Sunday, December 8, 2013

RAYTOWN'S LEADING NEWS SOURCE




Top Ten Practical Special Effects in the Movies. Forget about CGI special effects. This is strictly for those special effects using the old fashioned techniques. For a peek behind the scenes and an answer to "How did they do that?" be sure to check this week's feature out.


USE THIS LINK . . . SPECIAL EFFECTS



To leave a comment use this link POST A COMMENT




Answers to Charter Questions 
BY GREG WALTERS
As comments from this past week have shown, there is a more than just passing interest in the upcoming Charter Election slated for April, 2014. The string of comments and give and take show an astounding lack of information from City Hall regarding the gathering of petitions, when filing officially opens, when it closes, and how people can find if their efforts at petition gathering have met requirement outlined by state law.

With those questions and more in mind, we went to the local authority in charge of handling the petitions and the other events leading up to the establishment of an official ballot for the April Charter Election, City Clerk Teresa Henry.

She did not disappoint.

The following questions and (condensed) answers should answer all of those questions.  We hope you find her answers enlightening.

QUESTION 1: What is the final date petitions for candidacy for the Charter Commission will be accepted by the City of Raytown?

TERESA HENRY: The deadline is 5:00 p.m. on January 21, 2014.

QUESTION 2: What is the procedure a candidate should use to find out if they have enough (valid) petitions once they have been turned in?

TERESA HENRY: If anyone has any questions regarding their petition, they can contact my office at 816-737-6004 and/or the Jackson County Election Board (JCEB) to avoid any misinformation.  I will only contact the petitioner if their petition is found to be invalid by the JCEB. 

QUESTION 3: How will ballot position be determined for candidates to the Raytown Charter Commission”?

TERESA HENRY: At 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, a lottery will be held for all petitions received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 21, 2014.  Candidates for the charter commission who submitted a valid petition (as determined by the Jackson County Board of Election Commissioners) prior to 5:00 p.m. on January 21, 2014, will be placed on the ballot based on the number drawn in the lottery, with the candidate receiving the lowest number in the lottery appearing first on the ballot.  A candidate who participates in the lottery but is determined (by the Jackson County Board of Election Commissioners) to not have submitted a valid petition will lose their lottery position on the ballot.

QUESTION 4: As of this date, who has filed for the Raytown Charter Commission?

TERESA HENRY: Ten candidates have filed of this date. They are Joe Burton, Robbie Tubbs, Lisa Emerson, Richard Koop, Jason Greene, Janet Emerson, Jim Aziere, Chris Rathbone, Mark Moore, Susan Thorsen.


CITY CLERK HENRY also provided the Raytown Report with a copy of the enabling resolution setting the date and procedures for the Raytown Charter Election to be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2014.

The Board of Aldermen approved he resolution by a vote of nine to one for approval of the Resolution setting the Charter Election procedure into motion.

HOW THEY VOTED:

YES: Jason Greene, Emerson, Melson, Lightfoot, Aziere, Mock, Josh Greene, Van Buskirk, Pat Ertz

NO: Joe Creamer

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A PROCESS WITH REGARD TO THE NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR A CHARTER COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen on July 2, 2013,conducted the first reading of an ordinance to place on the April 8, 2014 the question:  Shall a Commission be chosen to frame a Charter?”; and 

WHEREAS, the Missouri Constitution, Article VI, Section 19 sets forth provisions regarding candidates for the charter commission; and 

WHEREAS, the candidates shall be electors (voters) of the City; candidates shall be nominated by petition signed by not less than two percent of the qualified electors voting at the next preceding city election; and the number of electors required to sign any petition shall be based upon the total number of electors voting at the last preceding general city election; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to establish a process for the submission of nominating petitions.

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Raytown, Missouri as follows:

THAT, in accordance with Article VI, Section 19 of the Missouri Constitution, candidates or groups of candidates for a charter commission shall be nominated by petition.

FURTHER THAT, the petition shall be signed by voters voting in the next preceding city election.

FURTHER THAT, according to the official certification of the General Municipal Election of the City of Raytown on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, (the last preceding general city election) the total number of persons voting was 1751.  Two percent of 1751 is 36; therefore, the minimum number of voters required to sign a nominating petition is 36.

