown, and it sure looks better than it did. Besides it might not be finished yet.
Hi there Blog Readers. This is your frinedly Salamander with a reminder: On August 25 or thereabouts the cvity treasurer will be writing another vheck in the amount of $2200.00. That's the sum needed to pay the monthly interest on the purvhase of the Baptist Church, aka sue frank's folly.
Time marvches on and as the months pass and we make more and more payments to fund the interest on the Folly it does add up. One can only wonder how many chuckholes or broken curbs could be repaired with the money being paid out every thirty days to feed the interest. We can only thank the Diety that the city, in its fiscal
stupidity, didn';t sign an ARM.
Maybe shey should have. Only a fool would fight being evicted from a building with water in the basement, broken windows and nearly every kind of destruction known to man.
As for the new city logo. One word will be adequate to describe this tasteless design--hickish. It
also describes the people who worked on the logo. The fools on
the city cvouncil will probably vote it in because most of them are hicks.
Next time you RRFT people are out in public I suggest you pull up your trouser or slacks and let everyone see your white socks.
The Salamander
Pat,
I am sure the pocket park is far from finished and can be nice. I noticed the safety hazard long ago when I was talking my dog and stopped to talk to a friend who lives in the apartments to the south. There is a drop off that is as tall as an average man. Hopefully a wall will be put up before someone gets killed. I can see children playing and droping 5 feet!
I agree the park will look nice and be a benefit to downtown provided it is Policed and the wrong crowd is kept away.
well, it is clearly obvious that very few aldermen are technically inclined enough to know how to use computers and email.... neither of the ward 5 aldermen will respond to a constituent's email... only the current mayor would reply..... if they have email addresses just like phone numbers they should use them and make themselves accessable.... maybe they had their minds made up already about the new city logo and they are going to do whatever they please instead of what the common working man wants them to do!
Anonymous,
Are you using the email address from the city's website? I have had much trouble with emails to the city's site. Mine were getting bounced back as SPAM. These bounce backs were being picked up by my SPAM detector, dumping into the Bulk folder and I didn't discover this for several days! In the meantime I was wondering why I didn't get replies.
I don't know these 2 personally and whether or not they check their city email. You might give them a call and ask if they receive it. I would think if they don't check their email, they shouldn't have an email address. That is only logical. My may not be a question of being technically inclined but a time issue. I have been known to spend over an hour replying to a single email. Your alderpeople may not have seen a need to reply. I think it is a common courtesy. I have received form letters from Congress people saying, "Thank you for your letter, I will keep your opinion in mind when I vote on the issue." That basically says nothing but it shows the courtesy of a response.
One of the alderpeople said something once that really annoyed me. Since I doubted that the city email would go through, I also snail mailed a copy to her. (I never received a reply to either.) Maybe citizens don't deserve this courtesy.
I assume you didn't send it annomymously. I don't respond to anonymous emails and many times delete them without opening because of the viruses coming from unknown senders.
No, it was not sent anonymously.It is just plain common courtesy that elected officials should reply to their constituents whether or not they agree or disagree with the constituents viewpoint, after all we are technically their boss and we pay them their paycheck via taxes if you want to look at it that way. As a representitive of the people they should make themselves accessable to the people so that the people can voice their concerns, etc. Members of Congress at both the federal level and the State legislature have staff to help them out with these tasks, like with form letters, etc.... I also keep in mind that aldermen do have a life to live like all of us do, yet they have additional responsibilities aside fron their families, downtime, their main job, etc. Being an alderman or mayor is an additional job and hopefully people will remember at the polls who had the extra time to respond, to be available to hear the people that they were elected to represent so that they may vote on the issues that come before the city in a manner that reflects the will of the people. Perhaps a few of our current aldermen should look at Mr. Walters as a good example of an elected official that can get things done. If the city truly has a problem with their email system then it should be dealt with just like if the phone system goes on the blink. Something else that the city could do as a service is to stream video of the BOA meetings, commitee meetings, etc. on the web also. Some people do not have cable tv yet have internet access instead, especially if one is working out of town and would like to see the meetings in progress. It is not an elite social club... like some think that it is.
Yes, I agree every voter deserves a response from the official whether or not they agree with the voter. It could simply be a template acknowledging and thanking you for your input, but at least you know your message was read. Anyone who runs for office should know that after the election they will have people to deal with.
I addressed my issue with emailing city hall to both my email provider and to Mayor Bower. My issue apparently has been resolved, but SPAM filters are tricky: If anyone using the same email server as you has been marked as SPAM, the whole server is blocked including you. That may or may not be the problem with the non-response.
