-- News Release From City Hall --
The snow plow crews are currently working to clear the roadways to bare pavement and to widen all roads to the curb line or edge of pavement. This operation will take place over the next couple of days. The snow plows will take it one street at a time and may not reach all roads in a single day. Crews are following this method so residents will not have to clear driveways multiple times as the crews finish the roadway plowing operations.
Utility Companies Report Increase in Usage
by Greg Walters
Kansas City Power and Light Co. has reported that customers have used a record amount of electricity during the current cold spell. Close to two weeks of sub-freezing weather has driven the usage up by 25% to 30% more than what is normally used this time of year.
Missouri Gas Energy has asked that consumers conserve natural gas by turning their thermostats down during peak usage periods. The problem is not a lack of natural gas. It is the capacity of the gas pipelines in the metropolitan area to deliver the gas with adequate pressure.
What does it all mean?
For one, we will all be paying more for our utility bills for the months of December and January.
But not all are hurt by the high usage. Local city governments are in a position for a nice windfall in franchise tax fees as a result of the prolonged cold snap. The City of Raytown is not an exception.
In Raytown every dollar you pay for gas and electric utilities has an 8% franchise tax tacked on by the city. The tax is set by the dollar amount you pay for electricity and natural gas. So, when your usage goes up . . . the city receives a hefty “windfall” from the increased tax revenue. The amount can be staggering, during a similar cold snap in the early 2000’s Raytown took in a windfall tax profit of over a quarter of a million dollars.
During the city’s budget process, utility tax revenue is estimated based upon a normal winter. When weather extremes are reached, such as this winter’s, the city gains unanticipated tax dollars. Some cities return the windfall to its taxpayers by rolling back the amount of tax charged the following month. This is what the City of Independence did in the early 2000’s when gas prices and an unusually cold winter drove heating costs through the roof.
The City of Raytown also gave back part of the revenue that year by donating part of the windfall to REAP (Raytown Energy Assistance Program) to help low income households with their utility bills.
Should the City of Raytown roll back Utility Franchise Taxes to make up for unforeseen gains in this winter's natural gas and electrical usage? Check out this week's poll question (under the Herb Lady ad on the left) and you give us your opinion.
A Look Back at Another Cold Winter
Early in former Mayor Sue Frank’s first term there was a similar cold spell weathered by area residents. Near record breaking cold coupled with increased natural gas prices hit Raytowners very hard in the pocket book that year. Preliminary reports from then City Finance Director Dan Estes set the windfall in franchise taxes in excess of a quarter million dollars.
At the time, I was Chairman of the City’s Finance Committee.
I called a public hearing of the Committee to determine the need in the community for aid to those who were having trouble paying their natural gas bills.
So that you can understand the situation -- the political climate at city hall for my idea of reaching out to those in need was not warmly embraced by Mayor Frank. In fact, some members of the Board of Aldermen told me they had been discouraged from attending the meeting.
About 15 Raytowners did show up at the hearing to tell how they were setting their thermostats at 50 degrees, dressing extreme layers of clothing, basically doing anything to keep warm, because they could not afford to heat their homes.
A television station also showed up to cover the hearing. That night on the 10 p.m. news the City of Raytown received praise in an editorial coverage from the news station for its effort to help those in need.
The City eventually donated approximately $50,000 to REAP (Raytown Energy Assistance Program) to help those Raytowners with their heating bills.
The day after the hearing, Mayor Sue Frank removed me as Chairman of the Finance Committee.
It was worth it.
Recycling Center Closed Due to Snow
The Raytown Recycling Center was closed this past weekend. The city made an effort to alert the regular users of the site, but still a number of people made a journey to the Recycling Center to dispose of a large amount of recycled items from the Christmas/New Years Holiday. For the record, the city did post the closing on its website, the Raytown Government Channel (which is only available to Comcast subscribers) and sent it to local television stations.
Should the city have closed down the site this past weekend? It is a question that everyone probably has an opinion on. If you want to share that opinion, check out this week’s poll question (under the Herb Lady ad).
A Message for Mayor Bower
The Raytown Report has offered on more than one occasion to post announcements of this nature for City Hall. For whatever reason, City Hall has not taken advantage of this offer. None the less, the offer is still standing. If City Hall has announcements (such as the one closing down the recycling center this past weekend) we will be happy to post it.
