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Storm Debris Voucher Program
The City of Raytown will conduct a storm debris voucher program for Raytown property owners to help clean up storm debris from the January snow storm.Who can use the program? Raytown property owners
What is the cost for the Storm Debris Voucher?
The City will provide (2) FREE Storm Debris Vouchers between January 28th and March 29th.
When can the vouchers be obtained?
January 28, 2019 thru March 29, 2019 4. Where can the vouchers be used? Dropoff at Missouri Organic or Curbside Pickup through Compost Connection 5.
Is there an expiration date? Yes. April 15, 2019
How does the Storm Debris Voucher Program work?
Raytown Property owner comes to the Public Works Department to obtain the (2) free vouchers Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Raytown Property Owner will need to provide a MO driver license showing a Raytown address or proof of ownership for the Raytown property (tax bill; utility bill with Raytown address).
Drop-Off at Missouri Organic: Raytown Property owner may use the vouchers at Missouri Organic for dropping off branches, limbs, twigs generated due to storm.
Drop-off Sites:
7700 E US Hwy 40, Kansas City, MO 64129
10301 Raytown Rd, Kansas City, MO 64134
Hours of Operation:
8:00am to 5:00pm Monday thru Friday
8:00am to 4:00pm Saturday.
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| BY GREG WALTERS |
Awaits Raytown Voters
Raytown
voters can expect a large ballot on April 2nd when they go to cast
their votes in the City Election. Thirteen candidates, from Mayor to one half of the Board seats are up for election. The Raytown School District has a
51 million dollar General Obligation Bond on the ballot. The Raytown Fire
Protection District has a 30 cent per $100 dollar valuation increase on the
ballot.
Last
Monday night, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen added a ballot measure that would
make the City Marshall/Chief of Police an appointed position in Raytown.
Issues
to be Voted by Raytown Voters
APPOINTIVE
CHIEF OF POLICE: A proposal to make the City Marshal/Chief of Police
an appointive position is sure to raise interest in the April election.
The
issue came in the wake of Chief of Police Jim Lynch’s announcement that he would resign his office and retire effective February 15, 2019. Mr.
Lynch still had two years left in his term of office.
The
Mayor and Board of Aldermen took the unusual step of holding a Closed Door Meeting
to put the issue on the ballot on the Martin Luther King National Holiday.
The
second question would be a renewal of an existing general obligation bond. If the renewal fails, the property tax will be lowered (as concerns this particular bond). If the tax is approved, the property tax will stay at its current level. The tax would be used over a 20 year period to fund Fire District expenses.
The Ward 1 race has four candidates, Ward 2 has two
candidates, Ward 3 has three candidates and Ward 4 has two candidates. Two
other races, Ward 5 and City Collector have only one candidate each. Raytown
races are winner take all elections.
RESIDENCY
MATTERS
The Mayor
and Board of Aldermen have chosen to have the voters decide whether or not the
City Marshall/Chief of Police should be elected or appointed in Raytown.
An item
just as important as that question is residency.
The
position, which is currently elected, requires the person hold the City
Marshal/Chief of Police position to be a Raytown resident.
And, for
good reason.
The
City Marshal/Chief of Police is in charge of running the police department. In
that role as the lead First Responder, the position should be someone who (1)
has a stake in the community, and (2) will be close at hand to lead the Police
Department in times of emergency.
In this
writer’s view, the Mayor and Board dropped the ball on this very important
issue.
Up
until 2004, nearly all of Raytown’s Department heads made Raytown their home.
Since that time local leadership by senior staff seen a steady decline to the point that the only
Department Head still living in Raytown is the Municipal Judge.
Many
voters feel strongly about the residency issue. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen
should make it a priority to clarify their position on this important question.
Raytown's
Shining Star Department
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| BY RICHARD TUSH |
If there was a Shining Star Award for Raytown City Departments this year's award should go to the Raytown Park Board for the following reasons:
The Park
Board, recognizing a need to improve security at Coleman Park, has installed surveillance
cameras that cover all entrances to the park, the shelter houses and nearly all
of the recreation areas.
Kenagy
Park has upgraded its fishing pond by re-installing the water fountain to the pond. Not only is it keeping the water moving, which decreases mosquitoes and algae growth, it
provides an enjoyable, colorful light show.
The
greatest improvement was a policy change that put Raytowners first when
it comes to shelter house rentals. After years of citizen complaints asking for
an explanation as to why non-residents weren't charged more than local taxpayers, the Park Board finally stepped up and increase the fee for non-residents starting in
2019.
These
are all great improvements, but there's always room for more.
Kenagy
Park needs better lighting on at least the tennis courts. This would improve the safety of those
enjoying a night stroll through the park or trying their hand at pulling out a
keeper from the pond.
