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| GREG WALTERS |
A Farmer’s Market in Downtown Raytown? BY GREG WALTERS
A small group of dedicated people
are working hard to make a Farmer’s Market in Downtown Raytown a reality. It
looks like they may very well reach that goal next Spring.
Access Farmers Market
Raytown has been meeting regularly to put in motion plans that will give
Raytown its own Farmers Market.
The group is made up of an
interesting mix of local leaders and individuals who have experience in setting
up and managing farmer’s markets in the metropolitan area.
Two area leaders involved
in the project are Steve Guenther, President of the Downtown Raytown Main
Street Association and Ward 3 Alderman Janet Emerson.
Emerson has been reporting
progress of the group to the Raytown Board of Aldermen at its twice monthly
meetings.
The project is still a work
in progress, but Emerson has told us that a permanent site has been selected
for the market. She told the Raytown Report that . . . “it will be just west of
Raytown Road across from the Green Space.”
The location is paved with
plenty of access and parking for vendors and shoppers. The paved surface solves
any problems that would arise on non-paved surface during wet weather. Emerson went on to say there will be a public meeting held in mid-November to receive input from
the public.
The Raytown City Market is
planned to be up and running in May of 2014.
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| PAUL LIVIUS |
The Paul Livius Report
Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting –
October 1, 2013
The
Board passed a resolution approving the budget of the City of Raytown for
fiscal year 2013-2014. For more information on the Budget, go to 2013 / 2014 CITY BUDGET and scroll down to page 18 for the City's 201/2014 city budget. If you have questions regarding the budget they can be directed to the City Finance Director's office at Raytown City Hall. Call 737-6000.
The
Board unanimously passed a resolution expressing the City’s support to bring
the Republican National Convention to the Kansas City Region in 2016. The
Metropolitan Mayors of Missouri and Kansas have been discussing ways to support
bringing the RNC to the Kansas City Region in 2016. It was decided it would be
best if each City in the area adopt a resolution supporting the bringing of the
RNC to Kansas City. Other area communities on both sides of the state line are
being asked to issue similar resolutions of support, which will be placed in
the final bid submission for the convention.
If
Kansas City wins the bid for the 2016 Republican National Convention, it would
bring an
estimated
50,000 visitors to the area, benefitting local hotels, merchants,
transportation, and service
providers in the metropolitan area. The projected economic impact of bringing
the convention
to Kansas City, Missouri, is $250M. The
Republican National Convention was last held in the Kansas City Region in 1976.
The
Board approved a resolution approving the purchase of salt for treating roads
and bridges in inclement weather. The
Public Works Department received 3 sealed bids.
Independent Salt Company is the lowest, bidder at $56.10 per ton and was
recommended for approval.
The
Board approved a resolution declaring certain property owned by the City to be
surplus and authorized disposition of the property by auction. They are:
- 2010 Crown Victoria, mileage 127,163
- 2001 Ford Taurus, mileage 105,700
- 2006 Dodge Charger, mileage 88,215
- 2010 CVPI, mileage 81,861
- 2002 Ford Taurus, mileage 70,421
The
Board approved a resolution approving the purchase of digital p25
Capable/compliant mobile and portable radios and equipment from Motorola
Solutions The Police Department has
nearly completed the radio upgrade for the City. The new tower has been constructed
and the majority of the radio equipment has been purchased and stored at
Motorola Solutions. Once the radio system is constructed and ready to be used
the existing public works radios will not work on the new system. Replacement
radios are necessary to maintain communication with other departments in the
City
The
Board approved an ordinance for a Conditional Use Permit for property located
at 9400 E. 53rd Place. Neal Clevenger is
seeking approval of a Conditional Use Permit application that proposes to
operate a storage / wholesale business at 9400 E. 53rd Place. There are two buildings on the property. A church is located in the other building on
the property. The building where the
proposed use is to be located would be leased to the applicant, Melvin Surratt,
upon approval of the Permit application, while the church would continue to
lease and be located in the other building on the property. There will be drums stored on the property
from the car wash business. When there
are 50 or so drums accumulated, they will be loaded on a truck and sent for
recycling.
The
Board approved an ordinance to consider a Conditional Use Permit seeking to
construct three monument signs for the Gregory Heights Subdivision. Frank Hunt representing the Gregory Heights
Home Owners Association was seeking a conditional use permit to construct three
monument signs for the Gregory Heights Subdivision. Each of the properties has single-family
homes on them and are proposed to continue to be used as single-family homes.
The
Board heard the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the entrance of police officers in the Missouri Local
Government Employees retirement system, to provide retirement benefits to all
eligible police officers under the benefit program. As part of freezing the current Police
Pension Plan, the Board of Aldermen has directed staff to enroll all current
and future sworn police officers in the City’s current LAGERS program beginning
January 1, 2014. This ordinance will authorize the inclusion of the officers in the City’s LAGERS plan.
PAUL’S RANT
No Way to Treat a Lady BY PAUL LIVIUS
The
2014/2015 Raytown City Budget was passed by the Board of Aldermen last Tuesday.
But that was not before there were some fireworks over the status of Raytown’s
Super Splash Waterpark.
Ward
2 Alderman Jason Greene had brought up the subject of Super Splash, and, in
particular, the financial condition of the Water Park. His comments were
followed by more questions and comments from Ward 3 Alderman Janet Emerson.
Ms. Emerson is an anomaly on the Board of Aldermen
because she is the only Board member who owns and operates her own
business. She told Board members if the
waterpark was not profitable, then the situation must be corrected.
This
brought an outburst from Ward 1 Alderman Joe Creamer who called Emerson’s
comments “asinine”. He then accused her of wanting to shut down the waterpark.