All that needs to be done is send us a message. We check the site a minimum of twice a day.
So, what do you say Mr. Mayor? A little cooperation from you would go a long way. The improved communications would make the people of Raytown the real winners.
High School Sports
Men’s Basketball: In a Ray-South Minute
Earl Peterson admitted after the game that he probably would have thrown down that dunk as time expired even he hadn't been playing his former school but the fact that he was facing Hickman Mills did make it a bit sweeter.
"Yep," Peterson said when asked if the dunk meant more against the school he transferred from last year. "I just grabbed the ball and knew I was going to dunk."
Peterson's dunk was the exclamation mark on a final minute of the game in which the Raytown South Cardinals (9-3) scored 10 points to earn a 57-48 win over the Cougars. Peterson led his team in scoring with 22 points which was especially crucial in a game where Ray-South was without two of its starters due to injury.
For the rest of this story and other stories about Raytown South sports use this link: Raytown South Sports
O'Hara 61 / Rockhurst 41
The Rockhurst Hawklets scored six three-pointers against the O'Hara Celtics for 18 of their 41 points on January 8, but it wasn't enough as the home team lost 61-41.
For the first quarter, the game was fairly close with O'Hara up by four points. A splurge of scoring in the second period pushed the game out of reach for a halftime score of 33-22 with O'Hara on top. T. J. White and JeVon Lyle combined for 29 Celtic points as the deep O'Hara bench took care of the rest.
Rockhurst connected on only three foul shots. Going into the game, both teams had won over a tough common opponent Rock Bridge. Rockhurst won their game by four points but O'Hara needed a double overtime to win theirs by one point.
Lady Celtics Open New Year With Impressive Win
On January 5, the O'Hara Lady Celtics hosted the Saint James Thunder and took a 62-30 decision.
Hailey Houser poured in 22 points, eight of which were O'Hara's first points of the third quarter after the Celtics achieved a 34-18 halftime score.
At 21-12, the Celtics jumped ahead in the first quarter erasing a 7-8 Thunder lead by putting in seven unanswered points. Saint James was held to six points in the second quarter, eight points in the third quarter, and only four in the final quarter.
Cameron Randle had 12 points and Alex Smith had 10 points for O'Hara.
For more stories about O’Hara sports use this link: O'Hara High School Sports
47 comments:
Greg,
Did you make personal phone call or an email request to mayor about posting? I guess not. Do you think he reads this stupid blog?
Greg fooled me. I didn't realize that there were 2 polls until I read the article.
In that 8% franchise tax did you also include the sale tax? Offhand I don't know the rates but at one time it was explained to me there was a franchise tax and sales tax. What a rip off!
I point out there has been an electric rate increase so the city coffers are reaping even more$$$$ on the franchise and sales tax. I voted YES on the poll but I also think the city should lower the franchise tax in the summer when it is extremely hot.
It would be very difficult to collect and even to budget with a variable franchise tax rate. I feel that the franchise tax on necessities of gas and electricity should have a lower tax rate while luxuries of phones, cell phones, and cable TV should have a higher rate. I know that someone will argue that phones aren't luxury items but they were previously taxed at 10% luxury tax. Cell phones and cable TVs are not necessities. Alderman Aziere stated that there are homes in Raytown without electricity. Could it be that because of high rates and the franchise tax, people just can't afford electricity? I have a friend who heats with wood and doesn't use gas because of the cost.
The storm was over Friday. There was no reason to close the recycle center. Even if the storm was on going, the center should have been kept open simply because there are people who will go out of their way to load up the car and make the trip. I am very annoyed at any business if I make a trip and they have closed early for a storm. If I can make the trip, they can keep their scheduled hours!
I will pass the message on to Mayor Bower, but obviously anyone at city hall can make a post on the blog and use a bold top line in caps for attention.
I would like to hear someone address these issues at the BOA if they feel strongly. I won't because I don't want to be the only one complaining. I have previously addressed the franchise tax.
Remember the windfall franchise taxes from cell providers? Has anyone checked their bill? It appears on my bill. But most people don't receive a bill or if they do, they don't read it. We though the cell providers rolled over and paid it rather than going to court, but the users are paying it in the end!
Andy Whiteman
Yes. The Mayor is well aware of what is on this blog.
