Sunday, January 13, 2019

. . BREAKING NEWS . .
Raytown Police Chief Jim Lynch Resigns
Jim Lynch announced his resignation as Raytown Chief of Police effective Febaruary 14, 2019. In a prepared statement Mr. Lynch wrote:

After 43 years of service with the Raytown Police Department, Raytown Chief of Police James B. Lynch announced that he will retire on February 14, 2019. Chief Lynch is grateful for the unwavering support of the residents and businesses of Raytown.

“I would like to thank the Raytown community for their continued support through the years, of not just me, but the men and women of the Raytown Police Department,” Chief Lynch said.

“I have lived in Raytown for decades and have raised my children here. I am grateful to be part of the Raytown community and to the people of Raytown, I say thank you for allowing me to serve you.”

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. . . Raytown Report Extra . . .
Filing Closes for City Offices
FIVE CANDIDATES FILE ON LAST DAY

A week ago races for who will be elected to lead Raytown City government for the next four years exhibited symptoms of apathy. One week later, on the last day of filing five candidates came forward to fill out the races.

Ward 1 has the most crowded race with four candidates vying for the seat currently held by Alderman Karen Black. Alderman Black had previously announced she would not seek re-election.

Three candidates have filed for the open seat in Ward 3. Ward 2 and Ward 4 have two candidates each.  

MAYOR
Michael McDonough
Tony Jacob
                                                           
ALDERMAN, WARD 1
Joe Creamer
Josh Bennett
Greg Walters
Quentin J. Brown

ALDERMAN, WARD 2
Jim Aziere
Loretha Hayden

ALDERMAN WARD 3
Janet Emerson
Jeremy Utterback
Otis Taylor III

ALDERMAN WARD 4
Bob Cochran
Mary Jane VanBuskirk

ALDERMAN WARD 5
Derek Ward

CITY COLLECTOR
Cathie Schutte

Candidate Filings / Raytown C2 School District
VOTE FOR TWO
Bobbie Saulsberry
LaShonda Orkes
Rick Thode 

Filing Closes January 15 for Raytown Election
BY GREG WALTERS
Tuesday, January 15, 2019 is the last day candidates can file for public office in Raytown.

As of this writing, only two of the twelve seats being contested have attracted more than one candidate.

Elections will be held the first Tuesday in April for candidates filed for Mayor and the Raytown Board of Aldermen, the Raytown Fire District, Raytown School Board, and Jackson County Public Water Supply District No. 2.

A list of the positions up for election can be found at the end of this week’s Raytown Report.

BY PAUL LIVIUS
Paul’s Rant
FAKE NEWS ALERT?
Browsing around the internet the other day I came across Mayor McDonough’s new website. The new page is actually an old page from four years ago with a few very large pictures and five bullet points.

It was the fifth bullet point that caught my attention. It read . .
  
“Mayor McDonough led a collaborative effort of a diverse group of elected officials and staff to facilitate refinancing of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) area around Walmart, Scooters, IHOP, Freddy’s, Ace Hardware and NAPA Auto Parts, resulting in an expected savings of over $2 million by decreasing the cost and term of the original TIF”.

At first glance I thought, hey, this is good news. But then I remembered that just two meetings back the City’s Financial Advisor on the selling of the new bonds, Mr. Kalen Dwyer, CFA of Columbia Capital, advised the Mayor and Board of Aldermen the financial climate was not good at this time to market bonds.

He must have a had a crystal ball, because the next day the Fed increased the nation’s prime lending rate – along with a forecast of the rate being increased two more times in 2019.

Mr. Dwyer said the city’s goal was to save two to three million dollars by refinancing the bonds. The Mayor’s website has scaled the prediction down to “over 2 million”.

POOR DECISIONS LEAD TO LOSS
What is unsaid here is the city originally had hoped to market the bonds early last summer. But could not do so because they had become an entangled in a lawsuit with the Raytown Fire Department over the 350 Live TIF debacle.

Investors are skittish folk. They do not like to invest their hard earned dollars with people who waste money on frivolous lawsuits.

Incidentally, the legal maneuvering between the City and Fire District was eventually settled most decidedly in the Fire District’s favor. Had the city not sued the Fire District, the savings at that time, due to lower interest rates, could have surpassed 3 million dollars.

