Sunday, December 7, 2008
Filing for City Offices Open on December 16th
Filing for the April, 7, 2009 Raytown Municipal Elections opens on Tuesday, December 16th and closes on Tuesday, January 20th.
In the April, 2009 election six seats on the ten member Board of Aldermen will be filled. Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 will each elect one member to the Board. Ward 5 has two open slots for the election. A four-year term and the remaining two years of an incomplete term. The two year term election in Ward 5 is to fill the spot left vacant by former Ward 5 Alderman Pat Reilly.
If more than one candidate files for any particular seat on the first day of filing, ballot position will be chosen by lottery. Candidates filing for public office after the first day will be placed on the ballot in the order in which they file.
Also up for election this year are the offices of City Marshal/Chief of Police, and Municipal Judge. Both elections are for a four year term of office.
Following is the Public Notice of the Filing Fees, Salary and Benefits for each position.
REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates for the Board of Aldermen, Municipal Judge and City Marshal/Chief of Police are required to be registered voters and residents of the City of Raytown.
FILING FEES:
Board of Alderman . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00
Municipal Judge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35.00
City Marshal/Chief of Police . . . . $35.00
Candidates may also file for office by petition. Those filing by petition are not required to pay a filing fee. The number of signatures for each office is shown below. Petition forms for filing by petition are available at the City Clerk’s office at Raytown City Hall. The petitions must be signed by registered voters and notarized.
PETITION QUOTAS:
Board of Aldermen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 signatures
Municipal Judge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 signatures
City Marshal/Chief of Police . . . . . 150 signatures
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
Members of the Board of Aldermen are paid $450 each month. Four hundred dollars is considered salary and the $50 is for auto allowance. If they choose, Board members may enroll in the city’s group health and dental insurance programs. Cost of the program is the responsibility of those who choose to participate in the plan.
The Board of Aldermen meet twice a month in regular session on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Each Board member serves on one of two standing committees, the Finance Committee and the Municipal Committee. The committees meet on an irregular basis. (Example: The Municipal Committee has met four times in 2008)
MUNICIPAL JUDGE
The Municipal Judge is paid $24,895.94 annually. The Municipal Judge may also participate in the city’s health and dental insurance programs. Cost of the premium is the responsibility of the Judge.
CITY MARSHAL/CHIEF OF POLICE
The City Marshal/Chief of Police is paid $91,162.97 annually. The City Marshal/Chief of Police is also provided a vehicle, maintenance/fuel, and a cell phone allowance. The position of City Marshal/Chief of Police is considered a full time position and is automatically enrolled in the city’s health and dental insurance programs. The person elected City Marshal/Chief of Police is also enrolled in the city’s pension fund.
So, there you have it. The rest is easy.
If you are interested in serving in the public’s interest . . . ready yourself . . . put your head down and push hard for the finish line.
The one with the most votes wins.
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43 comments:
I sincerely hope that business oriented people who are concerned about the advancement of Raytown file for Alderman.
I was once told that the muni-Judge is required to be a licensed attorney. Has anyone ever verified these credentials? I hope to see some competition in that race. But maybe I am expecting too much.
Andy Whiteman
Pat,
Following last week's string.
The downtown lighting is a good event. Could it have been better advertised. Sure.
It was still successful because it is a big step from previous years.
Organizers would help the situation if they were think outisde of the box and reach out to others for help.
Sometimes you get the feeling that you have to be part of a club to be able to participate in these events.
Don't let the boo birds ruin your Christmas.
I know they will not ruin mine.
I was thinking, why not require all office seekers to do so by petition? The $25 or $35 filing fee is not much money. If a candidate was required to have a valid petition, it would prove that voters thought that he/she was worthy of holding that office. Also it would require that person to obtain the signatures and enteract with the voters. If filing by fee is allowed, it should be a substantial amount such as $250, $500, or even more. That would indicate that the candidate thinks he has qualifications and a good chance of being elected.
I think the $25 or $35 fee was an old ordinance written back when that was a lot of money.
This seems to be one of those outdated ordinances I have been talking about.
Andy Whiteman
It would take a lot more than a few "anonymous" Boo Birds to ruin
my Christmas. This is my favorite time of year.
I would like to see the amount of signatures for aldermen go up from
fifty to a hundred. However I doubt that many incumbents could
find that many people that are that happy with the way things have been
done in Raytown for the last few terms.
Still, tis the season to be happy and think good thoughts.
Remember...Non illigitamus carborundum
Illigitamus non carborundum.
