Rounding Up

Yesterday’s KC Star, Northland Neighborhood News, pages 4-5

Continuing coverage of the PH School Board races and the Bond issue ($49.5mm)

Candidate Paul Kendrick makes some interesting comments, including “year-round attendance” for the school calendar.  She says, “That would not add days, but would include four long breaks throughout the year”  (Wow, wonder how much support that has from parents and teachers?)  Candidate Michael  Atchison tiptoes up to the same issue with his concerns about “long summer breaks” but stops short of calling for the remedy proposed  by Pauli.

One other quote from Pauli on her qualifications, ”being mayor of the city of Weatherby Lake for eight years has prepared me for the school board”.  Curious comment because as some might observe, she was  mayor for 7 and a half years and quit before her term would have expired, smack dab in the budget process for the coming year, leaving the city in a bit of a lurch.

Today's KC Star's "recommendations" bypass Kendrick in favor of Atchison, Rick Turley, and Janice Bolin. The Star says Fred Sanchez is "the clear choice" for the one year term.  I partially agree with the Star, Sanchez is the clear choice not to be elected, rather either newcomer, WL citizen Todd Burr or David Cox would be good additions to the Board.

  

If You Received Mary's Special Board Meeting Note

PROJECTED TAX LEVY NOTICE REQUIREMENT DELAYED FOR CITIES LOCATED IN NON-CHARTER COUNTIES AND JEFFERSON COUNTY … In 2008, the Missouri General Assembly passed S.B. 711 which requires each political subdivision to provide the county with an estimated property tax rate by April 8 of each year; after the county provides data on assessed valuation (codified in 137.243 RSMo). Failure to do so results in a mandatory 20 percent reduction in the tax rate. This provision took effect in the four charter counties in 2009, and would have taken effect in the other counties in 2011 was it not for legislation delaying its implementation.

In 2010 the General Assembly amended S.B. 588, Sections 137.180 and 137.355 RSMo delaying the implementation of the liability notice requirement until the state Tax Commission develops the necessary software.  No appropriation was made for such software, so it will not be furnished in the near future - certainly not in the 2011 tax year.  League staff has confirmed with the state auditor that there is no need for municipalities to submit projected tax levies by April 8, 2011, and that no penalties will be assessed.

http://www.mocities.com/MuncipalNewsletter.March.2011.htm

I did not underline, that is in the MML Newsletter...mm

Homemade Biscuits

There are eight candidates for the PH School District Board to fill three seats for three year terms and three candidates for one, one year term.  The District web site has a page dedicated to the election.
http://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/Pages/BoardCandidates.aspx

One issue that isn't generally known is a proposal to outsource the lunch program to a vendor who would supply food from an outside kitchen, closing down the food prep at the individual schools.  Why? To save money and two of the proponents for removing food service are running for the Board, Pauli Kendrick for a three year term and Fred Sanchez for a one year term.  Can you imagine what the food would be like trucked in to the schools?  I'm thinking PBJ might be a better deal.  I can't imagine the kids on subsidized lunches will be thrilled either, probably, currently, their best meal of the day.  Anybody care?  Candidates Janice Bolin, Michael Atchison, and Boon Lee are in favor of retaining the food service at the schools.  Candidates Todd Burr and David Cox running for the one year term are in favor of retaining as well.

I have had the pleasure of eating lunch at Renner and Plaza as our kids made it through the gauntlet, the food was good.  Haven't eaten at the High School, but our two Trojans give thumbs up.  If you can't find a reason to vote, maybe keeping the kitchens would be enough to go to the CC next Tuesday.

What was served at least in one of the schools yesterday?  From scratch, homemade biscuits.
    

Image by androidny via Flickr

Candidates Forum tonight at the PH District Offices on Barry Road, 6PM, bring your own biscuits.
 

School Bored

Aside from the WL races for aldermen (Hoy & Folkedahl) why should you vote in April?  (Okay, neither one would inspire me to spend the gas money to blacken the oval) (You could always write-in somebody I guess)

The Park Hill School District Board election.  Why should you even care?

• Do you have kids/grandkids in the district?
• Do you pay property tax? (you do know what % of your hard earned money goes to PH, right?)

