Sunday, November 29, 2009
In this week's Raytown Report . . .
How Accessible are Your Elected Officials?
Raytown Offers Unique Services
Final Reminders
High School Sports
How Accessible are Your Elected Officials?
Your elected officials in Raytown are you most direct link to local government. The city is divided into five wards. Each ward is approximately two square miles in size and is represented by two aldermen. The small size gives elected officials a unique opportunity for hands on representation of those who elect them.
In this day and age the most common way for people to contact for services is by telephone. Though it should be noticed that some make use of the internet (as is evidenced by this site) as well. But when it comes to city services it is fair to say that at least 90% of calls to city hall are exactly that -- telephone calls to city hall.
In most cases the reason for the call is taken care at that point. If it is not, the next logical step is to contact your local elected official.
While dinging around the city's website this weekend I stumbled across the information on our elected officials.
It was interesting top note that ALL elected officials had telephone numbers listed. Some, however, seem to have numbers that make it easier to contact them than others.
For instance . . .
Four Aldermen list their home telephones:
Aziere, Ertz, VanBuskirk, Mock
Four Aldermen list their cell phones:
Creamer, White, Lightfoot, Pardue (Mock lists BOTH his cell and home phone)
Two Aldermen list a city hall telephone number:
Hamilton, Nelson
Mayor Bower, Municipal Judge Traci Fann and Chief of Police Jim Lynch list their city hall telephone numbers.
City Collector Kathie Schutte does not list any number.
Which is the best way to keep in touch? Nearly all of us own and use cell phones. No doubt that we have also experienced dropped calls, missed messages or messages that arrive too late to be effective. Using a city hall number is problematic -- Board members do not visit city hall on a daily basis, so messages can be delayed.
The question that needs answering is what is the most effective way for elected officials to reach out to their constituents. Are those who delegate their calls to a clerk at city as responsive as those who rely on their cell phones? Are cell phones preferred to land lines?
What's your opinion?
Raytown Offers Unique Services
Raytown is an area of land roughly ten square miles in size. Approximately 30,000 people call Raytown their home. Given its relatively small size and low population the City of Raytown is able to offer some unique services to its citizens. A short list of some of the services is posted below.
SAVE 3.6% ON SEWER BILLS BY PAYING EARLY: Raytown has a unique sanitary sewer billing system. Most communities base sanitary sewer billing on water usage. Raytown bases its sewer billings on winter usage of water. That way, you are not billed for water used on your lawn, garden, car washing, etc.
Since your bill is based on an average use during the winter, it is possible to estimate your sewer bill for the entire year.
Those who wish to do so may make one annual payment for their sewer bill. This saves the city and homeowner postage and handling. In turn, the city gives a discount of 3.6% to the rate payer. Of course the city is also receiving your money before the service is rendered.
Still, it is not a bad deal.
That’s a better return on your money than you would receive from a Certificate of Deposit from your local bank for the same amount of time!
To take advantage of this program call 737-6000 and ask for the Sewer Billing Department.
THE RAYTOWN POLICE provide many services that are tied to their regular patrol duties. To take advantage of any of these programs call Police Community Services at 737-6187. Please note that you will be answered by a recording. Leave your information and an officer will return your call.
Following is a short list of services that are offered:
GOING OUT OF TOWN? Call the police. Let them know when you will be gone. The information is given to police officers so that they can check out your home and neighborhood between calls. that patrol your neighborhood. It is a “heads up” that is very helpful to police should a call come concerning your home while you are gone.
CARRIER ALERT: This program is jointly run by the United States Postal Service and the Police Department. Alert your mail carrier when you will be gone and the information will be share with the police.
“HERE” PROGRAM: This program is designed for those citizens who are “shut-in” their homes most of time. It alerts police to unique situations of shut ins and any special needs they may require.
PROJECT LIFESAVER: This program registers those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. The police put together a profile of the individual in case they go missing. Raytown is uniquely positioned for this service. The Raytown Police Department stores and monitors all of the information for the metropolitan area. In other words, they are the gate keepers with the most access to the information should anyone go missing.
RAYTOWN RECYCLING CENTER: The Raytown Recycling Center is open twice a month on the second and third Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Center is located at the Public Works Garage located at 6417 Railroad Street. Raytowners are encouraged to bring their plastic, paper and metal products (glass will soon be accepted as well) for recycling.
