In This Week's Raytown Report
August Primary + Big Ballot = Big Turnout? by Greg Walters
Retro Review: Abs & Buns of Steel by Jenn Walters
Every Picture Tells a Story . . . "CACTUS IN BLOOM" The picture below is of what remains of a wagon bed at a Mormon outpost n the high desert between the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Zion National Monument in northern Arizona / southern Utah.
The outpost was abandoned in the late 1800's.
Every Picture Tells a Story . . . "CACTUS IN BLOOM" The picture below is of what remains of a wagon bed at a Mormon outpost n the high desert between the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Zion National Monument in northern Arizona / southern Utah.
The outpost was abandoned in the late 1800's.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
RAYTOWN GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
A 50th Year Celebration is planned in conjunction with Closing Ceremonies on Tuesday, July 13 at 7 PM at Little Blue Trace Park. Anyone who has ever played, umpired, coached or directed in the league is invited to be part of the reunion celebration. Help us spread the word! In addition to the trophies and Ann Harrison check presentation, we will celebrate the league turning 50 this year and recogonize all those in our history.
NEWS AND VIEWS
by Greg Walters
August Primary + Big Ballot = Big Turnout?
The Fourth of July marks the beginning of the mad dash for the August 3rd Primary by candidates hoping to make the cut for the November, 2010 elections. The 2010 August Primary ballot is, in a word, huge – especially for an off-year election. The Raytown area is especially crowded with interesting races.
Will the large number of races increase voter tournout? Typically, primary elections are low turnout events because many people do not like to claim party affiliation. Without any over-riding issue on the ballot (the only non-candidate issue are changes to the Jackson County Charter) the turn-out on August 3rd is anyone's guess.
Since a good number of the races are being determined in the primary, if you want your vote to count the most, then plan on heading to the polls on August 3rd.
Here is the list of local races to keep an eye on August 3rd.
Will the large number of races increase voter tournout? Typically, primary elections are low turnout events because many people do not like to claim party affiliation. Without any over-riding issue on the ballot (the only non-candidate issue are changes to the Jackson County Charter) the turn-out on August 3rd is anyone's guess.
Since a good number of the races are being determined in the primary, if you want your vote to count the most, then plan on heading to the polls on August 3rd.
Here is the list of local races to keep an eye on August 3rd.
Jackson County – 1st District at Large
Incumbent County Legislator Theresa Garza-Ruiz is being challenged by Ray Salva, Jr. The winner of this Democratic contest will walk into a no-lose situation in the November general election as no Republican has filed for the seat.
Jackson County – 2nd District at Large
Incumbent County Legislator Henry Rizzo is challenged by Crystal Williams. A third candidate has filed as well, but has not campaigned actively for the seat. Like the 1st District at Large race, no Republican has filed. So the winner here will sail through the November election.
Jackson County – 3rd District at Large
Incumbent County Legislator Fred Arbanas is being challenged by Kansas City Councilman Terry Riley. The diverse demographics of the Jackson County area make this an interesting race. Like the 1st and 2nd District – the winner here will waltz into the general election as no Republican has filed.
Jackson County – 6th District
Former Raytown City Councilman Greg Walters is facing off against political newcomer Syed Asif. The winner of that contest will square off against the winner of the Republican Primary in November. On the Republican side of the ballot incumbent County Legislator Bob Spence is being challenged by Lee’s Summit City Councilman Joseph Spallo.
State Representative – 43rd District
Mark Wasserstrom, Kim Douglass, and Gail McCann Beatty are in a three way tug of war for this open seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. There is no Republican filed for the seat, so the winner of the Primary will be elected in November.
State Representative – 48th District
Three Republican candidates are vying for the open seat being vacated by Will Kraus. Those candidates are Gary Cross, Bob Gough and Pam Osgood. The winner of that race will face the Democrat, Gavin Fletchall, in the November general election.
