Sunday, February 22, 2009
City News at a Glance
Fireworks
On Tuesday, March 3rd the Board of Aldermen will vote on an ordinance lifting the ban on the sale and shooting of fireworks in Raytown.
The ordinance would allow:
The sale of fireworks by Raytown non-profit organizations.
The period for sale would run from June 27th through July 4th.
The shooting of fireworks on July 4th until 11:00 p.m. in the evening.
Bottle rockets, missiles with sticks and roman candles would be prohibited.
The March 3rd meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. at Raytown City Hall located at 10000 East 59th Street. The public is allowed to voice their opinion on the ordinance during the “Public Comments” segment held at the beginning of the Board meeting.
Raytown Democratic Association Alive and Kicking
The Raytown Democratic Association (RDA) held its monthly meeting last Thursday. About 40 people were on hand to hear National Democractic Committeewoman Sandra Quearry give a report about events at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC..
Since it is election time, a number of candidates also showed up. Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters and candidates for Alderman in Ward 4, (Sandy Hartwell) and Ward 5 (Michael Lightfoot) spoke about city issues. Topics ranged from the need to spend more time and energy on fixing up Raytown’s infrastructure to the half cent sales tax increase election scheduled for April 7th.
Also on hand was School Board candidate Richard Thode who led a lively discussion on ways to improve the Raytown School District.
The RDA is Eastern Jackson County’s oldest continually active political club. It can trace its founding back to the early 1960’s in a reform movement to support candidates for the Raytown Board of Aldermen.
What is Raytown's Financial Condition?
In the heat of the arguments over the April 7th sales tax increase question on these pages and elsewhere in the city a common question is asked – what is the financial shape of Raytown.
It sounds like a simple question but depends upon your point of view. For instance, in this year’s city budget $275,000.00 has been set aside for economic development. But no one has stepped forward to say how that money should be spent. Some say, the in view of the state of the economy, that spending it now would be akin to throwing good money after bad.
The debate began as to what to do with the money back in October when the city budget was approved by the Board of Aldermen. But is important to note that the vote was not unanimous and not without controversy.
Three aldermen voted to remove the line item from the budget and place the money in reserve. That vote failed by a vote of 3 YES to 7 NO (the three YES votes were Barb Schlapia, Marilyn Fleming and Greg Walters.
For the record the final vote on this year’s budget package was 8 YES to 2 NO (the two no votes were Barb Schlapia and Greg Walters).
So, is the city in dire straits over its budget? Not from this point of view – in fact, it could honestly be said that is has an “extra” reserve of $275,000.
Another indicator of how tight money is at city hall is how much money is being spent on pay increases for city hall employees this year. Many area businessess and municipalities have eliminated pay increases or frozen higher paid city officials salaries in answer to the recession. According to City Finance Director Jeremy Wilmoth, 5.5% across the board pay increases will be given to city employees in fiscal 2008/2009.
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109 comments:
Sure glad we taxpayers in Raytown can guarantee Wal-Mart here $330,000 a year to add to their profits.
WAL-MART FACTS
Obviously they are very successful, maybe we could learn
something ....
It has been said that the new Super Wal-Mart in Adair
Co. has to pull in $50,000.00 a day to survive....in a
county of 16,000 people. It has been said to have
averaged $190,000.00 per day since opening on 10/29!!!!
Make sure you read to the end.
HOW BIG IS WAL-MART?
1. At Wal-Mart, Americans spend $36,000,000 every hour
of every day.
2. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute!
3. Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to
St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) than Target sells all year.
4. Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot +Kroger + Target
+ Sears + Costco +K-Mart combined.
5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people, the world's
largest private employer. And most can't speak English!
6. Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of
the World.
7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger and Safeway
combined. And keep in mind they did this in only 15 years.
8. During this same period, 31 Supermarket chains sought
bankruptcy (including Winn-Dixie).
9. Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world.
10. Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the USA.
1,906 are SuperCenters, 1,000 more than it had 5 years ago.
11. This year, 7.2 billion different Purchasing experiences will occur
at a Wal-Mart store.
(Earth's population is approximately 6.5 billion.)
12. 90% of all Americans live within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart.
13. Let Wal-Mart bail out Wall Street.
At least, they're not asking for a bailout!
Point of order:
Who sets City employee's pay raises Jeremy Wilmoth or the Board of Alderpeople?
Top administrators should receive NO increase. Their salaries should be cut or the job eliminated as the contracts expire or through attrition.
The real workers deserve a living wage and I feel they should receive much more. I have heard that many city workers work another one or two other jobs. The pay should be enought that a person can live on one job.
Anon 9:26PM, do you think Walmart is doing so well might be due to the fact that the require their employees to work rest breaks and lunch with no pay? Walmart just lost a big lawsuit over their employment practices.
Helmet Head
Don't understand all the rage over the new intersection at Gregory and Raytown Road. A cleaned up intersection, decent street lighting, without decaying traffic islands, is not the worst return for your tax dollar.
If you want to rage about something check out the $50,000 being wasted on another infill study or the $15,000 spent on studying smoking ordinances and fireworks ordinances.
At least the new intersection can be used by everybody.
I don't have a problem with the revamping of the intersection at
Raytown Rd. and Gregory, but I do have a problem with the
money spent on the monument structures on each corner.
You know the ones. The tall stacked blocks with the brass plates.
I'm guessing the cost to be between six and ten thousand each.
That's a waste of taxpayer dollars.
It's time for our city leaders to understand that times are bad. People are
losing jobs, businesses are leaving town and they want to keep on spending
like money is free flowing.
Giving upper management, raises in bad economic times just shows
how badly we need changes in city government.
They don't seem to have a problem with
giving away taxpayer money and income to big corporations because
they feel that all they have to do is increase our taxes to pay for it all.
This cities track record for spending isn't something to be proud of.
They have wasted millions of taxpayer dollars with nothing to show for it.
Why did the blog administrator remove the comment about the potential $275,000 revenue for not doing anything with the money earmarked for community development? And didn't report what the REAL reserve fund for the city is? It used to be 17% of the budget, then dropped to 10%. Why censor that?
Mr. Whiteman you make no sense at all. you shop Wal-Mart and contribute to their success yet cuss its unfair labor practices. You also think city workers deserve more money and should only have to work one job when everyone is working three jobs and still barely able to get by. you are consistently inconsistent.
