The new surface on 59th Street appears closed to finished. the roadway should be open in a couple of weeks.The same crews were spotted laying a new surface to the Parks and Recreation headquarters.
Use the following link to view a special Christmas message to all of our readers from Andy Whiteman
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Bond Offering Receives
Cold Shoulder from Investors
Mr. Khalen Dwyer of
Funding Capital Management reported to the Board of Aldermen that he had not
received any takers on the city’s effort to market bonds. Board members were
told that some investors had suggested the city raise the rate being offered by
the City of Raytown be increased. The Board did not take any action on the
request.
The next day the Federal
Reserve increased the Primary Borrowing Rate 2.25% to 2.5%. In response, the
stock market plunged. The Federal Reserve announced it
anticipates two more increases in the Primary Borrowing Rate this year.
The increased interest
rates will attract investors, driving the value of commercial and governmental
bonds up as investors abandon a volatile stock market for more secure investments
in the bond market.
On a local level it will
ultimately mean the City of Raytown will have to raise the interest rate it is
paying investors who purchase bonds.
The City of Raytown
faces balloon payments in the coming year. To avoid the extra cost of the balloon payments the City would have to re-finance bonds on more acceptable terms.
 |
| AN EDITORIAL COMMENT BY GREG WALTERS |
Poor Decisions,
Bad Timing
Bad Timing
Raytown
is facing its worst financial crisis in memory. The short story of how the city
came to this precarious position is one of poor business decisions and bad
timing.
The
problem now is the over-whelming debt owed by the City through the 350 Live
TIF. When structuring the debt payment service for the TIF, the city unwisely
opted to include itself as the guarantor of the debt package should there be a shortfall
of revenue by the retail outlets in the 350 Live TIF Development District.
The
debt schedule of the 350 Live package includes balloon paymenst when it was
anticipated the development would create more sales tax revenue to retire the
debt.
The predictions
were overly optimistic. Nearly one third of the 350 Live Development is still
undeveloped. The result is a shortfall of revenue to pay off the debt.
What is
worse, nearly 30% of the city’s sales tax revenue no longer pays for city
services. It goes to pay the debt owed to the 350 Live bond holders.
Some at
city hall were very aware of the problem. To its credit, the City Council took
some very strong measures to reel in the overspending.
Over
the years, drastic cuts were made to Public Works, so deep that in one recent
year, there was not any maintenance of streets done at all.
A
change to using Light Aggregate Seal (a hybrid form of slurry seal) to maintain
streets was employed. Street striping has literally been abandoned, traffic
sign maintenance has been curtailed, staff has been cut to a minimum.
The last
two years the axe has fallen heaviest on the Raytown Police Department. This
led to political turmoil which has led to the loss of three city administrators
and three finance directors in space of just four years.
Two
years ago some members of the Board of Aldermen and Mayor recognized a partial
solution. Interest rates had dropped significantly since the TIF bonds were
created. So a plan was struck to re-finance the bonds, thereby eliminating the
balloon payments on the horizon and lowering the debt service of the loans.
Finally
the Board and Mayor decided to market the bonds.
They
also decided to sue the Raytown Fire Protection District.
Problem
with that strategy is that bond investors to do not like turmoil. The bond
market responded by ignoring the offer.
The
city quickly resolved the problem by settling its lawsuit with the Fire District
by conceding nearly every point of the suit in the District’s favor.
In the ensuing
months, bond rates began to inch their way up. With each increase in the fed’s
prime lending rate, investors saw an increase of what they could gain in the
bond market.
But the
city is not an investor. Raytown is the one borrowing the money. The cost of
that money has increased. A strong bull run of the market has lasted two years.
The window of opportunity that was open is closing.
Last
week the City’s bond counsel met in public session with the Board of Aldermen
to tell them the city’s offering of bonds had not been accepted by any bidders.
He told them there were many reasons for the failure of the bonds to be
secured. He also told them interest rates have risen and that it may be best to
wait for a better bond market for municipalities.
The
Mayor closed the session by saying that none of this was the city’s fault.
