Click here to enjoy . .
. GOOD
Raytown Fire Board Vice
President Barb Schlapia is known for her love of horses. She shared the
following video about Kydesdales. So now we are sharing it with you.
Click here to enjoy . . . CLYDESDALE
BREAKING NEWS
15 Year Old Saves Family
The family says their 15-year-old son, Dayvion Cook, woke
everyone up in time to get out of the house safely. "All the people I love was in that house," Dayvion
said.
Everyone inside the home in the 8700 block of East 79th Street, just east of Blue Ridge Boulevard, were sleeping except for Dayvion. His mother, Jeanette Price, says her son knew something wasn't right when the family heard a popping sound earlier in the night.
Everyone inside the home in the 8700 block of East 79th Street, just east of Blue Ridge Boulevard, were sleeping except for Dayvion. His mother, Jeanette Price, says her son knew something wasn't right when the family heard a popping sound earlier in the night.
"We first heard a popping in the garage. We all thought it was nothing. My son kind of worried about it. He stayed up and noticed a red spot in the wall. He woke everybody up and got everyone out of the house. When we woke up, the whole wall was red," Price said. READ MORE
All About Christmas BY GREG WALTERS
It is that slow time of year when political news grinds to a standstill. This past week there has been an extraordinary amount of traffic on the blog addressing one topic – and a timely one at that – Christmas!
It is that slow time of year when political news grinds to a standstill. This past week there has been an extraordinary amount of traffic on the blog addressing one topic – and a timely one at that – Christmas!
So, as a friend of mine
once wrote to me “Publish or Perish!”
With that thought in mind I
offer the following thoughts on the public celebration in America known as
Christmas.
If you believe the Bible
can be used as an historic reference then you can accept that over two thousand
years ago a child was born in Bethlehem.
The belief by many of His
followers that He was and is God bothers some people.
They will try to defame the
memory of a religious holy day in His memory. They will try to make it illegal
for people to publicly celebrate the day in commemoration of His birth.
They will mock the
celebration by claiming the roots of the Holy Day are in Roman mythology, the
product of greedy merchants, and, in a very strange twist of logic, complain
that followers of God made Man become hysterical in defense of his memory.
They are the true bigots of
our time. Not only do they not want to celebrate Christmas, they want others to
literally hide their celebration!
But on December 25th they
will still take the day off from work. Their regular routine will be shattered
by the most universally celebrated day of the year.
The hypocrisy of that moment,
when those opposed to the public celebration of a religious holiday join with
others in commemorating it, is crystal clear.
Be tolerant of them.
They have their own story
and deserve the right to say their piece.
Trust in the belief that
some day they will become tolerant of others.
Some day they will accept that
others have as much right to celebrate Jesus’ birthday in a public fashion.
Random Thoughts BY PAUL
LIVIUS
Greg took the really good
topic this week, but I will be damned if I will let him hog all of the
limelight on the subject of Christmas.
When
faced with concerns of the City already holding two sales tax questions on the
ballot at the same time School Superintendent Allan Markley told Board members the
district would just have to educate residents of the district’s needs.
Sounds
like a fair message.
Let’s
start with a little honesty in this campaign. If the bond issue fails to pass,
homeowners in Raytown could see their property tax reduced! The school district has paid down bond indebtedness to a point that the tax levy could be reduced.
That’s
right! The Raytown School District is one of the highest taxed school districts
in the metropolitan area.
·
Last
week we ran a story centered around controversies surrounding the filing of
candidates for the Raytown Charter C0mmissiion. With the help of City Clerk
Teresa Henry we were able to pin down the filing deadlines, and, more
importantly, the protocol used by the city to verify petitions.
·
It
looks like this is going to be a cold, cold, cold winter. Please remember our
four legged friends. Small dogs do not tolerate cold as well as large dogs,
keep them inside when it drops below freezing. Same goes for cats.
