It looks like 2012 is going to be an
Election Year for the record books. No doubt there will be many clever
political ads through the campaign. The following is a very classy political ad
sent to us by one of our regular readers.
Family of murdered Raytown jogger longs for an arrest By BRIAN BURNES of the Kansas City Star
Wife, younger brother of slain Raytown runner ask for monetary donations to help increase the reward fund.
Reward money available for information in the May 13
shooting death of Raytown jogger Harry Stone now has reached $2,000.Family members announced the $500 increase on Wednesday while meeting with reporters in Independence. “We really need the public’s help here,” said Randy Stone, Harry Stone’s younger brother. READ MORE
Letter Catches Public's Attention
Last week a
letter to the editor was published in the Raytown Times that caught the
attention of many Raytowners, some of whom sounded off on this blog. The topic
was the decay of our town as seen through the eyes of the writer. One point
that stood out in the letter was a non-enforcement of simple codes and laws.
The letter was
not available for this publication as our deadline approached, but we hope to
publish it later this week.
Two of examples
of the letter writers complaint came to mind. Illegal parking at softball games
at Coleman Park and the non-enforcement of property maintenance codes.
Coleman
Park
It is not
unusual during the summer softball season for large crowds to show up at
Coleman Park. The games are enjoyable to watch. There is rarely any problem
with fans or players.
Unfortunately,
sometimes the players and spectators will park in the no parking zones, the
middle of the street or doublepark on either side of the street. All three are
violations under the city’s traffic codes.
It is not a
question of enough parking spaces. There are plenty empty spaces just north of
left field on Lane Street. As a rule, those parking spots are empty.
Two weeks ago
there were many sirens and emergency vehicles over at the park. One of the
ballplayers had collapsed during the game. The ambulance, fire and police
showed up. They entered from the 59th Street entrance. Which is
fortunate, had it been one of those instances when the illegal parking was
going on it doubtful they would have made it through the maze of illegally
parked cars.
It was a serious
situation. The ballplayer was transported to a local hospital for further
treatment. In a situation such as the one played out that night, minutes can be
the difference between life and death.
This clearly
illustrates the point that our laws have a common sense purpose. It is for the
well-being of all that the laws be enforced.
Property Maintenance Codes
The same can be
said of our property maintenance codes. Unfortunately, our Mayor has made it
very clear that enforcement of property maintenance codes is not high on his
list of things to do. To make matters worse, though individual Aldermen may
complain bitterly about the lack of enforcement, as a group, they lamely stand
by and accept the Mayor’s direction.
The letter
writer in the Raytown Tribune hit a nerve because so much of what was written
is accurate.
For Raytown to alter its course, the City
Council, Mayor and Chief of Police must recognize and address the problems in the
pro in the professional manner that is expected of them.
FIT BOTTOMED GIRLS
Motivation
BY
KRISTEN
Motivation fascinates me. It’s always astounded me
how the right words from the right person at just the right time can take me to
a completely new level. I can run faster, push harder, hold that pose a few
seconds longer. I can just do better.
Of course, it
totally works the other way, too. I can be a bit of a head case, and while I can
take a trainer or coach yelling and pushing, the wrong yelling or pushing can
put my performance—not to mention my emotions—straight in the crapper.
Since I’ve
gotten older and done more workouts and training alone, I’ve had to come up
with ways to give myself the boost that I might otherwise get from someone
else, and, since these are the things that motivate me, I thought I’d share and
see if any of my little thoughts or mottos might help out any of you! READ MORE
Rice
Tremonti Ice Cream Social
KEEPING WITH THE TRADITION OF LAST YEARS
ICE CREAM SOCIAL, WE WILL BE DOING IT AGAIN THIS YEAR.
SATURDAY JUNE 16th 4-6 pm
FREE ADMISSION
FREE HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
FREE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT
THIS YEAR WE WILL BE FEATURING INTERVIEWS
WITH "OUR FOUR FAIR LADIES OF THE RICE-TREMONTI HOME" 1850-1988
RAYTOWN
SUMMERFEST
JUNE 8TH AND 9TH
Mark your
calendars for two big Days of Fun, Friends & BBQ. The Raytown Area Chamber
of Commerce is conducting its Annual Barbeque Cookoff and Community Festival on
June 8th and 9th. Located in Downtown Raytown, the
popular annual event promises to be bigger and better than ever.
