One of Raytown's own has been recognized by the Jackson County Democratic Party as the Harry S Truman Man of the Year. This year's award recognizes Raytown's representative on the Missouri State Legislature, Jerome Barnes.

Jerome has made a name for himself as the State Legislature representing the Raytown area these lasts eight years. Missouri has term limits, so Jerome is stepping down from his seat in the Legislature at the end of this year. 

When asked about his plans for the future. Barnes said his focus is to work for his wife, Donna Barnes, in her campaign to take his place on the Missouri State Legislature for the 28th District. 

Mrs. Barnes first election contest will be held on the Tuesday, August 4, 2024 in the Democratic Primary Election. 

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Talking Points . . .

 BY GREG WALTERS 

FROM THE MISSOURI

DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE 

The Missouri Department of Revenue is owed more than $78 million in delinquent temporary automobile license tag fees. The Department reports nearly 60,000 temporary permits are overdue. 

FROM AREA NEWS MEDIA OUTLETS . . .
Northland Police Departments recently teamed up with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department to crack down on people driving with expired license plates and tags. The Kansas City Police Department reported the group effort confiscated 63 temporary tags and 23 license plates while handing out 271 citations in an eight hour span.

The following law enforcement agencies were active in the crackdown.

·                  Kansas City, Missouri Police Department

·                  Independence, Missouri Police Department

·                  Platte Woods Police

·                  Clay County Sheriff’s Office

·                  Platte County Sheriff’s Office

·                  Missouri Highway Patrol

·                  Missouri Depart. of Revenue (Compliance and Investigation Bureau)

Why Not Raytown?
This lack of enforcement has repercussions that are not good for Raytown. If a car is not properly licensed it is doubtful it has had a safety inspection. It also creates a difficult situation for Police to investigate crimes. This is especially true if an improperly licensed vehicle is used to commit a crime. 

And yes, those temporary tags can easily be counterfeited and frequently are.

Another impact is the loss of tax revenue. When a car is not licensed properly it is very doubtful the Personal Property Tax on the vehicle has been paid.

The Missouri Department of Revenue reports a loss of $78 Million Dollars in tax revenue because of the lack of enforcement. 

Raytowners have already been buried in historically high property tax increases this year. Ignoring those who refuse to license their vehicles properly in a timely manner is not a solution.

Proper enforcement of our City and State laws is the solution.

Raytown should join surrounding cities like Kansas City and Independence in stepping up enforcement on expired temporary license tags.

The Good News is City Department Heads, most notably the Police, Court and City Administrator are looking into solutions to address the problem. They are well aware of the need to step up traffic enforcement -- and are expected to have a proposal for the Board of Aldermen in the near future.

We will continue coverage on this story as it moves forward.

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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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Cause and Effect
BY GREG WALTERS

On January 1, 2024 Jackson County Taxpayers were slammed with historically high property tax increases. Those tax increases were beyond the realm of reasonable. 

The Jackson County Executive's office and the Jackson County Assessor used their power to create fiscally irresponsible property and personal tax increases. Their actions literally hammered everyone in Jackson County with very large taxes  on anything they owned.

Jackson County was also the governing body that brought legislation On April 2, 2024. Jackson County voters turned down a sales tax increase for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals by near landslide proportions. This question was placed on the ballot by Jackson County even though the current tax was not due for replacement for another seven years.

In our view, the reason for the lopsided defeat is very clear. Taxpayers in Jackson County, are tired of the constant barrage of tax increases from School Districts, Municipalities, and other governmental agencies who raise use fees without a vote of the people such as sanitary sewer bills and water bills.

The list continues . . . utilities that bill electric, gas, and telecommunications for license fees. Those fees begin at the municipal level. Just like sales taxes, the more you spend the higher the tax you owe.

This become especially noticeable in times of high inflation -- such as our country has been experiencing over the last three years.

 

Is it any wonder taxpayers feel abused to the point of simply saying "no" to many of the ballot measures being placed before them?

 

As an example. In the last four years the City of Raytown has placed five property tax increases before the voters. They have also placed sales taxes, the largest being a 2% Use Fee on most internet sales within Raytown.

The Raytown School District has placed two property tax increases. Jackson County has placed one ballot measure and caused two property tax increases.

 

A total of ten tax increase packages!

That is way more than it should be.

 

As a result we are becoming witness to a taxpayer revolt -- one in which many of have made up their mind to say "no" on the suggestion of a proposal.

The vote total from Tuesday's election tells the rest of the story. 58% (NO) to 42% (YES) is only two percentage points from what political observers call a "landslide". 

Our political leaders should take note. The people have spoken. Will their elected officials listen?