FURTHER THAT, as petitions for Charter Commissioners were served to the City Clerk on June 4, 2013; therefore, beginning Tuesday, June 4, 2013 and continuing to January 21, 2014 at 5:00 p.m., nominating petitions will be accepted in the City Clerk's Office, Raytown City Hall, 10000 East 59th Street, Raytown, Missouri between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., when City Hall is open.  At 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, a lottery will be held for all petitions received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 21, 2014.  Candidates for the charter commission who submitted a valid petition (as determined by the Jackson County Board of Election Commissioners) prior to 5:00 p.m. on January 21, 2014, will be placed on the ballot based on the number drawn in the lottery, with the candidate receiving the lowest number in the lottery appearing first on the ballot.  A candidate who participates in the lottery but is determined (by the Jackson County Board of Election Commissioners) to not have submitted a valid petition will lose their lottery position on the ballot. 

FURTHER THAT, the City Administrator, or designee, is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents and to take any and all action necessary to exercise the authority granted herein.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Aldermen and APPROVED by the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Raytown, Missouri, the 16thday of July, 2013.



BY PAUL LIVIUS
 The Paul Livius Report

Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting – December 3, 2013

Alderman Mock thanked all the volunteers who came to help decorate the Pocket Park for the Lighting ceremony.  He said he was the youngest person there and said they need younger volunteers to step up and help. 

Andy Noll gave the Board the annual review of winter weather operations.  For more information, go to http://www.raytown.mo.us/vertical/sites/%7B418C71C3-E397-4C87-B464-C498EC8900F9%7D/uploads/12-03-13_Web_Packet.pdf.  Start on page 3.

The Board approved an agreement for Inmate security housing services with Johnson County, Missouri.  Chief Jim Lynch told the Board the Johnson County (MO) Sheriff’s Office provides prisoner housing for the City of Raytown. This contract runs through 2014 and the average annual expenditure with this vendor is approximately $175,000.00.

The Board approved an agreement for the purchase of 21 tactical headsets from Simmons Law Enforcement.  Chief Lynch told the Board this resolution will allow the procurement of tactical radio headsets for use with P-25 capable and compliant portable radios. This equipment is used by tactically trained police officers during critical incident responses. This request has been reviewed by the Sales Tax Oversight Committee and was determined to meet the intent of the tax.

The Board heard the first reading of an ordinance granting a change in zoning from highway corridor commercial district to highway corridor commercial district and planned zoning overlay district on land located at 8906 E 67th Street, 6609 Kentucky Ave, 6607 Kentucky Ave, 6608 Kentucky Ave, 6612 Kentucky Ave, 8903 E. 66th Street, and 8905 E. 66th Street.   Terry Tuggle on behalf of Wayne Haub and H&H Color Lab, Inc. is seeking approval to rezone property owned by Wayne Haub and H&H Color Lab, Inc. from Highway Corridor Commercial (HC) to Highway Corridor Commercial and Planned District Overlay (HC-P). The properties proposed to be rezoned contain a mix of existing uses which include offices and production facility for H&H Color Lab, parking lot area for H&H Color Lab and single-family homes. In addition to rezoning the properties, the applicant is also seeking to replat the area to be rezoned into one lot and vacate that portion of Kentucky Avenue located within the area to be rezoned. The final plat and right-of-way vacation are also on the Board of Aldermen meeting agenda. In order to have commercial and residential uses on the same lot as is being proposed the property must be rezoned to a Planned District Overlay. The rezoning will also enable the applicant to more easily plan for possible expansion of the H&H Color Lab facility in the future. As part of their rezoning application the applicants have submitted a preliminary site development plan of the property to which the rezoning applies. The preliminary site plan identifies the locations of the existing buildings, parking areas and roadways within the area proposed to be rezoned. The preliminary site plan also identifies the front yard, side yard and rear yard setback distances along each of the property lines. As previously mentioned a portion of Kentucky Avenue, beginning 112 feet north of 67th Street, is also proposed to be vacated as a public street. The existing street pavement is proposed to remain in place and is identified as a fire lane on the preliminary site plan. The preliminary site plan does not indicate the location for construction of any future building additions or new buildings as the applicant does not yet know the location or size of their future expansion. Rather, they wish to consolidate all of the properties they own into one lot to allow them to more easily develop future expansion plans when needed. Prior to any future expansion, a final site development plan will have to be submitted to the City by the applicant for review and approval. The final site plan will include, among other things, more specific information on the location and size of proposed buildings and / or additions.