Mr. or Ms. Anon 10:49
I have a question for you. Why do you say people have to work 3 jobs to barely get by? That sounds like someone needs to learn how to manage finances better. So what if some one shops at Wal-Mart but does not condone their labor practices. Wal-Mart is where most people have to do their shopping. It's the cheapest general speaking. You would still drive your Chevy even though you don't condone all the lay offs and lost jobs GM is making.
The Hawk
Anon 11:32
What 10% are you talking about. Why are you pissy about the birth of a child. So what if she is on Maturnity leave. That is a perk the city give employees. Back to the 10% crap. Where is it writen that the city gets to touch any of the Police EMS money? Show me where in the proposal it says that?
The Hawk
The CHICKEN-HAWK is at it again. Keep shopping Wal-Mart, buying that cheap Chinese crap, and making the Walton family even wealthier. I agree sometimes there isn't much of a choice, but when there is stay away from that store. Shop local home town owned businesses. I try not to shop with anyone who has received a tax break from the city. I figure that they really don't need my business.
I love how jealous some of you people are of people who got smart and made lots of money. Nothing makes me laugh more than people who got nothing to there names, because they don't feel like working hard, and then wanna complain about the rich people who they wish they were. You can call me Chicken Hawk all you want. I know why you are mad at Wal-Mart.
Also lets pause and think about the Chicken Hawk comment a little more. A Chicken Hawk is still a Raptor. A strong predator. So i guess you are jealous of my that is why you attempt to make fun of, and fail. You accually give me a complement. For that i tahnk you.
Oh i forgot. The above is from
The Hawk.
Three things:
First, it is not a ten-percent reserve, it is fifteen-percent (or 165,000 dollars) that is not spoken for in the proposal. The proposal does not specify what this reserve fund will be used for other than "public safety purposes". I would like to assume that my definition of public safety purposes and the proposal's framer's definition are the same, but I have been burned too many times in the past to consider making that leap of faith. The proposal also does not specify who has the authority to release these reserve funds. Is it the mayor? The BOA? The Police Chief? There needs to be some check on the allocation of 165,000 dollars.
Second, Mr. Walters raises a good question. Is this sales tax increase even necessary? The Police Chief holds a great deal of power and trust in the city. If he says he needs more money, we naturally tend to believe him. Whether that is right or wrong, I don't know. The point is that he says they need more money and the people seem prepared to give it to him. However, does the financial support have to come from a tax increase or is there an alternative solution? Mr. Walters says there is 275,000 dollars waiting to be used. Would the sum of the 275,000 dollars and the 5.5% set aside for increased pay of city officials not be enough to cover the 1.1 million? If that is the case, are there not other city spending programs that can be reduced effectively to create more funding for the police department? During these times, tax increases should be the last resort. I am not convinced we are to that point.
Finally, I want to shift gears from the city's budget to the school district's budget. As most regular followers of this blog know, my father is running for Raytown School Board. To this point, I have not used this forum to advertise his candidacy; I have only responded to questions asked in comments. However, because Mr. Walters mentioned my father in his post and the issue is relevant to my comment, I would like to provide you with some of the budget-related facts my dad shared with the Raytown Democratic Club this past week.
The current school board has BUDGETED 16 million dollars in defecit spending through 2012. To put that in perspective, the district would need to cut 80 jobs today and not replace them for 4 years in order to cover those losses. Moreover that 16 million dollars does not include the operational budget for the new Little Blue school which has yet to be authorized. The current school board has no Finance Committee, nor does it possess a single member with a financial background. Knowing the district can't afford to lose 80 teachers, the money has to come from somewhere. The track record of the school board says it is only a matter of time before another tax/bond increase is sought.
After receving his MBA from the prestigious Northwestern University, Rick has spent the last 33 years as a CPA with a global accounting firm. Multi-national corporations sought his advice in budget solutions. Why should this city's school district be any different? He told the Democratic Club the other night to give him two weeks and he would have the budget balanced. A realist, he added that pain would be felt, but this out-of-control spending needs to stop. The state has to have a balanced budget. YOU have to have a balanced budget. Why should the school district be any different? I am voting for my father, not because I carry his bloodline, but because I can't afford not to.
On a side note, does anybody have any information on the Ward 5 (my district) Alderman candidates Sargeon and Lightfoot? I know there backgrounds, but I am looking more for what particular skills they bring to the table during these turbulent times?
Oh the scary raptor Hawk is a little cranky today! Does he need a diaper change?
The Falcon (aka = he who hunts hawks)
These are hard times we are all facing, and yes there are some
out there that don't have to worry about money as I assume is the
the case of the Hawk. But I know a lot of people that have saved
and invested, just to watch their retirement go down the tubes.
Maybe the Hawk is one of the lucky ones but he has no heart or
feelings for the people the system failed. Call it jealousy call it
whining, I don't care, it's still a bad deal and it's wrong to chastise
people that are going through hard times.
I praise people that are willing to work two or maybe three jobs to provide
for their families. I've been down that road myself and it's no fun.
People don't choose to be put in bad positions. In fact most of the time
when good hard working people are put in a bad financial position it
is a direct result of some rich company, like the oil, finance, utility companies
or being taxed beyond their capability to pay.
It's greed and stupidity that is and will ruin this country. Greed is the companies
that send American jobs out of the country and stupidity......we buy the crap they sell.
Mr. Thode, I work for the school district and you don't have a CLUE what goes on behind closed doors. If you want to cut people, start at the administration center at 6608 raytown road instead of teachers. The 6608 bld is WAY to top heavy in management making $70,000.00 per year and more. The waste is UNBELIEVEABLE! The district throws supplies away that are still useful and reorder the same things. This way they have to spend mostly all the money they get from taxes and money from the state, or they won't get as much the following year.
You would be an idiot to run for the school board! I have been here awhile, and they won't change there habits. It makes me sick!!!!!
Anon.
My dad wasn't talking about cutting teachers. I was just using that number to explain how far-reaching this budget defecit is. I am not an accountant, nor have I seen the "books". That is my dad's area. He has seen the records and has plans to help curb some of the frivolous and repetitive (as you eluded to) spending.
