The following story tells of some amazing police work one of Raytown's Police Officers. We are certain you will find it interesting.
SPECIAL THANKS TO MORRIS MELLOY FOR SHARING THE STORY WITH US.
On June 24th, Officer Christina was actively patrolling, and he observed a black SUV at a high rate of speed traveling south on Blue Ridge Blvd. With his experience as an officer, he could estimate the vehicle exceeded 100mph.
Officer Christina attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the SUV continued to evade him and lost sight. He located the vehicle again shortly after and activated his emergency lights and sirens for a traffic stop, but once more, it fled. Though this time, Officer Christina could read the license plate, which came to an address close to the area the vehicle was navigating through.
Officer Christina responded to the plate's registered address and waited for the vehicle. About 15 minutes later, the SUV returned to the address, and when the male driver saw the patrol car, he tried to circle to leave. However, Officer Christina predicted this outcome and had stop sticks deployed; he could not flee without hitting them, so the driver decided to park his car instead.
When Officer Christina contacted the driver, he spontaneously uttered, "I'm sorry, I just didn't want to go back to jail. I'm on house arrest." He was then arrested and detained in his patrol vehicle. Officer Christina then returned to the driver's vehicle, which was still running with the driver's door open, and he observed what looked to be an AK47 sticking up from the vehicle's passenger side within the driver's reach. Officer Christina secured the weapon and confirmed it was an AK47 with the buttstock removed. It was loaded with a magazine and 1 in the chamber.
The male driver was transported to the Raytown Police Headquarters. He was issued citations for C&I, fleeing and eluding, operating a motor vehicle without a license, and no proof of insurance.
New Art installed
at Pocket Park
Regional Program brings Public Art to Raytown
Raytown residents and visitors passing the intersection of 63rd Street and Raytown Road can now enjoy the City’s newest public art piece which was installed today in the Pocket Park. The latest sculpture, as well as other ones are all part of the Sculpture on the Move program through the Creative Communities Alliance.
“CAMPANA,” by artist Joe Allred is a sound sculpture constructed of steel with a copper/bronze patina. Spanish for bell and a literal bell, “CAMPANA” will appeal to children and adults alike.
“CAMPANA” replaces “Moonscape” the City’s first public sculpture that was installed in 2021. Sculptures are displayed for two-year terms. Raytown is one of 18 communities participating in this year’s Sculpture on the Move program.
To view the other public sculptures in Raytown that were acquired through the Sculpture on the Move program.
“Cohesive Narration” is on display in front of City Hall until 2024. "Muse-IC” is on display at Colman Park until 2024.
Officer Christina attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the SUV continued to evade him and lost sight. He located the vehicle again shortly after and activated his emergency lights and sirens for a traffic stop, but once more, it fled. Though this time, Officer Christina could read the license plate, which came to an address close to the area the vehicle was navigating through.
Officer Christina responded to the plate's registered address and waited for the vehicle. About 15 minutes later, the SUV returned to the address, and when the male driver saw the patrol car, he tried to circle to leave. However, Officer Christina predicted this outcome and had stop sticks deployed; he could not flee without hitting them, so the driver decided to park his car instead.
When Officer Christina contacted the driver, he spontaneously uttered, "I'm sorry, I just didn't want to go back to jail. I'm on house arrest." He was then arrested and detained in his patrol vehicle. Officer Christina then returned to the driver's vehicle, which was still running with the driver's door open, and he observed what looked to be an AK47 sticking up from the vehicle's passenger side within the driver's reach. Officer Christina secured the weapon and confirmed it was an AK47 with the buttstock removed. It was loaded with a magazine and 1 in the chamber.
The male driver was transported to the Raytown Police Headquarters. He was issued citations for C&I, fleeing and eluding, operating a motor vehicle without a license, and no proof of insurance.
New Art installedat Pocket Park
Regional Program brings Public Art to Raytown
USE THIS LINK TO Comment AND VIEW COMMENTS
Our Response to a letter from one of our readers:
One of our readers sent a letter thanking Board members who stood up and opposed the addition of another "Discount Smokes and Liquor Store in Raytown.
Greg's response follows:
Thank you for your comments. I too am very disappointed. There is not any excuse for promoting this type of retail outlet in Raytown. It leaves a stigma of a town without rules -- where anything goes.
The applicant (who goes by the name of "Kevin") was "outed" for having gambling devices in another of his Discounts Smokes and Liquor Stores. His lawyer said that when they found this out, they had the machines removed immediately.