The Board heard the first reading of an ordinance that will vacating a portion of the Right-of-way, legally described as Kentucky Avenue, generally beginning 112 Feet north of 67th Street and extending approximately 288 feet further north. As part of the final plat of H&H Color Lab, Terry Tuggle on behalf of Wayne Haub and H&H Color Lab, Inc. is seeking to have a portion of street right-of-way of Kentucky Avenue located north of 67th Street vacated. The portion of right-of-way proposed to be vacated, as shown on the attached Final Plat of H&H Color Lab, is located beginning 112 feet north of 67th Street, and extends further north approximately 288 feet. The street right-of-way is proposed to be vacated as Wayne Haub & H&H Color Lab own the properties on both sides of this portion of Kentucky Avenue. In addition, Kentucky Avenue is a cul-de-sac and not a through street. Therefore vacating the street only provides access to properties the applicant owns. As indicated on the Final Plat of H&H Color Lab, the 50-foot right-of-way proposed to be vacated is proposed to become a 50 foot wide utility easement and the street pavement itself is proposed to become a fire lane so as to allow continued access to the existing buildings and maintain compliance with the 2012 International Fire Code, which the City and Fire District have adopted. City staff has reviewed the requested vacation and is in support of the request. In addition, notification has been mailed to each utility provider informing them of the proposed right-of-way vacation and utility easement dedication. As of the date of the writing of this staff report no comments have been received from any utility provider.

The Board heard the first reading of an ordinance to approve the final plat of H&H Color Lab.  Terry Tuggle on behalf of Wayne Haub and H&H Color Lab, Inc. is seeking approval of the Final Plat of H&H Color Lab. The final plat proposes to replat seven lots into three lots. Two of the lots (Lots 2 and 3) front onto 66th Street and each contain an existing single-family home both of which are owned by the applicant. The third lot (Lot 1) is accessed from Kentucky Avenue, north of 67th Street, and contains the H&H Color Lab facility as well as four single-family homes, all of which are owned by the applicant. The final plat is proposed as the applicant is seeking to consolidate the multiple properties they own so that they can more easily develop future expansion plans when needed. To allow both the H&H Color Lab facility and the four single-family homes to be located on the same lot, Lot 1 must also be rezoned as a Planned District Overlay. Therefore the applicant has submitted a rezoning application, which is also in the Board of Aldermen meeting agenda. In order to approve this Final Plat, the rezoning application must also be approved. The final plat also proposes to vacate a portion of Kentucky Avenue located north of 67th Street. This proposed vacation is another agenda item on the Board of Aldermen meeting agenda as a separate ordinance must be approved to vacate the right-of-way.

The Board heard the first reading of an ordinance to approve an Intergovernmental agreement with the Jackson County Board of Election Commissioners to utilize city hall as a polling place for the 2014 calendar year.


FIT BOTTOMED EATS
BY KAREN
Stuffed Artichoke Appetizer
Remember last May when I introduced ya’ll to Bill, my then-boyfriend, and now hubby?

Back then I called him the Master of the Grill with his easy but impressive grilling recipes. Well, come to find out that Bill is no one trick pony — he has kitchen skills to boot! Yes, he is one great catch, and I’’ve got him!

More than once he has pulled my ass out of the well when I was running behind in the kitchen, and when he offered up this company-worthy artichoke appetizer recipe, I let him take over. So, it is Bill’s hands that will be making their debut on this post. Take it away Bill! READ MORE


To leave a comment use this link POST A COMMENT

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

That meeting of the city budget was dated over two months ago ; is this just coming online now?

Peter said...

Susan; the City of Raytown was founded on July 17th 1950. Although it had been called Raytown for over a hundred years it was not legally a City. a petition by citizens fearing it would be annexed to KC Mo. Was formed to make Raytown legal and a self governed town

Susan Dolan said...


Nope... didn't say that either. I was researching our Cty Admin. when I came across the discrepancy I noted. Raytown was incorporated, not founded, in 1950 and I didn't want anyone to accept our CA's statement as fact. Here's another fact: You don't have to shovel rain. :-)

Anonymous said...

It looks like Creamer voted against the Missouri Constitution in ignoring the will of all those folks who signed the charter petition.

Anonymous said...

Susan is right. The city was incorporated. Not founded.

Look it up.

Anonymous said...

