One of the issues raised during the campaign for county commissioner has been the construction project awarded to JE Dunn. Dunn was not the low bidder and is the former employer of Presiding Commissioner Jason Brown. Our Commissioner, Kathy Dusenbery cast the vote to award Dunn the contract. Although Dusenbery seems to infer "Staff" was in favor of the Dunn bid (see her web site) there is no mention of an email sent to the Commissioners from Platte county Parks and Rec chief Brian Nowotny. His email of October 26, 2011 says "I believe Straub (Construction) has the best combination of experience and personnel for this job, the two most important factors. I am particularly impressed with the team they have chosen to work with us, especially their project manager and superintendents."
He ends this recommendation to the Commissioners, "...I am most impressed with the Straub team, top to bottom"
Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Home Stretch
A week from tomorrow marks the primary election date...and the mailers are flying hot and heavy. Look at it this way...the Postal Service can use the revenue and WL does have recycling, a win-win.
http://www.dusenbery4platte.com/dusenbery4platte/Kathy_Dusenbery_1st_District_Commissioner,_Platte_County,_MO.html
http://www.roper4commissioner.com/
http://www.dusenbery4platte.com/dusenbery4platte/Kathy_Dusenbery_1st_District_Commissioner,_Platte_County,_MO.html
http://www.roper4commissioner.com/
Friday, July 27, 2012
Community Center Loses $1.5 Million
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| Classic White Trash Beers (Photo credit: Robert W. Howington) |
North Kansas City made the front page of the KC Star this week regarding budget deficits; and the red ink is remarkable. Current financial problems include the shortfall in revenue for their community center, where expenses exceed revenue by $1.5 million. A big chunk of city funds come from gaming proceeds from Harrah's casino, where income is down from the rip roaring days when casino gambling came to NKC. Add out of control spending, the poor economy and the addition of another casino in Wyandotte County...not good. Although city officials say it is not part of the solution, the recent discussions of the sale of NKC Hospital certainly are part of the potential plan to get the city's financial house in order.
Makes you wonder how our friends to the south in Riverside are faring. The Argosy has felt the pinch of competition from the Hollywood casino, just across the border. Maybe the idea of a riverboat casino at C Point was a bad idea after all.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Ash Kicking
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| Ash Trees #2 (Photo credit: Eddie Does Japan) |
"The Platte County confirmation comes less than two weeks after a local arborist found signs of emerald ash borer damage in a tree south of Weatherby Lake."
If you have an ash tree in your yard the news is not good. The sighting of the emerald ash borer is a sure death sentence for your tree according to the experts. It is just a matter of time and the drought will not be helpful in slowing the progress of the pest, just the opposite.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
All In The Family
from the "It Cain't Happen Here Department"
Today's KC Star, page A4
Two situations involving alleged nepotism highlighted in the piece entitled "Report raises nepotism questions". One a rehash of a recent report of the removal of the mayor of Tracy, MO (just up the road from WL) and the other cited new allegations involving the Cass County Clerk. If the report is true, the 32 year employee, the last 10 as Clerk Janet Burlingame committed a number of violations, including the payment of $56,000 outside the W2 payroll system. Wow.
The Tracy story includes the removal of the Mayor, who has served as mayor since 2008, because of payments to her son-in-law, despite being warned.
It just goes to show you how things can go off the track...and an independent audit, while no guarantee, keeps everyone on their toes.
Today's KC Star, page A4
Two situations involving alleged nepotism highlighted in the piece entitled "Report raises nepotism questions". One a rehash of a recent report of the removal of the mayor of Tracy, MO (just up the road from WL) and the other cited new allegations involving the Cass County Clerk. If the report is true, the 32 year employee, the last 10 as Clerk Janet Burlingame committed a number of violations, including the payment of $56,000 outside the W2 payroll system. Wow.
The Tracy story includes the removal of the Mayor, who has served as mayor since 2008, because of payments to her son-in-law, despite being warned.
It just goes to show you how things can go off the track...and an independent audit, while no guarantee, keeps everyone on their toes.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
City Flags
President Obama has ordered the flags at all government building to be flown at half mast until sunset on Wednesday, honoring the victims of the Colorado movie theater shooting.
