RAYTOWN'S LEADING NEWS SOURCE
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GREG WALTERS ANNOUNCES
CANDIDACY FOR WARD 1 ALDERMAN
In 1912 Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt announced “My hat’s in the ring”, to say he had decided to enter the race for President of the United States. It was the first recorded use of the idiom, “My hat’s in the ring” in a political sense. Prior to his announcement the phrase simply meant the speaker was entering some sort of contest.
Roosevelt had succeeded William McKinley, who was assassinated shortly after taking office in 1901. He went on to win the Presidency on his own in 1904. After his second term was complete, he retired from public life only to return four years later to run for President in 1912.
He was denied the Republican nomination. Formed his own party, nicknamed the Bull Moose Party, and ran second in a four way race for President.
Theodore Roosevelt was one of America’s most popular Presidents. He is immortalized on Mount Rushmore along with Presidents Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln.
So, in the spirit of Theodore Roosevelt, I wish to announce “my hat’s in ring” for the seat left vacant by former Alderman Josh Greene when he resigned as Ward 1 Alderman last year.
For those who do not know me. I served on the Raytown Board of Aldermen from 1980 - 1996 and 1998 – 2009. I believe the experience from those 27 years of public service will be an asset at city hall.
I have been watching the new Mayor and Board of Aldermen at work since they took office two years ago and have been impressed. I hope to be able to join them in shaping Raytown’s future.
OTHER PEOPLE’S MAIL
Last week I wrote a story about former Raytown Alderman Joe Creamer’s comments regarding the Police Department’s policy on trips. Mr. Creamer had written: “I am waiting for a return of a request for information on how many out of town meetings Chief Jim Lynch attended in the last year.”
Mr. Creamer sent us a copy of a message he says came from Raytown City Clerk Teresa Henry. Since we had written the story on our main page, we thought it appropriate that we run his response in the same venue. Following is a copy of the email Creamer sent us (printed in bold italics). City Clerk Henry’s response is shown below Creamer’s email to the Raytown Report.
From: Joe Creamer
[mailto:jcreamer@adamsautogroup.com]
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 6:59 PM
To: GREGTWALTERS@GMAIL.COM
Subject: Fw: SUNSHINE REQUEST RESPONSE FROM CHIEF LYNCH
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 6:59 PM
To: GREGTWALTERS@GMAIL.COM
Subject: Fw: SUNSHINE REQUEST RESPONSE FROM CHIEF LYNCH
This is the response received from the city clerk in regards to my sunshine
request for travel expense for Chief Lynch, not a shot from the hip. You can do with it what you want.
From: Teresa Henry <thenry@raytown.mo.us>
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2016 3:18 PM
To: Joe Creamer
Subject: RE: SUNSHINE REQUEST
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2016 3:18 PM
To: Joe Creamer
Subject: RE: SUNSHINE REQUEST
I have asked Chief Lynch for this information in response to your request.
The answer that I was given in regards to your request was:
“Teresa, meeting costs are not
tracked.”
Teresa M. Henry, MRCC
City Clerk
City of Raytown, Missouri
816-737-6004
EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Creamer refers to his request as a “sunshine request”. The term typically is used to describe a formal request for information from a governmental source through what is known as the Sunshine Law (in Missouri). We do not know if Mr. Creamer has requested the information through powers outlined under the Sunshine Law. Expenditures of public funds in Missouri is a legitimate item to request information on under the Sunshine Law.
Our Blog Rules
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| BY GREG WALTERS |
This story grew out of a complaint we received from a blogger that we “censor” what is written to the Blog section of the Raytown Report. We have written about the rules on the Raytown Report Blog in the past. But as the complaint illustrates, it is time we did so again.
Here is a short version of the rules as concerns the Blog section of the Raytown Report.
PROFANITY IS NOT ALLOWED: That includes suggested profanity where diacritical figures are used in
the place of letters. Such ad “smart**s". We reserve the right to remove such words
and replace them with more civil language.
BLOGGERS NEED NOT SIGN THEIR NAME: However, if their message is of a personal nature aimed at
another individual with allegations that are unsubstantiated to the editors of
the Raytown Report, it will probably not be posted. If the blogger wants to
hone in on a certain target, they are free to do so. However, they must sign
their name to the attack piece they have written. We reserve the right to
verify the signature before publication. So far, there have not been any takers
on this last offer. Paul and I contend it is possible to disagree on issues of the day without getting in the dirt to do so.
That is pretty much the long and short of it. There are other social media outlets in Raytown. They rarely talk about each other – or, more than likely, their names are not allowed in each other’s publications. We have often wondered why not? The goal of all social media should be to disseminate and share information.