Was not the statement about the budget report of the City? Was not the statement about a vibrant City and the budget is part of the Government which was founded in 1950? I had to go back to the other thread to read Ms Susan's comment to see just what ruffled the feathers , Was pretty clear what Sharma was talking about first by the heading and then the subject topic reference. Maybe if that post had been on this thread it would of been easier to quickly see the subject topic... Just saying

Peter said...

The government was founded in 1950. Founded; establish/ originate is the definition..,, oh and in the other posters words " look it up" and I do understand people who grow up in different states say funny lil catch phrases like " you don't need to shovel rain" so I will take it as a cute lil phrase and not to be meant sarcastic

Peter said...

Karen thanks for the artichoke appetizer idea from your hubby sounds perfect for holiday gatherings and football events; glad you got a helpmate in Hubby!!!

Anonymous said...

Alderman Mock says we need younger people to experience the volunteerism need for preparing the pocket park for Christmas lighting.

Agreed.

Perhaps he can tap the Spirit of Volunteerism demonstrated by those who are promoting a Farmer's Market in Downtown Raytown.

At their meeting young members brought their children to the meeting.

But if you really want to attract those folks to help out it would be a good idea to change the mindset at City Hall.

Here is a good starting point.

When reports are given of community activity, don't freeze them out by not allowing their representatives to tell about what is going on.

Try to be the City Council that is inclusive instead of exclusive.

You will make more friends and foster some real community pride along the way.

Anonymous said...

"Vibrant City" LOL! Sounds like Big Brother talk. Tell the sheepole anything and they will believe it.

BTW: Rain does need to be shoveled when it is freezing rain or it freezes after raining.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

That is so interesting about Mr. Creamer voting against putting the Charter question on the ballot. I had heard that he was planning to run for the Charter! Kind of hard to run for something you voted to keep off the ballot, isn't it Joe?

By the way don't you have to be a resident of Raytown to run for the Charter Commission?

KMCCLA said...

While it might be a matter of "semantics" this is what I have found.

Raytown was "founded" in the in the late 1840's with Ray's Blacksmith Shop, and the community that sprang up around it. It was not until the 1854, that Jackson County no longer designated, the area near Ray's Blacksmith Shop, but as "Raytown". In 1950 the city was "incorporated" as a city. From the Lee's Summit Journal 5/27/1926 -- "It is known by everyone that Raytown is probably the second oldest town in Jackson County, William Jennings, who has had a general store there for 38 years, was born one mile east of Raytown.. his father settled on corner of a farm belonging to a man of Ray, who wearied of the long trail to California and stopped on the beautiful hill and began home.

Sited --Raytown Remembers, by Roberta Bonnewitz and Lois Allen, Raytown Historical Society, 1975, pg 10.

Anonymous said...

Greg, please post, thank you for sharing,

A cowboy named Bud was overseeing his herd in a remote mountainous pasture in Montana when suddenly a brand-new BMW advanced toward him out of a cloud of dust.

The driver, a young man in a Brioni® suit, Gucci® shoes, RayBan® sunglasses and YSL® tie, leaned out the window and asked the cowboy, "If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, will you give me a calf?"

Bud looks at the man, who obviously is a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, "Sure, why not?"

The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell® notebook computer, connects it to his Cingular RAZR V3® cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite to get an exact fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo.

The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop® and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg, Germany ...Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot® that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses an MS-SQL® database through an ODBC connected Excel® spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry® and, after a few minutes, receives a response.

Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet® printer, turns to the cowboy and says, "You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves."

"That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves," says Bud.

He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on with amusement as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car.

Then Bud says to the young man, "Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?"
The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, "Okay, why not?"

"You're a Congressman for the U.S. Government", says Bud.

"Wow! That's correct," says the yuppie, "but how did you guess that?"

"No guessing required." answered the cowboy. "You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You used millions of dollars worth of equipment trying to show me how much smarter than me you are; and you don't know a thing about how working people make a living - or about cows, for that matter.

This is a herd of sheep. Now give me back my dog.

AND THAT FOLKS IS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS ALL ABOUT.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about the rest of you, but if Roberta Bonnewitz, Raytown's unofficial historian, who has received recognition for her work in documenting our history says it is so, I believe it.

Maybe the story about the Congressman that follows that post makes a lot of sense.

We have a non-resident (our City Administrator), spinning eloquently about Raytown's past and heaping praise on his abilities to make life better for us, when in fact, he does not even know when the city was founded!

Anonymous said...