I know the Latin -- but I think the noun is supposed to come first.
Any experts out there that know the rule?
I don't speak Latin.
Andy Whiteman
I don't think people are being boo birds over the lighting. There is just a lack of communication to the community on events going on. I think it is great they had a lighting ceremony but the case is still the same. Raytown citizens dont even know what is going on in their town. If I (a small business owner in Raytown) had known I could have at least let my customers know. Word of mouth counts for alot. I just found it pretty sad that even small businesses in Raytown don't know whats going on.
Andy,
It would not matter if anyone who wants to run did it by petition or not. People will sign any kind of petition if you just ask and if they don't then ask someone else. You could get 50 signatures in less than an hour with no problem by standing in front of the Walmart or the grocery store. A quarter of those will not be registersed voters and that is what it required. The high filing fees don't guarantee that you would have a person who is good for the city either. I know a few people who would fit that requirement of a lot of money but thet would diffently not be good for Raytown. We have a few on the board now.
As for only business people running for office with no representation for the other citizens we would have even more TIF's being given away than we do now. They would be in it for their own benefit. We need everyone to feel free to run because we need all sides of the story seen and discussed before a vote is made.
I do not know where you get your ideas sometimes but more often than not they are really off the wall.
Season's Greetings and Readings from the Salamander:
As the poet said, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
Our local paper, the Post, has new ownership adn an editorial policy yet to be defined. That's fine with ye old Salamander. I am in no hurry.
Will there be a change at the paper?
From what I have seen, NO. The same tired rhetoric about how if we put on rose colored glasses everything will come up "rosie" in Raytown.
The letters column is no better. First to bat was old Foul Mouth Al Maddox. His ramblings were nothing but a rehash of every letter he has ever written to local papers. As per usual, Foul Mouth took credit for everything good that has ever happened in Raytown.
It is so tiring.
I suggest "FM", as he is affectionately known, would stay at home and keep out of the affairs of Raytown.
After all, Al Maddox is not a resident of our city. He is a citizen of Kansas City, Missouri, aka Funkletown, USA.
A private note to former Mayor Frank: "How far away did you park today?" And, how far away are you going to have to park once the Baptist Church comes tumnbling down?
I can hardly wait to see the green space -- which used to be the private parking lot of ex-Mayor Frank and her minions.
Salamander of course there is no editorial policy or change. Did you really think two guys under 30 could afford to buy a newspaper? And Greg singing the praise of how important a local paper is is interesting since he started Raytown Reporter which evolved into this Raytown Report blog because he wanted to fight the local newspapers. Mr. Andy congraulations on getting out of the State of Misery. Please spare us anymore of your ideas about the municiple judge and how Raytown should operate and elect people since you are no longer going to be here. You and FM should get together. Funny about the free parking Salamander. Careful what you wish for
Season Greetings:
Anon: 1:41PM, I agree a mix is needed to be fair to all, but I feel good business people should be part of the mix. We need someone capapable of making a decision without wasting money on a study.
FM Al's letter stated he was from Raytown. Obviously the new owners of the Post are unaware someone form KCMO was writing.
Anon 8:44PM, I was forced to move here and will be forced to live here until I am able to pack and move. I am a taxpayer and as such have a right to express my opinion. I will continue to vote in Raytown until I move. After I move, I will still be a taxpayer until my house is sold. Until my house is sold, I shall still express my opinion. After it is sold, no one will hear from me again (except maybe my friends with whom I may communicate.) Unlike FM Al, after I am gone and no longer own property in Raytown, I really could care less what happens here.
Andy Whiteman
Sounds like Foul mouthed Al is a lonely old man with nothing to do except write about Raytown. This man hasn't lived in Raytown for over 20 years. I also understand that he was a Mayor Funkhouser supporter in his hometown of Kansas City. Shows what kind of judgement he has.
Sue Frank isn't the only business affected by the parking situation.
All the businesses on our block use that parking lot.
You might want to consider when the old church lot is turned
into a "green" area and a city park, where will the people that
would like to use it park?
A more sensible way to have handled this, I feel, was to leave a strip of asphalt fifty feet wide along the north side of the wall for all to use.
There is talk of when the Round Up Days start up again to use this
new "green" park instead of closing up the streets in the downtown area.
If this is the case wouldn't it make sense to leave a strip for parking?
Any and all parking around this area now, is privately owned, so it
looks like Raytown will have a big, nice new "green" park that nobody can use. Unless they want to park and walk from who knows where.
