BY GREG WALTERS
Rick Thode’s
“Notes on Collins
Matter” Ignites
Transparency Issue
Last week’s breaking news story on Raytown School Board member Rick Thode’s “Notes on Collins Matters” has ignited a firestorm of events.

Another Raytown news source, the Raytown Digest, published a lengthy article in which it told how requests for public information are being slow walked through a bureaucratic maze at the administrative level by the School District.

At the heart of the request are video tapes of public board meetings. Even though one School Board member has publicly called for a release of the videos, as has Susan Vorbeck, the administrator of a popular Face Book page (Raytown Unleashed). Mrs. Vorbeck’s request was originally made on September 23rd.

On September 25th the School District replied to Mrs. Vorbeck’s request. In the letter in which she was informed the cost of a copy of the video would be $100.00.

In a letter sent to Mrs. Vorbeck , the School Board Custodian of Records, Rachel Johnston, wrote “the Board will consider the request at its regular October meeting”. Ms. Johnston did not elaborate as to when or where the “regular October meeting” will be held.



 Vorbeck responded to the information, asking why such a high cost for the videos of public meetings. On September 30th the School District responded they would not be reducing the charge for the videos.

Our Point of View . . .
School Board member Rick Thode and now Raytown Unleashed administrator Susan Vorbeck have taken the correct steps to retain pertinent information regarding the scandal surrounding the Raytown School District. Central to this discussion is the allegation that the School Board policies were not followed as regards the use of credit cards provided School Board members.

Just as alarming is the obvious stone-walling of requests for public information. Especially when that public information is in the form of video tapes specifically created to provide public information!

Another question that comes to mind is why the extraordinarily high fees for material that can easily be electronically delivered. After all, we are approaching the second decade of the 21st Century. What has been requested could easily be provided by a couple of typed commands on the same type of computer used to write this story.

There are many questions to be answered. The School Board Administration’s reaction sounds an alarm that should not be ignored.

50 Years and Still Going Strong!
HOLLO FAMILY CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF BUSINESS IN RAYTOWN

The threat of rain did not hold back a healthy crowd of well wishers from attending Steve’s Auto Service 50th Anniversary Customer Appreciation Day. Customers from all over the metropolitan area came to view vintage autos and visit with Steve Hollo and his family.al customers were on hand to view vintage vehicles at the informal car show held annually by the Hollo Family at their auto repair shop.

Steve Hollo, Sr. 1941 - 2019
This year was the 50th Anniver-sary of the opening of Steve’s Auto, still located at its original location at 55th and Raytown Road.

This year also marked the turning of the page for the Hollo family. Steve Hollo, Senior, passed away unexpectedly this past summer. His son, Steve Jr., is continuing the business of providing customer care for Raytown motorists.

 Steve Hollo, Jr. and his extended family gather for a portrait at last week's Customer Appreciation Day at Steve's Auto located at 55th and Raytown Road.


Water Fire "Re-Located" a Huge Success
This year's Water Fire celebration was a success with over 1500 in attendance.
WaterFire Kansas City is a cherished annual tradition where lighted braziers are sent floating down Brush Creek. This signature event began as an art installation and now attracts large crowds of spectators who bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the beautiful sights as well as live entertainment from Kansas City’s most talented musicians, dancers and fire performers.

 This year the event was moved to Theis Park, just south of the Nelson Atkins Art Museum. The event was blessed with perfect weather. A crowd estimated to be over 1,500, was on hand to watch the annual Fall event as braziers were lit in a ceremony. Acrobats performed live on stage, entertaining the audience with amazing feats of their art.

 WaterFire is simultaneously a free public art installation, a performance work, an urban festival, a civic ritual, and a spiritual communal ceremony, well known nationally and internationally as a community arts event. WaterFire's symbolism and interpretation is both inclusive and expansive - reflecting the recognition that individuals must act together to strengthen and preserve their community, 

 Mark your calendar for early October next year. Waterfire is an annual event presented by KC Creates. Admission is free. Trust me on this one . . .  You will not be disappointed!

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Comments

Anonymous said…
You talked about the man with a gun at Coleman Park. What is the solution? The incident happened in broad daylight. Gates wouldn't have stopped it. The Parks Department turned over a video of the guy who had the gun to the police department. The police aren't interested in finding the guy. Again, what do you want the park department to do? The administrator of this blog is an alderman. He should give a direct order to the police department to go find the guy with the gun.
October 7, 2019 at 5:20 PM
Anonymous said…
What is your point? I get that you are disappointed in the Police Department. But do you really believe an Alderman can tell the police what to do. My guess is they are doing their best. It is sometimes hard to find someone who does not want to be found. As for what should the Park Department do? It seems where this happened, at the basketball court at Coleman Park is the scene of many such incidents. Maybe the answer in to find a better venue for round-ballers to play their game.

Your turn!
October 8, 2019 at 8:26 PM
Derek Ward said…
I haven't seen the data, so I don't know if the basketball courts are significantly related to a number of our problems. If, however, that is shown to be the case, I would support getting rid of the basketball courts and replacing them with something else.
October 9, 2019 at 9:38 AM
Anonymous said…
Why has the school board not removed at least the superintendent and pending an investigation several others at the administration level.

Could it be the superintendent has dirt on them like he did on the former board member and only took action against her when he could no longer control her vote.

Look at the facts from Mr. Thode's information that they district know of issues with the Pcard since 2014.
October 9, 2019 at 11:11 AM
Anonymous said…
"Could it be the superintendent has dirt on them like he did on the former board member and only took action against her when he could no longer control her vote."

Superintendent Herndon would have been SO proud. SMH.
October 9, 2019 at 8:37 PM
Anonymous said…
Same reason the former chief stayed in. Until the city had too do something and clean itself before the state did.
Everyone said it couldn't be done and one man got it done.
Everyone said the school district couldn't be handled until one man (a different one) did.
We need more people like these leaders. We need accountability and people who don't have their own skeletons.
October 10, 2019 at 8:17 AM
Anonymous said…
So 5:20PM you sound like you have the answers..... NOT! Do you know what the video shows? Do you know what the quality is? How do you know the police aren’t interested? And thank GOD the members of the BOA can’t give the police a “direct order”. I can’t imagine what a circus that would be. I wouldn’t let some of them walk my dog across the street much less be able to direct a police investigation.
October 10, 2019 at 2:26 PM
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