My computer had a major melt-down this weekend so I was unable to place the posts until this morning. The machine was only 18 years old -- I guess they don't build 'em like they used to.
So, here is my very short post for this week.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 7th, is election day.
Please remember to vote.
I should be up and running with a new computer by the end of day Tuesday. So, check out this page for the results of this election.
43 comments:
Did anybody see the flyer in the Raytown Post?
It was by far the most educational piece of information
I have read in a long time. It used both logic and facts to
point out flaws in the way this city is being run.
I'm not against anybody making money or getting a raise
but, how about the taxpayers getting a little something for
their tax dollars. So far all we have seen is big corporations
getting the breaks and the taxpayers footing the bill.
It's time for a cleaning out of the council and elect aldermen
that will work for the taxpayers for a change. For far too long
it's been one for taxpayers and nine against. Tuesday is a chance
for the taxpayers to express how they feel. Please talk to your neighbors and see if they will get out to vote.
Andy,
In answer to your question about the $275,000 set aside in the budget for economic development (from last week's posts).
The item was approved by the BOA by a 7 to 3 vote.
However, the item had no line items or suggestions of how it was to be used. The Board will vote on that issue at another time.
So the money is in place to be spent -- but it is not spent until the Board approves the expenditure.
The lack of a description was one of the main reasons that two member of the Board voted against approving the budget last October.
I have already mailed in my ballot absentee.
I would encourage the readers of this blog from Ward 2 to visit www.hopeforraytown.blogspot.com
Justin Tomac outlines his agenda if elected to office. Though I am a Ward 5 resident, I would encourage the Ward 2 visitors of this blog to consider Mr. Tomac's message if you are still unsettled on a candidate.
That insert of information was the nail that sealed the coffin for me. I will only vote for the alderman in my ward who is aganist the tax, and needless to say I will also vote NO for the tax. I live in Ward 4.
Greg, If your PC is 18 years old it is obsolete! I have a PC with Win98 from 10 years ago and am trying to transfer my data to WinXP but the 2 systems won't interface.
I believe in having a backup for everything. So I have a laptop if my PC goes down. Isn't as nice as a PC but is also good for travelling which I rarely do.
Everyone please remember to VOTE tomorrow. Vote for whomever or whatever you feel is right. We need a large turnout. I hate the local elections with minimal turnout. IT IS BOTH YOUR RIGHT YOUR DUTY TO VOTE! EXCERCISE YOUR RIGH TO VOTE!
Andy Whiteman
A note to the writer who said the time was not changed for DST: I just posted on www.hopeforraytown.blogspot.com
and the time is Pacfic Time. I assume either the server is in the west coast or Arizona which does not observe daylight time.
Please remember to VOTE!
Andy Whiteman
Pat,
I read the flyer and was very impressed with it.
I was checking out the Raytown City homepage a week ago and ran across the "data" that was referenced in the Post articles. (www.raytown.mo.us - go to bottom middle) It has been my experience working with this type of data that it is accurate but is only telling part of the story.
For Example, lets take the hourly call volume, notice the spike from 1800 to 2200, what typically happens during this time? People come home, find break-ins, domestic disputes, traffic accidents, etc. A basic question to be asked here is, "what is the breakout by type during each hour e.g. domestic dispute, accident, EMS, etc.?". This leads to other questions which may point to alternate solutions....as we all know Data is good, but if it tells you nothing then it is just data & not information.
Other things that jump out from the presentation is that if we are to receive 6 officers with a total spend of $366,000, what is the avg salary of these officers? Initial blush would say $366k/6 = $61k. A question to ask is if this is a fully burdened (i.e. health, retirement, etc.) included or is this just their salary? If it is a truly fully burdened cost (in this model use 1.3 factor), the avg salary would be $46,925. If these assumptions play out, the question would be what type of raise are we giving these officers yearly or will that be another tax down the road?
But I guess the above questions are all for naught because tomorrow will the fate be decided.
Get out & Vote!
JWDT
As for police calls from 1600-2200, the numbers don't tell everything. During 1600-1900 traffic is heavier than normal due to day people getting off work. How many of these responses are accidents and traffic citations?