With that thought in mind, Paul has put together a growing list of the different news outlets, be they Facebook, Newspaper, or Electronic news/blog like the Raytown Report.
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| BY PAUL LIVIUS |
I have put together a growing list of social media outlets in Raytown that focus on Raytown area news. I hope you find them enlightening.
RAYTOWN REPORT: Of course, I am going to start with the Raytown Report. It is the oldest blog/social media outlet in Raytown. Two former Aldermen in Raytown began publication of the Raytown Report in 1997. It has changed over the years to the news blog you see today. It is published on a weekly basis. The focus of the Raytown Report is Raytown area politics and local news of interest.
RAYTOWN UNLEASHED: Raytown Unleashed is a Facebook page that keeps a lively conversation going on about all sorts of Raytown topics. It might be recipes, available services around town, school news, and, of course local politics. Susan Vorbeck Brown manages the page. She also is the editor of the page. Apparently, she has found out, as did Greg and I, that it is wise to make certain what is published is factual. Therefore, she reviews ALL posts before they are released.
RAYTOWN UNCENSORED: Raytown Uncensored is another Facebook page created because some did not like their copy censored. Hence, the name Raytown Uncensored. Be forewarned: If you visit this site, it is not for children who are learning to read because it truly is uncensored and apparently anything is allowed on the page.
RAYTOWN ONLINE: Raytown Online is a blog somewhat similar to the Raytown Report. It was created after the Raytown Report. However, the majority of the stories printed are news releases from other sources. The blog portion requires a signature for comment. As a result, very few people participate on the blog.
RAYTOWN BROOKING EAGLE: The Raytown Brooking Eagle is a local newspaper owned by local businesswoman Diane Krizek. The Brooking Eagle also has a web version of the newspaper published on a weekly basis. The newspaper requires a paid subscription. The website is currently free. However, the website also invites readers to pay for access to the electronic version of the Brooking Eagle.
RAYTOWN TIMES: Raytown Times Newspaper is published by Randy Battagler on a weekly basis. It is distributed free at a number of locations throughout Raytown. Though Randy has written about creating a website for his paper, we cannot find it after some exhaustive searches we have as recently as today.
As Greg wrote earlier, the goal of all social media should be the honest dissemination of information. We hope you take time to visit these other sources. Of course, we also ask that you return to the Raytown Report as Raytown’s Leading News Source.
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Comments
Especially considering coming from an individual who literally did nothing but lie to those in his ward (im one) about where he lived and who makes death threats against other aldermen. At this point im looking for him and his paper buddy to fail.
Andy Whiteman
The second request was number of days Chief Lynch was out of town for CONFERENCES year 2015-2016 and total expense to the taxpayer for those trips.
You printed the first question response here and the response seems reasonable (meetings are not tracked) because there is no extra cost to the taxpayer.
The second question Mr. Creamer asked was for training for conferences was answered separately.
Two questions asked in two different emails.
So Joe has either chosen to make stuff up to misguide readers or he just doesn't remember what he asked for.
Mr. Creamer has accomplished this quite a few times in making stuff up after receiving it from the City. It is not factual at all.
Freedom of speech doesn't mean it has to be true. 99% of the stuff Mr. Creamer writes is not true.
To Anonymous 11:33. Understand that Mr. Creamer has all the information on out of town travel for conferences. He has chosen to mislead you and mix the two questions up.
It was simply stated in an earlier comment you have chosen to disregard.
Maybe we could have one such as city of rotten streets. City with multiple Dollar stores.
I am sorry but I can not believe that with the financial problem that the city has that we worry
about a new tag line for the city.
Is the most important item for the bloggers, worry about what Joe C. is doing.
After this winter there are going to be quite a few streets that will need help. We are on our
way to looking like parts of Kansas City MO.
I hope that the Super Splash is closed for good as we can no longer afford to sink tens of
thousands of dollars into something that is dead. Aziere seems to think that it is our
responsibility to employe kids in Raytown to work at the pool. In a perfect world ok but
Raytown is not a perfect city, we have problems, too many to list here and no real solution.
More gas stations and smoke shops are not the answer, all it does is transfer sales from one
location to another with no real gain for the city and the lord knows that we do need a large
increase in our sales tax revenue.
Sorry for rambling but we have problems and we can not blow money on pipe dreams to satisfy
some politician.
Last I read, was the Chief's reply; “Teresa, meeting costs are not tracked.”
I'm guessing that credit cards and out-of-town expenses are tracked. It's called a money trail. Follow it and see where it leads. Any committee could do that, but won't. And the wasteful spending of tax payer dollars continue. We're a broke local government/community.
