RAYTOWN'S LEADING NEWS SOURCE
They are the fantastic photos taken just at the right moment and at the right place. Here are many you will recognize and the truth about their origins.
USE THIS LINK . . . FAKE PHOTOS
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EXCEPTIONAL: (adjective)
having or showing intelligence or ability well above average
City
Hall honchos recently published a Fall/Winter Newsletter.
It wasn’t just a newsletter. It was a 16 page fluff piece which extolled the efficiency and general excellence of City Hall operations.
This
exercise of meaningless verbiage was an attempt to bring residents up-to-date
on where our tax dollars go.
This
type of expenditure is apparently standard in most cities of the country. So
Raytown is only following the common trend of senseless bragging.
However,
on page 3 there is a report of a citizen’s committee rating of all city
departments.
Every
single department and everything the departments do was rated “E”.
The
“E”, we are told, stands for “Exceptional”.
All this writer will say is this: “Get real, people of City Hall. This rating is
ridiculous. It borders on being sarcastic".
Does
anyone in reader-land actually believe that every single solitary facet of a
city the size of Raytown and its operations are so smoothly running and so good
they should be “E”? And “E” stands for Exceptional!
In
light of last summer’s fiasco over City Hall’s Neighborhood Market scheme, and
the ensuing lawsuit in which the City is now embroiled, I would think the rating
should be “F” for an old term from my generation, FUBAR! You youngsters can ask
a WWII or Korean veteran for a definition. Believe me, it would be a more
accurate rating.
Or how about the mess that is Super Splash. The pool, by City Hall’s own accounting, has lost hundreds of thousands dollars in recent years. City Hall’s response has been to . . .
- Fire all of its employees and bring in a so-called “professional company” to straighten out things . . . AND THEN
- Fire the “professional company” to hire its own people to run things.
Talk
about going full circle. Since the two moves by the City are contrary to each
other, it would be hard to rate both of them as “E” for Exceptional.
Want
a real taste of “Exceptional” Raytown City Hall style? Turn in a residential or
commercial code violation. You will see the city’s exceptional gears grind to a
stop.
If
the ratings are accurate, one can only assume that our City Hall and its
denizens have reached a quintessence of perfection seldom, if ever, achieved in
the history of bureaucracy.
The
report with all of its “E’s” reminds your correspondent of a talk he once gave
to a group of school children.
They
asked what grade I made in school. I told them, “I made a “D”. Then I explained
in that in my case “D” stood for “Dandy”!
The
report card is also interesting for one other reason:
According
to the accompanying statement this report of Exceptional Achievement was issued
by a Committee appointed by Mayor Bower in January of 2013. In light of this
hard-to-digest fairy tale, your Salamander can only wonder . . .
“.
. . if the report had contained a few “D’s” or, God forbid, an “F”, for any
department or one of its functions do you really believe our Mayor would ever
re-appoint any of the current members of the rating committee?”
The
Salamander welcomes Raytown’s newest newspaper, the Raytown Brooking Eagle.
Welcome to the party. We now have a choice of three excellent weekly news
reports: The Raytown Report, the Raytown
Times and the Raytown Brooking Eagle.
 |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
April
Election Ballot Getting Crowded
Earlier
this week I decided to write a short informational story about the upcoming
elections scheduled for early April, 2014. The ballot, which at one time, had
only one issue for voters to decide has grown to a ballot of many issues:
RAYTOWN CHARTER ELECTION: Voters are asked whether or not to form
a Charter Commission – and – elect a thirteen member Commission should voters
approve the formation of the Commission.
So far, fourteen candidates
have filed for the Raytown Charter Commission. The closing date for filing for
the Commission is January 21, 2014.
RAYTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT: Three members will be elected to serve
on the Raytown School Board. The current School Board has also placed a
property tax levy issue on the ballot. Supporters say it is not an increase,
which is true, but in reality, the property tax levy could be lowered if the increase is not
approved.
CITY OF RAYTOWN: The Board of Aldermen unanimously
approved an extension of two sales tax questions for the voters to decide next
April. Critics have complained that the taxes are not set to expire for two
years and that the tax questions are premature.
Paul’s Rant BY PAUL LIVIUS
I
really enjoyed The Salamander’s thoughts this week. His words have inspired me
to share some of my own thoughts.