Going back to the heading of the article, is the Mayor’s proclamation of the City saving $2 million dollars fake news?

It is a good question.

We checked with a couple of the Aldermen to confirm the claim. None of them (we checked with two) were aware of any sale of new bonds.

So, is the Mayor’s proclamation Fake News or the real deal? Unless someone is being much less than transparent in the city’s business, the Mayor’s political website falls under the FAKE NEWS category.

The Paul Livius Report
Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting – January 8, 2019 BY PAUL LIVIUS

City Administrator, Damon Hodges, said work is progressing on 59th Street.  He said some citizens have chosen to drive through, even though the “road closed” signs are still up.  He asked citizens to not drive through the area or remove the road closed signs.  It is dangerous to both the citizens and the contractor.

The Board passed a resolution approving an agreement with Wiedenmann, Inc.for an emergency repair project to the sanitary sewer main located at 5825 Cedar Avenue in an amount not to exceed $20,648.95.On Monday, November 19, 2018, the sanitary sewer crew was called out to a sewer backup in the 5900 block of Cedar. Upon arrival, the crew discovered there was a backup within the City main line, and after a considerable amount of time we were able to free the clog and open the City main line.

 During post backup investigation, our CCTV crew discovered some heavily cracked and collapsing pipe along with large tree roots. Staff reviewed the CCTV work and found 3 segments of pipe that needed to be immediately replaced to prevent further backups. This segment of sanitary sewer main is not eligible to be lined without the removal of the upstream lamp hole and its replacement with a manhole. Staff determined that point repairs would be the most cost-effective solution.

Due to the seriousness of the partial collapse, staff recommended this be handled on an emergency basis and have a contractor mobilize immediately to perform these point repairs. Staff received an estimate of $18,484.89 for Wiedenmann Inc. on November 20th. This cost estimate is based on a time and materials cooperative agreement being utilized through the City of Lee’s Summit. The work has been completed, and staff has received a final invoice for this emergency project in the amount of $20,648.95. This will be paid from the Sanitary Sewer Fund for emergency repairs.

The Board passed a resolution authorizing the Public Works department to make a grant application to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources air pollution control program. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is administering a grant program for the replacement or repowering of class 4 through class 8 trucks. The program is made possible as a part of the VW EPA settlement for clean air violations.

 Public Works has budgeted the purchase of a new class 7 single axle dump truck for FY 2019, the total project is expected to be near $165,000.00 with the chassis portion being about $78,000.00 This grant if successful will reimburse the City 50% of the cost of the bare chassis or approximately $39,000.00. The grant has some requirements such as it only works for the replacement of a vehicle and the old vehicle must be permanently disabled and destroyed. The new vehicle must be retained for at least five years. The grant application process will close on January 12, 2019. This is a reimbursement grant and will require fully funding the purchase.

The Board passed a resolution approving the purchase of two 2020 Ford police utility interceptors from ShawneeMission Ford off the Mid America Council of Public Procurement joint bid in an amount not to exceed $66,384.00 The Police and Public Works Departments annually evaluate the Vehicle Replacement Program to determine which vehicles are reaching the end of their life cycles. This year two (2) marked patrol vehicles are due to complete their service based on mileage, age and projected maintenance costs. Shawnee Mission Ford participated in the Mid America Council of Public Procurement (MACPP) bid process and was awarded the bid contract for the PI Utility. The Sales Tax Oversight Committee reviewed the vehicle purchase request and found it to be consistent with the voter intent.

Major Randy Hudspeth presented information to the Board concerning a proposed ordinance concerning tow truck services. The ordinance would prohibit tow truck companies from arriving at the scene of a disabled vehicle unless the service is requested by the vehicle owner or a law enforcement officer. Unsolicited tow truck drivers could be charged with a class D misdemeanor and the tow truck may be subject to impounding.  Alderman Bonnaye Mims moved the police department work with the city staff to bring this to the Board as an ordinance. 