I would have liked to see a little more thought in this situation.
I see that Raytown Public Works is ignoring it's side streets again. No new taxes folks, until we get basic city services restored.
Pat makes a good point. Assuming people come to the park, where will they park? I have seen many city parks with parking places for the users.
Andy Whiteman
Once again Andy is compelled to give us such astute insight. Duh! Of course parks have parking. But is this "green space" really a park? By the way Andy you were NOT FORCED to live here. You were given a choice between moving to this area and keeping your job or staying where you were and finding another one.
Pat you seem like a bright and reasonable guy. Do you really think taxpayers should provide you parking? If you and the other want parking offer to buy the space. Sue Frank of all people should have been on top of this since she served as mayor when the White Elephant was purchased by the taxpayers. She didn't keep her eye on the ball or the parking issue could have been solved between the city and business before the federal bailout project. I understand YOUR PROBLEM and sympathize with it. But none of you paid the city anything for the parking while the city owned the church property. This is so typical raytown.
This has always been a concern of mine about downtown development. Parking. People are going to go where it is convenient to park. That's why downtown will NEVER develop. NO PARKING.
Whoa there Anonymous 11:10am.
I don't expect the city to provide me with anything.
As us business owners should not have to provide the city
with parking. You see when the church parking lot is removed
and made a green area, the park goers will have no place to park.
The only asphalt around will be our parking lots.
I suggested they leave parking for everybody that needs
to park there.
I have long wondered what compelled Sue Frank to push so enthusiastically for purchase of the First Baptist Church.
Could a promise of free parking for her insurance operation beenn a motivator?
How about those generous Baptists. The gave Sue and her friends "free parking" for eternity. Eternity is a long, long time.
What a disgrace.
Remember this and the Walmart deal when the next tax increase comes up.
Anon 11:10AM, what is the differense between a park and green space? I think of green space as a large area running behind residences, not one block in size. Maybe the terminology gualifies for a Federal grant, but this is a park. Maybe the city will have to post a sign to officially desiginate it as green space.
I don't think you understand that I am a person with a disability. I have numerous medical restrictions and the type of work I could do was limited. There was no other job where I was that was. Therefore I was forced to move here for the job. The job wasn't worth what it cost me to move here and it will cost me even more to move away. True, I knew how miserable it is here since I transferred to Denver from KCMO. It was the only job and the last day on the payroll so I was forced to move here. The company paid NOTHING towards my move and my 6 months for packing and remodeling the new house was unpaid. Now someone in India is doing my job for a fraction of what I was paid.
I thank God that I can finally get out of the State of Misery if I can ever get the house remodeled and get packed.
Andy Whiteman
The baptists were trying to unload their 'problem' and the city revived their 'talk' again about a possible community center, and the possibility of using the old baptist church for that purpose.
You can argue all you want to about this if you want to. I remember reading about it in the papers back then. The baptists had one too many church buildings by that time, and the city had talked off and on for years about a community center as well. The church got their money, and got rid of their problem. The city bought into it, and let it run down even further, then the feds step in with funding to demolish it, returning it to greenspace. Of course we, the taxpayers of the US are the ones fotting the bill for the eyesore now. Thanks Sue!
Anonymous 10:11,
You are not mentioning the key player in the purchase
of the old church. Kurt Wenson. Yes, it happened on Sue
Franks watch but there were at least ten others that were sold
a bill of goods by him. He promised a better Raytown and a thriving
downtown. It never happened. He was even given a couple of raises
for doing nothing but dividing this town, costing taxpayers a small
fortune and making the people lose trust in City Hall.
Mr. Wenson promised of an "anchor store" where the old church is
that would start the rejuvenation of Raytown's downtown.
Let's not forget the developers that he helped along the way either.
They were the only people that benefited from his master redevelopment
plan that never happened.
Most of our elected officials fell for and believed everything they were
told my him.
I had many talks with Mr. Wenson and I can tell you he never mentioned
a community center to me. He wanted two things in this town. A new
grocery store where the old church is and a damn Wal-Mart. A community
center would not bring in any tax income for the city.
The papers may have suggested a center but I have papers dated back to
2004 and I can't find where the city said they wanted it to be a community center.
There is enough blame for everybody at City Hall then and now.
But one thing I can guarantee you. They all still think they are
doing a great job, and they can do no wrong. Sad isn't it.
Are there any plans for the old WalMart and Hyvee buildings when they move into their new locations?
The old Baptist church is not going to be a park.
and what is "The old Baptist church" going to be
What's the difference between green space and a park?