Just wanted to clarify. Feel free to email him at rickthode@gmail.com with your ideas/concerns
When Alderman Sargeon "Sarge" was appointed I read (in I believe the Post) that he is retired from the Post Office's Pesonnel Office (now called human resources). I am sure that is not all of his experience but that part stood out to me. Also here is a link to an article my the Post:
http://www.theraytownpost.com/part-one-diversity-and-politics/
I know nothing of Mr. Lightfoot and never heard of him before.
The Post is doing articles on candidates. I don't know when it will be Ward 5's turn. Try doing a keyword search on the web for;
"clifford Sargeon"+raytown
I didn't find much except that he is on the ballot, but it is worth a try. If you stipulate a Google search, you get a little more info.
Anon 11:47 AM, Maybe you don't know it but local Raytown busisnesses sell the made in China Crap! I went to Westlake for a coffee maker and guess what? It was made by slave labour by the Chicoms. We are stuck with it no matter where we shop!
Andy Whiteman
The city's reserve of unencumbered funds in the 2008/2009 budget is $2,915,514.
These funds are not budgeted and kept in place for catastrophic emergencies -- like clean up after an ice storm, tornadic wind damage, etc.
The city also has $858,672 in reserve. These are dollars that may or may not be spent. The $275,000 set aside for "economic development" fall under this category.
Just because the city has a reserve of unencumbered funds does't mean they should spend it. I happen to believe in keeping a reserve for emergencies. If the ciyy didn't have a reserve and there was an ice storm, tornado, earth quake or riot, where would the money come from if not from unreserved funds?
I personally keep a reserve for house payment, repairs, etc.
Andy Whiteman
Hi Greg,
Can you clarify this for us?
Is the $858k reserve part of the $2.915 Million of unencumbered funds or is it separate?
Thanks,
JWDT
Justin,
In answer to your question about the city's surplus.
$2,915,514.00 is under the heading RESERVES ON FUND BALANCE.
$858,672.00 is under the heading UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS.
Both represent dollars not specifically designated to any equipment purchases, salaries, utilities, planned street improvements, contracts, studies, etc.
They are unencumbered funds which may or may not be spent during the budget year.
And . . .
When it comes to city finances it is also important to remember that
the city does not spend all that is budgeted in any given year. Savings to salary accounts (caused by vacancies), planned projects that fall behind schedule, over-estimated utility and fuel costs are just a few examples of how budgeted money may remain unspent.
The unspent dollars are carried over to the next fiscal year.
So will the city's part for the Gateway to the Graveyard at Gregory come out of the $800,000-plus above since it was a previously budgeted item? Or is it in another fund? And why don't you answer, instead of remove, the questions about Community Developemnt? Is the woman being paid or going to be paid from the $275,000? Is she already hired? Is she working? Is she on leave?
Greg,
I was just curious if the city of Raytown (or any of the local organizations) were submitting proposals to receive stimulus money at the governors transform.mo.gov website. If so, what were the proposals?
Well, I see Trivial Pat, (Pat Ertz) is about to get his way on fireworks. He's so concerned about representing the SPECIAL INTEREST groups instead of the PEOPLE. I only hope this costs him re-election in 2 years. If he'd only gotten out and talked to the REAL PEOPLE that voted for him he would know that there is very little interest in renewing this silly fireworks thing. I urge all people opposed to fireworks to ask these people running in April what their position is. Any ordinance passed by one council can be reversed by 6 votes of the next one. Keep up your silliness Pat and I'm sure you'll be rewarded by being voted out of office in 2 years.
Answers to the Gateway Project
The Gateway project at Gregory Bouelvard and Raytown Road was a budgeted item. It has its own line item in the budget and is a planned expense of the city in 2008/2009.
As for the position of Community Development Director. The city has hired a new Community Development Director. She is working in the office on a daily basis.
The position was funded in the 2008/2009 budget. The position is not paid for by excess funds at City Hall. Nor has it cost the city any extra dollars to maintain the position.
Daniel,
The city is receiving $378,061 from the federal stimulus package. the money will be used for the "Raytown Roadway Preservation & Maintenance Program".(basically, street overlay)
I have not received any reports from city hall on participation in any state programs -- yet.
I will bring it up at the next meeting of the BOA -- March 3rd.
Be sure and ask for bailout cops so we can forget this stupid sales tax idea.
Thank you Greg for allowing this kind of nonsense on your blog. Are you really serving this town well??
It is time for a change and that change starts with you. You are not supporting our cops and emergency services. You did not vote for any tax increase but always demanded more services. It is time for you to go....
Jack Ward I
I am glad to see that Raytown will get street overlay. It should have happened long ago before many streets failed!
Anon 12:21 PM, you speak about what the people want in regards to fireworks. Do you speak for the people? I am a person and am in favor of allowing reasonable fireworks. I enjoyed them in the past.
As I stated before the BOA, the current ban is unenforceable. The new ordinance would allow reasonable fireworks require a license to discharge fireworks while banning bottle rockets and roman candles.
Pat Ertz is not profiting peronally or indirectly via Hy-Vee since the requirement is that fireworks be sold by non-profit orginizations.
When I was a kid, there was a ban on firecrackers, but I don't recall firecrackers being mentioned at the BOA.
Andy Whiteman
Hey Jack,
I think Greg has a done a great job for Ward 1. He is one of the more innovative leaders we have at city hall. He reaches out to his constituents. Even people like you who have nothing good to say about anyone or anything!
How come none of our other elected officials have a service like this blog?
I think the reason that people like you, Jack, and others do not like the blog is because it actually allows people to voice their opinion without fear of recrimination from people like you.
Oh, by the way, I'm not voting for any tax increases until the economy rights itself. Anyone who supports raises their taxes in a full blown recession like this one has rocks instead of brains in his head.
You see, Jack, it is not about supporting our emergency services. It is about taking care of the people of Raytown. They come first.
Ward 1 - Bob
Bob
It shows your IQ.
If you think this blog provides you the truth and meaningful information than god bless you. If you want to know the truth please seekout information.