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POST A COMMENT

City of Raytown Salary and Benefits 
Candidate Filings / City of Raytown
MAYOR                                                 
Michael McDonough 
Tony Jacob                                     
                                                           
ALDERMAN, WARD 1                  
Joe Creamer                                                     
Incumbent Alderman Karen Black
is not seeking re-election

ALDERMAN, WARD 2
Jim Aziere                                        
Loretha Hayden                                           

ALDERMAN WARD 3
Janet Emerson                                               
Incumbent Alderman Mark Moore
is not seeking re-election

ALDERMAN WARD 4
Bob Cochran
Incumbent Alderman Steve Meyers
is not seeking re-election

ALDERMAN WARD 5
Derek Ward
Appointed to the seat in 2017

CITY COLLECTOR
Cahie Schutte

MAYOR       
Paid $14,400 annually

Eligible to participate in the City’s Group Health Care Plan
Eligible to participate in the City’s Group Dental Care Plan                    
                   
ALDERMAN     
Paid $450.00 monthly
Eligible to participate in the City’s Group Health Care Plan
Eligible to participate in the City’s Group Dental Care Plan

CITY COLLECTOR             
Eligible to participate in the City’s Group Health Care Plan
Eligible to participate in the City’s Group Dental Care Plan

For more information contact the Raytown City Clerk Teresa Henry at 737-6004.

Candidate Filings / Raytown Fire Board
RAYTOWN FIRE BOARD: The Raytown Fire Protection District is governed by three Board Directors. Each Director is elected to a six year term of office. This year one Director is up for election.
                                                                 
Salary / Benefits       
Paid $450.00 monthly
Eligible to participate in the Fire District’s Health Care Plan
Eligible to participate in the Fire District’s Dental Care Plan
Eligible to participate in the Fire District’s Retirement Plan

For more information contact Fire Chief Matt Mace at 737-6034.

Jackson County Public Water District #2
JACKSON COUNTY PUBLIC WATER DISTRICT #2: The Jackson County Public Water District #2 is governed by five Directors. The Directors meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month.  Directors are not paid a salary. There are two seats up for election this year, Subdistrict 3 and 5.

For more information contact District Manager Pat Ertz at 353-5550.

Current fillings:
Subdistrict 3 – Fred Hartwell
Subdistrict 5 – Jim McClanahan

Raytown C2 School District
Candidate Filings / Raytown C2 School District
VOTE FOR TWO

Bobbie Saulsberry
LaShonda Orkes
Rick Thode                          
                                    
For more information contact Rachel Johnston, School Board Secretary, at 816-268-7008.

73 comments:

Anonymous said...

"So, is the Mayor’s proclamation Fake News or the real deal?"

Paul is probably thinking what we're all thinking. Must respect how diplomatically he posed the question, as always.

"Fake news?" We have another word for it.

One syllable, three letters.

C'mon, potential mayoral candidates. Step up.

Anonymous said...

Collaborative effort? Who talks like that? ANSWER: Someone who want to leave the impression something has been accomplished when in fact, it has not. The city should have refinanced the TIF bonds last year. But they could not because they were too busy suing the Fire Department. Face it. It is hard to paint a good picture of what has happened at City Hall in the last four years. The real sad part is that it seems to be getting worse.

Tony Jacob said...

I saw that on Friday and I thought the same thing Paul, Great news for Raytown. I wanted to see what interest level we settled at as the Fed intends to raise rates again. No one at city hall knew the bonds went through. No documentation was available to sunshine as nothing had happened. I understand the need to make oneself look good during an election time, but to outright lie is sad.
Raytown deserves better. Smiling faces and positive feels haven't fixed anything, we are worse off than we were 4 years ago. We need real solutions and those only come from correctly identifying problems. I know the problems and I understand them. I've put together a real plan, and we can rebuild.
I've posted all my claims publically, and I've posted my source materials.

Love WINS said...

This blog is for Greg. Last election you almost won. I know almost didn't count but now much more than ever Raytown really needs you to run! We sure would support you. We both sure hope you run.

Anonymous said...

I had to look around to find his site, but when I did I too found it a cut and paste of 4 years ago. I especially liked where he said he listened to voters and wanted to hear concerns. Does he think we are stupid?! I remember him talking to other mayor's and posting on Facebook how Raytown "deserved crumbling roads". I remember the months of real screaming on the Board at each other. I remember him putting out press releases that invited crime warning we didn't have the police to protect citizens. I remember an alderman at a meeting suggesting we are up because the police were refusing to answer calls.
Back in August he said the city was falling apart, a couple months later and now he says we are all better. That seems to go along with his other lies. He sure smiles a lot for a guy being audited.