The schedule for
the two day event is as follows:
FRIDAY, JUNE
8 – 4:00 TO 10:00 PM
BBQ Lunch
Specials will start at Noon on Friday!
6:30-9:30pm ~
Live Entertainment
FOUR FRIED CHICKENS & A COKE
FOUR FRIED CHICKENS & A COKE
SATURDAY,
JUNE 9 – 7:00 AM TO 10:00 PM
7:00-10:00am ~
Chris Cakes Pancake Breakfast
1:00pm ~
“Sausage Sprint” Dachshund Races & All Breed Dog Costume Contest
4:00pm ~
Barbeque Cookoff Awards Presentation
6:00-9:00pm ~
Live Entertainment
THE ELSEA SMITH BAND
THE ELSEA SMITH BAND
SATURDAY
NIGHT SPECIAL!
Come out
Saturday night and enjoy a delicious
BBQ dinner while enjoying the sounds of
The Elsea Smith Band.
BBQ dinner while enjoying the sounds of
The Elsea Smith Band.
Click on this
link for a
With the
purchase of a BBQ Rib Dinner.
Enjoy a FREE BBQ
sandwich from 6-10pm!
Print as many as you like and pass out
to your employees, friends and family!
Print as many as you like and pass out
to your employees, friends and family!
To post a
comment on this blog click on the word comments on
the line directly below this sentence.
30 comments:
Good political ad but will it really air? It will cost $$$$ to put over a 3 minute ad on TV and I bet people will fast forward to the show they are watching. I fast forward through all commercials. A one hour program is really just under 44 minutes!
I posted the ad on Facebook. Maybe it will air on the web.
The police should TOW any vehicle blocking a street or access to a facility or public area in addition to ticketing. Tows and impounds are really expensive with the cost of the tow and several days of impound fees until the fine is paid and the city releases the vehicle. The cost should get people's attention to obey our parking ordinances. The signs should be changed to "ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED AND IMPOUNDED AT OWNERS EXPENSE."
Andy Whiteman
I saw the letter, but it was coated in thinly veiled racism to gripe about Raytown. Like a greasy film you couldn't get off.
Sorry about Raytown not being lily white anymore but if that what is bothering her she should move, because we all need to get along.
To Anonymous 10:28,
I have read the letter over and over
and at first I thought the same thing.
I don't think that is what is bothering
her. I think that the facts speak for
themselves. As the kids say these days
"It is what it is." You said we need to
get along, I agree. We also need to obey
the laws of this town and we all need to
respect each other. I'm a firm believer
in giving respect where respect is due.
People no matter what color they are
should show manners and respect for others.
There are bad people in all walks of life.
There are people that think they don't have
to obey signs and laws of the land because it
isn't convenient for them.
On CH 9 news this weekend:
1) Due to summer achool in Raytown, school zones will be enforced. Raytown was specifically mentioned.
I suggest driving <25mph in school zones.
2) "Home values near a new Walmart have gone up." I can't believe this! I wouldn't pay more for a house because there is a Walmart nearby.
I sure hope those near the Raytown Walmart sold when they had a chance.
Andy Whiteman
The lady writer does not want or expect a "lily white" Raytown, but she does not want a ghetto Raytown either. What the writer wants, at least as I interpreted her letter, is what all Raytown wants, and that is a clean city with respectful neighbors and not what has moved into town in recent years.
I am not racist, but I am not blind either. I see what is happening to our once clean decent city and so does everyone else. The only difference is the lady writer has the courage to stand up and tell it like it is, even if it is politically incorrect.
Believe me, you move enough bad people into Raytown and the good people will be forced out. This is what we are seeing these now. One day, and it will not be long, Raytown will look like East KC.
Raytown was once a really really nice place to live, but not anymore. Welcome to the ghetto - East East Kansas City.
god if you people only had a clue to what was going on you might join her in her beliefs.