The reason the mayor and BOA is so very hostile aganist Greg is because he knows more then all of them put together. As for stoolie Pat Ertz the people are not happy abot the fireworks I know he has lost alot of support in my neighborhood so enjoy you fame for the brief time you have it because you won't be elected again. NOTICE TO EVERY TAXPAYER IN RAYTOWN!!! Here is how you tax dollars are being spent. The Chitwood Stadium is haveing astro turt put down on the football field. That will put money in teachers pocket and improve your childs education by leaps and bounds. I am so sick of of people always wanting more taxes and them spending them recklessly. I say no more increase taxes I don't care who they are for. Think about it when you vote for your next school board member and alderman.
Is Larry Edwards not subject to Raytown laws. He had a car parked in his front yard on the grass by his front door. It was a black rag top with the license plates that read 4 Wifey. Come on Larry surely she can walk to the door from the dirve way. Here is another prime example of codes not doing their job.
The problem with codes is that many will NEVER be enforced uncless someone complains. Johnny Osborne stated at one of the BOA meetings that someone needs to call. The plain truth is that codes cannot patrol the whole city. If they did, by the time they got there, the violation would be gone.
What is wrong with parking a car on the yard? Why is it against code? That is a stupid code. Many people park their cars on the yard in NM probably because the driveways are small and there is not enough room on the street. When we lived in CA, we had water restrictions and I required my wife to park her car on the yard when she washed it so that water was not running down the gutter.
This city has many stupid, outated codes that serve no reason. Many are unenforceable. I have said before that codes should be reviewed and codes like this deleted. The are put there only to harrass citizens.
Andy Whiteman
To 8:07 a.m.
What a warm and friendly person you are. I bet you're a blast to have around on holidays and family reunions!
- Bob
Wow. 02-23-09 was a busy time for grips, not including my own of course.
To Pat:
So you think that people are not at fault for their lack of money. Crap! Again letss blame everyone but ourselves. Crap! blame yourself, blame all yourselves. I only live with in my means. My retirement is secure because I do what i need to ensure for MY future. If more people would take a little responceibility for THEMSELVES, there most likely would not be a financial problem. Yes banks made bad loans, but the people who said you know i think i can still afford that were just,how can i put it plainly, STUPID. Simple economics, you don't have the money get a loan. You can't pay the loan, bankrupt. So in short you can't afford to live there live somewhere else. You can't afford to drive it, drive something else. People are to blame for this. Every person who took a loan they knew they could not afford and the people who gave the loans, and the people who pressured the loan givers. Is it really too much to ask that people take responsiblity for themselves instead on blaming others. Working 2 or 3 jobs, is fine, you want the extra money then i am happy for you. But to make yourselves and your families rely on that extra money is your own fault. Sure i might get a part time job. Why, because it would be extra money to my savings/retirment. But i am not going to get a part time job for my new cadi or so i can afford that $1500.00 or higher mortgage i should never had got in the first place.
To Daniel Thode:
Let your dad run for School board. I don't care to read about it on here. He may be a good guy but everytime you mention him i just get more PO'ed. You are smothering him good name, with your rediculous and overbearing praise.
The Hawk.
Oops! Hawkee needs another diaper change!
The TV and radio have an off knob as well as a channel changer. So does this blog. If I don't like the subject, I move onto the next post.
Did anyone notice that Raytown got a plug on the CH 9 5PM news? They showed the new auction house where people may buy repossessed cars, RVs, rec equipment, coke machines, etc. IF the have money to pay for them. Raytown and one of its businesses got a free advertisement!
Hey Hawk,
I've only read about what you think about the poor people.
What do you think about giving your tax dollars to the rich?
Giving your tax dollars to the auto industry and banks?
You know the people that don't really need or deserve it.
After all the people that are hurting are the people that donated their
hard earned tax dollars to the poor rich bastards that obviously didn't know how to be "responsible" with investors money.
So you go ahead and kick the little people while they are down. It just
shows what kind of person you really are.
As for planning ahead, tell the people that worked all their lives at
Braniff Air Lines. They earned their retirement and trusted it would be
there for them. I suppose you would tell them that was their own fault too.
I'm happy for you that you don't have to worry about money.
I feel sorry for you because you get enjoyment out of making fun of
people in bad situations.
The measurement of a real man is compassion you seem to fail greatly.
Well said Pat, I agree with you 100%!!!!
Daniel,
You have as much right to post here as does Debbie Downer or her brother Hawkman.
I wish more people your age took a more active roll in the discussion.
Andy you need to sh__ or get off the pot. What Ca. or NM. does, does not affect Raytown. One minute you are for something and the next minute tearing it down. Plain and simple people ought to have more sense than to park their car on the lawn. But then again anyone who gets up to speak about fireworks and starts off we got a free dinner is short a knive and fork of having a place setting!!!
We don't live in the getto this is our city and take some pride in it. If you want to park your car in the yard then move to getto!!!!
Pat
Where is your compassion when you talk horrible about others? In the past you have made hateful comments about people on this blog. Don’t you think they are one of us? Look yourself in the mirror.
The only people that Pat has ever made " hateful comments" about are those lazy elected city officials and in my book he has been entirely too kind to them. Bower and his cronies are the WORST CITY OFFICIALS in the whole Kansas City area. Can't wait for my house to sell so I can leave this MISERABLE CITY.
Mr. Thode has my vote. He is the only qualified candidate in my book. Could someone tell me how much we are spending on the footbal and soccer fields for the astro turf?
Anon 2:36PM, You make no sense to me. Where is the free dinner? What does a free dinner have to do with fireworks.
I don't understand why a person can't park on their own yard. What difference does it make? Where I come from it is a normal thing to do. The condition of the streets sure make Raytown look like a ghetto.
Anon 3:19 PM, I am doing just the oposite. I am moving and then selling my house. I noticed the market in Raytown is slow. About 5 years ago my Realtor told me the average house in Raytown was listed 6 months before selling. To me that is too long but it appears that homes take longer than that to sell now. I think that maybe potential buyers turn around when they see the sad condition of the streets.
Andy Whiteman
From a school district employee: I don't know the cost, but I would bet they didn't go with the lowest bid (remember someone higher up in the district always has a relative or family member that benefits from the winning bid). As it was stated to me, if your school district doesn't have a first class sports program, you won't get the students and their families to move into the district which equals to less funding from the state and federal govt for less students. The sports programs at our 3 middle and 2 high schools have "blank checks" for the programs!