Where do these ideas come from? Most, like those from the police department, are an answer to a need, recognized by those providing the service on a day to day basis. Others are the result of legislative action. Two notable examples are the Recycling Center and the annual payment for sewer bills.
The reduced rate for early payment on sewer bills was the brainchild former Alderman Greg Walters and former City Finance Director, Dan Estes.
The Recycling Center (originally located at what is now the new Walmart location) was the result of the Board of Aldermen recognizing the need to start up the service back in the 1990’s. Budget constraints nearly closed the operation in 2000. However, former Aldermen Jerry Briggs and Greg Walters raised $10,000 to keep the center operating.
The current location of the Recycling Center, located at the Public Works Garage, was the result of work by the Recycling Committee at Raytown City Hall.
Mayor Bower disbanded the committee in 2008.
Final Reminders . . .
The Raytown Main Street Association Window Display Contest will end on November 30th. Entry forms can be found by visiting their website at http://www.raytownmainstreet.org/
The Raytown Holiday Lighting Ceremony will take place on Friday, December 4, 2009 from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. at the Pocket Park located at 63rd Street and Raytown Road. If you are an entrant in the contest you must be present to win.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
2009 O’Hara Celtics Football
A statisticians look back . . .
By Brother Richard Geimer
Only two Missouri 3-A football teams surpassed the 12-2 O'Hara Celtics in 2009.
Undefeated Bowling Green topped Priory 20-7 to meet once-defeated Cassville who dropped the Celtics 23-7. They play next weekend for the State Championship. Priory ended their season with a 7-7 record.
THE SEASON:
In their fantastic season, the Celtics scored 32 or more points in all but three games, and only once did they fail to score at least 20 points.
The team had two shutouts and their only loss prior to the semifinal game was by 8 points to 4-A Smith-Cotton, the winner of the West Central Conference.
O'Hara scored a total of 502 points for an average of 35.86 per game.
Raphael Spencer was the team's leading scorer with 29 touchdowns and three 2-point conversons for 180 points.
T. J. White was second in scoring with 114 points on 18 touchdowns and three 2-point conversions.
The next four scorers were Aaron Stubblefield with 44 points, Terrell Johnson with 42 points, Joe Melchior with 35 points, and Louis Golden with 34 points.
For the rest of the story please use this link: http://brrichard.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=50
Big Talent and Big Size Means Big Expectations
For Raytown South basketball coach Brad Oestreich practice goes a bit more smoothly this season than it might have in the past, and why shouldn't it, every kid on the court knows what their coach expects out of them as Oestreich enters his fourth season at Ray-South and his first complete cycle of coaching freshmen to seniors.
"The last four years have been just as much a change for me as it was for the kids," said Oestreich. "We coach a different style than these kids were used to in the past but the kids I started with who were freshman are now seniors and it definitely makes practices a lot smoother because we are used to each other now and they know what I expect."
For the rest of this story please use this link: http://www.ihigh.com/raytownsouth/article_16237.html
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45 comments:
I rarely use my cell phone. I have it mainly for emergency usage while driving. If anyone calls me at home, by the time I realize it is the cell phone and get to it, it has timed out. If you call while I am driving, I won't answer. There is also a medical issue that cell phones are thought to cause brain tumors. Cell phone usage is expensive. A day call costs me $0.40 per minute if I go past my allowed 250 minutes.
I think it is reasonable for Chief Lynch to give only his office number. It is common practice for police officers to have non published phone numbers. The same logic applies to the muni-judge. Obviously she doesn't want those who have a conflict with her calling her during the middle of the night.
3.2% discount isn't enough to get me to pay my sewer bill yearly. In my logic $15 per month is a lot less than $180 in a lump sum. It is just a budgeting issue that I think many people have.
I agree with recycling, but pick it up at my curb. I have no way to haul it to the recycle site especially during day hours.
Notifying the Police when you are away is not a good idea. I did that once. The Sheriff's deputies checking my house called attention to the fact I was gone and my home was burglarized. Otherwise no one knew when I was gone because I use lights on timers in different rooms.
Andy Whiteman
I think that a lot of people use their cell phones to screen their calls. Judging by some (but not all) of our City Council's attitude toward the public I am sure that there are those who use their cell phones that way.
I appreciate those that have a direct line to their home published. Somehow it seems more sincere.
Thank you for continuing to publish the high school sports news. I was afraid it might end with the football season.
I hope as much attention is paid to girls sports as well as boys.