I agree with internet streaming of city meetings. I do NOT waste money on cable either, but strangely I will pay for a DSL connection. The issues of streaming may be expense. It eats a lot of bandwidth. You basically must have at least DSL to received it. You can get it on dial up, but the download is so slow, it will come through in bits and spurts and difficult to view.
I was at the meeting last night and got the impression the logo issue was like the animal control ordinance: "This has been going on for over a year. Lets get it over with."
The person in charge of the committee that created the slogan made a good point for it, but I think it could be worded differently to give it a better meaning.
GANG tagging is NOT graffiti, they are marking their territory with a message, get real Mr. Riehle....are you really that stupid? He actually suggested at the board of alderman meeting that we might want to dedicate a wall in the city of Raytown to be used by the gangs to do their tagging. Maybe they can stay at your house while they are in town doing their "art", Mr. Alderman (and I use that term loosely).
I observed that our new mayor actually had an opinion on an issue that was before the board tonight. He came out in favor of the new city (Reaching for Tomorrow) logo. Best to kiss up to the group that got you there, right Mr. Mayor? Political pay-offs are always ugly, don't you think?
Since we can change the new logo as warranted, how about; Raytown, "where most of our city leaders couldn't find their ass with both hands". Another appropriate one might be; Raytown, "most of our city leaders are idiots and we are proud of it". Just so the word "Raytown" is included, that is all that is really important; right Alderman “Bird Man” Jim?
Itellitlikeitis, I agree with you 100% about these idiots at city hall. I'm really disappointed in Mayor Bower, going along with the click on the board of aldermen. WE VOTED FOR YOU BECAUSE WE WANTED CHANGE! So far it's just the same old bullsh__ that was being delivered under the Frank administration. Will you ever get a backbone?
I agree with Itellitlikeitis about the graffiti. We don't need that kind of people here! They are the criminal element. Crime will increase. That may be good for the budget since court revenue will increase from fines. I wonder if that was the intent? On the other hand, this type of people may need to be jailed and there goes the jail budget!
The KC Star had an article some time ago about a wall for street art. The photo showed art and not gang symbols. It is one thing to encourage art but here is a difference between art and graffiti. Actually I saw "graffiti" in LA back in the 80's that resembeled art and couldn't understand the objection until I started seeing gang symbols, that I couldn't understand.
PS. Remember we had a double homocide here a few years back!
Hey there is a new TV show on channel 7 the first Tuesday of every month with re runs. It is called Mr. Hair and and the nine stooges. If it wasn't for Greg Walters they wouldn't even know what they were voting on. What a pitful bunch of stooges and to think they are trying to run our city.
As usual the voice of the citizen was not heard again Tuesday night. One man said he called his alderperson to tell them he didn't like the logo and not to vote for it. Well you can see how much they listen to the people who elect them. So next election let's clean house at city hall. If the mayor won't do it we will have to. By the way he will never get back bone. We had several people running in the last election who would have made great mayors one of them should have been elected I know they have back bone and would have cleaned up this mess by now. Mr. Mayor we are watching you!
Mr. Creamer, Hamilton, Aziere,Ertz and Riehle oh not to be forgotten is Mrs. Melson, White, Schlapia and Flemming are as worthless as tits on a boar and the mayor dosen't appear to be much better.
Mr. Aziere you said at Tuesday nights meeting that you had people calling you saying that they didn't like the new logo but that you would vote for it. Has the dye that you use on your hair fried your brain? You are suppose to listen to the people in your ward. See why it does no good to talk to your alderpeople THEY DON'T LISTEN!!!
It is totally amazing that it requires an attorney to tell the board what they are voting on! Fortunately it wasn't on an important matter. At least Greg Walters was alert enough to catch the error.
As I said this whole logo issue is trivial and the board needs to focus on important issues. I really think it is their way to keep us focused away from anthing important. All we have to do is bitch about a logo and not bad roads, the olde Baptist Church, etc.
Andy Whiteman
Okay then, roads, what, you mean we are supposed to resurface them??? Why, that might cost the city some more money that we can spend on adverising agencys to re design all of our logos, or for new trucks for public works and neighborhood services, or for police tactical gear.... they don't need to have safe, smooth roads.... for those cheap forign cars, they can buy new ones cheaper than we can resurface the roads.... besides, I have another pet project leftover from the Frank administration, let's see, we need to redecorate city hall, will chartruse or a peach be a good color for the exterior???? What? you want us to do what with the old Baptist Church??? Tear it down???? NO! We are above the law, we can leave it standing, an eyesore to all, but don't let us catch you, the citizens, slacking on the upkeep on your properties or we will step in and tell you how it's going to be! Besides, doing something with that old baptist church might cut into some of our pet project slush fund money. Why would we want to do anything to improve the area when, if it can remain blighted it may just meet the criteria for TIF or other funding sources... How brilliant!