“As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colorado, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, July 25, 2012,” the Presidential Proclamation read
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Scams
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
July 3rd
Police Report
Chief Gary reported a busy month, "Business is booming". Two "major investigations" ongoing, one involves a paving scam with a resident contracting for a $1,500 paving job which turned into a check being written for $8,500. Beware.
July 3rd
Police Report
Chief Gary reported a busy month, "Business is booming". Two "major investigations" ongoing, one involves a paving scam with a resident contracting for a $1,500 paving job which turned into a check being written for $8,500. Beware.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Oye Carlos!
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| Carlos Santana (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NsJ84YV1oA
Thursday, July 19, 2012
No Smoke, No Fire (Dept)
KC Star Today
Widely expected annoncement yesterday of KCMO Fire Chief Smokey Dyer's retirement. He is taking advantage of an early out retirement program at the department which many view as a way to get him to move on...which he is.
"Ambulance Worries"
Besides current budget issues at the department a lot of focus recently has been the poor response times of ambulance service (including South Platte Ambulance District). The merger of the former Mast and KCFD was overseen by Dyer. In fact, as noted here, South Platte recently dumped KCMO in favor of AMR because KCMOFD never achieved contract performance goals in two and a half years. Councilman Ed Ford noted, "Smokey to this day does not believe response times are important". I personally observed this at Ambulance District meetings...arrogance on the part of Smokey or his minions.
Too little, too late. For South Platte it is off to AMR. Can KCMO fix their ambulance problems? We shall see. In the meantime Smokey will stay busy as a consultant. Nice.
Widely expected annoncement yesterday of KCMO Fire Chief Smokey Dyer's retirement. He is taking advantage of an early out retirement program at the department which many view as a way to get him to move on...which he is.
"Ambulance Worries"
Besides current budget issues at the department a lot of focus recently has been the poor response times of ambulance service (including South Platte Ambulance District). The merger of the former Mast and KCFD was overseen by Dyer. In fact, as noted here, South Platte recently dumped KCMO in favor of AMR because KCMOFD never achieved contract performance goals in two and a half years. Councilman Ed Ford noted, "Smokey to this day does not believe response times are important". I personally observed this at Ambulance District meetings...arrogance on the part of Smokey or his minions.
Too little, too late. For South Platte it is off to AMR. Can KCMO fix their ambulance problems? We shall see. In the meantime Smokey will stay busy as a consultant. Nice.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Continuing On The Theme
Election season always cultivates a new crop of election signs, thus the Platte County Commissioners Race has spawned a few @ WL. Just as interesting is who has (or has not) placed a sign in the yard. The fashionable West Side has a split among the aldermen, Hoy for Dusenberry, DeJong for Roper. Haven't had time to check the lower East Side to see what is sticking in the Finn and Folkedahl yards. On the way to Bubba's yesterday noticed Hizoner the Mayor doesn't have a sign for either one, hmmm. A couple of prominent Democrats have Roper signs...interesting.
Update 6:55 AM
Pedaled my way on Tour de Weatherby this morning, decided increase in Roper signs around the City, including a Roper sign in the yard of Mayor Bos, now on the Roper bandwagon.
Update 6:55 AM
Pedaled my way on Tour de Weatherby this morning, decided increase in Roper signs around the City, including a Roper sign in the yard of Mayor Bos, now on the Roper bandwagon.
Monday, July 16, 2012
SignNTology
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
July 3rd.
Despite rumors that Tom was going to make an appearance in regards to the topic, he was a no show. Instead Alderman Hoy gave her update on signs since last meeting. Touring around she found only 3 signs that were in compliance with city ordinances (I didn't catch the denominator). She pointed out WLIC signs in "O" Cove (across from her home) were not in compliance. Next month the issue of distance of signs from the street will be addressed...look for spellbinding discussion regarding this very important issue.
July 3rd.
