Sunday, June 29, 2008
Busy Week
It has been a busy week. So much so, that I have not had time to write a full column this week. Instead, I have copied some interesting, and supposedly true, quotes from laws cases from across the land for your review. I hope you enjoy them.
Before I go, two items that have drawn some interest at City Hall will be discussed in the near future. One, is the formula used to determine sewer rate charges. That item is scheduled for Tuesday night's meeting.
The other has to do with how much the city spends on travel. I have repeatedly asked for the data from City Hall. The response I have received has been less than andequate. To make a long story short, I am told it is all public information and already available in the 2007 - 2008 Annual Budget.
So, I have dusted off my copy of the Annual Budget and will meet with the powers that be at City Hall this week to find the answer to how much the city spends, where it is spent, and who spends it.
The following are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word , taken down and now published by court reporters who had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.
ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget.
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said, 'Where am I, Cathy?
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan!
ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo?
WITNESS: We both do.
ATTORNEY: Voodoo?
WITNESS: We do.
ATTORNEY: You do?
WITNESS: Yes, voodoo.
ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: Uh, he's twenty.
ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you shittin' me?
ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Uh.... I was gettin' laid!
ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Are you shittin' me? Your Honour, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Now whose death do you suppose terminated it?
ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard.
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Guess.
ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?WITNESS: All my autopsies are performed on dead people. Would you like to rephrase that?
ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.
ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy on him!
ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS: Huh....are you qualified to ask that question?
ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.
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26 comments:
Just checked on another homeowner about their water and sewer bill in Lee's Summit. A couple living in a very big house with little outside watering. Their bill last month was $34 for BOTH water and sewer. What's wrong with the city of Raytown and Water District #2? When you add my water bill and sewer together for last month ( much smaller house and very similar habits) I'm paying $79. Their needs to be some accountability for these outrageous prices. Where's a good investigative newspaper when you need one?
From the agenda and what Greg says, sounds like a long
meeting Tuesday. I have a few things to say about travel as well as other issues, but no time left for sewer billingn except a wastefull issue related to it.
One big issue I see with winter averages is each bill is not always one month. My bills can cover less than a month, 5 weeks, or 6 weeks depending on staffing at Raytown Water Company and adverse weather. Thus a November bill can contain up to all of October's usage.
Again, my suggestion is actual usage using 2 meters, one for indoors and one for yard use. This could be a requirement for new construction and optional for existing homes if the homeowner feels it is worth the expense of replumbing.
I don't know how the water companies will feel about 2 meters, but a system could be set up where ALL water passes through the first meter for billing and water only for inside use then passes through a second meter. The sewer department would read the 2nd meter monthly and bill for actual usage (assuming all indoor water goes down the sewer). Meter reading is much easier with remote readers where someone drives a truck down the street and automatically reads the meters. No need to struggle with extreme heat, extreme cold, and snow storms. For that matter, a remote meter reading devise could be put in a police car when it makes neighborhood patrols (or for that mater any city vehicle as long as it is done on schedule.) Or to make it simple, rather than monthly readings the indoor meter could be read at the beginning and end of any set period of time such as every 3 or 6 month, then divided by the appropriate number to arrive at the monthly usage. The reading could even by yearly and divided by 12.
It should be easy at first since only new construction will have 2 meters. I really doubt people would go to the expense to install a 2nd meter unless sewer rates really skyrocket like gas.
Actually I am wondering why the Sewer billing is mailed monthly? There would be a cost savings to mail one yearly bill in July with 12 coupons for payment. It would be the user's responsibility to mail a payment monthly just like most people have a coupon book for their house payment. I estimate that sending a yearly coupon book would result in savings of $2700 for 11 months for postage alone. That is a savings of $29,700 yearly for postage only not counting paper, printing, and staff time.
Andy Whiteman
Anonymous 10:51PM, In my opinion house size does not dictate water and sewer usage. How the water is used dictates usage. How much water did you use compared to your friend? What are the rates? I used 1000 gallons the month before last. My water bill under $12 and sewer bill is under $15. It is possible that another person in the same size or smaller house could use more or less water depending on their habits.
Andy Whiteman
As anyone given any thought about the tax giveaways this city has done?
They have to make it up somewhere. Guess who gets to pay.
Let's face it, people and businesses are leaving this town for a reason
and it's not because it's a citizen friendly place.