10:29 PM LOL Thanks

7:34 AM The nonresident city administrator can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time. Somehow he is successful in fooling those who kept him on the job.

Andy Whiteman

Susan Dolan said...


12/9 said, "Alderman Mock says we need younger people to experience the volunteerism need for preparing the pocket park for Christmas lighting."

I'm sure Alderman Mock would like to see more assimilation into the collective of City Hall's envisioned Borg. However, since he and his comrades at arms cannot bring themselves to admit the particular religious basis of the founding of this country and refuse to refer to the ceremony as a Christmas ceremony he may well continue to find himself alone, stringing the lights on the city's so-called "Holiday" tree. Good riddance.

Peter said...

To KMCCLA; there are but a few members left around Raytown whose lineage dates back to the Early days of Raytown whose family bibles and Photos show so much. The Jackson County Records dept can show several references to Rays' Town which was later named Raytown. How most of the area was termed the lost Territory. The final Commision of Raytown Road from the High Grove To The Little Blue by Jackson County. The few schools and where they were located back in the " One Room School House Era " Raytown has a rich history of a Horse Track, Air Field , and the many determined " Squatters" who made this the diamond in the Ruff from the Early Days of being termed Land no good for nothing. Take a visit to the Court House and the Historical Society for an unbelieve walk down Raytowns Documented Hisory; you will enjoy it.

Peter said...

To 10:29 pm..... Really enjoyed that post!!! it's always good to see the humor in the worst of reality. Thanks for sharing that. I may have to share that with several acquaintance s

Susan Dolan said...


12/9 @ 10:29 You nailed it! ""You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You used millions of dollars worth of equipment trying to show me how much smarter than me you are; and you don't know a thing about how working people make a living - or about cows, for that matter."

As MARC, Bower and his boot-licks continue their onslaught of zoning and land-use regulations upon us under the guise of MARC's Smart Growth and Sustainable Communities programs, which BTW are unconstitutional, they fail to grasp that we are an awakened population who knows what they are up to, has demonstrated our strength and will do so again.

A huge section of the heart of Historic Raytown has been declared blighted in order that the city can gain domain in order to build their DMU (diesel multiple unit) rail system to no-where along with a rail station and low income multi-family housing in downtown Raytown. People will be losing their homes to this mis-guided venture.

Personal property rights are important because that's what allowed this country to become so wealthy. Without that, we become slaves to a tyrannical government who mandates our lives.

Please see this enlightening website for greater understanding:

http://www.takingliberty.us/TLHome.html


Anonymous said...

I was just looking over the City of Raytown website and something caught my eye that simply did not make sense, especially in light of recent events.

Not long ago the people trying to put together a Downtown Raytown Farmer's Market were not allowed to discuss a meeting they were going to hold at a BOA meeting.

The reason given was because it was not "city business".

Check out the website page. There is a story about recycling of Christmas lights by the some handicapped workshop located in Kansas City.

I think it is a great idea.

The website also says that people can drop off their lights at city hall.

It shows the hypocrisy of our times.

I think it is good that the city is helping in the Christmas light recycling effort.

I only wish the Mayor and those members of the BOA who urged him to freeze out news about the Farmer's Market would re-think their position.

Susan Dolan said...

This evening's televised news carried a great story about the new KCI airport that MARC wants to build. Today, a citizen dressed as Santa Claus presented some 3,500 petition signatures of those who want to see the issue put before public vote. Their spokesperson said there is no reason to replace the airport we've got that works well. He said that instead, the city needs to focus on terrible roads, terrible schools, breaking sewer mains and other failing infrastructure. He also said that since 'we' are the taxpayers, voters should decide the issue, not the government.

How heartening it is to see people stand up to the socialist, hidden MARC regime and their actors in our county and local government!

Anonymous said...

It is sad that we as a nation must refer to Christmas break from school as the winter break. Christmas parties at the office must include Kawanza and hanaka parties as well and then there are those who argue the celebration of a Christmas tree is of pagan origin. What ever happened to peace on earth and goodwill to men???? When I was growing up you didn't have to worry about offending everyone by your beliefs; it was just plain acceptance. Now our country has whinners who wear their feelings on their sleeve and feel everyone is against them.... The us against them generational thought and thus in an effort to please everyone you please no one. Geez if Archie Bunker was on the air today the world would be in riots. Look how stifeling our world has become and how judgemental

Peter said...

