BREAKING NEWS
Raytown Police Officer
Involved in Shooting
KSHBTV-41 RAYTOWN, Mo. - A
police officer shot a man during a home burglary on Sunday night in Raytown,
Missouri. Authorities responded to a residential burglar alarm around 9:40 p.m.
in the 6200 block of Ralston Avenue. After arriving to the home, officers found
two men inside. One of the men pointed a handgun at police. An officer then
fired once and struck one of the men in the abdomen. The man who was shot was
transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and the
other man was taken into custody. READ MORE
Alderman Steve Mock Hospitalized
Ward 5 Alderman Steve Mock was hospitalized Thursday evening. Sources close to the family tell us he has been hospitalized and is under a doctor’s care at St. Luke’s hospital in Kansas City.
The
family has expressed gratitude for the concern shown by Raytowners. They ask
that friends pray for Steve’s recovery.
RAYTOWN
MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION
Let
Our Light Shine Fundraiser
Raytown
Main Street Association is hosting a fundraising auction to raise $20,000 for Christmas lights to be used in the newly refurbished Streetscape in Downtown Raytown.
Mark your calendar for July 9th at 9:00 p.m. The auction is being held in the old Sav-A-Lot Grocery Store located in the strip mall behind Wendy's. And the best part is that it is free to the public. So head on up for some real bargain shopping in a large building filled with goodies for sale!
There is a Sneak Peek and Bid event Friday night, July 8. Your $35 ticket
gets you in the night before for first choice bids, along with dinner and
drinks from Salvatore’s and Crane Brewery.
Hurry – there are a limited number of tickets left for the Friday night event
Or, come by on Saturday night for the regular auction at no charge.
Call
Sue Frank at 816-353-4400 for tickets. For more info visit www.Facebook/rmsalights
 |
| BY PAUL LIVIUS |
Paul’s
Rant
A
Lesson for Bob Phillips
One
of the many hats I wear is that of an auditor. I understand the purpose of
accounting. I also understand the purpose of audits.
Bob
Phillips wrote some very misleading information in the last issue of the
Raytown Times.
He
claims “revised audit numbers on the (350 Live) TIF project, and updated
projections” of anticipated sales tax revenue “that more than a half million
dollars will remain in cash” over the 25 year life of the GO (General
Obligation) bonds.
First
of all, the bonds are not General Obligation bonds. The bonds used to finance
the Raytown 350 Live TIF are Revenue Bonds. They are paid for by sales tax
revenue and allocated Property Tax revenue. They were not voted on and approved
by the public.
The
most misleading part of Bob’s statement is his qualification of it by city audits.
It
is a common mistake. Many people (including Bob) equate an annual financial audit
with an investigative audit. An annual audit is done to make certain no one is playing
fast and loose with the taxpayer’s money and to make any recommendations
necessary to change office procedures to protect the client’s assets. There are very specific rules guiding a
financial audit.
An
investigative audit, as would be conducted by the State Auditor is not bound by
the same rules as a financial audit. The
investigative audit would look into improper activities by City employees in
connection with their performance of their duties. An improper activity is one that violates
state or federal law, is economically wasteful, or involves gross misconduct.
As for Bob’s assertion of over half a million
dollars left over once the TIF Bonds are finally retired in 2032 entirely depend
upon the ability of retail outlets in the TIF District to create sales tax
revenue to pay the bonds. The 350 Live TIF District remains less than 50%
developed.
The
TIF payment will increase substantially in 2020, less than four years away.The only way to meet
the obligation is to create more sales tax revenue. The original bond package
had a ten year life for developers to take advantage of the abatements awarded
with the TIF and assorted tax abatements.
This
means there is not an incentive for developers to create more retail space.
None is planned for the largest targeted area for development, just east of the
former YMCA on 350 Highway. It takes a minimum of three to four years (from
start to finish) to start a new development of that scope. None are planned at
this point.
Raytowners
are already feeling the consequences of the failed 350 Live TIF. Residential
streets are paved with a slurry seal type of material that is far below the
standard re-surfacing enjoyed by surrounding communities. Despite many years of
promises, the street light program in Raytown is non-existent. If you have them
in your neighborhood, consider yourself lucky. There are many parts of town
that do not.
