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Newly laid asphalt, wet from the rain, reflect the images of
bicyclists as they peddle through New Hampton, Iowa. The picture shows what a properly resurfaced street should look like.
Back in the World
172.2 miles / 6030 feet elevation gain
I just returned from my annual bicycle ride (RAGBRAI) up in Iowa.
This year’s route skirted the northern border of the Hawkeye State. Which meant
lower temperatures, rain and headwinds, pretty much in that order
 |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
This year my partners and I only went three days. Still, the mileage
racked up to about 180 miles of peddling. For those who have never been up to
the northeastern Iowa, let me share a secret with you.
Those may not be mountains up there, but it sure did feel like it. That portion of the state has escarpments which make for long meandering climbs and equally long downhill runs. Ask any bicyclist, those conditions translate to fun!
Those may not be mountains up there, but it sure did feel like it. That portion of the state has escarpments which make for long meandering climbs and equally long downhill runs. Ask any bicyclist, those conditions translate to fun!
Day 1 was pleasant enough, temperature in the high 80’s, somewhat
muggy with a promise of cooler temps as a cold front moved our way.
The cold front arrived on Day 2 with a darkening sky that forecast rain. And
rain it did . . . for about three hours. We pushed on through and made it into camp
somewhat sore but no worse for the wear.
Paul’s Rant! BY PAUL LIVIUS
Last Friday I came across the following post on Facebook. It was from the
Raytown Police Department. Apparently they are doing some community outreach –
nothing wrong with that! All of Raytown’s city departments would do well to
become more familiar with the people they serve. I don’t know how many rocks
were hidden, but I pretty sure there are still some out there.
The Raytown Police have something for you!
Officer Weiglhofer hid some around Raytown last night for YOU to
find! They are all marked with "RPD." Once you find one, bring it up
to the station during normal business hours and they’ll have a little goodie
bag for you. Remember they might be busy when you come so you may have to wait
a little, so please be patient. We hope you have fun hunting for these rocks!
As long as I am on the subject of police and service, there is
something that needs to be addressed in Raytown. And, of course, it has to do
with our police.
Greg has shared with me some of the problems that come with living
near a community park. For those who do not know, Greg lives about a block from
Coleman Park located at 59th and Lane Street.
Public parks are great. They break up the monotony of endless
streets of houses. People can walk their pets without traffic worries. The
young and old can gather to recreate and enjoy life. It is part of how you sew
the fabric of a community together.
As with all things, there is also a downside. As with any community,
the City and Park Department has set aside laws to govern the conduct of
individuals in the parks. Those rules are clearly spelled out clearly in the
City Code of Ordinances and Park Board regulations.
When the laws and rules are broken, the people who live around
municipal parks expect the Park Department and the Police Department to
enforce those laws and rules.
Sad to say, that is not always the case.
A week ago last Sunday, homeowners around Coleman Park were
treated to someone who apparently saw himself as a disc jockey of sorts. He
brought his music and microphone to the park. There really is nothing wrong
with that – the problem becomes apparent when when the music and dj rants are cranked up so high people living two blocks away can hear it.
If you call the police, you are politely told you mush sign a
complaint for the police to enforce the ordinance.
Greg shared the following experience with me of a similar situation
that took place late last summer.
“The music was so loud”, he said, “it was tripping car alarms!”
He called the police and filed a complaint. A couple of months
later, the issue ended up in court. The disc jockey was fined $150 for playing
amplified music in the park.
There is a back story here as well. Greg had a subpoena served on the Director of Raytown Parks and Recreation, Kevin Boji. Mr. Boji testified that a group had come into the park to hold an auto show. He found out later they were charging people to come to the auto show. He also testified the Parks Department did not issue a permit for event.
There is a back story here as well. Greg had a subpoena served on the Director of Raytown Parks and Recreation, Kevin Boji. Mr. Boji testified that a group had come into the park to hold an auto show. He found out later they were charging people to come to the auto show. He also testified the Parks Department did not issue a permit for event.
