Lucie - a Welsh Wonder? Check out this video from the X-Factor of a young woman trying her best to step up to the big time . . . Lucie

To all of our readers -- have a relaxing and restful Labor Day Weekend!

^{Greg Walters}

Paul Livius

Bits and Pieces . . . BY GREG WALTERS

A series of mis-steps by the powers that be at Raytown City Hall seems to have continued  unabated since the weather turned hot. Consider the following:

Life Guards and parents of Life Guards at Super Splash USA crowded into Raytown City Hall for three consecutive meetings early this summer to protest working conditions at Super Splash, USA. The complaints were many. But most could be traced to poor management practices and a lack of oversight by the Park Department at Raytown’s premier water park.

Nothing new has been heard from that sector of City Hall for a couple of months. Some place the quiet on a general exodus of employees from the Water Park operation. The jury is still out on whether or not making the move to private management of the pool made fiscal sense – the city’s audit will not be completed until early next year.

The blow-up over the extraordinary 30% pay increase handed out to City Administrator Mahesh Sharma continues to have repercussions. 

The Board’s action also broke a formal agreement between City Administrator Mahesh Sharma, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen that had (twice) set deadlines for Sharma to move to Raytown.

City employees packed a City Council meeting to protest the Board’s decision. At that meeting the Mayor admonished people in the audience for applauding the words of a guest speaker during public comments.

Collateral damage from Sharma’s 30% raise is manifesting itself in the race for the 28^th District Missouri Legislative seat. Alderman Jim Aziere’s strong support of the Sharma pay increase is said to be hurting his campaign. 

Apparently people are asking why he voted to give Sharma a 30% pay increase instead of talking about state based issues.

No doubt his opponent in the race, Tom McDonald, will use the issue to cut into Aziere’s base of support.

Judge Traci Fann was the only city department head to complain of the unfair and unequal treatment of city employees. 

Her outspoken stand may cost her. 

Sources at City Hall tell us that Mayor Bower is trying to drum up support with members of the BOA to make the Municipal Judge’s position appointive. One Alderman is said to have accused the Mayor of conducting a vendetta against Judge Fann.

Given Bower’s temperament, watch for this issue to come forward before next year’s municipal election. 

One alderman is already known to have decided not to run for re-election. Another is said to be considering stepping down once his term his up. Two of the Board members have been in office so long that local pundits jokingly refer to them as poster children for term limits!

Most telling of the change in the political landscape is the “stepping up” of political leaders who have condemned his administration’s actions. Most notable among these is former Mayor Sue Frank.  The former Mayor published a letter in both the Raytown Times and Raytown Report critical of the Sharma pay increase.

Frank was a big supporter of Bower in his initial run for Mayor six years ago. 

Bower is not up for election next Spring, but half of the Board of Aldermen will be. It will be interesting to see how much of the Mayor’s baggage Board members seeking re-election will be willing to carry in their campaigns.

Fit Bottomed Girls

Magic Morning Runs BY TISH

When Jenn and I were training for that marathon (oh-so-long ago), we followed the same training schedule. The only difference was she’d wake up at the butt crack of dawn to get in her runs, and I’d wait until after work.

Every day I’d sit in my work cube and moan and groan, dreading the hard work ahead while Jenn would perky around me (yes, I turned that into a verb specifically for her. I dabble in magic as you’ll read later on), loving her complete and active day. I never could do what she did though. I need so much fuel (I told myself) to get through a morning run. ... Continue reading

Prescription Drug Take Back Event

The Raytown Police Department in conjunction with the Missouri Rural Water Association will be conducting a Prescription Drug Take Back Event. 

Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 29^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The event will be held at two locations:

Apple Market

350 Highway and Raytown Road

Raytown Plaza

63^rd Street and Blue Ridge Boulevard

All of us have unused or unwanted prescription medications. Let’s all do our part in properly disposing of these drugs. Proper disposal of these medications will prevent possible misuse and will also keep them from harming the environment in which we live.

Of Local Interest . . .

13th Annual St. Bernadette Fall Festival

Celebrating a Baker’s Dozen!

Saturday, September 8, 2012

5-9 pm.

BBQ Rib/brisket dinner, Raffle (top prize of $1,000), Games for all ages, Silent Auction, Country Store, Car Smash, Live Music, Fun.

Come join us at the 4 p.m. Mass and stay for the festival.

St. Bernadette Church, 9020 E 51 Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri

For more information call (816) 356-3700.

October 20, 2012

11:00 am - 6:00 pm

C. Lee Kenagy Park
79th St. & Raytown Rd

RAYTOWN ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

Save the Date! Support Local Artists

Come hear some of the best music talent in the region. 

From the top reigning Blues band in KC, Linda Shell & Blues Thang, to Jah Lion's Jamaican Reggae to KC Kelsey's AFU Blues band. Enjoy the fresh new sound of Algo de Nova's classical guitar and percussion influenced by Afro-Cuban rhythms, Turkish doubek and traditional Spanish guitar. Our repertoire includes folk music featuring the Celtic tunes of Don Brauner and Jim McGraw and the dulcimers of Hammers North. You will be delighted with the firey dancers of the Vesuvius Tribe and the rhythm of KC Drum Tribe's drum circle.

For more information go to Raytown Arts and Music Festival

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