. . . What to do you think?
POSTED APRIL 2, 2018
I would rather see
any new money spent on fixing our streets. Fixing our failed streets should be
our number one priority. The police seem to be re-bounding pretty well. Let's
face it, when you can cut over a million dollars from a budget and business continues
as usual, it is a clear indication there was waste before the cuts. I have not
made up my mind about the tax increases except for the property tax. Nearly a
200% increase in property taxes will wreck this community. I am hopeful most
people will see through the smoke and mirrors of the property tax increase.The gasoline tax seems okay as long as the city keeps its word and does not use the money other than for fixing our streets. That includes the old trick of reducing the amount that is traditionally budgeted for streets. If they do not make an ironclad promise to keep their hands off the street money already in place, then I would have to vote no.
The tax increase of internet sales does not make much sense. The double talk about protecting brick and mortar stores is kind of clever. But it does not mean I have forgotten that the folks at city hall are looking for me to pay the difference on every purchase I make on the internet.
66 comments:
I would rather see any new money spent on fixing our streets. Fixing our failed streets should be our number one priority. The police seem to be re-bounding pretty well. Let's face it, when you can cut over a million dollars from a budget and business continues as usual, it is a clear indication there was waste before the cuts. I have not made up my mind about the tax increases except for the property tax. Nearly a 200% increase in property taxes will wreck this community. I am hopeful most people will see through the smoke and mirrors of the property tax increase.
The gasoline tax seems okay as long as the city keeps its word and does not use the money other than for fixing our streets. That includes the old trick of reducing the amount that is traditionally budgeted for streets. If they do not make an ironclad promise to keep their hands off the street money already in place, then I would have to vote no.
The tax increase of internet sales does not make much sense. The double talk about protecting brick and mortar stores is kind of clever. But it does not mean I have forgotten that the folks at city hall are looking for me to pay the difference on every purchase I make on the internet.
You know, small businesses use the internet to purchase supplies, etc. They would have to pay this so-called internet tax. Tell me again how this benefits them if it is costing them money?
8:12 am
When it comes to taxes, there are always winners and losers. But since you are so concerned about small business and an internet tax. Let me throw out some questions....
What do you think the economic impact is for having poor roads in our community?
What do you think the economic impact is for high crime rates in our community?
What do you think the economic impact is for poor code enforcement?
All of these things will drive business away from Raytown that's a know fact repeated in communities all across America. Folks, we gotta invest in Raytown in order to maintain our City. And have you ever heard of Costco and Sams club?? They are set up for helping small business, get a membership and save with bulk buying.
I question if an internet sales tax is enforceable? The state does sales tax collection for all jurisdictions and remits funds to the proper governmental bodies. Internet marketers submit the legal tax rates to the states. It is very difficult for internet marketers to calculate the correct tax rate for each jurisdiction. Trying to collect an additional tax throws a monkey wrench into to tax collection process. I think it will be difficult, if not impossible, for the city to verify and to enforce internet sales tax collections!
Andy Whiteman
30% of the crime in Raytown comes from one location. It is Walmart. Check it out. The statistics do not lie. This means Raytown is not really as high crime as you would have other believe. It is a scare tactic. Nothing more.
By the way, Andy is right. There is not really a mechanism to collect the tax fairly. Usually zip codes are used to determine what city should receive the tax. Raytown has five zip codes. Two of them make up nearly all of the city. One is 64133 and one is 64138. Problem is, both those zip codes are for Kansas City as well.
It is a problem that needs to be addressed BEFORE the election. Tom Cole mentioned it at the last meeting, but I am not sure any of the Aldermen picked up on it. They certainly did not comment about it.
From my point of view two of the three tax increases are seriously flawed. The property tax increase is ridiculous and will run people out of their homes. The other flaw is the internet sales tax. Companies who ship here will not know how to determine what city people are living in.
Are you crazy or what? So 70% of crime happens not at Wally World? And you think it’s a scam. Tell that to one of the victims who had nothing to do with Wally World. Open your eyes people. There’s no traffic enforcement and not a lot of follow up on accidents etc. but continue to believe Wally World is the problem.
7:20 pm
The internet tax is for large United States based retailers. Amazon, Walmart etc. They do comply. Trying to enforce this against small companies would be difficult. However, the City Attorney can help with the compliance issue on a case by case basis.
The internet tax is still being reviewed. But the problems of zip codes are NOT, I repeat are NOT an issue for larger retailers There is software for this. I use a dymo label printer and it has built in and updated software for creating an address book. I don’t need a zip code. It goes by address, city, and state and figures out the zip code automatically. The long zip code. The USPS has this technology. You can have the City wrong and the short zip code and it will figure the City out and locate the long zip. Not an issue, address correction software.