Before writing this story I had Greg check with Boji to make
certain I was correct on our reading of the ordinance and park rules as regards
amplified music. Boji confirmed the law regarding amplified music is in place. In fact, it was why the
disc jockey had to pay a fine of $150.
Which causes me to wonder . . . why should someone need to complain
about amplified music for the police to enforce the ordinance? Do the police
need a complaint to stop someone speeding on a street to write a ticket?
Leaving the answer at “do you want to sign a complaint?” is not
really a solution. It is an excuse to do nothing.
At the beginning of this story I wrote about community outreach and
how the police are practicing it. I can tell you from conversations with others that community outreach is also something you practice by action when
laws are broken. This is what all of City Hall needs to practice on a regular
basis.
87 comments:
Really simple. Always has been.
One cannot disturb the peace of a policeman.
Thus the complaintant must sign the complaint
It is even more simple than a complaint being filed. A policeman could stop and tell the people creating the disturbance that the police have received a lot of complaints and ask them to turn it down. But that is not what happens. Typically, a police car will cruise Lane Street at about 15 miles per hour with its windows rolled up. Then drive away and not come back.
In Raytown, that is what the police department call a solution to a problem.
A policeman can stop someone who driving poorly and issue a warning. But not talk to someone who is creating a problem in a public park?
It is always easier to fall back on an excuse to do nothing. I would hope our police department is better than that.
Well if you are the Police and try to enforce the law then someone reacts and calls it abuse, or worst racism. Who would ever want to be a police officer this day and age? It is simply not worth it. My hat is off to those in blue who serve and protect everyday.
Our society has been taught to be disrespectful to authority, threaten violence against the Police then get shot for their behavior. Afterwards, burn down the neighborhood, sue the police, city or whoever and receive million of dollars in a lawsuit.
When did Tom Cole become a fireman?
It seems all he does is put out fires.
Sorry, slow joke day.
Paul/Greg, the noise ordinance can be enforced by the Police as long as there is a complainant
A parks department employee can sign the complaint or a citizen that in disturbed by the loud noise.
By law the Police can not sign the complaint on noise.
So your battle is either with the Parks Department or the citizen not signing the complaint
You should have all your facts before you print erroneous information.
Hello My People,
If you attend the Citizen's Police Academy you could ask these questions.
Just sayin!
Why do people buy homes near a park? When I am looking a home to buy, I immediately rule out any home across the street from a park or too close to a park due to various types of noise issues. In my opinion, any home near a park has an immediate loss of value. Obviously the ordinance needs to be rewritten to require the police to enforce a noise ordinance and amplified music (as well as all music) at parks should be banned.
Andy Whiteman
If someone's peace is being disturbed, they can sign the complaint and confront the offender in court.
Cars on the grass must be one of those that someone has to say something as it is become more and more of a problem.
Maybe the problem is not the ordinance, but the over funded police department.
Time for an appointed chief and a 50% cut to funding.
Time to hire individuals who will do the job and not set at city hall that just want another rank added to them so they can make more money and do less work,
I thought Tom Cole was in sanitation.
Always cleaning up the messes the Alderman make.
Anonymous 9:49, I Tom Cole is playing fireman because he inherited his job from a group of serial arsonists who left a path of scorched earth and destruction on their way out the door. I just hope he can get the fire under control before the conflagration leaves nothing but a smoking crater where Raytown once stood.
I agree with the writer. I live by Kenagy Park. The police and park department make if difficult to turn in complaints. Why authority figures cannot go by and just ask the person(s) making too much noise to quiet it down because they are receiving complaints about the noise is not being answered by all those making excuses for the park department and police. I notice that Mr. Boji was aware of the infractions but did not turn them in even though he has the authority to do so. Do you wonder why? It was not always this way in Raytown. Used to be you could rely on the p.d. and parks to watch your back. Not anymore. Sad situation.
Anonymous 2:44, they can ask them to turn it down but the person can also tell them to kiss off. Not any teeth in that type of enforcement. And the police can't enforce cars parked on the grass. That is a codes thing to enforce. The only private property thing they can enforce is handicapped parking.