Anonymous said...

The Fire Department uncovered everything two years ago and since that time every appointed Department Head as resigned some two times over. Everything they claimed has turned out to be true and I for one cannot wait to see what else the audit uncovers. The City has only themselves to blame for all their misfortune and until they admit this they will never be able to move forward

Anonymous said...

Under the current regime we've had at least 3 city administrators in 3 years. That job pays well over 100 grand a year.
We've had 3 finance people, money has been lost, and money has been found.
There's no continuity.
We've lost several department heads, and this knucklehead says he brings people together? I work at city hall and can tell you this isnt true. He's hardly here and when he is it's eggshells for everyone.
We need change.

Anonymous said...

@1008pm
If the FD knows something maybe they should tell us, or at least call the whistleblower hotline.

Anonymous said...

"C'mon, potential mayoral candidates. Step up."

WHO, in their right mind, would re-elect any of these people, given the events of the past couple years, as well as the peril this city currently finds itself in?!

You're going to vote the city that many of us grew up into OBLIVION by mindlessly allowing these incumbents, ONE IN PARTICULAR, to slink back into office.

Think.

THINK!

Anonymous said...

Answer me this riddle... if we are doing so well why do so few want to run? Many races were vacant having not even 1 person in 5000 that wanted the job. Now nearly all spots have no competition. I think it says a lot. It says a lot more that many of the incumbents are one and done. They've come, they've seen how messes up the place is, and they're stepping out.
Better that than continue running us into the ground.

Anonymous said...

Ha! I also work at city hall and Mayor McDonough is there all the time. He also seems to be everywhere in the city when things are happening. You can knock him for other things, but he is present and involved, no argument there

Anonymous said...

"Mayor McDonough is there all the time...he is present and involved, no argument there"

Thanks for your input, Mikey!

Anonymous said...

So the guy is Batman or a magician. He's everywhere all the time.
Do you also have candles in front of his picture?

Anonymous said...

The city has said every month they will give an update. Tomorrow is the last meeting of the month I'm sure that's when they'll let everyone know the rate that was settled on. Y'all are so negative the mayor sold the bonds or he wouldn't have said it. All you have to do is check the agenda, it's right there... wait, nope, nevermind sorry.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Aldermen Meyers and Black are now begging for anyone to run, this is what we've resorted to? They ran on changing the city and being open and they are running away like the house is on fire. All the while trying to get people to take their place. I think they want everyone to see how it isn't easy, maybe they want to share the pain.

Anonymous said...

Alright. Does anybody actually know for sure that the TIF has been refinanced? Because that's something you'd think the city would put on their front page. I'm not seeing any reference to it besides his campaign site. I called my alderman and he didn't know about it being completed either. Someone needs to find out what's going on.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Well. Last day for filing. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Anonymous said...

In answer to your question. No, the TIF has not been refinanced. Apparently the city waiting for a better market for the interest rates. America has not seen run-away inflation since the Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter were President. The City Council will eventually look back on these days as a time of realistic interest rates. They will only go up from here. It will take awhile for them to come down. They should market their bonds and get out from under the rock they put themselves in when the TIF bonds were first issued.

Anonymous said...

Just to show how disconnected he is, the mayor made a weird face when alderman azeire said people were unhappy about the sewer hike. Apparently he doesn't know screwing over your citizens makes them not happy.
And then he was sighing and mocking alderman van buskirk with alderman black.
He talked through almost the whole parks presentation. So much for respect!

Anonymous said...

We are told the city is broke and parks needs to double their tax but then the director just said he went from 600,000 in reserves To now 900,000 in reserves! Where is all this money? We NEED an audit!

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the PD doesn't do COMBAT grants because they would have accountability. Having someone look over your shoulder is something they can't have.

Anonymous said...

Everyone please watch the city meeting when it is put up. Greg and Paul please link it. Look about an hour and 40 minutes in. Is that what we want? That is the mismanagment so many have talked about!
The mayor couldn't even get the aldermen to come back for the sunshine meeting, no one respects him. We NEED change.

Anonymous said...

Raytown police chief retires in face of state audit https://piorpd.wordpress.com/2019/01/15/raytown-police-chief-jim-lynch-announces-retirement/

Anonymous said...