Creamer’s remarks were followed by some more comments from Ward 2 Alderman Jim
Aziere, who joined in with Creamer’s line of argument.
To
his credit, Mayor David Bower reminded Creamer and Aziere that Mrs. Emerson did
not suggest shutting down the waterpark.
It
should also be noted that none of the other Board members joined in the attack
on Emerson.
For
the record, Raytown Super Splash has not been operating at a profit for a
number of years. Mrs. Emerson is correct in pointing out that situation needs
to be corrected.
After
the meeting, as she was leaving the building, Aziere was heard talking out loud
something to the effect that maybe we should sell all the parks.
Creamer
and Aziere are wrong to make false accusations, engage in name calling and belittling a
fellow elected official for speaking the truth. The behavior displayed
by those two are of a bully in junior high school.
Mayor
Bower was right in stepping in to set the record straight. The other Board
members, who were no doubt, embarrassed by the rude display, deserve credit for
refusing to participate in such antics.
Mrs.
Emerson, or for that matter, any Board member, should expect to be able to speak
their piece without fear of being verbally abused by other Board members.
Go Figure!?!
Prior
to the Board voting on 2013 / 2014 City Budget there was some discussion of
note (other than that on Super Splash) which deserves some attention.
We
could not help but notice some pretty fancy footwork by the City Administrator
and some of his city staff over a question by Alderman Pat Ertz.
Ertz
had asked why the city was spending $40,000 on hand held radios for park
department employees when they could simply use cell phones for a lot less
money. The City Administrator handed the question off to the Public Works
Director Andy Noll. Mr. Noll went into a very lengthy explanation about
how cell phones were not reliable in emergency situations with the Police
Department and with Public Works.
A
fair enough answer. But it still does not answer the question as to why parks
department employees are being armed with $40,000 worth of radio equipment.
After all, when you have an emergency, the parks department is not the place
you call.
Another
question came from Alderman Charlotte Melson. Ms. Melson had questioned two
expenditures by the police department. One for $4,800 for an annual awards
dinner and one of $6,400 for a police honor guard.
The
explanations were long and wordy -- too long to go into here -- but for our
money, we would rather see the money spent on putting asphalt on some of our
city’s streets.
One
member of the Board did ask if any of the other city departments held awards
dinners. The answer was a definite “no”. Mayor Bower asked if any of the other
city department heads had asked for funding for an awards dinner. City
Administrator Mahesh Sharma answered with one word – “no”.
It
was clear that the funding for the two items was not popular with the Board.
Which makes one wonder why they funded them in the first place.
Go
figure!
 |
| BY SUSAN |
FIT BOTTOMED EATS
We’re Nuts for Walnuts
(With Maple Walnuts Recipe)!
I’m all about the nuts, y’all — walnuts, especially. It always befuddles
me why people don’t eat more walnuts; after all, they are the
quintessential superfood – chock full of protein, good fats, fiber,
calcium, magnesium and potassium. A recently released longitudinal
study found that those who ate walnuts more than three times a week had a
45 percent lower mortality risk, 55 percent decreased risk of
cardiovascular disease, and 40 percent reduction in cancer. They lower
blood cholesterol levels, improve blood flow, and reduce inflammation. READ MORE | |||
We wondered if the city had made any notification to the retail giant about the dead trees. The proof will be when they are replaced.
Until that time, get used to seeing the photo on the left.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Affordable Health Care Act How It Affects You.
Informative information for all ages
7 PM – 8 PM
Tuesday, October 29th
Raytown City Hall
10000 E 59th Street
Raytown, MO
Sponsored by
Department of Health and Human
Services
(this is a free event)
81 comments:
It will benefit many to go to the informative meeting on health care. Glad they are having this. Would the hand held communication device for the parks department include those at super splash? I don't think they were saying you call the parks department for an emergency but for all to be on the same channel if parks and recreation should have an emergency with a citizen. I can see where the expense is high and why not cell phones instead. But I also wondered if parks and rec would need advance notification in the event of a catastrophe . The school district just upgraded their communication devices And as before transportation and all schools can interact with one another. Helps with lock downs , gas leaks near by. Dangerous stranger observed , etc. we are in a world of mass communication but sometimes I wonder are they preparing for something devastAting? May just be me; Im old enough to remember bomb shelters being marked on public buildings and practicing for air raids in school.
The real fireworks were when Greene was questioning the parks budget and said that this was no way forward and that doing the same thing was unacceptable. Im happy to see the management and decisions made at that water park questioned. Whats missing is that Emersson and Greene didn't support the budget, but it passed 7-2
Peter, the excuses of so called emergency situations can get to the point of being silly. I think we all agree that public works and the police need reliable communication equipment.
But I also believe that stretching that to a possible "emergency" situation, where you have people already trained to handle emergency situations on staff and working is a more than a little over the top.
I think Parks and Rec has three employees who maintain the parks.
I don't think they are trained for emergency situations.
On the other hand, they may need a strong radio to reach the Park Director, Kevin Boji. He makes his home in Riverside and it is a long way from Raytown.
Boji didnt look to comfortable on the tv when Alderman Green was asking questions. I wonder how he looked up close?
What happened to the city working are a farmers market that the city told the public about a couple a months ago?
Emerson,
Next time that guy in Ward 1 opens his mouth you need to ask him for proof of residency within Ward 1.
We all know where he is not living and as an elected official he owes the public with the answer and proof that he is still meeting the qualifications to service as Alderman.