Mr 2:44
Maybe if more of the PD and parks people were our neighbors it would not be so?
And Andy you are so darn wise. Maybe you should author a book. Although, I'm sure there was a time when being located near a park was actually a positive thing. Unless you were an anti-social type who hated being around people having a good time.
Having to file a complaint sounds like somebody dodging their duty. Let me tell you if you are camping at a Jackson County park and have neighbors making too much noise ..... the park host will not have to be called... they stay on top of it. And if they need backup the Lees Summit police come quick. Noisy drunks are booted out... no due process no BS... the camp host is judge and jury.. no body has to "file a complaint" geesh what hog wash.
Well if the police try that, the city will be paying a lot lawsuits for violating civil rights. How about you know what you're talking about before spouting off about the law. A campsite is different than someone's home.
Yeah County laws vs City 4th class laws
If we had a charter we could do lots more things
Just saying
Oh my gosh! Here come the excuses for the police department. They cannot enforce parking on on public property when a car is illegally parked!?! Be more accurate to say they do not want to enforce it. Next you will be saying that they cannot enforce disturbing the peace ordinance if it is a dog barking because that's really an animal contrrol issue. Wake up people! There are towns out there where these laws are enforced by the police. They can do it in Raytown too. The real question is, will they?
Here is a thought. I have watched new police officers take their oath of office at city council meetings. Maybe they should add a sentence to that line about upholding the laws of the city of raytown and the laws of the state of missouri. They could include an except for clause. Then they could list the laws they will not enforce!
You don't want Police officers you want babysitters and people to clean up what you are offended by.
How about letting the officers we have start cracking some heads and getting bad people of the streets?
Instead of doing paperwork for your noise complaint or whining about where somebody parked or Mrs. O'Leary's damn dog barking.
Grow up do a couple ride along with the Boys and Girls in Blue see what really goes on.
I bet you will be a little surprised and less likely to get on here complaining.
Mike
A Constitutional law class would go a long way in this little board. But I'm sure it's more fun to troll.
I'll tell you what 10:01, I will go to a constitutional law class as soon as the Aldermen attend an ethics class
The aldermen who choose to comment on this blog have more ethics than the pusillanimous cowards who won’t sign their names. They also aren’t alcoholics or drug users. They don’t claim to have documents on the floor in their garage. They don’t make unsubstantiated claims for over a year and then jump up and say “Sorry – I was wrong”. Dude – you still need a constitutional law class.
I understand that there have been several breakins in the last few days, anyone heard of this.
They are supposed to be in the Raytown Rd area 67th North??
8:44 AM, The RPD has a daily call log that I receive via email. You might go to the RPD website or call and ask how to be added to that list.
Andy Whiteman
I don't think the shrill calls for people to grow a pair, stand up and man up are in order. There are a lot of good people in Raytown who simply want the police to respond when they are needed. Sometimes it looks like the police do not want to respond to certain kinds of calls for service. This is generally believed by many. If the police and their apologists were smart they would dispel that image by responding to calls of civil disobedience. It would go a long way to clear up any idea that the police are less than willing to answer calls that are really not very glamorous but necessary.
Maybe you should sit in dispatch for a night and field the phone calls.
Only then you can lecture or attempt to educate me on what calls get a response to suit anyone's opinions. Well based on available manpower or priority of the call.
Mike
Amen
You don't really watch the meeting do ya?
@9:19 the anonymous
I doubt the "believed by many" claim, but clearly you believe it. I've found our PD to be very responsive to my concerns in my neighborhood. Have you talked to anyone with the PD about your area issues? I'm curious how you've decided that the police "don't want to respond" when called becuase my experience has been quite the opposite.
Hello My People--
If you took the Raytown Citizen's Police Academy you could get your questions answered about their policies.
Free!! Starting 8/30/17 at the library. Check it out!
Why not?