YES . . . 56,606 (42%)            NO . . . 78,352 (58%)

A FRIENDLY REMINDER

April 2nd is Election Day. 

As anyone who receives mail, listens to the radio or watches television is aware, there is no shortage of ads telling us how to vote on the Stadium Sales Tax increase next Tuesday.

The proposed sales tax will extend the current sales tax for the stadiums for 40 years. There are still seven years left on the current sales tax. The extension is definitely a separate tax, and therefore, a new sales tax.

This in an interesting election. The vote yes side has spent millions of dollars to promote their position. The vote no side has responded with what appears to be a formidable grassroots effort to block the tax increase.

The results of the election will tell the rest of the story. Please remember to vote on Tuesday, April 2nd.

CANINE SAREN

NEWS FLASH!!!

The fine looking beast shown on the left is going to work for the Raytown Police Department.

Officially, his name is Canine Saren.

He is a 3 1/2 year old Belgian Malinois. And, he comes with human (who is also Saren's Trainer).

This will add another certified officer and police dog to Raytown's Police Force. Both come with police experience and will be on the streets in Raytown soon. 

Raytown Police Chief Robert Kuehl had more good news for the City. He announced that there are three new officers currently undergoing training at the Police Academy.

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Enforcement of laws on Expired License
Plates in Raytown should be ramped up. 

BY GREG WALTERS

One of the complaints I hear most frequently from constituents is the number of license plates (temporary or expired) on vehicles driving on Raytown Streets. 

Here are some interesting facts I found that show how bad the problem really is.

FROM THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE . . .

The Missouri Department of Revenue is owed more than $78 million in delinquent temporary automobile license tag fees. The Department reports nearly 60,000 temporary permits are overdue.

FROM AREA NEWS MEDIA OUTLETS . . .
The following law enforcement agencies are cracking down on expired license plate tags and temporary tags.

Northland Police Departments recently teamed up with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department to crack down on people driving with expired license plates and tags. The Kansas City Police Department reported the group effort confiscated 63 temporary tags and 23 license plates while handing out 271 citations in an eight hour span.

The following law enforcement agencies were active in the crackdown.

• Kansas City, Missouri Police Department
• Independence, Missouri Police Department
• Platte Woods Police
• Clay County Sheriff’s Office
• Platte County Sheriff’s Office
• Missouri Highway Patrol
• Missouri Depart. of Revenue (Compliance and Investigation Bureau)

Why Not Raytown?
This lack of enforcement has repercussions that are not good for Raytown. If a car is not properly licensed it is doubtful it has had a safety inspection. It also creates a difficult situation for Police to investigate crimes. Particularly if an improperly licensed vehicle is used to commit a crime. 

And yes, those temporary tags can easily be counterfeited and frequently are.

Another impact is the loss of tax revenue. When a car is not licensed properly it is very doubtful the Personal Property Tax on the vehicle has been paid.

Most car owners in Raytown pay their share of Personal Property Taxes. These same people properly license their automobiles. How about everyone paying their fair share in license fees and Personal Property Tax?

The Missouri Department of Revenue reports a loss of $78 Million Dollars in tax revenue because of the lack of enforcement. No doubt some of that money would end up in Raytown’s General Fund if we were to follow the lead of surrounding communities and step up enforcement of our local laws on the proper licensing of vehicles in Raytown.

The fine for driving with expired plates comes close to $100 in a Fourth Class City in Missouri. Those fines, coupled with revenue from the Personal Property Taxes  people are required to pay on their vehicles and other personal property (automobiles, motorcycles, boats, motor homes, etc.), could help extend our city's street repair program.

Raising everyone's taxes to make up the shortfall of scofflaws who believe they are above the law and do not have pay their fair share is not a solution.

Raytowners have already been buried in historically high property tax increases this year.  Ignoring scofflaws who refuse to license their vehicles and pay their Personal and Real Property Tax in a timely manner is not a solution.

Proper enforcement of our City and State laws is the solution.

Raytown should join surrounding cities like Kansas City and Independence in stepping up enforcement on expired temporary license tags.

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GREG WALTERS

One of our regular contributors to the Raytown Report saw the following news story broadcast KCTV5 earlier this week. Senior homeowners in Jackson County, Missouri, can now apply for a new property tax credit program that freezes their bills.

Jackson County, Missouri officials announced on Monday, March 4, that the State of Missouri has launched to assist those eligible with property tax payments on their home. The program was authorized by Senate Bill 190 and freezes property tax bills for those approved for the program.

Senior Homeowners in Jackson County
eligible for new Property Tax Program
By Sarah Motter / KCTV5

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Senior homeowners in Jackson County, Missouri, can now apply for a new property tax credit program that freezes their bills.