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| English: Tom Cruise in Sunnyvale, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Despite rumors that Tom was going to make an appearance in regards to the topic, he was a no show. Instead Alderman Hoy gave her update on signs since last meeting. Touring around she found only 3 signs that were in compliance with city ordinances (I didn't catch the denominator). She pointed out WLIC signs in "O" Cove (across from her home) were not in compliance. Next month the issue of distance of signs from the street will be addressed...look for spellbinding discussion regarding this very important issue.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Should You Use Protection?
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
July 3rd
The Mayor says no. That is his perspective on a letter making the rounds in the City apparently. Someone is selling water service line insurance and Jerry was quick to point out it is "not our letter". While it is possible home owners could be responsible for some repairs in some situations, common wisdom is to go "commando". It is WL version of Wet and Wild.
July 3rd
The Mayor says no. That is his perspective on a letter making the rounds in the City apparently. Someone is selling water service line insurance and Jerry was quick to point out it is "not our letter". While it is possible home owners could be responsible for some repairs in some situations, common wisdom is to go "commando". It is WL version of Wet and Wild.
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| Wet 'n Wild 001 (Photo credit: Roller Coaster Philosophy) |
Friday, July 13, 2012
One Last Time
Tomorrow at 12:01 AM the Broadway Extension (US169) will be closed to traffic for the next 5 to 6 months. Weatherbeans who work or have fun downtown will have to adjust their routes, part of the 35,000 vehicles that travel the Extension each day. Heart of America or Bond bridges could be alternatives, as well as the back door by the Argosy...depending on where you are going. Just when the Barry Road fiasco finally is complete...leave your road rage at home.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Golf Carts & 4 Wheelers
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| Golf carts (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
July 3rd
"Golf carts on city streets" was the agenda item and discussion about making golf carts street legal ensued. Alderman Folkedahl mentioned he had been contacted by "a couple of people" regarding allowing golf carts on city streets. John Bugg was in the audience and mentioned his interest in having access to a vehicle that could carry his boat battery to his fishing lot, as an example of a need to use something like a golf cart. He believes golf carts are no more dangerous on the roads than bicyclists or walkers. (although Mr Bugg does not own a golf cart he does have a four wheeler...presumably he would want it to be legalized as well, similar to Parkville).
Not a whole lot of discussion by the aldermen or mayor, I am surprised a committee was not formed to vet the idea...Next best thing was decided, a special board meeting to consider the idea. Turns out there will be a special board meeting in the August time frame to consider the annual tax levy, the golf cart discussion will be tagged on to that. You might want to hold off buying that fancy golf cart till after that meeting.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
All Star City
My luck, stuck in a sports bar in Philadelphia, during the All Star game. Nonetheless the show and game highlighted what we know in KC, it is a first class city with first class people. I heard positive comments from many folks during the telecast, some who have never been to KC and others who have. One of the words used often to describe KC is "friendly", funny in a city described as being the city of "brotherly love". If you are a baseball fan you recognize the unfriendly treatment given to Yankee Cano for his non-selection of Billy Butler in the Home Run Contest...when asked he downplayed the dust up by citing the more unfriendly reception the Yanks get @ Fenway (fair enough).
KC won't host the game for a very long time and it is too bad. KC provided more volunteers (6,000) than any other city to date, turned out more runners for the charity 5K race (almost 9,000) than any other city...I'm sure there are many more records set by KC that will be hard to beat. It was an All Star effort by KC, even though the Royals come up a bit short on the field (okay, maybe a lot).
I'm from Weatherby Lake, but for a day I was happy and proud to say Kansas City.
KC won't host the game for a very long time and it is too bad. KC provided more volunteers (6,000) than any other city to date, turned out more runners for the charity 5K race (almost 9,000) than any other city...I'm sure there are many more records set by KC that will be hard to beat. It was an All Star effort by KC, even though the Royals come up a bit short on the field (okay, maybe a lot).
I'm from Weatherby Lake, but for a day I was happy and proud to say Kansas City.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Money Talks or Does It?