There are a pack of wannabes for positions on the board, and if voters were persuaded, WL would end up with three Board members, Kendrick (a sort of incumbent who made it to the Board by appointment), Schnell (an incumbent not up for election) and Burr ( a newcomer trying to make the Board for the first time).  Usually the races are pretty benign, but this election has a bit of spice.  The current issue of the Luminary has a front page piece entitled "Lies, Partisan Politics, and Class Warfare".  It highlights comments and allegations about incumbent Fred Sanchez, current VP of the Board.  (Interesting note, the article points out the political affiliations of some candidates in an election that is nonpartisan.  Sanchez is identified as a "democrat", not a secret, and those in the know are aware he and Pauli Kendrick are Democratic political allies).

More on the election later, grab the 25 March edition of the Luminary for the full story.  I'll post more on the election during the week, including an issue not likely to be addressed anywhere...except here.

A School Board Candidate Forum will be held Tuesday, March 29th, 6PM, Room 110 at the PH District Office, 7703 NW Barry Road.  Hopefully all 8 candidates will be there, I suspect the proceedings could get a bit frisky.     

A Sly Win

I haven't seen the exact numbers but the KC Star reported newly elected Mayor Sly James did "poorly" (I believe it was better than 2 to 1 in favor of Burke) in the Northland.  When asked about this he said "The extent that we constantly re-emphasize our differences, then we are simply embedding that difference in the minds of the people in this city".  There was a wisecrack during the campaign that the only time Sly made it north of the river was on his way to the airport.  Time of course will tell.  Bless the man, he is inheriting a mind boggling pile of problems.

In regards to WL, it will be status quo.  The bureaucracy of KCMO is alive and well, ask Joe and Jerry.  Examples include Peret, Barry Road,  Dredging to the Bean Field, Water Department and Lift Stations.  KCMO will do what they want, when they want to and how.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ig-6f0g55c

The Dredge Report, 2

From the minutes of the WLIC February Board meeting, page 4:

"Further discussion was had concerning the contract price, and the benefits of discharging on the Amity-Barry property including the ease of permitting and the savings of approximately $7.00 a yard (approximately $280,000 gross savings).  ( I added the Red)

That is a chunk of change to take in the shorts, which apparently Dredge America did.  Ouch.

The Dredge Report

If you are wondering when the prep work is going to start on the Bean Field for the dredging operation...forgeddaboutit.  Here is the recent change of plans.  You might recall the idea was to use the BF for the dredging of North Cove and north end sites.  Apparently EPA and DNR approvals had been secured but...our friends at KCMO said Whoa!  I am not privy to the details but apparently the specter of a long drawn out back and forth with KCMO (remember Peret?) moved the Dredge America and WLIC to plan B.

Plan B involves adding approximately 2,000 more feet of pipe to transport all of the material below the dam.  Plan B would involve no extra cost to WLIC, or so I am told.  I did not attend last Monday's WLIC monthly meeting...if you did or want to add your 2 cents, feel free. 

Truth or Dare

The sign says "Closed"  do I go ahead anyway?...or this morning (yesterday) early, Beech is completely blocked, yesterday it was open, this afternoon it is open again, ...or yesterday Crawford was open and late this AM it was not.  Sorry, I'm giving up on updates because they change by the time I post.

How about those Royals?...yes, I am going to the opener, pray for good weather.      

Image by smiteme via Flickr

When Does "Road Closed" Mean Open?

Cornfused?
Interesting day...began with da boss coming home and declaring Potomac @ Barry was closed.  Being the trusting soul I went to take a looksee myself.  Doggone if she wasn't right, three barricades across (pics on previous post).  Later in the afternoon the barricades had been moved back to allow a car/truck to easily move through.  This evening they had been adjusted again to barely allow a car to squeeze by...and on Barry there was a kind of obstacle course to zig-zag around.  I doubt a fire engine could maneuver around any of it unless a crew hopped out and gave it a heave-ho...what the heck, it's only someone else's house (it will never happen to yours).

The crew of two was still on the job @ 6 as I went to Park Hill for a band concert...didn't see any stops, but they were gunning cars as they came up Barry.