As for break ins, domestic disputes, etc., I can't believe anyone would think of handing it off to the neighborhood watch. The neighborhood watch was designed to spot and report "in progress" type crimes. Neighborhood watch can't investigate a break in. A domestic dispute is the most dangerous call a police person will respond to. It is idiotic and dangerous to expect neighborhood watch to handle a domestic. It takes professionals.
Andy Whiteman
It's my understanding that Chamber President Vicki Turnbow was intimidating a supporter of the No vote on the sales tax increase. The nerve of this person, how much sales tax does she spend in Raytown? Not much I bet, because she lives in RAYMORE.
How many people are moving out of Raytown now that the sales tax passed and Greg lost the election? I am seriously considering it.
I was hoping for a large turnout today, but I was expecting too much. When I voted approximately 4:30PM, I was the only person voting. In the past there have always been 3 to 10 people at that time.
It seems our city issues will be decided by a few!
Before you complain, ask yourself if you have voted.
Andy Whiteman
Andy,
It wasn't my intention to imply that neighborhood watches take domestic disputes or hanlde investigations. I will disagree with your comment that all a neighborhood watch should do is to monitor for 'in-progress' type crimes. This is what your neighbors should be doing as well as the neighborhood watch. The Watch Group shouldn't be just an additional set of eyes during the evening hours, but play a key role in the neighborhood by promoting neighborhood functions and involvement as well.
Also, if the neighborhood watch has the training why wouldn't they be able to be the 1st responders while the police are enroute for "some" of the less risky types of calls? In my opinion this is part of the reason governments are becoming large (requiring most of what we earn), because no one wants to look at the alternatives, instead they want to pass the buck.
I am sick at heart about the results of the election. First of all I want to thank Greg for the many years of faithful service he gave to the community and the people of Raytown. Thank you also to his family I know they gave up alot for him to devote so much time to serving. Shane has some big shoes to fill and I don't think he is up to the job, but I guess we will find out. Believe me people will be watching and holding his feet to the fire. The tax passed and now I will be going else where to shop where there is cheaper taxes. I hate to do it but I too have to watch my pennies.
More businesses will be lost now due to the higher sales tax. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER ITEM PRICED OVER $100 IN RAYTOWN when the new sales tax kicks in. I believe it won't be until October, so buy now and then move on to buy your goods in other cities.
I really hope nobody moves out of Raytown because of the election.
Poor voter turnout has always been a curse in this town.
For the last ten years or so special groups have been the only deciding
factor in Raytown's elections. Until a larger group of people that want
a change in the way things are done, nothing will change.
Three new faces, I don't think, will be enough to make a difference in the
way this city is run. Even if they were all for the people, it would still be three
against seven. So what do we say every two years? Better luck next time,
it's not the end of the world.
Mr. Walters,
Thank you for your continued service to the city. Once things cool down from the election and you get your life back, it would be interesting to hear your plans for the near future. I believe I speak the obvious when I say that I don't believe we have seen the last of Greg Walters' involvement in the city.
Pat,
I found your "better luck next time" comment interesting. You are right. It seemes to be a perpetual sentiment of the community that the BOA/Elected Officials in general do not fulfill the desires of the people. Why do you think that is? My first inclination would be to say that people lack a connection with these officials. They essentially are given a couple of names on a ballot to choose from and often feel they must pick the lesser of two evils. I think there is a plethora of great minds in Raytown who would make great officials. Yet, I would bet many of them have never even thought about running for office. With a changing political landscape coupled with the now cliched call for "change", it would be interesting to see the effect of a community-led committee with the objective of recruiting qualified, potential candidates with something additional to add to the Board.
In sports, management brings in is much talent as possible. Fierce competition for starting positions ensures that the team has the best combination of players on the field at any given time. They accomplish this objective by serious recruiting.
Why should a city's BOA "team" be any different?
This past election, we saw several candidates running the "change" message. I am of the camp that not all change is good change. Just because something is new does not mean it is better. Recruiting candidates would give the people a deeper bench of qualified candidates.
Just a thought.
Congratulations to those who were victorious at the polls yesterday.
I still have a little faith. It was nice to see one of the newly elected aldermen out getting up his signs today in Ward 4. It shows me this guy wants to see be a Raytown a clean city like it once was. Good luck to all of the new guys and what ever you do don't give and stick to your guns and don't be fished in by the good 'ole boys club.
