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| BY GREG WALTERS |
to Close Super Splash
. . . .
well, sort of!
The
Raytown Park Board has voted to close Super Splash, Raytown’s public swimming
pool, at the end of the 2016 season. The plan is to then go to the voters and
ask for a new sales tax increase. Sources at Raytown City Hall and at the
Raytown Parks Department place the new sales tax at a quarter cent.
The increased sales tax would be charged
on all sales in Raytown, including grocery and pharmaceutical items.
PARK
BOARD PLAN REQUIRES
BOARD OF ALDERMEN APPROVAL
To move
forward with their plan to place a sales tax increase before the voters the
Park Board must win approval of a majority of the Board of Aldermen (BOA). Some
BOA members have been critical of the management practices of the Park Board as
it relates to Super Splash.
Under
Missouri State Statutes the Board of Aldermen is the authority to place items
on the ballot for Raytown voters. The Park Board may want to ask the
voters to approve a sales tax increase. But only the Board of Aldermen can
place the item on the ballot.
Ward 1
Alderman Josh Greene said the ballot issue has opened the door for one of his
fellow Aldermen to spread untrue rumors about who closed Super Splash.
Alderman Josh Greene shared the following comment on Facebook: Many of these
claims are being put out by one person who serves on the BOA who is attempting
to use this to his political advantage as he is part of the old establishment
and seven board members have been elected in the last three years as much of
the old guard was voted out.”
Greene
identifies other misinformation in his post as well:
"A
Developer wants to purchase the property and we are going to sell it" -
This is untrue to all of my knowledge, plus it would cost much more to develop
this area than several other areas in Raytown due to the preexisting park and
having to fill in all the pools. And trust me, with the lack of visibility from
the main road, it is not a good place to start a business that needs traffic.”
Greene continued with the following observation:
The Park Board has reported that "Super
Splash made money this year" - If you look at the finances before we have
pay any maintenance costs or fix the one ride that was out of commission for
the last couple weeks of the season then sure, it had a cost recovery of 101%,
but after maintenance and fixing items, it will fall closer to 60 to 70 percent
cost recovery, which is what it has been at for several years.”
Greene denies conspiracy theories that are making the rounds:
“People have accused me of being a ringleader in closing Super Splash. Not true! The Park Board voted to close Super Splash at its August 15th meeting. The BOA does not have the authority to close Super Splash. In fact, I voted in the past to provide general monies to keep it open after the Park Board voted to close it 2 years ago.”
“People have accused me of being a ringleader in closing Super Splash. Not true! The Park Board voted to close Super Splash at its August 15th meeting. The BOA does not have the authority to close Super Splash. In fact, I voted in the past to provide general monies to keep it open after the Park Board voted to close it 2 years ago.”
Alderman Bill VanBuskirk spoke out on the issue as well:
At the August 9 BOA meeting:Vanbuskirk said, "We will drive away consumers and businesses if we increase taxes. We have one of the highest tax rates in the KC area. He went on the say he believes it’s the Park Board’s responsibility to manage the parks, but they need to do it within their means."
At the August 9 BOA meeting:Vanbuskirk said, "We will drive away consumers and businesses if we increase taxes. We have one of the highest tax rates in the KC area. He went on the say he believes it’s the Park Board’s responsibility to manage the parks, but they need to do it within their means."
 |
| BY PAUL LIVIUS |
Paul’s
Rant . . .
My good
friends, Randy Battagler and Bob Phillips are at it again. This time around the subject is Super Splash.
The Park
Board has voted to shut down the operation. Apparently they hope to increase
the sales tax by a quarter cent to purchase some 20 year bonds. There will be
plenty of time to discuss the fallacy of paying bonds with sales taxes. Still,
I will give this one point to ponder.
If you
think paying close to 10% sales tax at Walmart is a good idea, and that Walmart
has been a blessing for Raytown, then you will probably fall for the smoke and
mirrors being suggested by the Park Board. The Park Board claims the sales tax
will create $4.775 million in sales tax revenue.
What they
neglect to tell you is how much you will end up paying for the $4.755 million.