To 8:31 please reread what I wrote. Parks and rec may need to reach police and or medics in the event of an emergency with a citizen. That's not a silly excuse. If it were you or your loved one in dire need at the pool or a tragic experience it might be different. Safety is never a silly excuse; ignorance however is! I can see both sides of this, cell phones are financially practical and I can also see the importance of safety and urgency in an emergency and neither you nor I know what that impact is as of yet. If you were just looking to stir and get a response then you did. Have a safe night sleep well
Not trained for emergency situations but may Need emergency situations. These phones are not to reach people at home and why if one would have an emergency would they call a parks employee at home... They are for the City to interact with one another .... Geez 8:30 are you really that dense?
Is it a full moon? I get on here and see a illogical comment such as that 8:31 and wonder. Really ? C'mon at least try to make some sense; you can't really think that's the case; you gotta be just trying to get some attention
Finally, an alderman stood up for the peoples
tax money and questioned the waste of tax
dollars. It took a business wise business owner
to point this out. On the other hand it doesn’t
surprise me that two aldermen that don’t know
how a business works put Ms. Emerson down.
This explains volumes about how our city has been
bamboozled out of millions in taxpayer dollars by
big business and shady developers.
Apparently Raytown needs at least eight more
like her!
Okay, let's assume that at 5:00 a.m. in the morning when the parks people are cleaning up from the previous days mess and littering that they run across an emergency that requires them to call on a $40,000 telephone system.
Nearly all park activity happens during the day daytime. Park employees are not our patrolling the grounds of the parks at that time.
When an emergency arises anyone can call 911 from their cell phone or from a house that is on the park property.
To act like the park employees will be there during a so-called "emergency" is silly talk that makes no sense.
Time for a reality check. If you took the $40,000 spent on parks for radios, added the $10,000 the police spend on a special dinner and dress uniforms for an honor guard, you end up with a good chunk of money that can be used to fix our streets, repair damaged sewer systems, etc., etc., etc.
Greg, Your link to the budget doesn't work. Please fix.
I don't work the parks and recs job so I can not tell you if they are responsible for super splash as well ; or if they are only responsible for the 1. Park that has a resident city house adjoined . I do know we have close to 6 parks I believe 3 between 79th and 85th east and west of Raytown rd then the 2 from 74th to 75 th between Raytown rd and westridge and. The 1 on 59 th, pocket park on 63rd, so that's 7 I can think of so it is definatly more than 6. But then again I could not swear to the extend of their job for it is not my job. And to Pat; so agree Janet knows what she is talking about when it comes to Business and balancing items and task
Are the dead trees near Walmart actually on Walmart property or are they on they actually on the 350 HWY median maintained by the state? Can't tell from the picture. Maybe the state highway department needs to be contacted.
Andy Whiteman
I believe that it is not that the Park Department wants or needs the radios, but that the Police Department is purchasing the same radios at a much lower cost. Why?
To 8:15 am to say so called emergency s only happen at 5 am IS Silly Talk ! And does every park have a house on it or is there just one park in Raytown? Just wondering since you seem to know so much
I would reallyu like to know who Peter really is.
I don't care who Peter is. I like his comments. Keep writing!
Andy,
The trees were planted when the Walmart Store was built. The city is very thorough in detailing what type of tree is acceptable to be planted. Even the width of the trunk is specified on the plans. There is not a any doubt that the dead trees are the responsibility of business occupying the building.
I know that last year was a very hot and dry summer in our area. I lost a tree, as I am sure many other readers did as well.
I replaced the tree. Which was my choice -- at the very least they should remove the dead trees.
I cannot imagine why the phones for one department alone would cost such am astronomical amount.?!?! We at the school district have Kycera radios thru Sprint and prior had Nextel . Very curious about this; something just doesn't seem right
To 7:21 pm on the previous thread on this blog site I told about myself and you should find the answer you seek there. To 9:40 pm .... Thank you....
To all Raytown residents and Alumni! Friday night is the Ray South Raytown football game; both teams have been pretty strong so this should be a great event also several of Our Alumni will be inducted into. The Raytown Schools Hall Of Fame on Saturday ; many great names have traveled far to recieve this award
Has anyone notified Walmart about the dead trees or is it being assumed they know about them?
I am having an issue with a big box store and have spoken with a manager. I have found through numerous conversations that there are many managers, each over a different part of the store.
When I lived in Raytown I notified the neighbor across the street that her roof was in bad shape because I saw it several times a day and she had no reason to look at it.
If your neighbor had a dead tree, wouldn't you tell him about it? Quite possibly Walmart is so big that no one knows of this issue.
Andy Whiteman
Andy, I doubt anyone has called the Walmart management. They are just like the do-nothings at City Hall. They pass right by the blight every day on their way to work and choose to turn a blind eye to the problem.
2:14 And therein lies the problem. People generally aren't here to resolve but to complain, nit-pick and name-call. Week after week, same deal, bloggers playing air guitar (putting it nicely). If those trees bug you so much, and knowing no one else is doing anything about them, maybe you could talk with Walmart! Funny how you all focus on just them when the same issue exists on the new Sutherland's as well. Tunnel vision...
I do not go to Walmart and yet I go to the RSEC building weekly which makes me pass it and haven't looked to see the trees because Im watching the traffic. This could be the case with others as well. People who work there may just be heading in to clock in and have much on their mind. That being said; It would not hurt to call attention to the general manager and the codes department and other departments at City Hall and the alderman of that ward. Then it will be certain the knowledge has been passed on and the ball is then in their court. Until them everything is just speculation. The old saying goes " you can be part of the problem or part of the solution". Does anyone in that area personally know the ward alderman , or when they are in shopping ask to speak to the manager and escort him out to physically see what it is you are speaking about and get his name...... Just a suggestion! Let's all be proactive about those items we wish to change
Don't worry about the message getting to the Aldermen and Mayor. I am certain they know.
A good friend once told me the following about the Raytown Report.
She said it was kind of like Pitch Magazine.