There is an element in all of the kc area that thinks the laws do not apply to them. They believe if you want, you take. They have little respect for anyone or anything. It is the duty of our police and local governemnts to clean up the problem. Ignoring it does not work and does not make it go away.
Why is it that when someone advocates law and order, common courtesy, respect, obeying signs and codes, and just plain common decency; another person has to turn it into a race issue?
As 1:45 PM, that writer wants what many of us want for Raytown but we may have expressed it in different words. Read the message and don't blame the messenger.
Andy Whiteman
God loves you all.
Said by Bill Cosby:
They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English.
I can't even talk the way these people talk:
Why you ain't,
Where you is,
What he drive,
Where he stay,
Where he work,
Who you be...
And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk.
And then I heard the father talk.
Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth
In fact you will never get any kind of job making a decent living.
People marched and were hit in the face with rocks to get an Education, and now we've got these knuckleheads walking around.
The lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal.
These people are not parenting. They are buying things for kids.
$500 sneakers for what?
And they won't spend $200 for Hooked on Phonics.
I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit.
Where were you when he was 2?
Where were you when he was 12?
Where were you when he was 18 and how come you didn't know that he had a pistol?
And where is the father? Or who is his father?
People putting their clothes on backward:
Isn't that a sign of something gone wrong?
People with their hats on backward, pants down around the crack, isn't that a sign of something?
Isn't it a sign of something when she has her dress all the way up and got all type of needles [piercing] going through her body?
What part of Africa did this come from??
We are not Africans. Those people are not Africans; they don't know a thing about Africa ..... I say this all of the time. It would be like white people saying they are European-American. That is totally stupid. I was born here, and so were my parents and grand parents and, very likely my great grandparents. I don't have any connection to Africa, no more than white Americans have to Germany , Scotland , England , Ireland , or the Netherlands . The same applies to 99 percent of all the black Americans as regards to Africa . So stop, already! ! !
With names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap ......... And all of them are in jail.
Brown or black versus the Board of Education is no longer the white person's problem.
We have got to take the neighborhood back.
People used to be ashamed. Today a woman has eight children with eight different 'husbands' -- or men or whatever you call them now.
We have millionaire football players who cannot read.
We have million-dollar basketball players who can't write two paragraphs. We, as black folks have to do a better job.
Someone working at Wal-Mart with seven kids, you are hurting us.
We have to start holding each other to a higher standard..
We cannot blame the white people any longer.' Dr.. William Henry 'Bill' Cosby, Jr., Ed..D.
WELL SAID, BILL
It's NOT about color...
It's about behavior!!!
It is no surprise that somebody threw in with racism as an excuse to ignore a problem. To a certain extent he was successful in trying to derail the debate. So many posts (even this one) has taken the path he wanted. Don't be fooled by this red herring. The complaints the lady wrote about are very legitimate. Notice that there is no rush to "solve the problem" of lax law enforcement and no code enforcement. Of course not. That would point a finger at failure at city hall. And we all know that is not allowed to be discussed at city hall.
That is a good ad. I wish they were all that positive in their message.
Speaking of codes enforcement, check out this scene at 5521 Sterling Ave. south of Blue Ridge Blvd. Took this Monday evening.
Click here - sorry it's blurry, low light, but you get the idea. What a mess.
Doesn't a landlord have the responsibility to keep up his property....even if he has to evict his tenants?
There a parts of KC, which borders with Raytown, that you would not feel safe in during the day and would fear for your life after dark. Very dangerous places. I do not want Raytown to be like that, but it appears that more and more the ghetto is creeping toward Raytown and has taken hold in several spots. I hate East KC with its thug kill, steal and deal mentality. I beginning to hate Raytown for the same reasons. Can't even fight back to save our town for the fear of being labled a racist or bigot.
This is not a Raytown issue, but rather a social issue on a much large scale.
9:40PM, There may be a law giving tenants a certain time to claim their property. I don't know much about landlord-tenant law.
I suggest you call both codes and the Fire Department since this is also a fire hazard.
Also call your Alderman. They usually take an intrest in stuff like that.
Andy Whiteman
I have no desire to "get along" with people who have no respect for others or the law, regardless of their skin color.