A Christmas Wish List
BY PAUL LIVIUS AND GREG WALTERS
We have some suggestions for
Santa Claus this Christmas. A few of our elected officials are in need, and we hope he will see fit to lend a hand:
FOR WARD 2 ALDERMAN JASON
GREENE: A committee assignment from the
Mayor. Greene remains the only Alderman not appointed to a standing committee
by Mayor Bower. The good Mayor has never explained this lapse – maybe Santa can
help remind the Mayor that it is good advice to use all of your tools when
governing. Mr. Greene has shown to be a very alert and conscientious steward
for the people. The Mayor should take note of this and use it to the city’s
advantage.
FOR WARD 1 ALDERMAN JOE
CREAMER: An answer to a puzzle. Creamer is said to be planning a run for the
Raytown Charter Commission. What a dilemma! He wants to run for election in an
election he voted against! Creamer is the only Alderman to vote against placing
the Charter question before the voters. He did, however, vote to place the two
sales tax questions on the ballot.
FOR WARD 3 ALDERMAN JANET
EMERSON: Continued success on her vision of a
Downtown Raytown Farmer’s Market. It looks like all the components for a successful launch in mid-May are coming together. Keep up the good work.
Downtown Raytown Farmer’s Market. It looks like all the components for a successful launch in mid-May are coming together. Keep up the good work.
TO ALL OF OUR READERS . . .
and especially those who take the time to share their thoughts on the Raytown
Report Blog . . . a very blessed Christmas. As they used to say in the radio
business, keep those cards and letters (and emails!) coming.
 |
| By Kristen |
FIT BOTTOMED EATS
Boozy Bunch and Clementines
Between Thanksgiving, my last race and some
recent travel, I haven’t had much in the way of a day without much
responsibility, so when I saw that I had last Saturday free, I knew just what I
wanted to do with it. No, not sleep in late and catch up on my DVRed shows — I
wanted to get in some good workouts and some even better eats.
I woke up around 6 and
started my day with a cup of coffee. I’m not much of a coffee snob, and I don’t
like having to grind my own beans, so this gingerbread flavored java from
Trader Joe’s is a big hit. READ MORE
56 comments:
I will not vote for another school tax. I use to work for the Raytown School District not long ago, and the waste of our tax dollars is unbelievable! We just keep spending money on these kids and they could care less if they learn or not. The teachers can't discipline or control the kids anymore. The kids have more rights than the teachers Our property taxes are out of this world. No wonder we have so many empty houses here in Raytown. If I could sell my house for a fair value, I would get out of "dump town."
The discipline part of that last message is the real problem in the upper level schools in Raytown. Talk to one of your local police officers. Ask him or her why they are reluctant to work during their off hours as security in the local high schools. You will get your eyes opened.
The school district is a lot like our city council. They can do good, but more often than not they turn a blind eye to every day problems they have in the schools.
Another list for Santa with Joe Creamer is to prove where he goes at night to sleep as it sure is not the house on the corner of Rose Lane and 66th Street.
His truck as not been at that house in over a good year.
Could be he has been mislead by former Aldermen Robin White and Ken Brown that you can live any place and still represent the people of Ward 1, but the good folks at the Election Board and State of MO say otherwise.
I remember a BOA meeting back when Raytown had a paid City Attorney. She stated the word "Christmas" could be offensive to some people. I think she was afraid of a lawsuit. Well, I am offended at the term "The Holiday!" Perhaps the present City Attorney should be asked for an explanation of the previous legal opinion.
In my opinion, there is discrimination when Raytown observes The Holiday while every other city observes Christmas. Christmas is a legal Federal Holiday. The Federal Government doesn't observe "The Holiday." The Socialist Fascist Fief of Raytown is giving city employees a paid day(s) off for a factitious Holiday which is illegal use of taxpayer's money. If workers are to receive holiday pay, then close City Hall for Christmas not The Holiday. There should be a lawsuit for improperly paying employees for an illegal holiday that is not declared by Federal or State government.