The folowing school districts have the artificial surfaces installed in recent years:
Blue Springs
Blue Springs South
Grain Valley
Park Hill
Smithville
Harrisonville
Wm Chrisman/Truman District field
Excelsior Springs
Their are numerous high schools across rural Missouri that have also installed this product. The reasons are that they will recoup the initial cost in a few years because they require very minimal maintenance as compared to natural grass surfaces. No mowing, watering or re-seeding. Grass can only tolerate so many events played on them before they are destroyed. Soccer is particularly hard on grass surfaces. The ability to play both underclass games as well as varsity on one surface leads to additional savings by not having to maintain 2 separete fields. Artificial surfaces can be played on during wet weather so games don't have to be rescheduled. Every event requires administration participation from the schools in the form of on site administrators, transportation for student athletes, band members even after a home game. When an event is cancelled the cost goes up to reschedule all the support. As a high school football official for 20 years I can attest to the fact that todays artificial surfaces are so much better on knees and participants are less prone to injuries because of the soft, consistantly even terain artificial surfaces are known for. I think it's a smart expenditure by the district and will lead to savings in the long run.Just my opinion!
Tom Rigot, Sr
The folowing school districts have the artificial surfaces installed in recent years:
Blue Springs
Blue Springs South
Grain Valley
Park Hill
Smithville
Harrisonville
Wm Chrisman/Truman District field
Excelsior Springs
Their are numerous high schools across rural Missouri that have also installed this product. The reasons are that they will recoup the initial cost in a few years because they require very minimal maintenance as compared to natural grass surfaces. No mowing, watering or re-seeding. Grass can only tolerate so many events played on them before they are destroyed. Soccer is particularly hard on grass surfaces. The ability to play both underclass games as well as varsity on one surface leads to additional savings by not having to maintain 2 separete fields. Artificial surfaces can be played on during wet weather so games don't have to be rescheduled. Every event requires administration participation from the schools in the form of on site administrators, transportation for student athletes, band members even after a home game. When an event is cancelled the cost goes up to reschedule all the support. As a high school football official for 20 years I can attest to the fact that todays artificial surfaces are so much better on knees and participants are less prone to injuries because of the soft, consistantly even terain artificial surfaces are known for. I think it's a smart expenditure by the district and will lead to savings in the long run.Just my opinion!
Tom Rigot, Sr
The folowing school districts have the artificial surfaces installed in recent years:
Blue Springs
Blue Springs South
Grain Valley
Park Hill
Smithville
Harrisonville
Wm Chrisman/Truman District field
Excelsior Springs
Their are numerous high schools across rural Missouri that have also installed this product. The reasons are that they will recoup the initial cost in a few years because they require very minimal maintenance as compared to natural grass surfaces. No mowing, watering or re-seeding. Grass can only tolerate so many events played on them before they are destroyed. Soccer is particularly hard on grass surfaces. The ability to play both underclass games as well as varsity on one surface leads to additional savings by not having to maintain 2 separete fields. Artificial surfaces can be played on during wet weather so games don't have to be rescheduled. Every event requires administration participation from the schools in the form of on site administrators, transportation for student athletes, band members even after a home game. When an event is cancelled the cost goes up to reschedule all the support. As a high school football official for 20 years I can attest to the fact that todays artificial surfaces are so much better on knees and participants are less prone to injuries because of the soft, consistantly even terain artificial surfaces are known for. I think it's a smart expenditure by the district and will lead to savings in the long run.Just my opinion!
Tom Rigot, Sr
My apologies for the multiple entries. I guess I got a little happy with the enter button!
Tom, the system is slow and appears not to move; hence I clicked twice.
If you want to, you can delete the duplicates by creating a post, loggin in, and then clicking the trash can on the ones you want to delete. Since you have to post to log in, you can post a messave with an "X" and then log in. After logging in, you can also delete the X message.
Sounds like artificial turf makes good sense both for safety and the budget. But I question if athletics are really needed to attract students? Aren't schools for reading, riting, and rithmatic? Those are the basics and a high quality education is what really counts. I had one friend who moved down the street just to stay in Raytown (in a larger house) stating that "Raytown schools have a good special-ed program." That speaks a lot more than athletics.
Andy Whiteman
I challenge the blogger to copy one of Pat's "hateful" statements on this blog.
The challenge will not be picked up because the "hateful" statement was never written.
Kind of interesting to read such disparaging remarks from someone as the complain about another's alleged remarks. Amazing!
That comment had me stumped because I can't recall Pat making a hateful comment. I brushed it aside with the assumption that the writer perceived a comment to be hateful. It is all how the reader perceives it no matter what was really said.
Andy Whiteman
The company installing the sports turf at RHS and RSHS was the low bidder. In fact, the district got a below market bid because the company is looking to get its foot in the door in the Kansas City area. They have done an outstanding job with installations outside the area.
There was another key reason for the sports turf and that was to lessen the liability issues the district had with students having to drive themselves off the campuses to practices for soccer. The turf will also better support multiple use for band and physical education classes that couldn't always use the grass fields, especially if it had rained in the past 2-3 days.
The sports programs at the middle and high schools have a blank check? Who are you kidding? Check out the uniforms and the equipment that the participants have - much of it needs to be replaced. The blank checks don't always draw good coaches - most of the time it is just a teacher who wants the extra money they can get for coaching a sport, never mind if they know what they are doing. Most of what the sports programs have comes from private money such as donations and fundraisers. There is a breakfast at Applebee's just about every Saturday for sports teams trying to raise enough money for new uniforms or equipment. The money provided by the district for sports is miniscule.
I am so excited about the astro truf. Just knowing that MY MONEY is helping to do something so STUPID gives me a warm fuzzy feeling and now I know FOR SURE I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR ANOTHER TA INCREASE!!!! I know this astro truf will make them read beter, be able to solve math problems better and write beter term papers!!!!How stupid can people be!!!Vote out these board members.
Andy what the writer meant about Larry Edwards was you could buy him to vote your way, buy your product ect. and about all you would have to do is buy him a McDonalds burger. Do you get it????
