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THE PAUL LIVIUS REPORT
BY PAUL LIVIUS

Missouri State Legislator Jerome Barnes and Raytown Alderman Greg Walters have teamed up in an effort to bring more tax dollars to Raytown to fund “traffic calming” devices for Raytown streets.

In the summer of 2023 Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters and State Representative Barnes met following a meeting of the Raytown Democrat Association. What started as a one hour conversation in a parking lot next to Raytown Fire Station Number One is showing signs of bringing some state funding to help improve traffic enforcement in Raytown.

Barnes asked Walters what was high on Raytowner's “want” list. Walters, who had recently been re-elected to his seat in Ward 1 told Barnes the one common theme he heard was the need for the city to crack down on speeders on Raytown streets.

Walters had been looking into the use of “traffic calming technology to slow down speeders in residential areas. The City had recently installed a number of these signs. Two of them ended up on Hunter Street between 59^th Street and 63^rd Street.

The signs were a huge success. Motorists were frequently seen slowing down when the light illuminated their speeding vehicles on Hunter Street. Residential homeowners made a point of letting Walters know the city needed more of the same.

“Hunter Street is one-half mile long between 59^th and 63^rd Street,” said Walters. “Sometimes Drivers seem to forget once they head down the wide collector street that the speed limit is 25 miles per hour. The signs serve as gentle reminder that they are in a neighborhood and need to be watching out for children, walkers and bicyclists."

The Ward 1 Alderman continued, “Judging from the feedback I received from homeowners on Hunter Street the signs were working. They were definitely an effective traffic calming tool.”

Barnes told Walters he believed there may be a path to gain State funding for more of the speed/radar signs in Raytown.

Together, they worked out a plan to approach the State of Missouri for a grant to pay for more of the signs.

Greg took on the task of crafting the grant request. Jerome went work on selling the idea to the State of Missouri through the Department of Public Safety.

This past week, Barnes reported their joint proposal was on its way. Jerome sent a copy of the House Budget Chairman’s Substitute Changes to the Governor’s Budget.

The next step was for the request to go before the Missouri House for approval.

Barnes said, “We are off to a good start. Speed trap money is in the budget . . . which was followed in two weeks by another report in which he said the Missouri House of Representatives have approved the budgeted amount of $50,000 for “Raytown Speed Control Device”.

“This leaves two hurdles for final approval. It is scheduled to go before the Missouri Senate later this month. If approved by the Senate – it will move forward to the Governor’s Office for final approval.”

“So, keep your fingers crossed!"

Barnes told the Raytown Report he considers his and Greg’s effort as a “thank you” to the public for allowing him to represent them in Jefferson City these last 8 years.

Jerome is currently serving his final term on the State Legislature. His wife, Donna Barnes, has filed for his open seat to represent the Raytown area in Jefferson City.

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