City announces state audit.
Cheif resigns days later.

Nothing to see here

Anonymous said...

ALDERMAN, WARD 1
Greg Walters

Thank goodness. Thank you for filing, Mr. Walters!!

Very happy to see another couple names as well.

Let's do this! <3

Love WINS said...

Thanks Greg for the up date. You have our support!

Anonymous said...

Retired? You mean resign. he's not even half way through his term. And he waited so we couldnt join the collector and Marshall.
Maybe he's another dept head making over 100k leaving under the mayor.

Anonymous said...

To all those that said an audit isn't needed... those from independence still meddling in our affairs...
Convinced now?
The Cheif quit days after the audit became offical.
He's hasn't finished his term, and since none of the majors or captains live in Raytown I wonder who will be appointed.
I'd hate to be them and have to answer for what my predecessor did.
Meanwhile, perhaps he didn't know he can't run from the auditors. They can still subpoena him.

Anonymous said...

Y'all need to leave the man alone. You want him to leave and he did and you still hound him. In the past few years 2 people in the auditors office have committed suicide do to political pressure. I hope he doesn't do the same.
He gave 40 years of good service and will only be remembered by the controversy he left. That's punishment enough. He knows it you know it. We know it.
Move on, leave him alone.

Anonymous said...

How about you come to a park board meeting and ask why there is a large reserve? Or call the park director and ask him if you are too busy.

Anonymous said...

Great to see so much interest in Ward 1. What this shows is that the people don’t want Joe Creamer who for the last several weeks was the only candidate on the ballot. Let me remind the voters that Mr. Creamer voted for the Walmart TIFF, which has caused so much economic damage to Raytown.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

"Could you imagine VB and wife droning on together?"

"VB". VanBuskirk, correct?

If "droning" means a thoughtful, thorough analysis of an issue after already studying it at length, or returning every single the phone call and speaking thoughtfully with a constituent, we're exceptionally fortunate that they've chosen public service.

Anonymous said...

We are blessed that Lynch is leaving

When I heard I couldn't stop crying I was so happy that Raytown's dark cloud is slowly lifting.

Anonymous said...

If the parks department has almost 1 million in reserves why are they wanting to raise taxes

Anonymous said...

6:10 AM

You forgot the 5 positions in the police department that never got filled.

Anonymous said...


The officer that is in the library is working off-duty security.

I hope this has answered your concerns.

Anonymous said...

Professionals at city hall.... Where!!!

The news has been talking about additional snow, but the great thinkers at city hall have not had the plows back out pushing the snow to the curbs or end of the streets.

Maybe the audit will bring to light we need to hire brighter folks

Anonymous said...

"Jim Lynch announced his resignation as Raytown Chief of Police effective Febaruary 14, 2019."

He bailed with no notice? That's super professional. What's up?

Derek A. Ward said...

I can assure you that Ms. Mimms is not playing with her cellphone during meetings, as I sit next to her.

Please understand that we can't possibly bring every resource we may need to consult. For example, last night I used my phone's calculator and pulled up a copy of Robert's Rules of Order as I was considering making a procedural motion. Other times, I've pulled up a state statute that relates to what we are discussing.

I know that it probably would look better if we had laptops, but we don't have a lot of extra room. I'm not even sure if we have enough outlets.

Derek A. Ward

Anonymous said...

WDAF TV

https://fox4kc.com/2019/01/16/raytown-police-chief-retires-after-43-years-of-service

Anonymous said...

Ok, yeah, we believe it.
In what world does a library need police protection. Raytown isn't that bad. He's lounging reading instead of on patrol, yet another reason it'll be nice to have a new leader that will hopefully hold people to a standard. Not even a high one, at this point any standard would be better.

Anonymous said...

Solid reporting. Got nearly everything wrong. 25 officers? Who did they talk to!
3 million dollars short, that's got cop all over it .
Cops didn't get laid off, not 1! They walked off the job.

Anonymous said...

Let us remind the voters that two candidates for Alderman voted for the Walmart TIFF and still believe it was a good deal. Former Ward 1 Alderman Joe Creamer and current Ward 3 Alderman Jim Aziere. Colossally stupid decisions should not be rewarded. It’s time for change.

