BY GREG WALTERS
Raytown Closes Down
Venues at Some City Parks
Basketball is a very physical game.

There is non-stop hand-checking when players use their hands to mark the nearest opponent. Rebounds of missed shots can be especially violent. When a player sets up screen to clear a way to the goal for a team mate there will be body on body contact by the opposing team to get past the screen.

COALMAN PARK PLAY GROUND
 It is why the NBA was the first professional sport to call off it season. They foresaw the spread of the virus into the ranks of their teams. 

In Raytown, there is a similar problem.

Earlier this week I took a stroll through Coleman Park. The basketball court had 15 teenage players* (yes, I counted) playing a pick-up game of basketball.

All the contact I described above was going on.

It was not the definition of social distancing health advisors throughout the country are calling the most effective way to defeat the coronavirus.
*Another group of teenagers was waiting in the parking lot to use the basketball court.

A Solution . . .
COLMAN PARK BASKETBALL GOAL
The City of Raytown has decided to close certain areas of city parks.

·        Any area where individuals participate in a manner that does not allow for social distancing is being closed down.

·        Tennis court nets are being removed. Basketball goals are being taken down  down. Even shelter houses are under consideration.

·        The walking trails are an example of proper social distancing. The city has not seen any reason to shut them down.

City Administrator Damon Hodes stated . . . "staff is currently purchasing orange fencing". And placing informational signs at venues where use of park equipment is off limits.

In summary, these pro-active steps will go far in stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

We urge our readers to continue practicing social distancing. It is, one of the most effective ways to keeping our city safe from the virus.

And, please, please, please, keep your washing hands.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Do you know if the city will suspend cutting off water because of non-payment? Would be a nice gesture if they would.

March 28, 2020 at 5:31 PM
Anonymous said…

March 28, 2020 at 5:31 PM

Both water companies in Raytown are privately, not city owned.

I don't know if they would be compelled to follow such an order from the city or not.
March 29, 2020 at 2:04 PM
Anonymous said…



I still see folks playing basketball at the church at 83rd and Raytown Rd.
March 29, 2020 at 2:15 PM
Anonymous said…
One more time - the city does not control the water companies. Jackson County Public Water Supply District # 2 is a privately owned company with Board of Directors who live in Raytown. The Raytown Water Company is privately owned by Neil Clevenger. If you have questions about your water service, you should contact one of these two companies. The only thing the city controls is the sewer bills.
March 29, 2020 at 2:46 PM
Greg Walters said…
It is true the two water companies in Raytown are not controlled by the City. However, the city can compel both of the water companies to turn off commercial and residential property owners water for non-payment of sewer bills. Check it out at City Hall. When the water is turned off it is NOT a request. The city is allowed by law to order the water turned off.

Hope this clears up the urban legend the city does not have the authority to turn off water service. In the city's defense, what can you do when someone refuses to pay their taxes?

Some other laws regarding taxes. In Missouri, people running for elective office are not allowed on the ballot unless their taxes are paid in full. But (there is always a "but") those same people can be appointed to serve on city boards and commissions but not have their tax bills paid up to date.

Go figure?!?
March 30, 2020 at 8:04 AM
Anonymous said…
I for one think any individual who serves on a city board should have their taxes paid up to date. It shows good intent and sets a good example for others.
March 30, 2020 at 8:33 AM
Anonymous said…
OK, so let's assume that someone sponsors a bill requiring anyone appointed to a committee or board or commission be paid up to date on their taxes. All that means is when a person is up for appointment or reappointment they have everything paid up. Then they can sit back and not pay any taxes until time for reappointment. And what about those hired to work for the city? Are you going to check on them too? Will you check on everyone each January to make sure they're in compliance? How is the BOA going to police that? They couldn't even censure the alderman who moved out of his district. So, now what?
March 31, 2020 at 8:39 AM
Anonymous said…
Everyone has paid their taxes. They have to or the Board would never approve of them.
March 31, 2020 at 9:02 PM
Anonymous said…


The new police chief's swearing in ceremony is on the city's website if you would like to watch it.

Here it is:
https://raytownmo.swagit.com/play/04012020-552
April 1, 2020 at 2:38 PM
Anonymous said…
NOT TRUE on the last two comments. The last appointee to the Park Board was in arrears in her taxes. Obviously, all of the Board voted for her anyway. She did get her taxes paid up after she was sworn in.