I haven't seen either of my ward's aldermen in years.
I'm not saying I'd like to see them, I just haven't seen them.
I guess we business owners that are still left in downtown
Raytown would be expecting too much if we thought our aldermen
would care about how things are going for us.
I have to be honest though, Mayor Bower comes by every now and then
and I still talk to former alderman Greg Walters who, I might add was more of an alderman to the business owners in ward two than our own aldermen ever were or will be.
It should be no surprise that our elected officials don't want to talk to us
face to face. After all what could they possibly have to say? How well
they are running the town? How much they have done for the people
and hometown businesses of Raytown? How they keep their promises?
For instance, the gentlemen that bought the Smith Brothers buildings
on Railroad street was told by City Hall, before he bought the property, promising to turn it into an industrial area, that the city would pave the street
left in gravel after a contractor ran big water lines down them. He bought the property..........the city left him holding the bag.
Now with the 63rd street bridge closing it would have been a great help to the downtown businesses if the city had kept their promise.
Raytown would have an accessible industrial area and people would have another way into the downtown area. As it stands now, the downtown businesses
will have a hard time making it.
It's too bad they couldn't have taken the money they are using for monuments to
themselves on the "Gateways" and spread a little asphalt on Railroad street.
I use my home phone system to screen calls. If I remember, I turn off my phone when I am sleeping, the call goes to a recording telling callers when they may call and then hangs up on them. Strange, but some people are not smart enough to call at a decent time even after hearing the recording. If I forget to turn off the system and someone wakes me, I am in no condition to talk to anyone.
My system also blocks certain callers so all they get is a hang up. (These are usually the obnoxious people who called while I am sleeping or telemarketers.) My system normally allows only 2 rings. If a caller is someone I really want to talk to, they are allowed 5 rings.
I have only 2 phones in the house that ring due to an idiot handyman who didn't wire the other phones correctly. If I am in another room it is likely that I won't hear the phone ring.
My cell phone sits on my desk. By the time I hear it, figure out it is the cell, and get to it, the call has timed out.
If I was an elected official, I would have a non-published phone number and list city hall as my phone because I sleep most of the day which people can't seem to understand or respect.
I really don't think Aldermen are paid enough to expect them to take calls 24/7. I appreciate the ones who do, but at the same time, I have the courtesy not to call at night.
Andy Whiteman
If I don't have an issue that needs to be addressed immediately, I generally prefer email. Otherwise, I would prefer a phone number that someone will actually answer. I carry a cell phone, don't have a home phone, and I'm more likely to use my cell than my work phone.
The sewer discount is interesting, but the title says 3.2% and the article says 3.6%. Currently I pay with ACH directly from my checking, but don't really like doing that. Once my monthly usage has settled, I'll probably switch to an automatic bill pay from my bank.
Lee,
Thanks for pointing out the discrepancy. The 3.6% figure is the correct one.
Havent you moved yet Andy?
I dont care what anyone says about this but as an elected official, even though the pay is not much, you are pretty much at the mercy of the public who put you into office in the first place, so it can be a 24/7/365 job. If you cannot be accessable, dont take the job in the first place. Most people are reasonable, and realize that they are human, and would normally contact them during normal business hours, if possible, however, some people cannot call during those times and must call at other times, or email if possible. Those that dont, will not, or avoid interacting with their constituents should be either voted out of office or removed from office.
BTW, sometimes there are emergency situations that dictate or warrant immediate action or response by our elected officials, hence they need to be accessable by the general public. If they cannot understand that, then resign.
6:56PM, No., I am still in the State of Misery. I am waiting for my new house to be remodeled before I can move. It has been a year, but things take time and all sorts of things come up like worker's illnesses, personal time off, trying wo decide what is to be done and where, ordering and sending gift cards so materials can be bought, etc.
After work is complete I still have a lot of packing to do. I have some things packed and and am running out of room to put the boxes. After getting all of my daily activities done, I have at most 1 or 2 hours at night to pack. If I have a meeting, appointment or shopping, that leaves no time for packing.
They just had 6" of snow and the temperature is 32. My sprinkler system is suppose to be installed this week, but obviously it won't happen due to weather. I am also waiting for concrete steps to the alley.
Do you want to buy my house? If you offer enough I might pack faster but there is no way to get the work done faster.
My house is on the internet now but won't be listed with a Realtor until it is vacant. After I have moved and it sells, I will no longer have an interest in Raytown. At that time I probably will read this blog very rarely if at all. Each time I post it takes me almost 30 minutes.
