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| BY GREG WALTERS |
Other Papers Discuss . . .
The following article was published in Pitch Magazine this
last week.
Raytown, and in particular, the Walmart on 350 Highway, are central
to the story, which also examines other Walmart stores in the metropolitan area
and nationally.
 |
| RAYTOWN POLICE CRUISER AT WALMART STORE |
It is a reminder and a wake-up call to the baggage that
often times comes with large retail outlets. The story examines the cost to
municipalities, and the unfortunate target they become to an element in society
who believe if you want it, you take it.
The story interesting on many fronts. The
first and foremost is in the falsehood that large retail outlets are a blessing
to a community. But more importantly, the underlying message that even during
the holiday season, it is wise to be mindful of our surroundings when out for
what should be a pleasurable experience of shopping.
Wal-Mart 911: The world’s largest has the lowest prices and keeps police busy BY DAVID MARTIN
Around 11 a.m. on October 7, a Raytown police officer
attempted to apprehend a man and a woman suspected of shoplifting at the
Wal-Mart on East Missouri Route 350. The couple, a husband and wife, decided to
make a run for it, leading police on a car chase that ended when their maroon
Cadillac DeVille crashed in a wooded area near East 43rd Street and Elmwood
Avenue, in Kansas City.
The driver, Jaconn Griffin, faces charges of assaulting an
officer and resisting a lawful stop. Police say the officer who had tried to
make the arrest at Wal-Mart was stuck by the Cadillac’s open rear door when
Griffin threw the car in reverse before speeding out of the parking lot. The
officer, Evan Hartenstein, was treated for minor injuries.
The chase reached speeds of over 110 mph and caused several
accidents. After crashing the car, Griffin tried to flee on foot before being
captured by two Kansas City police officers. Tamara Griffin, whom police say
swung a bagful of stolen batteries at Hartenstein before jumping into the
backseat of the getaway car, faces charges in Raytown Municipal Court. READ MORE
Candidates File
for Public Office BY PAUL LIVIUS
Last Tuesday was a busy day for the City Clerk at
Raytown City Hall. Raytown’s City Clerk, Teresa Henry accepted documentation
from no less than 11 candidates filing for various offices up for election in
April of 2017.
So far, five incumbents and six newcomers have filed for office. Filing will remain open until January 10th. To qualify as a candidate for public office office in Raytown, a person must have all personal and property taxes paid in full, be a registered voter and must live within the jurisdiction in which they have filed.
Here is a list of who has filed as of last Tuesday. Filing will will remain open until Tuesday, January 17th at 5:00 p.m.
ALDERMAN, WARD 1
Frank Hunt
ALDERMAN, WARD 2
Jason Greene
Loretha V. Hayden
ALDERMAN, WARD 3
Janet Emerson
Ryan Myers
ALDERMAN, WARD 4
Bill Van Buskirk
ALDERMAN, WARD 5
Melissa Beall
Phylis Goforth
Bonnaye Mims
CITY MARSHAL
Jim Lynch
MUNICIPAL JUDGE
Traci Fann
Traci Fann
Major Appointments Scheduled
for BOA Meeting BY GREG WALTERS AND PAUL LIVIUS The Raytown Board of Aldermen has a full plate of appointments scheduled for next Tuesday’s meeting. Three appointments will be made to Senior Staff positions. The following three positions will be filled.
RESOLUTION-2922-16: A resolution appointing Tom Cole as City Administrator.
RESOLUTION-2923-16: A resolution appointing Briana Burrichter as Finance Director.
RESOLUTION-2924-16: A resolution appointing Kati Horner Gonzalez as Public Works Director.
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55 comments:
Broken record on here..... everyone agrees the Walmart on 350 has been, is now, and will be a drain on our city's resources.
So why not offer up some ideas on fixing things or at least working toward a solution?
Too much time is spent on blame instead of searching out answers to this problem Raytown and many other communities have.
Not my fault. I voted against it. I told you so.
Enough. If you have no ideas then just let it drop.
Greg,
Thank you for bringing The Pitch article pertaining to Wal-Mart's security burden on the area's local police forces including Raytown's. As the article also mentioned this is a growing nationwide problem that many communities are attempting to deal with.