Which, in a sense, is true. The city does not set interest rates. The city did
not cause a market that had been running strong for two years to reverse
course.
It is
also true City Hall wasted valuable time when the market was more favorable to
municipalities like Raytown.
The
city now faces the real threat of balloon payments that could have dire
consequences for the city. If there is a first priority for the city it should
be to be to get out from under the debt that is taking money away from needed
infrastructure changes.
Defaulting on the current bonds is not option. The only viable solution is for the city to re-finance on the bonds as soon as possible. In the long view, it is the best solution for the city.
And
that, Mr. Mayor, is something the city does have control over.
The Paul Livius Report
Raytown
Board of Aldermen Meeting – December 18, 2018
Khalen Dwyer, funding manager working with Missy Wilson told the Board
this is not a good time to market the bonds.
Because Platte City did not fund their bond debt, lenders are not eager
to fund bonds in Missouri. He advised
the City wait a month or so before trying to fund new bonds. He said it may also be easier to fund the
bonds after the new year. Mr. Dwyer said some lenders suggested the city raise the rate they are willing to pay for the bonds. An increase in rates would lower the savings to the city. Hopefully, the
bond market will loosen up.
The Board passed an ordinance amending chapter 36 (streets, sidewalks,
and other public places), article v (facilities in public right-of-way), and
adding article vi (small wireless facilities) to the code of ordinances of the
city of Raytown, for the purpose of updating the city’s requirements for use of
the public right-of-way and permitting of small wireless facilities. The City
has previously regulated the construction and deployment of telecommunications
facilities and other similar facilities through a variety of ordinances and
practices. During the 2018 Legislative Session, the 101st Missouri General
Assembly approved, and the Governor signed into law, House Bill 1991 with an
effective date for a majority of the provisions of January 1, 2019. House Bill
1991 amended and added certain provisions to the Missouri Revised Statutes
relating to the City’s authority to regulate the construction and deployment of
small wireless facilities. The Federal Communications Commission did release on
September 27, 2018 FCC-18-133 titled Accelerating Wireless Broadband Deployment
by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment, and FCC-18-133 contained
both a declaratory ruling and order regarding the City’s authority to regulate
the construction and deployment of small wireless facilities. Staff recommends
to amend and revise the Code of Ordinances of the City of Raytown, Missouri to
conform with both HB 1991 and FCC-18-133 to encourage the deployment of small
wireless facilities within the City in a manner that (1) protects the
right-of-way as a unique and physically limited resource critical to the travel
and transportation of person and property in the City; (2) manages the
right-of-way to ensure that the right-of-way remains accessible for public uses
including the partial occupancy of the right-of-way by utilities and public
service entities, which enhance the health, welfare, and economic well-being of
the City and its citizens; (3) promotes competition, securing higher quality services
for the citizens of the City and consumers at large; and (4) does not
materially inhibit the provision of telecommunications services.
The Board heard the first and second reading, then passed an ordinance approving
an amendment to an Emergency Medical Services License transfer agreement and
authorizing the city administrator to execute all documents pertaining the
agreement. The City of Raytown entered
into an Agreement with the Raytown Fire District to provide EMS services.
Contemplated in the Agreement was the acquisition of an ambulance at a cost not
to exceed $166,350. The Raytown Fire District has requested certain
modifications to the ambulance resulting in an increase in the estimated cost
of the ambulance of $12,104. The amended Agreement will provide for Raytown
Fire District to contribute $12,104 to the funding of the ambulance purchase.
The Capital Sales Tax Fund has $166,350 budgeted for EMS Ambulance. There are 2
components to the ambulance purchases ($47,057 - Chassis + $131,397 - ambulance
conversion = $178,454). The Raytown Fire Protection District has agreed to
provide funding to the City for the difference between the estimated total cost
of the ambulance and the amount of funds budgeted ($178,454 – $166,350 =
$12,104).
