SAMPLE BALLOT CITY OF RAYTOWN, MISSOURI SPECIAL ELECTION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2019 QUESTION 1 Shall the City of Raytown, Missouri continue to impose an existing sales tax at a rate of one-eighth (1/8) of one percent for the purpose of funding Local Parks/Storm Water Control within the City for a term of five (5) years? The monies received from the Local Parks/Storm Water Control sales tax shall be distributed with Local Parks receiving seventy-five percent (75%) and Storm Water Control receiving twenty-five percent (25%) for their respective functions. YES NO
On Sunday afternoon, 10-13-19, at about 1:13pm, Raytown Police responded to a residence in the 8800 block of East 85th Street, after receiving a call of shots fired. When officers arrived, they found one gunshot victim deceased at the residence. The victim had been shot outside the residence by a known suspect, who ran to the area of 8500 block of Kentucky and barricaded himself inside his residence. Police are currently on the scene at that residences attempting to make contact with the suspect.
UPDATE
The suspect is in custody but has not been charged at this time. Detectives are continuing to investigate.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
This meeting took place months ago, and I am sorry it took me so long to recover it. The information is still valid and hopefully of interest to the readers.
Police are asking the public for information regarding the whereabouts of Jordan T. Coleman, a 22-year-old bi-racial man. Coleman is a person of interest relating to the early morning homicide that occurred in Raytown on July 20, 2019.
Police ask anyone with information about Coleman’s whereabouts, or this incident, to call the Raytown Police at 816-737-6020.
On the morning of July 20, 2019, at 6:19 AM, Raytown Police received a call to the 10700 block of E. 59 Street regarding the sound of shots fired and a crashed vehicle. Officers arrived and found Christopher L. Stanford deceased in the crashed car. Police continue to investigate. No arrests have been made relating to this investigation and there is no other information that can be released at this time.
The former president of the Raytown School Board, who stepped down in May, faces a criminal charge of stealing Raytown school district funds while she was on the school board, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Kristie L. Colllins, dob: 2/16/1967, faces the Class D felony of Stealing.*
According to court records filed today, while she was president of the Raytown School Board, Kristie L. Collins used a purchasing card issued to her by the Raytown School District to make fraudulent purchases. The school board commissioned an audit commissioned by an accouting firm after questions were raised by the school district’s finance office regarding transactions submitted by the defendant. The district purchasing policy states that under no circustances can the cards be used for unauthorized or personal purchases. An accouting firm documented more than $4300 in fraudulent purchases. In May 2019, the defendant was informed of the investigation. The next day she resigned. In her resignation letter, she wrote “I have made mistakes. I’ll be the first to acknowledge that, and I have tried to correct them when possible. Some I cannot correct, only apologize for and ask forgiveness.”
The Raytown C-2 School District announces a Board of Education vacancy. Residents who wish to be appointed to the vacancy shall apply at the superintendent’s office located at 6608 Raytown Rd., Raytown, MO. Applications will be accepted until June 24, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. The appointee will serve until the next school board election, when a director shall be elected for the unexpired term. For more information, contact Rachel Johnston, Board Secretary, at 816-268-7008.
At about 12:24 A.M., Saturday morning (June 15, 2019) Raytown Police Officers were called to the area of Sarah Colman-Livengood Park, 5901 Lane, regarding a house that had been shot. The house was adjacent to the park. Moments later, police received a call that a woman had been shot at the park itself.
Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a young woman who had suffered a gunshot wound. There were other people present at the park, who were rendering first aid. They were not injured. Two individuals were seen running away after the shooting and were not located. The woman’s identity has not been released at this time. No arrests have been made in relation to the incident.
It was discovered that at least three houses adjacent to the park, and the park office building that was located on the park grounds, had been struck by bullets. No occupants were injured.
Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the TIPS Hotline, 816-474-TIPS (8477.)
Raytown Garden Club Annual PLANT & BAKE SALE Saturday, April 27, 2019
Cave Springs Interpretative Center, 8701 East Gregory Boulevard, Raytown, MO 64133
Our sale features a wide variety of locally grown annuals, perennials, and vegetables, as well as yummy home-baked goodies! Our plants are known for being healthy and hardy! We will have bulbs, bare-root plants, 4- and 6-paks, and potted 3″ to 8″ plants, as well as trees and shrubs. All plants will be clearly marked with plant name, annual or perennial, shade or sun growing conditions, and price. Our knowledgeable members will be on hand to answer any questions and offer advice, and since these plants are grown here, you know they will thrive in our local growing conditions! Come early for best selection! We will be under the Pavilion at Cave Springs Park Interpretive Center; Rain or shine!
