Monday, April 22, 2024

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INTRODUCTION BY GREG WALTERS
One of our regular contributors forwarded the following story, originally published by the St. Joseph Post about school violence. Raytown High School was the main topic of the article. We thought it appropriate to share the story with our Raytown readers.

Raytown students wanted a crackdown
on violence, guns in school.
Making the right changes is tricky.

 

Originally published on the St. Joseph Post

By Maria Benevento

In early February, Raytown High School sophomore Harper York crossed the street to pick up some M&Ms from a Casey’s store before her next rehearsal. Suddenly, she turned around from the checkout and saw a “mob fight” had broken out.

When the chaos died down and she got over her initial shock, Harper made a break for it.

“I don’t think I’ve ever run so fast across the parking lot in my life,” she said. “And before I cross the street, I look back and another (fight) is starting. … I can hear police sirens and ambulances, and people are on the ground, and people are crying. And it’s just like: Is this who we are?” 

While the gas station fight was the biggest Harper had seen, physical altercations in or near school had become common.

Even bystanders weren’t safe. A few days later, junior Chase Dernier ended up near a fight that turned into a large-scale shoving match. He got slammed into a wall, hitting his head hard enough to make it ache for days.

RAYTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
“A lot of us, we were scared to go to school. We were scared to leave our class to go to the next class,” Chase said. “We thought we were going to get caught up in a mob fight.”

 The last straw came when school officials confiscated three firearms from students in a two-week period.

Chase and Harper recruited classmates and other district residents to call leadership, attend the February school board meeting and sign up for public comment. They pushed for changes such as longer suspensions for students who fight and adding metal detectors to school.

Since that public pressure, students say Raytown High School has made effective changes, such as hall sweeps targeting students who aren’t in class. They’ve also seen signs that the district is seriously considering other measures such as installing weapons detectors.

Superintendent Penelope Martin-Knox said fully solving the problems of frequent fights and guns entering school requires combing through all the ideas to find what will actually work.

Schools throughout the country have been grappling with the ways traditional discipline and security tactics can cause long-term harm to students who make mistakes, exacerbate racial disparities and make school feel a little like jail.

Martin-Knox has also watched other districts seize on solutions that fail, such as when weapons make it past metal detectors.

“I don’t want to give people a false sense of hope,” she said. “I just need to make sure that what we do is going to be as effective as it possibly can be.”

Reiko Groves first appeared in front of the school board to perform a song from Raytown High School’s spring musical, “Six,” which reimagines Henry VIII’s wives as pop icons.

Reiko wishes she could have focused on her performance alone.

Instead, still in costume, the high school junior returned to the front of the audience and addressed the board as herself: a teenager worried about guns and violence.

“I go from performing for this great show that I was so proud of, to now I have to go speak about how, even though I love the (school) building, I don’t feel safe in it,” she said later. “I have to go fight for … almost my ability to perform (and) make sure everybody’s safe while performing.”

After students’ basic physical safety is secure, Reiko said, “we can focus on the well-being of our students to find solutions to not only survive, but thrive in Raytown schools.”

Students say the school climate hasn’t always been like this. But during the fall semester, violence started to feel like an everyday thing.

Incidents reached a peak in December, according to district data reported to the board. Students were in school for less than three weeks that month. But during that time, there were 50 suspensions for fighting and school officials confiscated three firearms.

Harper said she started begging her parents to let her stay home from school, even though it meant she would miss beloved activities like theater rehearsals. Chase, normally proud of his high attendance, was skipping school to lie in bed, feeling “mentally drained.”

They weren’t aware of the firearms found in December until later, but they did hear about three additional guns found during a two-week period in late January and early February.

The weapons weren’t fired or brandished, Martin-Knox said. School officials found them by searching students after suspicions were raised: a bullet found on a hallway floor, a phone call about a social media post.

The students said they weren’t planning to use the guns at school, Martin-Knox said.

“I heard the reasonings of, ‘You don’t know where I have to walk when I go home. You don’t know what happens when I get off the bus. I have to go to a relative’s house in a different community somewhere. And I just need to safeguard myself,’” she said.

But bringing a gun to school is a “nonnegotiable” that comes with legal consequences and the student’s permanent removal from in-person school, Martin-Knox said.

Consequences for fights can vary, but some students have argued they should be harsher.

“They think they’re trying to help the students,” Chase said. “But in reality, by lowering the suspension rates, it’s not holding students accountable.”