The Board passed a resolution amending the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget
related to capital expendituresfor the new ambulance. The Capital Sales Tax Fund has $166,350
budgeted for EMS Ambulance chassis and conversion. There are 2 components to
the ambulance purchases ($47,057 - Chassis + $131,397 - ambulance conversion =
$178,454). The Raytown Fire Protection District has agreed to provide funding
to the City for the difference between the estimated total cost of the
ambulance and the amount of funds budgeted ($178,454 – $166,350 = $12,104).
The Board passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of a Ford F-550
chassis from Shawnee Mission Ford off the Johnson County, KS Cooperative
Purchasing Agreement. The City of
Raytown’s current ambulances are model year’s 2012, 2014 and 2016. This
purchase will be an addition to the current fleet and the 2012 model year
ambulance will become a 4th unit, which will be used less frequently.
The Board passed a resolution approving the purchase of aOsage
ambulance coach and related components, including installation, from Emergency
Services Supply bid in an amount not to exceed $131,397.00. The City of Raytown
current ambulances are model year’s 2012, 2014, and 2016. This purchase will be
an addition to the current fleet, and the 2012 model year ambulance will become
a 4th unit and used less frequently.
The Board heard the first and second reading, then passed an ordinance approving
an intergovernmental agreement with the Jackson County Board of Election
Commissioners. to utilize city hall as a polling place for the 2019 calendar
year. This is a request for a cooperative agreement with Jackson County to
provide a polling location for two precincts that serve the City. Under state
law, public entities are required to provide polling locations to election
authorities free of charge and City Hall has been used as a polling location
for many years. The attached contract specifies the rights and responsibilities
of the parties with respect to such use.
The Board passed a resolution approving a Right-of-Way Agreement with MCI
Metro Access Transmission Services Corp., d/b/a Verizon Access Transmission
Services. The City of Raytown is to
enter into a Right-of-Way Agreement with MCI Metro Access Transmission Services
Corp., (Verizon), to provide service to certain customers in the City and they
have a need to locate certain facilities in the Public right-of-way in order to
deploy its service to customers in the City and outside the City. MCI Metro has
obtained a Certificate of Authority from the State of Missouri Public Service
Commission to provide telecommunications services. This agreement is that the
City of Raytown is willing to accommodate MCI Metro’s placement of its
Facilities in the Public right-of-way. The proposed Agreement is complimented
by the passage of the amendments to Chapter 36 by Bill 6494-18 which is set for
second reading on December 18th. If you recall, Bill 6494-18 is to ensure that
the Code of Ordinances is in compliance with the limitations set forth in HB
1991 and FCC 18- 133 on the City’s ability to regulate installations of small
wireless facilities.
The Board passed a resolution approving an agreement with Central Salt
LLC for the purchase of salt for the purpose of treating roads and bridges in
inclement weather in an amount not to exceed $60,000. In May of 2018, Central Salt LLC submitted
the low bid for 700 tons of salt at $61.75/ton resulting in a total bid amount
of $43,225.00. The contract, approved by the Board of Aldermen on June 19,
2018, includes the option to purchase additional salt at the same unit price of
$61.75 through March 31, 2019. Staff recommends the purchase of 700 tons from
Central Salt LLC to be delivered prior to March 31, 2019 to replenish salt
levels that are anticipated to be used through this winter season.
Additionally, up to 1000 tons of additional salt may be purchased from the City
of Kansas City through material transport as a back-up source of salt in the
event of unseasonable levels of snowfall. If salt needs exceed the initial 700
tons, Public Works staff will request the authority to purchase additional tons
of salt at a future Board of Aldermen meeting.
The Board passed a resolution authorizing the expenditure of funds with
WinCan LLC for software upgrades and service in an amount not to exceed
$26,090. The Public Works Department
uses WinCan software on a daily basis in its Sanitary Sewer Operations. WinCan
LLC is a sole-source provider of this software and upgrades. This upgrade is
needed to transition from WinCan V8 to WinCan VX Expert. This software upgrade
is necessary since software support for version 8 will be ending this year. The
Capital Sales Tax fund has $35,000.00 budgeted for the WinCan VX upgrade.