Because they would rather complain than get off their duff and learn what it's all about. Ever notice how few people ever take time to even come to council meetings, parks board meetings, school board meetings and such? But they will gripe up a storm and make accusations about what bad decisions were made or supposed lack of services.
Hat off to Ryan Meyer for making the motion to get the money out of safety sales tax for the extra data storage the police needs. About time they start using that money for something other than their play toys.
I called my alderman to ask why the work had not started on the 83rd street bridge and the 59th street sidewalks the answer I got was call Matt Mace. Since I don't have his phone number or know where he lives I am hoping he will give me a reply through this blog. I think I know the answer but would like to hear his excuse. The people are suffering through this child play.
Where is the leadership at City Hall PD?? There is rampant crime and blatant daybtime break ins occuring all over Raytown. No statements or press releases to the citizens at least attempting to address the issues and reinforcing the effort level is a priority! Your bosses are the people that elected you Chief Lynch in case that slipped your mind!!
8:24
It's easy to sit on your duff and complain when you're anonymous. This forum is perfect for that. You don't see it so much on social media where they have to sign their name.
I used to dispatch a sheriff's office in a county covering 980 square miles with only 3 deputies on duty and sometimes it was only 2! Consequently noise complaints and cold reports were very low priority. A crime in progress was dispatched immediately only IF there was a deputy free to respond! I had to call deputies away from meals occasionally.
When I called RPD to report vandalism, I was surprised that I received a very quick response from an officer since taking the report is something I would have done as a dispatcher. One time the response time was 2 hours and the officer apologized. Since it was a cold report and not an emergency, I thought the response time was appropriate since emergencies must come first! I thought of running for City Marshall one time but decided it wasn't worth my time because there was nothing about Chief Lynch or the PD that I could criticize since I felt it is a well managed, top-notch, 5 star department.
Andy Whiteman
Your alderman was incorrect. Matt Mace is the Fire Chief and the Headquarters phone number is (816)737-6034.
May I ask who your alderman is? I am sure that we can educate them in the proper person to call. Makes me wonder how they can hold a position in City Government and get that simple thing wrong.
Unless of course they are blaming the Fire District for stopping the work because of the Lawsuit? Maybe the Alderman you speak of should get his/her house in order first. If you cant fund a bridge repair or some sidewalks maybe the city has been less than truthful in its ability to continue with basic services?
Mike
Police Officers cannot have their peace disturbed. That is not a Raytown thing, that is a law principle. If no one is willing to sign a complaint, no violation has occurred. Therefore if no violation has occurred, the police do not have probable cause to enforce the ordinance.
I've lived in Raytown for 17 years and had a few occasions to call the Raytown PD. Their response time has always been great and every officer I have net has been very courteous and professional.
You think the ELECTED City Marshal would issue a statement about tge break ins. What the hell, people are nervous our here and we get no statement from the police department!
The fake lawsuit the Fire Department or District has put out seems to hold up these projects.
Truth hurts.
For all that boys talk he sure don't say much. Maybe he will be more vocal after he leaves office like his drug addict mentor.
Why don't you go to http://www.raytownpolice.org/press-room. If you can get to this blog, you can go to the police incident reports. It's there for everyone, anytime, anywhere.
Good point Roger. Can't believe some people can't figure this out.
Bonnaye Mims is a lot like Charlotte Melson - both women like to hear themselves talk at meetings.
I would say the crime analyst is going to have to draw some more circles for high crime areas. As far as the PD not talking about the increase crimes, they want us in the dark, uninformed. I would say one last thing the officer who wrote the long report for the alderman(I watched the meeting) evidently doesn't have much to do to take time out from his job (what ever that is) to write that long of a report. Maybe he should strap on a gun and start patrolling.
I watched the meeting too. I am proud of Bonnaye Mimms. She, Ryan Myers and Mark Moore were the only ones to speak up. The rest looked like they were afraid to talk! To those three I say keep up the good work!