Yes Pat i will blame them for their mistakes. They put their hard earned money in the hands of someone else who was not compitent. Sorry if it seems harsh but i really don't see how blaming someone other than yourself for the situation you fall into. A person makes the decision to stay with a company. A person makes the decision to let that company invest for their retirement. Well why can't they invest themsleves instead on relying on someone else. I put away my own money in my own retirment fund. I do not wish to rely that my job will have the money to pay me when i retire, or that i will even be at my current job long enough to retire. As long as i put what i do into my personal retirement fund, i will have enough to live off of when the time comes for me to retire. You may say;"Well how would i know that the investment firm who company is using is going under". Well that is something you should know. You should always know how their investments are fairing. Those are your investments.
Pat you can talk down on me all you want. Jealousy is becoming of someone who can't take care of themselves when they see someone who can. I am only saying that people are adults. They should take responcibility for yourselves. To blame someone else for their problems. that is juvenile and should not be tolerated by people of a great country such as this. You can blame whomever you want Pat. If that is me then fine. If you and the people who think like you want to suckle from someone elses tit like infants go ahead. That is what you want to be known as as feeder and parasite i don't really care. I just think that people should act as adults and take responcibility for something.
The Hawk
To "Anonymous" 3:10,
There are very few people in this world I "Hate."
Life is too short to fill your mind with hate.
I don't write hateful letters.
While true I have been and still am very disappointed with the
way most of our elected officials have hurt this town, I don't
hate any one of them.
I have never disrespected anyone on this blog. Although there may
be a couple that I don't respect, I would never be hateful to them.
So please in the future if you want to accuse me of something I have said, give me a quote.
I will have to give it to Pat. Other than me he really has not said hateful thiings about anyone. I personally would like qoutes as well. It is so easy for some one to say something mean or hateful. But to get in their heads you need qoutes. Attack the truth of their words and make them see it.
The Hawk
Stinky diaper!
QOUTE (I am so excited about the astro truf. Just knowing that MY MONEY is helping to do something so STUPID gives me a warm fuzzy feeling and now I know FOR SURE I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR ANOTHER TA INCREASE!!!! I know this astro truf will make them read beter, be able to solve math problems better and write beter term papers!!!!How stupid can people be!!!Vote out these board members.) END QOUTE
To Anon 7:16 AM.
I sure hope that your horrible spelling was part of the joke. I would say it is something worth while. I have the ut-most respect for teachers, especially Missouri teachers, being that my mother is one. They have it so hard with all the stipulations that the put on them to teach. I have spent a lot of personal time in class rooms and dealing with students. You cannot think that it is the school districts fault for the horrible test scores of the students. Ye si will say there are bad teachers. But most generaly it is the students unwillingness to learn not the teaching. You cannot expect students to spell better if they are not willing to learn. At least the school sports teams that are benefiting from the new turf are are more motivated to do better in school. Because to play sports they have to maintain a decent GPA. Yes they did not necessarily need new truf. But what would you propose they spend money on? They did something to give the school a more up beat feeling. Maybe the new look will give the students a new sense of pride and encourage them to do better. Positive thinking is a good tool to triumph with.
What is with the diaper comments. That is a pathetic means to overcome my rants. Please use some brains and come up with a witty retort. Don't waste time and blog space with that little meaningless statement. Bring something to the table. Post an opinion. It is really sad that you cannot type something better. The lack of thought that goe into that comment offends me. I need a more intellegent adversaries like Pat, Andy, or the others that post facts and opinions on events not "stinky diapers"
On another note. I am okay with the truf. Why not. Most of taxes are spent on things that make you tilt your head and say what the CRAP. why are we putting money down for that? If it makes the football team better or improves the selfesteem of the students and encourages them to do better, then what the heck go for it.
The Hawk
I understand the argument about the turf. But I am not sure that I buy into the "it's cheaper than natural turf". Show me the numbers.
As for helping the football team. Can't see how it wouldn't help the other team as well.
So much for the football gods and those at their altar.
As for Pat Casady. His comments are always well-reasoned. I don't recall him trashing anyone anytime.
It is interesting to note that the one whining about Pat commits the sin that accuses Pat of.
Obviously there is a poster or posters whose only retort is to post a personal attack against a signed blogger. No thought is involved at all. Such posts achieve nothing. I agree with The Hawk. Such posts are mindless and totally disregarded my myself and I assume others.
Why not post facts or your opoinion? "Diapers" comments really say nothing at all. Maybe it is a way to release frustration.
Andy Whiteman
Mr. Hawk,
I do not have the time to address any personal attacks you make. If you would like to debate my analysis of issues affecting our city, I am more than happy to listen.
On that note, I find it hypocritical that the man who is so quick to condemn others for purchasing items they cannot afford is in favor of these new fields.
Here is my rationale on why the purchase of these fields was the wrong decision.
Notice how I used the word "wrong" instead of "bad". I understand the logic behind the purchase. The long-term maintenance of turf is cheaper than the maintenance of grass. We were in need of a soccer fields at RSHS due to liability concerns. In the right economic times, this purchase might have been logical. Now is not one of them.
To clarify for those who have asked, the new fields are going to cost the district approximately 400,000 dollars per year for 10 years (the equivalent of about 8 qualified teachers each year). The district is facing a 2.5 million dollar budget defecit for next year and 16.5 million over the next four. Combine that with the struggling economy and it is hard to see where this purchase makes sense. I would love to purchase a new house that is energy efficient. In the long run, it would save me money on utilities. I can't make that purchase, though, because I don't have that kind of cash. Likewise, the state may be forced to make cuts to healthcare programs because they do not have the cash. Why should the school district be held to a different standard than the citizens who fund it or to the state.
The only neccessity of this package was the one soccer field. The rest was an added bonus we couldn't afford.
Wrong purchase at the wrong time.
Mr. Thode i am assuming that when you say personal attacks, you mean the comment i made about you overgratifying your father who is running for school board. I beleive you said you are aroun 24 years old. Okay then live an adult life and stop the "My dad is better than you dad" crap.
On the note you made:
QOUTE(I find it hypocritical that the man who is so quick to condemn others for purchasing items they cannot afford is in favor of these new fields) END QOUTE.