There has been quite a bit of discussion amongst the Board of Alderman and police officials in recent times about the sheer volume of calls involving incidents at the 350 Hwy Wal-Mart in Raytown. While there may be an on-site off duty Raytown Police officer working at the store, Wal-Mart has a pretty stiff policy about petty prosecution in hopes it will send a signal to others that they don't mess around. Usually this requires on duty police officers to assist in the booking process. As an observer one evening at our City night court along with several other City Council members, we were in total shock to the number of people appearing before our City Judge on petty larceny charges. So the total resources our city has to utilize to deal with the issues occurring at that Wal-Mart are burdensome for sure.
Alderman Mark Moore has done some extensive research and found some communities are placing a surcharge on every police call that involves directing on-duty to officers to the Wal-Mart locations. These cities have simply come to the conclusion that Wal-Mart in it's usual penny pinching business model have no problem taking up the financial resources of the communities and their police departments in lieu of hiring a sufficient security staff to handle their loss prevention issues.
As the article stated when you combine that in many communities Wal-Mart has taken FULL advantage of city tax collection revenue reductions projects (TIF) Raytown included, yet their HUGE financial burden to the service entities mentioned (police & city court) highlights a seriously tilted and increasing problem.
With over than 1000 calls made by our Police Department in 2015 it is time to come up with an effective solution that will put the police on the streets and neighborhoods and not in the front of the Wal-Mart Store.
Stay safe and warm this weekend folks!
Steve Meyers,
Alderman Ward 4
The broken record comment is way off base. I was not aware that someone tried to run down one of our police officers at Walmart. I think everyone agrees Walmart is a drain on the Raytown economy. But until last year we were not aware of the controversy over tax collection and allotment by the Fire Department. Sweeping all this bad memory under the carpet is not a solution. We need to be reminded of the past so we do not make the same mistakes again.
While placing a surcharge on Walmart for excessive calls, why not include the nursing home up by McDonalds on Blue Ridge.
They require many responses from the EMTs and Fire Dept every month. Probably they are in first place.
I guess the main difference between Walmart and the Nursing Homes is the Nursing Homes are supposed to have people who get sick and need emergency care on a regular basis. I wasn't aware, however, that Walmart was supposed to have thieves and shop lifters in their stores on a regular basis. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Thank you Roger
10:43 AM, Since only one Alderman voted against Walmart, I think I know who you are!
I suggested when Walmart was being built that the Raytown Police have a substation there the same as KC did at the Walmart across from Bannister Mall. Why not consider having a police presence? At least it is a point of contact for citizens. I made use of the one at Bannister to report a suspicious person person in the parking lot. I received an escort to my car when I was done shopping.
I suggest an additional sales tax on sales at Walmart. Said sales tax would go directly to the Police budget (and now where else) to fund these requests for service.
Andy Whiteman
Re: A resolution appointing Kati Horner Gonzalez as Public Works Director.
Is this the same Katie Horner did the weather on CH 5?
Andy Whiteman
I see the Board of Aldermen are going to appoint former weather caster Katie Horner as the new public works director. What on earth qualifies her to hold a position like this. Shouldn't this person hold some kind of engineering degree? Just typical of the continuing revolving door with department heads at city hall. When will these guys ever learn that until you require these people holding the high paid positions to LIVE IN RAYTOWN, you're never going to have any continence at city hall.
I see the least intelligent in Raytown read and comment on this blog. To answer your question, no the weathercaster Katie Horner is not being appointed to a post in Raytown. Kati Horner Gonzalez is a licensed Professional Engineer. She has worked for the city as Acting Public Works Director for quite some time and has done a fantastic job. It makes one wonder that you don't know the difference.
Hurray for Peggy Sue. Best comment in months.
Just wondering why the City doesn't place a surcharge on the criminals and thugs? Say $200 plus whatever their fine and jail time is.
I can only hope that Ms Horner uses her good judgment to curtail the relentless plowing of 2 inches of snow on our roads.
Yes, I know the guys can use a little OT this time of year.
But this city is going broke and every thing helps.