STOP wasting money on nonsense city provided, out of town travel for their own personal pleasure!!!
Time to clean the swamp...
I thought you submitted a sunshine request? You did or you didn't? You wrote that you did. You like to make half truths and then spin in your direction (this is hardly the first time we have seen this). You do realize you would have more credibility if your approach was more accurate and less inflammatory. If you are attempting to tell any truth, you should avoid slander. To be honest it has turned me off to your claims and the paper. It's easy to point fingers, especially for someone who was up there 8 years.
Regards,
A local observer
The PD does need to be looked at by more objective and responsible eyes, not yours. In what I have seen from this recent group of councilmen is that there are willing to make the decisions that you were so unwilling to do as councilman. There is a reason why you decided not to run again, you can say what you wish but this community has no trust in you. You lack the understanding and frankly temperament based on your actions.
Everytime someone drives on our roads, needs Emergency Medical, Fire or Police assistance or wants to see our Parks do something different, they cant because there is no money and a large reason why is that fiasco on 350 highway that you supported. Pot calling the kettle black.
With the PD there may be something to look at but based on what I have watched at the meetings and with that manual conversation, this council has took that on. Again, you would be better served if you stopped the name calling and half truths and just handled yourself in a more professional manner. You have to know this makes you look bad, especially when I hear about what you said on a Facebook page (which I dont have or I would look for myself).
To all the Joe haters... please come up with some new information. We have been informed about his residence and substance abuse issues, etc.
Just knowing that the PD uses 65% of the city budget is worth listening to what he has to say.
That amount is shocking to say the least.
Joe, please do not let the half dozen or so haters shut you up. Thanks and good luck with your recovery.
Joe you have no clue
You were always a puppet and Randy and Aziere and gang are still using you to carry the water
I'm calling "Baloney" on your tall tale of the events surrounding Mahesh Sharma's resignation and exit from his City Administration post. I loved your "Medical statement" as if you called his personal doctor and got him to comment... HIPPA... LMAO... The level of expectations both contractually and acceptable in your tenure and group was in dire need of realignment and was fully outlined in a professional forum and manner to Mahesh. Turnover and change in any City Elections will bring some new leadership and directives and Mahesh apparently felt the process and future expectations was not one he was willing to adapt to, and accepted a new position elsewhere. It's just that simple. Happens every day in the business world. There has been a refreshing change of direction, leadership, communication, and innovative ideas being produced by 2 very talented leaders in the City Administrator roles since Mahesh's departure, and we are very excited by the future direction and talents that Tom Cole will bring to that role as well.
Joe the current Board of Alderman, Mayor, and current city staff are tackling and addressing many key and at times difficult issues In hopes we continue to position Raytown for growth and a destination for talented employees, families, and exciting upstarts and business development. Your continued banter and negative venom spew is not assisting in any positive element towards those goals that so many other hard working, committed, and concerned citizens are attempting to accomplish. Many people have sat back and remained silent including myself addressing your ongoing and irrelevant banter, but we are finally calling you out as not being part of the solution. You are part of the problem!!!
Joe I have on several occasions publicly invited you to a civil sit down discussion as I am very accessible as both a resident and small business owner in Raytown. I stay many nights till 7:00 or 8:00 at my business and would have no problem doing so to engage in a healthy, hopefully positive, and no doubt at times spirited dialogue with you.
Step up and walk thru that door Joe!!
Steve Meyers,
Alderman Ward 4
Speaking as a taxpaying Raytowner the claim made by Joe that the PD consumes 65% of our city's budget is something that should concern and outrage all of us including yourself.
As a sitting alderman you should be able to confirm or deny that figure that is quite staggering.
Please come forward with the correct number.
If the number is accurate or even close, what is your opinion on the number?
TIA for your reply.
I know this fact because I was sitting in the crowd listening to what he was doing to the police department.
Crime is crime (and will always be present), and expenditures are expenditures. The interesting number to take a look at is that the police budget has increased, but we have actually lost two officers and six civilians during these times of increases.
Doesn't matter if they are KC or Grain Valley or whatever
But what does matter is when one is providing service to an area surrounded by KCMO
You're going to be busier and thus cost more
Andy Whiteman
You need to look at calls of service for a specific area and the corresponding number of officers on the street.
If you would do the homework you will find that the officers on the street has not changed in along time.
So what is driving up the cost?
Do the homework or maybe Joe could explain that beyond the pension that is a driving factor.
The information is public and I understand even on the city's website
Until next time, support the boys in blue at least those brave enough to be on the streets.