Taxes in Raytown are going up every year. If it's not a new school tax
it's a real estate tax. If not that, it's a sales tax. My question other than the school
getting a brand new "metal building" in a no metal building area, where
have these tax increases gone. Certainly not for street repair. Not to fix the
63rd.St. bridge. The church is still standing. However it has some new
plywood windows. Just like the slum lords of downtown Kansas City.
Didn't the people of Raytown only a few years ago vote for a tax increase just for the sewers?
I don't think people would mind tax increases if they actually got something for their
hard earned money. So far all we've seen is millions wasted on shady developers,
bad purchases and planning.
Lee's Summit's sewer and water bills may be smaller because the population
is growing. Businesses are booming in Lee's Summit. Housing was too.
Maybe because of this growing they can spread the burden around a bit.
We should pay for two meters on the water line to determine how much waste water is produced? Why not cut to the chase and put the second meter on the waste line, since that's what we seem to be worried about. Heck, combine a meter with a elecro-generating turbine, and then we could generate electricity every time we flush. Maybe we could generate enough electricity to offset the sewer bill. Let Aquila pay for the sewage treatment.
Combine the inline meter/turbine unit with an anti-backflow device, and I think we've got a winner.
Anon 4:49 PM, My suggestion was for new construction and optional for present dwellings.
I already approached the idea of the meter on the sewer, was told it physically could be done, would be expensive, and the major drawback would be that they could back up and cause a big repair expense.
I think the turbine/anti-blackflow device has merit but so little power would be produced that I don't think it would pay for itself.
The gas from the sewage treatment could be used to generate power but I don't think the expense would be worth it.
Andy Whiteman
Andy, he is making fun of you, not agreeing with you. Besides you are missing one important point with all your water metering ideas. The rates are based on charges for treatment, maintenance and repair and then backed into the water usage. The whole amount to operate the sewer program has to be paid, it really doesn't matter how it is calculated. Besides, a large portion of that treatment bill is from water that never passes through a meter, it likely goes straight from your foundation to the sewer.
Anon 10:05 PM, Thank you for your input. I take everything seriously so I missed his point.
True the cost of sewer service has to be paid, but the question is how to apportion it fairly?
Public Works ran colored gas through the sewers a few years ago to determine if any downspouts were connected to the sewer. I suggested the storm sewer could be cross connected to the sanitary sewer. The official who was conducting the test reported back to me that they did discover a parking lot connect to the sewer. I can imagine how much water gets dumped into the sewer during a heavy rain!
Andy Whiteman
I know Anonymous 4:49 was kidding. But, if you think about it,
an electricity producing sewage line generator could work at a
certain address, 10000 59th St.
Some of the BS that comes out of there could power the whole
town.
Andy, a few years ago the city tested the sewers behind my shop.
It look like it was Winter. the smoke coming out of the downspouts
was incredible. Almost every buildings gutters were smoking.
Thing is I don't know if it was ever corrected.
Pat, I wonder why the testing was done if it wasn't corrected? Of course with the BS coming out of 10000 59th St., we know how enforcement works. Did you or or any your neighbors receive a notice to correct this issue?
One thing this smoke did was come up from a yard across the street from me. A sewer manhole that was covered over by grass across the street from me. No one knew there was a manhole there. It was flaged and later the garss removed to make the manhole visible. I can't understand why sewer and water mains run through yards rather than streets where they belong.
Andy Whiteman
Are you sure it was the gutters and not the vent pipes? I believe it is supposed to come out the vents, that indicates a properly vented system.
It may have been the vents but I think the smoke came out the
downspouts too.
I was told that's the way they did it back then but, there weren't that many buildings
and homes around then. They also ran a camera in all the pipes. That's when
they found that someone was dumping oil in the sewers.
They found out who it was and it has been taken care of. (the oil)
However looking outside most downspouts have been changed.
Maybe we could just capture some flatulence from the heifers on the BOA and lower our electric bills with wind power?
Now, now, be nice.
It's been over a year with the new mayor and what's been done in Raytown? We've all heard a lot of talk but have seen no action.
We've seen resignations at city hall, misappropriation of tax funds, meetings with the kansas city mayor for light rail for our great grandchildren. What improvements have been made?
The Plaza looks nicer than it did, but I don't see an influx of new businesses to increase our tax base from what we'll lose from the new WalMart.
Apparently money has been allocated to tear down the Baptist Church. They recently reboarded the windows so that must not be coming down soon.
Food and drink establishments have closed and some that are opened are barely making it.
Raytown is apparently a dying town that can't be fixed.