I cannot
say it any better than Ward 3 Alderman Mark Moore explained at a recent meeting
of the Board of Aldermen.
Alderman Moore
said, “ . . . the Park Board wants the Board of Aldermen to issue
almost $5,000,000 in bonds over 20 years for improvements to Super Splash
and other parks in Raytown. The Board has been told they will have to
raise the sales tax by ¼ cent to pay for the bonds. The interest cost will
be $7-9 million dollars alone. The sales tax increase won’t be enough to
pay off the principal in interest in 20 years.”
Actually,
Moore’s numbers are probably low. I doubt he included the cost of Bond Counsel
and other money men who will massage the numbers to create the increase in
sales tax. You can believe me when I tell you those guys do not come cheap!
The lead
counsel on the Walmart deal on 350 Highway earned over $1,000,000.00 (yes, one
million dollars!) for his expertise in crafting the deal.
But, as
Mark Twain once wrote, “I digress”.
This
column is about Randy Battagler and Bob Phillips. So back to work I go!
Have you
ever noticed the number of adjectives used whenever Randy or Bob write about
money?
They refer
to revenue at Super Splash as “gross” revenue. Anyone in business will tell you
that “gross” does not really count. The more important term, and one you will
never see Randy or Bob use in describing revenue at Super Splash, is “net
revenue”.
“Net
revenue” is what you actually have over once you pay all the bills. If you take
that into account, Super Splash has been a money pit for well over ten years.
Randy
cannot understand how you can charge more for non-residents using the facility.
Let’s help
him out.
Randy, go
to the Kansas City Zoo, where Kansas City residents are charged less than
non-residents for visiting the zoo. Or, go to Lee’s Summit. They have a fine
water park there. If you live in Lee’s Summit, you pay less than non-residents to go swimming.
Or, buy a single game seat at a Kansas City Chiefs Football game. Be ready to prove
you live in Jackson County to buy that ticket. Any one of those venues could explain to you (and the Park Board) how to unravel the mystery of charging different rates to different folks.
So you see
Randy, as the Harry Potter folks were proud of saying, “problem solved, mischief
managed!”
But all of
this begs the question . . . who uses Super Splash? The last census puts the
median age in Raytown at somewhere north of 51 years old. Our neighborhoods
have some children, but certainly not as many as in the 1980’s when Super
Splash was literally the only municipal water park in the area.
Do you
think that might explain the reduction in numbers using the aging Water Park?
As one
blogger posted on our blog page, it would be cheaper to have a limousine
service pick up and drive Raytowners to a neighboring city than to throw more
good tax dollars down the money pit named Super Splash.
Another
issue is safety. Go check the Raytown Police Department statistics. The vandalism
and break-ins at Super Splash are a
favorite for miscreants and thieves.
Going
swimming at Super Splash? Here’s a word of advice. Keep your valuables close and
watch out for old men with cameras.
I could go
on and on . . . but even the internet has limits to how much space can be used.
Those
members of the Board of Aldermen who have questioned the wisdom of going down
the path of more debt for very little return have this one right.
Here’s a
thought, the Park Board paid about $90,000.00 for a survey. That survey listed
the number one and number two priorities as more walking trails and bike
trails. Take the savings from Super Splash and put it where the people have
asked it to go.
You know,
we have some pretty clever people who contribute to our blog. Last week one
contributor sent the following. I think it is fitting to end this week’s rant
with it.
What happens when you dump millions down a bottomless well?
It makes a Super Splash.
Raytown Arts/Music Festival
Saturday
August 27th at Kenagy Park
(9608 E
79th ST, Raytown MO 64138)
The Raytown Parks will host the 5th annual Arts and Music Festival! We will have four bands, a variety of KC metro artists, a free kids area, and several food trucks for you to enjoy.
The Raytown Parks will host the 5th annual Arts and Music Festival! We will have four bands, a variety of KC metro artists, a free kids area, and several food trucks for you to enjoy.
This is a great free
event for the whole family.