Which means "Kevin" allowed them in his store to begin with. And SEVEN of the ten elected officials on the City Council, who took an oath to follow the laws of the State of Missouri, actually acted like what a good guy Kevin is for realizing his mistake.
These same seven Aldermen the amended the application to allow the operation of the business to be expanded from the previously agreed upon closing time of 10:00 p.m. to be to 11:00 p.m.
It pains me to say that I have heard that some of our Aldermen were actually hiding out from the public . . . Refusing to take phone calls from their constituents, ignoring the simple fact of what was in front them.
Worst of all were the non-action of Ward 3 Aldermen Ryan Myers and Janet Emerson. They turned their back on an overwhelming majority of their constituents who worked very hard to make their message against approval.
The Mayor's treatment of the public was one of "let the public be damned". City Staff actually took names of those who wished to address the Board of Aldermen on this subject. And then, refused to let them speak because they had spoken before at a previous meeting! They did this without letting the public know they would not be allowed to speak after waiting over three hours to be heard.
It did not bother the Mayor or his followers on the Board to hear the applicant attorney drone on with the old song and dance that had been recited at a previous meeting.
It was a sad night for Raytown. Clearly, the public was ignored by many of their elected officials.
Hopefully, better days ahead.
The best response, short of litigation*, to what happened is to thoughtfully determine where to spend your hard earned dollars. These types of businesses are not good for Raytown.
The City's Staff, Mayor, or whoever came up with this subterfuge by City Hall on the Public at a Public Hearing, should be ashamed of themselves. They have lost sight of the fact that the people they would not allow to speak actually own their homes and live here. They are the ones paying the salaries at city hall through their taxes.
As I wrote at the top. It is a sad and disappointing situation.
Look forward to the next election. Five of the seven who chose to ignore your voice will be up for election in less than two years.
Stay strong and remember.
Greg Walters
ALDERMAN, WARD 1
Everyone will be watching Tuesday night when the Raytown Board of Aldermen will vote on a proposed Discount Smokes and Liquor Convenience Store and Gasoline Station at the former Raytown Nursery located at 5328 Blue Ridge Nursery.
ALDERMAN, WARD 1
PHOTO BY LISA BLOOM
The photo shown is of a man pan-handling at the entrance to KB's Discount Smokes and Liquor convenience store located near 65th and Raytown Road.
USE THIS LINK TO Comment AND VIEW COMMENTS
Paul’s Rant!
ZONING
NOTES BY PAUL LIVIUS
Some interesting notes from the Zoning meeting(s) held at
Raytown City Hall. So far there have been three. Planning and Zoning held two
meetings. City Hall has held one.
PLANNING AND ZONING RULES FOR PARTICIPATION: Anyone from the Public was allowed to address the Commission. Individuals were allowed five minutes to speak. Anyone speaking for a group was allowed 15 minutes.
CITY HALL RULES FOR PARTICIPATION: Originally only those
living in the City of Raytown were allowed to address the Board of Aldermen. For
reasons that are not clear the Mayor quickly changed that rule to anyone living
within the Raytown School District. Speakers were allowed five minutes. Those
speaking for a group were only allowed five minutes.
This move by the Mayor (to restrict speaking time to just
five minutes) diminished the points Public speakers were trying to make.
Most telling was one speaker who worked for a competing Convenience Store. She told of having to fish hypodermic needles out of toilets, people over-dosing in rest rooms.
Another speaker spoke of being assaulted by a stranger at a convenience store on Raytown Road. She plead with employees at the store for help in stopping her assailant. She was told they were not allowed to leave from behind the check out counter.
All of which
point to dangerous changes in store for the neighborhoods surrounding the proposed convenience store / gasoline station under consideration to be built literally across the street from their homes.
Five minutes was clearly not enough time for either speaker to make their point properly.
PLANNING AND ZONING PARTICIPATION: All who wished to address the Planning and Zoning Commission were allowed to do so.
CITY HALL PARTICIPATION: Towards the end of the meeting
the Mayor suggested that some may no longer wish to speak. To their credit, ten
members of the audience told him no. They wanted to be heard.
MIS-INFORMATION FROM CITY STAFF: During his presentation, the spokesman for City Staff shared a photo of the Blue Ridge Nursery “showing the busy commercial operation” the last owner of the
property, Bob Voorheis, had at Blue Ridge Nursery.
The photo was an aerial view. It showed what appeared to
be a number of buildings on the property.
It just so happened Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters received
a phone call last weekend from Mr. Voorheis. He asked Bob about the photo.