Allegations
of drastic cutbacks in the staffing of ambulance personnel appear to have
merit. Basic code enforcement, such as property maintenance and animal control services
are non-existent on weekends.
Let’s
re-visit this topic in four years, Mr. Phillips. Maybe then you will understand
the financial quagmire Raytown is headed for.
 |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
A LESSON FOR RANDY BATTAGLER
Photo Rules Important
Randy
Battagler had an interesting column in his paper last week. He wrote about a
mother who was upset because he had taken a picture of her daughter at Super
Spash. Randy could not understand the lady’s position of not wanting her child’s
picture taken. He wrote “I certainly hope the lady will calm down.” Randy had
been taking pictures of the children without parental permission.
He
then went on about some ruling of the Supreme Court protecting journalists in
such situations.
From
time to time I will take pictures and use them on the Raytown Report. If it is
a picture of an individual I make a practice of receiving permission before
publishing the picture.
I
remember an annual public safety event I attended in Raytown at Kenagy Park a
couple of years back. The Mid-Continent Library had a booth at the event. One
of the librarians was showing a young girl some pictures in a book. The picture
I took is what I call a “Kodak Moment”. The picture literally showed the two in
their own world with all the activity going on about them. It was a fine shot.
I
planned to use on the Raytown Report the following week – but before doing so,
I thought it would be best to check with the library. I contacted the Director
of the library and asked his permission. He said he liked the picture and that
it was okay with him. Then he said, let me check with the librarian and see if
it is okay with her.
To
our surprise she said she did not want her picture published.
I
erased the picture from my camera.
I
was visiting with Paul about this story before writing it. He told me an interesting
bit of information along the story lines. At the Kansas City Zoo there is a petting
zoo. It is a popular exhibit and children love it.
Zoo
employees are stationed around the petting zoo. If someone is taking pictures
of children at the exhibit, they will be approached by one of the employees and
asked if they are taking photos of their own child. If they are not, they are
told to quit taking pictures and to erase the photos they have taken at the
exhibit.
We
have all seen Amber Alerts on television and our cell phones. The rules for
privacy are there for a purpose. People have a right to privacy. Not everyone follows
that rule . . . but they should.
UNDER
CONSTRUCTION IN RAYTOWN
Champion’s Gymnastics Academy
SHOWN AT LEFT: Before and after pictures of the pit
(top picture) under construction . . . and how it will look when completed.
April
Leonard, a gymnastics coach of fifteen years, has some big plans. She has
leased one half of the vacant grocery store located behind
Wendy’s at 6240 Raytown Trafficway and is the process of converting
15,347
square feet of space into Champions Gymnastics Academy.
When completed, Champions Gymnastics Academy will serve
clients throughout the metropolitan Kansas City area with a unique opportunity
for children, ages 6 months through 18 years to learn the art of gymnastics.
April is a certified Junior Olympic Gymnastics Coach
through USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics is the governing body for gymnastics in
the United States including the Team USA’s Olympic Gymnastics Team.
The centerpiece of the facility will be a 20’ x 30’
loose foam pit. Inside this 7’ deep pit will be a custom made trampoline bed
and 13,000 loose foam pit. This soft forgiving landing area will help
gymnasts learn new skills and will help to protect budding young gymnasts from
injury.
Along with the regular gymnastic classes, this gymnastics
training center will offer the following classes:
PARENT AND ME CLASS – Crawlers with a parent will enjoy many fun activities to
help mom or dad interact with baby and introduce simple stretches, songs,
dances, activities to introduce balance, colors, textures, shapes, and lots of
smiles! Our 6 to 12 month crawlers classes are free!
Walkers age 12 months to 3 years
with a parent will enjoy many activities to help mom or dad interact with their
growing toddler and explore the new environment around them. There are
many mountains to climb, bars to swing on, trampolines to jump on, slides to
slide down, and beams to balance on. There are many activities for our
little toddlers to begin to fine tune their gross motor skills with games,
songs, dances, and tumbles for everyone!
RECREATIONAL GYMNASTICS – for girls and boys age 3 to age 18.
COMPETITIVE JUNIOR OLYMPIC AND
ELITE GYMNASTICS – for girls who to compete in
competitive gymnastics.
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR – for children. Yes, modeled after the popular reality
television show, this program is great to get boys and girls active and learn
how to use their muscles!