The bands that will
perform are: Liverpool, Lying Eyes, Barbwire Revolt, and The Wildwood Boys. The
festival will run 12:00 (noon) until 7:00 p.m.
This has been a
tremendous event for the Raytown Parks, and spectators alike, with our main
sponsors for the event being: Dick Smith Ford, Teetering Rocks Golf Course, Fun
House Pizza, The Raytown Brooking Eagle, Saber Cycle, KCP&L, Raytown Lee’s
Summit Credit Union, H&H Color Labs, and Sci-Tech Automotive.
The Raytown First
Baptist Church will host the kids area with art projects and games for kids of
all ages. We host many different artists who specialize in every discipline
from paint, photography, glass, pottery, wood working and more. All artists
will display their works for public viewing and for sale.
You won’t want to
miss the Raytown Arts & Music Festival on August 27th, where there will be
plenty of activity for all spectators. Fun House Pizza will be selling adult
beverages and soft drinks out of the Tikki Station and VIP Tent. Delicious food
and deserts will be available from the food vendors near the artists booths.
The
Paul Livius Report
Raytown
Board of Aldermen Meeting
August 16, 2016
Mayor
McDonough said Liz Kelley-Hansen, a resident of Raytown, has devoted her life
to ballet, jazz, and modern dance. She has performed with the Starlight
Theatre, Gene Kelly, Dean Martin’s Goldiggers, and many other stars. Liz
taught at the Westport Ballet Company, American Dance Center and the Jewish
community Center, after which she founded Dance Studio 1, where she has
inspired countless young ones in the art of dance, providing them with a spirit
of achievement and confidence. On July 23 of this year, Liz received a
long overdue award from the Vietnam Veterans of America at its National
Leadership and Educational Conference in Arizona for entertaining our troops in
Vietnam when she traveled with Bob Hope USO Christmas Show. He recognized
Liz Kelley-Hansen and offered his congratulations for a job well done and for
making such a difference in other people’s lives.
The
Board passed a resolution approving the reappointment of Danielle Miles to the
Raytown Park Board.
The
Board passed a resolution approving the appointment of David Thurman to the
Raytown Park Board.
The
Board passed a resolution approving the appointment of Robbie Tubbs to the
Raytown Park Board.
Taylor
Seedorf, President of IAFF Union 1730 talked to the Board about the possibility
of merging the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with the Raytown Fire
Protection District. He said it would benefit the EMS employees as well
as the City of Raytown.
The
Board voted to accept the August 2, 2016 Primary Election results as certified
by the Jackson County Election Board to discontinue applying and collecting the
local sales tax on the titling of motor vehicles, trailers, boats, and outboard
motors that were purchased from a source other than a licensed Missouri
dealer. An approval of this measure would have resulted in a reduction of
local revenue to provide for vital services for the City of Raytown, Missouri
and it would have placed Missouri dealers of motor vehicles, outboard motors,
boats, and trailers at a competitive disadvantage to non-Missouri dealers of
motor vehicles, outboard motors, boats, and trailers. The Jackson County
Election Board certified the results of that election on August 10, 2016.
Approval and acceptance of their certification is a formality.
The
Board heard the second reading, but failed to pass an ordinance to grant a
conditional use permit at 6709 Raytown Road. James Sullivan with Sullivan
Palmer Architects on behalf of the property owner, Aim Investments, LLC, is seeking
approval of a conditional use permit application that proposes to allow a
vehicle fueling station at 6709 Raytown Road, which is on the northeast corner
of Raytown Road and 67th Street. The property is zoned Neighborhood
Commercial (NC). They are seeking the conditional use permit as they want
to tear down the existing building at 6709 Raytown Road and install gas pumps
and construct a canopy on the property. The applicant also owns the
adjoining property to the east. The existing building on the abutting
property to the east would be remodeled into the convenience store
building. This application previously went before the Planning &
Zoning Commission and the Board of Aldermen in May and June of 2016.
The
Planning & Zoning Commission, by a vote of 5 in favor and 1 against, is
recommending approval of the application subject to the following conditions:
1. The
trash enclosure shall be rotated so that the gates and opening face the parking
lot and not the street in order to enable a trash truck more direct access to
the trash container.