Is it really important if the Mayor reads this blog?
I think it is more important that many others read the blog.
I would wager that more people are informed by what is written here than the sorry excuse of a website the city runs. Channel 7 is o.k., if you want to sit there and wait for the message to scroll through.
At least on Greg's page the important stuff is EASY to find and read.
Keep up the good work.
Just sign me as a regular reader who appreciates what is done here!
"My dog sleeps about 20 hours a day. She has her ... "My dog sleeps about 20 hours a day. She has her food prepared for her. She can eat whenever she wants, 24/7/365. Her meals are provided at no cost to her.
She visits the Vet once a year for her checkup, and again during the year if any medical needs arise.
For this she pays nothing, and nothing is required of her.
She lives in a nice neighborhood in a house that is much larger than she needs, but she is not required to do any upkeep. If she makes a mess, someone else cleans it up. She has her choice of luxurious places to sleep. She receives these accommodations absolutely free.
She is living like a queen, and has absolutely no expenses whatsoever. All of her costs are picked up by others who go out and earn a living every day.
I was just thinking about all this, and suddenly it hit me like a brick in the head, My dog is a DEMOCRAT!"
Mr. Mayor, if you read this, please never use the Raytown Report as an outlet for communication. There may be a void of communication in this town but using this blog would be the wrong format. This site is entertaining, but offers no value in terms of insight and opinion.
To Anonymous 1:14 pm:
I eat whenever I want. I live in a nice house that is much larger than I need. I have a luxurious place to sleep. I also have a good job, do my own homeowner upkeep. I am a Democrat and you are an idiot.
Greg,
Although an intelligent thing to do for the residents who frequent the blog (a percentage of Raytowner's), I do not think City Hall announcements would fall under their specific guidelines of "transparency". Sounds like a Pelosi/Reid/Obama administration at City Hall?
Happy New Years All!
Justin Tomac
Andy, last week you wrote, "When the city or Ted's Trash offers recycle pick up at no charge, I will gladly set my recycles at the curb provide it is not some complex schedule."
Now you think they were wrong to close the recycle center. What do you care? Since it's difficult for you to get around, you probably won't go there anyway.
BTW, on all the local TV stations, the list of closings scrolling across the bottom of the screen included the Raytown Recycle Center. It was also on the city government website.
Other than going door-to-door to inform the residents, what would you have them do?
My TVs doesn't receive CH 7 so that leaves me out.
Andy Whiteman
I disagree with the last post. I regularly read this blog. I enjoy hearing what my fellow Raytowners have to say about their city.
Sometimes, there are hateful messages like the one before this one. But by and large most writers have something interesting to read.
I also use the recycling center. I went there this past weekend with my recyclables. To my surprise, it was closed. The streets were not impassable. In fact I'm one of those who think our city crews did an excellent job.
So why close the center?
If the closing had been announced on Greg's blog I would have seen it and not wasted my time on a trip to a closed center.
Wake up city hall! Times are changing. You should take advantage of what Greg is offering you here.
It's a shame that people have to call names
and say things like "this blog is stupid."
The fact is this is where a lot of people trade
information and air their feelings about City Hall.
Because of Raytown's elected officials unwritten
policy of not talking to the people, this is the only way
we have of stating our problems with and to them.
When a person makes a statement like this blog is
stupid, it only shows us that this blog is working.
Remember what Forest Gump said.
wow regular ol dummycrat there admit to all the excesses and then instead of a intelligent thought or dialog....start the name calling...i live in a modest house with wife and two kids, we dont live beyond my means,we recycle,use coupons,put money in savings and are christians.....and im a republican..... who do you think is the real idiot?...
Justin,
Love the comment about transparency. The watch word for Bower and his crew should be hyprocrisy!
I learned my lesson about how they operate when I complained about some code violations.
All they do is give lip service to how progressive and professional they are. The simple truth is that at city hall they view you as the enemy unless you are one of their little lapdogs.
The city council is spineless. Bower could not care less. And our town is run by people who do not even live here.
The blog is not stupid but some posts sure border on stupidity.