Committeeman – Brooking Township
Three candidates are vying for two seats in both the Democratic and Republican primaries. On the Democratic ticket the three candidates are Michael Downing, Richard Tush and A.K. Khan. On the Republican side Bill VanBuskirk, Mark Moore and Michael Lightfoot are in a race for the two seats.
TO YOUR HEALTH
by Jenn Walters
Retro Review: Abs & Buns of Steel
Buns of Steel is the quintessential exercise tape. It brought the term “gluteus maximus” into everyday speech, and, for better or for worse, it defined aerobics fashion, resulting in an entire generation of leotard-clad ladies. For the bun betterment of humanity, Buns of Steel and Abs of Steel were recently released in a combo Buns & Abs of Steel DVD. Its a two-fer! Apparently the makers of Steel wanted many more generations to enjoy Tamilee Webbs’ buns and abs.
Although the fashions on the DVD scream 1985, after a bit of research, I was surprised to learn that the original VHS tapes were made in the mid-90s. What also surprised me was how advanced the exercise science was for 1994. Tamilee Webb knows her stuff. She’s likeable, cues well, provides options for beginners, and describes exercises and postural alignment in an easy-to-understand way. And she’s cute, especially in the Abs section of the DVD, where she’s working mall bangs, spandex and the all-white high-top Ryka’s with accompanying scrunched down white socks. Rad. (In the Buns sections, she’s less cute and more sex kitten, with her hair teased and down, and her brightly colored thong leotard on, but more on that later…)
The DVD is easy to navigate. The menu divides up the Abs and Buns sections separately, with three 15-minute workouts in each section. Each section contains a warm-up and cool down, so you really can just do 15 minutes a day. The sections build in intensity as you progress. Abs #1 and Buns #1 are pretty basic. Abs #2 and Buns #2 are a bit more difficult, and Tamilee saves the most challenging routines for the #3 segments. As someone who regularly exercises, I found the #3 workouts to be my favorite.
Despite how much I’m raving about this DVD, there is one major problem I have with it: I wouldn’t feel comfortable having it on my television set if someone randomly dropped by. Is this because I would feel un-cool doing leg lifts with a perky woman in a neon pink leotard? No. I’m really fine with that. Is it because the music it just too embarrassing? Nah, for 1994, it’s really not too bad. I couldn’t have it on my TV set because it makes me blush.
Not only does the set contain two TVs—one showing Tamilee from afar and another serving as the crotch/booty cam—but in the Buns segments you can see, er, A LOT of Ms. Webb. Like too much. Way too much. I’ll spare you the details, but really, in a workout video, do you really want to see “too much” of anyone?
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★ (and then some)
Overall: ★★★★
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★ (and then some)
Overall: ★★★★
Fit Bottom line: Fourteen years later, it’s still a good workout for all levels of exercisers, but be warned, cable TV couldn’t show it until after 10 p.m. —Jenn Walters
Comments
In every other state I have lived, a party is declared when registering to vote. If a person wants to switch parties for the primary, they may do so by changing their registration within a certain number of days before the election.
Missouri is truly the show me state allowing people to declare a party on election day.
As an FYI for those who qualify for the Homestead Preservation Credit, I attempted to print a form HPC for a friend and received a message that HPC sunsets on 10/28/2010. Be prepared to pay outrageous property taxes after this year! I am glad that I will be out of this State of Misery.
Andy Whiteman
Andy Whiteman
http://dor.mo.gov/tax/personal/homestead/
But note the link at the bottom of that page. There is still a property tax credit for seniors and disabled.
Maybe I'm mistaken, but the HPC seems to be related to increases in property taxes. Something that is probably not a problem for most of Jackson County. I know the county valued my house $10k less this year.
I agree with the writer that says we need more conservative people elected to public office. I noticed on the list of candidates running in Raytown that nearly all of them have held public office before.
Check their records. It is all public. Then go vote!