There are many reasons for leaving Raytown. First the new Wal-mart will continue to bring in the criminal element. Along with it and the higher sales tax small business will continue to flee or be driven out by the GIANT CORPORATIONS. Next the neighborhoods are getting so run down that I'm ashamed to say I live here. Bad streets are everywhere, a declining school system, declining property values, a shrinking population, and free spending liberals at city hall are taking Raytown down a path where there is no return. We will soon be a city that can no longer AFFORD TO EXIST. I only hope that some of our neighboring cities are ready to annex Raytown. Thank you Mayor Bower for the exceptional leadership that you have brought to us the last 2 years.
All I have to say right now is a bit fat THANK YOU to Greg and all of his hard work for us little ole RayTOWNites..I voted...and I'll vote again, and again, and again. Somewhere down the line it will matter. I just hope that Greg runs again. I'm there. I'm also not experienced whatsoever with blogging, but I'll get there eventually. I will also educate myself more on how all this works. Trust me when I say, I'LL BE WATCHING THEM. I'm a homeowner, I pay taxes, and have been a RayTOWN resident in one form or another since 1997. That may not carry a lot to some folks, but it does to the ones that matter. REBECCA PERKINS.
Rebecca, You count, at least to me. Since you are a property owner and taxpayer, I assume you VOTE. At least I hope you voted yesterday. There were too many races and important issues decided by the vote of a FEW! I would have like to have seen a larger turnout.
8:24 AM, I find it hard to believe you would put mileage on your car and pay for gas to save 50 cents. Sounds penny wise and pound foolish to me.
Justin, Neighborhood Watch could be first responders but ONLY if trained as such. I used to live in a village where EMS and Fire freguently responded to the emergency on foot while others brought the the ambulance or fire truck.
I never knew Neighborhood Watch did any more than watch. In all of the places I have lived, I have seen the only the sign and no apparant activity of the Neighborhood Watch. My wife wondered if the signs were there to scare off the bad guys. Being a loner, I have no interest in social activities. Hank Dogg and more recently Red Dogg and I used to walk through the neighborhood and the PD did receive a few calls of suspicious events from us. But that stopped about a year ago when the city stopped maintaining the streets. It is too dangerous to be walking these streets and I am referring to street maintenance.
******
I was just at the new Hy-Vee. It is a nice store, much larger than the other Hy-Vee. It wasn't crowded but had many more customers and employees than the old Hy-Vee.
Andy Whiteman
Pat,
I agree, 3 new faces may not but lets give them time to show the stripes to the voters who they now represent. I too struggle with the 'apathy' of the turnout. I would take it beyond that as well. While on the campaign trail I found most did not realize each Ward had two alderman and some if not most did not even know what was all on the ballot. I often ask myself why this is, is it part of the education system we have, is it the lack of parental involvement, etc., etc.,. In the end I believe it is just pure laziness for most. Lets face it, our society has become a culture of handout recipients...."minimize the effort to maximize the benefit"
How to energize this is beyond me...I ran into a few people while campaigning that claimed they vote in every election. It was very difficult to bite my tongue when I carried with me the last seven elections of who voted in my ward and their name/address was not on the list. In the end all you can do is encourage them to get out and exercise their duty and right.
Daniel,
I agree 'change' is an overused clique'. What I find interesting is this sound byte is the one that resonates with the majority of voters. When asking the voters what to change, no answers or comments were forthcoming, so you fill in and let the imagination do the rest. For a perfect example, take our current President. One end predicts catastrophe, the other some utopia. After the dust settles I predict the change will be much different then any of us ever imagined; it may be good for some and horrible for others, but one thing is certain it will be a change and be different.
I like your analogy of Sports team recruitment for the BOA. In Ward II, I actively recruited several to run. When they all gave the thumbs down is when I decided to.
What is difficult to discern is once you decide what qualifications, skillsets, behaviors and demeanors you are recruiting, what the measurement system would be that all would recognize? My bet is that would be a larger hurdle then spanning the different leagues to recruit.
As I mentioned on my blog, Congrats to all those victorious yesterday.
JWDT
Hello everyone,
As you can see my computer problems have been solved and we are up and running full steam again.
After a couple of weeks of maintaining the blog with more strict over-sight I have decided that it is the format that will be continued.
