Final list of candidates
for Raytown Municipal Election
April 8, 2025
Filing for office in Raytown has closed.

Municipal Judge - 4 year term expiring April 2029

Traci Fann

Alderman Ward I - 4 year term expiring April 2029

Theresa Tush

Demonte Rochester

Phillip D. Conway

Alderman Ward II - 4 year term expiring April 2029
Loretha Hayden
Ryan Hoffman

Alderman Ward III - 4 year term expiring  April 2029

Morris Melloy

Ryan Myers

Latrice Thomas

Alderman Ward IV - 4 year term expiring April 2029

Josh Morales

William E. (Bill) Van Buskirk

Rodney V. Fritz

Alderman Ward V - 4 year term expiring April 2029

Bonnaye Mims

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Paul's Rant!
BY PAUL LIVIUS

New Year's Eve will soon be upon us. Greg told me he and his lovely wife have special plans for the New Year Year Holiday. So,  he left me here at the keyboard to send out our final message of the year.

I am more than up to the task.

The Christmas / New Year Holiday season is a slow time for social media sites. As you can see, most of what has been reported has been keeping track of who has filed for next April's Election to the Raytown Board of Aldermen.

This filing season has been a very active one. Thirteen candidates have filed for five open seats on the Raytown Board of Aldermen.

The extremely active filing period is an indication that Raytown voters want a change. 

One final note . . . I understand the Mayor recently referred to people in Raytown who participate on social media pages as "keyboard warriors".

Coming from the Mayor it certainly does not seem like a compliment.

From our point of view Raytown has a very healthy social media community. It is clear that most who post are advocates of free speech. 

I did some checking with our friendly AI app and found an appropriate definition for the term "keyboard warrior" as used by the Mayor at the last meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

The tactic would be to use a simple term such as "keyboard warrior" to degrade who the author considers a political opponent. AI defines this tactic as that of a "troll".

Explanation: Trolls intentionally provoke or offend others online by posting inflammatory or disruptive comments, often with the goal of eliciting a reaction and then disappearing before consequences can occur, including deleting their comment quickly. 

Sharing information and informing the public as to what is going on is a noble and time honored tradition in America. Raytown may have lost its local newspapers. But some innovative individuals have stepped up to fill that void. Judging by the surge of interest in what we and others publish in Raytown.

Want proof? Check out what we call the "Back Pages" of the Raytown Report by clicking on the Comment link below to find out what your neighbors have to say.

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Our home planet, Earth, as seen from the moon.

All of this could not have happened by chance.

Merry Christmas from the Raytown Report.

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BY GREG WALTERS

Raytown taxpayers have had a very rough year when it comes to taxes.

Jackson County raised the assessment of our homes to historic highs in 2024. To add insult to injury, the County also filed a law suit against approximately 1,000 of our fellow taxpayers because they had challenged the County's failure to notify taxpayers of a deadline set by state law. Postmark dates on the mail showed mail was late in appearing Jackson County homeowner's mailboxes. 

The law suit, which is still being heard at this writing, asks the property tax rate in 2024 be rolled back to 15%.

Those named in the lawsuit are made up of individuals who challenged Jackson County's mishandling of the notification process. I found out about the lawsuit when a local news station called asking if I was aware I had been name in the suit!

The Raytown School Board may have over-taxed Raytown School District patrons with higher rates than allowed by law. There is a lawsuit slowly working its way through the judicial system to determine who is right and who is wrong on this matter. If the Court sides with the plaintiffs in the case, Raytown taxpayers will see a reduction in their Property Tax bills from the Raytown School District.

Seven of the ten members of the Board of Aldermen voted to increase the sanitary sewer bills we all pay by a 7% increase. Raytown City Staff had recommended an increase of 5%. For reasons that were never explained, seven of the Board of Aldermen voted to increase the tax increase to 7%.

The vote seemed somewhat contrived. Very little discussion and, even more telling, no explanation by the City Administrator or his staff in defense of the lower tax amount they had recommended.

On a more positive note, Raytown Taxpayers can ease the burdens that have been heaped on them this year. There is also a way you can save 2% on your annual sanitary sewer bill from the City of Raytown. Sanitary sewer bills are based on the winter average of water used at your home bills. 

