Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs
on their repeat as Super Bowl Champions!
UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE EXCITING GAMESWE HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF WATCHING.
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Blogger Chris Inlow wrote . . .
You stated the reasons why this logo is
bad, for which I agree. But what do you think the new logo should be? What
colors should it be? What should it have on it?
Very respectfully,
Chris Inlow
January 19, 2024 at 12:28 PM
A municipal flag should easily be identified as to what it represents. For that simple reason we have placed the City’s name as the dominant language at the top of the flag. The type underneath the flag shows the City can trace its roots back to 1858. It shows Raytown was incorporated in 1950.
It is proof positive that Raytowns
history as a community currently spans 166 years.
The symbolism of the anvil and the
outline of a black smith in the act of striking the anvil shows the city’s
roots go back to when Raytown was a destination on the Santa Fe Trail.
On the national level, this has proven to be a well worn path. Two of the most recognizable flags in our world are the United Kingdom’s “Union Jack”, and the United States “Star Spangled Banner”.
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In 1818 Congress enacted the third and last Flag Resolution, requiring the 13 stripes symbolized the original 13 colonies. The number of stars should always match the number of states, and any new star should be added on the July 4 following a state’s admission.
This has
been the system ever since. The last two states to be added to the flag came
about in 1959 when Hawaii and Alaska became our 49th and 50th States.
Both flags are unique. Each tells a
unique story of the history of the country they represent. Raytown’s flag
should do as much.
So, without any further ado, here is our
suggestion for a new flag for Raytown, Missouri.
OUR THOUGHTS . . .
The most important part of any symbol of a community is that it tells a story. The
symbols used on the flag shown at right are unique to Raytown.
The opening of the Santa Fe Trail increased the number of people coming into the area. Raytown had become an important point for settlers and adventurers heading west. Cattle, oxen, fruits and vegetables were purchased from the farmers already in the area. Soon blacksmiths, wagon makers and iron workers were coming from the east to add their much needed skills to the growing number of wagon trains.
As more and more travelers pushed
westward along the Santa Fe and Oregon trails, pioneers, predominantly from
Kentucky and Virginia, began to settle in numbers.
They discovered an area of high wooded
ridges that reminded them of the shrouded Blue Ridge Mountains of their former
homes. They named the land Blue Ridge, and the adjoining streams, the Big Blue
and Little Blue Rivers.
Several tradesmen set up businesses along the trail. William Ray, born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1808, was a blacksmith who moved to Jackson County around 1848 and established his shop on the Santa Fe Trail.
By 1850, William Ray’s blacksmith shop
was well established on what is now the intersection of 63rd & Raytown
Road. He purchased the seven acres of land for $72.16.
William Ray’s shop, therefore, became a
geographic landmark and is mentioned twenty-seven times in the next fourteen
months of county court proceedings. William Ray himself appears to have been
somewhat of celebrity. By 1854, his neighbors were referring to the
town as “Ray’s Town,” and eventually, “Raytown.”
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14 comments:
I like your idea for the flag! It’s much better!
Raytown has a city flag, a city seal and a city logo.
The logo (and residents mailing addresses) are for sale (actually price unknown. The revenue is not constantly reported in the budget (Service Line) and the DT flags that have yet to materialize. Maybe Raytown business see this for the expensive BS that it is.
The city seal per staff this is the image that has "Ray" in it. not sure where it is used
And the flag. Does it need a change?? Maybe Im not sure.
I am sure that city staff and the BOA are missing a great opportunity to engage resident. We have several graphic artists in the school district that could design a flag that represents RATOWN Past present and future,
Same ole same ole for Raytown government
Please decide the city logo issue so we can get onto more important matters. i.e. funding police, better streets, infrastructure.
If there is a fault with the city council this would be my biggest complaint. Most of them are too quick at jumping to a conclusion without any real discussion. The flag is a small example. It represents everyone in the city. Yet the Council is ready to pull the trigger with very little real discussion. Most people in Raytown are unaware it is even being discussed.
The aldermen seem to think that a new city logo/flag is needed. Some of us have other concerns. 53rd street from Raytown traffic way/road looks awful with litter and bags of trash. Even along the border of the old nursery, where the new owner promised a "park like" setting, looks like a dump. Raytown road from 350 to 59th street is nearly as bad. 350 all the way through town is disgusting. "We can't do anything about that" because it's MoDot's responsibility. What my ears hear is "we won't do anything about that" because there's a built-in excuse to avoid action. There are 0 city employees paid for litter pick-up along the streets. The city can't solve every issue, but if we're going to ignore the dumping, the speeding, the license plate requirements, and several other code violations, then we should ignore the flag issue too. What benefit is a new flag? Putting lipstick on a pig doesn't change anything, but at least it's not insulting.