The Raytown School District has, through its actions,
established a responsible and professional sense of decorum in how it handles
matters of public interest.
On
the other hand, the City of Raytown continues to act like a petulant child, a
child that either through neglect or design is simply not conducting itself
professionally.
Case
in point:
This
week we received not one, but two press releases from the Raytown School
District regarding candidate filing for seats on the Raytown School Board. The
releases, which are also published on the School District’s website, go into
detail about who has filed and given contact information for the candidates.
More
importantly, the release detailed the closing date for filing so that other
potential candidates can determine whether or not to test the waters.
By
comparison, the City of Raytown, has published nothing on its website about the
upcoming Charter Election.
In
light of the fact that the filing deadline is only about three weeks away you
would think the city might break down and publish some information about it.
After all, isn’t that what a news source is supposed to do? I wonder what the high paid Public Relation Officer has been doing lately if not dispensing information on the website.
Scroll
through the city’s website. Nearly all of its so called “news stories” look
back, not forward.
We all know a new Dunkin’ Donuts has opened. We know that those
big trucks treating our streets for ice and snow are our Public Works
crew at work.
But you cannot learn the following.
Where
to file for the Charter Election.
(answer:
Raytown City Hall, Office of the City Clerk)
When
the filing for the Charter Election closes.
(answer:
Tuesday, January 21, 2014)
How many and who has filed for the Charter Commission.
(answer:
14*)
It
is well known that many of our elected officials are not happy with the
prospect of a Charter Commission being formed.Ward 1 Alderman Joe Creamer even voted against allowing voters to vote on the issue! He did so even though Missouri State Law mandates that since it was an initiative petition effort, the voters must vote on the matter.
That
does not make it right for the city to have a virtual blackout on news about
the upcoming Charter Election. After all, we pay a lot in taxes to support the
website and the newsletter recently mailed to Raytowners from City Hall. That
news should include upcoming elections and filing deadline information.
Maybe
the Salamander has it right. All you can expect from City Hall is fluff about
what a fantastic job they are doing.
*I
have since learned that two new filings recently took
place. Steve Guenther and Greg Walters filed last week.
Candidates
who have filed for either the Raytown School Board or the Raytown Charter
Commission are invited to send a short biographical essay about your candidacy
to the Raytown Report for publication. Please include a photograph with your essay.
Stories can be emailed to gregtwalters@sbcglobal.net
 |
| BY KAREN |
FIT BOTTOMED EATS
Healthy Obsessions
Please don’t laugh at my
latest healthy obsession. It’s been around for — well, forever. It can be found
in almost every supermarket, is a big time saver and frankly not that
expensive. Since my discovery, I can’t imagine life without it.
So now when I am in a pinch and scrounging for dinner, I make that mad dash to the grocery store and pick up — yep, wait for it — a rotisserie chicken! And they come in different flavors, too! Obvious right? Well, not for me. READ MORE
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Comments
12/29 7:43p "To Does anyone know why the house that burnt almost a year ago on 67th street is still standing? Very disgraceful not to mention a safety hazard."
You're wrong. That house caught fire 5/13/13... a little over just 7 months ago. It is not a hazard as the openings are boarded-up. Fortunately no one died in the fire. Investigations and insurance settlements take time so relax and let it go.
It should come as no surprise that the mayor’s
appointed group gave City Hall all “E’s”.
In fact the sign, Raytown City Hall should have
one more word added. Clubhouse!
I have suggested in the past that you post the
question, “How do we think City Hall is doing?”
I know our local newspaper wouldn’t be interested
in doing such a thing for fear of upsetting City Hall.
By the way I went to the Raytown Mo. Site to try to find
the proposed plan for the “Green space.”
I clicked on each of the following and got a notice that stated’
“404: page cannot be found”
The site is 3.78 acres and is currently green space.
You can find the RFP by clicking here.
Also available are the Downtown Survey, the Downtown Appraisal,
the Downtown TIF Redevelopment Plan, the Raytown Blight Study,
the RMRC Development Plan, the CBD Design Standards Zoning Ordinance,
the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning Ordinance and a Raytown Zoning Map.
I don’t know if it was my computer of the city removed them but,
The picture in the paper isn’t clear enough to see really what is
Going on.