The city will reduce your sanitary sewer bill by 2% if you pay a lump sum payment at the beginning of the year. For more information call 816-737-6000 (extension 9) to contact City Hall if you have any questions regarding this program.

The Raytown City Council has directed City Staff to make available to Raytown homeowners a fund of $200,000 for the clean and maintenance of homeowners property. The money comes from the American Rescue Fund Act established during the Covid19 Epidemic.

If you are a homeowner in need of repairs on your property the City can       arrange for low interest loans and/or a grant to help pay for the cost of needed repairs. To find out if you qualify for this program contact Diane Egger at Raytown City Hall at 816-737-6093.

For those who are over 62 years old and own their own home, please read the following press release regarding the Jackson County Missouri Property Tax Credit for homeowners 62 years and older living in Jackson County. Provided you make application before January 1, 2025, your property taxes will be frozen at the current rate you are paying in 2024. There is no cost to join this program.

The following press release from Jackson County, Missouri goes into further detail on this program.

Raytown
Police Report

Period of Review: November 18 - December 8th

Number of calls for service:          755
Number of Arrests:                         14
Number of Reports:                        87

Summary of Notable Events:

On November 21st, at approx. 2:00 am, a Raytown officer on routine patrol conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Gregory Blvd & Evanston for an equipment violation. The driver turned out to have a revoked driver’s license and was also on parole for a previous burglary. The officer could also see drug paraphernalia in plain view in the passenger compartment. A search of the car resulted in the officer locating fentanyl and meth. The driver was arrested on drug and parole violation charges. The investigation is ongoing.

On December 2nd, at approx. 6:45pm, officers were called to the 8800 block of 86 Street regarding a shooting. The victim reported that while physically grappling with a male acquaintance, he was shot one time by the other male’s girlfriend. Both suspects fled the scene before police arrived and the victim was transported to the hospital. Charges on both suspects have been submitted to the prosecutor.
 
On December 8th, at approx. 12:50am, officers were dispatched to a bar in the 7100 block of Ditzler Avenue on a robbery. The female victim reported that she was in a physical altercation in the parking lot with some acquaintances, and the suspects sprayed her in the face with pepper spray and stole her purse. The two female suspects fled before police arrived. The investigation is ongoing.

A Candidate's Primer

for the April 8, 2025 Election

Five Seats on the Raytown Board of Aldermen are up for election on Tuesday, April 5^th . . . If you are interested, here is the “low-down” on what is involved in running for public office in Raytown.

 

So, let’s get to it. Here is the first question most perspective candidates ask.

“How much does the job pay?"
The Board of Aldermen recently approved an increase of the compensation package Aldermen to $525.00 per month. The compensation package is a combination of salary ($450 monthly) and automobile allowance of &75 per month.

"Which Ward do I live in?"
The City is divided into five wards equally divided by population.* Each Ward is represented by two Aldermen. Collectively they make up the ten members of the Board of Aldermen. 

To view a map of how the wards are geographically divided go to the end of this story. 

"Candidate Requirements"
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Be a registered voter within the City of Raytown.
Have all state and local taxes paid up to date.
Be at least a one year resident of the City of Raytown.

"Do you file by party affiliation"

No. Raytown City Elections are non-partisan elections. There is not a Primary Election. The elections are a "winner take all" election. 

"When will the Election be Held?"

The election will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

"What is the Filing Deadline?"
Filing Closes on December 31, 2024. There is not any fee to file for the election.

"Where do you file to run?"

At Raytown City Hall. Contact City Clerk Theresa Henry to make an appointment to file. The City Clerk’s office can be reached at 816-737-6000, Extension 9.

How often does the City Council Meet?

The Board of Aldermen meet twice monthly on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Meetings generally last from one to three hours in length.

The Board of Aldermen is the legislative branch of Raytown City Hall. The Board’s job is to oversee and approve all ordinances and budget of the City of Raytown. 

 

The Mayor has the authority to call an occasional work session on dates other than the first and third Tuesday of each month – in the last year there has been one such meeting called.

 

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Richard Tush. Mr. Tush can be reached at 816-914-9423.

Official Ward map of the City of Raytown. Click on image to enlarge.
Hard copies of the map are available at Raytown City Hall.

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