2. The
exterior appearance of the trash enclosure shall match the exterior appearance
of the building addition.
3.
Landscaping consisting of shrubs need to be planted along the south and east
sides of the trash enclosure to help screen it. As a result, the curb
line of the parking lot adjacent to the trash enclosure is to be changed so
that the curb line on the east side of the parking lot aligns with the opening
of the trash enclosure, rather than with the back of the trash enclosure.
4. The
type and size of the shrubs at the time of planting need to be submitted for
review and approval by staff to ensure compliance with the City’s adopted
landscape standards.
5. The
parking space located near the monument sign shall be removed.
6.
Building elevation drawings for the existing building, the proposed building
addition, and proposed canopy shall be submitted for staff review and approval.
7. The
exterior material of the building addition shall be indicated and shall match
the exterior material and color of the remainder of the building.
8. The
driveway approach on Raytown Rd. will be clearly marked and identified as
right-in, right-out only.
9. The
applicant will construct an eight (8) foot sidewalk along the property abutting
67th Street.
10. The
applicant shall submit three copies of the revised site plan for staff review
of changes approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
After
two readings of the original ordinance the Board of Aldermen requested that the
application go back before the Planning & Zoning Commission for approval
upon receipt of a completed traffic impact analysis, which was absent from the
first three public hearings. After receiving the completed traffic impact
analysis from the applicant, the Public Works department has determined that
the traffic generated by the business will not add significant traffic
congestion to the intersection at 67th St. and Raytown Rd. However, due
to the proximity of the drive along Raytown Rd. to the intersection, and in
order to increase traffic safety for customers entering and exiting the
property, Public Works recommends that the approach to the applicant property
on Raytown Rd be labeled as right-in, right-out only. This will prevent vehicles
from turning left onto Raytown Rd. while exiting the property, and also will
similarly prevent vehicles from using the left turn lane on southbound Raytown
Rd. to enter the property. No other recommendations have been added since
this application appeared before the board previously. The Applicant has
updated their site plan to meet all of the previous recommendations made by
staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Al Herman, with SDC
Engineering in Raytown, said he did a Phase I and Phase II traffic study on
July 6, from 4-6pm. He said the peak traffic times are from 4:30 to
5:30pm. Alderman Aziere said school was not in session. The study
was only done for 2 hours. He doesn’t consider this to be an accurate
study and shouldn’t be used in the Board’s decision making process.
Alderman Emerson said the new permit conditions call for right turns in and
right turns out of the property. She wanted to know how that was going to
be enforced. Mr. Sullivan said there would be signs indication the restrictions
and if necessary, curbing to restrict left turns. Carol Hinsley said she
agreed the corner of 67th and Raytown Road isn’t pretty. It’s a great
location for the right project. She pointed out the Board requested a
traffic study. When she thinks of a traffic study, she thinks of strips
across the road for several days counting the vehicles, not some guy sitting in
his car for 2 hours. This intersection lends itself to traffic
accidents. A gas station will only make it worse. She looked up the
traffic accidents at this intersection and found there have been 15 accidents
in the past 20 month between 3:00 and 4:00 pm. Alderman Van Buskirk
pointed out there have been other businesses at this site and wondered why the
concern about traffic now. Alderman Meyers said commercial growth is
difficult and it requires investors with revenue. If the Board hangs this
up on the traffic study, they will have traffic issues with the next applicant
as well. Alderman Aziere said he was insulted by the traffic study.
It didn’t include sidewalks, school busses, or children walking in the street.
The
Board heard the first reading of an ordinance granting approval of the site
plan for a retail store on land located at 9109 East 63rd Street. Ralph
Monaco, with the Greg Stervinou Construction who was working with Dollar
General Corporation was requesting site plan approval for certain variances to
the Planned Overlay Zoning District. Alderman Teeman said there were
houses in the first plan and wanted to know why they aren’t in the second
plan. Mr. Monaco said the project was behind schedule on the retail
component. They had been concentrating on get the retail store open
first, and then they will come back and put in the houses.