What is your meaning exactly. When i made comments about people buying things they cannot afford i mean people not a school district. I refer to people needing to live inside their means not outside it. Honestly your statement is nonsense.
the purcahse of the new feilds as you said will accually cut maintainence costs. Your anictdote about the energy efficient home is the example of making a logical decision. Sorry that you cannot afford a nice new home that is efficient. Have you thought about making your current residence efficient. Instead of replacing the entire school facilities for new and efficient they are replacing parts of efficiency. That is my RATIONALE.
The Hawk
That is exactly my point. It is the principle. Why should a school district be held to a different standard than an individual? If you say those are different, then what about the state? The Constitution mandates that the state must balance its books for the year. Why shouldn't the books of the school district need to be balanced as well?
Further, the district needs that liquidity for other areas needing improvement. Safety? Effective teachers? The district just came to the city because it couldn't afford to give teachers raises. Yet, they have the expendable resources to finance new, state-of-the-art fields? It just doesn't add up.
As for the personal attacks, I am not the only one that thinks Rick Thode is the most qualified candidate. There have been several others on this forum that have supported him. For me to do so is no different than you supporting or lambasting elected officials and policy. The only difference is you do not share a surname. If I had a different last name, there would be no issue. I currently work on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. I plan to get involved in the political arena when I move back to Raytown. I have worked, and continue to work on various campaigns in Missouri. If there is a relevant opportunity to spread the message of a candidate I endorse, I will continue to spread that message. That is how elections work.
Now, looking at your past comments, it has become transparent that you are quick to tear down other people and their ideas. Likewise, I have noticed that you fail to offer any unique, progressive ideas of your own. Thus, I would like to change the focus to you Mr. Hawk. You are a citizen of Raytown and a taxpayer to the school district. How would you go about improving the school district? What avenues would you suggest to bring new businesses to Raytown? For being such a self-proclaimed nobleman-of-sorts in Raytown, I would, and I believe others out there as well, would like to hear you voice your solutions to our problems.
To Mr. Rigot I guess if someone jumped off a bridge that you would follow. Dumb reason to put astro turf down is because some other schools have it. We need to thinkk for ourselves and not follow like dumb sheep.
What is with the diaper comments. That is a pathetic means to overcome my rants...
Most of taxes are spent on things that make you tilt your head and say what the CRAP. why are we putting money down for that? The Hawk
Well little Hawkster you sound like a 2 year old thus the diaper comments. And since you say "what the CRAP" is suspect a diaper is indeed in order.
The Falcon
Greg which radio station is city channel 7 pirating these days? Thursday night I caught a small sermon with a sign off encouraging people to make an offering by calling "1-800-252-LOVE" How about a little separation of church and state.
I don't believe Mr. Rigot ever said that we should have the sports turf because other schools did. He only listed other schools that had the turf then listed why he supported the turf. Please re-read and think before posting.
I want someone from the city to personally promise that 100% of the safety sales tax will go to safety. Oh and don't try the old school district trick of shifting existing funds out of their budget if it passes. We are wise to that old slight of hand.
If you want my vote Mr Bower this is what it will take...nothing less
From the Raytown school district employee: I can't stress enough about the continued "waste" of tax payers monies. The school district books NEED to be audited!
I have very few gripes with teachers that teach the youth, their hands are tied if a student acts up in class. They are afraid of personally sewed by the parents for harassment.
The new elementary school on Noland rd. is a joke! No turn lane in either direction on Noland rd for cars and buses to turn on to 61st and as you go by the school, the road narrows so bad that really one car and get through at a time, much less a bus and a car going side by side! Just wait till an accident happens and students get killed. This shows how SMART the school board is when they looked at this site to build on. As always with the administration, there are strings attached with some family or relative. Just like the Hummana health insurance the district has, or (had) was tied to someone who works for the district and a family member sells Hummana, to help their commission.
In the Army I learned...believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see. So Bower's promise would be meaningless. The city already has a track record on bait and switch with where special tax money will go. You'll find street repair funds in the new Wal-Mart parking lot.
Anon 7:52 PM, if you make your statement at a BOA meeting, you may get some attention. As far as I know city officials don't pay attention to blog postings (especially anonymous). No official I have spoken with admits to even reading the blog (except Greg). I have seen posts from a previous Alderperson. My point is that addressing the board will bring public attention to those present or watching on TV. I doubt you will get a response, but it may raise the same question with other people.
Daniel, I agree that spending money on soccor or football fields, at this time, does not, make good sense. As you said, the money could be spend on teacher's salaries. The only sensible point I see about the turf is safety and lower ground maintenance cost. 75% of our property taxes go to the schools. Now we know that the increase from 67% to 75% paid for soccor fields, not teachers salaries as promised.
All that is necessary from the schools is reading, riting, and rithmatic. The athletics are a luxary and really whould be paid for through ticket sales, parents, and/or students. 2 football players came to my door doing fundraising for the team. I bought their $10 discount card and gave each of them a GatorAide since it was summer.
Andy Whiteman
Andy your words belie what you have to say. If the officials you know don't read the blog how would you know they "especially (ignore) anonymous" posts? I once overheard the mayor brag about how you reported to him what's on this blog. So of course he doesn't have to read it. And don't kid yourself the BOA checks out everything posted here just like they did the two local newspapers in the past. They would tell you they never read "that crap" but they could quote every word on the editorial pages.
Is the Raytown Post going to do any stories on the other races in Raytown?
There are six contests and so far all they have written about is the one in Ward 1.
I live in Ward 4 and have seen both candidates pounding the streets and doors.You know, the south end of Raytown is just as important as the north end.
Somebody should give them a wake up call.
Anon 12:05 AM, If anyone has stated that I report what is on the blog, that is somewhat untrue. I may make reference to something or inquire if it is true. But I don't have the time to make a complete report. If anyone wants to know what is posted, they will have to read it themselves or have one of their employees read it.
Actually I am lucky if I have time to post. A typical post takes me 30 minutes or longer to think it out, attempt to proof read it, and revise it.
Actually 12:05AM is the type of post I don't believe but still deserves a response. This blog is here for anyone to read, so why would I need to report on what is posted?