Nobody reads it. But they all know what was in it.
As for the dead trees. I see them very clearly even when my eyes are on the road. There are a lot of them. They are ugly and should be removed.
I also believe it hurts Raytown image when you allow stuff like that to go on un-policed.
For all of us who care, I hope they not only get the message but do something about it.
Because if they do nothing about it (the dead trees) it means they really don't care about Raytown period. Whether it is manager at Walmart or Alderman Ertz or Alderman Van Buskirk (I think that is their ward it sits in) it is demeaning to all of us who do care.
WalMart doesn't give a darn about Raytown! They only care about the almighty dollar.
If they cared they wouldn't make us taxpayers pay their bonds. That store is sucking the life out of this town and our leaders are too busy keeping WalMart happy to enforce codes on them. WalMart is the worst thing that ever happened to this wonderful little town!
Somebody once wrote, city hall worships at the church of WalMart and I understand it now.
Hey 6:57 looks like "alot of talk and no action" goes to the city and to you! You say if the city does nothing about the trees and yet you are doing nothing too! Duhhhh! Peter had the right idea of getting ahold of people and making certain it is known; guess that same assume attitude would of worked when everyone was against Walmart on the green space??? No people didn't say " don't worry Im sure they know" nope those who cared actually did something. So you just sit there and move your mouth because that's all you are doing
If you cared 6:57 you would do something to so don't use that for those of us that care about Raytown when obviously you only care about complaining pointing blame and doing nothing
For all of us that care I hope they get the message and do something about it. If you care so much you would not have to hope they get the message ..,,,.... Why?....... Because YOU would Do something about it ........ Here's to You 6:57 !!!!!!
Because if they do nothing it is demeaning to those of us who care............. That means everybody!
To 6:57 well for all of us who care for Raytown as you stated I will go ahead and get ahold of the alderman and such to make CERTAIN they know; because I too have had Friends who said well everyone knows this or that and found out not so ; it's like cutting thru the middle man and going directly to the source; not assuming anything. If you want something bAd enough you will find a way to do it. I'm sure you have heard the old saying Seek and you shall find ask and it shall be answered knock and it shall be opened unto you; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Wonder were that came from and could be a good lesson or maybe they just didn't have your friend to tell them what he or she assumes... Could be...... By the way what is the pitch? Is it similar to national geographic or Forbes? Because my friend says EVERYBODY reads it!
Peter,
I haven't picked up the Pitch in years due to lack of interest but my wife used to pick it up when she was alive. It is focused on entertainment and back at the time contained "dating, escort" type ofclassifieds.
Andy Whiteman
Doc, From time to time I see where the City funds the purchase of equipment and vehicles for the police department. Who funds the Fire Department for the purchase of vehicles, tools and safety equipment?
Thanks
Why are me complaining about the dead trees at Wal-mart?
Are they not a sign of the dead city our city has become thanks to the Wal-mart deal!
Therefore they should stay for all times as a reminder that dealing with Wal-Mart is dealing a city to death.
6:57 could you tell us what kind of car you drive so we make sure we are not near you when you are driving down the hiway lookin at the scenery
To Andy Whiteman. Thanks for the clarification on the Pitch magazine and its focus on entertainment venues ; don't think I have every read one. And to 2:57. Shame on you! You do not talk ill of the dead! You have a dark heart much as if it were dead and your empathy and sympathy is not existent . Andy; I apologize for the ignorance this person hurled at you and against your beloved deceased wife and for the fact that the administration would allow this comment from 2;57 to go to print...... Certainly Not funny! Just plain discussing and appalling
Peter, The pitch is free and usually at restaurants in South KC. The 2:57 comment is no longer here. I am used to a few years ago where people could be downright obnoxious on this blog before Greg established rules. The type of comment you described is the kind I didn't think deserves a response because it fuels the fire.
Andy Whiteman
Back in the day before cell phones and social media Pitch Magazine was the answer to the KC Star because it carried an editorial slant that was frequently opposite the Star's position. It had a strong following in Kansas City political circles and was also a popular place to check out the nightlife in Kansas City.
It also carried stories that went into greater detail than the Star ever would and many stories the Star would never report on.
Social media has hurt Pitch Magazine as has other tabloids published in Kansas City.
I am surprised you cannot see the dead trees along the Walmart quarter mile on 350 Highway.
Here, let me help you. Those wooden sticks without foliage on them were trees. Now they are firewood. They are dead.
Let's look at bright side. In another 20 years, when we have paid off the debt created to fund the Walmart Store in Raytown -- we will receive the full tax benefit of the property.
Oh my, that's right. I forgot. Walmart has a nasty reputation for abandoning properties after 20 years and moving on to greener pastures.
Sure, 20 years is a long time to wait for results. But for those with tunnel vision that can only see 20 feet in front of their car as they drive it probably seems like a good investment.
6:57 here.
The Raytown BOA has been notified as has the Mayor. No doubt we will see some results very soon.
To 9:02 you are a Class Act for sure! !! Must be an insecure person to feel the need to bully someone who is watching the road while they drive; that must of really ruffled your feathers. At least they are honest about themselfs and said they would check them out and do something about it. Insecure people can not tolerate people who are secure enough in themselfs to admit something about themselfs and find an alternative way to reach the common goal. Insecure people are always on the defensive and angry and only see the gloom and cannot and will not find proactive solutions instead well ; your comment is a prime example.... Bully sarcasm and give up.... God love ya
To 3:11 ; apparently you do not care much for Raytown or your environment and are unable to comprehend those that do. It's okay those of us that do out number those who do not and we have shown we can get things done. Your comment is like you; ...... Just passing thru.........