6:36 PM, I was thinking that when I posted my original comment. Truthfully wether the recycle center is closed or open makes no difference to me personally, BUT it affects other citizens for whom I have a concern. These people want to recycle and will go out of their way to do so. I want to recycle but am unable to go out of my way. Aparrently several people loaded their cars and made the trip. I understand their feelings. Those are the the same feelings I have if I go out to dinner and find the restaraunt closed because of weather.
Many do not receive CH 7. Who would think it MAY be closed and check the city website or the TV? FYI the TV scrolls are too small and too long to read. Maybe people looking for church or school closings will pay attention, but the average recycler? Truthfully Raytown has no means of communcation. We don't have a local newspaper and the publication of this type of notice would be too late for everyone.
I took the time to investogate this issue because of my concern for others. I received a response from a city official that:
1) The condition of the city yards represented a safety hazard to the public and
2) The wind chill represented a hazard to city employees.
It sounds to me that the recycle center was closed for a good, valid reason. I changed my poll vote to "YES".
On another note, I question why staff is necessary? The center could be operated with no staff on a 24/7 basis where people simply drop off their recyles. If that was done, I would drop off mine. but NOT during day hours only on certain days. The recycle center needs better public access to be useful and to get more recycles.
Andy Whiteman
The city should take advantage of this blog to get their message out. Sources tell me that Mayor Bower DOES read it. Why not use all avenues of communication, especially when you close something that the people are depending on. I really think that since Bower DOESN'T support re-cycling that he could have cared less about the center being closed last Saturday.
I think the city and citizens benefit greatly from the blog. I read it everyday. I wish the city would post on it such as meetings, closings ect. It wouldn't cost them or I should say us (the citizens a dime to do it) so quit being a Missouri mule and do it. How about it Mr. Mayor and Mrs. Attorney????
Pat,
I agree with you that that this blog is not stupid. The people who post here seem to care a great deal about our city. The frustration level is sky high. One would think that our elected officials at City Hall would be more concerned about their constituents’ thoughts. We do have recourse, however – vote the bums out! If our elected officials don’t want to listen to us, elect someone else. It won’t be easy to do. The Raytown machine will do whatever it can to keep the power among a select few. Perhaps if we started planning now, we could get our own organization in place to give them a run for their money. Maybe, just maybe, we could get some folks elected who will listen to us for a change.
If the recycling center was unmaned I guarantee that people would use it like a dump.
I to know that some elected officials read this blog.
I also know that if a post is not signed with the authors
name they pay no attention to it. I don't blame them for that.
I have been writing either in the Raytown Post, (gone now)
or this blog for many years and I sign my posts. My point?
With the exception of a few people telling me to move out
of town, that's the only retaliation I have encountered.
Don't be afraid of believing in what you write. Stand up for
what you believe. Everybody in Raytown is important, just
as important as any elected official, probably even more.
The people elect these people and if they don't do their job
the people should vote them out.
But, they won't take you seriously if you aren't serious enough
to sign what you write.
It is hard to understand how some of the people that run this town
ever got elected but, you have a great tool at hand. It's called the vote.
I hope you all use it well next election......for all our sakes.
If the recycling center was unmaned I guarantee that people would use it like a dump.
To my knowledge, that hasn't been the experience in Platte City. Here we have both a recycling center (at the public works building) and a (free) yard waste composting center next to the sewage plant. The recycling center is open to residents AND non-residents. Residents also have curb side recycling as part of our normal trash collection. The city even supplied the recycling bin. I haven't been to the public works building, but I would assume they use a security camera like they do at the yard waste center. Of course, Raytown doesn't have a sewage treatment plant, they outsource that just like they do water and trash.
The composting center is open 8am to dusk every day. And the recycling center is open 24x7.
It seems to me the thing missing in Raytown is a desire by the city to provide services to the residents.
BTW, I voted that the city should retain any windfalls from the franchise tax. It could be applied to streets (snow plowing in the winter, repairs in the summer), utility assistance programs, and reducing the city's debt. Just as long as they don't use it to pay for any more 'gateways'.
About people dumping on the property at Public Works. I doubt it would happen. There are security cameras and the police gas up their cars at the same place where the dumping would have to happen.
Whoever wrote up the fantasy of the dumping at the recycling center is of the same mindset at city hall.
They spend all their time making up excuses instead of looking for solutions.