To be sure, there are still those who like to spew venom and hate that are trying to post on this page. I can tell you from what some of them have written that they are a very frustrated and unhappy lot.
So sad, too bad!!!
I had posted that results would be offered on this blog but have found a much better source for all of us political junkies. Go to the Jackson County, Missouri Board of Election website. Vote totals and (eventually) precinct results will be posted at that location. Here is the address:
www.jceb.co.jackson.mo.us
As for the election. Of course I would have rather won than lost -- I will post my comments this Sunday on my read of what the results mean this Sunday.
Congratulations to the winners.
For those who lost, remember that every failure is a chance at a new beginning.
Hello everyone,
As you can see my computer problems have been solved and we are up and running full steam again.
After a couple of weeks of maintaining the blog with more strict over-sight I have decided that it is the format that will be continued.
To be sure, there are still those who like to spew venom and hate that are trying to post on this page. I can tell you from what some of them have written that they are a very frustrated and unhappy lot.
So sad, too bad!!!
I had posted that results would be offered on this blog but have found a much better source for all of us political junkies. Go to the Jackson County, Missouri Board of Election website. Vote totals and (eventually) precinct results will be posted at that location. Here is the address:
www.jceb.co.jackson.mo.us
As for the election. Of course I would have rather won than lost -- I will post my comments this Sunday on my read of what the results mean this Sunday.
Congratulations to the winners.
For those who lost, remember that every failure is a chance at a new beginning.
Hello everyone,
As you can see my computer problems have been solved and we are up and running full steam again.
After a couple of weeks of maintaining the blog with more strict over-sight I have decided that it is the format that will be continued.
To be sure, there are still those who like to spew venom and hate that are trying to post on this page. I can tell you from what some of them have written that they are a very frustrated and unhappy lot.
So sad, too bad!!!
I had posted that results would be offered on this blog but have found a much better source for all of us political junkies. Go to the Jackson County, Missouri Board of Election website. Vote totals and (eventually) precinct results will be posted at that location. Here is the address:
www.jceb.co.jackson.mo.us
As for the election. Of course I would have rather won than lost -- I will post my comments this Sunday on my read of what the results mean this Sunday.
Congratulations to the winners.
For those who lost, remember that every failure is a chance at a new beginning.
Daniel,
It seems that every two years a lot of us business owners say, better luck next time.
I don't know about the rest but I really mean it. "Next time" maybe we will get people
in office that will do for the people and not big business. Maybe we can get people
in office that will carry out promises made during their campaigns.
Just maybe we will get people in office that will make this great little town a better place
for everybody. That's why we say "Better luck next time." it never happens but, hope springs eternal. Someday we may have good streets, a thriving downtown, beautiful and safe neighborhoods. Until then...........Better luck next time.
Pat,
Next time won't happen until citizens VOTE. Very few voters are making the choice for all.
Justin, I may be plain dumb but I would think all of the signs would give people some clue that an election is taking place, especially when there is a notice in the sewer bill!
Some may not be registered voters. I wasn't registered for a long time because it is one of the lists used for jury duty. I have no problem with jury duty except court is during the day and I don't function days. I just didn't want the arguement but when they sent me a questionaire, I sent them a statement that I am disabled and don't function days. At that point, I decided that a could register to vote and gave some voice in this Facist Fief.
Andy Whiteman
Mr. Shane (above par services) ParDue you have already shown me what kind of alderman you will be. All talk and no action!!The election was Tuesday, today is Thursday and your signs are still up. Are you just lazy or do you like to see your name on a sign? If you can't get the signs down then I feel you won't work hard for the people on your ward. And a word for your friend Joe don't get to comfortable in the alderman seat because in two years you will be history.
Hey what about the tax signs being taken down police gone lazy!!!! Speaking about the police where are they. Before the election they made themselves visible not that they have the money they have disappeared again
Oh brother, there are ALWAYS signs left up, some in ward 4 and 5 and a few others. School board signs are still up.
After the mayoral race the sign @350 Hwy & Raytown Rd. on the billboard at the mechanic shop was up well over a week.
Let's not get petty, yeah, they need to come down after so long after the election.
There's other things to be worried about, like how are the new elected people going to handle the problems at city hall or even if they can?
It's just petty.