Anonymous said...

Why don’t you ask the library why they need an off duty officer working there?

Anonymous said...

Obviously 6:21 you have not been in a public library in urban america in a while. Libraries are known hang outs for homeless and are more like a social service agency anymore. Marian the Librarian is a myth in musical theater.

Anonymous said...

Citizens, we would like to draw your attention to the behavior of this City's mayor McDonough during that last BOA meeting.

https://raytownmo.swagit.com/play/01152019-1591

Invocation and Pledge of Allegience: "...we'!l get that out of the way.". (2:30)

Citizen Comments: In response, McDonough uttered "WOW.", the proceeds to shake his head nonstop. (3:40)

McDonough's initial dismissive behavior regarding flag and invocation was completely unacceptable. Additionally, McDonough's role is to listen to citizen comments, regardless of the identity of the speaker, or the CONTENT of their comments, as remarkably difficult as that may be.

McDonough's behavior in this public forum clearly demonstrated impulsivity and a complete lack of decorum. It was painful to observe.

Anonymous said...

That's how the whole city is. Sewer had a massive surplus and they raised rates 15 percent!
The mayor wants to raise taxes again. Stop the madness.

Derek A. Ward said...

@January 16, 2019 at 8:46 AM

Please let me know what questions I can answer. Also, if there are any groups you would like me to speak to during the campaign season (or any other time), please let me know.

-Derek Ward

Andy Whiteman said...

I would like to thank Chief Lynch for serving Raytown all of those years. In my experience, Chief Lynch ran the best police department I have seen. I never expected the murder of the couple on 63rd Street to be solved but with the assistance of the metro squad the perpetrator was apprehended as were the perps in other crimes. Chief Lynch did a great job! I wish him happiness in his retirement.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

UPDATE:
Raytown has responded days after all the other communities, according to 41 action news, we are the only city charging citizens to pickup debris.
Once again folks it cost extra and the city will gouge you whenever they can. Maybe Meyers and crew should make that the new tagline. "Come pay more".
I'm sincerely ashamed to live here after nearly three decades.

Jerry Shoemaker said...

I haven't heard about this webpage before but my neighbor told me about it.
I don't know too much about this Tony guy running for Mayor but he seems smart as a whip. She also said he was the one that finally got the audit done so many have tried before!
The thing that impressed me the most is how he isn't in office yet and he's already cleaning up the city. Getting the chief to step down and getting people unblocked from city websites.
She said he was at the Board meetings everytime and warned them about how to write the TIF refinance and they laughed at him, but now everything he warned about is true.
I hope we hear more from him, I'd vote for anyone that isn't the guy in now that's ran the city down the drain.

Anonymous said...

Did I hear right that the parks dept is sitting on a million dollars and says they didn't have the money to do maintenance on supersplash or the tennis courts?
I think a simple financial class should be mandatory for all these people, I've never seen anything like it!

Anonymous said...

There's a lot more comments on here than usual, looks like people are waking up. Wonder how voter turnout will be with so many Names on the ballot.

Anonymous said...



Will you please call or visit the library and ask WHY they need security? The comments on this are so ignorant!

Anonymous said...

It is a shame that a library has become a place for homeless to hang out, I can see the need for a
officer to be at least available.

Paul Livius said...

We just spent about an hour removing comments that were posted to the blog portion of this page. If your post was removed it was probably because one of the following reasons:

1. Vulgarity. If you would not say it out loud in church or in a public meeting then do not expect it to be published here.

2. Personal attacks. It is one thing to challenge a point of view. It is entirely another to call someone a name simply because they do not agree with you.

3. Misinformation. A good number are of the posts removed were pure fabrication. If we are unaware of the facts you are presenting, we suggest you sign your name so we can verify what you have written.

Anonymous said...

I hope the next Chief of Police will be appointed with a police board.. They need accountability. The board doesn't need to be made up of the good 'ole boys club either, example Mayor Mickey's breakfast group.

Anonymous said...

About 70 comments were deleted overnight. So much for transparency.

Anonymous said...

Given that this Chief of Police has provided a mere 2 weeks' notice, what is the procedure for replacing him?

As far as a permanent replacement goes, does this happen via a special election? If an individual is appointed, we're hoping that it isn't going to be who we think it is. If so, that individual needs to be stringently monitored by the city council...and the citizens. The appointment of this person needs to be effectively opposed, if it all possible.