Jackson County, Missouri officials announced on Monday, March 4, that the State of Missouri has launched to assist those eligible with property tax payments on their home. The program was authorized by Senate Bill 190 and freezes property tax bills for those approved for the program.

Applications for the program have been made available and those approved in 2024 will see the tax credit benefit on their bill in 2025.

According to a statement published by Jackson County, Missouri “Jackson County is dedicated to supporting the well-being of our senior residents, enriching their overall quality of life. This initiative offers significant benefits, ensuring financial relief and stability for eligible individuals. We encourage qualified residents to take advantage of the opportunity presented by this valuable program.”

County officials also said the bill established guidelines for the county program, which include:

• Eligibility Criteria - The program is available to Jackson County residents eligible for Social Security retirement benefits and meet specific property ownership requirements.
• Tax Credit Amount - The year an application is approved sets the base amount for the property tax bill freeze. This will be the amount the resident will pay moving forward.
• One Primary Residence - Applicants can only claim one primary home which must be occupied by the eligible resident.
• Market Value Maximum - The market value of the property must be less than $550,000 to be eligible for the program by a law passed by the Jackson County legislature.

Officials said all applications and supporting documents will be due by Dec. 31 each year - online and in-person. Applicants will need to submit a new application each year. Renewal applications are due by Aug. 31 each year.

Applications can be found HERE. Copies will also be available at both Collection Department locations at the Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Kansas City and the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence.

For more information about the application process, click HERE.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from KCTV5.
Originally published Mar. 4, 2024 at 1:10 PM CST|Updated: Mar. 5, 2024 at 12:48 PM CST

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BY GREG WALTERS

"Xóchitl"
DEBUTS AT SAINT REGIS
"Xóchitl" is from the Nahuatl language spoken by the Aztecs in Central Mexico. 

The word means "flower". The dance group is made up entirely of women from Saint John Francis Parish located just south of Raytown at 8941 James A. Reed Road in Kansas City, Missouri.

The members of the dance group (pictured on the left) design and create their own dresses. The show they perform is amazing with singing and group dancing that is a pleasure to observe. 

With colors, smiles, and exotic dancing set to mariachi songs they captivated the audience.

Their hope is to continue sharing their heritage with the community and to show young ladies the beauty of the Mexican folklore and the richness of their traditions.

Their next performance is scheduled for Saturday, June 15th  at  Feast of St. John Francis Regis, at 4:00 p.m.

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Truth Watch Returns!

BY TRUTH WATCH

Hello readers. Some of you may remember me. I used to write a column for the Raytown Report named “Truth Watch”.

Last week I saw a post by Raytown’s very own Ward 3 Alderman, Ryan Myers. He was responding to other posts that were published on Raytown Unleashed. The author of one of those posts said Walmart does not pay any taxes in Raytown. Thank goodness Ryan saw the post and corrected the writer!

Alderman Myers wrote, “Walmart paid nearly half a million dollars in property tax for 2023. That figure does not include the personal property tax paid.”

I wondered if Ryan was being totally honest with his explanation. The part I found baffling was why didn’t he publish the figure Walmart paid in property taxes?

The fact that he did not use whole numbers but prefaced his dollar amount on property tax as “nearly half a million dollars” makes me wonder, “Why the parsing of words on the amount he wrote of as a fact?

Ryan also left out that Walmart does not pay ANY personal property tax on the merchandise on its shelves.

That is because Walmart does not own the “merchandise” on their store shelves.

The retail items on the shelves at a Walmart are not owned by Walmart. Therefore Walmart is not responsible for “personal property tax” on those items.

Which means Walmart pays very little (if any) Business Personal Property Tax on the retail items on their shelves for the public to purchase. Hope this information clears up the question.

Alderman Myers should be more generous in his explanations. Terms like “somewhere around half a million dollars” is pure conjecture. Indicating the retail giant pays Business Personal Property Tax when, in fact, they do not, is clearly misleading, if not dishonest.

It is also important to remember that Walmart is located where it is because of a Taxpayer paid TIF (Tax Increment Financing). This TIF  requires sales tax revenue collected by the retail giant be paid by shoppers when they make their purchases. The sales tax from those purchases is then used to pay the debt to create the shopping center in which they are shopping.

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Why Not Raytown?

BY GREG WALTERS

One of our regular contributors came across the following press release from the Independence Police Department (IPD). The release notifies the public the IPD will be ramping up a program of enforcement on expired temporary tags in their city. Kansas City, Missouri and Gladstone, Missouri have both initiated similar programs for their cities.