Mr. Voorheis said he had seen the photo. “Those are not
buildings,” said Voorheis.
“During the late Fall we covered the bedding area for our
plants with Livestock Panels. The panels are 17’ x 4’ in size. We place a
concrete block underneath the corner of each panel to protect the bedding areas
during winter months.”
"The only buildings on the property were my one room
office and a small garage in which we kept tools used to tend our plants."
Voorheis also said, “The City sent me a letter stating
very clearly the property would be returned to Residential Zoning once my
business license had expired”.
Another controversy was how many telephone calls Mr. Voorheis
has received from Raytown folks.
He told us, “I called both Alderman Greg Walters and Alderman
Janet Emerson and spoke to them. I also received a call from two different
people who lived near the old neighborhood around the Nursery.”
“I consider Greg and Janet to be friends,” continued Voorheis.
“I enjoyed visiting with them and found what they shared with me interesting.”
As to the issue of changing the zoning, Voorheis said, “I
had always hoped the land would be turned into a park. In fact, I met with the
Director of the Park Board on the subject, but nothing ever came of the idea.”
“Personally," continued Vorheis, “I think putting a
convenience store and gas station at that location is a terrible idea.”
“The traffic was already heavy when I was in operation
before we closed down. I remember cars filling our parking lot and people waiting
their turn to park on the shoulder of Blue Ridge Boulevard. That usually only
lasted four weeks during the busy season. The rest of the time, we were open,
but not very busy."
It is ironic, but the fact is the applicant for the zoning, and most the support people he brought to the hearing all came from Overland Park and Olathe, Kansas. The spokesman for Raytown City Hall does not live in Raytown either. They were allowed to engage in back and forth discussion on the subject before them.
The people who live in the surrounding neighbors deserve the same courtesy and certainly more than just five minutes to tell their story.
The Mayor should reconsider his decision to cut back the amount of time speakers from Raytown are allowed to address the Board of Aldermen. The people who live around the proposed re-zoning site have a right to be heard.
USE THIS LINK TO Comment AND VIEW COMMENTS
How Many Liquor Licenses has
the City of Raytown issued?
Ward 1 Alderman Ian Scott made a request for information under the Missouri Sunshine Law requesting how many Liquor Licenses are currently issued in Raytown.
The answer is . . . . 57
The following is list of the license holders. If approved, the Discount Smokes and Liquor will make No. 58.
|
CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL |
CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL |
|
DOLLAR GENERAL #7655 |
DOLLAR GENERAL #7655 |
|
WALGREENS #5357 |
WALGREENS #5357 |
|
CVS PHARMACY #8566 |
CVS PHARMACY #8566 |
|
APPLE MARKET #137 COSENTINO ENTERPRISES INC |
APPLE MARKET #137 |
|
CVS PHARMACY #8598 |
CVS PHARMACY #8598 |
|
D & J ' S HANGOUT |
D & J ' S HANGOUT |
|
QUIK TRIP CORP # 209R |
QUIK TRIP CORP # 209R |
|
SMOKE SHOP PLUS |
SMOKE SHOP PLUS |
|
ECLIPSE BAR & GRILL |
ECLIPSE BAR & GRILL |
|
MINIT MART RAYTOWN 2 |
MINIT MART #777 |
|
BLUE RIDGE SMOKE SHOP I |
A AND S TRADING, LLC |
|
THE STORE |
THE STORE |
|
87TH ST. MARKET |
87TH ST. MARKET |
|
RAYTOWN CONOCO |
RAYTOWN CONOCO |
|
CHIEF PETROLEUM |
EX PICKENS |
|
QUIK TRIP #156 |
QUIK TRIP #156 |
|
LAS CHILI'S |
LAS CHILI'S |
|
MINIT MART RAYTOWN 3 |
MINIT MART #782 |
|
WAL-MART SUPERSTORE #1094 |
WAL-MART SUPERSTORE #1094 |
|
MINIT MART RAYTOWN 4 |
MINIT MART #785 |
|
LOS COMPAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT |
LOS COMPAS MEXICAN REST |
|
ALDI INC #93 |
ALDI INC #93 |
|
XPRESS DISCOUNT SMOKES & LIQUOR (KISU) |
KISU LLC |
|
TOM & JARED'S BAR & GRILL |
|
|