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| Money Talks (TV series) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
July 3rd
Part of the monthly discussion is Finance. Information distributed at the meeting indicates about $159,000 has been raised for construction of the Entrance Monuments. As of the 3rd, some 30 individuals, foundations, companies or families have donated to the cause. There have been some sizable donations as previously reported. Although fund raising is not complete (at least if all the monuments are to be constructed) there are some high profile names absent from the donor list...the aldermen. Although Alderman Finn has made her position known (lets call it healthy skepticism) the others have all marveled about the project and have been very supportive...at least verbally. Check in the mail? Possibly.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Horsing Around
Literally, the Bud team can make a tight turn.
And yes the dog was there too.
They sell beer too? Photos compliments of Mrs Bubba
And yes the dog was there too.
They sell beer too? Photos compliments of Mrs Bubba
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Hey, Clyde...
Picture by WLAISI staff
Saturday, July 7, 2012
What the Heck!
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
July 3rd
I you hit the sauce early today (prior to 4PM) be forewarned...those Clydesdales are not the result of your drunken stupor...really. Some lucky resident is going to be the recipient of All-Star game tickets and other Bud goodies as the result of a contest...delivered by the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Staging begins around 4PM in the City Hall vicinity with their departure in two hours or less. Impressive.
July 3rd
I you hit the sauce early today (prior to 4PM) be forewarned...those Clydesdales are not the result of your drunken stupor...really. Some lucky resident is going to be the recipient of All-Star game tickets and other Bud goodies as the result of a contest...delivered by the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Staging begins around 4PM in the City Hall vicinity with their departure in two hours or less. Impressive.
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| The Budweiser Clydesdales at the 2008 South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Friday, July 6, 2012
Mergency, Mergency
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
July 3rd
So the new contract with AMR will provide one ambulance @ 24 hrs and another @ 12 hours, basically giving the District coverage with one and a half vehicles. Wheeler did disclose if that was not adequate more equipment may be necessary, but not at the $434, 000 contract quote, but $500,000 or higher. Add to that the District "kitty" is getting low and it is the intention of the District to have at least 3 months of service cost in reserve ($100,000) insuring a rate hike for the levy coming up in the fall.
Best question of the night? No, it wasn't an alderman or the mayor...it was the Chief of Police. He asked during the discussion of response times how did the District know the report submitted by the vendor (KCMO and now AMR) was correct. Pregnant pause as Wheeler then responded that the District had not audited or corroborated the stats. Interesting.
Speaking of stats and response times...Wheeler also shared that KCMO was not interested in a mutual aid agreement with AMR. He also mentioned potential dispatch issues for AMR because of different systems being used, and alluded to problems with Platte County. Dyer, in an interview with the KC Star said response times by AMR could be delayed by two minutes "because of the different emergency response systems" (Wed, July 4). I guess he couldn't resist throwing one last Molotov cocktail.
What does it mean to you and me? First response for emergencies tend to be WL Police followed by Southern Platte County Fire, followed by KCFD, soon to be AMR. In most cases, transport to a hospital does not occur, a good thing, right?..especially in light of all the response time issues. How long will the District wait before performance issues are resolved with the new vendor? Let's hope less than two and a half years...your life may depend on it.
July 3rd
So the new contract with AMR will provide one ambulance @ 24 hrs and another @ 12 hours, basically giving the District coverage with one and a half vehicles. Wheeler did disclose if that was not adequate more equipment may be necessary, but not at the $434, 000 contract quote, but $500,000 or higher. Add to that the District "kitty" is getting low and it is the intention of the District to have at least 3 months of service cost in reserve ($100,000) insuring a rate hike for the levy coming up in the fall.
Best question of the night? No, it wasn't an alderman or the mayor...it was the Chief of Police. He asked during the discussion of response times how did the District know the report submitted by the vendor (KCMO and now AMR) was correct. Pregnant pause as Wheeler then responded that the District had not audited or corroborated the stats. Interesting.