Anyone who has been around Raytown forever has had Mrs Bonnewitz as a teacher. She is a neat lady who grew up in Lees Summit and has done a fantastic job of geneology as well. Gerald Young who started his teaching career in Raytown and was Principal of two schools still lives in Raytown and can be seen daily putzing around his home

Anonymous said...

Is that the handicap workshop that is on 67th st and backs to Floral hills Cementary that is doing the light collecting? They sure do a lot of good for our unfortunate young people and help them with life skills. They have been around for a long time. One of my children ( now 40) had a schoolmate at Raytown South whose brother attended there.

Merry Christmas said...

It is so silly. The use of the term holiday instead of what people are really celebrating.

I would rather hear someone say Happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kawanza, or even Festivus than hear the politically stupid "holiday".

The last term "holiday" sounds so hollow and and insincere.

With that in mind I will sign off with a simple Merry Christmas to other readers.

Pat Casady said...

Plain and simple,
If the people of Raytown want a Charter form of
Government then they should NOT VOTE FOR
JIM AZIERE!!!!
The last attempt at a charter he was one of several that
sabotaged it. He voted for every line and then when it came
for the people to vote on the charter he was against it!
Remember he is one of eight aldermen that will do
what they are told to do by the mayor or the city
administrator and we all know they are against the charter.

Anonymous said...

The sooner people wise up to self serving Aziere, the better off this town will be.

Anonymous said...


Dec 11 @ @:36
I 2nd that motion! It's time for the old guard to take a hike and to bring back a Constitutional form of city government - Raytown, take down those walls.

Anonymous said...


Aw, c'mon... don't call Bower a bully. He's a Marxist.

Anonymous said...

The only reason Jim Aziere wants to be on the Charter Committee is so he can run and tattle to Mayor Bower. We don't need any of the old guard aldermen,i.e. Creamer, Aziere, Melson, Van Buskirk, Ertz, Lightfoot, or Mock. They just want to disrupt the committee and cause problems. Also, watch out for these people. They will do everything they can to sink the charter the committee creates, just like the last time.

KMCCLA said...

Peter, agreed, there are a few families that are like that around here. While my "linage" is not that connected to Raytown proper, I do have family that reaches back to the founding fathers of Kansas City, and Jackson County (I am related to the McGee's, and Newham's). I like tend to like local history, and how it connects to us today. I tease my dad saying he is so old, that he is in the Raytown Museum (he was Raytown, Class of '58, so his class picture is there), his family moved here in 1952, from Kansas City. Think of the things he has seen here in his lifetime. This area does have a rich history, and I am familiar with most of it. I would like to travel back in time a 150 some odd years, and see the "Lost Township" as it was when it was first platted. I have lived here all my life, and I like it here -- it is home.

Anonymous said...

It was Sue Frank who sunk the last charter. Frankly I am aganist a charter!!!

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:01

Why are you against a charter?

Peter said...

KMCCLA ; my great great grandfather on my mothers side was one of the original families who came from Ireland and was active in Jackson county politics at KC Mo a stone mason by trade he helped make several structures in KCMO. He was a cousin by marriage to Mr Swope. My family moved to Raytown in 1948. My parents would dance at wildwood in the eary 40s.. I'm sure your people and mine knew of one another in KC and Raytown.. I love the history!!! And I'm certain we could go on forever about the history of both! Thank you for sharing with me

Anonymous said...

My family moved to what is now the Raytown area in the 1880's. I'm so very proud of my liniage and some of my family still live on said land. I have heard stories about the one-room school house my grandparents attended at the corner of Spring Valley and 83rd Street as well as the school where Spring Valley Baptist churh now is as well as the old high school next to UMB. I realize people who have moved into Raytown in the last few years cannot feel the same sense of pride in the community that I do - totally understand that. Still, so sad.

Anonymous said...

Why would younger people volunteer to help with a HOLIDAY lighting? Which HOLIDAY? I have been making that point for many years.

The Downtown Merchants Association here in Alamogordo, NM consisting of 40+ members put out a 22 page "Old Fashioned Christmas" newspaper supplement yesterday announcing the festivities to take place Friday with all merchants remaining open to 9PM. Here downtown is one block long extending a little a short distance onto nearby streets.

Maybe Raytown would benefit if the merchants took over the event and had a CHRISTMAS lighting event. We are celebrating CHRISTMAS not just a HOLIDAY! The merchants here act appropriately since it brings shoppers.

I saved a copy of the supplement and will be happy to mail it to anyone requesting it.