Andy Whiteman
Would everyone be complaining about that tree lighting being called a holiday lighingt if we had to add Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha as city holidays so we could call the tree lighting a Christmas lighting.
The school district always thinks they need money, just like the city. Neither knows how to live with what they have! The city hires a public information officer, what a waste. The school district created a part time job for Alderman
Melson, who coordinates volunteers, really.
give me a break! The politically correct times we live is so stupid that it only magnifies the differences between us.
No, I would not mind anyone celebrating another religious holiday.
Why do you mind someone celebrating Christmas?
Mo' Money to 'refresh' the schools? I think not. Mo' money to revive sales taxes which have expired? I think not. 3:19 said it well. They need to learn to live with what they have, just as we have done. Don't fear their hype that unless they get those taxes, our services will be cut either. Our services have already been diminished. We've got to stop this taxation; we're just throwing good money after bad. Just like little kids, City Hall and the School Board deserve no more allowance until they prove they're doing their chores.
Enough with the Tifs and abatements, no trains, no train depot, no low-income housing, no more buses people won't ride, no 2nd-rate core curriculum education in our schools, no big box stores, no more overpaid & under productive city officials, no more damaging p&z, no more back-room greasy-palmed 'deals', no more bullying-from-the-pulpit-Mayor, no more United Nations influence undermining our local government.
Over the past year, everything that is good for Raytown has come as a result of the efforts of its' citizens. WE stopped Walmart, WE are getting the farmer's market, WE are going to write OUR Charter (not the one City Hall would like to see). We're taking back our town and shutting off your allowance.
Andy you are correct they and several bussiness's call it holiday pay .... Even Hallmark Cards calls it Holiday pay and look at how much they make off of Christmas with their ornaments , wrapping paper etc....
Peace on Earth Goodwill to men Only If you call it Christmas; why because we are Christians! Enough said it is what it is and we as Christians are mad as hell and we want them reprimanded NOW !
Wow.
There is some real pent up anger in whoever wrote that last post. The writer can only see ugly.
So sad.
While some of us dream he only has nightmares!
To 9:12 pm lol it is a satire from all the crazy carrying on of so many post lately. A Satire! ... I'm too busy giving of my time, talent, and funds caring for Gods people and animals. Just wish everyone one would busy themselfs in the same manner rather than dwelling on, and keeping themselfs all worked up signed 8.59 pm
9:12pm... 8:59 was emphatic but your generalization about him (like most generalizations) was disappointing. Even Jesus expressed his wrath on occasion and likewise, we're allowed righteous indignation.
There is an undeniable movement on to attack Christianity, even display of its' symbols. If you doubt this, put a crucifix in your front yard that says 'Jesus is Lord' during Christmas and see what happens. I'm fed up with the religious persecution too, no matter how subtle it seems to be.
No one is advocating violence but you dreamers need to wake up, see things for what they really are and use your wisdom to help to right our reeling ship instead of turning against others.
Anonymous 8:55pm said...
Andy you are correct they and several business's call it holiday pay .... Even Hallmark Cards calls it Holiday pay and look at how much they make off of Christmas with their ornaments , wrapping paper etc....
We call it Holiday pay because it is for Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day AND Christmas. It isn't practical or necessary to have a pay code for each and every paid holiday. I believe what has folks in Raytown upset is that the lighting ceremony isn't for any holiday BUT Christmas. There aren't any decorations commemorating an Islamic holiday, nor any for a Jewish holiday. Just the Christian holiday. Therefore, it is a Christmas lighting ceremony. The only reason they should be ambiguous about the name is if there are multiple religions represented.
I heard on the street today that the city turned down EMS/Fire merger because they wanted the best for the employees. Then they cut there pay .....well done Charlotte way to look out for them!...how is that work agreement coming?
If the lighting downtown was for a Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Christ than where is the manger.
For me Christmas is no longer about the birth of Christ, but all about money. Stores stay open longer and longer. Christmas decorations are found in the stores way before Halloween.