RW BBQ AND SOULFOOD CUISINE |
|
|
HIMALAYAN LIQUOR |
PRAMISHA LLC |
|
FIESTA AZTECA MEXICAN RESTAURANTS |
FIESTA AZTECA MEXICAN REST |
|
DISCOUNT SMOKES & LIQUOR |
MASAUD & SONS LLC |
|
BEYOND PETROLEUM LLC |
BEYOND PETROLEUM LLC |
|
KAY BEES 2 LLC |
KAY BEES 2 LLC |
|
KAY BEES MARKET |
KAY BEES MARKET |
|
THE IRISH PUB HOUSE |
THE IRISH PUB HOUSE |
|
SAAID CHEEMA LLC |
SAAID CHEEMA LLC |
|
SPANKY'S LOUNGE |
SPANKY'S LOUNGE |
|
MONROE'S MARKET LLC |
MONROE'S MARKET LLC |
|
NEW DISCOUNT SMOKES & CONVENIENCE STORE |
NEW DISCOUNT SMOKE/CONVENIENC |
|
APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & BAR |
APPLE CENTRAL KC, LLC |
|
PRIME 2 LLC |
PRIME 2 LLC |
|
SPEEDY CORNER LLC |
SPEEDY CORNER LLC |
|
INCREDIBLE BOWLING CTR - BAR & GRILL |
PREMIER SPORTS BAR & GRILL |
|
RINCON TARASCO RESTAURANT |
|
|
DAILY DOUBLE LOUNGE |
DAILY DOUBLE LOUNGE |
|
SMP OPERATIONS LLC |
|
|
CRANE BREWING COMPANY, LLC |
CRANE BREWING COMPANY, LLC |
|
THE NAUGHTY PINE |
GEPPETTO LLC |
|
HY-VEE FOOD STORE |
HY-VEE FOOD STORE/LARRY PINKSTON |
|
EL MAGUEY MEXICAN RESTAURANT |
SAPO INC |
|
KAY BEES MARKET . |
|
|
HY-VEE FOOD STORE |
HY-VEE FOOD STORE/LARRY PINKSTON |
|
CRANE BREWING COMPANY, LLC |
CRANE BREWING COMPANY, LLC |
|
HY-VEE INC D/B/A HY-VEE GAS |
HY-VEE INC D/B/A HY-VEE GAS |
|
PAK AMERICAN TEXACO LLC |
PAK AMERICAN TEXACO LLC |
|
CLOUD 9 LIQUOR LLC |
CLOUD 9 |
|
MINIT MART #4361 |
CASEYS MARKETING COMPANY |
|
MINIT MART #4362 |
CASEY'S MARKETING COMPANY |
|
THE KRAVE KC LLC |
THE KRAVE |
30 comments:
In answer to your question. Raytown is a Fourth Class City. Which means it is a "statutory city". This means it is governed by the laws as set forth in Missouri State Statutes.
The Board of Aldermen is specifically tasked with the final decision by Missouri State Law.
The Two Raytowns
I cannot believe I am the only one concerned about the two Raytowns and what has brought us to this point.
I am not referring to the North and South sides of 350 Highway, or the East and West of Raytown Road. Nor, the Raytown and Raytown South School rivalry.
I'm referring to the divide between the elected officials at city hall and the citizens and business owners of our city. Years of entitlement in our Nation have led to many of our own local elected officials to believe that we are their servants and should quickly and without question abide by their rules and expectations.
I am quickly reminded of the commercials with the lines, "This isn't how it works. This isn't how any of it works."
However, time and time again a select group of our elected officials have refused to answer questions and/or allow our citizens, business owners, and other taxpayers to speak up with concerns about the direction the current administration at city hall is headed.
When the voters expressed they didn't want any additional tax burden on their personal or real property by voting down both tax questions in August of last year. The Board of Aldermen decided that wasn't what the citizens really wanted and wasted more money on a 2nd election to barely pass one of the questions.
As increased property tax assessments hit homes the impact and warning shared by the opposition has become an actual financial nightmare for many.
For weeks we have warned you about these same elected officials wanting to change the zoning of some premier residential property at 53rd Street and Blue Ridge Boulevard to commercial zoning all under the falsehood that the change will actually generate additional tax revenue.
The reality is alarming. The same area already has an abandoned gas station that failed.
That is just the beginning of the nightmare that we are facing in Raytown. An additional gas stations is being allowed at 67th and Raytown Road, while at the same time the Nation is moving away from fossil fuel. Many cities have already placed limits on new gas stations in their communities because of these changes.
In Raytown there is a false sense of reality.