A recent article in Missouri Lawyers Weekly reports that the City of Raytown has been ordered to pay $42,550 for a violation on Missouri’s Sunshine Law. The suit was brought by the daughter of a woman who died in a car crash at 67th Street and Ralston Ave.
The City Clerk refused to release documents and cited a city policy closing records in cases involving potential legal action. The denial was issued 5 days after the request.
On an editorial note, it would be interesting to know who was responsible for the creation of that policy.
Who: Kenneth Cornwell Jr, white male, blue eyes, 6’, 240 lbs Last contact with family: on 1/15/19
Mr. Cornwell was last seen by family on Tuesday, January 15th in the 8900 block of E 67th St, Raytown. They have been unable to make contact with him since.
He was last seen driving a green 2000 Kia Spectre, MO/SR0G3L. The vehicle has a dog paw sticker on the back window and a blue ribbon on the antenna.
We have no reason to believe that Mr. Cornwell is in immediate danger or that foul play is involved. Police only need to speak with Mr. Cornwell to verify his safety
If you have any information about Kenneth’s whereabouts, please call 816-737-6020.
After 43 years of service with the Raytown Police Department, Raytown Chief of Police James B. Lynch announced that he will retire on February 14, 2019. Chief Lynch is grateful for the unwavering support of the residents and businesses of Raytown. “I would like to thank the Raytown community for their continued support through the years, of not just me, but the men and women of the Raytown Police Department,” Chief Lynch said. “I have lived in Raytown for decades and have raised my children here. I am grateful to be part of the Raytown community and to the people of Raytown, I say thank you for allowing me to serve you.”
Though leaving a law enforcement career can be difficult, especially after so many years, Chief Lynch is grateful. “Law enforcement is one of the most rewarding careers,” Chief Lynch said, “and I am glad to have been able to be a part of it. I am thankful for the personal and professional relationships that were made along the way. I am honored to have served with the finest men and women in law enforcement and wish them well in upholding that professional service.”
Chief Lynch started his career with the Raytown, Missouri Police Department in 1975 as a Patrol Officer. Chief Lynch was selected for the Traffic Unit in 1978. In 1983 he was promoted to the rank of Detective, where he was assigned a variety of cases and served as a member of the Metro Squad, investigating major cases in the Kansas City Metro area. During that time period, Chief Lynch completed his Bachelors’ Degree at Avila University, earning a degree in Criminal Justice. Chief Lynch, in 1988, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and 1991, he was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant. While in that assignment, he was the Lead Officer in several Metro Squad homicide investigations, supervising Detectives from several agencies.
In August 1996, he left full-time employment with the Police Department, going to work for General Accident Insurance Company as a Special Investigator. During his employment with General Accident Insurance, from August 1996 until April 2001, Chief Lynch maintained his relationship with the Raytown Police Department, as a Reserve Sergeant. Chief Jim Lynch was elected to his current position in April 2001. He has served as Chief of Police since then.
By April of 2002, Chief Lynch accomplished one of his goals, by having the members of the Police Department trained through the Community Oriented Policing Institute, in community policing practices. He also collaborated with the Department of Justice, the Kansas City Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., members of the Raytown Human Relations Committee, and Ad Hoc Group Against Crime, to build a lasting relationship between Raytown’s diverse community and the Police Department.
Chief Lynch has been involved in many community groups in the Metro Kansas City Area, including Raytown Emergency Assistance Program, (R.E.A.P.), Hope House, Shepherd’s Center and the Kansas City Crime Commission.
Chief Lynch has been honored with receiving many awards throughout his career. Among these, are the Raytown Police Department’s, Award for Officer of the Year, the 2009 Diversity Advocate in Law Enforcement from the Olathe Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., and the 2011 Clarence Kelley Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Administration.
On April 2nd of 2019 there will be an election for Raytown, Raytown School District, Raytown Fire District and Jackson County water District #2. Filing for these elected positions closed on Jan. 15th.