Parking?
I heard that they were thinking of putting a Lowe's in the old Walmart/Hy-vee location
Doubt it -- sounds like promises in the dark.
Did you ever read about how much crime is committed at 6700 Blue Ridge? Why do you think these stores are moving?
I bet the crime follows the stores. Location doesn't cause crime. Other sources such as attracting the criminal element and lack of security attracts crime (to name a few).
Andy Whiteman
Crime is on the rise in Raytown. For as much money as our marshall is paid ($91,000 plus benefits), you would think he could do something about it.
It was Home Depot that was suppose to go in with Walmart but now it seems that they may be going in at Brywood shopping center. It is my understanding that they could not come to an agreement with Walmart. Just another thing that Walmart has done to keep Raytown from benefiting from their move to the Hyway. It also appears that our city staff does not know about the change. Home Depot on Bannister has been telling their people that they will be moving to Raytown for 2 years now but it is also possible that those who are doing the talking do not know that Brywood is in K.C.MO. It was Curt Wenson that told me Home Depot was moving here but that the Hyway would have to be bumped out on the west bound side to accomodate them because WestLake will mot move.
If Home Depot moves to Raytown or Brywood, we will lose Westlake and Smith Bros.
I used to shop at a True Value Hardware/lumberyard in Albuerque. A Home Depot build right behind True Value. The owner said it didn't bother him because he offered service. The first thing, his best employee was hired by Home Depot for more money. I went back 8 years later and True Value was no longer there.
We need Home Depot as much as we need Walmart. It will be good for the tax base if the city doesn't give away the sales tax rights for 23 years!
"Illigitamus non carborundum.
I know the Latin -- but I think the noun is supposed to come first.
Any experts out there that know the rule?"
None of the above is correct Latin. Carborundum is not a Latin word but the name of a mineral which is extremely hard and used for grinding. (See Silicon carbide.) The ending -undum suggests either a Latin gerund or gerundive form—and the idea of obligation ("Don't let ...") is more suggestive of the gerundive—but the word is actually a portmanteau of "carbon" (from Latin), and "corundum" (from Tamil kurundam).
"Don't let the bastards wear you down" - "noli nothis permittere te terere" would be the correct latin.
If we are going to start speaking in latin, I prefer "carpe diem" or "seize the day". We are all responsible for our own destiny and what we do each and every day. The anti business, anti city attitude perpetuated on this blog stimies the ability of city officials to attract quality businesses to the area. Why would I want to risk my hard earned money by investing in a city with such bad government, poor infrastructure and high crime? If you want change, change starts at home. The opportunity is there if you don't blow it. It is time to "seize the day". It is time to start telling people why they WANT to be here, not why they don't.
Any idiot can figure out without the blog that there is poor infrastructure and high crime in Raytown.
Yes, seize the day and the opportunity. The positive points are cheap homes in Raytown. I watch the market and there are many. But as soon as a person checks the property tax rates and sees the high taxes from the Disfunctional School District, the deal will be blown.
Andy Whiteman
Okay - tell me why I WANT to be here.
Why in the $&#* should I stay in Raytown? How is it going to benefit my family and I? Will I achieve a lower stress level and a higher quality of life? Will my house, property, and possessions be protected from thieves? Do you have answers?
This is just my personal feelings but I believe until this
cities elected officials start talking and listing to people
and businesses this town will stay the downward course
it is on. When the rules apply to everyone and not just a few.
When codes are enforced on everyone and the city doesn't turn
a blind eye to others. When small businesses are as important as
big businesses. When this town tries to bring in new small businesses
and not run them off.
When our elected representatives actually represent the the people
and not just a couple of organizations and friends.
This is how trust is built. This will be reason to stay in and come to
Raytown. When common sense and reason is used by our elected officials.
We have none of this now.
So Anonymous 4:00am. I have no answers for you. The crime rate will
increase, the property values will go down and the stress......let's just say
If you don't think about or deal with the city government it may go down.
As I said to the Board of Aldermen last meeting on another issue, "YOU HAVE FAILED." Its is pretty obvious that the board has FAILED to manage this city properly. Of course now days there is no longer an "F" grade. The new grade is "H" because you can't fail someone in school so more properly, they are Held. Should we Hold the same Aldermen at the next election?
Andy Whiteman
Well Andy, that puts us in quite a predicament doesn't it?
That is if we want to be politically correct.
I don't!
I certainally hope no one else wants to be politically correct on this issue.
Andy Whiteman
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