Every group, organization, company, local, state, and federal government anymore is more concerned about cause and effect... and with that worry comes attorneys and lawyers, wait, we had better check with our attorney and see if we can legally do that so let's table this motion until after we hear back from them..... UGGH! GET SOME BACKBONE AND LEARN ABOUT ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER! CRIMINY!
Mrs. Melson; at the council meeting on Tuesday when the subject of graffiti came up and Alderman Walters proposed that maybe city employees should try to remove the graffiti as soon as it is seen, your response was something to the effect; well that will take city employees away from their jobs and maybe leave the city short handed. Maybe you should THINK before you open your mouth. We NEVER see codes people out doing anything, and the street program has been put on hold thanks to Mr. Estes. I say let the city employees earn their money and work for a change.
WASTED TIME AND WASTED MONEY, thats what Tuesday nights council meeting was all about. They should have left the logo as it was and tackled more important issues such as the budget, crime, street lights for neighborhoods, and street repair. Maybe Mayor Bower’s approval of the new logo was a pay-off for “ole Foul Mouthed Al’s” dirty (and probably illegal) campaign mailings he did in the last election.
I think Greg is the biggest jack___ on the Board. I'm happy that the majority of Raytown's voters agree.
Mr. Anonymous; I didn't realize we had an election to determine who was or wasn't a Jackass, I must have missed that one. Apparently you didn't understand what the election was all about!
Actually, a better description of Alderman Walters would be that he has the guts (or ba_ _s, if you will) to challenge some of the idiotic things that take place at our city council meetings. No, he isn't always right, but he is a large portion of the time.
It never ceases to amaze me that the only alderman that will actually talk to and listen to the people is always put down by some person that probably isn't even in his ward.
Greg Walters will talk to and listen to the people.
The last time I saw any of my aldermen was over five years ago and even then only one showed up and he didn't listen to us. There were seven of us that got together to talk to our representatives. (Representatives, sorry, bad choice of words.)
Calling Greg a Jackass in this case should be taken as a good comment.
He is stubborn and determined to do what is right for his ward and Raytown.
It's too bad the only time you hear from the other aldermen is when they are running for office or making decisions that nobody in their ward would approve of.
At least four of the aldermen (probably more) that voted to adopt the new city logo with "Reaching for Tomorrow" proudly displayed on it, should have disqualified their selves from voting on the proposal. Dah, do you think that this may be a conflict of interest?
This is information from the "official" City of Raytown web-site;
Marilyn Fleming - Alderman (Ward V).... Reaching for Tomorrow - Liaison
Jim Aziere - Alderman (Ward II).... Member of the Raytown Reaching for Tomorrow Initiating Committee
Christine White - Alderman (Ward III)... Former member RRFT
Barb Schlapia – Alderman (Ward IV)... Board of Alderman Liaison to the Raytown Reaching for Tomorrow Implementation Committee
DOES THIS STINK TO HIGH HEAVEN, OR WHAT? These people are just not truthful or worthy of our trust!
Thank you “itellitlikeitis” for the very informative information.
Once again Mr. Riehle should get his information straight before he speaks. This is just typical of the council people and city hell (sorry, I meant city hall) trying to pull the wool over the citizens eyes.
Mr. Rehile are you ready to apologize for your untruthful, hateful statement regarding the "Reaching for Tomorrow" political group? Just fess up as to what this group really is, Riehle!
I keep reading about the pocket park and I am wondering how Al Maddox name got connected to it? The pocket park was paid for by a donation of $15,000.00 to the city from someones estate. The city took $8,000.00 of the $15,000.00 to build the park. The donated money was to be used for the beautification of Raytown. I am sorry that I am unable to remember the persons name who left the money to the city but at the moment I am drawing a total blank. I am sure that someone at city hall has the name of that person.
I have been told that Al Maddox is going around town asking for money for trees for that park. When that was brought to the board we were under the understanding that all expenses were to be covered by that $8,000.00. As for the trees the city does have a Parks Dept. who can handle that and they don't need help to find the trees.
So you see the park has nothing to do with Al Moddox but it WOULD BE NICE if the city would put a thank you sign dedicated to the person who gave the city the money. I think that is the least we should do. I'm sure the family would appreciate that.