How again is Christmas still about Christ?
Go to Raytown schools . Org there is 2 pages to read about the volunteers in public schools ( VIPs) and Ray Freinds
Why would the city cut the pay of the EMS employees?
The city has so much money that they didn't need the $350,000 a year savings the merge would have provided.
i find two things so interesting about this blog. First is the activity on the page. It makes me proud to be an American that people can come together and give their views without fear.
Even though we all know that there are some out there who wish our keyboards would lock up and our computers melt down into a jumble of wires and plastic.
The other is more subtle. There has been a lot written about Christmas this week. It seems like their are two camps. One group believes strongly you should be able to celebrate your religion in any way you want.
The other camp seems to glory in the bashing of Christianity.
It is interesting to note that I have yet to see what negative word written about any other religion during this same time.
9:41p . . . Are you baiting? I have not noticed any bashing of Christianity here. Re: your last sentence, it is not Christian to bash other religions so you won't have that to look forward to.
I don’t believe this is about religion as much as it is about the
name of the holiday and our City Hall trying to be politically
correct, while in the process upsetting most Raytown
citizens. Having said that, the sign on the corner at 63rd and
Raytown Rd. has written on it “The Mayors Christmas Tree.”
I think we all need to step back and think of what this
time of year is really about. It doesn’t sound like there is much
merriment or happiness coming through.
Please remember our troops overseas and their families
this season.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.
The following was written by State Representative Mitchell Kaye from GA.
"We, the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid any more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt-ridden, deluded, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim that they require a Bill of No Rights."
ARTICLE I:
You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.
ARTICLE II:
You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone — not just you! You may leave the room, change the channel, or express a different opinion, but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.
ARTICLE III:
You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.
ARTICLE IV:
You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.
ARTICLE V:
You do not have the right to free health care That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.
ARTICLE VI:
You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.
ARTICLE VII:
You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.
ARTICLE VIII:You don't have the right to demand that our children risk their lives in foreign wars to soothe your aching conscience. We hate oppressive governments and won't lift a finger to stop you from going to fight if you'd like. However, we do not enjoy parenting the entire world and do not want to spend so much of our time battling each and every little tyrant with a military uniform and a funny hat.
ARTICLE IX:
You don't have the right to a job. Sure, all of us want all of you to have one, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.
ARTICLE X:
You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to pursue happiness — which, by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an overabundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.
Isn't it illogical to have a Holiday tree lighting and label the tree The Mayor's Christmas tree? Probably a sign that needs to be updated.
Andy Whiteman
No, I was not "baiting".
It is just my observation that the Christians have not lowered themselves to tactics I see used in arguments from the other side.
If there was a Hindu celebration, a Muslim, Jewish or even Confucian event I would not be upset with a public display of any of them.
We are supposed to be a beacon of freedom in a world where freedom to choose and enjoy is becoming less the norm.
The simple minds that support the political correctness of our these times are a plague on our culture.
It is heartening to read comments by people who are as fed up with this form of intimidation as am I.
It is no wonder we find the Kansas City MO School District with poor test scores.
I have a family who is now living in Raytown. Their son who is high school laughs about the "F's" he has in every class.
Jokes about how far behind he is in turning in homework and doesn't understand why the school is on him for not making it to class as he has friends to visit with.
The parents keep saying they need to do something, but like so many other parents do nothing.
Wake up and take away things from your kids like the TV, video games and friends.
Rewarding failure is why your child is failing and there is no one to blame other than yourselves for trying to be your child's friend and not their parent.
State Representative Mitchell Kaye from GA
You forgot
You do not have the right to reproductive freedom if your the father or the mother it is time you get off the sofa and find a job to provide for your off spring
Christians don't have to attack other religions as we do enough to attack fellow Christians.
I still recall the day in 1960 when as every Sunday I along with the rest of my family went to hear my uncle, who was a Baptist preacher, give a sermon this time on why the United States didn't need a Catholic as President.