PRE-SCHOOL – special dance, cheerleading, silly-yoga and gymnastics
classes specially designed for 3 to 6 year olds.
TOTAL BODY CONDITIONING – for youth athletes and a special class just for parents!
CARDIO AND SPORTS AGILITY TRAINING – for young ball players.
SLACKLINING – best described as stationary skateboarding – you have to
see it to understand it. Feel free to youtube this!
HOME SCHOOL PROGRAMS – our homeschool fitness and gymnastics classes are
offered at times during the day at a reduced rate for local home school
families! |
| Photo Credit: KMCCLA |
Fire Department Holds Wetting Down Event
STORY COMPLIMENTS OF MATT MACE
STORY COMPLIMENTS OF MATT MACE
One
long standing tradition in the fire service is blessing newly commissioned fire apparatus
into service. A “wet-down” is a ritual celebrated by many fire departments
in the United States in which firefighters commission a new fire apparatus
by anointing it with water sprayed from the retiring pumper’s tank water or
from a neighboring firehouse’s apparatus.
The ritual dates back to the late 1800’s
when horse drawn pumpers were used throughout the nation’s Fire Service.
Horses
that were commissioned for service would be washed along with the
pumper
at their newly assigned firehouse and backed into the firehouse bay.
The firefighters
would then fit the new horse with its harness placing the company in service.
After every run, firefighters had to hand push their pumpers back into the bay
and ready themselves for the next alarm.
Fiscal
constraints forced some towns to have their fire department horses perform double-duty
by requiring them to pull wagons of garbage to the local dump.
When the
horse was not in service at the firehouse, it was working for the town’s sanitation
company hauling trash. At the end of their shift, the horse would have to be
washed and fed before being stowed in the firehouse bay.
When
new horses or pumpers were purchased neighboring firehouses, department chiefs,
and citizens from the surrounding community would attend the ceremony to celebrate
the new powerful addition to their neighborhood firehouse.
Local clergy came
to bestow blessings upon the horse throwing holy water unto it for long life, strength,
speed and good health. The blessing would serve to ward off any evil spirits
or “gremlins” that could affect the firehouse’s newest addition.
Today,
We continue to celebrate this tradition with the help of a driver in the seat and
the company’s transmission in drive. After being wet-down and blessed, the company
is slowly rolled into the bay while firefighters assist by pushing.
To leave a comment use this link POST A COMMENT
24 comments:
Have a safe 4th of July and a prayer for Alderman Mock
How sad is it that a politician taking to the streets yesterday was spreading horrendous gossip about others. We just let them speak so we could really see the character of this person. Lesson is don't assume you've got our neighborhoods vote that couldn't be further from the truth;;; just as you were not speaking any truth. It isn't football where your best defense is an offense. Those fictitious gossip belong at your beauty shop. Does not earn you votes. Rethink your electioneering and how to promote your self. Maybe you should practice what you call low energy
If somebody was taking pictures of my grandchildren at the pool without my permission I would simply throw his camera in the water.
We need to know who that was so we can ignore them when they come to our house.
Dear Mr. Anonymous,
We received your message regarding this week’s post. We could not publish it because of the vulgar language used in your letter.
However, you did complain bitterly about two items in particular. You deserve a response, so here it is.
Your complaint was that we wrote two editorials responding to two editorials in the Raytown Times Newspaper. So that you understand, we realize the Raytown Times has a steady readership. Many of those same readers read the Raytown Report as well.
We do not always agree with what is written in the Times. No doubt, they do not agree with us all the time.
This week, Greg took exception to Randy Battagler’s editorial view of photographing anyone he wanted to and publishing the pictures without permission. In our book that is a “no no”. Private citizens are not public figures. To zero in on one person, particularly a child, and publish it without approval of the parent is, in our opinion, unthinkable.
The other editorial you took exception to was the one responding to mis-information from Bob Phillips about the debt owed on the Raytown 350 Live TIF. Bob had confused his professional terms, his so-called facts and figures, and ignored the high price Raytowner’s are paying in the form of reduced services because of the failing TIF. Paul, who has a degree and background in audits, simply set the record straight.
There is nothing wrong with an exchange of differing opinions. We suggest you become more tolerant of those who do not agree with you.