It would be easy to check an individuals property tax payments. Jackson County publishes them on line for everyone to see. The city has complete control over the sewer billing. They can look anyone up at anytime to see if bills are paid in full. How do you think the find out who is delinquent? They simply look it up on the computer. Not a tough task.

Can someone get in and not pay their taxes. Yes they can. But it is doubtful they would be re-appointed once their term was up for re-appointment

A couple of years ago there was a school board member who did not pay all their property taxes. That person eventually paid after receiving a lot of criticism and advise to pay her fair share.

What is your solution? Allow people to file for election who have not paid their taxes? Allow people to hold appointive office who do not pay their taxes. Sounds hypocritical for someone to say raise this tax, but I will not pay it myself.

As far as the City Councilman who did not live in town being left on the Board of Aldermen. Put the blame where it was deserved. The Mayor and Board all knew of the situation. They had the power and authority to remove the Councilman but decided not to. Go ask one of them. Some of them are still on the Board as is the Mayor.
April 2, 2020 at 6:07 PM
Anonymous said…
Just drove by the great sign at city hall. The sides look nice but the tv is smaller than I thought it would be, and it is just advertising. I thought it was supposed to be for events but instead I guess the city is making money off ads? Maybe they'll lower our taxes.
April 4, 2020 at 1:06 PM
Anonymous said…
"Just drove by the great sign at city hall."

Haven't seen it yet. The "Raytown Chamber of Commerce and....and...and...and..." appears to be needing some maintenance, if anyone has some free time on their hands. Just some minor issues there, including some peeling paint. Maybe a sign might spiff things up there as well.
April 5, 2020 at 6:41 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fireworks Reminder / Raytown Report History

Reminder: Fireworks Vote This Tuesday The Raytown Board of Aldermen will decide the fate of legislation permitting the sale and shooting of fireworks in Raytown at its regulare meeting this Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Raytown City Hall. This is an open public meeting. Individuals who may wish to address the Board on the proposed legislation may address the Board of Aldermen at the beginning of the meeting during Public Comments. The Raytown Report – A History In 1997 former Raytown Alderman Garth Bare and I started a project we called the Raytown Reporter. I had just been defeated in a bid for re-election to the Board (I had lost by three votes – believe me, that sets your mind to second guessing “what if”. . . but that’s another story) but still wanted to keep in touch with what was going on Raytown City Hall. So we founded the Raytown Reporter. It was truly a labor love. The format was that of an electronic newspaper. We wrote stories, editorials, had a lively Letters to the Editor ...
Read more
Image
To leave a comment use this link POST A COMMENT BY GREG WALTERS Tony Jacobs Speaks Out . . . Tony Jacobs is a regular speaker at Raytown Board of Aldermen meetings. He frequently takes the podium during Public Comments to report items of interest to the Public and Board at the beginning of each meeting. Like most public speakers, he is attentive to detail and keeps his comments within the guidelines set forth by the Board. He is also getting better at delivering a clear and concise message. When it comes to city business, Tony has learned the value of accuracy in his comments. . He relies heavily on information provided to him through the Freedom of Information Act. Last week, his comments were full of information the voting public. PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASES: “According to Deborah of the Jackson County Collector’s Office and Richard Sheets of the Missouri Municipal League, the (property) tax raise will affect all property, not just hous...
Read more

The Little Guy with the Hammer

The Mayor and five members of the Raytown Board of Aldermen (Schlapia, Hamilton, Riehle, Creamer, Ertz) have sponsored a bill to replace the city’s logo with a new design. Most people will not get too excited about that event one way or another. But the way they are going about it – and what they have designed to replace the black smith pounding an anvil with his hammer leaves a lot to be desired. To be fair, the readers should know that I am partial on this debate. I like the little guy with the hammer logo. It speaks to a small part of history in Raytown that harkens back to the days of the Santa Fe Trail and a blacksmith shop owned by a man named William Ray. The location of that shop is commemorated by a plaque located at 63rd Street and Old Raytown Road, the geographic center of what is now Downtown Raytown. It is also at the center of the city when it was first incorporated. (Raytown annexed additional land in later years to reach its current size) True, the logo is old fashion...
Read more