6:55AM, What about people who don't function normal business hours? I have to turn off my phone because I sleep most of the day. People assume that because they are up that everyone else is too. People don't understand that even when they get a recording telling them the hours calls are accepted.
Andy Whiteman
Rep. Will Kraus, R-District 48, has announced his candidacy for Missouri’s eighth senatorial district on Tuesday
They have closed the 63rd street bridge and I can tell you all
This is not going to work.
It is 3:00pm and cars are backed up from 59th street to almost 61st.
on Raytown Road.
I can hardly wait until everybody tries to come home from work in
the evening.
Somebody better think of a better faster way of moving traffic at the
59th and Raytown road intersection.
Again, I say this town should continue the paving on Railroad Street or traffic will come to a stand still. This was not planned out very well.
Annoymous 11-30-09 at 6:55pm,
You are absolutely correct. You as an elected offical are accountable to your constituents. Those how put you into office have a right to call, e-mail or get a hold of you however and whenever they can. If you as an elected do not respond then you do not have the right to be called a repsentitive of the people. You should be removed from office and that includes the Mayor too who does not like to return calls as well as some of the Alderman.
If the Charter ever come to the front again do not vote for it unless it has the right to recall in it. In case you may not know that gives you the right to get rid of those useless elected officals.
I had a really wonderful 2 alderman for many years Jerry B. and Barbara S. and then win Jerry B. left Sandy H. They all returned calls and spent as much time as it took to try to solve whatever the problems were. Pat E. returns calls but I don't get as much satisfaction now as before. That could be because city hall makes everthing hard now.
the other one in this ward may has his number listed but doesn't answer.
Our elected officials' pay may not be much but, let's face
it, they don't do much either. As another writer stated,
they just keep ruining this town with their bonehead decisions,
spending and waste. The school board isn't any better when it
comes to spending and wasting taxpayer money either.
Actually our city councilmembers are paid a good sum for what they do.
They are paid $400 a month plus a $50 non-taxed car allowance. They are also eligible to participate in the city's group health insurance program. They are also eligible for a free expenses paid trip to the Ozarks provided annually by the insurance carrier (Marcit).
There is also an annual Missouri Municipal League conference (usually held in Springfield or St. Louis). This three day event is also at city expense.
There are a number of events, like the annual Raytown Chamber of Commerece Ball and Truman Heartland Foundation Annual Dinners they are invited to attend at city expense as well.
One current member of the city council told one of his fellow church members that he could use the $450 a month.
When you consider that two council members represent two square miles of real estate in Raytown for four years (do the math) $450 x 12 x 4 = $21,600 they (the city council) is not underpaid by any definition.
Most of them have abdicated their role as elected officials to that of a lackey that simply does what he or she is told.
$21,600 is not bad pay for a chair warmer that only looks forward to his next pay check.
I've always believed that a big part of an elected official's job was to return phone calls in a timely manner. We've had some elected officials that were very, very, good at this and others that would NEVER return calls. We need to hold them accountable so if they don't return my phone call they'll never get another vote of mine and that includes Mayor Bower.
Pat, nothing is ever good enough for you. You would say the city needs to fix the bridge if they left it the way it is and you complain when they close the bridge to fix it. Its called construction, every city has to do it and traffic is something you have to deal with when you live in an urban environment.
Come on man, your reaching for stuff to complain about.
7:15AM, You would be correct if it was only 2 meetings a month but actually there are committee meetings, handling citizen complaints, investigative work into isses and for writing ordinances, and hopefully studying the agenda so they don't sound like idiots. I would estimate up to 8 meetings per month plus a lot of extra time. $450 wouldn't be enough for me to want to do that job. I don't travel so wouldn't take advantage of the stated travel perks.
As for contacting elected officials, do you call your Senator or Congressman at home? No, you call the office during business hours and I bet they won't speak with you at all. I have sent emails to Congress people that were obviously never read because I received an off the wall response on a totally different issue. Why should you expect an Alderman or Mayor to receive a call at home?
I called 737-6000 once and asked for Mayor Frank. I was rudely told that the Mayor does not talk to people because the Mayor has a business to run. When the animal ordinance came up, I decided to call the office and finally made contact.
We need to remember most of our elected officials have jobs or businesses. I am Union and have always expected overtime pay for anything out of my normal work hours. I don't like pay increases in these times but for what is expected of elected officials after hours they should receive 50% overtime pay.