The Board passed a resolution authorizing a services agreement with Cochran
Head Vick & Co, for accounting services in an amount not to exceed
$60,000.00 for fiscal year 2018-2019. During the City’s search for a Finance
Director it is necessary to have a service agreement with Cochran Head Vick
& Co., P.C. who will be able to conduct consulting, supervisory, support
and oversight services in the Finance Department.
The Board passed a resolution authorizing the continuation of an
agreement withTyler Technologies, Inc., for maintenance of windows-based
software provided by Interactive Computer Designs, Inc. in an amount not to
exceed $94,415.
The Board passed a resolution amending the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget
by transferring $833,029.00 from un-appropriated surplus to various funds to
accommodate prior year encumbrances which were approved in fiscal year
2017-2018 but not expended. For more information, go to
To leave a comment use this link
50 comments:
In an election the mayor will promise everything. And if it passes he takes the credit, if it fails it isn't his fault.
Just look at last year, he fought against balancing the budget because the PD cut. But now he takes credit for having a balanced budget.
I hope people see through his nice guy persona and realize the studge he is.
He is a do nothing but smile guy, all handshakes and baby kisses, no substance.
The TIF is only one bad deal. Over the last few years budgets have been bloated as the mayor and his largest campaign donor sucked all they could out of the city coffers. Now it's payment day and either we get annexes when he wins again as a bankrupt city or the new guy wins and inherits a disaster which will probably end in annex anyway just another year or two before the end. This Board and mayor have spent as much as fast as they can and gotten into multi-year contracts the new board won't be able to undo. It is obvious they want to burn the citt as they leave.
Also, at the parks meeting it was brought up the mayor said he will put tax questions on every ballot until they pass. Heads up elections cost money and no one trust you!
You are absolutely correct. The original deal struck with the TIF bonds that has the city as the guarantor was the worst financial decision in the history of Raytown. Two aldermen, Jim Aziere, who is running for reelection in Ward 2 and Joe Creamer, who is running for alderman in Ward 1 (again) both voted for this disastrous plan. Mr. Aziere should be voted out of office and Mr. Creamer should be defeated before he can take office again
Not that I'm against that. But ward 1 is unopposed, and the other candidates in ward 2 are far worse than a guy that doesn't show up. Both are on the parks board and advocated to closing parks to certain types of people, AND said citizens have no right to know what is going on because they are volunteers and shouldn't be held accountable. I can't stand Jim, but the others are far too dangerous to the city to get my vote.
Meanwhile other offices have no one willing to run, no one seems to want to be part of the group when the ship Finnally sinks. I mean most of the aldermen aren't running for reelection even after only a single term. They are done, and it's for a reason. Maybe they know something we don't yet. Time to move!
Not sure I have ever read a more uninformed analysis than the ramblings of 12/23 10:24 PM. I’m going with just throw up the most controversial comments (certain types of people) in a ridiculous attempt to keep the posts flowing. Super Splash was bleeding taxpayer cash to the tune of almost 1.5 million dollars over a short period of time. This was well documented and discussed in numerous public meetings prior to the Parks Board decision to close the aging and broken down water park. As far as Aziere being a better candidate than those that have filed. In usual Aziere fashion while he publicly waves his Parks system lover flag, he had to be REMOVED recently from his BOA Parks Board Liaison role by the Mayor because he had not attended a single Parks Board mtg in over a year which is a requirement in that committee position. Alderman Ward was named the new Liaison and has already made more meetings in a short period than Aziere has in 2 years. Aziere’s track record of non attendance to committee meetings, Board meetings, and attending public events and serving his constituents has been widely publicized and called out by some of his fellow Board members. I highly respect those Alderman that for one reason or another choose to pursue other interests in lieu of just grabbing another taxpayer provided monthly check like we have seen by Alderman Aziere for way too long.
Who are the current members of the Raytown Fire District board?