The
changes in park rental is an improvement considering property owners
in Raytown already pay taxes to support the parks on real estate and personal
property. It would be great if in 2020
the parks started a policy that for the first two weeks of the year only
citizens of Raytown could sign up for shelter houses. After that time, anyone
could sign up for a rental.
This winter would also be a good time to drain the pond to remove rocks and other debris that has fallen or bee thrown into the pond. It would also create an opportunity to repair the retaining wall around the pond.
This winter would also be a good time to drain the pond to remove rocks and other debris that has fallen or bee thrown into the pond. It would also create an opportunity to repair the retaining wall around the pond.
Comments
Is this behavior consistent with someone that we want representing this City?
This "Susan" has spread herself rather thin online in Raytown, has she not? I'm curious, since she lives in Independence and is raising a family there, why she doesn't concentrate on issues facing THAT city and school district? Many of us have a Raytown heritage, but she seems to be going quite a bit overboard? Especially if she's blocking and banning people that don't agree with her. This person certainly isn't representative of me or MY town. And this just goes on and on and is just accepted as being okay?
Try showing up to a park board meeting. Theres no money. At the last city council meeting they said they couldn't even afford to replace the pavers that have been pushed into the pond. Tennis court lights are a non issue, the tennis courts won't be open this year because big cracks or something. They want to double or triple our tax, maybe we'll get something out of that.
Please correct this if incorrect----"Ward 4 has FOUR candidates."
According to the city's website, two candidates have filed (Cochran and Van Buskirk).
Did two more people sign up? If so, who are they?
Thanks
Raytown's own group "Main Street" wants us to support the local businesses, which makes sense to keep tax dollars in Raytown.
However, their own actions don't support their message. Those that might not have heard this group is having a fundraiser Friday, March 8th at the "Stoney Creek Hotel". The hotel is next to Bass Pro in Independence. How is that meeting there own approach to bring potential investors and citizens to downtown Raytown.
In the Downtown area there is the building at corner of 63rd and Blue Ridge Blvd that has been advertising on Facebook site "Only in Raytown". The Raytown Water Co has a large lobby area and is on the other corner of 63rd and Blue Ridge Blvd. Just down the street is Raytown Christian Church with a large fellowship hall and our understanding area in the basement.
So what is the real propose and end game of this organization.
Why don't they wait until spring and hold an event every other weekend on the green space to draw people in and actual visit our main street.
From their own website http://www.raytownmainstreet.org/four-point-approach/
"Main Street Four Point Approach:
Design: Enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning.
Organization: Building consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals who have a role in the revitalization process.
Promotion: Marketing the traditional commercial district's assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors.
Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the district's existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities — and challenges from outlying development."
I'll take a stab at that one, Sir or Madam Anon 8:21 A.M.
If you recall the mayor's comments after that massive tax defeat, something about us having low standards? (Forgive me if I misquote. Somebody might need to supply the remark verbatim.)
It's because we allow the behavior.
We need to raise our standards. Speak up and object when people in this town treat each other poorly. We need to be kind and inclusive with everyone, despite their views or opinions. This most definitely especially includes our elected officials. I've seen a lot more from some of them than I care to.
I'm hopeful for a fresh start after this Spring's election.
From your statements you must be a member of the parks board and as a citizen I ask why are the park board meetings not held at city hall where they can easily be recorded so we can watch as our work scheduled allow?
This is how many of us actually watch the Board of Alderman meetings including the presentation from the director of parks and the park board president.
Be glad I am not on the Board of Alderman or can make the meetings in person as I have more questions, which I would guess the park board doesn't want answered.
1.) You quickly compare Raytown to other cities, but failed to do the math on the size of those parks and services along with our own and don't forget staffing.
2.) Why do we need 9 staff members? I understand maintenance of the properties (grass cutting) is outsourced. Therefore, again do we really need 9 staff members?
3.) You quickly spoke about revenue and commented it was up in the time frame SuperSplash was open, but you didn't overlay anything related to cost of operations in the same time frame and it is all over town the city was subsidizing SuperSplash for several years before saying enough was enough and ending the funding of that cash cow.
4.) I missed anything about a reserve fund or why budgeting was not being done ever year to ensure funds were set assigned for larger repair needs as a private business and home owner would do.
5.) I missed anything on the funding to parks as tied to our personal and real property and what that generates. In addition, nothing was indicated if any of the events are at least breaking even or too being subsidized.
6.) You spoke about needing basket ball courts, but cannot manage the tennis courts as outlined in your presentation. This also doesn't explain the basket ball goals that magically appeared in the SuperSphash parking lot.
I recall an old saying "You might fool some of the people some of the time, but you will fool me none of the time".
Sounds like the Raytown Park Board members needs to reach out to Lee Summit and find out how to manage our program.