This was the last time I was in attendance in a Baptist Church, but from conversations with my family after each Sunday service not the last time my uncle attacked those of the Catholic faith during his sermon.
Doesn't say much for accepting others like Christ did, does it.
6:52 - Well said. Unfortunately, it is true that it is a plague on our culture, working to tear the fabric of it further still. Tear an American population away from nuclear family, patriarchal respect, their Country's real history, the Constitution/Bill of Rights, devalue their currency, foul the food and water supplies, destroy their health care and educational systems, take their private property, religion and privacy, demoralize and drug them and you have the perfect storm.
That's when the very institution that caused that chaos, steps forth to proclaim that they alone have the solution to it.
In America, it began rearing its' ugly head in the late '60s. Subtle then, it has become brazen and demanding; a movement fomented purely for the purpose of putting all under the control of the few (who, I might add, have more than a few screws loose).
Hold fast to your family and religion and learn your rights so that you can correctly exercise them. Michael Badnarik has made his instructional videos about the Constitution and Bill of Rights available for free, online. A site called libertyinstitute.org does pro bono work with regard to religious rights. Freedom isn't free - you have to work for it.
Good bless us all, I pray.
The world would be a better place if everybody
kept their religion to themselves and quit trying
to force theirs on everybody else.
Look at the middle east. They have been fighting
over religion since time began. Look how far that
has gotten them.
Christmas is one day out of the year the majority of
Americans celebrate. We call it by what it is and has
been for as long as we can remember. CHRISTMAS!
Tell it like it is, call it what it is.
Deal with it!
Merry Christmas Pat (7:26a). Historically, it has been very easy to pit those of one religion against another as well as those of no religion against those who hold religious beliefs. Religious infighting is a means to an end utilized by the unscrupulous who incite hatred between sects, who seek to divide and conquer by any means.
Let us not fall prey to the snares laid for us. Rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas; it gives you strength and feeds your soul!
OK, here we go again.
The new developer has set in motion and our city has
All but approved a new plan for the green area.
Are you ready, wait for it………you guessed it! A brand new
grocery store!
Sometimes I wonder how the elected officials mind works.
But it gets better, there could be 200 market rate rental
housing units and the moving of City Hall and a multi-level
parking garage.
I can hardly wait!
They want a 4 story apartment building/parking garage/town homes. On top of a 40,000 sq. ft. grocery store "WalMart". At the corner of 62 & Raytown Rd they want to have a new City Hall. All we need to do is give them TIF money and lot's of it. We may even get a park on top of all this. WOW WHAT A DEAL!
Sure is funny the school district is asking for more money at the same time we are being forced to educate kids from KCMO.
Sounds like a "NO" vote to me anyone else agree?
Well the 12:57 post sounds interesting. Moving city hall sounds like the plan from the Rock Island RR dream. I guess the Obama regime is going to give Raytown unlimited funds.
I remember when the city and school district increased the property tax levy when home values dropped in Raytown. Then home value rebounded and, guess what, they did not roll back the levy increases!
City hall wants two tax renewals two years before they expire! On taxes where they broke promises to the taxpayers.
The Safety tax was supposed to give us more police. We have fewer police now than before it was passed!
The transportation tax was supposed to take care or our residential streets. Instead it went to pay for the concrete parking lot at Walmart. In our neighborhoods we get slurry seal!
City hall has some real credibility issues. I am not sure I can support any tax continuations, increases, or whatever they want to call it until they get their own ship in order.
8:14 PM, Who put the LIARS into office? The real problem is the voters don't get off their duffs and vote!
*********
Everyone is entailed to the celebration of their choice. I would not be offended if a Menorah or other symbolism is displayed. Likewise Christmas should not offend others. In fact I send a Chanukah card to a Jewish friend out of respect to his beliefs and he sends me a Christmas card. I am surprised that no one is offended at Thanksgiving!
