 |
| Greg Walters |
Public Wants Better Access to City
Hall
BY
GREG WALTERS
It began as a simple request by an
Alderman of the newly appointed Public Information Officer, Brenda Gustafson.
She had just finished her presentation to the City Council in which she laid
out broad plans to increase the city’s transparency through the use of the
internet, television and print media.
Ward 2 Alderman Jim Aziere asked for her
to investigate broadcasting City Council Meetings on U-Verse. He said he had
received many requests for expanding the broadcast of public meetings in
Raytown. Currently only subscribers to Comcast can watch City Council meetings
on their televisions.
Mayor Bower interrupted the conversation
by saying the City looked into ATT U-verse two years ago and the cost was
$15,000. He then ended the conversation
by telling Mr. Aziere they could discuss the subject after the meeting.
Aziere is right on the money on this
one. I can tell you from my time on the
Board that Raytowners want to know what is going on in their town. Even though
I am no longer on the City Council I still am approached by people telling me
they miss watching the meetings because U-Verse does broadcast.
The comments of many people on last
week’s blog re-enforce that position. A sampling of comments follows this
story.
What Do Other Cities Do?
Paul
Livius did a quick survey of surrounding communities. He found that ten area
cities broadcast City Council meetings via U-Verse. It is interesting to note
that City Administrator Mahesh Sharma can watch Council meetings from the
comfort of his home in Raymore on U-Verse.
Here is a list of cities that broadcast
on U-Verse:
Blue
Springs, MO
Grandview,
MO
Johnson
County, KS
Kansas
City, MO
Lawrence,
KS
Lee’s
Summit, MO
Olathe,
KS
Overland
Park, KS
Raymore,
MO
Greenwood,
MO
 |
| Garth Bare |
Why Comcast Broadcasts Council
Meetings BY
GARTH BARE
Long
time city residents will remember that Raytown was one of the first cities in
the metropolitan area to have Cable TV. The service was called Raytown Cable
Television. It was a “mom and pop” operation. When they were approached by a
consortium interest in taking over the operation they understandably jumped at
the opportunity to sell.
The
owners of Raytown Cable Television asked for an early renewal of their
franchise agreement with the city to enhance the value of their company. They
asked for a 20 year extension.
I,
along with Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters, saw an opportunity to enhance the
value of the deal for all of the citizens in Raytown.
We
asked that the franchise agreement be limited to five years. More importantly,
we asked for an agreement with the cable company to provide a “Government
Channel” without charge, along with equipment to broadcast city council
meetings and a system to post public announcements when Council were not being
aired.
The
City Council followed our lead. Greg and I were pleasantly surprised when the
cable provider donated state of the art color television broadcasting equipment
to the City of Raytown.
As
it turned out the donation paid dividends for the Cable Company. They were
granted a ten year extension of their franchise agreement and a public
relations coup that became the benchmark for other communities to follow.
Personally,
I am puzzled by Mayor Bower’s insistence that it would cost $15,000 to broadcast
on U-Verse. For one thing the figure he quotes is conveniently too round.
I
have not seen the current franchise agreement between the city and the U-Verse,
but am certain that it can be amended. Even if there is cost involved it would
be worth the goodwill and increased public participation in Raytown’s
governmental process.
Finally
there is the fact that many other cities broadcast on U-Verse. Don’t the people
of Raytown deserve as much?
 |
| Paul Livius |
Speaking of Transparency BY
PAUL LIVIUS
I listened carefully to the goals set by
the newly Appointed Public Information Director, Brenda Gustafson. She spoke
eloquently of enhancing the public access to Raytown City Hall.
We believe her
to be sincere in her goals. And I wish her the best in her efforts.
But something
happened later in the meeting that shows she is going to have a long row to hoe
in reaching her goes.