I bet you would not find it acceptable if it was in your neighborhood.
While you are relaxing and letting it go you may want to re-think what is acceptable.
In seven months all that has been done is for the windows to be boarded up! No this is not accpetable. It is so, so sad.
This is common practice in Raytown! Lightening struck a power transformer on 65th St. and burned the house down. After a year, I called codes and was told that the house could not be razed because insurance was denying the claim and the owner couldn't afford to do it. I pointed out it was a safety hazard and suggested that a fence be required. A fence was but up, but it took a total of 2 years to raze the house.
Andy Whiteman
Try
http://www.raytown.mo.us/vertical/sites/%7B418C71C3-E397-4C87-B464-C498EC8900F9%7D/uploads/12-17-13_Web_Packet-Amended.pdf
Start on page 14.
I would rate the socialist fascist fief of Raytown a grade of "DF" for dismal failure.
Amdy Whiteman
I suggest those with complaints call Codes and ask why the nuisance has not been abated?
Andy Whiteman
I'm sure the family who lived at 67 & Woodson will do all they can, as soon as they can after receiving their insurance money. Their house was well looked after; in fact. they had just re-painted it before the fire happened.
7:44q, instead of being a squawking big-bird, self-righteous alarmist why don't you find out what the law says about the situation and let us know what is really acceptable instead of what you feel is unacceptable and get back to us with verifiable facts instead.
12/30 10:42 I appears the fire started in the garage and spread across the roof. Regarding your question: Since that is your curiosity and if the answer is to be had you can get it yourself instead of posing it here. Please share what you learn here so we can all benefit from your effort.
You're sure big on what is acceptable and unacceptable. Obviously, you're a self-appointed judge of right and wrong. Pray tell, what is your judgement of our city officials redevelopment plan? I await your response with baited breath.
After looking at the pictures I have deduced that
all plans are made to put most businesses on 63rd.
down to Blue Ridge out of business. There is no
room for big truck deliveries for any business up
the alley. Along with back in parking on Blue Ridge
this city has pretty much killed off the rest of the
small businesses in the downtown green area.
However, I am not going to worry too much about
this plan because I really don’t see how it can work.
We’ve been told that the apartments will be upscale.
This means high rent. Truth be told that won’t happen.
People aren’t exactly standing in line to move to a high
taxing city that doesn’t do what it promises.
Raytown’s problem is if our leaders would have kept
their promises and fixed the streets correctly, if they
had used the safety tax to hire more police and equipment,
if they hadn’t lied about the Neighborhood Mart deal, if they
didn’t give away so much tax income, if they would have
truly jumped on codes violators and cleaned up the
neighborhoods as should have been done, the list goes
on and on. This would be the beautiful small town
we all loved in the past.
Before anybody jumps on me, I still love this town.
It’s just heartbreaking to see what has happened to it.
but did view it online.
a true fluff piece - was this a line item in the budget - how much did goggle pay for the full page ad?
Please not the "report card" was for 2012 - submitted in January 2013 - It took a whole year before they shared this information.
The "report card" is for finance of 2012 - not city service provided
what a crock!
Do you work for City Hall? It sounds like it. If someone asks a question at City Hall that they don't like, the folks up there turn purple, jump up and down, and start calling everybody around them crude names. Case in point - Ward I alderman when the grass roots effort turned in the petitions for the charter. How many different shads of purple did he turn that night? You sound just like him.
I wonder what Google is bringing to the table to get a free full page ad in the city's newsletter.
Also wonder if Comcast or AT&T got the same opportunity given to them.
Happy New Year.
Our mayor and aldermen don't really have a clue how to do their jobs do they????
Video Title: "Raytown Fire House Fire at 67th and Woodson"
Video Caption: " Published on May 3, 2013, House Fire at 67th and Woodson in Raytown on 5/3/2013."
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja24lTVKqZ4
sometimes it doesn't pay to multitask.... sorry for the error
Alrighty then! What are YOU going to do about it?
Talk about damned if you do and damned if you don't!
There is no pleasing some people.
It is no small wonder that we cannot afford unbridled acceptance and understanding (Peter). Our trust has been abused. Those who have studied know that 'turn the other cheek' does not mean to allow yourself to be subject to further abuse. It means to turn away from the abuser and that is what has happened.