But then the school district stepped right in an raised the levy to the highest it has ever been to make up the difference.
One of the school board candidates (bobby saulsberry) didn't even bother to pay her taxes until she was foreced to by people who write on this blog.
Those million dollar football fields sure look like a dumb idea now, don't they.
There's a button on the right side of the home page that says to click it for frequently asked questions about fireworks in Raytown.
The link does not work!
I saw at the bottom of the page another button about the 63rd Street project. I went to it and found another button that has the construction schedule on it.
So I clicked on it.
A screen came up that said the schedule will be added soon!
Whoever is running this page ought to be fired. No wonder our city's image is like it is. The incompetence demonstrated on the city's home page of its website shines through like a beacon to anyone who would think otherwise.
getting pretty tired of other people telling me
if I can smoke ( I quit over ten years ago.),
shoot off fireworks, include God in the Pledge of
Allegiance or various other freedoms
we have given up because some do-good-er jerk
got offended. Our government even this small town's
government has gotten out of hand. As has our school
district. Not only do they try to tell us what and where we can
do things but they spend our money any way they see fit.
Until we get rid of all incumbents and get new good people
in office we as a town and a nation are doomed to failure.
Elected people are charged with watching over how and
where our tax dollars are spent. This city has given more to
Wal-mart than they have ever done for the people of Raytown.
Yes, they even took your tax overlay money and used it for Wal-
Marts parking lot.
Jim, I agree, but first we need intelligent voters who will vote. I think you are expecting more than is possible.
Lee, Sorry, your date is correct. Something distrated me. My property value went down too, but my taxes didn't. The city and the school district did NOT lower taxes as a normal person would expect. The city had to raise the mill levy to keep the dollar amount because if they didn't, state law wouldn't allow them to raise tazes back to what they were. What a lame excuse. I say cut wasteful spending.
You are correct, there is still a property tax program for seniors and disabled but it is limited to thosse under a certain poverty level income limit.
6:21AM, The way the City website is not updated, I wonder if anyone is responsible for it. The bridge will probably be complete before they post the schedule. By then it will be unnecessary. With Alderman Pad-Due being an IT person, one would think he could take care of it. Really makes the city appear incompetent.
For the Fireworks ordinance, click on ORDINANCES, click Code of Ordinances. Then on the "+" at Chapter 9 Fire followed by the "+" at Article II Fireworks.
Andy Whiteman
Andy Whiteman
Andy Whiteman
Technically the incident is a Federal Offense. Under old laws it should be handled by the ATF but now it is manufacturing an IUD. The Feds should handle it since it is a federal issue and they won't have to debate murder, carelessness, accident, etc.
Andy Whiteman
What a fine job the police are doing to keep the public safe?
It is time someone looks at department policy and back log of warrents.
Also funny is still have yet to see our "ELECTED" police chief on TV.
and a few other factors. Murders, thugs, robbery's
and other lawbreaking are a byproduct of this element.
It's an old story but fairly new to Raytown.
If you have all the above and a codes department that
does not stay on top of their job the city goes downhill
fast. We all see this happening around us.
Who is to blame?
City Hall and everyone inside it's walls!
Our city officials need to grow a pair and do their jobs.
Our city officials want to only take credit for the good
things that happen in town. They turn a blind eye to
the bad hoping they will go away.
Here's a news flash city hall, it will only go away when
you all do your damn jobs!
