Brouhaha over Appointment BY PAUL LIVIUS
The August 11th meeting of the Raytown City Council was a brief event. There were only four items on the agenda. All of them dealt with appointments to various positions on citizen run Boards serving the city.
The first item was an appointment to the Raytown Park Board. The Mayor had placed Mr. William McClendon as the nominee for an open seat on the Raytown Park Board. The Board of Aldermen has the final say on these matters. Citizen appointments to standing committees are required to have a majority of at least six members of the Board of Aldermen to approve.
Mr. McClendon’s nomination sailed through with a unanimous approval of the Board of Aldermen.
Before the vote McClendon did have a few words to say. He noted that on entering City Hall he saw some signs that read “heroes work here”. Mr. McClendon noted that from his point of view, “heroes work everywhere”.
Gotta’ say it. Mr. McClendon, I like your style.
Human Relations Appointments . . . Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters had asked that the three remaining appointments, all of which were to be made to the Raytown Human Relations Commission, be voted on separately.
Walters said he had read the application from one of the candidates and noted the address was given as the Raytown School Administration offices on 350 Highway.
Due Diligence . . . A couple of web searches of surrounding communities later we found the Mayor’s nominee. He lives in Overland Park, Kansas.
The next day the Mayor penned a letter to the Board of Aldermen. He wrote he was unaware his nominee did not live in Raytown, or, for that matter, in the Raytown School District.
He then shifted gears and wrote quite about his right as Mayor to place in nomination any candidate he wished. He continued that he was not restricted by any city or state ordinance saying he could not do make the nomination of who he felt would best serve the community.
In politics we call this “mis-direction”.
No one complained about the Mayor’s ability to place in nomination whoever he pleased. No one questioned the qualifications of any candidate.
Alderman Walters did state he felt very strongly that Raytown positions should be held by Raytown taxpayers. He later released a statement in which he wrote;
“There are over 30,000 souls in Raytown. Approximately two-thirds are of the age to serve on the Human Relations Committee. I would have supported the nominee had he lived in Raytown.”
“On this I will stand firm. It is important that Raytowners fill the seats on committees that govern Raytown. It builds strength and pride in our community. It is a litmus test I will not ignore.”
The final vote on the nomination was 8 yes, 2 no.
Walters did not raise any objection to the other two candidates. Both of them live in Raytown and are current on their tax obligations (property tax, etc.). In fact, Walters joined the rest of the Board in unanimously approving those two candidates
Final Note . . . The City of Lee’s Summit had a mirror image of this debate at its last City Council Meeting. A story, re-printed from the Lee’s Summit Tribune, follows. It is well worth the time to read.
OTHER NEWS PUBLICATIONS DISCUSS . . .
City Council Working on Diversity Issue
Story by Mallory Herrmann citydesk@lstribune.net
The city council is working on a resolution that will create the Lee’s Summit Commission for Diversity and Inclusion.
The idea for the commission was first announced nearly a year ago, during Mayor Bill Baird’s September 2019 state of the city address. Baird told the city council at their Aug. 4 session that he’s been working diligently since then to identify and interview commission members and to outline its purpose and primary goals.
But this came as news to some of the councilmembers, who said they were unaware of the progress being made on the creation of the commission and had not been involved in the nomination of members . . .
. . . Among the concerns raised by councilmembers were the inclusion of at least one member who is not a resident of Lee’s Summit, questions about the commission’s scope, and some of the resolution’s wording (such as that it is referenced as both a commission and a task force).
“I do have a problem with appointing a councilmember from another municipality,” Councilmember Phyllis Edson said. “I don’t like the way that looks. I would not want to be appointed to a committee in Kansas City or Raytown or Independence. I don’t think that’s fair.” READ MORE
11 comments:
Apparently, I have been a bit vocal about my opposition to Raytown's rental regulation ordinance around the house. My 9 year old son has become interested in "becoming a Youtuber," and apparently overheard me mentioning that I filmed my recent trip to City Hall.
He decided to accompany me during some routine yardwork, during which, he asked me about filming in City Hall. I explained that it was quite uneventful. I got my forms, and I left. (Congratulations to Raytown employees, by the way!! Thank you for appreciating our rights, unlike most of our officials!) But I digress....
This conversation went on into include respecting the police, but being able to question authority, "But why don't you like the mayor?,) standing up for core principles, etc. I'll spare you the details of explaining gov't to a 9 year old.
However, one of the greatest divides of thought was bridged by one simple statement. He asked me why we disagreed. I explained why.
He said, "So the police can just come in our house?"
I said, "No."
What about Nanny and Papa's house?
No.
He asked, "But only in our house in Raytown?
I replied, "No, We own our house in Raytown, but if people rent their houses, then yes, the police can come in."
His reply?? "Well, that's not fair. Isn't that where they live, too??
In a 10 minute conversation, my 9 year old understands basic human equality and the rights guaranteed us under The Constitution of These Great United States better than 9 out of 10 Raytown officials who hold the ability to create law. Need I say more?
The photos you took are disturbing. Being on a Saturday, there weren't any park employees to police the parks. Since the activity is illegal, did you call the police?
how about instead of having cops parked at the mulit million dollar walmart and hyvee that can afford their own security we have cops in neighborhoods and at the parks. I live near a park and can hear gunshots 3 nights a week if not more. maybe if they were in the neighborhoods instead of parked in office lots and at the stores we might be able to stop some of this violence.
i know a solution, first have the police enforce the law. they can drive through the parks every once in awhile and see those even while just driving down the streets, plus the police have the cameras there to see it 24/7 no excuses not to know. Second take it out of the peoples deposit. Third we could keep it from happening at all by putting nice looking rocks or bollards up.
In answer to the question, Were the Police called. Yes. the Police were called.
So sad to see our downtown being abandoned.
In recent times we've said goodbye to:
Mr. Goodscents sandwich shop.
Fox Drugs
Bank of America
Home Skillet
The Upholstery shop
Smith Hardware.
And and few in the shopping center.
I was going to say something snarky about "saving downtown Raytown"
But Why?
Hold on.
Fox Drugs is closed due to the pandemic. I heard they will reopen.
Crust + Pizza has moved into the former Skillet space in Raytown Plaza. It is now called Kitchen III Pizzeria. They have changed up the menu too with new items besides pizza. I have already been there and it is the same great pizza.
Have you been to Serenity Cafe yet? Folks are raving about it. They are located by Raytown High School in the former Benetti's Coffee Shop.
Nice picture of the flag on the front. The craziness that has taken over parts of our country is terrible. I sawso many people "taking a knee", combined with the ongoing riots in Portland, Chicago, Seattle it looked like a bad remake of the Game of Thrones.
There is a silent majority out there. Our voices will be heard in November.
The meaning of the word "hero" has been cheapened to the point it is meaningless. A sign in front of HyVee saying heroes work here is an example. Going to work in a job that is not dangerous or noble is not heroic, even when there is a less than 1% deadly virus going around. Many of us have gone to work every day as usual and are not heroes.
From the dictionary:
a: a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability
b: an illustrious warrior
c: a person admired for achievements and noble qualities
d: one who shows great courage
Going to work or showing up at City Hall does not qualify.
I think the signs are more about who had his name signed to the message than anything else. I have seen similar signs all over the metro. Raytown is the only place where someone took credit for putting them up.
Coleman Park has been a problem for several years now, so really this is nothing new. The problems in Raytown parks, make me worry about safety along the new Rock Island trail coming through. I agree "Downtown" Raytown looks very run down, abandoned and uninviting. Several bars and Discount Smoke Shops don't shout this is a thriving town.
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