Crews started plowing on Blue Ridge Blvd at midnight. Made many more passes before morning.
And now just after the Chiefs game they are back out there.
Why?
To be honest... One pass would have been just fine. Or like they do in Lees Summit.. no plowing at all. Somehow they survive.
Thank heavens we have people like Peggy Sue to keep us straight. Her comment reminds me of the Hillary Clinton campaign. They were big on insulting the opposition at every turn. Maybe Peggy Sue and Hillary's handlers can write a book. They could title it, How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Blue ridge is one of many emergency snow routes. Go to state of Missouri department of transportation and it will explain the guidelines for emergency snow routes and the state laws that govern them
5:25
Obviously you never plowed a street or even shoveled a driveway.
To 5:25
The ice came down first later the snow. After the snow is scrapped the ice remains and also gets scrapped. Even alittle bit can make a deadly accident . I live on the Blvd as well and was thankful they were out. I agree it's hard to see the ice from inside your house but it was there for sure. I was out putting down ice melt an hour after coming home from work Friday and it was slick. Shoveled Sunday and still ice. What melts refreezes .
Yours is the only Raytown website that allows anonymous posts. Have you considered requiring posters to sign their names. Someone had said that because of the astmophere of fear at city hall the employees had to sign anonymous. That is gone now. People should sign their names. Please consider this.
Peggy Sue
You are right our public works direct is great and I am glad to know you need a degree before overseeing the placement of gravel and oil on city streets.
There's a whole lot more to it than placing gravel on the road. I urge you to read the agendas to each meeting. If you do, you will see the Public Works director has to be able to oversee things like HVAC systems, storm sewer repairs, street repairs, as well as managing the department.
Fact Check
1. The city of Lees Summit does plow its roads.
2. There is no mandatory requirement by the State of Missouri for a city to plow its streets.
Look up streets designated and marked as Emergency Snows Routes and yes there is a mandatory rule Again fact check Emergency Snow Routes State of Missouri. I believe that's what they posted about above
Two people have posted that there is some State of Missouri regulation or law regarding the plowing of Emergency Snow Routes.
Neither has said where this information is hidden. Perhaps someone can narrow down where this information is so that it can be seen.
Finding it requires more than a general statement to "look up streets designated and marked as Emergency Snows Routes"
Only thing I know is that it is illegal to park on the street during a snowstorm if the street is an emergency snow route.
The City of Raytown has about 2 dozen streets designated as Emergency Snow Routes.
A couple of comments on several things.
As for the Wal Mart and security, yes it is bad, but what are they supposed to do? Let people steal? If I am not wrong, it is just as wrong to steal from a individual than it is from a big corporation. Like it or not, Wal Mart deserves the same protection that we get from the police. If people did not come in and steal, then there would be no need for so many responses from the police. I happen to know someone who did shop lift, and was caught. They did a few days in jail, and are no longer allowed on Wal Mart property. I was able to read the entire article in the Pitch. It speaks of a $4 bottle of Ban roll on, Wal Mart only makes $0.12 off the sale, however if someone steals it, they lose $4.00. While that not sound a lot, multiply that factor by a thousand fold. People want low prices, yet in order to keep those low prices they have a low profit margin on each product. The only way to do this, is to make sure those who steal are prosecuted. So instead of getting upset at Wal Mart, how about the ones who are stealing in the first place? Even if they did have added security officers -- who are off duty police officers, you would still need on duty to arrest them and take them to jail. So is stealing right or wrong, or is just okay because it Wal Mart, and it is okay to "hate" Wal Mart.
Another observation. About snow removal. Part of the duty is keeping the streets clear. While an inch or two may not sound like a lot, it builds up, once it refreezes than we have a sheet of ice. The streets need to be clear also for emergency responders. Yes, Lee's Summit does plow, and they have more miles to clear than Raytown does. And, yes they where out on Saturday -- all day, as where the MoDot trucks. Oh, and by the way, they keep it up until the threat is over. Even after all of the roads are clear, they have a "frost watch" where they are out looking for slick spots. Then again if they where not plowed quick enough, then same people would be complaining that they are not cleared. It just goes to show you can never please everyone.