It looks like the naysayers are at it again. Last week, it was the City Clerk who does a marvelous job and just because people ask for things that she can't provide, badmouth her. I have never seen her treat anyone different than anyone else. The City would really be in dire straights if she was not there. I have been in this City for many years and have never had any reason to believe she is not an exceptional City Clerk. When she is in doubt of anything, she relies on the lawyers to make the call.
Now, this week, it is the Mayor. His job is to be the face of the City and he does an excellent job of communicating with the citizens of Raytown and attending an array of events throughout the metropolitan area.. His job is not to make policy - that is the job of the BOA.
This hate spewing is only by a few people and most people know where this comes from. They have nothing better to do than try and create dissention.
Thank you, Greg, for telling the people where the problem began and that it is not the fault of the current BOA.
Hopefully, we can all work together to make this City a place where ill feelings and ugly words do not exist any longer.
Why do comments keep getting deleted? Is that from the user or the admin? This is getting like unglued.
My comments are often deleted when they don’t fit the blog owner’s narrative
Why is he taking credit for passing monetary policy then?
If the face we want if an old white guy who likes being around young children then he is a success. If we want someone that understands basic common sense, he is far from it.
Fire District Board Members Robert Palmer,Barb Schlapia and Richard Tush
"Why is he taking credit for passing monetary policy then?
If the face we want if an old white guy who likes being around young children then he is a success. If we want someone that understands basic common sense, he is far from it."
While I agree that a change needs to be made, "...white guy..."?
I find this offensive and I think we all know who wrote this. Same refrain, reframed.
Seriously, it's getting OLD.
Find a new violin. Just knock it off.
NEWSFLASH! A certain "admin" is placing their Raytown home up for sale.
Just hasn't been the same since a ginormous tree fell on their house early last year, we're told.
(Cut to the crashed house scene in the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz"...the visage of the striped leggings and pointy shoes...)
Yeah, you're "...not going anywhere....". Good luck with the house, tho.
Our very best to this "admin" in 2019. We hope that your year will be filled with fresh insight, introspection, along with a new tradition of positivity.
Just for clarification, because I don’t remember ever voting for any of the fire board... we have 3 that cover the same area as 10 aldermen? There’s waste right there to cut!
If the admin sells the house in Raytown, then that admin won't have any financial interest in Raytown anymore. right? If so, how can I help get the house sold?
The censorship here is utterly rediculous. Did not used to be that way. I seem to remember the blogowner complaining about censorship on Facebook not that long ago. Here’s the thing, the marketplace will decide the issue. If you want to have a one sided conversation so be it.
If you get rid of anonymous posting you wouldn’t need to censor! Just saying.
According to her and the county it's only worth about 50k. Maybe she'll leave Raytown alone. Unfortunately, she's large enough to cover all our zip codes still.
Maybe they're moving in to the mayor's house owned by a trust... you know they've been seen hanging out at the local bar and leaving together.
Election year or not. He's getting famous for promising and failing to deliver.
2:32PM: There was a discussion several years ago questioning if 2 aldermen were needed for each Ward. Their number could easily be cut into half making 5 instead of 10! I always wondered why 2 per ward were necessary?
Andy Whiteman
Thanks for joining Mikey. You're the only one that uses that word. A shame you don't use your name, of course hiding things is something you like to do.
Andy you supported Mike his last election, I'm curious, knowing the amount Raytown has fallen in the past 4 years under him, do you still support him as Raytowns best choice?
Fire Board could use a few fresh faces. Palmer is sound but Schlapia is huggy huggy with Mayor (Campaign Mgr), and Tush is way too political with the local Democratic political club affiliations. He should have been a lot less opiniated on the Sales tax issues last August since he knew they the Fire Board would be coming forward with a levy increase at some point in the future. Near conflict of interest. Not sure if any are up for re-election, but some new representation would be welcome especially with levy increase ballot question slated for April.
Well Ward 2 certainly needs 2 Alderman Andy since Aziere is MIA good portion of the time.
A Charter passage would have enabled re-alignment of the council structure but being a 4th Class City with no charter requires the current format in place. Also the Marshall position would be able to change from elected to appointed. THANKS to Aziere, Vanbuskirks, and Creamer who fought against that being passed last time. Talk about self preservation. Aziere NEVER beats Greene for the lone seat in Ward 2. Creamer same thing. And these 2 both have filed for re-election. Wake up Raytown!!