Andy Whiteman
duhhhhh
The recent snowfall has confirmed my belief that our city government can't do anything right. The streets are full of potholes, (I've never seen a poorer job of trying to fix them with this patching truck) the snow removal is a disaster, ( they're wasting salt like there is no tomorrow) and we're worried about shooting fireworks. MAYOR BOWER AND MOST OF THE BOARD SHOULD BE IMPEACHED. And yes the one known as Trivial Pat, ( Pat Ertz) is also running Water District #2. It's no wonder our water bills are out of control. Where's the accountability?
Lets think about it. The salt is destroying the streets and the city isn't maintaining them. I have lived in cities that don't clear snow on residential streets and others that don't clear snow at all. We should feel lucky that the city is clearing the residential streets.
I feel the city should cut back and clear only arterial and feeder streets while leaving residential streets alone. That cost savings could be put towards maintaining the streets.
Andy Whiteman
Anon 8:29 PM
Get a life and quit bitching. Mayor Bower is a great leader and we are lucky that he is serving our city. Pat is a great guy as well and if you have a problem then talk to him rather than bitching about it.
Whatcha smoking there, Elmer?
agreed
Apparently you haven't talked to Bower or any of his other cronies. They tell you what you want to hear to get rid of you and then they go do whatever they want. THEY ARE NOT REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE. Don't give them another dime of taxes. VOTE NO ON ALL NEW TAXES!!!!
Anon 8:47 AM
Get a life. Present facts and don't be so negative. If you have an issue then bring it up and get involve rather than criticizing. Bower is a great leader and we need him. I am so glad that he decided to serve the public and doing a great job. He and the board accomplished more in last two years than others did in last twenty years. So I salute him for his services to our community.
Anon 10:41, What planet are you living on? Mayor Bower is a dud.
DOGS IN RAYTOWN NEED YOUR HELP
AS YOU MAY HAVE READ IN SATURDAYS KC STAR AN ILLEGAL PUPPY MILLS OWNER STARTED FIRE TO HIS BUSINESS. 70 OF THE RESCUED GERMAN SHORT HAIR DOGS HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED TO THE RAYTOWN ANIMAL ADOPTION CENTER 10312 EAST 63RD STREET. 304-3465. THEY ARE IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS TO HELP BATHE TO DOGS, CLEAN KENNELS, ETC. THEY COULD ALSO USE FOOD, TOYS, CRATES, COLLARS, LEASHES AND CLEANING SUPPLIES. IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO STOP BY AND HELP OR LEAVE SOME SUPPLIES I KNOW THEY WOULD APPRECIATE IT. DR. ROSE IS TAKING CARE OF THE ANIMALS AND WILL HAVE THEM READY FOR ADOPTION IN A COUPLE WEEKS. THEY ARE REALLY ADORABLE AND COULD USE ANY HELP YOU ARE ABLE TO GIVE.
Anonymous 10:41. You wanted some facts. If Bower is so great, why are we loosing population, down about 2,000 in the last 8 years. Businesses closing, the latest a grocery store in downtown. Rising tax rates, new tax to be on April ballot. I haven't even touched on the deteriorating neighborhoods, bad streets, and a rising crime rate. From one who has lived here a long time I'm sadden that we are no longer a city that is respected in the metropolitan area. If this is leadership coming from the top then I'm afraid we really can't afford much more of David Bower.
SIGN ME: Not being negative, just being realistic
What a positive thought? Hope you get some help soon.
Noticed the Bower supporter wants details ... yet doesn't provide anything but platitudes about what a great leader he is without examples of what (if anything) he's accomplished as mayor.
Keep drinking the kool aide.
PS. Bow-wow-er could end up making Jack Nesbitt look good!
rubbish and crap
Anon 12:37 PM, How should Bower keep population here? Pass an ordinance against moving?
I am moving and my reason for moving is unrealated to city government. My reason is I was forced to move here for a job and never wanted to be in this State of Misery. I am moving because the climate is too miserable for human habitation. If my reason was realated to the city government, I would stay because I doubt that my home will sell after I move.
PS. Remember there are dogs who need your help.
Andy Whiteman
There are reasons that people are leaving. If Bower is such a great leader, as some suggest, then he should be able to figure it out and turn it around.
Anon 8:32 PM
List your contribution to our community or suggest what should others do.
I second the motion:
Anon 8:32 PM
List your contribution to our community or suggest what should others do.
What do you think Bower should do? What would you do? What is the solution?
Andy Whiteman
I'm not being paid the big bucks like Bower is so I don't have to come up with solutions.
Anon 10:40AM, We should all strive to be part of the solution.
Big Bucks??? What is your defination of big bucks? I have a city document in my paws that says the Mayor receives $1000 per month plus $200 car allowance per month. $12,000 per year is NOT big bucks in my opinion. The car allowance is expense reimbursement and not pay.
In my opinion, Bower is doing community service by donating his time after doing his primary job. $12,000 is not a living wage. If this city paid me only $12,000 a year, I would consider my time community service and not proper compensation.
Many of us here on this blog don't make big bucks but want to be part of the solution. How about you? If you don't want to be part of the solution, why are you here?
Andy Whiteman
Greg,
Can you add a counter to the blog so we can all join together and celebrate Andy Whiteman moving.
It is hard to believe he can find good in Bower, but find fault throught our city. It is good citizen like him that do nothing, but complain, but do not campaign to remove the trash from city hall.
Andy, I am guessing you will still be around on election day we couldn't get rid of you that soon. Why not use your time help canidates who have not worked for former Alderman that the voted to recieve tax break for painting their business or those appointed by a mayor who only want "Big Box Stores"
I do wish you the best on your relocation and hope you find a place that makes your truely happy however even in that community were you can park you car on the lawn I am sure you would find something to complain about.
If nothing else I pray you will allow God into your life so you can find some peace so you stop the complaining.
Anon 9:40PM, I am unable to move that quickly, and even if I was, there is the absentee ballot.
I don't recall making any comment specifically about Bower. Maybe you never noticed, but I have complained about the Fascist Feudal administration Raytown has. Doesn't that say something about those who inhabit City Hall?
My new lawn is gravel with desert vegetation. The driveways are large enough that it is unnecessary to park on the lawn in that park of town but in the older parts of town, there is no other place to park.
At least the climate is decent and will be a big improvement fron the State of Misery.
I have prayed to God for 6 years to please help me find a suitable house away from this State of Misery. He finally answered my prayer.
Andy Whiteman
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