@ 7:42
And there have been some incidents that many of us have not brought up publically because we love Raytown and don’t want to draw negative attention. I could care less about the crime at Walmart. That’s not what motivates me. I am trying to bring up neighborhood safety issues. Walmart is a red herring. I want 𝔖𝔞𝔣𝔢 neighborhoods for our kids.
Raytown has only two zip codes.
5 zip codes for Raytown????? It has always been just 2, 64133 and 64138. Where have you been?
I saw that other cities approved various taxes last night. The people of Raytown should not allow our city to fall further behind by rejecting our own tax increase. We are already behind. Nice roads and quality city services cost money. If we all do a little, we can do a a lot.
The non-enforcement of traffic laws in Raytown is not new. I watched one of the meetings of the BOA. Alderman Myers asked the police chief why there is only an average of two traffic tickets a month written in Raytown. Chief Jim Lynch the shortage of manpower was the reason. Myers told Lynch those statistics were from BEFORE the positions in the p.d. were cut. Lynch did not have an answer. You see, the problem is ore than just a budget issue. Take your concern to the Chief of Police Jim Lynch. He is the one who can tell his officers to ramp up traffic enforcement.
@7:58
Many police departments are fearful of being accused of profiling. Non-enforcement is a way to avoid lawsuits. This is the world we live in. Liberalism often creates unfortunate consequences.
64129 appears to be a very small part of Raytown.
Per usps.com:
ZIP Code™ by City and State
You entered:
RAYTOWN MO
If more than one ZIP Code™ matches the information you provided, try finding a ZIP Code™ by Address.
RAYTOWN MO 64129
RAYTOWN MO 64133
RAYTOWN MO 64138
To 7:58am, I know those figures are lies. I retired from the pd and I know it for a fact. I worked in the traffic unit and wrote 20-25 tickets a week, at least, depending on the number of crashes I worked. I have no idea where Myers got his “numbers” but they are not true. Glad I’m retired.
Two tickets per month is not possible. Please share which meeting you claim that was said. I’m aure you won’t as it didn’t happen. Nice try though. Being bitter like that is like drinking poison to hurt someone else. And you should stop lying, we can’t take you or the others on here seriously
Anyone else heard about the “community open mic nights” at Colman and Kenagy parks this summer? For those that say that kids need something to do rather than roam the Plaza or malls, this is it. A great community outreach!
WHAT???
A 200 percent increase in PROPERTY TAXES here in Raytown?
I know spaghetti grows on trees but not MONEY.
This 200 percent increase will NOT happen. (Even if the measures pass). LOL
5:26pm It did happen... go back to the February 27, 2018 meeting. Item R-3064.18
Alderman Ryan Myers asked if the report stating the police department only writes two traffic tickets a day is correct. Chief Jim Lynch said that is probably correct, but there has been a reduction in the force.
You shouldn't call people liars if you don't know what you're talking about. It just shows your ignorance.
FAKE NEWS ALERT!!! Someone wrote that other cities passed the internet sales tax last night. Actually there were only two cities with the internet sales tax on the ballot last night, Independence and Blue Springs. In both cities, Independence and Blue Springs, the voters turned down the sales tax increase.
I can, and will, verify that documentation by the Raytown Police Department indicated that in the 12 months prior to January 2018, the PD averaged 2.07 speeding citations per day. Please see Page 147 of the meeting packet for verification.
Ryan Myers
Ward 3 Alderman
HEY THERE 8:37 Poster who can't read alert!!
Nowhere did anyone say an internet sales tax had been passed. There were many bond approvals for street and bridge inprovements that did pass. In fact it looked like to me the only ones that failed were the internet taxes.
Please... read before you go off on a RANT!!!
Raytown Newbie
But really kids, the main issue we have to face is 2 ZIPS or 5?
Now we have Andy weighing in. LOL
2:15 pm
Glad you are still on here and for posting the real deal.
Thank you for your service.
2:15 pm
Is this a correct statement?...radar is not in every RPD police car. The officer has to be certified in order to run radar and not all of them are certified.
Liberty passed the internet sales tax by a wide margin. Get your information correct.
Correct.