Can't name names here but a hint in the reply should be easy to tell who it is. I and my neighbors were really surprised she/he could stoop so low
Sounds like tactics that both Aziere and VanBuskirk use.
Not sure, but the extraordinary lengths the writer went to keep from being gender specific says a lot. I don't think it was VanBuskirk. It could have been Aziere. There are four other candidates. Any one of them is capable of the tactics suggested in the original post. The clue may be in the last sentence.
I'm thinking the last two sentences are more likely the clue. Yes gender was left out. However beauty shop leads the clue. And the term low energy does as well since that same person came to our house saying others were low energy and was speaking some gossip about others .
Wrong it wasn't a man
Jane.....
Perhaps you are confused between gossip and the truth. It seems to me that you possibly are already committed to one candidate and didn't like what you heard about them. The candidate I am supporting was at your door and SHE told you the truth, like it or not. And perhaps "low energy" is an under statement.
If someone knows something as she said she did about sexual misconduct why would they not report it to the authorities and protect the youth. If that's the truth they were reporting door to door.
It is bad bussiness to spread gossip rather it's a man or a woman doing the spreading. Rather it is the truth or not doesn't matter; the character of the person spreading it is what is seen. Politicians need to meet and greet and tell what they can do for the position they are running for . That's what makes or breaks the vote. They shouldn't act like adolesants when electioneering. Only an adult who is confident in themselves and their convictions will be able to handle the job and do the community justice in their office. Childish behavior gossips and argues the truth of that gossip. An adult talks about the job and their qualifications , dreams and desires to work for the betterment of all.
I see Jeanette Gentry crawled out from under her rock again. I am so sick and tired about hearing about Cerner coming to town. Fact is the only person who promoted Raytown to Cerner was Steve Mock. Really who would move to a town where there is no shopping and schools are in the tank? Deal with facts and the truth.
To anoymous July 5 at 9:13 am
When the neighbors met for our block party the topic came up about the said politician. Several of us were surprised that she spent little time conversing about her qualifications and a larger percentage of the time bashing others and again she threw up sextual allegations to quite a many of us. Many of us ; Jane included had narrowed their vote down to two people and she was one of them. None of us that are educated decide the vote they shall cast until they have met with all the parties running for a said office.
Alderman Steve Mock pasted away Wednesday evening around 8:30.
Prayers are for his family
Services for Steve Mock are as follows
Visitation Monday from 5-7
Funeral Tuesday 10:30 am
First Baptist Church Raytown
It seems like everyone on here is talking about the upcoming general election. So I might as well throw in my two cents worth. I have had my visit with Mr. Aziere, and here are my concerns and what I took from the conservation, is that he wants to get to Jefferson City any way he can even if it is by hook or crook. The man ran as a Republican 2 years ago thinking he could win then and he lost miserably what he really got was an --- kicking. Now he is trying as a Democrat. I want some in Jefferson City representing me who truly understands government and will do the right thing not vote so he can grandstand which is what he does many time at the BOA meetings. I know who I am going to vote for and it is "pretty boy"
I won't vote for anyone who has not served in government. Because you have a long list of organizations that you belong to in my book doesn't make you the best choice. You won't get my vote. Just keep talking trash on other candidates it make you look a real low life in other words your desperate!!!
1:49PM on 7/8
WHAT!
Let me ask something as simple as I can for your limited thinking.
How do we get people to serve in government if under your master plan they must first serve in government?
Keep in mind NO one lives forever!
And I won't vote for anyone who has served in government! When I look at the stellar job they are doing in solving our problems, eliminating hate and fear in our American culture, I become convinced they are failing. Why on earth would you keep going to the some same leaders when they have proven time and time again that they cannot or will not take care of business. No sir. I will not vote for a continuation of more of the same!
I'm wondering if they meant on a local level first then to a state level. I realize it does not specify but that would be the logical example
Before you cast your vote for sheriff in Jackson County do yourself a favor and visit the following website ... bricestewart.com ... or visit ... www.therealmikesharp.com
Brice Stewart is a very brave young man running against Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp. Become informed. Make up your mind and vote on August 2nd.
Do yourself a a favor and check out everything on both of these people via the Internet, case net etc . Check out how many places they've lived and what their history is
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