Roger, you and Andy are free to post using your names. Most of the rest of us are not comfortable to do so.
What upsets you about anonymous posts?
I know for a fact that Walters won't allow any name calling or other personal attacks on here.
Oh, except for a certain town drunk, whom I shall not name.
signed anonymous
The same people who are being arrested at Walmart are the same people who live in our neighborhoods. It's just a sad state of affairs for Raytown.
Walmart should absolutely have top notch police service. Walmart should also be paying taxes to pay for those services.
I bet most are from KC not Raytown
I read in 7:07 and their comment said go to and mentioned it. Of course I look a lot of things up on the internet just like looking up the Raytown post. There are differences as well in emergency snow routes and snow emergency. The Internet is so full of information that it is not hard to find anything if you really want to find it.
The only reason I can guess that people are upset with Public Works is that it took until Sunday to finish plowing the residential streets. The main streets were plowed and in some places, dry. I only saw Raytown Public Works trucks out this year. In the past, the city spent a fortune on private plow trucks. I'm not sure if they used any this time, but it was a lot less than in the past. We can thank the BOA and city staff for finding a way to fund the purchase of needed equipment.
Congrats to the alderman who voted to pass the employee book. Nice to see some alderman with some balls and not back down because the mayor and chief didn't like it or have time to read it. Really I don't buy your excuses.
10:19 AM, I have ALWAYS signed my name since day 1 of this blog mainly because I wanted officials to know that I made the comments even though they claimed not to read this blog! I can understand why some are afraid to sign their name but many times I question the validity of the stated facts and/or comment. Greg hasn't always been so strict on personal attacks which also can be phrased as polite comments. Personal attacks have existed since day 1 of this blog the same as they exist on other blogs as well social media. My policy is to ignore personal attacks from anonymous posters so they get no satisfaction from said attack. But if it was phrased as a valid question, I would answer it as I did yours.
Merry Christmas,
Andy Whiteman
If you saw private plow trucks they weren't Raytowns. Only Kansas City contract with private people to plow theirs. Raytown use all their own equipment and personnel
That's an ignorant thing to say.
I saw the meeting and ALL said they thought the finished document was good overall but had some reservations about a FEW aspects of it. I believe the mayor said he and the board received the finished product Friday and someone else said it was 90 some pages and they had not read it completely yet.
Just because someone has questions should not be bad but indicated they are being diligent in their review
Well at least when City hall gives us a snow job, it's one of the best in the area. Political and street snow removal wise.
Please let the rest of us in on the
"employee book" referred to above.
Just what is it?
Regarding Anonymous posting:
I support it.
Yes there are pros and cons.
When someone signs as Whiteman, Mary Pat, Roger or whomever. Whos job is it to verify?
I post on many blogs, websites, message boards, etc. All have the option of anonymous posting.
As long as Gregg screens the posts and keeps out the obvious nasty and untrue stuff, who cares?
One honest poster, on a message board I subscribe to, advocates for real identity posting... that way he knows who to sink his teeth into!!
Merry Christmas
For more information about the Employee Manual go to:
https://raytownmo.govoffice3.com/vertical/Sites/%7B3A1DBD03-39C2-43FA-8CC9-95B16E6438CB%7D/uploads/12-20-16_Web_Packet-AMENDED.pdf
Start on page 101.
There should be a term limit on the city marshall elected position. Too much "good ol boy" crap going on that has cost the city millions of dollars and has done nothing but fatten the pockets of the PD administration.
2:17 - Last I heard, no one else had filed for the position. If you want him gone, why don't you run against him? Put up or shut up!
Term limits on a position that requires certain certifications and experience?
That's plain silly!
How about this. The police budget has been approved by each City Administrator and passed by the board of alderman for the last 40 plus years. If you have read the budget that just passed away last October he would see that the entire budget was very scrutinized and reduced including the police budget by this board of alderman.
Has circumstances change as in any business sometimes things become more costly including training, equipment and other items, no matter whether it is public works, please or emergency medical services.