Beyond the proposed gas station/convenience liquor store / smoke shop is the fact we have four Dollar Generals within our city, two more just beyond. Is this what we want to attract young families to our city.
We all know we can do better, but only when our elected officials put us before "The Almighty Dollar".
Join me and others in call our elected officials out on the disrespectful actions towards us and we can make a change for our community's betterment.
The previous story was written by a local writer under the name of Art Lima. Mr. Lima told us he would like to write stories on an irregular basis for publication on the Raytown Report. He told us he would prefer his stories be posted on what we call "the back pages" of the Raytown Report. Most will recognize the "back pages" as the Comments section of the Raytown Report.
Welcome aboard, Art. You have a unique way of writing. We will be glad to publish your stories.
Nobody forced Mr. Bhamani to purchase the property in question. If he didn't check the existing zoning, he should have. If he did investigate the zoning of that property, he learned that it was zoned residential. He was willing to gamble that he'd be able to get the property re-zoned. Maybe his record as an outstanding business owner in Raytown gave him some special insight. Maybe he thought it was no big deal. The presentations of the applicant's group make it sound as though the residents will hardly notice the gas station. Watch the meeting on the city web page. "There will be a walking path, a park-like setting!" If the store existed, and someone bought the house across the street from a gas station, they'd be making a decision based on known conditions, and would not have the right to complain. The current residents, many of whom have been paying for schools and road maintenance for years, had no reason to expect the property to become a gas station. After all, it's zoned residential. The proposed gas station is nothing less than a slap in the face to the current home owners. If the aldermen approve this proposal they'll be showing that the lives of the citizens are less important than the potential for another dollar. If the gas station is such a beautiful thing, Mr. Bhamani should be using the same idea to improve his own neighborhood.
Subject of the day TAXES
We have gone through at least two years of a weird economy. The government spent all kinds of money they did not have. They financed it with an inflation tax. Now we come to this year and the local governments want more than their share. The least tax increase I have heard about is 6%. That was Frank White's home. The highest I have heard is 135%. The norm appears to be between 50% and 100%. I hope everyone remembers this and quit voting for tax increases. It is time for democrats to put a leash on their elected officials.
Marjain Breitenbach
I have been watching the videos of the planning and zoning meetings and the one meeting the board of aldermen held. The Planning and Zoning meetings were pretty good. The members of the commission were attentive. They were patient and made sure everyone who wanted to speak got their chance to do so. The time limits they were given were reasonable.
The hearing at City Hall was a mess. The public was allowed very little time to speak. The Mayor even asked people to not speak!
The attorney for the applicant was a mess. It appeared that she purposely ran a video of the proposed plans at a real slow speed to use up time in what appeared as an attempt to try to persuade people to leave the meeting without being heard.
She told the public the discount smokes and liquor store and gas station would make the area safer because the employees would help make troublemakers would be kept away.
That turned out to be a lie. A woman in the audience who was literally being stalked by a man at a location on Raytown Road of the same discount smoke and liquor store told of asking the clerks for help because a man kept following her and bothering her in the store. She was told by the clerks they were not allowed to leave from behind the counter. She told city council if you are expecting help from the employees at that store you will not receive it.
Everything about this application stinks.
It destroys a very nice neighborhood. It will be a magnet for the homeless and people with drug problems. As the lady's testimony shows it will not be a safe place for people who go to the store.
The marketing plans makes absolutely no sense. Do they really believe that people will drive in from Independence, past other stores that offer the same junk food, alcohol, and "smokes" to spend their money in Raytown.
I doubt it. Why drive past one convenience store to go to another.
The city's argument that this will bring more revenue to the city is double-talk. It will not bring more revenue. It will only take revenue from one part of Raytown and have it spent in another part. The bottom line. No growth. Just another place our over-worked police department will be spending their time on calls for service instead of patrolling the rest of Raytown.
Stop and aske yourself. Would you want this nightmare built in your neighborhood?
Please call your city council people and ask them to vote no on a plan that will only degrade Raytown.
PLEASE SHARE THIS NOTE WITH YOUR READERS.
Tomorrow night is the final meeting by the Board of Aldermen on the application to change some residential property on Blue Ridge Boulevard to commercially zoned property. I urge all of your readers to please attend this meeting and speak out against the application. This is a public meeting. Do not let anyone tell you not to speak out. It is your right under Missouri State Law.
This zoning change is a bad move for our city. It will bring crime, an influx of homeless people to our city. PLEASE show up at the meeting tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. to speak out against this very bad plan.
