Thank you, Mr. Walters for your work on the Raytown Report. I like to read the comments but recently there have been a few that seem to be shortened in mid sentence. Is it possible that can be fixed? Thank you.

Thank you for your message. We have noticed some irregularities. Dropped or shortened messages, usually at the end of a paragraph, but sometimes in the body of a letter, have been noted. We believe we have found a failsafe to keep this from happening in the future.

Unknown commented on "(Untitled)"

I didn't move to to the hood. The hood moved to Raytown! Gun shots all the time. Loud music for whatever reason, but it's not because you respect others who don't won't to listen to it a 100 feet away in their homes. Why leave bad neighborhoods to move into nice neighborhoods only to turn the nice neighborhoods into the same bad neighborhoods that you left??? Edit: please don't get me started on the crimes such as car and home break ins on the rise too. 

Unknown commented on "(Untitled)"

I've heard the citizens in ward 3 will be having a Liberation Day later this year to celebrate the end of the control and oversight of alderman Ryan Myers I was wondering if anyone is welcome to attend as I do not live in ward 3 but I fully agree we've got enough liquor stores and gas stations in architecture now Just look at the one that's already close down there at 53rd and Blue Ridge boulevard it sets back behind and most people might not know it's there but it's there in addition if you go down 350 highway you will see at Woodson a closed gas station boys and girls it gets so much better up at Blue Ridge and 67th there is a business open that was selling gas now just liquor.

Unknown commented on "(Untitled)"

I read on the city's website that Mayor McDonough has nominated former Alderman Ryan Myers for a position on the Raytown Planning and Zoning Commission.

That is ironic.

Doesn't he know Ryan was voted out of office because of his role in forcing an unpopular zoning change in Ward 3?

Myers pushed hard to change the zoning of the old Blue Ridge Nursery property from residential to commercial to allow a gasoline station/liquor store in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

I hope everyone who voted against re-electing Myers to the City Council shows up at the meeting to let the Board know they do not want to give Ryan another chance to sell them out on a zoning issue again.

He did not do justice for the people in Ward 3 on the City Council. It is doubtful he will do justice for the entire city on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Ryan was defeated by 96 votes in his election. Apparently the election results mean little to the Mayor. Let's hope the City Council does not follow his lead.

Don't miss the meeting at Raytown City Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6th.

. . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE . . . 

Damon Hodges Appointed as new
Clay County Administrator

Following a nationwide search, the Clay County Commissioners have unanimously voted to appoint Damon Hodges as the next County Administrator.

Hodges has more than 20 years of public service experience and currently serves as the City Administrator for the City of Raytown, Missouri. The search began shortly after the current County Administrator Dianna Wright announced her plans to retire on November 1st. The Commissioners partnered with the executive recruitment firm SGR to lead the search process to identify a qualified successor. Hodges will officially assume his duties as County Administrator on June 23, 2025.

Hodges has served as the City Administrator for Raytown since 2018.

Hodges said, “I am honored to serve as the next Clay County Administrator, and I look forward to working alongside the dedicated staff and elected officials to continue moving Clay County forward,” Hodges said.

Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte expressed his confidence in Mr. Hodges, stating, "I look forward to working closely with our incoming County Administrator Damon Hodges as he assumes the duties of County Administrator. Based on his history of excellence, I have every confidence in his ability to lead our staff to promote government efficiency, public safety, infrastructure improvements and economic opportunities for our citizens." 

BY PAUL LIVIUS

The Paul Livius Report
The new Board of Aldermen was greeted by a packed Council Chambers at their first meeting last Tuesday night. Homeowners from the Gregory Heights neighborhoods came to express their demand for help from the City to intervene on their behalf in dealing with a recent shooting and other concerns connected to the Silver Fox Nightclub, located near Gregory Boulevard and Ditzler.

Use the following link to view what was said at the meeting. After connecting to the link, go to the heading marked “Public Comments” to view what the speakers have to say CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK / GO TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Use the following link . . . 
https://raytownmo.new.swagit.com/videos/340855 

Natural Gas and Sales Tax . . . 
. . . Increases on the Horizon

PARK BOARD and 
SEWER TAX INCREASE

The Raytown Board of Aldermen has agreed with the Park Board to  place a joint sales tax earmarked for Raytown Parks and Storm Sewer Repair.

The current sales tax of 1/8 cent for Parks and Storm Sewers will expire in March of 2026.

In an agreement reached between Park Board Director Dave Turner and the newly elected Board of Aldermen it was decided to set the new rate at 1/4 of a cent with a sunset clause of seven years.

The final decision will be decided by the voters in a general election in either August or November of 2025.

The Board stopped just short of setting a date for the proposed sales tax election to be held.  

SPIRE NATURAL GAS PROPOSES
Natural Gas Fee increase of 15%

Spire Missouri has filed for a rate increase request with the Missouri Public Service Commission for an increase of approximately 15% for the cost of natural gas in Missouri. This increase would affect all natural gas users in Raytown.

According to Spire Missouri the 15% increase is estimated to cost the average homeowner an additional $14 per month.

The amount of the total increase (set by Spire at 15%) would also increase the amount paid by Spire customers for two taxes as well.

