Sunday, January 4, 2009
Filing for City Offices Opens
Filing for city offices for the April 7th city election has opened with a flurry of candidates for aldermanic seats. Most of those filing for the six seats on the first day were incumbents seeking re-election. However, three new faces filed have also filed for the Board of Aldermen.
Ward 3: Incumbent Christine White has a challenger in Ward 3. He is Allan Adams. Mr. Adams was one of eight candidates who ran for Mayor two years ago.
Ward 4: Ward Dickmann has filed for the seat currently held by Alderman Barb Schlapia. Schlapia is one of two incumbent aldermen who has not yet filed for office.
Ward 5: Insiders at Raytown City Hall say that Ward 5 Alderman Marilyn Fleming will not seek re-election. So far, one candidate has filed for the seat. Derek A. Ward.
Greg Walters has filed in Ward 1 and Jim Hamilton has filed in Ward 2.
“More Important Election . . ?”
I had to laugh when I read the Raytown Post this week and saw the quote from the Mayor saying “this (election is) one of the more important elections.”
Reminded me of when former Mayor Sue Frank told the Board and public at a City Council meeting that the formation of a Charter Commission was the most important decision facing Raytown in 50 years.
Well, that was until her friends did not make the cut.
My Two Cents Worth . . .
All elections are important. Especially to those who participate in them and feel they have much to gain or lose from the outcome.
The real test is how well those who win the election prioritize and conduct the business of the city.
To that end, this election is important.
Raytown’s infrastructure, particularly its residential streets, has been literally ignored for the last three years. Even with increased amounts of funding this year, the amount of dollars set aside for street improvements does not meet half of what was budgeted in years past.
When you factor in the increased cost of asphalt (a petroleum based product) the difference is even greater. Take away 18% of the funding from street improvements to pay off the debt created by the Walmart TIF and you have an even darker picture.
Voters should listen well to the candidates that run to make certain just whose interest they have at heart. For my money, I will go with those candidates who place the city’s basic needs first.
In that respect, it IS a very important election.
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20 comments:
EVERY election is important. Only the issues and people change.
Greg neglected to report on other elected positions.
I hope more than one person runs for muni-judge.
Andy Whiteman
Sorry about that Andy. I was concentrating on the Aldermanic races only.
Incidentally, I also left off the unfinished term currently held by Cliff Sargeon. That seat is in mid-term. The election for a the two years remaining is considered a special election even though it is being held a the same time as the four year companion seat from Ward 5.
Sorry about the omissions.
By the way, the City Marshal is also up for election this year as well.
Would a competant person please run for muni-judge? With only one person on the ballot, the voters really have no choice.
Andy Whiteman
I've always found Judge Fann to be competent and fair. I think we should all get behind her and support her for re-election.
Judge Fann told me to move because a neighbors dog was barking. She should have enforced the ordinance and ordered the neighbor to control the dog. She apparently has no knowledge of the Americans with Disability Act. I have also heard of other cases where her actions are arbitrary and capricious.
She may be creating revenue for the city but I believe her only qualification is that no one else runs for the position.
The only requirement for being a judge is being a licensed attorney. Obviously no good attorney will run for judge because he/she can make more practicing law.
The Facist Fief of Raytown has a kaagroo court until a competant judge is elected.
Andy Whiteman
City hires new community development director,story found on, www.theraytownpost.com
Has anyone noticed the common thread amongst some of the candidates for city office this year?
Here is a hint: The candidates are very proud of it and will wave it like a banner.
Another hint: Ward Dickman makes notice of it in The Raytown Post this week.
Final hint: it will become more apparent as the candidates begin their campaign.
I heard a bit more disturbing news this morning although I
doubt it will be the last.
Another grocery store is rumored to close soon in Raytown.
If this is true I, hope our city's elected officials are proud of themselves.
I fear grocery stores are only the tip of store closings.
My question is, when all of Raytown's tax collecting small businesses are gone,
and sense the city has given away huge amounts of tax income, where will the cities
income, come from?
They can only increase homeowners taxes so much before everybody leaves
and as we all know that exodus has started too.
What is going on at the old Baptist church? I thought the idea was to tear the building down, not bury it. Looks like a mini-Matterhorn.
Another alien has been hired as a department head! How can someone who lives in Shawnee be knowledgeable and understand the issues and what it is like to live in the Fascist Fief of Raytown? She doesn't have to live with failed streets and a generally run down area with high property taxes.
ALL department heads should be required to move to the City of Raytown if they want the job only for the reason they will have first hand knowledge of what it is like to live here.
Andy Whiteman
George,
That's the funniest thing I have read in quite a while.
However, I think I have an answer for you.
All that dirt is to fill in the basement in the old church.
After the old church is down and grass planted, I think
it might be a good idea to put monuments for all the businesses
that are leaving Raytown and the elected official's names that made it
possible for their demise.
I have a friend that owns a trophy company, and I have talked to her
about making such a monument. It's not all that expensive and I think
the people should know what, how and who did what to Raytown.
I've been told that Mayor Bower is assembling a slate of aldermanic candidates to continue to support his failed policies. Tax, tax, and more taxes to further his wasteful spending. Don't be fooled by this cry for a public safety tax, it'll only be misappropriated like our transportation tax. NO TO ANY NEW TAXES.
If the candidates that have filed for office win this election it be the Kansas City Baptist Temple's Election. There will be at least 3members on the concil who attend that church. The one we have now from that church is one of the biggest duds we have on the board now. So much for Mayor Bowers list it is looking like K.C. Baptist Temple is trying to take over the Board.
I tried to tell you all that the Baptists have been running this town for years, but you still don't believe it!
Pat,
I think the monument idea is a good idea. We can see the monuments and remember not to vote for the Aldermen named on the monumnets. I doubt the city will allow it.
Andy Whiteman
When is the last day to file?
"Filing for the April, 7, 2009 Raytown Municipal Elections opens on Tuesday, December 16th and closes on Tuesday, January 20th."
The above is from Greg's post. I would like to see a competetive election. We need some fresh ideas presented on the board.
Andy Whiteman
Andy is correct.
Filing closes at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20th.
For a full explanation of the seats that are up, salary, etc., go to the Sunday, December 7, 2008 posting.
Also, when running for any seat in government it really isn't a popularity contest, all elections are important, all citizens votes are important. The citizens need to remember that who they vote into office are Public Servants, they are there to serve the people, as the people are the government.
Sometimes politicians tend to forget that. Remember every vote counts and its not to vote to elect your buddy, it's to vote to put the best candidate in who will work for the people and not to take office for the notoriety of it, voters need to study and research the candidate of their choice and then make an informed decision. Remember what we vote in are Public Servants, lets not let them think they are anything else but that, and voted in to serve the best interest of the people.
I have not read a funnier statement than that of Anon(01-09-09 5:23) and Anon(01-09-09 7:31). Those statements are the reason our entire government, not just Raytown, but the entire government is crashing. Who cares if a baptist is running, or a Methodist, a Catholic, or whatever Christian you may be. The fact of there faith is irrelevant to thier competency to take an office.
I think it is time Mr. Walters to get some new blood on this blog. The hateful and narrow minded pups of yours need to go. There is no cause for people to have this rediculous and false grasp on politics. I also think that your narrow mindedness Mr. Walters is the cause for most the upheival. Think about the people not yourselves. Pathetic.
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