After a warm spring day...what does a person do?
http://www.hark.com/clips/gvzjdcpnzh-i-dont-always-drink-beer-but-when-i-do-i-prefer-dos-equis  

Radar Love Redux

Image by Mikey G Ottawa via Flickr

Radar Pop Out @ Beech and Barry, two officers with a gun shooting down the hill (4:30 PM), caught one car as I was driving down Barry...zoom, zoom, zoom.  25 or pay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw9CzSSk218

Potomac Closed

Well, that didn't take long, Potomac closed @ the tennis courts.  Hillside is now the alternative route to Barry, Beech (although there are Closed signs can be used) is the pass through WildWood to get to 152.  How long will Potomac be closed?  My recommendation call/email  your alderman:
Mary Hoy
584-1365
maryhoy@kc.rr.com

Vic DeJong
587-4865
vjdkan@sbcglobal.net

 I watched a number of cars, clueless to the closed road go all the way up Potomac, only to have to turn back and go to Wayland/Hillside.  Below is @ 82nd Terr (also closed) and Potomac.

Beech @ Barry, although it says closed, can be navigated to 152. 

City Web site http://www.cityofweatherbylake-mo.gov/alertView.aspx?alertid=41 
Enjoy!

Barry Blocked

Westside-Barry going West

Barry @ Arcola

Your excursion to the GrassPad will take a bit more, either through Wildwood or back side off Kerns...Same for 152, I had been using Barry if I was going West on 152 to 435, will have to punt on that one.  Where is Amity when you need it?

You Cain't Get There From Here

Image by jpmatth via Flickr

Pics later today of what is (and isn't) blocked on the West side.

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What Should We Do?

Yesterday afternoon, around 3PM, I was making my way home down Barry in a moderate rain.  From the top of Barry east of East Side down the hill a steady stream of chocolate water made its way downhill...towards the lake.  I decided to turn on to Hillside instead of my usual Potomac.  As I turned on to Hillside there was a steady stream of dark brown water, evading silt fences and going into the stream...that leads into the lake.  The water was going across a City street, into the creek that led into WLIC property...our lake.  We are about to embark on a very expensive dredging operation, a big piece is North Cove.  The City has laws that could be enforced, WLIC has gathered (I am told) lots of data regarding the situation (Stream Team).  So in answer to ANON's question, I will pose a question...If your neighbor continues to do an activity that harms your property, despite their promises and talking nice...what would you do?    

Mr Ed

Image by MoBikeFed via Flickr

No not that one, the other one, Ed Ford, (FOWL-Friend Of Weatherby Lake).  Ed is running again for his KCMO 2nd District At-Large seat.  Same edition of the Star (16 March) gives Ed's platform which includes, "we're going to have to get in there and bloody their nose occasionally".  That's my boy!  Nah, he isn't talking about the WL BOA and Mayor (or is he?).  He is referring to those varmits from KS that are poaching businesses from KCMO (how is that e-tax working for ya Ed?)  No mention of Barry Road...what a miss, huh?  His ad in the same issue mentions "Road Improvements", might be a less offensive code term for BR.

The Other Shoe Drops

Mary Hoy forwarded this from Greg Sager, Dept of Public Works, Platte County

In the meantime, the aforementioned Russ made these comments about the new 72nd street project in KCMO:

"Noting that disruption in residents' lives needs to be kept to a minimum, Councilman Johnson said, "The contractor will receive a bonus if they are able to shorten the construction time of this project, thereby minimizing disruption to the residents of the valley."

The project's contractor will be able to close Green Hills Road for only 120 days, and will receive a bonus if the project is completed by Nov. 15, 2012.

Novel concept, huh?

Russ

Image by MoBikeFed via Flickr

KCMO 2nd District Councilman Russ Johnson is running for re-election.  His district includes the area north of  Barry Road.  A recent KC Star article (March 16, page 6 Northland section) highlights his accomplishments to wit "devoted his first term to pushing for improvements such as the widening of Barry Road" and "We are the envy of the city as far as infrastructure development".


Indeed.

Pump Failure=Poo

Pump failure contributes to release of more than 1 million

gallons of partially treated wastewater in St. Joseph

 

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MARCH 14, 2011 – A pump failure late Friday night, combined with increased stormwater runoff, contributed to the release of an estimated 1.2 million gallons of partially treated wastewater from the St. Joseph wastewater treatment system, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

City officials notified the department early Saturday to report that a pump in a pump station between the city’s primary and secondary treatment facilities malfunctionedon Friday, allowing the partially treated wastewater to overflow to the Missouri River.