Anonymous 2:45, the City sued the fire district not the other way around. That's why the projects are held up, that and the fact the City is broke and cannot fund even a sidewalk without going further in debt. Why would Matt Mace be to blame? He is the fire chief not a member of the fire board. The fire board is the head of the fire district not the fire chief. That would be like blaming Tom Cole for filing the suit, it took 6 votes who thought they had nothing to loose to decide to file the suit. If your unhappy with the lack of progress then I would suggest you find out who voted to sue and talk to them.
I live near a park too. The police are not really very helpful on asking people to calm things down. You get the impression they are afraid. I hope that is not true. The best way for the police to stop that impression is to become more responsive when people turn in complaints. Face it. A police driving down the street with its windows rolled up is not really a response to a noise complaint. Stepping up and investigating the problem, talking to the people who may be in violation, and asking them to be good neighbors is a much better response.
Another solution would be to simply do away with amplified music and loud speakers in the park. Problem solved. The police would not be enforcing too much noise. They would be enforcing the use of amplifiers in the park.
For some reason, I do not think the police would like that plan.
We all know what happened. I guess its too much to ask for the PD to give a statement about several high profile crimes in the same evening.
100 percent truth. She needs to realize she represents Raytown not Hickman Mills.
What meeting did you watch? Mimms said nothing, Moore, Steve Meyers and Greene did the real talking. That was the first time in 6 months Ryan Myers even spoke. Trash.
Yea it does. Fire dept. Did this town a huge disservice.
I use this link to track crime and police activity. http://www.raytownpolice.org/press-room
Info is more available now that ever. Why are there so many angry and petty people on this board? I think I'll stick with unleashed. not a weird as this crowd.
People with noise complaints coming from the park or anywhere, when you call RPT state that you will sign a "DOP" (disubance of peace) complaint, then an officer will respond! I can tell you that people who may be conducting illegal activities or having illegal drugs in their possession sure don't appreciate a visit from the PD because the officers will notice said activities. They will probably depart or keep the noise down in the future.
Andy Whiteman
You keep saying the fire department has some how caused harm to the community. The documents have been made public and the lawsuit is 100% on the city, that is why they are listed as the plaintiff. Before you say it let me save you the trouble, yes the fire district stopped contributing to the fiasco known as the Walmart TIF, but who can blame them. The city has failed to serve this community at every turn in the road when it comes to this TIF project and i for one do not want the Tax dollars I pay to the fire dept being used to prop up corporate welfare and city corruption.
The 1st lawsuit that has been referenced in this blog initially being brought forward by the City does hold some truth. But certainly justified.
It was a COLLECTION REQUEST for the Fire District to pay their agreed upon yet severely delinquent 350 Wal-Mart TIF Sales Tax revenue obligation of over 70k at the time. The Fire District originally and rightfully so withheld the payments when all the mess was going on regarding the Annual TIF reports not being filed with Jeff City in the Sharma/Bower era. But once those got caught up, Sharma blew the coop, and Jeff City issued an all clear no sanctions report regarding those back reports, the Fire District still withheld the over due tax payment and ignored several non litigation requests to pony up. I hear the amount owed now is close to 120k. Cash like that could be put to good use for projects by the city for taxpayers rather than making Fire Truck payments.
I saw the owner of doughboys in an interview with one of the tv stations bashing the police. She bashed the police on her Facebook page too. Instead of badmouthing she should try to help. Doughboys is anti cop so my family will no longer go there.
I don't remember the Fire dept. kicking and screaming when the willingly agreed to that TIF. Everyone knows it is awful so what's your point other than Fire reneged on their own decision.
City sued because Fire didn't honor their legal arrangement. These clowns are wasting our tax dollars. And yes the fire chief is administration and is responsible.
We've all heard the expression:
"The pot calling the kettle black"
Well folks this is a living breathing example
And we the Raytown taxpayers will suffer because of it.
I think this kind of destructive, wasteful activity only can happen when there is an autonomous fire protection district. This is not to say they are wrong here. I expect I am like most Raytowners. I don't have friends or family on either side. And the issues are sufficiently arcane that they must be settled by a judge.
Life in a 4th class city sometimes sucks.