Some wish to wax poetic while others bury their heads in the sand; detached, they enjoy the fruits of freedom but are either unwilling or incapable of contributing to its' continuation. It is the duty of the people to remain vigilant and that is why the city is under the well-deserved microscope.
The one proposal that is liked by the board and the mayor is the one for over 200 apartments to be built on the green space. Also if I read right they expect the land to be given to them if they build. I imagine that they also want tax abatement and anything else they can get.
I would like to know how many hundreds of apartments already make up the city? How do they think that people want to move downtown in a high rent district. How many people will be able to afford a high rent area.The article stated that the whole board and the mayor were just thrilled with the proposal. Good Lord what is next?
Maybe someone from the city could answer about the number of rental units in Raytown??
What is worse is that the Chief of Police sits by and neither condemns or even comments!
It was his department that pushed the proposal. His department should stand by what they promised the voters.
Hiding behind the "they made me do it" excuse says so much about the character of those involved.
Our redistricted and rezoned, Jackson County is primed for intermodal development conducive to free trade versus free enterprise. That is why the zoning will never be changed back. The high-rent apartments aren't for us; all the developer cares about is how much he can make off the project and 'luxury' costs more. We don't need & can't afford luxury apartments or a grocery store downtown. But once the devil-may-care developer is done and has pocketed their money, they move on and due to the public-private partnership involved in the development, Raytown will no longer own the land it rests on so the development and the land it is on are for sale to anyone, in any country ( two 7 minute videos here explain what a PPP is http://www.morphcity.com/agenda-21/ppp ) and since the non-profit involved in the development is non-governmental, they are free to sell the whole shabang.
Foreign buyers CAN afford the high rent and the land. We lose the property tax revenue AND the land.
Public-private partnerships require involvement of a non-profit, non-govenmental agency such as MARC or our Economic Development Corporation which can take advantage of a TIF, 353 Tax Abatement in partnership with a developer.
This is called a land grab and it is happening all over our country.
This arrangement is so lucrative to to the parties involved that some US cities are declaring occupied homes, current on mortgage payments but with upside down mortgages blighted and taken for 'redevelopment'.
Remember this well, the public in a public-private partnership has absolutely nothing to do with you and me and if you don't watch those 2 short videos you'll never get it.
you are correct!
Our elected "City Marshal" has stated he cannot find anyone so he has not hired anyone.
Our elected "Board of Alderman" said with the current budget that five officers had been in the budget and not hired in over several years the police must not need the officers.
The question should now be to our elected "City Marshal" in how the money for those five officers had been being spent over those years the money was in the budget and no officers where hired.
Just one more example of why we need a "State Audit"!
Andy Whiteman
The side streets was another story.
I hope we see better with the weather they are calling for today.
You seem to always sing the song of praise for our folks at city hall.
Therefore, with your expert skills what is your take about the home on 67th that is one of the topics this week.
May personal take is enough is enough and the city needs to move forward in getting that mess cleaned up.
What a stupid premise. If you have the time to be here, don't bother trying to fuel dissent against others who do too. What makes you so sure others would possibly agree with your contorted viewpoint? I don't!
12:19p Again? Really? Hard to find agreement but you keep seeking...
Which blog it was on but sometime back it showed where that tax money had been used on some safety program and vehicle. I'm sure it can be researched but I just remember seeing it here and checking it out sometime back
What I said stands. It is no small wonder that we cannot afford unbridled acceptance and understanding (Peter). Our trust has been abused. Those who have studied know that 'turn the other cheek' does not mean to allow yourself to be subject to further abuse. It means to turn away from the abuser and that is what has happened.
Some wish to wax poetic .....
Jesus warned to beware of serpents. Remember the burning bush. Where did their unbridled acceptance land the people of the USSR?
Video Title: "Raytown Fire House Fire at 67th and Woodson"
Video Caption: " Published on May 3, 2013, House Fire at 67th and Woodson in Raytown on 5/3/2013."
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja24lTVKqZ4
You have not answered Paul's question about the house on 67th.
Mary
Maybe you have answered the question as to why the city still has not been out and worked on clearing the side streets...
....Baby it is cold outside!
I sure wouldn't want any of our public works department folks to catch a cold as I am sure when they accepted the job they never knew they would have to work outside in the winter.