Signed
2:15
For those who do not get the Star:
KCMO reauthorized 1 cent for streets, bridge, flood control
Blue Springs said no to internet tax
Grandview approved 1 cent for public safety
Independence said no to internet tax
Grain Valley approved borrowing 11.5 million for school construction
Village of Claycomo approved 1 cent for general revenue, said no to levy increase
Kearney said yes to 24.3 million bond for interchange and streets and said yes to 1 cent tax for roads and street improvements
Liberty said yes to local city use tax of 3.375% provided the rate will stay the same as local sales tax if raised or lowered.
Village of Oaks said yes to continue levy for fire suppression
Village of Oakwood voted to continue levy for fire suppression
Smithville said yes to 1/2 cent for capital improvements and said yes to 5.625 million in bonds for road and sidewalks
Liberty Schools got approval for 49 million bond for school buildings
Lake Waukomis voted yes on 1 cent internet, 1 cent sales tax and continue levy for fire
City of Northmoor said yes to levy increase
The only FAILED proposals were the internet taxes in Independence and Blue Springs
No opinion here just the FACTS
BTW the Liberty use tax proposal does not use the word "internet"
Probably all the speeding tickets were issued by the MC patrolman. He's sneaky.
This is sooooo NOT TRUE
checked with the Parks Dept
No such thing so don’t get that started
Requires security and permits etc
WRONG WRONG WRONG
Well, I’m not sure how they came with any of those numbers. Maybe if you averaged all days by numbers, they might be close to correct. But the four days a week I worked, I wrote more that 2 a day. Glad to be retired.
2:15
@9:33
Police Departments are limited by State law with regards to how much money can be collected from traffic tickets.
Yeah, I noticed the language in the Liberty question did not use the words "internet sales tax". But I can assure you that is what they passed. Use Tax is a euphemism for internet sales tax. It looks like they may have hoodwinked the local voters in Liberty. Particularly when you look at the lopsided defeats the internet sales tax suffered in Blue Springs and especially the landslide defeat of the tax in Independence. Give credit where it is due. The Raytown BOA has not gone down that deceptive path (yet!). Guess we will find out next Tuesday.
You know, radar is not the only way to write a traffic ticket. Drunken driving. Careless and imprudent driving. Running lights. Running stop signs. Speeding (yes, you can be followed by police car and have your speed checked.
This brings up the question.
What does it matter if a police car is equipped with radar equipment?
Let's say the Chief of Police is driving down 350 Highway on the east side of town. A motorist in the adjoining lane slows down and does a "u-turn" and starts driving the other direction. Completely illegal. Should the Chief of Police pull over the bad driver?
They don’t get the speedometers calibrated because you have to do it every time you rotate the tires and that costs money and not sure how many places even do that anymore. Radars are a lot easier but also cost money and takes time to train etc. also with reduced manpower there’s not as much tine to do enforcement.
2:15
The board of alderman is going to have to appoint a new Mayor Pro ten. I have heard Alderman Steve Meyers is campaigning for that position. I pray our alderman have more sense than to appoint a hot head that could very easily get the city into a law suit. Have seen his temper first hand and when he is gong on a tangent he is uncontrollable.
@9:08
Stirring the pot eh? Steve Myers is the most accessible member of the board. He talks to the citizens. Willing to dialogue with them. He has respect for the citizens. He does not treat citizens like they are an annoyance. He recognizes that the City is not working the way it should and he is not afraid to say it. Many members of the board are minimalists, they do the bare minimum required to comply with the law. An address, a phone line with a recorder. That’s what you get from most of the Alderman. Steve answers questions, takes the heat and keeps on going. In short he gives a damn. He’s the next mayor of Raytown. I’d bet the farm on it.
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite
reason appeared to be on the web the easiest thing to be aware
of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think
about worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top
and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal.
Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
I don't know about Steve Meyers. Time will tell. But I do agree with you that we definitely need a new Mayor. We need someone who will represent all of Raytown. Not just one city department.
How does a mayor that has no vote unless there is a tie, have any sway over any one department? Only the board has control as they showed this past year in cutting the police budget and other budgets
Steve Meyers has no agenda like some seem to have. He is a Raytown guy, heart in the right place and has been a voice of reason moving beyond the poor administration of the past.
I think your comment about a 200% increase is grossly misleading. This is an increase to only one tiny portion of what makes up the property tax. For example, it's going to cost me a whopping $60 a YEAR if passed.
We have lost more qualified department heads under the current mayor than any other. That should tell you, YES we do need a new mayor, one that will stand by his board and not his buddy. He needs to quit whining and research what the duties of a mayor are. His biggest fans and the ladies on Raytown Unleashed who are just as dumb about government as he is.