To 9:06 you rock!!!!!!!!!!! And we are proud to have you here in Raytown and part of the Do something Proactive Citizens who call Raytown home
DON'T FORGET!!!!!!! As you plan your weekend festivities, don't forget our boys in Red and our boys in Blue. Raytown/ Raytown South Football Game Friday night. Young or Old come out support our youth. It is great for all the students on the field and in the stands to see the community rally to cheer them on. Besides both teams are awsome and the price is less than going to arrowhead and who knows maybe a few of these boys will go onto pro football and you got to see them get their start. .... See yo there!
Why should you sign a petition to audit the City of Raytown? Why did we move the Police Officers Pension to LAGERS? It's my understanding our Police Officers are missing $7.5 Million Dollars out of what they put into their pension fund. Where did all that money go? How will the City of Raytown pay that back? The good people of Raytown voted for a Safety Tax for more Police Officers. Why did that NOT happen? What is Sharma spending all of that tax money on? I tried to get information on the Safety Tax Fiasco months ago, to this date I have nothing. We need answers! We need to help protect our City's financial conditions and the safety of our City. Why would we give Sharma a $30,000 raise with all of this going on? It's my understanding his compensation package is more than the Governor of Mo. Why would we pay him more than the Govenor of Mo? This is FAR from a conservative and cautious approach to protecting Raytowns revenues and budgeting expenditures. These are not the strategic goals that will make Raytown a vibrant city! Please share this and after you do drop by DOUGHBOYS and pick up copies of the petition so your families and friends can sign it.
Couple of observations for ya'll. I've gotten into the habit of reading this blog with my monrning coffee.
I really like the give and take. Some of the writers, one of the anonymous ones in particular, has taken to name calling. His posts are usually very short and make bold statements usually calling someone a name at the end.
I wish that person would go away. There are too many haters in this world. Reading their stuff is depressing.
As for the Walmart trees. I think the city should have the property owner keep proper maintenance of their property. That includes maintaining the greenery on it.
Also want to thank the editors for publishing the story about the affordable care act. I know i will be there.
Good to read about a city market in Raytown too.
People coming together to make things better! Keep up the good work.
The dead trees at Walmart are a fire hazard either from lightening or a tossed cigarette. They could cut them down and sell them for firewood....just saying
Andy Whiteman
To 7:08: I agree. Sometimes these comments are actually pretty interesting, but there's also some garbage mixed in. Greg should be able to turn on commment moderation. In his Blogger dashboard, it should be about as simple as going to Settings, and then "Posts and comments". I assume he has the "anyone" option checked for who can comment. Changing that to "Registered User" should fix a lot of stuff. Yes, people would have to create an account, but there's nothing stopping you from creating an account with 100% false info -- the point of it would be so we could see comment ownership from one comment to the next.
To Mrs Breitenbach LAGERS is a state wide pension plan for local governmental employees first started in 1967. It is much like the PSRS/PEERS state wide pension plan our Raytown School district is involved in servicing both classified and non classified employees ; a percentage generally around 9 per cent is taken from each pay check. A board of Trustees over sees it much like the pension plan the police now have in effect; it is not a city administrator alone. Police departments statewide are joining; Sedalia in 2009 Columbia in 2010 to name a few. A Public Notice of The Board Of Trustees of the Current Police Pension plans open Meetings was posted in May , there is still one remaining this year which is Dec 4th. In a previous mtg Bob West of Haynes Benefits gave Pension Updates and Brain Perott FCI spoke on the Investment review. You can find this all documented. As for LAGERS you can go to the library org/ matters or various PDF forms. As for the 7.5 million that you understand is missing from what the police themselfs put into their pension; I have yet to find anything about but will indeed keep up the search. That is a large amount from their own pay considering it is documented that Class A police get paid near 36 thousand a year including holiday pay; that would be a large percentage of their pay leaving them to live in poverty. I'm not saying you are wrong but since you did say it was your understanding it sounded if someone had told you. I'm one that liked to Look before I Leap on matters of such; as most people are and do the research for documented evidence . Thanks for your input.
Mrs Breitenbach I might add that I could not find any law suits filled against The Board Of Trutees that oversee The Current Police Pension Plan of the 7.5 million of the Police own money that you claim is missing. One would think a law suit would be done ASAP with that large of a sum at stake....... But I will keep looking
The audit will cost the people who live in Raytown a minimum of 30 thousand reguaress of what and if they find. Easy to say sign this it's worth it when it does not effect your pocketbook; we have been thru this on previous blogs ... Read them...
You've heard of sue happy people ; well there are audit happy people. Just type a persons name in with the word audit and you will see it spans many years and across state lines with different cities and government unities.
Paul and I have discussed requiring bloggers to sign in but decided not to take that path.
Occasionally we will delete a comment because it is inappropriate or uses vulgar language. But generally speaking we have found most bloggers to be fair minded and honest in their comments.
One of our goals with the Raytown Report was to make it user friendly. We think we have been successful in that arena.
To require additional hoops for people to jump through simply to speak up on the issues of the day in Raytown -- well, let's just say we see it as a move that might stifle what we believe most people enjoy about the Raytown Report.
Anonymous from October 9, 2013 at 2:56 PM asked: Who funds the Fire Department for the purchase of vehicles, tools and safety equipment?
I am sure Doc will answer when he can. However, here in Raytown we do NOT have a Fire Department, rather we have a Fire Protection District. While the RFPD is confined for the most part with in city limits, it is a separate from the city of Raytown. A Fire Department, is part of the city. Example -- the Kansas City Fire Department -- is a department within the City of Kansas City, Missouri. However, a Fire Protection District is able to levy and collect it's own taxes. If you look on your Jackson County Property Taxes, the RFPD is listed, along with the schools and such. Here in Jackson County we have a mix of both of fire departments and protection districts. Kansas City, Independence, Grandview, and Lee's Summit have Fire Departments. Raytown, Blue Springs, Oak Grove, Lone Jack, Lake Latawana and Sibley all have Fire Protection Districts. The RFDP actually is older the city of Raytown, as it was formed a year before Raytown was incorporated. At one time (and still to some degree) the districts boundaries extend one mile from city limits. There is a board of directors that are elected who make the decisions on spending, and it is funded though property taxes. I hope this answers your questions.