The subject was
a business license application of a Mr. Greg Wagner to open a car dealership on
350 Highway. The property was vacated and in disrepair.
Council members
debated back and forth – finally, a visibly angry Mayor Bower called for a
recess. Council members unofficially disappeared from the dais and allegedly
met in the hallway behind the council chambers.
Ten minutes
later the Mayor reconvened the meeting. With very little discussion, the
Council approved the license with conditions of improvements to the property.
The Missouri
Sunshine Law require ALL the public’s business be discussed in open session*.
As I wrote
earlier. When it comes to “transparency”, Ms. Gustafson is going to have a long
row to hoe with this bunch.
*Legal and Personnel matters are the only exception. The
licensing of a business is NOT a legal matter under the Sunshine Law.
Raytowner’s Speak Out
The
following comments are a sampling of those published on the Raytown Report last
week.
Posted 1/13/12
Really,
Mr. Mayor? Is there
some reason you didn’t want to discuss it out in the open? Could it be you were afraid the other
aldermen would agree with Mr. Aziere?
We, the residents of Raytown would like
to know why you are against spending $15,000 to broadcast the meetings to more
people. After all, you were willing to
spend $56,000 to renovate City Hall. You
were willing to spend $15,000 on new carpet at City Hall. And, of course, you were willing to give a
$30,000 pay raise to one person.
We would like to know why you are willing
to spend money on things that only benefit you and your friends, but you are
unwilling to spend money to increase the transparency of the City.
Posted
January 21, 2013 at 10:15 AM
I don't know about the rest of you but I
do not think it is fair that the city favors Comcast users of U-Verse user. We
pay just as much tax on our television bill as they do. We should get to watch
city hall meetings too.
Hey BOA -- do the right thing. Broadcast your meetings on U-Verse.
Hey BOA -- do the right thing. Broadcast your meetings on U-Verse.
Posted January
21, 2013 at 2:42 PM
What about those of us that have Direct
TV or Dish we would also like to see the council meetings. I have not seen a
council meeting for 4 years or more as we have Direct TV, why, it was cheaper
than Comcast. Shouldn't everyone in our city be able to watch those meetings
and see how our tax money is being spent. Why should it be just a select few?
From what I hear I keep missing a lot of Boewers rudness to the people who
elected him.
Posted January 21, 2013 at 6:57 PM
I have ATT U-Verse and I pay the
franchise fee, same as Comcast users. City hall can't say there is not money
for it. The franchise fees payed by the ATT franchise fee should cover any cost
to the city. All you people that have ATT, check your bills and you'll see you
pay the same franchise fee. It's time we start demanding that we get what we
pay for.
Posted January 21, 2013 at 8:09 PM
I saw on the blog where
someone wrote they paid the same franchise fee as Comcast subscribers. I did
some checking, and the ATT U-verse franchise fee is a little over $3.50 per
month. That works out to about $42 per year. If only 500 people in Raytown have
ATT U-Verse, that is $21,000 per year in franchise fees from these fine folks.
Now, please explain to us why the City can’t afford to broadcast the City Council meetings on ATT U-verse if the cost is only $15,000.
Now, please explain to us why the City can’t afford to broadcast the City Council meetings on ATT U-verse if the cost is only $15,000.
Posted January 21, 20-13 at 9:10 PM
Let's see. A $30 thousand
dollar a year raise for the City Administrator who refuses to live in Raytown,
but no money available for Raytown citizens who want to watch channel 7, but do
not have Comcast.
Mayor, do you not see a problem here, or are you really that out of touch with the people who live in Raytown?
C'mon Man!!!
Mayor, do you not see a problem here, or are you really that out of touch with the people who live in Raytown?
C'mon Man!!!
Posted January 21, 2013 at 10:57 PM
Over the air TV is priced
much better. Namely FREE! I
didn't have money to waste on receiving TV. I felt it was discrimination to air
the BOA meetings on Comcast so only the rich could watch it. If meetings are
aired on pay TV, the should also be aired on antenna TV for us poor people who
don't have money to waste on TV. That is why I have had issues with the city
claiming putting it on TV (which I and many others couldn't receive) was legal
notice. TV is not legally legal notice. Legal notice must be published in a
newspaper of general circulation.