2 are needed because quite often only 1 really represents the residents as they were elected to do.
Andy we did not vote to have a charter passed. You should remember that as you seem to read
all about Raytown.
"you know they've been seen hanging out at the local bar and leaving together."
Thanks for that imagery. Yikes.
Anonymous asked "Andy you supported Mike his last election, I'm curious, knowing the amount Raytown has fallen in the past 4 years under him, do you still support him as Raytown's best choice?" How do you expect him to answer that? Andy is 1,000 miles away. He has no idea how Raytown has improved or declined. Everything he knows, or thinks he knows, he gets from this blog, full of anonymous posters, or a few people who have nothing better to do than to post on Facebook all day. In reality, he's clueless.
I worked in for the city for numerous years, lived in the city for about 15 years, but so glad to be gone after watching the downfall of this once great city. It’s truly sad the way this city is falling apart. I doubt the city will survive if you are honest with yourselves. They need millions upon millions to get roads to average, not to mention the storm sewers etc. And it’s all because you all don’t want to raise property taxes. I truly feel bad for most of the city employees. I just don’t see the city making it.
Poor Mike, still blaming the residents for not tripling their property tax. I was going to vote for it at only 50 or 60 bucks a year. But then I did the math and was going to pay over 200, you lied and then you changed it from roads to police to "we can't tell you how it'll be used". I remember when you cut a third of the police dept and still managed to find money to give the Cheif and you other buddies raises even though most employees were frozen.
You can comment on here how bad the Board treats you, but ask yourself, "why are most elected officials not running again?" I think it's because they don't want to be around YOU! Just like all the city admins and finance directors and other dept heads. There is a mass exodus. I can't wait until the people still there vote you out.
"They need millions upon millions to get roads to average, not to mention the storm sewers etc. And it’s all because you all don’t want to raise property taxes."
The key to survival is to REPLACE the so-called mayor, so-called police chief, and several board members, IMO. NOW! And while we're at it, replace the Chamber of Commerce director. Collectively, over DECADES, this collective of besties have accomplished little to nothing to move this City forward, but have instead, along with one certain former mayor, unwittingly and/or carelessly ramrodded this City directly into the ground, lining their pockets for retirement in the process. Their routine grew stale and stanky YEARS AGO AND NO ONE APPEARS TO CARE ENOUGH TO BREAK IT UP! All those missed opportunities to fix this City! It's been an obtainable, easy gig for this group of longtime compadres because NO ONE HAS CARED ENOUGH TO EXERT A STEADY EFFORT TO PERMANENTLY DISLODGE THEM.
The dissolution, the expulsion of this talentless, tired, staid triangulate would be a fresh start.
QUALIFIED creatives and business owners...this is your final call to step in and roll up your sleeves.
It's okay I think Mayor Mike and New Yorker Eileen the Mayor of Independence have worked it out to join them. IPL raises rates all the time just like Raytown has started. And after they had dinner together we got hit with a massive sewer bill for blue valley.
The council went under investigation and have been all over the news in Independence and shortly after Raytown got enough signatures to have the State Audit them due to mistrious funding issues the past couple years. He is following on her every step, I believe he is going to let the TIF make us file bankruptcy or dissolve into them.
Why else would he make so many post about talking to her and how bad the residents in Raytown are? Sitting mayor's shouldn't do that if they care about their city. But instead he cared about her.
I don't know about hat. In the last year and a half we've made national news a couple times and regional news several more. Everything from the Mayor saying we deserve bad infrastructure, to aldermen sayong everyone should buy guns because the police won't protect you.
Until Wal-Mart flew people in they were a major problem, now he says they are our only salvation. Wonder how much they paid him to have the change of heart.
Well then we could vote the other one out, duh!