I would like for the man who calls himself Chief of Police to explain why we have 8,228 outstanding warrants and don't use the excuse because the department has been cut. It has been high numbers for a long time. You sir are lazy and don't know how to run a department just as the mayor doesn't know the first thing about his. Help save Raytown and resign!!
No the Police Department is not doing ok. When you loose half your staff the whole organization will suffer. And this is the fault of this Board. Often see in this blog comparisons to Grandview, at least the Alderman in Grandview had the good sense to place a ballot initiative before voters and the voters approved it before cutting public safety. WAKE UP RAYTOWN!!!! you are falling more behind everyday. In most towns and cities Public Safety is a top priority, once again not in Raytown.
"...Steve Myers is the most accessible.....Steve answers questions, takes the heat and keeps on going. In short he gives a damn. He’s the next mayor of Raytown. I’d bet the farm on it."
Steve. Run for mayor. Please. You've got this.
you have those warrants because you don't want real cops you want babysitters. you wont pay to house the prisoners and as soon as you arrest them and book them in the will claim chest pain and ems will transport them off to the hospital on a signature bond. Most of you including the board have no clue to what goes on in the city while you are sleeping.
the number of tickets written per day came out of chiefs mouth I heard it and I am not deaf.
You can also thank senate bill 5, passed due tO bs in Ferguson, mo for a lot of the warrants. Changed the way local courts and pds can arrest, House prisoners etc. blame your state representatives.
7:02 What did you think was going to happen?
What dots everything I have read about Alderman Meyers is true and sir there is a whole lot more you don't know.
I understand the excuse that Ferguson changed the law in Missouri. But that is not a good excuse to ignore enforcing warrants. By not taking action on warrants a mockery is made of the law. Warrants are still enforceable. It is the police that have the authority to enforce them. They should do their job. Walking away from the situation is not a solution.
@7:21
Ah politicians. Always worried about power and party. Playing “the game”.
How’s this working for the country? Our town? Everybody needs to work together. Connect the dots, folks people are tired of political nonsense. Fix our town please!
10:59 You're on the wrong social media page. No one here complains about fast food places. That's the unleashed social page. Here we only talk about taxes and the lack of services. If you don't like the fast food in Raytown, go unleash yourself.
8:57 am
I don't know how many officers were actually laid off. Maybe none were. A lot of officers quit so they wouldn't get laid off. They were grabbed up pretty quickly by neighboring depts because we have the finest officers around.
Maybe 2:15 knows how many officers were laid off.
The only screw up in this city is the chief of police and the mayor. Here is a question that needs to answered by the mayor. Who gave you authorization to go and buy new furniture when you got elected? As far as I know no one, you did it on your own. Could this be misappropriation of city money and punishable by law? You and the chief would look great in orange. Don't worry I will send you a Christmas card or better yet maybe you and the chief could send yours out in prison orange. the last laugh maybe on you yet!!!!!
City Administrator resigned. Unleashed Admins removed a members post asking if it was true
Why are we hiring police officers when 17 police officers quit or were going to be laid off? Where did we get the money all of a sudden?
Raytown is becoming a " run as fast as you want to on the streets". Blue Ridge elementary school zone on 63rd during school hours is 25 MPH. People fly by me doing 40-50 MPH and not a cop around. You apparently can speed all you want to in Raytown and you don't have to worry a police car won't stop you. That is revenue in the making............
5:53 pm
Traffic Unit was disbanded.
None were laid off. Didn’t have to when you lose so many to other agencies.
2:15
Did Tom Cole resign unexpectedly on Friday? I was told he did and that it was over a difference of opinion with the mayor on how the revenue generated from the proposed tax increase should be spent. Raytona Beach Bum
That’s our third city administrator in 16 months, city Hall is a train wreck and it’s only going to get worse. Aldermen please rethink the August taxes and hold off till you can all get on the same page with a plan to get us back on track. Do not double my taxes just to give our city marshal more money to waste
Just waiting for the press release stating he quit for “personal reasons”. Whenever you see that it always means they quit because they couldn’t take the crap anymore. If we read that it’s safe to say Tom Cole couldnt take the McDonough & Lynch machine anylonger
I was sickened as Alderman Meyers tried to sell himself for the position of Mayor Pro Ten. Using Steve Mocks name to try to make the point, Steve would want him for the position. Steve Mock had class and was respected by many, to use his name to try and advance your political career makes me sick to my stomach. So thankful our alderman had the good sense to not vote you in.
So what exactly is the McDonough & Lynch machine? Can you cite some specific examples that would cause Cole to quit?
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