The
Board passed the first and second reading of an ordinance amending chapter 50,
section 50-38 of the Raytown code of ordinances relating to the establishment
and membership of the planning commission. City Clerk, Teresa Henry, said
this will simply bring the city into compliance with State statute.
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43 comments:
If the park sales tax is approved, all funds should be diverted to the storm drainage fund in the same manner that the storm drainage funds were previously diverted to parks.
Andy Whiteman
That's the problem, Andy. In 2010 HALF of the money was SUPPOSED to be diverted to fix storm water runoff. From 2010 thru 2016 NONE of it was! Only a fool would buy into a promise the City and Park Board has already broken. No thanks. If they put this one on the ballot I promise to vote NO and to tell all my friends to do the same.
To be fair there was not a "designated" % of tax revenue in the ballot language that was to be allocated to Storm Water runoff from the Parks/Storm Water Tax that was renewed in 2010. It is also fair though to say that the % of tax revenue that went to storm water runoff prior to the newly appointed City Council surfacing and tackling the issue in 2015 was ZERO. A lengthy negotiation process ensued and eventually there was an agreement that required a special committee to work thru the process.
Steve Meyers
Alderman Ward 4
Wasting taxpayers $$$ to put it on the ballot would be stupid! I sure hope everyone votes NO IF it is on the ballot. Unfortunately I voted YES in 2010 expecting 50% of the money to go to storm water runoff. IF it had been separate ballot issues as it should have been, I would have noted NO on parks and YES on storm water runoff. The sheepole were conned by combining the ballot issues.
Andy Whiteman (a sheepole who was conned)
With the spread of diseases caused by mosquitoes, i.e. Zika, West Nile, maintaining proper water runoff has become a health hazard.
This needs to be addressed as an environmental health crisis and given priority one for the safety of our community.
Not some water park that is really not that good or safe a place to be anymore for the children of our community.
Hello Raytowners,
One thing I have come to dislike about Raytown is the number of autonomous or seemingly autonomous monopolies/entities/agencies that can operate on their own with very little outside oversight. Such as the fire district, parks department, Raytown water company, Raytown schools, and the grand daddy the Raytown Police dept. Yes I too like having a strong police presence in the community, but having a former policeman as mayor now makes things a bit cozy for his relationship with the unit of government that uses up over half the city budget. I hear people talk about the dept. being "top heavy". Is that so? This small city can not afford to have too many desk jockeys shuffling paper and making big paychecks. We need cops on the street.
Yes, I am ready for the poster to weigh in with... so if you think Big Mike should not be mayor, why don't you run? or hey why not stop a cop on the street and tell them what cowards they are? Yes there are some who can not have a conversation with out "throwing down" Mostly those types come out of the woodwork whenever someone has the temerity to question how things are with the police or fire departments.
One of the biggest concerns I have with almost all of the groups I have named is what kind of pension promises will come to haunt us taxpayers in the future? I believe the schools have a separate fund for their pensions but I don't know about the others. Yes, I know the story about the public servants working so altruistically for less so that their future can be secure with a nice pension with some health benefits.... but can Raytown afford that?
Personally, I think we need to scrap the pension model. Pay significantly higher wages with decent benefits and do a 401K or 403B or whatever cities use. It's strictly pay as you go and that way if we get into trouble we can re-evaluate. Or maybe it's working great a we can add to the package.
Just some Monday night musings.
Have a great week Raytowners.
RN
In talking with one of the aldermen this weekend, it appears the TIF drama is about to be front and center again on the news. Channel 41 has been contacting numerous persons from both the city and the fire department over the past week to solicite comments related to some new documentation that proves the 2011-12 adminstration knowingly conspired with Block and Co to defraud the taxpayers.
The police pension plan is a time bomb waiting to explode. Why David Bower pushed it through is a mystery. It is doubtful our current mayor will do anything to undo the mess. It leaves one feeling kind of hopeless.