When I worked for Cass County Disposal in Harrisonville, we set up a recycling center. We had containers for paper, plastic and glass. At first it was unmanned. We started staffing it when we found paper in the glass containers, plastic in the paper containers, etc. Our staff aided the people dropping off their recyclables and put the items in the proper containers. Our costs to seperate the recycled items into the proper containers was five times the cost of two employees staffing the center. Perhaps the Raytown Recycling center has encountered the same problem.
Lee, Given the record of our BOA, I think windfall taxes from bad weather would be used to build as many gateways as possible.
Andy Whiteman
I read the news release from city hall at the top of the page but I have yet to see any evidence of additional street clearing. Has anyone seen the city crews cleaningn streets of ice and snow this week?
School District News: February 12th and February 15th, both previously scheduled as days off for all students PK-12 are no longer as of the School Board Meeting on Monday, January 11th. This move was to help make up for snow days off.
General Observation: The District has screwed up again, as usual. I have watched what they have done over the years with gradually eliminating set aside snow days, then adding some back to their tentative schedules, mostly because they have not really experienced really harsh winter weather over the past several years. They also have at least one, maybe two half days of school per month that if they would change those to full days could shorten the school year and easily provide for more planned 'make up snow days' at the end of the year as well as to give more space in between the end of the regular school year and the start of the summer school year thus allowing more time off for possible summer vacations, and the like. Just a little something to think about.
I also hear a lot about how students in attendance have nothing to do for a considerable part of the day. Perhaps they could better use this down time towards the learning/instructional process perhaps yielding better testing results, after all, it is the testing results that seems to guarantee and validate all of the chair warmer positions within the top heavy school district, isn't it? Remember, it is all about the testing for rating the school district, not what the kids learn, the testing!!!!!
City crews HAVEN'T been seen in the south part of town this week. Why didn't they push two lanes instead of just one on the residential street? People are still getting stuck.
Has anyone filed for the 2 seats open on the board of directors for Public Water District #2? We need to get rid of the wasteful spenders that are currently on that board.
I have not seen any street plow trucks out either and I just came back home and saw nothing being done to any of the streets. My street and several around us still have snow and ice on them. Today it's is getting better but it's going to take a while to get this off if they don't come back. we are still down to one lane in places. It would make sense to me to have them out when the streets are melting like they are today. They said thqat they could not do it when they were frozen because the ice and snow was yo packed down. What are they waiting for another snow?
Oh my. I'm going to have to take back all of my words as I sat here a truck just went up the street. So I guess they are out there. Sorry Street Dept.
Yeah, watch for the giant potholes from the freeze/thaw and plow damage as well as the neglect from the lack of maintaining and repaving of all of our 'failed' residential and main streets. I am sure that the city is not going to be responsible for the damage to our vehicles that they have caused. Proud to be a Raytown Resident!
I doubt that this city government would ever save
any money, windfall or otherwise. Their plans seem
to be spend and give away.
However, I refuse to complain about the snow removal
guys. I know a couple of them and I also know they worked
many hours trying to make things better for all of us, and they still are.
This last snow left every town and city in it's path with more snow than we have seen in many years. I really don't think anybody thought we would see anything like what we got.
That last post is right on the money. So many of our residential streets are in disrepair that it is downright embarrassing.
We voted a half cent sales tax for transportation that was supposed to guarantee streets would be kept up properly a few years back.
Where did the money go?
Oh yeah, Walmart. So that's what our geniuses up at city hall call moving forward?
There have been previous post about burnt out street lights that the city didn't take care of. I noticed the street light behind my house was out. I didn't bother the city. I called KCPL just as the last storm and frigid spell hit. I was told that it would be replaced within 3 days. I told the representative that it was too cold with the wind chill and it could wait until the weather got better. The light was working again just as it started to warm up.
I think it is more productive to call KCPL for things like this.
Andy Whiteman
You were wise in not contacting the city directly. I know that in the past I have been disappointed by the lack of action on problems, particularly code issues.
They are always very pleasant when they take the complaint. But after that it seems like the ball gets dropped. I've also noticed that they are extremely reluctant to give time lines on even the smallest projects.
Using tax money to help the people
has never been a priority of this town.
But, this town's city hall will give billion dollar
corporations any and all they ask for.
Please vote these people out nest election!
Has anyone notice that when you call 737-6014, they almost NEVER identify themselves? I always ask who I am speaking to and usually get a surprised response. Could that be part of the reason people are saying that nothing gets done?