The state audit was discussed in great length on a previous thread of this blog back in the July 7 2013 Raytown Report. It was very informative; a must read! All could benefit from that thread and of course going to the state web sight on audits. However the July 7 2013 thread of this blog brought out various views , questions and research from the nloggers
To all who seem to know so much about Raytown EMS I write this. I have served the citizens of Raytown for several years faithfully with compassion and heart. But, I am to the point I plan to give my notice next week. Our working conditions have deteriorated to the point I can no longer just sit back and take it. I will be the 4th employee out of 13 who has quit in the last 5 months, and two more are waiting job offers to do they same. Our current director is so busy trying to please the administration and keep his job, that he is willing cut our once proud service to the bone. You would think that with the the monumental turnover rate we our experiencing the mayor or city administrator would call a meeting to see why. We are so short staffed that twice last week we shut down one of our two units leaving only one and Kansas city fire to cover our city. I realize that our director is clever and is able to dazzle a few people during our open house, but there is a real problem here and no one at the city wants to talk about it.
I ask all of you to please take a long hard look at our service, the turn over, and the qualifications of our director. Ask the city what process was performed hire our director, and if there have been any complaints filed against him.
I try everyday to come in to work with a good attitude and usually by 8 am it is gone for the day.
Signed, REMS_EMT
Peter 10/6 7:50 "It will benefit many to go to the informative meeting on health care" What are you doing, promoting Obamacare? This socialized insurance is being pushed on Americans and some of us take big issue with it. How do you know it is informative? Did you write the presentation? I like you Peter but you went too far with this one.
I don’t know about the 7.5 million that may be
missing from the police fund however I have breakfast
at times with several police officers and I have heard
nothing about it. Maybe they don’t know about it. I
don’t know but, nothing in this town would surprise me.
We pay some of the highest taxes in the area and our
schools we are all so proud of, yes I had two children
graduate from Raytown South, used tax money we all
thought was going to better our kids education went to
artificial turf, to the tune of more than a million and half
tax dollars. City Hall hands to one person a pay increase
of over thirty thousand a year, more than most city
employees are paid in a year.
They gave WM a deal that has cost us over, probably
by now, two million dollars in tax dollars. This is not lost
tax revenue, although that is in the millions too, this is tax
dollars already collected from all of us and used to pay bonds
because WM doesn’t collect enough money to pay for the
bonds.
We line up like sheep and pay our taxes not really
knowing how or where our money is really going. We
expect the best but in some cases get the shaft.
So missing money, not unbelievable. Just we sheep would
rather not think it could happen.
Obamacare: What Every American Should Know – Minus the Parts We Don’t Want You To Know
I don't know if the great informative meeting about ACA/Obamacare meeting has come and gone yet. If not, here is a link to an article which discloses information you may find useful before you go to the meeting to have your ears tickled about how great it is. If you go, you will surely have some new questions to ask as a result of reading this:
http://joeforamerica.com/2013/10/every-american-know-minus-parts-dont-want-know/
After going to the web site for State Audits and to the question and answer section Ive found many interesting things. A petition by law must have the estimated cost listed generally 40 to 60 thousand to be paid by the city; in essence the Raytown Residents. Only Raytown Residents who Are registered voters can sign of course because this effects their pocketbook in order to pay for such Audit. Once Audit is down recommendations Are put in place and the real kicker Is how are they enforced ? The State Audit says it CANNOT INFORCE! So reguardless of the outcome the citizens will be Strapped paying this Additional 40 to 60 thousand dollar audit long after the current administration is gone and the State Audit OnLY makes recommendations on e something is found and that is all they can do.......... So I Recommend we do not sign up for a 40 to 60 thousand dollar debt to be added to the RAYTOWN Residents taxes for just a recommendation.... We are strapped enough ; oh and this recommendation I give you is free!
Peter just as the Walmart in the Green Space came to light so has this story. It's not easy getting answers or documented evidence. Sometimes it's much easier bringing the information to the for front and putting light on it as I did with Walmart. This is a large amount of money. It's so large it's hard to believe this could happen and nothing has been said publicly about it. Thanks for your input.
To 12:42 please reread my comment on the informative meeting. I certainly did not say I was For or against it now did I? I still think it is great when peoe find out a they can a out something via the I ter et story someone just put on this blog or the meeting the Department of Health is putting on which should be just bottom line here are the options. I have always had medical insurance thru my employers; Ive been fortunate..I don't know what the plan is hoping to accomplish. The working poor are on Medicaid and can't pay high premiums so how will they afford a penalty? And the young 20 -30 yr old is t going to need medical like lil kids or middle age so if the penalty less that the premium it is certainly a no brainer which they will choose. So since I didn't say before I was for or against something just that each and all needs to be informed and you assumed and then went defensive..... Think about this...... Until you and I checked this out we didn't know what in the hoot other affordable care act was; don't you think everyone should be knowledgable as well ?
