To view the video of the Raytown Aldermen Meeting
covered in this week's story
The Big Issue: Impeachment Power
click on the following link to view the video of the meeting.
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| BY PAUL LIVIUS |
The Paul Livius Report
The February 17th meeting of the Raytown Board of Aldermen was unusually tense. It brought surprises, questionable behavior, and one of the most controversial issues the city has faced in years.
The Big Issue: Impeachment Power
The main topic was a proposed ordinance that would allow the Board to impeach one of its own members.
It has been nearly a year since Latrice Thomas defeated incumbent Ryan Myers in a three‑way race. Interest in her performance—especially in Ward 3—has remained high.
A large crowd attended this first meeting on the impeachment matter. Special Counsel hired by City Hall asked the Board to suspend its normal rules so the charges against Alderwoman Thomas could be read twice in the same meeting.
Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters objected. He said that in his 25 years on the Board, he had never seen an impeachment request and warned against rushing the process. Special Counsel eventually withdrew the request.
Because the rules were not suspended, the second public reading—and another chance for public comment will take place at the March 3rd meeting. On March 17th the Board will meet to
A Call for Basic Respect
Rude behavior from elected officials should never be acceptable—yet that’s exactly what happened.
During public comments, Mr. Melloy, a well‑known speaker who shares feedback from his Raytown Community Awareness facebook page, addressed the Board. While he spoke, one alderman reportedly turned their chair around and faced the wall.
Several people in the audience noticed. One alderman later confirmed he heard about the incident and called it “bad manners.” We would go further: It was disrespectful, unprofessional, and beneath the dignity of public office.
When citizens take the time to speak, the very least elected officials can do is face them.
Our View
Interest in the situation involving Alderwoman Thomas is clearly high, especially in Ward 3.
Because the Board kept its normal rules on February 17th, the second reading and discussion will take place on March 17th. If the Board chooses to move forward, a formal impeachment hearing would likely follow in April.
Editor’s Note: All Raytown Board of Aldermen meetings are open to the public. As is the Public's ability to address the Board of Aldermen. Comments before the Board are limited to five minutes per speaker.
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9 comments:
I guess we're having a two question election for a couple of tax plans. That election could have been part of another election but since it's so darned important we need to spend 30K to make it happen.
Also on my mind, our formerly quiet town is now looking for ways to impeach aldermen. If this is related to Latrice Thomas- isn't that an admission that her removal by the mayor was not legit? I guess another 30K for the "hired gun" attorney will make everything right. Don't kid yourself.
What happened with the speed bumps or humps idea? The mayor has a negative opinion of speed bumps. Got it.
I was hoping that in Raytown we might be able to avoid some of the controversies that bigger cities have. We could be looking at ways to approach the growing "un-housed" issue. We could be looking at how to create a better learning atmosphere in our school district. We could be looking for ways to afford litter cleanup. Is everything hunky dory at the bowen apartments now? Is there anything that can be done about landlords who will not maintain properties?
What we're doing here instead is trying to find ways to impeach aldermen, and arguing about whether or not the mayor has overstepped his authority. The matters currently at the top of our city government's agenda, are a result of bad decisions. It's just my opinion and it's worth what you paid for it, but maybe it's time to consider that the best person to have as a mayor or alderman might be someone who isn't afraid of saying "I don't know," instead of one who knows everything.
I watched it but I didn't see who turned their chair. Who is being alleged to have done it?
Mims
Me too. Who was it?
We are wasting 30k for the Mayor's mistake, but what will be the final cost once this is actually over?
I know I can't support either of these two sales tax issues when we still have a mayor running up a tab at a wedding with an open bar for the new couple.
This couple of long time residences don't belive any of us should be on the hook for his decisions when he likes to publicly state the decisions are made by the board. He only gets to vote in the rare case of breaking a tie.
I see an ethic violation by one of the Alderman, but being they a friend's with the Mayor he will look the other way.
Just how much litigation can the city afford under his watch.
I am not voting for the 2 renewal sales taxes. The city wastes too much money.
Time for the Mayor to go!!!!!!!!!!!
Mims, she should be removed !!!!
Probably why we can't afford to fix our streets. This city is not going a good direction at all !!!!
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