Apparently, no one was allowed to be heard concerning the rezoning at the meeting last night.
Apparently, the mayor and the alderman who voted for this proposal need to be voted OUT. I will be planning on moving, as I will not stay in an unsafe neighborhood. Thanks to the mayor and alderman, for turning Raytown into a ghetto. Enjoy the homeless, drug addicts, crime and blight that will surely be coming.
All the King's Men won out last night at the Board of Aldermen Meeting. Alas, we fought the good fight but as far as representation on what Ward 3 wanted, it was sadly absent. Only three Aldermen, Greg Walters Ward 1, Jim Aziere Ward 2 and Theresa Garza Ward 4 voted against putting in yet another Discount Smokes and Liquors in our small little berg. They got it! Isn't it ironic that the two aldermen in Ward 3, Janet Emerson and Ryan Myers were elected by those people to REPRESENT those same constituents in Ward 3, and yet knowing the ward's overwhelming wishes, voted the party line as usual and thus failed their people.
Alderman Walters, thank you for listening to citizens and being, as always, an advocate for common sense.
Post mortem. The most recent Aldermen's meeting was really discouraging. For those of you who have not watched it, spoiler alert. No one in particular said, "Sit down and shut-up. The one thing we don't have the time for is hearing from the people who live here. We all know that you're too stupid to have anything new to say. Besides, I've made up my mind and no new facts could ever change my opinions." Along those same lines, no one actually said, "Would the applicant please show us the same presentation that they showed us at the last meeting."
Mr. Walters, to his credit, tried to be a voice of reason. He mentioned that telling the public to sit down and shut up, might not be the best idea. But it fell on deaf ears. Meanwhile, the silence of the other elected officials spoke volumes. Perhaps some were just stunned. Perhaps others were thankful that they'd be spared the tedium of doing their job. Many are the same people who are willing to talk endlessly about how they'll be willing to represent you in our local legislature. There were a lot of things said, I can't possibly touch them all but my favorites included these:
"I've had communications with my constituents, but I assure you that I will not allow
anything they said to influence me, in any way."
Just Wow!
"Several houses in Lee's Summit sold for more money after a convenience store was built
nearby, than they sold for prior to the store's construction."
That's just audacious, and insulting, especially when voiced by a realtor. Given the benefit of doubt one could surmise that this alderman didn't actually understand the argument that he sought to de-bunk. The addresses, dates and costs of the transactions used to support his position are without merit, unless one is willing to accept the notion that the presence or absence of a nearby convenience store is the ONLY variable that affects the value of a house. I'll have to go back and listen again, but I think he doubled down, stating that a convenience store actually increases the value of your house! Yep. Talk about obtuse. All presented in the condescending, matter-of-fact manner that is now customary. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but I'm not trying to be deceptive. I've also realized that my understanding of how a representative democracy should work is no longer mainstream. It looks very much like the officials have decided that the citizens are not capable of making decisions. One thing is certain, when the next election rolls around, many of the same people will be asking for your vote.
All the Kings Men follow the "King" don't care about you or this town! All they care is about revenue and how they will waste it on more "Light Brite Signs" in front of City Hall!
Lots of luck people selling your houses along Blue Ridge, it will be impossible!!
It seems that anything Alderman Walters is for or against that is has become nothing more than a shoving match between him and the Mayor and his minions.
I applaud the three Aldermen who did what was right for Raytown.
So so sad for this to happen to the adjoining neighborhood.
"The best response, short of litigation*, to what happened is to thoughtfully determine where to spend your hard earned dollars. These types of businesses are not good for Raytown."
Solid advice. We won't be patronizing any of the gas and booze establishments that have been allowed to proliferate, uncontrolled. We will continue however to shop at the wonderful butcher on Raytown Road, restaurants and all the creative, beautiful small businesses that give so much to this city.
"I applaud the three Aldermen who did what was right for Raytown."
Besides Alderman Walters (thank you!), Theresa Garza is a very experienced class act, and we truly enjoyed listening to Alderman Aziere's heartfelt remarks. His genuine concern for the City and citizens really stood out. It's worth watching the video from that meeting, if you haven't done so.
No one will answer my question? How many new homes have been built in Raytown in the last 5 years? Raytown is landlocked, period! So, very little property tax from a vacant lot or new property tax from an actual business?
Do you really think that preying on those who are addicted to alcohol are the only hope for Raytown? How many new homes have been built in Raytown in the last five years. I honestly do not know. But I can show you a good number of homes that have been upgraded in Raytown in the last five years. I can show they are are larger -- improved in both appearance and value. I have seen this in other communities.