This is no doubt a time when a lawsuit will have two losers. Either way it goes the Raytown taxpayer will have poured more money down a rathole.
The way you make it sound it's slam dunk for the City, can't wait till it goes to court and the actual facts come out. In my experience things that appear that cut and dried rarely are.
Aug 2 @ 8:51 AM,
Unlike "Jerry Maguire" you didn't "have me at hello", but I would recommend going back the Alderman and asking them to "show me the money".
Last time I checked Mat Mace works for the Raytown Fire Protection Distinct and not the city. If you had really spoken with any of the Alderman they would have told you the same and if NOT, well it speaks to the type of people on the Board of Alderman doesn't it.
You want Matt Mace to respond to you, but didn't leave your name and contact information, which has anyone of reasonable intelligence believing you are playing that card game from "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days".
Raytown already has a dark place throughout America thanks to the police mistreatment an individual tied to "Mama's Family", which is odd the mayor would bring that to the spot light, but I don't understand many of the actions by those on the Board of Alderman.
"Life is clearly like a box of chocolate" based on all the nonfictional characters in Raytown that believe the first thing they hear from someone at city call. Believe them without any proof is right up there with "stupid is as stupid does".
Both the 59th street side walk and bridge on 83rd street have been being talked about for years!
Before the 2015 Board of Alderman took office the city promised that summer they would start on the side walk. I ask you in all your wonderful insight how something we were promised 2 years ago has anything to do with happenings today?
Since at least 2000 people have been talking about the 83rd street bridge needing to be replaced. Did you know that this is the 2nd if not 3rd time the city has had the bridge engineered to determine the replacement cost. You need to ask that Alderman you spoke with how many times and what years was that bridge engineered and why was it not replaced the first time, which would have saved the taxpayers millions.
Maybe the underlining issue is you are one of those tax and spend Republicans that believe the only way to get ahead in life is to spread fake new and have the poor working folks pay your way through life.
Frank Rizzo
Raytown Newbie,
Besides the Citizens of Raytown the other big losers are those people that invested in the bonds.
I am sure they as I read the agreement, and expected that three phases would be built.
This goes back to a question I have and cannot get anyone at city hall to answer including the two who should be able being both of them (Jim Aziere and Bill Van Buskirt) were on the Board of Alderman that voted to let Block and Co out of phase 3.
I am no bond broker or lawyer, but it seem this single act broke the agreement with the bond holders.
I think the legal fees between the two government bodies could have been solved by having an outside regulatory agency decide if the city violated anything in the bond agreement.
If yes, Fire District is correct
If no, City is correct
I believe this didn't happen as the city knows they are in the wrong and fears the potentialities from those regulatory agencies.
I base all this on conversation with my local investment company who I will not mention to keep them out of the spot light and retaliation from those at city hall that would swear on a Bible they did no wrong.
By the way my investment adviser has advised me for several years to not invest in municipal bonds, which is what this is. Since this little issue with the city he has shared cases where the regulators have cracked down on municipalities for the way they have presented and managed their bonds.
Frank you are wrong on Mamas family
No one in the show was ever stopped in Raytown!
One of the writers of the show was from Raytown and Bubba one of the characters was married to a girl from Raytown so you are totally in accurate about somebody from the show being stopped and treated badly. That is an old but bad rumor.
Funny how easy it is to make wrong accusations when you don't have even the right information isn't it
Apparently some people do not understand how bonds work. The investors will not be out any money because phase 2 or 3 are not built. The money generated by sales tax at Walmart will continue to pay the bond holders. The only way way the investors will lose money is if the city declare bankruptcy. But before they lose money the courts will drain the city of its assets. That includes police pension funds. When the city created the bond district the bonds were backed by the city. This made the bonds more attractive to investors because they know they will receive their investment back even if the city tries to shut down the tax district. Even if all of it went broke, including the city, the bondholders would still receive payment whenever the land changed hands.
6:38 you are half correct.
It is the developer that is accountable and in Raytown's case they decided to be the developer. It is that fact that puts the city on the hock.
