more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/16/3558786/charles-krauthammer-the-buffet.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Raytown Police Department Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs BY D. HARPER
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 816-875-656

Raytown, MO – On April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Raytown Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your medications for disposal to the parking lots of Blue Ridge Plaza, 5210 Blue Ridge Boulevard, or Apple Market, Raytown Road and E. 350 Highway.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last October, Americans turned in 377,080 pounds—188.5 tons—of prescription drugs at over 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement partners.  In its three previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in almost a million pounds—nearly 500 tons—of pills. 

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Four days after the first event, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an “ultimate user” of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them.  The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances.  DEA is drafting regulations to implement the Act, a process that can take as long as 24 months.  Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like the Raytown Police Department and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every few months. 

OTHER WRITERS DISCUSS . . .

Buffett Rule is Another Phony Obama Free Lunch

BY CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER

. . . Growth? The United States has the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world. Now, in the middle of a historically weak recovery, Obama wants to raise our capital gains tax to the fourth highest.

No better way to discourage investment — and the jobs and growth that come with it.

The Buffett rule redistributes deck chairs on the Titanic, ostensibly to make more available for those in steerage.

Nice idea, but the iceberg cometh. READ MORE

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/16/3558786/charles-krauthammer-the-buffet.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

-- BREAKING NEWS --

Press Release From the Raytown Police Department

For Release:  04/14/2012 Prepared By: Cpl. D. Harper

Man Wanted in Connection With Home Invasion

Raytown, MO-Raytown Police are looking for information of the whereabouts of Lee A. Douglas, a 27 year old Kansas City man.  Douglas has been charged with Robbery, Burglary and Armed Criminal Action by the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, in connection with the home invasion in Raytown, on 04-11-12.  Douglas was last known to be 6’1” tall, 165 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.  Douglas should be considered armed and dangerous.  Anyone with information of the whereabouts of Douglas should call the Raytown Police Department at 816-737-6020 immediately.

 -- OF COMMUNITY INTEREST -- 

Free Tai Chi Classes at Coleman Park

Friends of the Raytown Parks in conjunction with Raytown Parks and Recreation will be offering a free 5 week Tai Chi class on Thursday evenings at Colman Park, located at 59th and Lane Streets. The classes will begin this week on Thursday and run for five weeks. Participants are asked to meet at the flag pole monument located at the northwest corner of the park. READ MORE

What is Tai Chi?

The health effects include strengthening the body’s bone structure, toning the muscles, increasing cardiovascular circulation, and flushing the body’s lymphatic system of toxins. The movements can enhance the body’s blood circulation and metabolism. When practiced properly, Tai Chi Chuan can be an effective form of self-defense.

Raytown Clean Up Days

Want to get rid of some of that junk that has been cluttering up your home and property? Then take advantage of Raytown Clean Up Days, May 5th, at Super Splash USA.

The City has waived dump fees for cars and pickup trucks. Last year the event was so popular that the hours had to be extended to accommodate all those waiting in line to get rid of their junk. So plan ahead, get in early and help make Raytown Clean Up Day a success.  

Use this link to learn more about Raytown Clean-Up Day  READ MORE

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned 

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 2^nd from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for the two NSP3 homes that have been constructed at 5420 & 5424 Laurel Avenue (the intersection of Laurel Avenue and 55^th Street).  Congressman Cleaver and officials from the Missouri Department of Economic Development are anticipated to be in attendance as well.

THE SALAMANDER

THE SALAMANDER RETURNS!
A Congressman's Dilemna   
BY THE SALAMANDER 

Next time you wonder how come our country is in such a financial straits keep the following in mind.

Some years ago, our Congressman, Emanuel Cleaver decided to go into the car wash business. To obtain financing he and his wife went to the Government SBA (Small Business Administration).

They borrowed $1.25 million dollars.

The car wash opened but things did not go well. First, Mr. Cleaver apparently neglected to pay over $20,000.00 in delinquent business and real estate taxes.

Enter the nosey KC Star. They made the delinquency public.

It was an oversight. Or, at least that is what Mr. Cleaver claimed. The Salamander wonders: How many readers, when they receive and overdue tax bill in the amount of $20,000+ dollars just toss it aside and forget about the intrusion into their daily routine?

Somehow or other that bill was paid.

Not too long after our Congressman's "day of forgetfulness" the greedy bankers who had loaned him $1.25 million to build the car wash demanded he repay the loan.

Because of missed payments, the amount has now escalated to a tidy $1.4 million dollars.

Now we all know how terrible banks are. They get upset when someone doesn't pay them back. 

And, according to the KC Star, Mr. Cleaver most certainly is not repaying the loan.

Enter the solution to all of the Congressman's problems. -- The SBA, affectionately dubbed Small Business Administration; this august group has guaranteed most of the Cleaver Car Wash Loan.

See how simple things are, folks.

Our Congressman -- and he is running for re-election -- can't or won't pay the loan he made from the bank. 

The solution is simple.

The Federal Government will more than likely step in and clean up this little misunderstanding.