Hi Greg,
I like your version of the flag better than the other proposed one. I think it properly shows where the city has come from, it's history. Is there any way to incorporate the where the city is headed, or where the city's leaders envision the city going?
Very respectfully,
Chris Inlow
Dear 6:50,
Thanks for seeing the truth and speaking up. I completely agree with your post. It's almost as if the city wants to divert attention away from "real" issues like the obvious waste of money spent on paving the alley behind some downtown businesses.
RN
Then organize a trash pick up. The only part MoDot has any control of is a certain number of feet on each side of both directions of 350 Hwy and between the highways. Feel free to organize something or is it easier to just get on here and complain?
Chris,
It is difficult to point to where the city is going. The future is always an unknown. I think that looking back and showing was has been accomplished is a better indication of what is possible and what can be achieved. So much is dependent on who is running the show.
There is a deep divide on the Raytown City Council, Mayor included, as to how this city should move forward.
My strong belief is that we should concentrate on improvements within in our neighborhoods. There has been some limited effort in that arena. But the large dollar items, like $100,000 for paving one side of an alley between Blue Ridge Boulevard and Raytown Road still seem to pop up out of nowhere and are slammed through the legislative process with very little discussion.
Another example was the vote on the Property Tax Increases by the Board of Aldermen. When I first brought this to the Board all the members voted to move forward with a simple resolution (which cost the city NOTHING) to let the Jackson County Executive and Legislature know that we did not appreciate what was being done to Raytown citizens on property taxes.
Two weeks later, with limited discussion, the Board approved the resolution by a vote of 5 (yes) to 4 (no) with one member absent.
What happened to persuade four members to vote no? They did not say. They just locked their arms together and voted no.
This is not a healthy way to run our City Government.
Until that culture at City Hall is changed -- look for the way city hall is run to remain the same.
Regarding "feel free to organize a trash pickup." Good thought, and I do participate. I sometimes try to persuade others to participate- guilty as charged. That said, I don't tell other folks what to do with their own time. Neither will I slam anyone who makes a good faith effort to do the right thing. The point is that there is a city government, and a budget, and they make decisions about how funds are spent. Using the advice of an earlier comment, the owners of those shops could "feel free" to hire a contractor to pave that lot. I think use of taxpayer funding to pave an alley behind the pool hall at a cost of 90K is an example of a bad choice. A new design for the flag is, to me, also of questionable value. My opinion is that the prosperity of a city is connected to creating an environment that makes people WANT to live in it. How things look are part of that equation. The city engages in several promotional activities throughout the year. On the other hand, by ignoring the obvious litter problem we're missing an opportunity to help ourselves. Sadly, as residents, we could make the whole litter issue go away. It appears that so far, not enough people are "feeling free" enough to do so. The city can't do it alone, but I disagree with the notion that the city shouldn't make any effort. If lack of funding is the root cause for lack of effort, then maybe it's time to re-examine the priorities. $90,000? That could buy a lot of clean-up. I know I'm naive but as a long-time home owner I expect the city government to at least make an honest effort to spend wisely. My opinion is that money towards the re-design of the city logo, or flag is not in our best interest. I don't see the value in it. If I'm wrong, correct me. I'm still learning.
I agree with what Anonymous, February 11, 2024 at 11:02 AM said!
Raytown has three main priorities it needs to focus on.
1. Streets
2. Sewers
3. Streets
Everything else is just noise.
Keep fighting the good fight Greg!
Does this mean Raytown will get another liquor store? Thank you for your suggestions but don't we really have more important things to address? This is not a big issue, but it does merit discussion. The Mayor brought forth a proposal to approve a new flag for Raytown.
Apparently, Greg did not get for the suggested flag and created an alternative for consideration. The Mayor then went on a rant at the last meeting because he did not like that Mr. Walters put his suggestion out for the public to see.
Are there more important things to be doing. You betchya! But when a bad idea comes up, and the art provided with the Mayor's presentation qualifies as a very bad idea. Isn't it best to look at alternatives?
As a Raytown tax payers, I want to know what tax dollars the stadiums bring to our city.
The reality is none as the stadiums are in Kansas City.
The owner wants everyone to believe Jackson County must or the county will loss money. I want to know how much money the county generates and what percentage comes back to Raytown and the rest of the county not in KCMO.
The quick and best fix might come from our representation in Jefferson City. The legislators are already unhappy with the mismanagement of the appraisal process and looking to fix local incompetence.
The owner of the Royals wants public money (tax dollars) to cover half the cost to build this billionaire a $2 billion stadium, which he now claims will be where the Star building is. In his pipe dream he says this will create an entertainment district that will drive in New businesses. We all know new businesses mean more tax dollars. However, this doesn't mean money for Raytown.
If Jackson County is going to have a sales tax for the stadiums than let the state set a mile radius around the stadiums and sale tax rates be set by the state and collections split evenly to all sales taxing jurisdictions within the county.
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