Do you recall who was to be the developer and backed out?
Makes you wonder what they might have found that said they cannot put money into the project.
It really sounds like back news has hit Raytown. Come on people check your facts before you spread the manure.
Our society has grown out of control and people complain because the Police are too strict and other complain because the Police are too lenient. What the what? Damn if they do, damn if they don't. It would suck big time to be a cop this day and age, and only getting worst.
What we need in Raytown is openness such as when business are robbed and broken into, we need to let the public know, is the police chief and or the mayor afraid to let the public know that all is not fine. Every city has their problems but citizens need to be informed good or bad.
Lord knows that we have a press in Raytown that cannot find real news.
Let us call a spade a spade and admit what is happening.
What are municipal bonds?
Municipal bonds are debt securities issued by states, cities, counties and other governmental entities to finance capital projects, such as building schools, highways or sewer systems, and to fund day-to-day obligations. Investors who buy municipal bonds are in effect lending money to the bond issuer in exchange for a promise of regular interest payments, usually semi-annually, and the return of the original investment, or “principal.” The date when the issuer repays the principal, the bond’s maturity date, may be years in the future. Short-term bonds mature in one to three years, while long-term bonds won’t mature for more than a decade.
Benefits to investors in municipal bonds include the fact that interest on such bonds generally is exempt from federal income tax and may also be exempt from state and local taxes for residents in the state where the bond is issued. Given the tax benefits, the interest on municipal bonds is usually lower than on taxable fixed-income securities such as corporate bonds.
The two most common types of municipal bonds are general obligation bonds and revenue bonds:
General obligation bonds are issued by states, cities or counties and not secured by any assets; instead, they are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the issuer, which has the power to tax residents to pay bondholders.
Revenue bonds are not backed by government’s taxing power but by revenues from a specific project or source, such as highway tolls or lease fees. Revenue bonds usually are non-recourse, meaning that if the revenue stream dries up, the bondholders do not have a claim on the underlying revenue source.
In addition, municipal borrowers sometimes issue bonds on behalf of private entities such as non-profit colleges or hospitals. These “conduit” borrowers typically agree to repay the issuer, who pays the interest and principal on the bonds. In cases where the conduit borrower fails to make a payment, the issuer usually is not required to pay the bondholders. Recently, many municipalities also began to issue taxable Build America Bonds and other taxable municipal bonds with associated tax credits or direct federal payments to the issuer that were authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Individual investors hold about two-thirds of the roughly $2.8 trillion of U.S. municipal bonds outstanding, either directly or indirectly through mutual funds and other investments. Bond investors typically are seeking a steady stream of income payments, and compared to stock investors, they may be more risk-averse and more focused on preserving rather than accumulating wealth.
If you have a question or concern about an investment, or you think you have encountered fraud, contact the organizations below or your state securities regulator.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Office of Investor Education and Advocacy
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
FINRA Complaints and Tips
North American Securities Administrators Associations (NASAA)
So how is the purchase of a Stryker Power Load System something that is on the BOA Work Session agenda for August 8th and not on a regular BOA agenda? This is a $60k purchase.
Are "work-sessions" televised?
I do appreciate Alderman Myers tackling the legal dumping. in use with cloths drop off boxes. Thank you
Gee if Andy can get information on what's happening in our town on crimes Clear down there where he lives I don't know why you can't?. I've been hooked up to the police departments newsroom for quite some time and I have no problem finding out either. Instead of griping and complaining why don't you try to find more information on how to find out. Do you really expect the police to call you or other people individually every time something happens?
The bonds used to create the 350 Live District (Walmart) were REVENUE BONDS, not MUNICIPAL BONDS. A big difference. Municipal bonds are generally backed by property taxes. Which provide a steady flow of income to pay the bond debt off. Revenue bonds are usually backed by sales taxes. A recession, closure of a large retail outlet, all of this can cause tight money when the city (as Raytown has done) guarantees the sales tax revenue.
It is part of the stupidity of the David Bower legacy.