Andy Whiteman

Civic Pride said...

It is always a pleasant surprise when the businesses in Raytown show there civic pride and clean up their property. I stress the word “Surprise” as Raytown has a major problem in getting the businesses to step up and keep their properties well maintained.

Today, I was at Aldi’s and once again all kinds of trash up around the Eastside of the building near the carts. The sad thing is the store had been open for a few hours so there was no reason for that amount of trash other than Aldi’s doesn’t care what the property looks like.

Oddly I never find these kinds of messes at locally owned businesses like “The Store”, which could be part of the overall problem.

Anonymous said...

I think that Sue Frank was against the last charter because it was a bad charter done by the likes of Aziere, Barnes and Lee Gray. We have to do better this time.

Anonymous said...

You all would complain if the city called it Christmas and then got sued by the ACLU for calling it Christmas. Put the blame where it goes, with the liberal sue happy ACLU.

Susan Dolan said...


September 11, 2013 HB 278 was passed by veto override. It prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday

It reads: "AN ACT
To amend chapter 9, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to federal holidays.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri as follows:

Section A. Chapter 9, RSMo is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 9.015 to read as follows:

9.015. No state or local governmental entity, public building, public park, public school, or public setting or place shall ban or otherwise restrict the practice, mention, celebration, or discussion of any federal holiday."

Mayor Bower, was your renaming our Christmas Ceremony to a Holiday Ceremony illegal? Does our Mayor have issues with Christian Holiday celebrations? I think he does and I think he's crossed a line. What do you think, gentle reader?

Anonymous said...

I doubt the ACLU wants to take on the State of Missouri over a small 10 square mile town having a Christmas lighting ceremony.

I often wonder why none on the BOA speak up about this. You would think one of them would at least refer to the lighting ceremony as a "Christmas" holiday.

Susan Dolan said...


... Anon 6:40p I agree it is not a matter for ACLU consideration (that had me smiling), although symptomatic of much malaise at City Hall.

Anonymous said...

Funny how most people do not know how and when Christmas started. The pagination celebrated worship to the sun god in December , the Christians invented Christmas at the same time of year to worship the real God. A Pope even had a Christ mass. In bible times birthdays were not celebrated. December is not exactly Jesus birthday; according to the shepards tending their flocks in the fields it would be more like September or October

Anonymous said...

Well now we got one ready to lead a lenching over Christian holidays and next the witnesses will be leading a lenching over celebrating a false teaching ..... This is exactly what we have talked about... People getting bent out of shape and while trying to please everyone we please no one. And this is why the world is the way it is

Just Saying said...

Code violations are not be addressed.

Streets are having oil and gravel put on them.

Single employee given a $30,000 raise

However, the citizens of Raytown believe the biggest issue facing our city is what the city calls the lighting of a tree in downtown Raytown.

Is it any wonder our elected officials no longer represent the people!

Anonymous said...

I believe Alderman Mock used the word "Christmas" once when this all started and he was corrected.

4:52 PM, That is why the merchants should take over the Christmas lighting event and keep the Lord Mayor and his pawns out of it!

6:40 PM, I have addressed the BOA about this issue numerous times. What annoys me even more is that the City Hall is closed for THE HOLIDAY which is unnamed and city workers are given a paid day off for a reason that cannot or will not me mentioned. Since I was a mere serf living in the Socialist Fascist Fief of Raytown I was ignored.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...


Anon 12/12 8:35p "And this is why the world is the way it is... lench mobs"

Actually 8:25p was right according to those who attribute the early beginnings of Christianity to pagan worship. They also say that Sunday is attrib'd to the Sun God or that Easter Sunday has been attrib'd to a celebratory of Isis (for one) who was the mother of Horus. I don't happen to agree with this but as as Americans, we're free to write, talk and think about this as we wish. This board has a moderator and it isn't you. Part of the reason the world is the way it is, is surly folks like you who issue snide remarks when others exercise their right to free speech.

December 12, 2013 at 8:44 PM "However, the citizens of Raytown believe the biggest issue facing our city is what the city calls the lighting of a tree in downtown Raytown. Is it any wonder our elected officials no longer represent the people!"

