RAYTOWN'S LEADING NEWS SOURCE

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BY GREG WALTERS

Commission Meeting Turns Lively

The Raytown Charter Commission held its fourth and, in the eyes of some, its most productive session last Tuesday night. Commissioners rolled up their sleeves and went to work on Articles I, II and III of the work in progress. Highlights of the discussion were as follows:

PREAMBLE: A proposed preamble to the document Charter Commissioner Lisa Emerson brought a considerable amount of discussion to the table. The short paragraph focused on limiting the power of government over individuals. A final decision on inserting the language at the beginning of the document was carried over until a future meeting.

NAME OF GOVERNING BODY: A lively discussion over whether to name the governing body of Raytown the Board of Aldermen or City Council also took center stage for a good part of the discussion. Traditionalists within the group supported the term “Board of Aldermen”.

Board of Aldermen is a term generally used to identify Fourth Class City governing bodies. The term was referred to as 19^th Century type of language more fitting for an era long gone.

Proponents of the term “City Council” said that since the plan was to move the city into a more modern form of government, that it would be best to adopt “City Council” as the proper name.

One Commissioner pointed out that when politicians run for office they almost always use the commonly understood term of “City Council” in their literature and signage.

TERM LIMITS: By far the most interesting discussion was over term limits. It was pointed out that term limits are becoming more and more accepted in Missouri. The Missouri State Legislature, the City of Kansas City and Lee’s Summit all have term limits.

In two of those three examples, the use of term limits was created by direct vote of the people through initiative petition. The matter could be decided directly by the voters if the Commission should decide to take advantage of a “Pull Out” option available to Charter Commissions.

This option allows individual items of popular interest to be voted on directly by the voters. By using this option, voters would have the final say on whether or not to have term limits for the Mayor and City Council.

Raytown Charter News Link 
The Raytown Charter Commission has created a webpage to keep Raytowners informed on the progress of the Commission. The page has links to the Minutes and Video of past meetings. Use the following link to visit the page. 

BY PAUL LIVIUS

Paul’s Rant!

I have not attended any meetings of the Charter Commission and do not intend to do so. However, I do watch the videos provided by Michael Downing on You Tube or on the Government Channel 7.

As with all things, there is a learning curve. So it was not a surprise that the audio on the Mr. Downing’s production was less than desirable. Downing suggested the Commission use the City Council dias for its meetings. By a lucky coincidence there are 13 chairs on the dias. The seats are all hardwired with microphones for sound, so . . . . “problem solved, crisis managed!”

So I was somewhat surprised to see the Commission back down in folding chairs around temporary tables configured in U shape for the meeting.

It seems some of the Commissioners did not like sitting at the dias because they could not face the people they ‘re speaking to. Which is, I guess, understandable. Whatever the reason, they are back down on the main floor without any proper way to amplify their voices.

This is more of a problem than one might think. A thirteen member Commission is a fairly large body of people. Greg tells me that at the last meeting Commissioners were frequently asked to “speak up” because they could not be heard. If the Commissioners cannot hear each other, how on earth is Mr. Downing expected to be able to pick up what they are saying on his videos?

Downing has suggested that the Commission purchase some tape recording devices that he could synchronize to the video. Bu t he does warn that the process is labor intensive and could become costly.

Or – the city could use the microphones they already own to during the meetings.

So, why aren’t the microphones being used?

The City Clerk told the Secretary of the Commission that the exp0sed wires would have to be taped down to the carpet to avoid a trip hazard. Furthermore, there was indication from the clerk that the city wanted to avoid damage to the microphones.

Alright, it is time to call a “time out” on this nonsense.

Trip hazard? Give me a break!

It does not bother the City Council to use the three microphones when they hold their meetings. There is a plug in located on the podium used for a separate microphone at every public hearing the city holds. The city staff uses microphones with wires strung across the floor to the staff table at every City Council meeting. The City Clerk is well aware of this reality. She steps over those cords at every City Council meeting when she takes her seat at the city staff table!

The arrangement of the tables can easily be configured to avoid any trip hazard.

As for the danger of the equipment being damaged . . . in Michael Downing you have a professional videographer who is routinely hired by local churches, and frequently used by the city for their events (candidate debates, public forums) . . . who has graciously donated his service to broadcast the meetings.