Our elected officials ar actually performing a public service because the pay certainally does not compansate them for their work. I thank them for their service wether I agree with them or not.
Andy Whiteman
Andy,
Give it a break! What legislation has been sponsored since last April?
Let's see. A no smoking ordinance that failed. You remember, you were at the meetings. That was the one hired a "professional" to help come up with the legislation for $5,000.
Other than the usual house-keeping stuff that is done for them by staff, there have been NO new bills sponsored by individual aldermen before their collective body to consider.
These guys do not earn the $450 a month they are paid.
Don't you just love the Obama war plan?
We throw in another 30,000 American boys to the meat grinder and then we schedule for the war to be over in 2011.
Sounds like a re-run of vietnam to me!
9:01PM, Look at the agendas. The BOA just passed 2 bills last night. They wasted more money on a Gateway with little discussion. They got the 63rd St bridge project going. They wasted money on the gateways. They stopped keeping detailed minutes so we all are in the dark as to what they are doing. They were discussing a vacant house ordinance/renters ordinance. I didn't hear the outcome because I had to go home to take care of Red Dogg who just had surgery.
Face it, housekeeping is necessary or the city would come to a grinding halt. I am sure if you would read agendas, you would see all the bills that are presented. Also listen to the committee reports at the BOA. There is work going on!
I think the smoking ordinance could have passed without a professional. Should have been done in house without wasting money. I thought Alderman Aziere and others would conduct public meetings.
9:10 PM, I totally agree. What annoys me more is Dictator O'Bomba has NO respect for our troops and even ignored them when he was supposed to be visiting them on his campaign. Not only that He has to be politically correct and bow to terrorists so that Navy Seals are court martialed for giving a terrorist a bloody lip. That piece of human garbage is lucky that they brought him back alive.
9:19AM, I agree. I expect a response from an elected official whether it is a returned call, email, or snail mail. I don't think it matters whether they get your vote because the turn out in Raytown is too low.
As for the bridge, I was discussing it with a friend. Winter is a bad time to do road construction. Truthfully there is no good time to close the bridge, winter is the worst time, but it has to be done. We had the same issue with the wooden bridge. Everywhere I have lived, there has been construction that caused a problem. It is a fact of live.
Truthfully I don't like the bridge closing, but I know how to get around. The alternative is to wait for the bridge to collapse and we would have NO bridge and no plan to rebuild it. Which is better? I have inspected it and I could observe that it is unsafe.
Andy Whiteman
To Anonymous 10:28,
I was not complaining about the bridge being rebuilt!
That has to done. I was complaining about the traffic and the
lack of alternative routes.
Mainly I was complaining about the city promising to pave Railroad Street
which would be another route that would help the downtown businesses
and people that live on the east side of the 63rd street bridge, not to mention
traffic flow.
This city has had several years to come up with a plan and even more time to
pave Railroad street. Our elected officials have spent a small fortune on
worthless surveys.
Wouldn't you think they could have taken the time to at least watch the traffic
flow and figure out a better detour? Maybe it's not our elected officials.
Maybe it's a certain department. Maybe this will all work out in the future but
Right now, when traffic is heavy, it's not working.
It could be something as simple as making the Raytown Road and 59th
street intersection a three way stop.
As far as nothing being good enough for me.........you may be right. I do
expect the people being paid to do a job, to do it right and keep their promises.
That includes elected officials and department heads.
If people want to get things done for the city in a positive way get rid of the mayor and his staff. The reason we went to summary minutes reguarding the BOA mettings was because Theresa Henry can't do her job. Like the woman but she needs to be replaced just like all the staff does.
Forget it. Teresa is not going anywhere. To do so would take something that Mayor Bower and his do not have.
The city clerk, Teresa Henry is an embarrassment to the city. Mayor Bower continues to tolerate an incompetent staff, that's why the city is in such sad shape. It will never get any better until a LOT of people at city hall are replaced, both elected and appointed.
Making an ordiance reguarding rent/vacant houses is a waste of time. Simple Joe didn't come up with this by himself he doesn't have brains for something like that. In my mind it will be a waste of time and money. Simply another ordinance that will be on the books and NEVER enforced. If Simple Joe really wanted to do something for the city push for enforceing the laws we have on the books or resign. For God'sake stop praising staff it make me want to throw up.