A young man I know used to live in Waldo area in south Kansas City. When he moved into his home it was in a neighborhood similar to what you would find in Raytown. Ten years later (and three children later) he needed a larger house, so he moved.
I found it amazing that nearly ALL of the homes where he had moved from had been updated and in the ten years he lived there.
I see the same re-development in Raytown. And, yes, I have seen new housing built in Raytown as well.
Does anyone really believe that a business specializing in Discount Smokes and Liquor is really good for Raytown?
I don't think so. But 7 over of the ten members of the Board of Aldermen did.
Said, but true. Two of the Board sold out their constituents. There is no doubt that 100% of those living near the planned development anchored by Discount Smokes and Alcohol were opposed to the re-zoning.
This overwhelming opposition to the zoning change was echoed across Raytown. Remember the following voted. Your neighborhood may be next:
Aldermen Ian Scott, Loretha Hayden, Ryan Myers, Janet Emerson, Bill VanBuskirk, Diane Krizek, Bonnaye Mims.
They have sold out the people of Raytown. Five of those Aldermen, Scott, Haydent, Myers, Emerson, VanBuskirk and Mims are up for re-election in less than two years.
Remember them.
Sad day for Raytown,
Saw this coming after seeing Janet Emerson vote in favor of the zoning change. I consider her and Myers traitors to their constituents.
RN
I personally hope Kevin falls short of making anymore money off of us Raytown residents. He doesn't give two poos about our community. Hires employees that you can't understand, doubt they are even legal. Runs a shady busy, saw it first hand, still have gambling machines when City officials were told they were taken out...not! He parks his old vehicles that he can't park at his house in Olathe so lets leave them in my parking at 66th and Raytown Road. Two have been removed now but still one remains with Ks. plates, never moves ! My heart hurts for the residents on Blue Ridge Blvd and Mike McDonough will go down in history as making this neighborhood go down hill really fast. I hope for the residents sake its not as awful as we see other places but that is so very doubtful.
I have heard many of our elected officials including the Mayor that we have a professional police department.
If we really had a professional police department would we have so many vehicles parked on city street and/or traveling down our roads with experienced tags.
It is little things like this that have a majority of us citizens making sure the city doesn't pass any new taxes.
When the city can manager staff in accordance withe the laws we can start conversations until than be happy with what you have as we are paying way to much for this circus.
Kevin who?
What is the name of the business so I don't go there.
I have heard many of our elected officials including the Mayor that we have a professional police department.
If we really had a professional police department would we have so many vehicles parked on city street and/or traveling down our roads with expired tags?
It is little things like this that have a majority of us citizens do not trust what is happening at city hall. Allowing discount smokes and liquor stores into residential neighborhoods is the most boneheaded decision I have ever seen come out of city hall.
I watched the last meeting on television. It was sad to see and hear one of the Councilwomen used a racial slur in addressing the people in the audience. Another member of the Board ignored the liquor store/drug paraphenalia outlet and carried on how she cannot wait to go the store to by ice cream cones!
I bet she never comes within a mile of the place.
Yeah. The hypocrisy at city hall is waste deep. My favorite was when the Mayor said he did not have a position on the zoning application because he does not even have a vote. Which is correct. But he also made a gag rule when he ruled people who had signed up to speak would not be allowed to speak because, even after they had waited three hours to do so.
Make not mistakes about it. There are very few people at city hall who care about what the public wants or thinks.
What would be sweet justice is neighbors of the7 Alderman who voted against Raytown would post signs making sure everyone knows where these individuals live. I am sure the city will tell them they have to take the signs down but the Constitution gives us freedom of speech and this past week under religion we can even legally discriminate. I don't know want religions that don't take issue with either smoking, drinking or out right lies. It would be great to watch the Alderman go nuts and with luck the city, it's staff and legal team get sewed for Constitution violation.
"It was sad to see and hear one of the Councilwomen used a racial slur in addressing the people in the audience."
Was this the "we" are here and there's nothing you can do about it!" or thereabouts comment? Totally inappropriate. Biased We don't believe that any citizen was concerned with anything other than issues that might arise out of vagrancy, possible robberies or retail crimes. This alderperson needs to knock the chip off her shoulder or resign immediately.
"This alderperson needs to knock the chip off her shoulder or resign immediately."