I have lived in Raytown close to 50years now and I have seen the deteriation coming over the last 20years. I even went so far as to put my business in Indep. which i did not want to do because I could see that I would not succeed here in this city. Sorry to say, I did not make in there either but it was not for the same reasons. I just ran out of money just when people started to find out I was thered.
Raytown has had codes problems at least from the early 80's if not before. Things started to turn around when we had a Director of public works that went by the name of Beau Gorsman. Mr. Gorsman and several of our dept. heads left their jobs why I do not know. What I can tell you is since then things have gone to Hell in a hand basket. NO one does anything about codes except to drive by and smile thinking "I don't have to do that because no one will make me, even the mayor doesn't care."
Our mayor is the problem. He doesn't want to loose the next times he runs for office so nothig get done. If he makes someone mad over codes they won't vote for him. I rest of us can only watch but can do nothing because if we turn anything in it won't be followed up on so why try. Maybe we should all just move if you can afford it and if you can't I guess we watch our property values go down the toilet and stay indoors so we won't get shot,mugged or robbed.
In all fairness, it's also the fault of this city's police chief but I here he's going to retire when his term is up,GOD, I hope so.
It's time we get an appointed Chief not an elected one so he can be fired if he dosn't do his job. swe also need someone who is "old school" that is I'll do my job no mater what.
I agree with the person that said Raytown uses to be a great place to live and raise your family. The person that said that must have moved here when I did. We had the best school rating in the state, we had a police chief that was not afraid to do what needed to done to have a safe city. You could leave your doors open and not be home, you could let your children play outside without the fear of lossing them to a crazy person, we could ride our bikes without getting shot, everyone took care of their property and we appreciated the city we had then. I don't know about you, I want that back again because I am one who cannot afford to move and there is NO reason why it can't have it but we have to have people in office who care as much as we do. That's not going to happen if our department heads and city adminstrator live some where else and unless we have a mayor who is willing to do what his job is without worrying about the next election, if you do your job you will get re-elected.
7:43 AM, I agree.
4:44PM, If people won't vote for the Mayor if they are mad about codes, who is voting for him? As I see it plenty of people are mad about codes. Are the votes fraudulent?
I moved to Raytown bust before Beau Grosmann left. He and I had a verbal dispute about miniature lots. He told me that he could hear his neighbor's a/c. I told him his lot was too small. I later learned that he lived in Lees Summit so he had no right commenting on Raytown. In my opinion, he was one of the most worthless tie wearing chair warmers that Raytown has ever had. I am glad that he and some of his associates were hired in Liberty.
Andy Whiteman
I knew Beau Groceman during the years he worked for the City of Raytown. I found him to be an honest and hardworking department head. We did not always agree on everything - in particular zoning issues, but he was one of those city employees, who, when help was needed in enforcing codes and cleaning up other messy situations, could be counted on to follow through and finish the task.
When Beau resigned his job in Raytown he went to work in the private sector. He died of cancer a couple of years ago. He was a good man.
Two of Raytown's senior staff at the the time did go to work for the City of Liberty. Curt Wenson moved to Liberty and became the City Manager. He hired Dan Estes (who was at the time, Raytown's Finance Director). Last I know of, Dan works as Curt's Assistant City Manager in Liberty.
A lady named Cheryl White wrote in the newest
Raytown Times in response to last weeks
letter.
She said she was a transplant having moved
here from Milwaukee Wisc. ten years ago. She went on to say
if you want to discuss "hoods" that Ms. McLaughlin
didn't know what a "hood" really is.
Cheryl White missed the point altogether.
McLaughlin didn't say "in the hood" she said "Hoods"
as in punks thugs and so on.
I think if Ms White could have seen this town thirty
years ago she would be singing a different tune.
I know we can't go back in time and really I wouldn't
want to in some cases. But, Raytown has changed and
some changes are good and some are bad. It's the bad that could
have and should have been stopped early on. I mean
strict codes enforcement and being more careful what
businesses were allowed to come in. W-M brings with
it lower property values, blight and a heck of a lot more
crime. How this town and it's leaders handle the
next few years is critical in the future of Raytown.
If we actually want our neighborhoods to down the tubes
or prosper is in their hands. People like Ms. White
that look through rose colored glasses need to look harder.