Mr. Rager has been on the board for over 18 years as he reminds the public every chance he gets. He has approved all of the budgets in those 18 years.
if one believes him to be the guardian of the taxpayers money as well as Mr. Vanbuskirk then one has to assume that no one including the police department is getting their wallet fattened at the expense of the taxpayers
Whenever I see these type of posts on here all I can say is if you have proof there is miss spending by any agency in the city then prove it
I for one have either been at or watched many many meetings with this board of alderman and others. I have not seen any board of alderman in many years approve a budget it didn't look like it had been gone over very thoroughly
Shame on you or anyone for casting shadows on anyone without proof
You are the kind of person that is wrong with Raytown
That's Mr. Aziere not Rager
Sorrrry
It is a known fact that no one can file against the chief of police. First of all no one from Raytown will because he would have to be a policeman and he would be in a lot of hurt.
No one from outside of Raytown has the qualifications needed as they have made the requirements so tough no one can match them.
We will have this one until he retires and then Bowman will run as he has been set up for it and then we can keep giving him raises until which time he decides to retire.
We need to hire from outside (no election) then maybe we would have a chief that is responsive to the average citizen.
This page is full of cop haters. I wouldn't waste my breath.
Here is a different Christmas ecard. Please cut and paste link to your browser:
http://www.jacquielawson.com/ecard/pickup?code=6570240785526&source=jl999
Andy Whiteman
Ahhhhh......the qualifications are by State Statute and have not changed nor has the city ordinance
Once again those pesky facts get in the way
We need sn appointed chief of police and a police board to make sure everything stays on the up and up. We are headed back to the Beeler days which we don't need or want.
Raytown city ordinance requires the candidate for Police Chief be a resident of Raytown for at least a year before the election.
This is not some arcane requirement of the State of Missouri but narrows down the pool of candidates to a handful all of whom work for...... the police chief.
AHHHHHH!, those pesky facts again.
There seems to be a number of people who write on this blog who are displeased with the Chief of Police, the Police Board and the Police Department in general. One of the great things about our country is if you don't like an elected official, you can work to get him/her defeated. I would suggest if you don't like the job Chief Lynch is doing, file, run and do the job yourself. There are many more of us who want the right to vote for the chief of police rather than allow someone like David Bower or Marion Beeler to appoint a dictator to the post. And please don't go on again about corruption in the police department unless you are willing to show concrete evidence.
I think most agree there's no overt corruption in the police department but a part of ethics is avoiding the appearance of an ethical transgression.
It looks a bit shady to some when:
The Police Department controls over half of the city's money.
The mayor is a retired policeman
And most importantly.....
It is virtually impossible to elect a police chief other than the incumbent, unless the incumbent does not run again. And then we will only be able to choose for a quite small pool of Raytown police officers.
That just goes against the grain of democracy which Americans cherish. Doesn't make us "cop haters".
Nobody has any say about that irksome fact, except the incumbent police chief or town marshal if you please.
Oh and by the way, that would not have been changed with the failed city charter.
Very tiresome to hear cool aid drinkers mouthing the old refrain: If you think you can do a better job then get the training, file for office and run... finger down throat here!
Amen to that Peggy Sue
Ahhhhh
And those facts have been in existence for a very long time
Yes those pesky facts
2:09 wrote it looks a bit shady when the mayor is a retired policeman. Really? Why is that? Did he hide the fact he was a police officer when he ran? Of course not. If you didn't like the fact that the man running for mayor was a retired police officer, you should have worked harder to elect Pat Ertz. Since you didn't, why is it a problem now? Also, why is someone that disagrees with you a cool aid drinker? You don't think getting the training, filing and running for the office will possibly solve the problem? I can guarantee you that whining on this blog never solved anything! Again - put up or shut up.
The mayor is a retired cop, so what!
He has no vote unless a tie
Only the Board has votes
The voters saw nothing wrong when they voted overwhelmingly for him in the last election and he became Mayor
So, I don't get your argument at all
Also the citizenry let it be known in each charter attempt over the years that they wanted their Chief elected
So your arguing points are very weak and still don't hold water
Steve Meyers does a great job of providing news stories for the Raytown Times. Maybe he could make one each meeting. Then the paper wouldn't be so full of doom and gloom.
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