It was Greene and Mikey that sunk the lastvcharter if I remember right, the charter was in place and agreed upon, and all of a sudden they came in one night and reversed nearly everything, added a bunch of poison pills, because they didn't want a charters accountability. As a 4th class they are safe from removal. Under a charter they would've been kicked. Can't blame them, all politicians want that money and privilege.
7:52 AM, You are in error. I did NOT support Mike or anyone in the last election.
Andy Whiteman
I truly hope we will have someone file against Janet Emerson. Here is a woman who is truly clueless about city government She is in the mayors hip pocket along with some of the other people who have filed.
Love how the mayor of that other city has been brought into the mix here. From firsthand experience, I can tell you that you're gazing into the eyes of pure evil when dealing with a couple of the Independence officials. Some of the Raytown savants probably enjoy hobnobbing with our neighbors to the North so they can pick up a few pointers. Such a sad state of affairs. I will tell you however that I'm in awe of the Independence mayor's Photoshop tech. Most magnificent before and after EVER. Never knew that P-shop's filters could be THAT effective.
Too bad businesses don’t want to move to a crime ridden city that can’t adequately provide police protection, god roads and other infrastructure.
The problems of this town stem directly from the BOA approving the TIF. The BOA gambled the future on a misguided and ill conceived plan that drained City reserves. This was under previous mayors. At the same time, revenues fell and overspending and deficit spending drew down City reserves further. Now we face balloon payments that will require further cash infusions which will result in budget cuts. In our political system, we have various players that don’t get along and play games. The City cannot refinance the TIF and there are voices that want to borrow more money. We have non-residents and former residents from all over that want to interfere in the running of our City. Do we have control of our destiny? It would appear not. Infighting, false information being perpetuated constantly. Now it would appear that the fun and games have started. My suggestion? Stop the politics. Act like decent human beings for a change and start working together! Keyword, together. When you ask for more money, write up a question that is simple and maybe has a sunset. Then get behind it. This I direct to all politicians. Finally, you are going to have to make more cuts. Might as well trim the fat one more time. I suggest you apply the savings to roads. As A resident I sincerely say this, pave something! We want to see progress.
"Some of the Raytown savants probably enjoy hobnobbing with our neighbors to the North so they can pick up a few pointers."
^^ No truer words. There's a page on Facebook that you might pay attention to: "Independence Missouri Breaking News and Current Events". And we think we have it bad. Plenty of people need to be booted to the North AND to the South, apparently.
Trumpsters and his other sheeple have some goofball selling his made in china campaign stuff at 350 and Noland Road now. I believe that we have had enough of this idiot destroying our country. Sad!
Okay, let me get this straight. Somebody is selling some merchandise at Noland Road and 350 Highway. You don't think it should be allowed because it is made in China and you do not like the candidate it supports. This is part of the American dream. You say what you want. You can sell what you want within reason (drugs and such are still illegal here). But what you are suggesting would fit better in a totalitarian state like China.
Maybe you should re-think your priorities. Why do you think people are walking thousands of miles to get into our country illegally. I don't think they would be so keen on the idea if folks like you with your censorship and close-minded opinion ever get control.
People like you scare me.I hope you never get the power you crave.
I see the city has changed their website address so your link will not work
We call that transparency and only makes one wonder what else are they trying to hide.
The city's website is www.raytown.mo.us. That's the same website they've had for at least 10 years. Maybe you can't spell or maybe you just have fat fingers. Regardless, you should know what you're talking about before you start posting erroneous reports.
The only thing I’ve seen for sale in Knobtown is tamales on the northwest corner of the intersection.
I don't know about 350 Hwy and Noland Road, but there was a man selling MAGA items in the parking lot of the florist at 40 Hwy and Lee's Summit Road Saturday.
I am a life-long Raytown resident (over 40 years). I have a business degree. I care about Raytown deeply. I am not in anyone's "hip pocket." I believe in listening to the facts of an issue and the people before making a decision. I am not an expert on city matters but am willing to learn.
I would make a good candidate however I would need to buy a hard hat and flak jacket for the attacks that will come.
Folks don't want to subject themselves to the vitriol so they don't run.
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