Not to worry. When your government is almost 15 trillion dollars in debt why bother yourself about a few million dollars?

The Salamander

P.S. The foregoing takes less than 3 minutes to read. During that period of 180 seconds, the national debt has increased almost 3 million dollars.

FIT BOTTOMED GIRLS

My Three Favorite Foods BY JENN

We’re hungry! And talking about food for this round of Question of the Week, which asks each FBG, “What are your three favorite healthy foods?” Tough one… Three? I just have to pick three? Honestly, I could probably list 300 healthy foods I simply adore. Between almost every fruit and vegetable on the planet (minus... Continue reading

 

A new picture of Paul has been found!

The Paul Livius Report

Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting – April 10, 2012

Dawn Weaks, of the Raytown Christian Church gave the invocation.

Mayor Bower proclaimed April 8-14 to be Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.  He said when we call 911 for police, fire or ambulance service, we don’t give thanks enough to the folks who answer our calls.

He also said the Raytown Emergency 911 Communication Officers are the front line of contact with our citizens and general public and are uniquely charged with the responsibility of maintaining citizen satisfaction and a positive image of our city to the general public by exhibiting compassion, understanding and professionalism.

The Raytown Emergency 911 Communication Officers are a vital link, playing a critical role, in the safety of law enforcement officers, emergency medical services personnel and firefighters who are dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information relayed from citizens who telephone Raytown’s Emergency 911 Communication Center.

The Raytown 911 Emergency Communication Center’s highly dedicated staff members serve the citizens of Raytown 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, processing nearly 50,000 requests for service each year.

Mayor Bower also proclaimed April 15-21 as Volunteer Appreciation Week.  He said Raytown’s history has been marked by the service of generations of selfless individuals from all walks of life, serving each other, our community and our nation, each one dedicated to making tomorrow better than today. They exemplify the essence of the American idea that we can change things, make things better, and solve problems when we all work together for a common cause.

Mayor Bower opened the floor to public comments

• Vicki Turnbow told the Board there was a request before them to use the Green Space for the annual Summer Fest and BBQ Cook-Off.  It is scheduled for June 8-9.  She asked the Board to approve the request.
• Andy Whiteman told the Board he appreciated the 911 dispatchers.  He worked as a 911 dispatcher, and knew from personal experience they aren’t paid a lot of money.  He told the Board they should raise the wages of the 911 dispatchers.  He also said Kansas City, Missouri is in the process of passing an illegal sign ordinance.  He suggested the Raytown Board of Aldermen pass an ordinance stating that signs on the City Right-of-Way are a nuisance and follow through and fine the offenders. He brought three signs to show the Aldermen.

Mayor Bower said he attended Story Time at the Public Library during the Easter celebration.  We learned that four aldermen learned the Chicken Dance.

•       The Board passed a resolution authorizing the  participation by the City in the Missouri Department of Transportation highway safety crash reduction/hazardous moving enforcement project.

•       The Board passed a resolution authorizing and approving a license agreement between the city and the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce for use of the city owned green space located at 6224 Blue Ridge Boulevard for the Raytown Summer Fest & BBQ Cook-off.

•       Andy Noll reported to the Board there are three (3) 4-post lifts at vehicle maintenance that are utilized to maintain equipment and vehicles.  Only one of the three is capable of lifting the EMS ambulances for maintenance. This lift was damaged when an ambulance was being driven onto the lift. A roll-out tray that houses the batteries for the ambulance had come loose and was open and struck one of the four posts. The lift was damaged in multiple areas due to the impact and previously undetected rust. Due to the rust the lift can’t be repaired and must be replaced. The lift is the only lift that has the capacity to lift the heavier vehicles such as the ambulances therefore we need to replace the lift as quickly as possible. Staff has received written quotes from O’Reilly Auto Parts and NAPA, both of which have been awarded cooperative contracts for this type of equipment. O’Reilly Auto Parts price is $11,374.00 and NAPA’s price is $11,509.46. The City’s insurance will reimburse the department all but the $2,500 deductible for the replacement of the lift.  The Board passed the resolution.

•       The Board heard the first reading an ordinance that would grant a conditional use permit to operate a day care on property in the highway corridor commercial district on property located at 7818 Maple Avenue.  The Day Care will have a maximum of 20 children and will operate during the hours of 6am and 6pm.

•       The Board heard the first reading of an ordinance that would grant approval of the site plan for a convenience store on land located at 9401 East Highway 350.   The request was submitted by Hy-Vee stores to occupy the site that was formerly Chrysler-Jeep.  The developer plans to remove the current buildings and construct a new building and gasoline pumps.  There are future plans to add a coffee shop with drive through and a self-serve car wash.

•       The Board heard the first reading of an ordinance that would combine both lots at 9401 East Highway 350 into one lot.

•       The Board heard the first reading an ordinance authorizing and approving a service agreement and a disconnect/reconnect sewer service agreement with Public Water district No. 2 of Jackson County, Missouri.

 The Board of Aldermen moved into a closed session.

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