It also sounds like we are overstaffed by 3 FTE.
Keep in mind these numbers came from the park director and park board president as in the presentation to the Board of Alderman on Jan 15.
NOTE: The 3 FTE over staffing may be a low number for if it is learned Lee Summit actually mows their own parks and we know we don't we should be able to get more FTE per acre.
I agree the Parks Board is stand alone under the 4th class city State Statutes, but this doesn't mean that the meetings cannot be in the Board of Alderman chambers.
Please try again to mislead the public.
This years award needs to go to the chamber for doing nothing to promote Raytown, but at the same time setting policies on signs that are against the ruling of the supreme court.
The sure step right into this one!
This mayor certainly has to be aware of the manipulative, exclusionary and consistent negative behavior from a mere handful of hyper-vocal members of the pseudo-Raytown group. Silence is conplicity, in our opinion.
I just saw last night the attack Susan launched that tried to say Tony wasn't even in the military. Calls for him to post documents and such.
I haven't heard a single call from anyone for the mayor to post his IA docs, or his retirement papers, or even his university diploma for whatever 4 year degree he has that qualified him for the postition one has to wonder why there's so much hate (mostly from out of towners) against his opponent and he does not condemn it.
One blogger pointed out that if you work at an eight to five job outside of Raytown it makes it difficult to take advantage of the Raytown Storm Debris Pickup program being offered Raytown residents by the City of Raytown because they are at work all day.
The writer has a very good point. To receive the two vouchers from the city requires a Raytowner to show up in person with some sort of identification showing he or she lives in Raytown.
I have passed this information along to Ward 4 Alderman Bill VanBuskirk to see what can be done. Mr. VanBuskirk was the Alderman who sent the information to the Raytown Report regarding the Storm Debris Program.
He told me he will look into the possibility of allowing Raytowners who cannot make it up to City Hall during the work day to obtain the vouchers at City Hall on evenings when the Board of Aldermen are in session (first and third Tuesday of each month).
The City Clerk attends all City Council meetings and could be available to distribute the vouchers before meetings of the Board of Aldermen.
Our thanks to Alderman VanBuskirk for sharing the information about the Storm Debris pick-up with the Raytown Report.
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!
Andy Whiteman
Yes, that's what leaders do. However, as expected, crickets from this "mayor". Speaks volumes.
Tonight the mayor's team actually insulted his service! I never would imagine it, NEVER!
Multiple people have reached out to the mayor for hours. And despite him posting elsewhere he hasn't responded to the request for comment put out by angry vets. More than a few vets that support the mayor have said Tony had valid docs and the mayor's camp needed to stop. And these crazy people actually booted them from the group and started hating on them! They were otherwise supportive of the mayor. Now there's a group calling for the mayor to renounce his supporters or take a hike.
I never would have thought I'd see the day a mayor and crew attack a military veteran with an honorable discharge.
I should note a ward 3 canidatate also had much to say about him not serving, and now has deleted all those comments. He is an utter... disgrace. Screenshots.
I will deffinatley not vote for the mayor now. After posting a day ago about standing with the demonized he and his camp demonize a veteran. Disgraceful of him!
I am a candidate in Ward 3 and feel this is not acceptable. I wish we could keep this election clean, and about what the candidates feel they can bring to the City to help it.
Janet Emerson
The mayor talks about standing with the demonized, however he accepts this tactic?!
Hypocracy much.
Tony however has been on the news several times defending the mayor and chief position even though he didn't agree with them he supported their right under state law. Defending those you disagree with is something I look for in canidatites.
The choice is clear for me and my neighbors.
February 1st, 2019-
Good first day of February
I have seen a lot of posts on different pages about who is saying what for whom about my campaign.
I am the only one speaking for my campaign, period.
I do believe heavily in freedom of speech so I will not and have not interfered with what others have said either way.
I would never speak ill of a veteran’s service to our country as I come from a long line of veterans. I would however have a problem with any that claim things about their service that aren’t completely true, as that insults the others.
I will continue to work hard at helping fix problems, along with our staff and Board of Aldermen.
This is a great city with great people and that is why I continue to serve and wish too again.
I have seen a lot of posts on different pages..."
To our knowledge, this "mayor" historically hasn't deigned to post on this website or answer any concerns. Yet when it's election time and he sorely needs the support of Raytown vets, pop goes the weasel.
It's rather infuriating, actually.
Raytown COC, along with Raytown city government, needs a massive overhaul. Change is long overdue. The wife of one of the longtime clique takes home a paycheck for it. Don't mind them. They're just going through the motions.
Andy Whiteman
Listen to NO ONE.
SPEAK to Mr. Jacob. He WILL make time for you.
Make your own decision.
We experienced a complete turnaround after speaking to this young man. He has our vote.
We will NOT be voting for the incumbent again.