You have "hit the nail on the head". This mayor is a "do nothing" just like Frank was. They haven't got a clue on how to fix things. My belief, it's too far gone and it'll never come back. Sell, while your property is still worth something.
I'm sorry you guys feel that way but, I don't blame you.
There have been no improvements, no better way of life,
certainly no new businesses and, as said, any new business
that did try Raytown isn't doing well. The Raytown Plaza is dead
and the Center 63 is going down too.
It looks like the only one prospering is the school district and maybe the new Wal-Mart.
I just hope we don't have the best school district in a ghost town, or
worse Wallytown.
Put yourself in the shoes of the gentleman that bought the old Payless Cashways building. He had to stucco his building among other things by code, and along comes the school district and builds a metal building with
metal siding in an area that is coded for NO metal buildings. In fact if you buy a metal building on 350hwy. you have to stucco it before you can get a business license.
There has to be a reason why this town is going downhill and you can only blame our elected officials and City Hall. The "buck" has to stop there.
Why would new business come to Raytown? There are the issues Pat stated along with the fact Raytown is NOT a destination point. One really has to go out of their way to get to downtown. 350 HWY (or shortly off it) is the most likely place for new business.
Normally I would say that people in Raytown don't have money to spend but it seems like there are many customers at Benitti's and the bar on the road to the one way bridge. I don't know is the bar business is local but I have seen Kansas plates there. The bar near the new bar has many cars parked there but it is not a new business which we are talking about. I don't know the profit stats of these new businesses, but obviously they are drawing customers. I don't think we were referring to bars since they are a different type of business, but one is a NEW business replacing a BBQ restaurant that folded.
Andy Whiteman
What is happening to our neighborhoods?
I live in a small home in Raytown and a nice neighborhood with the occasional home burglary. That has changed in the last few years. I am downright frightened to go outside in my once peaceful neighborhood. Gangs of young youths/adults set around outside, or walk the streets at all hours of the day with nothing to do, but stare menacingly at you when you drive by, or go out into your yard. My home has been bugerlized and my vehicle vandalized. I agree with the postings that Raytown is going downhill fast. It's not the peaceful, friendly Raytown I remember. I could give my opinion on why this is happening, but most everyone who sees what going on in Raytown knows the ugly truth.
Did anyone ever come up with who serves on the board of directors for Public Water District #2? They need to let us know why our water bills are higher than Lee's Summit's. When and how are they elected? Maybe we need some new faces on there.
I drove down 350 hwy today and saw a new Verizon wireless store. Nice new paint job on brick. Obviously the city chooses with whom they enforce codes and central business design standards. The CBD states no painted brick. The brick building next to the funeral home on Blue Ridge Blvd. was painted last year too. They all must be friends with Tim.
Saw tonight's BOA meeting and the mayor blowing smoke up Mr. Whiteman's skirt. Loved the guy over the city court issue and wanting restitution in cash. Bowyer just says, after the guy threatens a lawsuit, "Thank you Mr. Seegal (Stigal,whatever?). City attorney stepped in. Good PR Mr. Mayor. Like the man said, Let's see how you can afford a lawsuit when you can't patch a pothole.
And Greg did you dye your hair? Impressive how well the city clerk did reading the ordinances tonight. Lots of progress there. Sixth grade level at least! I'd go before the BOA but why waste time?
I'd like to wish all of you fellow Bloggers a safe and happy
Fourth of July.
Please remember those who are fighting for our independence.
And try to "Buy American" who knows, the job you save may be your
own.
The CBD only pretains to the downtown business district not the hold city.
and no fireworks.... we the people cannot be trusted!
Anon, 3:21 PM, You might want to check out what exactly the CBD is. They have rewritten the plan. It was introduced at the BOA a few months ago. I believe it is now called something like "town center" or "town square" and has no defined boundaries. A city official told me that proberty areas near this area formerally called CBD could request to be brought into the Town Square. It sounds to me like they will do whatever the damn well please!
Anon 9:22PM, you are correct. We live in a Medieval Fief: The Fascist Fief of Raytown. People not only aren't trusted but have no rights. I enjoy fireworks. I would like to see the ban repealed but fireworks subject to controls such as:
1) No airborne fireworks
2) Must not reach a height of more than 10 feet
3) No fireworks that emit a loud noise.
4) Children must be supervised by an adult at least 18 years old and that adult shall have permission of the child's parents.
Have a safe 4th!
Andy Whiteman
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