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| L(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife) |
What does it mean to you and me? First response for emergencies tend to be WL Police followed by Southern Platte County Fire, followed by KCFD, soon to be AMR. In most cases, transport to a hospital does not occur, a good thing, right?..especially in light of all the response time issues. How long will the District wait before performance issues are resolved with the new vendor? Let's hope less than two and a half years...your life may depend on it.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Call 911 for 911
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
July 3rd
As reported in a number of news outlets, the Southern Platte County Ambulance District has exercised their "out" clause in their contract with KCMO Fire Department and hired American Medical Response (AMR) as the new provider of ambulance services for the district, effective October 1. This has been a train wreck long in the making. Who is to blame and why? This could take a number of posts. Bottom line is this, KCFD has never met the response times required in their contract during the past two and one half years. The District Board, in my opinion, allowed the problem to fester way too long, potentially putting the taxpayers at risk. They got sweet talked by KCFD chief Smoky Dyer (as reported here when KDFD took over from MAST) and continued to eat the line of baloney fed to them by KCFD...it was a masterful show of rope a dope by KCFD, always responding to the questions from the Board with sentiments of "we are trying".
SubDistrict 3 Board member (and our representative) Ron Wheeler appeared at the BOA to give his summary of the status of the District. AMR was the winner of the RFP, bidders included KCFD and Northern Regional Ambulance District (NRAD). The new contract terms are $434,000 for year one with annual increases pegged to the Medical Consumer Price Index. That is actually a bit lower than the current contract with KCFD ($466,000) but, and it is a big but it could go higher.
More tomorrow.
July 3rd
As reported in a number of news outlets, the Southern Platte County Ambulance District has exercised their "out" clause in their contract with KCMO Fire Department and hired American Medical Response (AMR) as the new provider of ambulance services for the district, effective October 1. This has been a train wreck long in the making. Who is to blame and why? This could take a number of posts. Bottom line is this, KCFD has never met the response times required in their contract during the past two and one half years. The District Board, in my opinion, allowed the problem to fester way too long, potentially putting the taxpayers at risk. They got sweet talked by KCFD chief Smoky Dyer (as reported here when KDFD took over from MAST) and continued to eat the line of baloney fed to them by KCFD...it was a masterful show of rope a dope by KCFD, always responding to the questions from the Board with sentiments of "we are trying".
SubDistrict 3 Board member (and our representative) Ron Wheeler appeared at the BOA to give his summary of the status of the District. AMR was the winner of the RFP, bidders included KCFD and Northern Regional Ambulance District (NRAD). The new contract terms are $434,000 for year one with annual increases pegged to the Medical Consumer Price Index. That is actually a bit lower than the current contract with KCFD ($466,000) but, and it is a big but it could go higher.
More tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Fireworks Fund Raising a Dud
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
July 3rd
According to the Mayor, the Fireworks Fund is "way behind" in supporting the $17,000 orgy of light and sound about to be blown up this evening (no danger of a rain out tonight). The balance sheet shows revenue of $7,756.26 as of June 28th. Neither Mayor Bos or Fireworks Maven Alderman Finn offered their opinion on why donations are behind. In any event City Hall welcomes donations and will continue to collect your contributions. If you liked what you saw tonight your check can do the talking.
Apparently one WL citizen is pushing for the elimination of all fireworks, including the City display. This unnamed person has approached all the aldermen and mayor with environmental concerns. No discussion beyond mentioning the issue by the mayor.
Speaking of fireworks, a spirited conversation with South Platte Ambulance District representative Ron Wheeler took place at the BOA. A major change is coming to your ambulance service (as well as increase in your levy/taxes). Tomorrow.
July 3rd
According to the Mayor, the Fireworks Fund is "way behind" in supporting the $17,000 orgy of light and sound about to be blown up this evening (no danger of a rain out tonight). The balance sheet shows revenue of $7,756.26 as of June 28th. Neither Mayor Bos or Fireworks Maven Alderman Finn offered their opinion on why donations are behind. In any event City Hall welcomes donations and will continue to collect your contributions. If you liked what you saw tonight your check can do the talking.
Apparently one WL citizen is pushing for the elimination of all fireworks, including the City display. This unnamed person has approached all the aldermen and mayor with environmental concerns. No discussion beyond mentioning the issue by the mayor.
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| Fireworks #1 (Photo credit: Camera Slayer) |
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
What is Your Handicap?
This just in from an interested reader...apparently WL Police are considering the purchase of a vehicle in light of the new ordinance allowing golf carts on city streets...here is the pic sent to me:
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