The problem with your musings are that the mayor has no vote on things unless there is a tie on the board of aldermen. So to say he is too close to the police department and their budget does not make sense to me. Government checks and balances is how our governments are done in our beloved USA. Also all the budgets go thru a multi step process and then voted on by the aldermen as someone has already said. I would think that if something were amiss by now one of the other mayors or boards would have caught it.
They just announced on Channel 9 news that the Raytown School District is giving away a car to a sophomore, junior, or senior that has a good attendance. Our tax dollars are paying for that? That is the most ridiculous thing I've every heard of. Every one of the school board members that voted for that should be impeached.
Raytown Newbie, while you make some interesting points about the police department I fail to see how the are autonomous as you claim. The board of alderman approve their budgets and policies. To your opening rant, I don't know of a single school district that is not a separate entity from the city they cover, the water company is exactly that a private company and the fire district so far has been the only truly accountable entity Raytown has. So I guess I would ask where are you new to Raytown from and how did they conduct business.
Raytona Beach Bum
That's the only way to get them to school. Is to give them something. Who cares if they can read, write. speak proper English or do math or any of the other life skills. What a bunch of idiots running that school and to think one of them that is serving on school board is running for State Rep. but of course his children don't go to public schools here in Raytown. Mr. Barnes is not getting my vote!!! Just sign me smarter than that
Lilian said...... This post doesn't surprise me. I use to work for the Raytown school district and the waste of tax payers money is sickening. I for use will NEVER vote for school tax increases. I wonder if the car is new or used. Also, what kind of legal paper work will the winner have to sign if someone gets hurt when they win the car and get into a wreck and trying to blame the school district on giving away a faulty vehicle and the tax payers have to pay again. The give away is a disaster waiting to happen.
Yes, anonymous 5:54, I took high school civics too and I understand checks and balances, it's a great theory.... but in the mean time other things such as good old boys, lobbyists, insiders, influence peddlers, nepotism and probably many things we the people do not even get a sniff of have emerged to undermine the intentions of our constitutional authors.
RN
Lillian, was the news report correct or understood correctly? I have heard of the new car giveaway in the past in other areas but it was always a car dealership that provided the car, not any school district. I assumed it was as an advertising tax write-off and/or possibly as a charitable donation. I support encouraging grades or perfect attendance as long as it is at NO expense to the taxpayer!
Andy Whiteman
Andy - the news report only said a car was to be given away. They didn't say who provided the car.
Lillian- I asked the STAR- via their webpage story ( http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article97376677.html ) who exactly is provding these new cars.
Oops- I read right over the answer to my question.
In The STAR story: "If Raytown improves attendance by 0.2 percent, the revenue from that would easily cover the total $20,000 that the district paid Dick Smith Ford for the two cars."
The cars for the school attendance are being purchased by the District from Dick Smith Ford at $20K total for two cars. Students get a raffle chance each month they are at 95% attendance or better with the drawing happening in May at each high school. The goal is to drive better attendance at the high schools. If they can drive just a 0.2% increase in attendance in the District, the funding they receive based on attendance increases enough to cover the cost of the cars. Anything above a 0.2% increase is net revenue to the District.
Lilian
When was this on channel 9 today about the free car for Raytown school student? I'm not finding it on kmbc on line
The incentive for me to go to school was either go or get your butt beat. I think if the kids don't want to go to school, fine the parents and make the fines bigger each time the kids miss school. So now you set a precedence, what are they going to do for the middle schools? Give them a mini bike or something of that nature? Elementary schools, give them a pony? The parents are most of the problem; not being parents and letting the kids rule the house. I saw the article on FOX 4 news. We need to "clean house" of the administrators who run the district and put some common sense people in their seat. What a joke!
My wife works for the Raytown School District. The only reason the district does anything is federal dollars. It is an addiction that must be fed.
Wow a new car for simply going to class 95% of the time.
That should go well with their participation trophies for showing up at sports.
It is no wonder we are raising a generation of people who feel entitlement is a way of life.