Glad to see, as a newbie, that this alderman is getting more comfortable in her role, as she's becoming more verbal. Obviously. My only advice to her would be to concentrate more on listening to her constituents as well as speaking in a more neutral manner in a public setting. Her rant was more of a Norma Desmond moment than anything that would be considered constructive or helpful to the community, IMO. Didn't help that she chose not to actually attend the meeting and that her split screen Zoom visage was 5 times larger than that of the entire city council. Is she the individual that exclaimed that she didn't care if she were reelected?
"I’m ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille.”
On June 24th, Officer Christina was actively patrolling, and he observed a black SUV at a high rate of speed traveling south on Blue Ridge Blvd. With his experience as an officer, he could estimate the vehicle exceeded 100mph.
Officer Christina attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the SUV continued to evade him and lost sight. He located the vehicle again shortly after and activated his emergency lights and sirens for a traffic stop, but once more, it fled. Though this time, Officer Christina could read the license plate, which came to an address close to the area the vehicle was navigating through.
Officer Christina responded to the plate's registered address and waited for the vehicle. About 15 minutes later, the SUV returned to the address, and when the male driver saw the patrol car, he tried to circle to leave. However, Officer Christina predicted this outcome and had stop sticks deployed; he could not flee without hitting them, so the driver decided to park his car instead.
When Officer Christina contacted the driver, he spontaneously uttered, "I'm sorry, I just didn't want to go back to jail. I'm on house arrest." He was then arrested and detained in his patrol vehicle. Officer Christina then returned to the driver's vehicle, which was still running with the driver's door open, and he observed what looked to be an AK47 sticking up from the vehicle's passenger side within the driver's reach. Officer Christina secured the weapon and confirmed it was an AK47 with the buttstock removed. It was loaded with a magazine and 1 in the chamber.
The male driver was transported to the Raytown Police Headquarters. He was issued citations for C&I, fleeing and eluding, operating a motor vehicle without a license, and no proof of insurance.
There's cherry picking facts, and the there's making things up "this property has always been zoned commercial." No, that's not accurate. The presentations at city hall included a map, with the area in question clearly marked as R1 residential.
As for the folks who moved in knowing that there were businesses nearby- that argument is only valid if you believe all businesses have the same impact. An office supply is not an oil refinery. The people who moved into the area did know what they were getting. That doesn't mean they should have to give up their opinions about what comes next.
I think most people in Raytown understand that we're in a diverse community. A lot of us believe it's a good thing.
Respect is given as well as earned, I believe that's how one of the aldermen said it. Consideration, however, shouldn't have to be earned. It used to be called common courtesy. When someone drives 90 mph in a residential area, while throwing fast food trash out the window, it shows a lack of common courtesy. Adults understand it. I'll give it the respect it deserves.
If you ask for someone's vote to get elected but then refuse to represent them, what's that?
I hoped for better from our aldermen. It's not about how people look, it's about how they act. My opposition to a the new "shopping center" is based on events that I've witnessed. The sad part is that some of our aldermen won't accept that. It must be something else, right? Never had an alcoholic friend or family member? Lucky you. I agree that racism exists, and that it's wrong, but to blame racism whenever someone doesn't agree with you is also wrong, for all the same reasons. Using the same unfounded and prejudicial "logic," a person could suggest that the votes of the aldermen were paid for. There's a lot of precedent for that too. If an alderman doesn't represent their ward, it casts some doubt about their motives.
Alderman Hayden remarked that people should do something positive and she's right. Some folks ARE involved with helping others. Some of those same people opposed the gas/mart. Is that so difficult to understand?
"I agree that racism exists, and that it's wrong, but to blame racism whenever someone doesn't agree with you is also wrong, for all the same reasons."
Two larger issues here.
This alderman's comments almost to the word echoed another aldermen's statement a few weeks ago. Purposefully, perhaps. (We'll disregard her exasperated looks, the eye rolling, and other unprofessional facial expressions.) Her remarks weren't supported by any evidence whatsoever. Unfounded accusations of racism are every bit as appalling and as serious of a matter as the actual deed itself.
Secondly, and most important, YES, that alderman had the floor and deserved to be heard. However, the "moderator" of that event has an iron clad reputation for shutting down opinions that don't fit their agenda, or for other reasons. They claim to "love" Raytown and consistently hawk the length of their tenure in this community. If they truly "love" the Raytown community, they should also shut down any alderman that makes hurtful, unsupported accusations against that community. Instead, they remained silent. Those types of remarks hurt us all.
Overt, racist remarks by an elected official. The offender should be subject to discipline or removal from office.
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