RAYTOWN'S LEADING NEWS SOURCE
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| BY GREG WALTERS |
One Choice
It
is time to decide.
State
Representative Tom McDonald has left a parting gift to Raytown.
That
gift is a united Raytown (28th) District. The united 28th
District ends a period of time in which Raytown has been carved up into as many
as five legislative districts at one time. The situation weakened the voice for
Raytown in Jefferson City because no single state legislator truly considered
Raytown their home district.
The
new 28th District is an opportunity for Raytown. Six candidates have
filed to serve Raytown in the State Legislature. Ward 4 Alderman Bill
VanBuskirk is the lone candidate in the Republican Primary. He will face one of
five candidates who have filed for the Democratic spot in the November general
election.
All
of the candidates call Raytown their home. All have deep roots in the
community. All have shown previous commitment to public service within the
City, be it through volunteer service or through the holding of public office.
We
believe all but one of the candidates would serve Raytown well.
The
one exception, because of choices he has made at the outset of this contest,
will not be an effective voice in Jefferson City.
The
one exception is Jim Aziere.
Mr.
Aziere has done something very uncommon in this contest. He jumped parties when
he filed for the open seat of the 28th District.
This
is not Mr. Aziere’s first attempt to run for a seat on the Missouri State
Legislature. He ran as the Republican against Democrat Terry Young shortly
after the turn of the century. He ran again against Democrat Tom McDonald in
2008. In both cases he lost.
Jim
Aziere’s Republican roots run deep. He also served on the Jackson County
Republican Committee.
It
appears his plan is to trade high name recognition over party affiliation.
Electing
Jim Aziere as Raytown’s representative in the State Legislature is a fool’s
errand . . . one that will cost the city in the long run.
Here
is the reason why.
The
Missouri House of Representatives is dominated by Republicans. The number of
“safe” seats they hold is truly overwhelming.
That
does not mean a Democrat cannot become active and effective in those waters.
Tom McDonald (who is unable to run due to term limits) has been an effective
voice for Raytown in Jefferson City.
But
will a candidate who was twice defeated as a Republican for the same area seat,
and once held a seat on the Jackson County Republican Committee, function as a
Democrat in the House?
He
will have earned the animosity of Republican House members for abandoning the
party. They will not be forgiving.
Democrats
will understandably question his authenticity and loyalty.
It
is for that reason that we urge voters to choose any of the four Democratic
candidates listed below as their choice in the Democratic Primary next
Tuesday.
JEROME
BARNES - DEMOCRAT
Currently serving his second term on the Raytown School Board.
JOSH GREENE - DEMOCRAT
Currently serving his first
term on the Raytown City Council.
Former Raytown City Councilman.
DIANE KRIZEK - DEMOCRAT
Owner/Publisher of the Raytown Brooking Eagle.
BILL VAN BUSKIRK - REPUBLICANCurrently serving on the Raytown City Council.
 |
| BY PAUL LIVIUS |
Paul’s
Rant!
I
have read and re-read Greg’s editorial. His twist on his endorsement is an
interesting one. He does not endorse any particular candidates. Instead he
urges people to NOT vote for one candidate in particular.
His
view may be unorthodox . . . usually such editorials endorse candidates . . .
but his reasoning is sound.
Jim
Aziere will have trouble building bridges in the wake of his campaign. He has
effectively burned his bridges behind him.
What
I find fascinating about Aziere’s campaign is the pitch he has used as he took
his campaign door to door.
He
tells voters he is running as a Democrat because (surprise!) the Republican
Party is for right to work!
Here’s
a news flash for Mr. Aziere. The Republican Party endorsed Right to Work when
he ran in his two previous attempts to be elected to the State Legislature. You
would think he could come up with a better story to sell his campaign!
There
is little doubt the Republican Party will hold the majority of the seats in the
Missouri House of Representatives after the November election. The Republican
leadership will be less than forgiving toward Mr. Aziere should he be elected.
That
reality does not bode well for the City of Raytown. Voters would be wise to
choose any one of the other candidates running for the job.
There
are four other candidates running in the Democratic Primary for the privilege
to represent us in Jefferson City. I have seen the yard signs and am aware of
the hours many of them have dedicated to reaching out to voters.
On
August 2nd, take the time to show one of those candidates you
believe in their message by casting your vote in the Democratic or Republican
Primary.
Raytown police set
Raytown police set
aside parking
lot for
safe Craigslist exchanges
Raytown police have become the
latest area department to offer a safe place to make exchanges after online
transactions on sites such as Craigslist.
Police announced Wednesday that
the south side of the back parking lot at their headquarters, 10000 E. 59th
St., is a “safe trade zone.” The department says the lot is well lit and
available for use 24 hours a day.