Because the wastewater had already received partial treatment, and because of the increase of stormwater that is contributing to the overflow, the release to the Missouri River is not expected to affect drinking water systems down river that draw their raw drinking water from the river.

The department considers discharges of wastewater from sanitary sewer collection systems to be potential threats to public health and the environment. Such discharges have the potential to contaminate lakes and streams, causing serious water quality problems.

Sanitary sewer overflows can be caused by mechanical failure, obstructions in sewer lines, infiltration of rainwater and snow melt into aging systems, or undersized systems that cannot compensate for sudden increases in wastewater.

Communities across Missouri produce millions of gallons of wastewater that must be properly transported and treated before being released to waterways. However, some communities are facing challenges in accomplishing this.

In order to protect public health and the environment, the department requires communities to take appropriate action to eliminate their sanitary sewer overflow issues. To do this, communities should develop a system to track information about such incidents, including the date, time, location and size of the overflow, weather data, who notified them, when they notified the department and the measures taken to respond. The community can then use this data to aid in developing a plan to inspect the collection system, and plan and finance system upgrades.

Dirt *y Jobs

Image by iamthechad via Flickr

(Picture not WL-Drive Barry Road to see the real dirt)
As the road construction ramps up with the warming weather Barry-East, Amity and Barry west of West side are getting plenty of action.  Can't help but notice new ground laid bare and big piles of dirt at the corner of East side and Barry.  Erosion and siltation control?  Some.  Enough?  You make the call...my opinion is it borders on atrocity.  Have we(City/WLIC) made any noise?  Don't know, hope so...and if so we aren't getting much of a response.  Yikes  Rain predicted for Sunday/Monday.

Just in time, WLIC has issued a call for Stream Team volunteers:
Dear WLIC Members,

A Stream Team Committee Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 19^th at 10:00 am, in Town Hall (City Hall).  Existing Members and New Volunteers are welcome to join us for the first meeting of the year.

The WLIC Stream Team collects water samples during stormwater events to monitor runoff from construction sites in our watershed.  We would greatly appreciate volunteers willing to help!

Our Agenda will include:

1)       Opening Comments

2)       Reviewing Testing Procedures

3)       Equipment Needs

4)       Review Testing Calendar

5)       Review Test Sites

6)       Determine Date for New Volunteer Training

7)       Field / Site Visit in Teams

Please Join Us!

Weatherby Lake Improvement Company

7200 N.W. Eastside Drive

Weatherby Lake, MO 64152

Ph.(816) 741-5556

Fax (816) 741-2081

www.wlic.org

Last Sunday

All you Spring Breakers that might have been out of town...Ray Staton has sent a link to Shutterfly with pics from the parade and party @ CC.

http://wlyc2011events.shutterfly.com/

It's My Fault

Image via Wikipedia

Got up early Saturday morning, felt energized, declared "Spring had arrived" and took the chains off my lawn tractor in preparation for Spring cleanup.  Don't mess (or tempt) Mother Nature.  "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned/Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned."

I think this happened last year.  Deja Vu?  Or was that Deja Moo (Google that).  Anyway Gary Amble says mid-60's by mid-week.  Me, I'm heading to Oregon, bidness.

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Lights Out?

Image via Wikipedia

Neighbor across the lake commented on the new pavilion on C Point.  Nice looking but why are the outside lights on at night, especially during the winter/spring months when it is not being used?  Don't know, anybody got the scoop?

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Easter Bunnies and Green Beer

Image via Wikipedia

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
1 March
(as told to me by two WL citizens)

Almost every church has em, folks who show up for Easter services and then go unseen for the rest of the liturgical year (okay, maybe Christmas too).  Pastor called them "Easter Bunnies".  WL has its own version of those who get inspired to attend the BOA for whatever reason and then hop off into the sunset.  Count FOJ among them (Friends Of Jerry).  In any event, one of the Bunnies is now converting to the real deal in just a month.  Dave Folkedahl will take his place on the BOA (unless Elvis wins by write-in) at the next BOA meeting.