I wish my friends a Merry Christmas and I wish my friend who sits in the center of BOA meeting a Happy Holiday but I don't know what the holiday we are referring to. He can observe "The Holiday" (I don't know which one since he doesn't specify which holiday). "The holiday" offends me.
Andy Whiteman
I see your point about one of the plans for Downtown Raytown. If approval is given for a 40,000 sq. ft. retail store in the green space, what is to stop that tenant from being the Walmart Store that was rejected by the people last summer?
The city council should take care to make certain of what is actually planned for a center before giving its approval.
40,000 sq. ft. of any one business in the green space is not the direction we want to go.
$3,118,563.00 for improvements to Raytown South's sports playing fields? That is part of the improvements wanted at Raytown South for extending the property tax levy.
Unbelievable!
Why can't they drive a couple of miles and use the Raytown High School Stadium for their games?
Elisa,
From what I understand about the new grocery store,
It is not a WM Neighborhood Market. Plus it is a lot less than
the size you stated. With everything proposed
In the green area, a store that big probably wouldn’t fit.
Having said that, I find it sad that our elected officials can
Only, in every concept, come up with a grocery store.
This in a town with already eight or more grocery stores
And only ten square miles in the whole town.
Add in the fact that people are trying to move out of this
Over taxed and under serviced little town, they want to
Install 200 plus apartment units.
I would be behind anything that would go into that area
IF, it would attract people to our downtown. A grocery store
Won’t do it. So far I don’t think we are getting our moneys
Worth out of our CA.
One more thing, there has been no mention of how much
This developer is charging the Raytown taxpayers for his part
In the development. Remember Dial and R.E.D. cost us
Well over a hundred thousand dollars and they did
NOTHING!
To 7:34 am ; I'm confused about your post. Doesn't RHS have the Football field and a track course and doesn't RSHS have the Soccer field and don't the schools share those? Different sport fields for different sports.
This so-called plan they're trying to float is just another Agenda21 sustainable development, cookie-cutter atrocity like all the others across the U.S. Don't forget, that MARC said they needed to 'secure' the Rock Island right-of-way in order to go ahead with that diesel-powered train to no-where right through the center of town and with the zoning changes attached to this 'development' they'll have it too. Killing two birds with one zone.
WE NEED TO FORCE A REFERENDUM VOTE ON THIS.
Mahesh Sharma, Tom Cole, P&Z, the BOA and Bower are not exhibiting sane thinking.
Raytown has countless uninhabited foreclosed homes and vacant apartments which are contributing to lower values of the homes around them - OUR homes. We don't need subsidized apartments that aren't going to contribute to the tax base or the low-income, non-productive entitlement-mentality segment of the population that will be housed in them.
More crime, traffic congestion and taxes WILL befall us. The infrastructure needed to support this development is not in place and we don't have the tax base to support building it, maintaining it, more police, more EMS and more firefighters. WE CAN'T AFFORD THIS.
We don't need one new business, we need several, small new businesses in scale to the size, needs and character of a small, historic city. Downtown also needs some beauty and their plan won't bring it.
The plan is not 'green', it is not 'sustainable' it is not economically feasible and it is not what we've said we want. So why is it even under consideration?
City Hall works for us and if they won't do our bidding they need to go. We pay them and that makes us the boss UNLESS they're under the influence of something else, outside our local government. Make sense?
They'll tell us this isn't going to cost us, the money will come from grants. Where do the grants come from? They come from the federal gov't. The federal gov't doesn't make anything, doesn't generate profit - that money is OUR money so, in truth, that grant money is our money and since it is our money we DO have a big say in how it is spent and whether we want to obligate ourselves at all in the use of it.
Why do I say, obligate? For one, that money is tied to stipulation on how it is spent. Strings attached. It must go toward 'sustainable development' that includes urban development that has dense housing atop a business. It matters not what business or whether a city already suffers tons of homes standing vacant, just start moving everything away from our low density homes on spacious lots toward higher density housing at the core of the city.