No one said it was the biggest issue (except you); it is a current issue as opposed to the others you resurrected which have been previously noted, ad nauseum. Noted: Many who post here may not be Christians so this relevant topic may not appeal to you or them, however it is not just 'a tree' as you said and our elected officials are obligated to represent the people and to uphold the letter of law regardless of any other factors. The wonderment you mention is not that our elected officials no longer represent the people but that our elected officials who no longer represent the people are still in office. Back when Raytown was the Lost Territory, they would have been told to leave before sunset while staring down a six shooter.



Anonymous said...


Anon 12/12 4:52 "You all would complain if the city called it Christmas and then got sued by the ACLU for calling it Christmas. Put the blame where it goes, with the liberal sue happy ACLU."

NO, due to HB 278 the ACLU has no legal standing. If anyone has grounds it is the citizens of Raytown and though we're not sue-happy, the blame rests squarely upon City Hall and they would be wise to take notice.

Anonymous said...

Don't know about anyone else but my thought is that if they want more people to attend the Christmas lighting ceremony I would suggest they have at a time convenient to the people in Raytown.

Let's face it, holding it at sunset (5:30 in the afternoon) is not convenient to many Raytowners. Some say it was to make it convenient for out of town department heads to attend.

If that is true it certainly shows the pecking order of who is important to those running the ceremony.

As for the stuff comparing Christmas to pagan ceremonies and so forth.

2,000 years ago a man named Jesus was born. We still celebrate his birthday every year. Don't know of any Roman senators or caesar's birthdays we celebrate.

Anonymous said...

To 8:13 pm the world is full of many faiths; I'm Christian and proud of it. I have found it most interesting to study the many bibles and research how and when various aspects of Christianity first began ; there is documented research to back all the comments.... To me being a Christian is wanting to know everything there is to know about it..... Have a Blessed day and a joyous Christmas... Signed 8:25

Anonymous said...

That 8:13 writes of surly people and snide comments ; but fails to see it is themselves being and doing both

Just sayin said...

It looks like that one personality is back on here again

Anonymous said...

Silly silly folks of Raytown.

Our elected officials are spending money to keep a single employee happy.

They cannot manage a pension fund

The cost to us taxpayers is insane and yet the hot topic this week is what to name a lighting of a tree.

No wonder we are all being taken to the cleaner.

Wake up Raytown. We need to focus on the things impacting the city as a whole before we turn our city into a hole.

Anonymous said...


Anon 8:25 Thank you. I defended your right to way what you'd said. The statement about surly/snide was about 8:35's comment " and next the witnesses will be leading a lenching over celebrating a false teaching ", not you. My unintended omission of the time of his/her comment, 8:35, is deeply regretted. Your topic was most interesting.

I, too, am a Christian and I find my faith a great source of strength and comfort in these times of increasing trial. I enjoy religious research as well, including those aspects of the beginnings and beliefs of secret societies, which can be deeply disturbing while they shed additional light on the woes of the day. I highly value our freedoms and God given rights and do defend them. May you too have a Blessed day and joyous Christmas. 8:13p

Anonymous said...


8:13 was talking about 8:35 who said two writers were ready to lead lench mobs. Read the first sentence again. I agree with 8:13. 8:35's comment was both surly and snide. 8:13 should not be smeared noting it.

Anonymous said...

All I can say is if you don't want the same charter as last time you better not elect Jim Aziere to the commission. I hear he wants to be chairman of the commission. God help us.

Peter said...

Raytown Community Choir performs at the church across from RHS at 4pm then this eve Ohara HS will have a Celtic choir...,. Just Love Our Raytown Area! Go spread some cheer and let some Christmas Cheer in as you enjoy these Area Choirs

Anonymous said...

Yes Americans are free to write, speak , believe etc as they feel and yes the sight has a moderator and they choose what goes to post

Peter said...

Thank you to the person who posted about their family dating back to the 1880s in Raytown.

Anonymous said...

I wonder why the City of Alamogordo has a Christmas Tree lighting but the Socialist Fascist Fief of Raytown has a Holiday lighting?

http://www.alamogordonews.com/alamogordo-news/ci_24721978/alamogordo-lights-new-community-christmas-tree

The Mayor bought the tree for $25 and asked merchants to help. I noticed from the picture that the lighting was held before sunset. This is basically a daytime city with stores closing early making it impossible to use some businesses. Apparently tree lighting here and in Raytown is scheduled for day people only.

Also Alamogordo has Christmas lights on our 2 main streets. They go up before Thanksgiving and are lit without ceremony or announcement as is typical of other cities except Raytown.

Andy Whiteman