“The area is not monitored or staffed by officers, and we encourage
everyone to still be cautious when meeting any person that they do not know,” Raytown
police said in announcing the area. “If a person is unwilling to meet you at
the police department to conduct a transaction, that should make you highly
suspicious of their intentions.” READ MORE
STORY WRITTEN BY MATT CAMPBELL OF THE KANSAS CITY STAR
To leave a comment use this link POST A COMMENT
STORY WRITTEN BY MATT CAMPBELL OF THE KANSAS CITY STAR
To leave a comment use this link POST A COMMENT
Comments
City hall has never changed since I have lived here. Squander tax payers money, and Thelay off joe bob down at the street department who makes $12 and hour and replaces him with a 50$ an hour educated "professional" who can find their head from a hole in the ground. On top of that you have a PD that is extremely top heavy with a good-ol-boy system that includes the current Mayor. In the Meanwhile, crime goes up and our neighborhoods and streets fall apart.
Riehle has tried to run before unsuccessfully as well and he can talk a great talk but that's as far as it goes. Guess that only leaves one person to vote for in my mind. She is dedicated, hard working and committed to this City, Diane Krizek.
While I don't live in Raytown anymore, most of my family does, and it will always be "home." I agree wholeheartedly with Greg that Raytown Is in a unique position to effectively have city representation, not district representation in Jeff City. Tomorrow's Democratic Primary for the State House is incredibly important for shaping our City's future. That is why I am addressing this blog today.
It is easy to say why not to vote for someone. One candidate has no history as an elected official. Another has so much history, he/she won't know which side of the aisle to stand. A third candidate has proven unable to make child support payments on time (if at all). Given the right forum, it is easy to express why NOT to vote for a candidate. In this era, where "politics" trumps "public service" many find it difficult to advocate for someone directly and not by exception.
I have known 3 of the candidates for years. In a different political climate, maybe my vote would be different. But, having worked in both the US and State Capitol buildings, this is what I know. The Republican Party has a Super Majority. Our Representative will have an incredibly difficult time getting any sponsored initiatives through Committee let alone through the Floor. He or she will be a part of very few victorious votes. He or she will attend a very small caucus which can be very lonely at times. Those are the facts. It could be very easy to sit back and collect a nice supplemental check for the next 2-8 years.
To combat that, Raytown needs an energetic and resilient voice. It needs a self-proclaimed policy wonk capable of getting creative at the negotiation table - one who can leverage his/her intricate knowledge of the legislative process to push our agenda across. We must have some one that exudes passion about his/her positions, yet a talented enough wordsmith and communicator to befriend and partner with the opposition.
There is no perfect candidate this year. There rarely is. But, knowing a majority of the candidates as I do, the clear-cut best choice is JOSH GREEN.
Josh doesn't know how to rest. He works tirelessly for the people of Raytown AFTER working to the point of exhaustion to pay his mortgage. I can vouch for him that he will never rest on his laurels and will always push to move the bar forward. At this time and in this political climate, Josh Green is the right choice.
-One man's opinion
I must say that I was surprised it was a letter to the editor from Joe Creamer.
I must admit it does support my own questions and concerns with spending by Jim Lynch and his department.
I think the most shocking was no place does Joe Creamer take any responsibility and I although he wants us to ask questions of Lynch should we be asking a former Alderman who now see an issue with things that go back the years he served on the board of alderman (2007-20013).
If things have happened that Joe wrote about why didn't he take action when he was on the Board.
Yes, the city marshal is elected, but the budget is set by the Alderman, which even calls out when he states many changes happend under former mayor Frank's administration.
Why by the grace of God did Joe Creamer not fix things at that time.
That is right folks what Joe failed to tell you is he FAILED and as the April 2013 showed him Raytown is tired of FAILED actions and FAILED promises.
Mr Barnes had the highest votes in both Eastern Jackson County and Kansas City, MO for State Representative of the 28th District.
Raytown is lucky to have someone like him step up and lead our district.
Bill Banbuskirt has never seen a business that he didn't want to give them a handout.
Drive around Raytown, look for the Block & Co signs and yes you will see David Block's best friend to business campaign signs.
Pay back for helping Block & Co save thousands and thousands of dollars in 2011.
My daughter's car was out of warranty and suffered a water pump failure that was going to cost over a thousand to repair. Creamer went to bat for her and got it repaired for no charge even though it was not covered by her warranty.
I get the dislike for someone's political failings but it seems like the attacks on here for him and others sometimes goes too far.
JMHO RN
We all know it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks and I don't see Aziere changing his ways.
I don't feel they take their jobs seriously or with pride to make Raytown the "safe"community that we were always known for. The police have folded over the years to protecting themselves instead of the Raytown community who has not left and love this town. But the lack
Of human respect, compassion, has been lost ! I get the officers are tired of the bullxxxx!
Drop your pre dissuposed attitudes & listen to the long time home owners who are loosing their neighborhoods to
Prostitution, Drugs, violence, assault!
Call Raytown PD. Nothing happens��
Our Police, EMS and Fire Dept. are the best in KC area. If you have evidence to otherwise put it out there for all to see. You, Aziere and Joe Creamer are full of hot air. All blow and no show