Adding the higher density housing and taking the federal grant money results in satisfying the redistribution of wealth criteria as the general construction, subsidized housing and increased cost of infrastructure are no where near fully covered by the grant money and those additional costs are borne by the pre-existing tax payers - you and me. Then, they'll tell us that since they made these 'improvements' our homes are worth more so the tax levies will increase; more redistribution of wealth.
I'm not willing to pay more taxes - not for this trumped-up development scam, not for a new city hall, not to our schools which are dumbing our kids down with new-age Common Core Curriculum. Push has come to shove.
We can't afford this on so many counts.
I don't know how it is accomplished but would like to see this plan come to a REFERENDUM VOTE and am mailing a copy of this post to my Alderman.
To 7:34am I thought Raytown high had the football field which both schools use and Raytown South had the a Soccer field. RHS has no area to putt anymore school district sport fields but Ray South does. Key word School District that would be used by both high schools and aren't these different sports? I'm just baffled
complain, complain, thats all Pat and Dough Lady know how to do. Yes I bet they will want a TIF. Don't you understand we had a company that wanted NOTHING but that wasn't good enough for you, now who ever comes will want something. Get a grip and stop complaining. Both of you need to find a life. Or better yet find someplace else to move your business to. You won't be missed!!!!
The problem with people like the complain guy is that they do not listen. It was not the proposed tenant that most of Raytown did not want in downtown raytown. It was the size of the building.
Given the track record of the city council and its penchant for secrets I would not blame anyone for noting the similarity in the proposal with the one last summer.
As for who should leave town. Not Pat or the Donut Lady. Both of them have proven over and over that they put Raytown first.
You should follow their example.
The problem with the Dysfunctional School District is they waste $$$$millions on athletics which are not necessities. Guess who pays for this waste!
Susan Dolan, You should run for Mayor. I like your agenda. Raytown needs a change of leadership or lack thereof. Raytown needs someone with sane thinking!
Andy Whiteman
Pat do you remember when the city officials and the Raytown Times told us that the WalMart Grocery Store was only a Rumor? Go and Google up Flaserty & Collins with Walmart. They are in one King size bed together just like JMC Realty. It's a big secret now but it's no Rumor.
Have you guys checked with the city to see how many more names they have to put on the ballot for the charter?
Last time we checked, which was Tuesday, there had been one more new filing. Former Raytown City Councilwoman Sandy Hartwell filed for the charter.
Hartwell is also a member of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission.
Elisa, I see what you mean about Fhaherty and Collins. They have worked with Walmart.
I wonder if the city will drop the lawsuit it has with former Mayor Sue Frank. None of the drawings shown at the BOA meeting look remotely like the planned development Walmart pulled of the table last summer.
The lawsuit is a costly waste of taxpayer dollars. The city should face up to facts and realize they made a lot of mistakes last summer.
I hope the BOA and Mayor have learned from their mistakes.
Please, no more secret meetings! Be open and fair with the public.
To “ANONMYOUS” 6:56,
I would really like to write what I truly think of you and
your writing but, Greg probably wouldn’t print it!
You sound like the elected official that said the same words
at the last meeting, “Don't you understand we had a company
that wanted NOTHING but that wasn't good enough for you,”
we all know who you are and I’m surprised you don’t have
enough intestinal fortitude to sign your name.
However, if you want me gone buy me out and I will retire.
True I will miss the little town I have loved for over forty
years but, it’s people like you that have driven most of the
businesses out of Raytown.
By the way, nobody wants to see the “Green Area” developed
more than I do. I unlike you want something good in our
downtown area and it doesn’t include another damn grocery store
in Raytown! High end apartments OK, moving City Hall OK
But another grocery store, not very imaginative.
With all the money Mr. Chris Payne has invested in our downtown
area he deserves better from City Hall. He deserves an anchor
that will bring in people from all around. Again a grocery store
won’t do it.
I don’t expect an elected official to understand how business works.