City of Raytown 10000 E 59th St, Raytown
Alderman Ward I – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Joe Creamer Josh Bennett Greg Walters Quentin J. Brown
Alderman Ward II – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Jim Aziere Loretha Hayden
Alderman Ward III – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Janet Emerson Jeremy Utterback Otis Taylor III
Alderman Ward IV – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Bob Cochran Mary Jane Van Buskirk
Alderman Ward V – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Derek Ward
City Collector – 2 year term expiring April 2021 Kathie Schutte
Mayor – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Michael McDonough Tony Jacob
Raytown C2 School District 6608 Raytown Rd., Raytown
Two positions are open
Bobbie Saulsberry (incubant) LaShonda Orkes Rick Thode
Raytown Fire District 6020 Raytown Trafficway, Raytown
Barb Schlapia
Jackson County Water District #2 6945 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown
Sub district 3 Fred Hartwell Sub district 5 Jimmie McClanahan
This ballot is huge and I will attempt to shed light on what the elements are.
Constitutional Amendments 2, 3 and Proposition C all legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. What is not obvious is that amendment 3 sets up a monopoly for those that got it on the ballot. If you are in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, I strongly suggest a YES on 2 and a no on 3. There is nothing wrong with Proposition C, but I feel that Amendment 2 is better.
Constitutional Amendment 4, is simple and self explanatory.
Proposition B raises the minimum wage a small amount each year until it eventually gets to $12 an hour. Nothing tricky and I personally support it.
Proposition D would raise the motor fuel tax to pay for roads and bridges. It would also help fund the Highway Patrol. I strongly support this proposition. Missouri has had the same fixed amount of fuel tax since 1992. Gasoline may have tripled, paving cost may have tripled, but funding has stayed constant for over 25 years. We need to fix our roads and bridges.
The last 7 items on the ballot are all about changing the Jackson County Charter. They all are extensive and the ballot fails to reflect all the changes they entail. I will try to post the complete text of the 7 changes in my next post. These changes have united an unusual mixture of partisan, not partisan, business, and community groups in OPPOSITION to the changes. It is very seldom that I have seen the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson County Democratic Committee unite on political questions. These 7 items will decrease the power of the County Executive and increase the power of the County Legislators. It will give the Legislators about a 100% pay and pensions increase. The increase is hidden by basing it on a judges salary instead of a named amount. Question 7 bars any federal. state. or municipal elected official from running for county office. So the legislature wants to ensure that any State Legislator that is term limited out of office cannot run for the county legislature.
This is an attempt to increase power and pay by hiding it in with elements on the front of each proposal that may be more popular. A more honest approach would be to not group elements together, let each stand on its own merit and state openly how much of a pay and pension increase the legislators want.
Please vote NO on Jackson County Questions 1 through 7.
Raytown Police Respond To Shots Fired And Find Three Men Dead
At about 8:21 P.M. Sunday (September 30, 2018) Raytown Officers responded to the 11000 Block of E. 74th Terrace in response to the sound of shots fired. While en-route, Officers were informed that the reporting party believed they saw what appeared to be bodies lying on the ground in front of a residence.
Upon their arrival, Officers located three deceased men, appearing to have sustained gunshot wounds. At that time the Raytown Police Department Investigations Bureau was notified and responded to the scene.
An active investigation is currently underway. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the TIPS Hotline, 816-474-TIPS (8477.)
The 11000 Block of E 74th Terrace runs from Harvard for 1 block to the East and dead ends. The is a photo of the block looking towards Harvard Drive.
Every Tuesday is Taco Night at Ricon Tarasco. That means tacos are only $1.25 each. Your choices are chicken, Steak (carne Asada), Shredded Pork slow cooked and marinated Cochinito Pibil), and Al Pastor (also marinated, but in different spices and not slow cooked).
Tacos Al Pastor has been my favorite for years, until I tried Cochinita Pibil, now it is a toss-up. The pastor is a little spicier, but the Cochinita is more tender and has a hint of orange to it. Cochinita comes from the Yucatan region of Mexico and is marinated in sour orange juice and achiote.
I use to have to drive to SouthWest Blvd. or Independence Ave. to get Mexican food this authentic. It is a little milder than I am use to but they can offer you a large variety of salsa if you feel the need to punch it up a notch or two.
The restaurant is located on the South West corner of Raytown Road and 350 Highway. Just South of the grocery store. They offer carry out and the phone number is 886-5444.
Arimeta DuPree is running for the Democratic nomination for the Jackson County Legislature in the 2nd District. Raytown’s portion of that district is from Raytown Road West, with slight exceptions. I know Arimeta and have endorsed her. I admire her intellect, passion for justice, and ability to work well with people from all walks of life. Below is a video of her presentation to the Raytown Democratic Association at their July meeting. She received the organizations endorsement. I added a picture of her sign to cover my bad camera work in the last minute of the presentation.