Dave might be able to keep Jerry straight...Mr Folkedahl pointed out to the Mayor he had bypassed the first item on the agenda.  Seems the Mayor didn't have updated agenda.  Jerry tends to wander a bit any way so any help in sticking to the program will be appreciated.

Image by MattJhsn via Flickr

WL kicks off the St Pat's season tomorrow with the annual Parade followed by beer bust at the CC.  Green attire not optional.  Some folks may be AWOL as this is Spring Break time for the schools.

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OOPS

Almost missed it, yesterday marked three years of the blog, 943 posts and 57,652 "hits" later still at it.  What a hoot.

Image via Wikipedia

Sometimes It Is What Isn't Said

Image by Digital Sextant via Flickr

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
1 March
(as reported to me by two WL citizens)

Noticeable stuff not mentioned or discussed at the BOA:

• No report, Audit Committee. Pretty much a defunct group, you recall Jerry organized the committee just after his election as Mayor.  If one of their mandates is financial oversight of the City coffers,  they are asleep at the wheel.
• No report, Barry Road.  Spring has sprung (hopefully) and the little orange flags and barricades have popped up from Potomac and west.  Could the dozers be far behind?  Nothing mentioned @ BOA.  Yesterday the light poles between Forest and Hillside were put up, no electricity as of last night.  KCMO does love to light up the place, the spacing between lights is quite small
• No report, EAGC (Entrance Advisory Group Committee).  This might not be a bad thing based on the many negative comments posted by readers here in the last year.  For all the hubba-hubba during the launch of the project it is eerily quiet...stillborn? Last posted minutes on the City web site, Nov 2009.  
• No report, Airport Information Committee. Formerly known as the Airport Noise Committee,  this committee is quieter than an MD-80 (bad analogy, huh?)  Not sure when they last met.  City web site indicates all terms of committee members expire this year...should the committee expire as well? 

TimeOut

Not finished with the BOA Minutes...will continue tomorrow.

Image via Wikipedia

Meth is, as the KC Star editorial mentioned yesterday, "a scourge on this region"
http://www.kansascity.com/editorials/
On this everyone can agree.  How to attack the problem is another matter.  Currently in the Kansas and Missouri legislatures there are bills moving forward that would require over the counter pseudoephedrine products (Loratadine D, Mucinex D, etc.) to become prescription.  These products are one of the sources illicit meth dealers use to concoct their brew.   In Missouri these products are really called Behind The Counter, because pharmacies keep them back by the pharmacist in order to have a higher level of scrutiny.  The feeling is by some, primarily law enforcement, that making these products prescription only (Rx) will help stem the flow of meth.  Would that it would be that easy.

I suffer from seasonal allergies.  I take a prescription drug which control them perfectly.  Sometimes I take a "D" product in the first couple of weeks of the season when my allergies are the worst.  I trip on down to CVS and get one package...takes care of my problem.  My doctor knows I take the product, frankly encourages it.  If the new law were passed another burden is added to the health care system.  Yesterday the Wall Street Journal documented the problems with the new changes to Flex Savings Accounts across the country.  This year in order to use Flex Savings for designated over the counter products you must get a prescription for common products, including aspirin or cough medicine.  Primary care offices are being overwhelmed with the added work load of writing Rx's or even worse, requiring an office visit, in order to write the Rx.  Some docs are worried about the liability of writing the Rx without seeing the patient...even for aspirin.  Really.  Some offices are charging a $5 or $10 dollar fee for an over the phone Rx.  Rx will not be the cure, just look at the problems with oxycontin and other abused Rx drugs.  

What can you do?  If you haven't read the editorial in the Star, take a look (I don't often agree with the editorial page).  Then call or email your state representative, readers in our area...that is Rep Nick Marshall.
573-751-6593 
Nick.Marshall@house.mo.gov

The House will probably consider a bill early next week, so contact with Nick's office is important today or tomorrow.

Ignorance Is Bliss

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA

1 March

(as reported to me by two WL citizens)

The flyer sent out by the WLIC recently had dredge information.  It also gave a brief update on activities with KCMO regarding the protection of our water shed.