I'm not for a dictatorship be it governmental or a citizen dictating what others should and should not belief. Iam not for the childish clicks who assume something about someone and either like or dislike a person on their assumption alone. I do however believe in the persute of life liberty and justice for each individual as that individual sees fit for themselfs and I accept that they themselfs know what life liberty and justice means to them even if it is different to me. I cannot speak for them nor they for me the key word is individual! I cannot nor do I wish to live there life nor visa versa nor do I wish to dictate what the should believe nor do I want th to dictate to me . I do not know them now do they know me . Life is how we wish ours to be, liberty is to make our own divisions , justice is to be respected for who each individual is . If zi believe one way should that over power your way of thought? No it should not. I can not say what is right for you because I am not you. What you and I can do is respect our individual beliefs and be damn proud we can live in harmony with acceptance even if different and not be dictators to one another
Peter: You did say it would benefit many and that it would be informative.
Affordable Care aka Obamacare: This is the Government take-over of our Health Insurance/ Health Care industries. The cash fines for not signing up increase each year through 2016. For lack of payment, the IRS can, and will, seize assets. People who still have their heads above water are discriminated against - no subsidies. Doctors are leaving their practices - payments to them are very low. Many in government are exempt as are those in big unions. Panels, called Boards, will decide who can get what care as well as who gets no care. Those who have insurance will pay more for it unless it already includes all the required 10 points of coverage required - some people's premiums have increased 300%. I'm past the age of making babies but am required to insure for maternity, pediatric and newborn care and (get this) so is my husband. The ACA website has cost more than 5 times what DHHS said it would and it does not work. I don't like being forced to buy something I don't want or paying a tax for not buying it. I don't like the gov't saying that anything over 30 hours a week is full-time. I will not trust the promises of a DHHS employee on this topic. Welcome to Amerika.
To anonymous 1:31 am my exact words were and are " it will benefit many to go to the meeting on informative health care" let's break this down, ( it will benefit many) is the beginning of the sentence. What will benefit many? Well we read the complete sentence and it clearly states ( to go to the informative meeting) is it saying Obama care is beneficial to many ? NO , it is saying information is beneficial to many. When people pick and choose words and take things out of text they put a spin on someone else's words to suit their need....:..... Another blogger gave us even more information to go to a web site and ended their thread with " you may find this useful and have new questions to ask as a result of reading this" it is under Need to knows post : I truly feel both comments mind tho it was brief and theirs is just what John Q Public need to delve into. I also have stated I clearly do not believe in a dictatorship. That I believe in the pursuit of life ( if I choose to or not have insurance) Liberty ( my freedom to choose what I want for myself) and Justice ( I should not be penalized if I do not choose this obaba care ) to me it is a form of dictatorship and infringing on my rights to Life , Liberty and Justice. I might add there is a petition going statewide that what government places on us they must place on themselves in reference to this care act :
10 people can read the same thing and come back with 10 different versions, by the time they each tell 10 more the statement can be so far removed from the original . Thank goodness much is written , documented, or saved on computers. Just as the blogger interpreted my wording to say I was for Obama care and then allowed themselfs to become agitated. Which is the furthest thing from the truth about me or my words; this is why I will point someone to the documented word on various subjects
A woman at my work in her late 50s with a husband that had 1 yr till retirement found themselfs juggling the care of a 3 month old grandchild after the father had been killed and the mother in a deep depression "Grandma" needed her job of 30 hrs a week and Grandpa could not financially retire early. As time went on Grandma would sometimes be a few minutes to work late looking stressed. In an effort to keep her job in tact our employer suggested she take time off and get things in a workable fashion for the family, she was able to do so thru our insurance which had that same maternity clause in it. It is for adoption and various other family matters. It helped them get to a better place in their golden years as unexpected new parents. They now have full custody of the child as the birth Mother couldn't handle the memories of the father each time she looked at the child and she never really bonded with her. Grandpa has 4 months to retire and grandma has her job. The baby is loved and cared for. I did not realize how that part of our BCBS insurance could every benefit us later years woman till now
Benefit many to go to the informative meeting. And I see another blogger thanked the Rsytown Report for putting that in and that they would be going. Benefit Many ( TO Go To) the informative meeting. Hope this clarification on the ommision of 3 words helps the 1:31 am blogger. In English as a child our teacher called them action words..... She was a fun teacher!
To 10/11 12:42 am your comment is humorous. And no I did not write it; I have no idea what they will say as I haven't been there because it hasn't happened as of yet. I'm not psychic ! Don't know what the article joe for America says either because I haven't read it yet.... Again Im not psychic ; so I have to rely on gathering information from all sources and sifting through it; I know it sounds time consuming when I could other wise just go to a blog and be told others interpretations and be done with it. I'm old what can I say ; I grew up in the gather information, the minds a terrible thing to waste, look before your leap generation.
It is difficult to find many 40 hr a week jobs for some. I'm single middle aged and have a couple jobs ; I was fortunate to find one that with 30 hrs a week you are eligible for medical benefits thru the group coverage. Back in the late 1990s I worked for a grocer who considered 32 hrs a week full time and was able to get their group insurance then they cut employees and would hire you as part time but work you 32 hrs with no insurance or overtime or holiday pay. Big business have been playing the insurance game for a long time
Dear REMS_EMT
October 10, 2013 at 11:11 PM
I am looking into this as suggested. I wish you had written about this sooner but late is better than never.
Thank you.
Dear October 12, 2013 at 10:25 AM
No kids, no grandkids, no need whatsoever for Obama mandated prenatal, maternity health insurance. Don't need it, never will need it, don't want it shoved down my throat or to be blackmailed by taxes to pay for it. Sweet story tho'.
Anonymous 4:54 Im just like you! But this was just part of the insurance package long before this dictatorship insurance of Obamacare was even thought of; probably before he was ever voted in the first time; good Lord to think he got voted in the second time and now this stuff; anyway I suppose insurance has always had that in there reguardless if you use it or not. And probably for men because many Dads are single parents and probably for men if a same sex couple adopts a child; I just don't know anymore; the world has changed so very much, but glad you liked the story ... It is true. And nice to have seen where they started to where they are now
As Festus Hagan said to Doc on Gunsmoke when Doc asked him why he didn't learn to read, "Doc, if I learned to read, how would I know that the person who wrote the reading, wrote the reading right."