As usual if there is a City meeting or event you can always depend on Raytown Brooking-Eagle lead reporter Kris Collins to be in attendance. Last night was no exception as Kris was once again diligently taking notes during a 2 hr Public Works/Finance Committee joint work session. Kris is a true journalistic professional and his accurate and well researched reporting is widely respected and provides the Eagle's readership unbiased and factual articles. After our meeting someone mentioned to me that Kris is pursuing a new career choice that will take him out of our community. I hope you join me in wishing Kris future success and let him know his contributions and professional standards were highly appreciated.
Steve Meyers
Alderman Ward 4
One must remember that Federal funding to the schools depends on attendance. I remember when I was kid the schools received a certain amount per day per child. It may be to the benefit of the schools to encourage better attendance to receive more Federal funds even if the cars cost $20,000. I think that parental permission should be required due to other issues, parents may not want their child driving.
Andy Whiteman
Steve - I absolutely agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, I won't be reading any more of his articles. I refuse to pay 75 cents for her paper. She'll have to find some other way to pay off her campaign debts.
A quote from Alderman Meyers:
"To be fair there was not a "designated" % of tax revenue in the ballot language that was to be allocated to Storm Water runoff from the Parks/Storm Water Tax that was renewed in 2010. It is also fair though to say that the % of tax revenue that went to storm water runoff prior to the newly appointed City Council surfacing and tackling the issue in 2015 was ZERO. A lengthy negotiation process ensued and eventually there was an agreement that required a special committee to work thru the process."
"TO BE FAIR"? really now... it could have been an easy assumption to make that half would indeed go to fix storm water problems. And for sure that a meaningful amount would have. But no the so called watchdogs just let the parks people arrogantly appropriate this money with out any attempt to manage it properly.
It's that kind of shenanigans that cause me to be suspicious of much of how Raytown is run... then toss in the water park fiasco and the TIF morass. And the school district buying out and refurbishing the old YMCA plus the abandoned super market by the McDonalds on Blue Ridge plus the very nice office building by the Mexican restaurant..
I'm pretty sure I only know a small bit of what has gone on around here as business as usual for years. In the back of my mind I think there was probably some serious give and take to get the big church out of downtown and out to the 350 location. Who paid for all that?
Checks and balances?? yeah right.
So if they show for class and sleep through class they might . Folks we the people of Raytown need to get some balls and like the citizens of Lee's Summit oust the no good. time we woke up and take control of the situation. I don't care if Dick smith donated the cars its the principal. Just sign me madder than h e double hockey sticks up side down.
Hey Newbie,
Pretty cinical for someone new
Try being positive and help those in power to do great things.....oh wait that would require effort unlike gripping all the time
Anon 6:53... I pay about $4000 a year in property taxes here in Raytown. You?
I think that gives me a right to vent/rant/comment or whatever from time to time. Been here about 6 years now and see lots of potential that's not being realized.
Why don't you get a handle so we can identify you when you speak up... or you must just like spending your time "helping those in power do great things".
BTW I think it's griping that I am doing but some gripping too.
Have a nice one there. RN
I wonder if Anon 6:53 went to public school with the same people who never learned the difference between "their, there, or they're" or maybe "your and you're".
2 very proven unreliable and consistent fabricators of FACTS are at it once again. Actually let me amend that sentence and let's just go with are continuing to speak and or publish false information in the hopes you somehow would believe what these modern day "medicine men" are pushing. Both Joe Creamer and seldom seen other than to pick up his City Alderman check Jim Aziere are spewing out that the Board of Alderman "ordered" the Parks Board to reduce expenditures to bare minimums this season in regards to necessary repairs and updates to Super Splash. SAY WHAT??? Let me set the record straight. Last fall Parks Director Kevin Boji in presenting the Park Department budget to Board of Alderman had a 100k line item repair expenditure earmarked for necessary Super Splash repairs which is not an uncommon amount annually for the aging water park. It is well within Mr. Boji's authority to submit that expenditure since his department budget has a Sales Tax revenue stream in which he distributes and allocates funds to the needs of the total Parks system. At NO time did the Council direct that 100k to be diminished or reduced. Got that.. At NO Time. Did the council at that meeting question the logic of the Parks Board (the real decision makers) opening once again an attraction that in the last 7 years has lost close to 1.5 Million Dollars. You bet they did!! As they should have. But with that said the Council does not have the right to override the Parks Board Decision in regards to opening Super Splash for then the upcoming 2016 Season.