We regularly receive complaints from Raytown homeowners about the outrageous amount of expired temporary tags being used by automobile owners in Raytown. 

That's not to say all of those cars are owned in Raytown. After all, our city is only two miles wide. But it does show the need for Raytown to join in the effort in correcting the problem.

Raytown should join Kansas City and Independence in a unified front of enforcement to make sure everyone is paying their fair share of tax dollars. To ignore the problem would be counterproductive to solid governmental practices.

Up until this point only two cities in the metropolitan area (on the Missouri side) have ramped up enforcement on scofflaws who believe they do not have to pay their fair share in taxes.

Both Kansas City and Gladstone have discovered an increase in the number of outstanding warrants they have been able to enforce through the traffic stops. This bonanza of revenue could be earmarked for Raytown's most pressing problem - the repair and upkeep of our neighborhood streets. 

For Immediate Release
FROM THE INDEPENDENCE MISSOURI POLICE DEPARTMENT 

Due to the large number of expired tags and license plates, the Independence Police Department will begin a zero tolerance enforcement campaign during the last week in February.

We encourage everyone to help do their part and get their vehicle license current and valid insurance before that time. Expired temp tags and license plates are one of the most common complaints we hear from citizens.

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Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs
on their repeat as Super Bowl Champions!

UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE EXCITING GAMES

WE HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF WATCHING.

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A little over two weeks ago we received the following blog on the Back Pages of the Raytown Report.

Blogger Chris Inlow wrote . . .

Greg,

You stated the reasons why this logo is bad, for which I agree. But what do you think the new logo should be? What colors should it be? What should it have on it?

Very respectfully,

Chris Inlow

January 19, 2024 at 12:28 PM

Battle of the Flags Continues
A municipal flag should easily be identified as to what it represents. For that simple reason we have placed the City’s name as the dominant language at the top of the flag. The type underneath the flag shows the City can trace its roots back to 1858. It shows Raytown was incorporated in 1950.

It is proof positive that Raytowns history as a community currently spans 166 years.

The symbolism of the anvil and the outline of a black smith in the act of striking the anvil shows the city’s roots go back to when Raytown was a destination on the Santa Fe Trail.

On the national level, this has proven to be a well worn path. Two of the most recognizable flags in our world are the United Kingdom’s “Union Jack”, and the United States “Star Spangled Banner”. 

The Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom. It is so called because it combines the crosses of the three countries united under one Sovereign - the kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland (although since 1921 only Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom).

The American Flag became known as the Star Spangled Banner after Francis Scott Key saw a bombardment of Fort McHenry by English ships during the War of 1812.

In 1818 Congress enacted the third and last Flag Resolution, requiring the 13 stripes symbolized the original 13 colonies. The number of stars should always match the number of states, and any new star should be added on the July 4 following a state’s admission.

This has been the system ever since. The last two states to be added to the flag came about in 1959 when Hawaii and Alaska became our 49th and 50th States.

Both flags are unique. Each tells a unique story of the history of the country they represent. Raytown’s flag should do as much.

So, without any further ado, here is our suggestion for a new flag for Raytown, Missouri.

OUR THOUGHTS . . .

The most important part of any symbol of a community is that it tells a story. The symbols used on the flag shown at right are unique to Raytown.

The opening of the Santa Fe Trail increased the number of people coming into the area.  Raytown had become an important point for settlers and adventurers heading west. Cattle, oxen, fruits and vegetables were purchased from the farmers already in the area. Soon blacksmiths, wagon makers and iron workers were coming from the east to add their much needed skills to the growing number of wagon trains. 

As more and more travelers pushed westward along the Santa Fe and Oregon trails, pioneers, predominantly from Kentucky and Virginia, began to settle in numbers.

They discovered an area of high wooded ridges that reminded them of the shrouded Blue Ridge Mountains of their former homes. They named the land Blue Ridge, and the adjoining streams, the Big Blue and Little Blue Rivers.

Several tradesmen set up businesses along the trail. William Ray, born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1808, was a blacksmith who moved to Jackson County around 1848 and established his shop on the Santa Fe Trail.

Ray’s blacksmith shop was located at a crossroads where the Santa Fe Trail was crossed by other important trails. It became a meeting and gather place for pioneers to continue their trek to the west. 

By 1850, William Ray’s blacksmith shop was well established on what is now the intersection of 63rd & Raytown Road. He purchased the seven acres of land for $72.16.

William Ray’s shop, therefore, became a geographic landmark and is mentioned twenty-seven times in the next fourteen months of county court proceedings. William Ray himself appears to have been somewhat of celebrity. By 1854, his neighbors were referring to the town as “Ray’s Town,” and eventually, “Raytown.”

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