Just so you know, I was against this park. I do think it would be nice to have a park in downtown but it's likely going to be torn down when we get a developer for downtown. We were told it would help to bring developers in if they thought we cared enough to put in this park. So because I knew that the money was from a donation and not tax payers money and if it could possibly help to make our city look more appealing to potential developers for downtown, I did with a lot of yes, no, yes, no, I did vote for it hoping that what we were told would be true.
Sandy Hartwell
Back to the subject of Raytown Reaching For Tommorrow (RRFT), do you really suppose that there might just be a slight conflict of interest here geared towards pet projects of the current and former administrations???? DUH! Where has everyone been at? RRFT finally succeeded in getting more of their agenda pushed through....keep an eye out for that dang stupid city charter thing again... I wish they would really just move back to Lee's Summit or Johnson County, Kansas where they all belong with the minivan soccermom yuppie crowd and leave us alone here in Raytown!
A charter form of government would be great for Raytown, it would mean we could govern ourselves and not have to depend on the state legislature to dictate what we can or can't do as a city. The last city charter proposal was a pretty darned good one. It even gave people the option to keep certain positions elected or to make them appointed if the citizens so desired by posing that as a separate ballet question from the rest of the charter.
The RRFT crowd kept yelping, "keep it simple". Fact is it needed to have details spelled out; otherwise we would be totally at the mercy of the city government to do whatever they wanted, whenever they might want to do it.
It is true that the last administration initiated the charter drive, but then turned around and opposed it when their “selected group” of people didn't dominate the Charter Commission. If they didn't control it, they didn't want it to happen. They even demonized it, put out false and misleading information, and openly campaigned against it after proposing it in the first place.
RRFT is a bunch of frustrated people with no real purpose in life. Most of them are newcomers to Raytown and know nothing about government or the histroy of Raytown and how we got to where we are today. Sue Frank and Curt Wenson just used these people to get their tax increases passed. What do they have to show for it besides declining neighborhoods, closed businesses and a shrinking population. What's so sad is they are running off our young families or in essence our future. I've seen these political groups come and go over the years, but RRFT has done irrepairable damage to our once proud community. Lee's Summit is looking better every day.
Amen!
The only way to put the current financial mess to rest at city hall is to call in the state auditor. If we have nothing to hide then let's get on with it. Mayor and Aldermen are you listening?
What's foulmouthed Al Maddox doing with the money he's collecting for the pocket park? Probably taking it back to Kansas City where he has lived for the past 20 plus years. He just can't quit meddlin' in Raytown politics.
Sandy Hartwell,
Where are you? I thought you were an Alderperson until I realized you are no longer sitting up there.
I agree that the city should place a plaque or small monument in memorial to the person who willed the park money to the city.
Andy Whiteman
Why would any respectable businessman or individual give Foul Mouth Al Maddox a dime? If they want to give money to the project donate it directly to the park department. Keep Maddox out of Raytown.
Yipes, makes me wonder about people's sanity. Giving money to an individual such as Maddox is not tax deductible! Give to the organization, keep a receipt, and get a tax deduction.
Why is Maddox collecting to buy trees? Trees are given away about once a year! The pocket park is only big enough for one tree or maybe two at the most. Where is the money really going?
Andy Whiteman
I read in the Kansas City Star that ole Curt Wenson is having some problems with the developers in Liberty. Seems like very few of them want to have anything to do with him even to the point of boycotting meetings. Wonder how long he can continue to fool the elected officials he works for. I suspect that they are much brighter than the ones he used to work for in Raytown, so he'll probably be looking for a job in the near future.
Whatever became of ol Garth anyway?
I sent the city of Liberty a thank you card for hiring Mr. Wenson.
I received no reply.
Hey folks remember...this is only a "proposed" budget, not the approved final budget.
From talking with some people at city hall, it was explained to me that Miller and Estes work with the department heads to create each department budget and each department submits its numbers as proposed. Then the total package is taken to the finance committee for review.
The finance committee can cut some more, add to, make recommendations, whatever it decides to do with the "proposed" budget. So they have the authority to make Miller aand Estes go back and find funds to keep the pay plans in place for police and EMS, etc.
And, until the finance committee votes to take it to the full board of aldermen, the committee can hold it up for as long as they want until Miller and Estes come up with another plan. Or the committee can vote to take it to the board of alderman as it stands, and let all the alderman rip into it nd send it back to Miller and Estes for another plan.
I would suggest that we contact the members of the finance committee and let them know we aren't happy with the freezes and to hold it up until Miller and Estes redo it. Then contact your aldermen and let them know you don't want it passed until they find money for pay increases.
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