Both taxes are collected by the City of Raytown. The city collects both a Franchise Tax and a Sales Tax on the sale of natural gas.

NOTICE OF LOCAL PUBLIC HEARING AND
REQUEST FOR COMMENTS REGARDING 
PROPOSED INCREASE GR-2025-0170

If you have any comments or questions regarding the Natural Gas fee
increase please contact one of the the two government agencies listed below.

MISSOURI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
PO BOX 360
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
Email: pscinfo@ps.mo.gov
 
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC COUNSEL
P.O.BOX 2330
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Telephone: 866-922-2959
Email: opcservice@op.mo.gov

Shooting at
Silver Fox Bar
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM KMBC NEWS

Two men were taken to the hospital after being shot outside a bar in Raytown early Sunday morning. 

Raytown police were dispatched just before 1 a.m. April 20 to the Silver Fox, located at 7108 Ditzler Ave., on reports of gunfire.

When they arrived, officers determined the shooting happened outside near the business’s parking lot.

Investigators later learned the two men were self-transported to the hospital after reportedly being shot. Their conditions were not immediately available.

No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.

Justin Day, the third-generation owner of nearby Laurel Heights Automotive, said the entire incident was captured on surveillance video.

According to Day, the victims were walking to their parked cars outside his shop as people left the bar. The suspect then drove past the corner and opened fire nearly two dozen times.

“We counted 20 to 22 bullet holes,” Day said.

Use the following link to view the entire news story from KMBC NEWS . . .

SHOOTING AT SILVER FOX BAR

Letters to the Editor

Unknown commented on "(Untitled)"

Who all believes it is only a matter of time Raytown is hit with a multi million dollar lawsuit for someone getting hurt or killed because our police department refuses to enforce laws like speeding in school zones. Things like this are all over Facebook, but the Mayor who anyone who is on sever local Facebook pages and a former police sargent acts like everything is fine. If everything was fine Facebook wouldn't be blowing up with concerns over speeding, expired tags, vehicle break-in, and stolen vehicles. On top of holding the city accountable for the mismanagement the police chief personally needs to be accountable. This being said because the word around town is he has his own business and it is his number one priority. The local breakfast clubs believe he is just padding his retirement, which he came out of before accepting the Raytown chief's position. Everyone that watches any law shows knows that a motion of discovery will show how many days the chief is doing his job Vs working for himself. If anyone at city hall does think citizens are watch and waiting for an asy legal win think again. We can already hear the city officials say no problem that is why we have insurance. They need to ask how much will the cost increases after a major payout like wrongful death. Will the city even be able to get insurance.

 Will the insurance company be able to get out of paying out leaving us citizens on the hook when it comes out the city has refused to enforce simple laws.

Unknown commented on "(Untitled)"

Stupid is as stupid does.

Not sure who is worse the Community Development department head that is not addressing signs in the right-of-way.

I am leaning to the Raytown School District Superintendent. With the failing attendance and test scores to the school district's signs in the right-of-way.

True leaders hold themselves to higher standards and set the right examples. Signs in the right-of-way are not the only thing Mrs. Baltimore doesn't seem to put a good public display. Her lack of respect towards the midwest was also on display with her snow vidios

 this school year. Extremely improper for someone in her position. It

 is an absolute shame that best person for the job according to the

 school board came from Baltimore.

Unknown commented on "(Untitled)"

I watched the citizens who stood up to speak at the aldermen's meeting. Sad to think that someone's neighborhood in Raytown is bad enough that they must fear for their children's safety. Also that a guy who runs a legit car repair place, and has been there for years, felt in necessary to show up and express his concerns. So to the powers that be...are you listening?

Unknown commented on "(Untitled)"

I was recently told that I should join the Raytown Chamber of Commerce. I asked why and was told they put on monthly meetings to allow networking and ability to learn about other businesses, the city and school district. It sounded good until I did some research.

The Raytown Chamber of Commerce used to host several events from Raytown Round Up Days that allowed vendors and other come to our city to even having a parade that started on 63rd street and ended on Blue Ridge Blvd by Raytown High School. They had a summer BBQ even. It seemed they had more was the theme of what I learned and their moto these days. I was given several reasons why they no longer support the community as a whole. One even tried to convince me they were responsible for several events in the downtown area. I just smiled as everything I learned told me those events are thanks to the  businesses and a group they formed called Main Street. The downtown music events are thanks to some elected officials and citizens who make sure something nice for the community comes together.

So I ask my fellow citizens and business owners why would should anyone support the Raytown Chamber of Commerce as they clearly only focus on the Chamber and not the same community they claim to serve.

Unknown commented on "(Untitled)"

I see where the Mayor posted on Facebook that the Raytown PD did traffic stops in a day and shown about 119 stops and broke down what the officers found. This information needs to be posted Everyday on the City's website or Facebook. Does this mean that we now have a Traffic Division in Raytown again? Is the city of Raytown PD starting to do something about crime? Start stopping the expired auto tags as well. With the about 4 officers named on the Facebook page that ran the stops, that will keep them busy 7 days a week. Maybe if these traffic violations stops continue, this will send a message that don't come to Raytown if you are up to no good!

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