Apparently some people on this blog can't read the reading right. While an informative Socialized Health Care meeting is not an endorsement of the program, it is merely a statement that the meeting imparts information. I think it important for everyone to know their rights and obligations under this new Socialist Law.
If anyone thinks that I oppose Socialized Health Care, they are correct.
Andy Whiteman
Can anyone tell me why the city's website has a picture of a parade the city quit having over tenyears a go on their front page?
Peter:
Actually, socialized healthcare in the U.S. was attempted under the Bill Clinton administration. It was power-hungry, flotus Hilary Clinton's pet project then and it failed miserably.
Since, as Hilary Clinton has been recorded saying, the White House takes their direction from the CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) and the CFR deemed it was time for socialized healthcare in the U.S. to become a reality. It was merely reintroduced under the Obama administration, hence Obamacare. Having succeeded in heating up racial divides, destroying jobs, further destruction of the nuclear family, halting industrialization, increased dependence on unemployment insurance and disability, Obama had a more receptive audience to his push on that front. It was the old recipe, Order out of Chaos, and this time it worked.
Get the X You Deserve has been the mantra of popular advertising for some time now. That's propaganda for entitlement programs, which are socialist traps. Our forefather's came here for independence, not dependence. Income, education and health insurance/care are not Rights.
Now, that entitlement-brained segment of the public is going to get what they claimed they deserved while the rest of us are going to have to pay for it in more ways than one.
-been following your ruffled feathers with the party who took issue over your statement about the Oct 29 ACA meeting. The writer obviously picked up on the fact that you were voluntarily reposting and enhancing an announcement that the blog admin had made with rather great aplomb on the blog's current main page. I think you put your foot in it with the word 'beneficial'. You had not expanded upon your choice use of that word so left it to question. I've read your defenses so no need to reiterate. This is merely an observation; I've come to learn that is sometimes it is best not to embellish. Enjoy your weekend.
You should be able to get a copy of the budget meeting before the last BOA meeting from the City Clerk. Be forewarned. They are very proud of those recordings. They will probably ask you for $9.00 for a disc of the meeting. You may be able to ask to record it on site if you have the equipment to do so without charge.
The City Clerk's name is Teresa Henry. She can be reached at 737-6004.
You could also ask your local alderman if they can procure a copy of the meeting for you. If he or she is of a mind to help, they should be able to take of your needs.
Good luck!
Dear REMS_EMT,
Shame on you for trashing our great department! You are purposely trying to make it sound as if people are leaving our department because it’s so terrible! One paramedic left to go to nursing school, one left to be a program director at another service, and another left to go to medical school. The 2 others that you mentioned are in the fire academy and plan to work as fire fighters at other departments. EMS is often a stepping stone for people looking to get into the medical and/or emergency services field. Whereas the turnover looks bad on paper, it is common in this type of department, and I believe actually reflects well on our department. Look at what great things these people are doing and how we have helped them get there! Having a director like Doug Jonesi that has 30 years of experience in EMS is pretty much unheard of, and we should be grateful that we have someone like him to lead this department.
Yes, it’s no secret we are understaffed at the moment and once in a while we have to shut down an ambulance for that reason. That happens rarely and Mr. Sharma is notified each and every time it does happen. We still request mutual aid less than other cities request mutual aid for us. Or for non emergency services people, we go into other cities MORE often to help them out than we ask them to come run an emergency call in Raytown. We are not losing money because of this. The problem is that every time Mr. Jonesi asks the current staff to step up and help out, only a few are responding. We have hired 2 new paramedics and are in the process of hiring a third. We have hired several part time EMTs and Paramedics. They all have to be trained – these things take time. If you weren’t so busy trashing us and our director, maybe you could lend a hand.
If our department is being “cut to the bone”, you’ll have to give specific examples, because I have no idea what you are talking about. We have nice working equipment. The problematic equipment (i.e. the cots and laptops) is being replaced. Those are expensive items and are only able to be replaced if we budget carefully! We have nice uniforms that we don’t have to pay for ourselves – not every department can say that. We have a nice station. It’s nothing as amazing as the fire palaces, but it has all the comforts of home. We have good in house training at no cost to the employee – again, not something every department offers. How have our work conditions deteriorated?! We have been asked to turn the lights off when we leave the room. We’ve been asked to keep the heaters in the garage at a reasonable level – not blasting all the time. We are expected to do regular duties around the station when not running calls, such as cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen. I expect those things from my family in my own home and they aren’t getting paid to do it!
I ask YOU to take a long hard look at yourself. Your attitude is your responsibility – and your problem. If this is how you feel about our department than I am relieved that you are leaving. I’m looking forward to getting some eager, motivated people in here that are grateful to have a job and want to do it right. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Megan Thurston, Paramedic at Raytown EMS since 2006
I must agree ; no One source has all the information . While a You Tube , Court Records, Governmental documentations, and web sights are invaluable ; Limiting ones self to Only one source does not give the entire picture nor makes one an authority on such topics. Grant it the easy and quick way is to utilize one source easily obtainable to all. If one is really hungry for truth the will not find it difficult nor time consuming to do further and extensive research. Thank you for your insight and hint as where to look for more detail. It was emensley worth the search and most enlightening both as to what I found and to discover the depth of my own desire and will to Need to know it. Lesson learned... The mind is a terrible thing to waste. Putting some teeth into the subject showed my desire for knowledge and was fun too. ! Great suggestion
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