The police are hard at work. Yesterday (Wednesday) a motor cycle officer passed me on 63rd St. They aren't very obvious but his white helmet stood out. I got close enough to see a city license plate to confirm PD. Also there were at least 2 squad cars and another motor officer at Blue Ridge Blvd. off 63rd St. Apparently something happened at the Discount Smoke Shop or elsewhere in the area.
Doesn't the law allow 3 days for sign removal? This is only day #2.
Andy Whiteman
As long as we are taking down signs do you think that maybe the Obama signs should come down as well?
I am surprised Raytown's code department has put blinders on to those signs. I mean, the election was held over five months ago.
Anon, 9:47 p.m., What codes department, Raytown has a codes department? I thought it was just the way those at City Hall exerted their influence on Citizens that raise their voice in opposition.
We will take down the Obama signs when and only when everyone removes the Mcain/Palin signs from their yards and the bumper stickers from their vehicles. The election is over now.
Personally, I think we have a lot more to worry about than a few
leftover signs.
Just remenber there are four newly elected aldermen. They can't do it by themselves. Let's hope the other alderman will work with them for the good of the city.
dumb a-- comment maybe you can turn in your obama signs when the gun ban comes down or maybe the higher tax rates...he has deployed more troops this year than bush did last year wake up sheep the change is coming ..more taxes bigger govt. next time pay attention...
Bumper stickers are not a violation and never have been. I have yet to see a McCain/Palin sign still up in anyone’s yard in Raytown. However, the Obama signs are still up all over the place and they are a violation of code ordinances. Admit the truth; we all know why they won't ask them to be removed!
The tribe has spoken, but few of the tribe bothered speak. They turn out in mass to vote for President but don't bother about the local election which impacts them directly.
Have a joyous Easter,
Andy Whiteman
You all must see the new sales tax chart published in today's (Sunday) KC Star. It only confirms what many of us have been saying. Raytown will have the SECOND HIGHEST SALES TAX IN THE WHOLE KANSAS CITY AREA. And yes it you shop in the new special district, WESTLAKE AND WAL-MART, Raytown will be the HIGHEST SALES TAX IN THE AREA. I'M SURE PROUD OF THIS. Thanks Mayor Bower, Alderman Schlapia, White, Fleming, Ertz, and all of the other irresponsible board members for ruining our little town. Too bad we don't have a recall in a 4th class city. More shoppers will now feel more comfortable shopping in Lee's Summit and Independence while we are already visiting our family and friends who have moved away. Hey, we're saving money. I feel sorry for the small businesses that sell bigger ticket items, because it's only a matter of time before the higher tax will force them out of business. Can't wait for my house to sell so I can get away from all this HORRIBLE GOVERNMENT that we have at city hall. And Bower wonders why Raytown is losing population!!! DA!!
There is a Ron Paul sign painted on the side of a house in KCMO. Probably won't be removed until the house is painted! Fortunately Raytown doesn't allow this.
Have a joyous Easter,
andy Whiteman
Ufortunately, it is going to get worse. The Walmart tas district still has another surprise. It is called a Transportation Tax District (TTD).
According to our City Finance Director, Jeremy Wilmoth, the TTD has yet to be activated. The money raised from this additional sales tax could drive the tax up another 1%.
The money collected will pay for improvements to 350 Highway and an intermodal bus station (for the ATA bus service) that serves Kansas City.
That would place the sales tax in the Walmart district well over the 10% mark.
How many people will shop at a store that charges you 10 cents for every dollar you spend?
I kid you not on one of the side streets of of 67th St, there is a McCain/Palin sign so Obama isn't the only ones left up.
You would think that they would want to save them...since we did make history with the election they could be worth something.
April 10th 9:09 must be one of those Fat Cats.
5:16 PM, Yes the signs should be saved. If I had a McCain/Palin sign, it would keep it inside to protect it from the weather and vandals.
I didn't see the sales tax article in the Red Star. I shopped at Hy-Vee last week and there was over a 5% tax ON FOOD!
I don't think the average person will shop by tax rate. I shop because a store has what I want and/or has a sale. Gee Whiz, if I was really smart, I could spend $2 on gas plus $30 worth of my time to save 50 cents on sales tax. It just isn't worth the effort to me if I can go to the Raytown Hy-Vee, Apple Parhet, Westlake, or Walmart, for what I want.
Andy Whiteman
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