Jerry expounded on a recent meeting with KCMO officials that included Jerry, Vic and George.  Jerry mentioned all the “improvements” that KCMO has done including the permanent/backup pump at the Eastside lift station, flyover surveys of the system and performance measures on flow.  The assertion was made that even during a storm event the data from KCMO shows well within limit.   Rick Noble, in the audience, challenged the information provided by KCMO.   The Mayor’s response to the question, directed back to Rick was, “ Well, do YOU have any experience with that kind of data?”  A few in the crowd couldn’t believe that Jerry was serious.  Rick's response back to Jerry was…” Why yes I do.  We checked ourselves on several occasions and our figures and KC’s were miles apart” 

Apparently it hadn’t occurred to Jerry and the crew to check on the checkers.  If there were any historians in the group they would have hearkened back to the battles with Steiner/Zona Rosa.

Nope. 

New Faces

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
Mar 1
(As reported by two WL citizens)

New names @ City Hall

• Nan Jones, Asst Clerk, appointed to help City Clerk Gwen
• Rich Torkelson, MS4 Committee (Water Quality)
• Tim Heiman, Police Officer
• Jim Neal, Carol Hornung, Park Board  

FYI, If you are so moved to attend the next BOA meeting...it has been moved to April 12th to steer clear of election day on April 5th

Keep On Truckin

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
March 1
(as reported to me by two WL citizens)

Image by JLaw45 via Flickr

Ah, spring is in the air and the smell of new vehicles is a wisp across the lake.
The BOA approved the purchase of a new Chevy Tahoe as a replacement police vehicle, cost around $28,000 on the State of MO contract.  4 WD.  The standard Crown Vics are no longer being produced.  Look for July or August for delivery of the car.

George has had trouble with the two diesel trucks and is thinking of trading for gas...although the diesels are still in warranty.  (They have found out that gas in a diesel truck does not work...so I guess going back to gas will solve that problem.)


 It will be interesting to see the impact of rising gas prices on the City Budget.

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CPR@BOA

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
March 1
(as reported to me by two WL citizens)

Image by aldenjewell via Flickr

Discussion continues concerning the poor response times by KCFD (Kansas City Fire Department)(formerly known as MAST).  Vic had to be put on life support as Jerry, Tanya and Gary tried to explain the who/how/when of 911 response.  Apparently Vic believes there is a duplication of services and doesn't understand why.  Never mind he is in his second term and this has been explained to him ad nauseum (fancy Latin word meaning to the point of being nauseated...could be him, could be me)(speaking of me, I have explained/discussed this at two BOA meetings or more).  Just in case you are in the dark or run into Vic in the near future, here is the scoop if you call 911 for an medical emergency:

•  WLPD/SPFD/KCFD are notified (Weatherby Lake Police Department/South Platte Fire/Kansas City Fire receive the dispatch...Other police/sheriff may respond if WL is at a call.
• First responder usually is WL who have basic equipment (AED) and training.  SPFD, who is under contract with WL for first response and fire usually arrives shortly thereafter, higher level of training and ability to assist WL officer.  KCFD, as the agent for the South Platte Ambulance District, usually arrives last...and lately, at least half of the time beyond the contract agreement of response within 9 minutes (which is the national norm as well).  The primary role of KCFD at this point is transport to hospital if necessary.  The City has active control of the Police Department, The WL Fire Protection District Board oversees contract with South Platte and the Board of the South Platte Ambulance District has responsibility of the contract with KCFD.
• The question of the deteriorating response rates of KCFD is interesting.  The previous agent, MAST had generally acceptable response rates with a couple of exceptions.  Since KCFD has taken over MAST, not so much.  Bobby Kincaid, President of the Board has talked tough, but seemingly has been smoked by the Chief of KCFD, Smoky Dyer.
• Test will follow tomorrow, please forward the answers (above) to Vic.