8:09 PM You may pay $3.50 in franchise fees but I am sure it varies higher or lower
depending on what service you have subscribed to. Add on a few premium channels
and it will go up.
 |
| Rita Bennett |
Rita
Bennett Files for Alderman in Ward 4
I am Rita Bennett and your candidate for
Alderman for the 4th Ward. I have lived
in Raytown for 15 years and first moved here because of location and stayed
because I felt safe and comfortable here.
I have been the resident manager of Raytown Village Apartments for 8
years, having been Assistant Manager the prior 2 years.
I have been active in the community, was a
volunteer for the Reaching for Tomorrow effort and a member of the original
Tree Board for three years, serving as Chairman for one year.
I am seeking a position on the City Council
because I am interested in how issues are being handled at City Hall and am
concerned by recent events that have taken place.
I feel strongly that Raytown can be in a leading
position in the Metro area as to providing a wonderful place to live and having
all the amenities people want close to their homes. There is already a forward movement to
attracting all types of business which is the driver to bringing people into
the city, and I would like to see Raytown be a place that offers neighborhoods
that welcome people to come in either singly or with their families.
There is no reason why Raytown cannot be a jewel
in the crown of the greater Kansas City area.
The location here is very attractive in many ways, especially in the
economic times we find ourselves in. I
would work hard to bring Raytown to the attention of young people just starting
out as to buying a home and settling in for a lifetime.
Keeping finances in mind, Raytown could invest a
relatively small amount of money in a city-wide effort to connect all areas in
a theme such as the stonework and street lights already installed at 63rd
Street and Gregory and Raytown Road.
These places have a finished look, and where there is room a fountain
could be added. While we are enjoying
the benefits of being stronger commercially then can we not extend this to the
neighborhoods and areas where we live?
Election day is April 2nd and I would very much
appreciate your vote. If you are not
registered yet then you can do so at the Public Library, 6131 Raytown Road,
phone# 353.2052. until Mar 6th for this election. If you go to all that trouble, then please
vote for me!
Contact Information: Email: ritajoanbennett@gmail.com Facebook.com/rita.bennett.397.
Contact Information: Email: ritajoanbennett@gmail.com Facebook.com/rita.bennett.397.
FIT
BOTTOMED GIRLS
Oh Flu, I Hate You BY
ERIN
Why is it that
we only appreciate our healthy bodies to their fullest when we’re not at our
healthiest? It seems that we take for granted all of their natural abilities
when something knocks us down. We’ve seen it with Jenn and her broken bum.
We’ve seen it with Tish and her darn acid reflux. We’ve seen it
with... Continue
reading
To
post a comment on this blog click on the word comments on
the line directly below this sentence.
Comments
We need some independent minded Council people.
This bunch has only learned how to do as they are told.
spend and give away I wonder why they don't
take a trip down Grandview's main street?
I never liked Grandview very much mainly
because they were my high school rivals but,
they have turned their downtown into a show
piece. The lights, sidewalks and just plain
beautiful design. Now there's a town that seems
to work for the people.
I have inquired about these issues from Department Heads and received responses of
1) Meetings can't be broadcast on the internet because it will eat up too much broadband. Also in my opinion, some people don't have a high enough speed connection to watch video and some ISPs throttle video and/or high usage.
2) The equipment is from Comcast and cannot be used on another carrier due to contract.
I agree with #1 but #2 is hogwash to put it politely.
Why is U-Verse the only carrier in question? Why not all if it is PUBLIC access?
If it really costs the city to broadcast, why not sell commercials to recover the cost? This would be an advantage to allow local merchants to be able to advertise to only Raytown customers at a lower cost than advertising metro wide. Small business could buy time at reasonable prices.