www.crimespot.com
A Theft 06/22/10. 86XX S BUCKINGHAMLA KANSAS CITY Details
B Theft 06/23/10. 112XX E 49 ST KANSAS CITY Details
C Theft 06/27/10. 88XX E 52 TR KANSAS CITY Details
D Burglary 06/21/10. 71XX S JAMES A RERD KANSAS CITY Details
E Burglary 06/24/10. 54XX S RINKER RD KANSAS CITY Details
F Theft 06/21/10. 87XX S SNI-A-BAR RD KANSAS CITY Details
G Burglary 06/23/10. 87XX E 77 TR KANSAS CITY Details
H Theft 06/21/10. 87XX E 77 TR KANSAS CITY Details
I Burglary 06/24/10. 46XX S NORWOOD CT KANSAS CITY Details
J Theft 06/27/10. 86XX E 78 TR KANSAS CITY Details
K Robbery 06/23/10. BANNISTER RDSPRING VALRDE KANSAS CITY Details
L Theft 06/21/10. 76XX E 75 TR KANSAS CITY Details
M Theft 06/27/10. 106XX E 43 ST KANSAS CITY Details
N Burglary 06/25/10. 79XX S SYCAMORE AV KANSAS CITY Details
O Theft 06/27/10. 79XX S SYCAMORE AV KANSAS CITY Details
P Theft 06/27/10. 42XX S STERLING AV KANSAS CITY Details
Q Theft 06/21/10. 51XX S EASTERN AV KANSAS CITY Details
R Assault 06/27/10. 53XX S PERSIMMON TL KANSAS CITY Details
S Burglary 06/22/10. 75XX E 49 TR KANSAS CITY Details
T Theft 06/21/10. 68XX S CRABAPPLE CR KANSAS CITY Details
U Burglary 06/22/10. 74XX S OZARK RD KANSAS CITY Details
Too much if you ask me. It is creeping into Raytown. People are blaming Chief Lynch. There is no way any police department can stop crime even if they put an officer on each city block and restricted who is allowed into the city. The fault is with the criminals, not the police.
Andy Whiteman
Obviously if you look at Crimespot.com , crime surrounds Raytown and Raytown is not an island as we would like to think. Just bring it up and look at the red dots around Raytown.
Andy Whiteman
Why don't you move and then sell your house? That is what I am doing. I already bought another house and am waiting for remodeling. I still have a lot of packing to do.
Andy Whiteman
Amen!!!!!!!
My neighbors across the street put out 3 trash cans the day after their trash was to be picked up, I guess they did not like the smell of the trash in the garage. The animals got into the cans and the trash has been all over the street for days now and everyday it gets worse. My husband came home last night and did not see the woman sitting on the porch. He was so upset that they have not cleaned up the mess he said "is anyone ever going to cleanup this mess?" So you know that pretty much set the mood for any relationship with them.
He was so upset because I went out already once this week and cleaned up a mess that someone through out of their car. The animals got into it the very first night. I am 70 and really don't want to have to cleanup someone else trash or look at it either because they are to lazy to get off their ass and clean it up. Where is the city codes dept.? All they had to do is drive down the street to see these messes but NO that's to much to think that would happen. Thanks mayor Bower.
We should all be asking why should we have to move because no one at city hall cares about our properties values and what is happening to our neighborhoods? Isn't the responsiblity of city hall to see that these things don't? How disappionted my husband and I are with this administration. We will never ever vote for anyone that is on this city council from the mayor down.
4th! If you want to enjoy your own fireworks, please handle them carefully.
Andy Whiteman
Basically it starts with the parents or whoever is lucky enough to raise the kids. And if those people did not learn any of those things from anyone before them, how do they break that cycle of laziness/don't care????
It also is a socioeconomic thing. If you only make minimum wage or below, you are below the poverty level. There is too much temptation to get something the easy way and steal, kill, whatever, just for a few bucks. Sad situation, and it is only going to get worse unless people wake up and help by educating people.
Go ahead and use your fire works. Your neighbors might care, but the city doesn't. The web site is very specific. Fireworks only the 4th and not after 11:00pm. At 12:35am on the 5th, I called the police to ask them to tell my neighbors it was time to put the fireworks away. The dispatcher (not 911) said she'd send someone as soon as possible. My neighbors finally quit shooting their fireworks at 1:30 in the morning. My point is - your safe. The city won't do anything about you breaking the law.
Andy Whiteman