Give him the tools to do the job right.

A FINAL THOUGHT: This is not the first time the City Clerk has stood in the way of improving the recording and broadcasting of City Charter Commission meetings.

When Charter Commissioners wanted to broadcast the meetings on the Raytown Government Channel 7 she wrote:

“I fully understand your concern of televising the Charter Commission meetings; however, this is not a decision for City Staff to make.  City Staff takes direction from the Mayor and Board of Aldermen regarding this and all other matters regarding the City of Raytown.”

Charter Commissioner Jason Green, who also has a seat on the Board of Aldermen, called her bluff. He told them that he would take the matter to the entire Board for consideration.

City staff capitulated and agreed to re-broadcast the meetings.

Incidentally, Greene never took the item before the Board for consideration. Apparently, cooler heads in the labyrinth of what is called “city staff” decided it was not necessary to bother the Board of Aldermen with its decision. 

It is time for the City of Raytown to quit this foolish game of being uncooperative with reasonable requests from the Commission. Allow the Commission to use the microphones so that public can hear as well as view Charter Commission meetings.

It is easy to say “no” and come up with excuses for not solving problems. Maybe, just maybe, if some of our city’s management team would take a more constructive part in the process, they would be able to solve problems.

Heck, we would even let them borrow what is becoming our mantra at the Raytown Report, then they too could say, “Problem Solved, Crisis Managed!”


Last Week's Poll - Week 2 
Should the Raytown Charter Commission create term limits for elected officials of the City of Raytown?

57% . . . . YES
43% . . . . NO

Previous Poll Results

Which designation do you prefer for the governing body at Raytown City Hall?

28% . . . . Raytown Board of Aldermen

72% . . . . Raytown City Council

Farmer's Market Review

The Raytown Farmers’ Market opened this past Thursday at 6210 Raytown Road across from the green space.  There were over 50 people who attended the opening.  Due to the weather the past several months, the produce was limited but was of high quality.  There were several types of lettuce as well as onions and radishes.  There were a large number of potted vegetables and herbs that were ready for planting.  The chocolate mint thyme was a big hit.

Saturday was another great day for the Market.  There were over 100 people who visited the Market and purchased produce (vegetables and herbs) and other items.

 

Both days, the vendors sold produce as well as plants, baked goods, table accessories, aprons, blankets and flowers.  They included Stony Crest Urban Farm, Sister Friends Specialties, Emmanuel Kip's Garden, Apron Strings and Other Things.

There were downpours both days which didn’t last too long, just enough to make everyone hurry under the tents.

On Thursday, the Butterfly Lady, Terry Shepherd from the Butterfly Fields Nursery taught in the children's area.  She showed the children the caterpillar she was growing amidst ferns and other plants and explained the cycle of growth.  Each child received a prismatic butterfly to take home.

 

On Saturday, the librarians for the Raytown Mid-Continent Library showed the children how to make tie-dyed flowers. Each child decorated their flowers using their imagination.

On Thursday, Frank Rardon entertained the crowd with his music from the 60s and 70s.

On Saturday, Daryl Jones’ salad making demonstration produced a wonderful salad from produce purchased at the market.

As the weather gets warmer, there will be many more vendors and a much larger selection for the people attending the Market.

 

There were many positive comments.  The people were very pleased that Raytown residents now had their own Farmers’ Market.

 

The Raytown Farmers’ Market is a grower/producer only market.  All food is grown locally (within a 120 mile radius of the center of Raytown), and the person they are purchasing the produce or product from is the person who grew or made. 

Eat local, eat fresh and support your local economy.

BY JENN

FIT BOTTOMED EATS

Sweet and Savory 

Tempeh Tacos

Earlier today we shared a raspberry protein shake recipe that was a fabulous way to kickstart your day with a little healthy detoxing. And now, as promised from the The Clean in 14 Detox, we’re sharing author Melissa Costello’s Sweet and Savory Tempeh Tacos recipe. Vegetarian, high in protein and loaded with protein and flavor, they make for a delicious meal for two! And if you’ve never tried tempeh before, this is a fab recipe to try it! READ MORE 


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