Wonder if Theresa Henry has something on the mayor or some of the alderman that she is able to retain her job, you or I would have been fired by now for not doing our job. There are plenty of good people out there who are able to do her job and do it in a timely manner.
6:22 AM, From what I heard at the BOA is the city was paying something like $5000 per year to a court reporter to trascribe the minutes of the meetings. I had ass/u/me/d that Teresa was keeping notes and writing the minutes which is what I did when I was Secretary/Treasurer of a Fire District. The minutes were not an accurate account of what was said. I was furnishing Teresa a transcript of my comments and, at time, Aldermen amended what they were alledged to have said.
The problem was the court reporter who should have been replaced, not Teresa. Don't blame Teresa for another's incompetance.
Andy Whiteman
Speaking of Water District #2 again. One of their employees told me that they hold elaborate Christmas parties for their board members and families, showering them with fine dining and expensive gifts. This is all at the expense of us the rate payers. Why not cut this stuff out in view of our tough economic times and reduce the rates on us seniors that are not getting a raise on our social security for the next 2 years. CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE AT DISTRICT #2!!
Is the 63rd street bridge even necessary? I haven't been running around the area long enough to tell if it's crossing the (now gone) railroad tracks or if there's some kind of creek in there. If it was for the tracks, why not just fill it in. Then they could build a temporary road to one side of it, knock down the bridge, and bring the area up to grade.
Another do nothing to serve on a Raytown committee. Pat Rheiele did nothing before and I don't expect anything from him now.
Another do nothing to serve on a Raytown committee. Pat Rheiele did nothing before and I don't expect anything from him now.
No, there are railroad tracks there, and the railroad still owns the property or right of way, and there is fiber optic communications cable running along with it as well. The city screwed up a long time ago at 59th street and Raytown road and actually cut through the railroad roadbed and tracks because a previous city attorney did not get a response from the railroad and he gave the ok to cut through the right of way. This was done to widen and straighten 59th street and to get away from the old 2 lane underpass north of the intersection. I later read that the railroad discovered that this had been done without their blessing and found that the city would be responsible for repairing the damage that they had done if and when the rail line was to be reactivated. What a bunch of geniuses! If they were smart (which I highly doubt) they would be better off not to try something that stupid again. No wonder they have no money to fix the roads around here! I am still wondering when the city will replace the tracks back across the cut at 59th and Raytown road. That will be a really neat looking bridge for a gateway! I wont even get into the stupidity of some of the codes people that allowed some of the homes in this city to be built so close to those tracks in the first place, then all the people who whined when they found out that the railroad may be reactivated a couple of years ago... that was stupidity breeding more stupidity! Other cities like Lees Summit joined in the fight and so on.... I think the railroad won that one too, if I remember correctly. Gee, I wonder if BNSF would want the city to replace the old depot that the city demolished on Railroad Street too? Interesting! I have been around here for a few years, basically all my life.
Is there an echo above?
Lee, you are guilty of logical thinking which doesn't work in Raytown. The 63rd St bridge was in such poor shape that we are lucky it didn't collapse. The city waited for the wooden bridge to collapse. Fortunately they didn't wait for the 63rd St Bridge to collapse.
Filling it in is a good idea which has been brought up. The RR was given a right of way into perpetuity and they will not abandon it. Another issue is I have walked the area with my dog and the RR violates codes by not clearing weeds. Apparently the RR is still making money from this ROW. The RR had numerous demands for a bridge crossing their ROW as well as charging utilities (Raytown Water Company, KCPL, MGE, and AT&T) pay for relocating their utility lines.
It would have been a logical and simple matter to raze the bridge and fill in the area with culverts for drainage.
Now to the vacant property/rental ordinance: I will repeat what I told the board at the Animal ordinance. To be a good ordinance, it must be BOTH reasonable and enforceable. There is now an issue that the fine for first time at large is unreasonable and has caused an issue with a family who couldn't pay $150.50.
The vacant house/rental ordinance hasn't been drafted, so I am unable to comment of if it is reasonable, but I doubt it is enforceable. If someone doesn't register a vacant home, they are gone, how on earth will the city enforce it. Extradite the person from wherever the moved to to collect a $500 maximum fine? The average person will be unaware of the ordinance so how can you expect them to comply?
Andy Whiteman
Honeywell donated $10,000 to COATS FOR KIDS and received air time on Shanin & Parks KMBZ 980AM 2PM-6PM M-F to announce their gift.