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Trashed

Image via Wikipedia

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
March 1
(as reported to me by two fellow WL citizens)

The Continuing Trash Saga
Vic gave a half hour presentation on his (and Tanya's) exploration of options on the next trash contract for the City.  The idea is to combine trash, yard waste, recycle and bulk items into one contract.  (Bloggers note: As you know we already have the option of trash/bulk and the ability to add yard if you choose)  Apparently part of the rationale for contract including recycle is the Mayor/BOA is fed up with the cost/mess of the recycle bins @ City Hall and the CC.  Platte Woods seems to be the model favored by the Mayor/BOA, largely because it is cheaper.  (Bloggers note:  Jerry has a fondness for Platte Woods, often using them as a reason why we should consider not having street lights.  Now if he would only adopt their approach to Entrance Monuments)  It is my understanding the amount of trash and yard waste allowed would be substantial, especially if you live in a household with a family of 4 or more (see Shrinking).  The City would be seeking a 3 year contract beginning August 1, with the ability to renew twice.  At least one citizen voiced concern/comment on why the City had to do anything at all.  (Good point, there has never been anyone at a BOA meeting that I have attended that has complained about the trash service or cost...in fact I have felt Allied Waste, the current provider, has given excellent service)  Should the City fix something that apparently isn't broken?  You better make the call...before it is made for you.

The Sun Also Rises

Image via Wikipedia

Finishing my penance for the week in SFO, well it could be worse.  Local news focuses on the state and city budget deficits, even the Dems realize something has to give.  SFO alone is in the red by $630 million.  Got to talk with the head of the City Health Plan, the benefits offered to employees, mostly organized, are stunning, would make even Wisconsin blush.  Changes are coming, everybody agrees.

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
March 1

Even though I was AWOL, a couple of citizens were kind enough to contribute notes/info to pass along to you...so here it goes.

Mayor's Comments

• Platte County fair this year is #150,  all cities have been asked to attend an organizing meeting.
• KCMO water rate increase around 4.5% in April/May..."we" have elected not to pass along the increase because we increased rates last year.  (Okay, I can't help but comment on this one.  If you have read this blog at all you realize that Jerry and the BOA have passed up rate increases two years running prior to a belated increase last year.  In my opinion refusal to pass on the increase is short sighted and harmful long term...in a word STUPID.  Sorry, that is the most polite word I can think of.)
• More to follow, including the latest on Trash and the City's perspective of the KCMO efforts to protect out lake...well what KCMO says.  

Related articles

• Brown defends deep cuts in California budget - San Francisco Chronicle (news.google.com)

Shrinking

The census data is out and WL looks to be a little bit smaller these days, 150 people less to be exact.  We are down to 1,723 mostly white folks.  Conjecture is it might have an effect where revenue sharing from the county and state include population as part of the formula.  Responsible child bearing age couples should consider assisting their more senior Weatherbeans by raising another crop of kids to combat the loss of bodies.  Consider it your civic duty...now get cracking.  

Related articles

• Census: Population jumps up - Source: The Daily Reflector (curmilus.wordpress.com)
• West Amwell Twp. doubts Census figures on population, race (nj.com)

BOADOA

Sorry to say I have to attend to business on the Left Coast and could not make the BOA last night...I assume there was a meeting.  I am recovering notes from interested parties who attended the meeting so all is not lost.

Copper in them thar hills
Hopefully there will be info on the copper heist in Sonoma Ridge.  Apparently a home under construction was stripped of all copper to the tune of a $$$$$ loss.  Ouch.

Related articles

• 'The great copper heist' (macleans.ca)
• Peak copper price keeps coppers busy (cbc.ca)

Agenda for BOA

per Mary Hoy email:
Dear Residents:

The following are items on the agenda for the regular BOA meeting, March 1,
7:00 PM at City Hall:

Waste Contract-RFP
Troops returned on Jan 22-23
Mayor's Prayer Breakfast March 2
The Happening 2/19
Hiring new office assistant Nan Jones
KCMO water rates

Discussion about per diem rates for employees and officials

Approval of bills $95,652.06 for January (meeting was cancelled in Feb. due
to snow)
Approval of Feb bills $247,926.30  (includes debt service fund in the amount
of $194,358.74)

Approval of ordinance NO 1118 approving N Miami water main construction
Discussion on status of trucks
Storm water grant application

Hiring new police officer Tim Heiman
Status of new police car

Nomination of Jim Neal and Carol Hornung to Parks Board

Hopefully we will not need to worry about more snow before this meeting.
Hope everyone is safe following last night's snow.  Enjoy your weekend, and
I hope to see you Tuesday night.

Mary Hoy
Westside Alderman