Andy Whiteman
We do not need another Wal-mart.
This is not the information shared with citizen about how the "mix use" of this area would be.
I think the words Up-scale and boutique have been used to discribe the possible tenants of this location.
Wonder why Wal-Mart would want to put a grocery store in Raytown (less than 1.5 miles from the 40 HWy Super Center) - could it have anything to do with the Rock-Island Transportation Hub?
I guess we should be greatfully that CURRENTLY they are not asking to use tax payer money.
Join me in the fight to let the citizens of of Raytown, those that warm seats in city hall and those that want to be elected know this is not what we want and its time the citizens win.
Sam
If Sam is correct about Walmart opening a grocery store in the green space, how much will it cost ther taxpayers of Raytown? I question intent to operate said store for any length of time. Walmart could open the store, collect the TIF and then close the store in a manner similiar to Sav-A-Lot.
We are thinking of stores as making a profit which is the reason most people go into business. But some businesses open stores as tax write offs. Walmart made out like a bandit on the other Raytown store with taxpayers paying them to open a store.
Andy Whiteman
One of the problems of course is the budget. City hall cannot substain giving out $30,000 year raises and hire a $60,000 a year PIO, which are not really needed.
$90,000 a year could of hired extra code enforcement, PD, EMS, U-verse, etc...
I see tax increases in the future to support this waste of taxpayer dollars.
Kitty
That place is like a closed secret society. It sickens me the way the Mayor and his cronies sold out to Walmart in Downtown. So typical. To avoid having to pay for any street improvements walmart isn't purchasing any of the buildings on 63rd Street!
From what I hear, the lucky property owners on Raytown Road will make out okay.
Guess that's what they call progress at city hall.
I call it being sold out by your own government.
The only ray of hope I see in the future is that there are NEW people running for City Council this time around.
I own C&C Starters on Raytown Road.
I have not been offered a nickel for my
property. I only talked to the rep. from
J.M.C. once and he was vague as to what was
going on. Yes, I have heard the rumors but,
I have been down this road three other times
and every time they fell through. I don't
think anybody has anything to worry about.
Another thing, if this mayor is not going to make the whole city council meeting opening to the public ("ie" meeting in the hall)then it's time to call the Attorney Generals Office. This mayor has many secrets that need to be out in the open.
Here is the link:
http://www.kansascity.com/2013/01/30/4039545/district-attorney-shawnee-violates.html
Property vales in Raytown are way down and over-accessed creating a falser illusion that value is there and ripping off the owners who can't afford high taxes.
Andy Whiteman
Personally, I like David Bower. I don't think he has any malicious intent behind his actions. He, like most of us, is overworked. Balancing a full-time job as an architect, family life, and running a city is not an easy task for anyone. In a city lagging behind as Raytown, I think its darn near impossible.
If a Mayor is putting enough time in to meet the daily demands of this city, it necessitates full-time commitment. Find $30-$50 thousand dollars and add it to the Mayor's current salary with the caveat that the Mayor not have a second full-time job. $30-$50 thousand in a multimillion dollar budget with room to give a raise to the city administrator is not unfeasible.
By offering $45-$65 thousand dollars per annum, a retired professional might be willing to take on the task and help turn this city around. Until such a change is made, it is unfair to expect attention be paid to all of the issues brought to the public's attention by this blog.
How to accomplish such a change? ... I have no idea.
-"A Clever Individual"
Having both a Mayor and a City Administrator (if the Mayor is full time) is a duplication of jobs and and salaries. I feel Mahesh has done a superior job but I fault him for refusing to move to Raytown so he would know what it is like to live in the hood. If Raytown is able to go to a full time mayor, the CA's job is unneeded and should be eliminated or downgraded to a grant locator.
Andy Whiteman
I am not sure which is worse. The liar or the enabler.
Andy Whiteman