No one wants to endure any more of the same core group doddering around in the background pulling the same old tired strings.

An unconnected person and a fresh start would be optimal, in our opinion.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Paul. I’d like to read this blog as a viable source. It has become way too toxic of late. The conspiracies and baseless allegations detract from that.

Anonymous said...

It amazes me how much the people on this blog think they know how to run a city but refuse to run for office. If you can’t see how the tax situation in this city is killing it, slowly but surely, I’ve got nothing for you. I was a city employee for a long time. The board, long before this board was elected, wanted it to be a bedroom community. Which is fine, but with the way the city taxes, ie fire separate of city, so their own tax rate, the school district etc, the city has not had a voter approved increase in 40+ years. Things in 2019 cost more than they did in 1978. So unless you all wake up and realize the city is in moire straights and close to folding, you’re fooling yourself. Loved working there but it has gotten out of hand.

Retired City Emplooyee.

Anonymous said...





GO Chiefs!!!!!!! Two more wins!! We got this!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

4:46 I would be careful would statements like yours.

We are at the start of an audit process and based on FACTs that I am at least aware of and have reported to the state auditor, Sec of State and Attorney General based on the issue our city has some major cleanup efforts needed at city hall.

It should be noted because of the audit anything that has been reported to the other two agencies has also been reported to the auditor.

If our Board of Alderman want to turn a blind eye allow the abuse and misconduct of department heads that is on them, but the minute they asked for three taxes and have another department upset a forth question is not come forward someone must take a stand.

At least three of the Alderman have show after a term on the Board doing the right thing is to much for them and they choice not to seek re-election. We have another one in WARD 2 that needs to go as he is the last still on the board with a direct tie to the down fall, and we must be careful of the former Alderman whistle blower in WARD 1 as too voted for the largest mess in the St of MO.

Rick McCoy said...

"Anonymous said...Given that this Chief of Police has provided a mere 2 weeks' notice, what is the procedure for replacing him?"

Did you go to school in Kansas City? Must have, since you can't read a calendar. Chief Lynch gave his formal notice to the public on January 15. His last day is February 14. That's 30 days (one month). The Command staff, the city staff, and the Board of Aldermen knew a few days before that. If you're going to gripe about something, at least get your facts straight!

Anonymous said...

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

STOP THE CENSORSHIP!!!!!!!!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!

Anonymous said...

"The Command staff, the city staff, and the Board of Aldermen knew a few days before that. If you're going to gripe about something, at least get your facts straight!"

"Given that this Chief of Police HAS CHOSEN TO RESIGN PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF HIS FOUR YEAR TERM, what is the procedure for replacing him?

As far as a permanent replacement goes, does this happen via a special election? If an individual is appointed, we're hoping that it isn't going to be who we think it is. If so, that individual needs to be stringently monitored by the city council...and the citizens. The appointment of this person needs to be effectively opposed, if it all possible.

No one wants to endure any more of the same core group doddering around in the background pulling the same old tired strings.

An unconnected person and a fresh start would be optimal, in our opinion."

There. Is that better? They await your response, Learned One. TIA.

Anonymous said...

@Rick
Prove it. Of the 5 members I talked to none knew before that day. He's also demanded who will take his place.

Anonymous said...

Rick McCoy,

I am sorry if I was not correct on my math.

I graduated from Raytown South and as you know more money is spent on field than in the class rooms

Anonymous said...

Dear retired city emplyee,

Yes things do cost more now than 1978, but we need to look at the full picture.

1 The board members serving between April 2013 and April 2017 shouldn't have been giving Lynch a raise based on the way the department was being ran.

2 Everyone should live within their budget (expense should be greater than income) Yet, how much over than did we have an that same time frame and where did the extra money come from (some same it was reserves others same bond money not spent on Walmart) In either case where did that money come from. If reserves the tax plans where working. If Walmart Bonds looks like time for orange jumpsuits.


3 In 1978 how many officers did we have compared to the calls for service and of those officers how many had a take home car.

I guess that is why there is an audit to get to the truth

3

Anonymous said...

3:32 I agree with you we have spent to much money on sports.

Time for a change in Raytown