They also need to look at what they are reading and try
to understand what they are reading.
The link to Jason Green reaches, "Sorry, the page you were looking for in this blog does not exist."
Unfortunately I have lived in Raytown close to 13 years. I sure notice the difference. Either Ms. White likes to see positive that doesn't exist in everything or the change is so gradual, she didn't notice it. Another thought is she may be sequestered in a gated community or apartment. True, it was very gradual but things sure went so downhill that I noticed it.
Andy Whiteman
Andy,
The link has been repaired. Thanks for pointing it out.
Pat, you are so right on this one. I don't know Mrs. White but certainly she must know that there are things that could be improved. Constructive criticism is needed in our town. Not pandering.
9:30PM, I overlooked the decline of Raytown for many years until an alleged codes issue came up. We used to walk the streets of Raytown 3 times a day so I started looking for code violations. Lo and behold, I found the city and school district both in violation of the same code but was told they are exempt from codes. I didn't want to admit it but I started noticing a general decline in street maintenance as well as undesirable people moving in. Now we have at least 1 (ONE) murder per year as well as quadruple and double homicides a few years back and Ms. White says there is nothing wrong in Raytown. I wonder is she ever gets out of her house or watches the news? Obviously she reads the Raytown Times but is still unaware of Harry Stone's recent murder. Or maybe a murder is a common occurrence in her mind.
Greg, You might want to check the link again. I clicked it and got the same message. Being frustrated, I clicked a 2nd time and the page opened. I don't think most people will click twice.
Andy Whiteman
I was raised in KC,MO around 51st Street between Swope Parkway and Prospect and Graduated from Paseo in the 50's. One day I was over on the Plaza and decided to make a detour to one more time see my neighbothood. Boy, was I surprised, I was so disappointed. The corners had gangs of mem standing on all of them, the houses were in disrepair snd I was differently concerned about being there. I was so concerned I did not even go down the street where I uses to live on.
I am concerned that Raytown is on the verge of becoming like that. There have been numerous sudies done in several cities that show that deteriation bring crime and social disorder. It is very clear that other cities know that it is immensely important to keep our neighborhoods in good repair and our police department must be very visible in our neighborhoods and all areas of the city.
Things have to change here in Raytown in a lot of ways and none of those ways are hard to do and don't cost the city any money since they already have salary expenses in both of those Depts. All we have to do is get them to do the jobs they should be doing already. I keep hoping city hall will wake up before it's to late.
We need neighbors and city officials who will stand up and do the right thing for our city, even when they are accused of racism. Codes should be enforced regardless of which part of the city it is.
The decline of Raytown and the decline mentioned by 11:13PM are very similiar to the decline of Rome. In fact, in my opinion, the whole country is going that way...a general decline in morals and responsibiliy! It is time for the people to wake up before it is too late! The people need to take the streets and this country back by voting wisely!
Greg, the link worket this time.
Andy Whiteman
I also have lived in and around Raytown my entire life and still do. My grandparents lived here, my parents graduated from Raytown, and my kids have all gone to Raytown. I have seen changes, the biggest change being the lack of respect for each other and life. Instead of throwing a punch, a gun is used and a 20yo gets shot, or the poor man who was shot while jogging. How sensless is all of this. I want to personally commend the police in Raytown and Kansas City. They are extremely underpaid to do a very dangerous job. When crimes do occur they get very little cooperation if any, from witnesses or victims.
I was looking at the ad for Summerfest in the Raytown Times and am wondering why on earth Zarda BBQ us being sold for dinner on Saturday? Ritter's is just a few blocks away.
This event is being sponsered by the Raytown Chamber of Commerce. I sure wonder why they don't use a Raytown business?
Andy Whiteman
Andy, most likely because Ritter's could not handle the volume needed. From what I have seen they are a fairly small operation, and perhaps could not handle it. Zarda has a large operation, and is set up for large catering events. Ritter's might handle a few hundred, while Zarda can handle in the thousands. While it might be "ideal" for a local business to be used, perhaps they are not able to handle the load. Also, perhaps they where offered the event, but declined. However, it is my guess that it is simply that Zarda is more able to handle the event because they are a larger operation.
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