A rumor that suspensions for fighting have been uniformly reduced to three days from nine days isn’t true, Martin-Knox said. But she has emphasized to principals that they have discretion to set suspension lengths based on the circumstances.

Martin-Knox said schools also need to figure out how to help students understand and take responsibility for their actions when they return from suspension.

“Because otherwise,” she said, “I’m going to send you back out there, (and) you’re going to do it again.”

Schools nationwide are seeing more verbal and physical aggression from students since the return to in-person school after the pandemic, said Kenneth Trump, a school safety consultant.

Administrators face pressure to solve those issues, he said, especially when there are high-profile incidents involving weapons.

“It puts school leaders at great risk of what I call ‘do something, do anything, do it now and do it fast’ type of policy and practice rather than having a comprehensive assessment done of their safety,” he said. “We’re seeing many cases where that includes turning to physical security measures, security hardware products and technology.”

Those solutions don’t always work as promised, Trump said, especially when they aren’t executed perfectly. 

Locally, Kansas City Public Schools faced a lawsuit when a knife used in a fatal stabbing made it through a metal detector. 

“Your high school coach and a teacher’s aide and the principal working the screening at the front doors, (who) probably got an hour of training, total, on a new product they spent millions of dollars for in your district, is not going to be comparable to the TSA,” he said.

And when those staff members are pulled from other areas of the school, they lose opportunities to interact, head off conflicts before they escalate and build relationships with students who might be willing to tell a trusted adult about a weapons plot. 

“One of the best, strongest security measures in a school is a visible, actively supervising adult,” he said. 

That has borne out at Raytown High School, according to several students who credited a reduction in fights to regular hall sweeps — where students late to class are locked out, rounded up and warned or disciplined — and increased patrolling by security staff and administrators.

Some of the security measures can be double-edged swords.

Reiko says she understands why the school no longer holds assemblies — they were leading to fights — but is sad to miss out on the experiences.

The hallway sweeps can be anxiety-inducing, and she’s been stopped and questioned more often while on legitimate errands for her classes.

But she also appreciates the reduction in fights and being able to go to the bathroom without finding all the stalls filled by students skipping class.

“Probably the hardest part about this is finding that balance between … making sure it is truly a safe environment, but also not making it feel like it’s a prison or giving punishment that’s too harsh,” she said.

Students said they’d appreciate weapons detectors in schools despite potential drawbacks, such as feeding into racist stereotypes and perceptions that the school is dangerous.

Martin-Knox isn’t ruling out metal detectors in schools, but she says she needs to think through what schools would need to make them work, such as locking and putting sensors on additional doors and windows.

“I’m not going to invest district money, taxpayer money, or even grant money on something just to say I’ve done it,” she said.

The district has already begun increasing security measures for sporting events, which can bring large numbers of unknown people onto school grounds, Martin-Knox said.

At its March meeting, the board approved purchase of a weapons detection system that it hopes will streamline the security scans, spending $300,000 in Department of Elementary and Secondary Education safety grant funding and more than $22,000 in other district funds.

The system can be set to target dense metal shapes that might be a firearm, said Josh Hustad, director of facility operations, allowing people to pass through more quickly without taking small items out of their pockets and bags.

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Greg's Favorite Places - ZIG ZAG FALLS

Zig Zag Falls is 7/10ths of a mile along one of the most scenic trails in Mount Hood National Park. Most waterfalls in the Mount Hood National Park are vertical. Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall at 620’ tall. Zig Zag Falls is unique because it stretches out for 7/10ths of a mile. 

The fast moving water reminds one of a river or creek with rapids, but the fall is steep enough to be regarded as a true waterfall. 

NEGATIVE IONS: As you walk along Zig Zag Trail you can sense the rush of air propelled by the waterfall. There is no touch, or taste, but you can feel the negative ions. 

Negative Ions are generated by breaking the surface tension of the water. 

Falling water does this. Inhaling these ions increases the amount of these negative ions in your brain, killing germs that cause illness, and increases serotonin levels (improving mood, mental alertness, and relieving stress). 

The amount of negative ions in the forest, especially near moving water, is thousands of time greater than in your home. 

No wonder waterfalls are such popular hiking destinations.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

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.


Thursday, April 4, 2024

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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 59th Street and 63rd 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 59th and 63rd 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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Monday, March 4, 2024

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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