Andy Whiteman
City employees should be REQUIRED to identify themselves when they answer the phone at city hall. This is just common courtesy, but it appears that they don't know this or they don't care. I worked in the private sector for a large company for many years and we always identified ourselves when we answered the company phone. It's even more important when you are in the PUBLIC sector. Just shows you how poor of management that we have at city hall.
I would be happy to vote them out next election....problem is, who's gonna run? More of the same? Isn't there an election coming up? Sorry, I work a ton, so I don't really know. If there is, where are they? Shouldn't they be knocking on my door, or sending me something in the mail? Hmmmmmm.
7:42AM The problem with the next election is that people will have to GET OUT AND VOTE! That is something that people in Apathytown don't do. There is always a small percentage of the voters electing our city officials.
Andy Whiteman
The next Raytown city election will be in April, 2011.
I don't plan on being here in April 2011, but the rest of you can vote.
Andy Whiteman
On my last trip to Wal Mart I checked my receipt and it clearly showed the sales tax rate at 9.1%. I new this and it was expected. Today I shopped at the Raytopwn Hy Vee and checked my receipt. Thaere were 2 different sales tax rates shown. All food items were taxed at 8.6% and I had 2 non food items taxed at 5.6%. Any one know why the 2 rates and why not the same 9.1% as Wal Mart?
Sales taxes in Raytown are by area. There is a state tax, city tax, and special district tax. Walmart has a TIF generating a sales tax to retire the bonds, as does Hy-Vee but it is at a different rate. Food is taxed at a lower rate. If you go to the Plaza you will find a higher tax than most of KCMO. It is another special district.
Did you buy food at Walmart? I would expect food to have a lower tax there. I don't check my receipts except to keep a record of the total.
For a good explanation I suggest you ask Director of Finance, Jeremy Willmoth
Ph: 816-737-6084 email: jeremyw@raytown.mo.us
Andy Whiteman
I did some checking and came up with these sales tax rates for area cities.
Raytown - 8.1%
Grandview - 7.85%
Kansas City - 7.725%
Blue Springs - 6.85%
Independence - 7.6%
There are also special tax districts in some of these cities. In Raytown the most notorious is the development district where Walmart and Westlake Ace Hardware are located.
The additional tax levied there drives the rate to 9.1%.
Food and medicine are exempt from state sales taxes but not from local sales taxes.
According to an article in the Kansas City Star late last summer, Raytown has the second highest sales tax in the Kansas City metropolitan area (includes both Kansas and Missouri municipalities).
Obviously Raytown is for rich people with the 2nd highest sales tax rate and that extremely high Dysfunctional School tax (totaling 69% of the tax bill). How anyone can afford to live in Raytown is beyond me. Before I moved here the Chamber told me that Raytown had the lowest taxes in the metro. Either they lied or things have changed.
Alderman Aziere has commented on houses without electricity. Maybe that is because of the high tax rates (including the franchise tax on utilities) as well as the high electric rates that people simply can't afford electricity. (I don't know of any law requiring electricity.) As I have said, RAYTOWN IS FOR THE RICH and not ordinary people.
Andy Whiteman
Raytown has become one of the highest sales taxed cities in the area. For instance I buy my ink tank refills from a store (Cartridge World) at 3rd and Ward in Lee's Summit. There just happens to be a Westlake and a Walgreen in this shopping center, and guess what, the sales tax is only 7.6%. Savings and connivence too, you can park your car and walk to all three of these businesses. The Westlake seems to have much bigger selection than the one in Raytown. Another note a Hy-Vee is also located here. As people become smarter shoppers Raytown is going to be left behind because of it's high taxes and lack of availability of products that people want and need.
Face it. Raytown is for the RICH with the 2nd highest sales tax in the metro as well with 69% of the outrageous property taxes going to the Dysfunctional School District.
I called the chamber before I moved here and was told that Raytown had the lowest taxes in the metro. Obviously they lied.
Alderman Aziere commented on homes in Raytown without electricity. Does anyone wonder why? With the high tax rates, electric rates, as well as the franchise tax maybe people can't afford electricity. Also a deposit is required of anyone not having a good credit rating.
RAYTOWN IS FOR THE RICH
Andy Whiteman
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