12:05 PM, Police calls are public record and you may request them. The exception is they will not disclose an ongoing investigation. I receive a daily email report via Work Press. I also receive an individual incident report after any major crime, accident or the PD needs witnesses or help locating an individual. I also receive reports from the Raytown Fire District.
12:05 PM, This information is there, but only IF you request it! I suggest you do so because complaining will not cause the information to appear. Any information I have received from the City of Raytown I have had to request. They do not send it automatically. Generally major crimes and fires will me on local media as well as that agency's Facebook page. There is NO coverup!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andy Whiteman
I discussed the 350 Live TIF bonds with my financial advisor when they were being issued. He told me that they were such low quality bonds that he wouldn't touch them.
Andy Whiteman
9:14 you are half correct.
The bonds issued by the city for the 350 live project are revenue bonds, but being the are issued by a city the are municipal revenue bonds.
For more clarification and as posted by 1:55: "The two most common types of municipal bonds are general obligation bonds and revenue bonds".
Work sessions are a time for Board to go over upcoming items before they come before the board at a regular meeting. Gives staff time to answer questions or obtain more info for Board before coming back to board at a regular meeting
Maybe some real smart citizens will tell me why when you have witnesses to a robbery when you have video of a break-in the police do not interview and or view the evidence. Why do the police not seem to want evidence. I realize that we the public do not know everything and we are not told very much as in the old case of the shooting at the Whiskey Barrel robbery where a man came close to death. We were told that time that there really was not any thing to report on.
The police detectives if we do have detectives should want to interview and obtain all the evidence possible so that they may catch and prosecute. Maybe they are so smart that they know who the culprits are.
To those that do not know several locations in the area of 66th and Raytown Rd were broken into last week. Channel 5 did spend some time on reporting but they were the only ones.
Things are not all the still in Raytown.
Uhhh, the police are anything but silent when it comes to information. Subscribe to their press room and get DAILY updates of reports to your inbox, look at their Facebook page (you'll find the "silence" between all of the press release news, or look at their crime map which updates daily and you can get notifications too. If you have a question, just ask them, that's what I do. Cmon, broken record
Isn't that the purpose of the discussion portion of the adoption process? Sounds to me like a work session is just a fancy way to keep from talking about things publicly, why are they not televised or recorded. I am not Crazy Joe and I realize the Attorney General only issued a caution, but if three Aldermen should not meet, I am pretty sure all of them shouldn't meet with out official minutes being taken. Just my 2 cents... Maybe someone needs to file another complaint and see if this one sticks.
5:40
The work sessions are not secret meetings. They are open to the public. The agenda for next Tuesday's meeting is on the website right this minute for anyone who is not too lazy to go look. The meeting is not televised and minutes are not taken because it is as you say "the discussion portion of the adoption process". No legislation is passed. No laws are adopted. It gives the aldermen an opportunity to ask questions of the staff. It gives the staff an opportunity to research the answers. It allows the aldermen to openly discuss upcoming legislation. These meetings are also open to the public. If you get up off your duff you, too, can go.
i don't know if the work sessions are no big deal or not, but the sunshine law is pretty clear that minutes must be taken anytime there is a public meeting comprised of a quorum of the voting body. But I will tell you what 7:16, on Monday I will call the Attorney Generals office and file a complaint. If your right then it will be dismissed, if your not this will be the second time in less than 2 years so I am guessing the State will take some real action this time.
11:40 - call all you want. There's no violation of the Sunshine Law because
1) notice of the meetings are given 4 - 5 days in advance.
2) meetings are held in the council chambers
3) meetings are open to the public
4) meetings are for discussion only.
5) no votes are taken and no decisions are made.
But, go ahead and call Jeff City. Keep calling them. Eventually, they will send someone to investigate you. Oh, and tell Joe we said hi.
11:40 You need to start attending the working sessions and recording them.
Keep in mind that they are not required to be recorded and placed on the web or channel 7, but if they are not under the Sunshine law you have the right to record them for yourself or others.
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