RDA Meeting Report

The Raytown Democratic Association held its monthly meeting Thursday evening. Four speakers of note were in attendance. Theresa Garza, candidate for Alderman in Ward 4 introduced herself to the crowd and gave a well rounded report of her history.

THERESA GARZA was born and raised in Missouri in the Kansas City metro area.  After graduating from Raytown South High School, she enlisted in the United States Navy.  Theresa served five (5) years active duty, during Desert Storm, and was awarded an Honorable Discharge upon completion of her enlistment.  She received a National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, and several Letters of Recognition.

 

Theresa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri Kansas City, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration through Park University with an emphasis on Government Business Relations and Public Management, and an Economic Developer Certification from the University of Oklahoma.”

 

This is not Ms. Garza’s first political campaign. She also served two terms on the Jackson County Legislature (2006 – 2015).

 

GREG WALTERS, candidate for re-election in Ward 1, gave a report on two major capital improvement projects slated for Ward 1 this Spring and Summer.

 

The larger of the two projects is a sanitary sewer project covering a residential and commercial area approximately 1.25 square miles in area. The project will upgrade and replace old sanitary sewer lines in an area. Walters reported the project is cost estimated at approximately 1.5 million dollars. The project is funded by tax dollars paid through sewer bills and held in reserve for upgrade of sanitary sewer lines in Raytown.

 

Greg also reported on plans to upgrade the 59^th Street and Raytown Trafficway intersection later this summer. The project would solve flooding problems as the intersection experienced during heavy rains. The flooding is undermining the sub-structure of the street. The Raytown Water Company will be replacing water lines under the intersection during construction as well. Funding for the 59th Street Project comes from the State of Missouri, Department of Natural Resources.

 

JEROME BARNES was recently re-elected to the Missouri State House of Representatives. 

Mr. Barnes gave a report on Governor Mike Parson's annual address on the State of Missouri. Barnes gave the Governor high marks for focusing on social needs, and attention to area infrastructure in Missouri.

According to Barnes. A  notable project on the Governor’s list was for improvements on Interstate 70 by expanding the two lanes. The area would include traffic lanes from where I-70 is reduced from two lanes  (east and west) to three lanes in Eastern Jackson County. The project would speak up traffic flow in Eastern Jackson County thereby creating economic development opportunities to the area.

 

 

DONNA PEYTON recently won election to the Jackson County Legislature. Ms. Peyton a full report and update on what what where the discussion to build a new baseball stadium in Downtown Kansas City for the Kansas City Royals. According to Ms. Peyton, both the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals lease on the Harry S Truman Sports Complex will expire in 2030. 

 

The Jackson County Sports Authority is the governing body that will have a lot to say about what happens in the next seven years. The Sports Authority reports to the Jackson County Legislature which will have the final decision on plans going forward after 2030.

 

Ms. Peyton also told those assembled that Jackson County is planning on placing at 3% sales tax on the sale of recreational marijuana on the ballot in the near future. This increase is expected to raise the sales tax on the sale of recreational marijuana to approximately 20%.

BY GREG WALTERS

Pothole Patrol
Potholes are holes in the roadway that vary in size and shape. They are caused by caused by the expansion and contraction of ground water after the water has entered into the ground under the pavement. When water freezes, it expands. Think of when ice cubes are made.

A size 12 shoe illustrates
the size of this pothole.

I have decided to kick off my campaign for Alderman by informing the public about a simple way to inform the City of potholes in need of being filled.

Use the link at the end of this story. It will take you to a page on the City's Website entitled Potholes And Road Concerns. 

Choose the the heading entitled Pothole Report Form. Fill out the form, be sure to include the address location of the pothole. If all goes well, your pothole should be gone within ten working days. 

The form also has telephone contact numbers if you have concerns that need to be addressed.  

Use the following link to access the Pothole Report Form.
Pot Hole Complaint Form

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