Now back to the "needed and budget line item repair of 100k". It was later decided (READ UP PLEASE) in a future PARKS BOARD meeting that the 100k of necessary repairs to the aging structure would be SCALED BACK to minimal amounts in an effort to reduce expenditures and add to the revenue bottom line in an attempt to somehow get the revenue #'s in the BLACK for the first time in maybe a decade. Well the #'s are in and with another year of less than 30k of attendance they came close to getting out of the RED.
But it took closing off of attractions that were deemed unsafe (remember that 100k project list) that got scratched in lieu of revenue enhancement... Shameful... I can tell you this for a fact. The current Board of Alderman would have NEVER placed public safety and politics ahead of the needs and safety of the people utilizing Super Splash. And for Joe Creamer and Jim Aziere to be saying they did is nothing but total lies and bull butter... But what do you expect from those two... Even Raytown Times Randy couldn't sign on for that one!!!
Making statements like that doesn't mean anything substantial sir!
Making statements like that just shows your own lack of ability to communicate
I can communicate. AND when I do, no one has to read and re-read my statements due to grammatical errors.
Just finished reading the Raytown Jekyl and Hyde Times. Those who have read it may remember the glowing article from Randy Battagler telling how Super Splash is the success story of the early 21st Century. This week he paints a different story. It is one of how smart the Park Board is to shut the pool down! Make up your mind Randy. Your switching positions in the middle of debate is making everyone dizzy.
The park board is typical of a lot of bureaucratic appointed boards. They surround themselves with like minded people until it blinds them to the reality of what the people they serve really want. The recent action of the Park Board to close the failing water park Super Splash is a text book example.
They immediately blame the Board of Aldermen for the their decision but do not say why. Then, after a short break, the say they want the people or Raytown to raise their sales tax to fund fixing the failed water park.
This bunch is in for a very rude awakening.
The people attending their waterpark do not live in Raytown. That means they do not get a vote.
Contact your alderman and tell them you do not want to waste your tax dollars on a city wide election to raise taxes.
There is not going to be a long line of people wantint to raise sales taxes for a water park they do not use.
Simply put and well said 10:34 PM
The city has an ordinance on the books regarding yard signs an the times they are allowed to be placed up and when they should be taken down. The ordinance has little reach beyond municipal elections. There was case in court that drew quite a lot of attention in Shawnee, KS that affects the Raytown ordinance. The ruling pretty much sided on the side of First Amendment Rights as it regards to freedom of speech.
The result is that state wide office holders do hot have a time line for signs left up after a primary election. Their campaigns are continuing and active. Both candidates in Raytown running for the 28th District seat have some of their signs remaining up.
I would agree that those with losing campaigns have no reason for their signs to stay up.
It is interesting to note that one of the most frequent violators of leaving signs up after an election is the Jackson County Sheriff. But the only complaints we have heard on this blog are aimed a the two legislative candidates. Guess Tip o'Neil had it right when he said "all politics is local"!
Why not give the working men in the pubic works department a raise? Typical, curse the little man attitude exhibited by corrupt organizations. I, for one, am sick of it.
If they won their primary they can leave them up thru the general election nowadays
In answer to an earlier post's question. The pay increases for the Aldermen would increase from $450 per month to $550 per month. $50 of a Boardmembers salary is a car allowance and exempt from taxes. Board members would be paid $6,600 annually.
The Judge would see a 25% pay increase as well. The position is currently paid $28,190 annually. The new salary would top out at $37,395.63 in 2020.
The City Marshal/Chief of Police is currently paid $96,742.00 annually and given the use of a car, insurance and fuel with the job. The proposed increase would top out at $110,363.14 annually (plus the car, insurance and fuel).
Who is kidding who? No one is forced to run for public office. They are already paid enough. I would rather see them fix my street properly. The gravel and tar mix they put on my neighborhood street is not holding up very well. It would be a much better use for our tax dollars.
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