But, I believe our high paid Economic Developer and City
Administrator could do better for the people of Raytown and the
other downtown businesses we have.
By the way you are not the first gutless person that has told me
to move out of Raytown but, for every one of your kind that tell
me to leave I hear fifty that want me to stay.
I proudly sign my name to this!!!! .
7:17a The only one who can drop Sue Frank's lawsuit is Sue Frank and it is not for us to say that she should. The City did not bring the suit; the only thing they can do is contest it or offer to settle out of court.
The fact that the City has put itself in their current position with regard to the suit is testimony of their wanton disregard of the law (the lawful will of the people for whom they work). If it results in a judgement against the City, it will be due to the fact that the Court has found them guilty. Therefore, it follows that any fault for the waste of taxpayer dollars resulting from the City Hall's failure to defend their actions rests squarely on their shoulders.
The idea of a Planning and Zoning Commission member on the Charter Commission is very disturbing. P&Z is facilitating the demise of our city. Since the intent of the Charter Commission is to reduce the size and scope of government (and return the authority to the citizens), it is logical that the presence of a P&Z member within the Charter Commission would only serve as adversarial to the Charter's intended purpose, and therefore, counter productive to its' successful completion.
It is the role of government to secure the sovereign rights of the people, not to take them from them. I believe that once the people know their voice will again be heard and their rights protected, they will feel a restored sense of civic pride and will return to the polls.
It is we who should be shaping the future growth of our city in a fiscally responsible manner. The problem we have now is that the 'plan' is not coming from us. A meeting was held that included a very minute number of Raytown citizens who were given choices packaged by the meeting facilitator as their only choices. All those choices were stacked in favor of the outcome that the facilitator had already decided they wanted to obtain. Questions and alternate choices were ignored, ridiculed or cited as being disruptive. These very few citizens, roped into a highly organized Consensus (Visioning) meeting were pawns in a game played only for the purpose of saying that 'this is what the people of Raytown said they want' when the PLAN was drawn. MARC organizes these consensus meetings all over Missouri and Kansas. Once the PLAN is written, it is up to local government to make the changes that ensure the PLAN becomes a reality. Local gov't officials and appointees, enamored to the PLAN, by the lure of grants and power, act outside the law by enacting the will of a non-govermental agency instead of the will of the people. This is upside down government. This is why city hall keeps trying to get us to turn our heads as they consistently work to promote outrageous developments that don't work, don't fit, are completely outside the realm of fiscal responsibility and undermine our rights and freedom. They have sold out and we have to be on our toes or they will sell us out too.
Don't be so hard on Mrs. Hartwell. It is true that she is on the Planning and Zoning Commission but don't forget she listened to the people and voted "no" on
Walmart.
In fact the majority of the P&Z Commission gave the Downtown Walmary Grocery Store a thumbs down by recommending the City Council vote down the application.
It was Bower and his cronies that pushed it through on the city council level.
As for Sue Frank, I applaud her action. The city could end this lawsuit simply by allowing the property to return to a planned district instead of a mega-store district that they are stubbornly holding on to.
Pat, I would be safe in saying YOU DON'T know who I am. Just as always you know everything---not!!!
Looks like the one plan is similar to that going in up north in the Gladstone area which does not appear to be a single Mega Store. I do hope for the very best for the Downtown area of Raytown. The area is not large and it is not the Raytown of the 60s or 70s. It would be great to do something with the area where Drapers use to be; remember that well in the day
6:56 pm What do you hope to gain in using character assassination to defend a City Hall that has alienated the vast majority of the citizenry?
To “Anonymous” 8:29am.
I may not know your name but, I know what you are
and I have met many like you. Your kind likes to take
cheap shots at the people that really care for this
town. All with a brave “Anonymous” signature.
If we don’t agree with you, you want us to leave
or just go away. I said you “sound” like one of our
elected officials. I stand by what I stated!
My name is Pat Casady, I’m not afraid to sign
what I believe in.
Everybody have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
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