Darla Jaye who hosts 980 Live! with Darla Jaye is offering 4 to 4-1/2 minutes of air time on her show 6P-9P M-F to anyone who donates a large amount. The word large was not defined. Anyone who is interested in promoting their business and helping the kids should contact Darla email: Darla@kmbz.com
Anyone with coats to donate may take them to pride cleaners or other locations announced on KMBZ.
The last day to donate is next Friday and the drop off point that day is Gale's Harley Davidson.
Andy Whiteman
It should be quite evident to the citizens of Raytown that the mayors circle of friends is very small. If this is not true he would appoint some differant people to serve on some the committes. There are alot of qualified citizens willing and able to serve. I think he is just to lazy to search them out. I feel the main reason is because alot of citizens know abaout government and running a city than he does.
It took over three long years for the city to close the 63rd street bridge.
I have not seen any work started, which has me wondering if we are looking at 3 more years to actually start the true work.
Everyday, I see more and more signs of decay and waste, which has me thinking what are we paying these high taxes for.
The mayor has historicly attacked those who disagree with him on the status of Raytown or for openly speaking the truth about the decay and we all, but city hall sees.
I am sure as I type these our elected officals are calling each other and given one another great praise for all the hard work they have done this year.
Odd as I don't think it really takes that much work to allow decay and waste to grow around the city when you are willing to turn a blind eye on the gheto that is being created.
I hope we, the citiziens of Raytown, don't have to wonder the gheto of Raytown by the miss guided leadership of Sue Frank and Dave Bower as Moss did to his people.
With the number of citizens in Raytown, I find it hard to believe that our mayor couldn’t find anyone better the Pat Rheiele to serve on one of the city committees. I guess this fully supports the old saying that the person at the top doesn’t want anyone smarter then them on anything as it might quickly become apparent that the top dog is lacking the intelligence to get the job done.
I sure hope some one could explain what good Pat has ever done for Raytown. Maybe someone should pull some old newspaper articles. You know the ones that go back when Pat would have been in his early twenties. It is sad the lives much choice to live and sadder when the truth doesn’t come to light so that voter can make a clear choice of what is best for the community.
I hope the next time the mayor appoints someone to one of the city committees he does a little homework to check on the individuals checkered past, but again this is Raytown and we wouldn’t want anyone attached to city hall to work to hard.
8:36 AM, There is an application on the City Website for those who want to VOLUNTEER for appointments. The issue may be that few people are willing to VOLUNTEER so the choice is limited. If you or anyone wants to VOLUNTEER, please fill out the application.
Over Tax Tax Payer, The construction contract on the 63rd St Bridge has a deadline (I believe June) with a penalty for delay but no bonus for early completion. If the construction drags out, it costs the contractor $$$$$. The reason you don't see work in progress is because the first stage is relocating utility lines and work in the canyon.
Any construction takes time and I have seen other projects where it APPEARS that no work is taking place.
I think it idiotic to start this work in the winter due to the fact it is difficult and at times unsafe to work in freezing temperatures. Also winter storms make it impossible to work and may cause delay as well as injuries. I wonder what the reason for winter work is? Could it be a deadline placed on the funding?
Andy Whiteman
Andy, don't be so naive.
Do you really think that Pat Riehle put in an application to serve on a committee? More than likely Bower gave it to him to help Riehle with his plans to run for state representative.
Simple politics. A republican helping a closet republican.
11:21AM, I can't dispute your point. My point was that ANYONE can submit an application for appointment, hence appointments are open to anyone who has the time to volunteer and applies. Of course that doesn't mean they will be selected.
Andy Whiteman
Pat Riehle for state rep. God help us all. One thing we won't have to worry about is that he doesn't stand a snowballs chance in he-- of winning. All a voter would have to do is look at his work history. How many jobs and seems like he never stays at one for very long.
So many complaints it would be great to see if one of you could do any better if you were elected to the board...oh wait, we already tried that and are where we are.
7:55 PM, I agree we need new blood on the board. That is people who are thinkers and doers not followers. Even if this type of person is to run, Raytown has a big problem of a low turnout of voters, so a follower or complete simpleton is easily elected or relected by his friends and associations.
What really ticks me off is when there is a really important issue on the ballot such as a heafty shcool tax increase, very few vote! I can't believe Raytown Citizens. The last school tax increase cost me close to $400 a year! Wouldn't that be enough to get people to VOTE?
Andt Whiteman
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