Vic's report about the MS4 water quality report due soon included new requirements to include one for post construction runoff. Simply put runoff quality post construction will have to equal the quality prior to a house being built. We will "have to have a standard for enforcement". That could get interesting. I believe there are openings on the MS4 Committee...if this is up your alley give Vic call.
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Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Boat Lot Fees
A citizen asked about the fairness of the current fee schedule during Public Comments. His beef was he had to pay a full years fee when he started in April, then got tagged with another annual fee in September...his point was there should be a prorated fee for the partial year. Must have hit a sore spot with the Mayor for some reason, he was fairly aggressive in responding why that isn't possible, including "maybe leaving a sleepy dog lay" is good and "some would argue we should raise (boat storage) fees". Jerry has been fairly protective of his golden goose which has produced a nice revenue stream without much expenses.
Look for more discussion at the Feb BOA.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Look for more discussion at the Feb BOA.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, January 28, 2013
Calling All Volunteers & How About That Road & In Praise of the Bev
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
Mayor's Comments
Jerry pointed out May is the traditional time for appointments to Boards and Committees. Following the success of last years letter soliciting volunteers, look for a similar letter with the details in the near future.
Hizzoner was effusive in his praise of the opening of the "Crossroads" section of Hwy 45 "it's wonderful to have it open, for me"
Concluding his comments, he called former City Judge Beverlee Roper forward to receive a plaque recognizing her service to the community. The Bos noted he had attended a number of court sessions and observed her "sympathy, empathy, whatever it is" during the conduct of court. A round of applause and the newly elected County Commissioner hightailed it for the door.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Mayor's Comments
Jerry pointed out May is the traditional time for appointments to Boards and Committees. Following the success of last years letter soliciting volunteers, look for a similar letter with the details in the near future.
Hizzoner was effusive in his praise of the opening of the "Crossroads" section of Hwy 45 "it's wonderful to have it open, for me"
Concluding his comments, he called former City Judge Beverlee Roper forward to receive a plaque recognizing her service to the community. The Bos noted he had attended a number of court sessions and observed her "sympathy, empathy, whatever it is" during the conduct of court. A round of applause and the newly elected County Commissioner hightailed it for the door.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Nolo Contendere
I studied two years of latin in high school and always liked the mystique of the latin Mass as an altar boy (nice article in today's KC Star, page C8 about a renovated church that hosts latin masses).
But I digress.
An informed source disclosed East Side alderman candidate Ron Surma has withdrawn his candidacy papers meaning Brian Stephenson will have an uncontested shot at the East Side spot (unless a creditable write-in candidate appears). So, the only ballot issue of importance will be the renewal of the 3/8 cent road tax.
More to follow as I finally finish up the Minutes from the last BOA, there are some interesting tidbits you will find interesting.
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| Seminarian vested in a pleated Roman-style surplice with lace inserts, holding a thurible. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
But I digress.
An informed source disclosed East Side alderman candidate Ron Surma has withdrawn his candidacy papers meaning Brian Stephenson will have an uncontested shot at the East Side spot (unless a creditable write-in candidate appears). So, the only ballot issue of importance will be the renewal of the 3/8 cent road tax.
More to follow as I finally finish up the Minutes from the last BOA, there are some interesting tidbits you will find interesting.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Road Kill
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
January 17th
During Mayor's Comments, Jerry gave a summary of recent activities by the Platte County Mayors, Commissioners, Road District officials. The 3/8 cent County Road tax is due to sunset in the fall and there was some doubt in the past that the issue would make it back to the ballot based on comments by some of the Commissioners. Two new Commissioners (Roper and Soper) as well as a possible shift in thinking for Presiding Commissioner Brown assure the vote by the Commission tomorrow of placing the issue before County voters in November.
A failure to place the issue on the ballot would put WL in a real pickle regarding the construction and maintenance of roads in WL. Today's KC Star Editorial recognized the situation as critical. So with the ballot issue resolved the focus will be placed directly on the voters in the county.
Mayor Jerry observed the last tax issue on the ballot, the Parks and Rec tax, barely passed in WL (the right call by voters here challenging the wisdom of the tax which many saw as being excessive). Apples and oranges in my estimation, hopefully WL citizens will recognize the importance of the Road Tax vote. In any event, there will be plenty of publicity as the November election rolls around.
To be continued.
January 17th
During Mayor's Comments, Jerry gave a summary of recent activities by the Platte County Mayors, Commissioners, Road District officials. The 3/8 cent County Road tax is due to sunset in the fall and there was some doubt in the past that the issue would make it back to the ballot based on comments by some of the Commissioners. Two new Commissioners (Roper and Soper) as well as a possible shift in thinking for Presiding Commissioner Brown assure the vote by the Commission tomorrow of placing the issue before County voters in November.
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| Tax (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013) |
A failure to place the issue on the ballot would put WL in a real pickle regarding the construction and maintenance of roads in WL. Today's KC Star Editorial recognized the situation as critical. So with the ballot issue resolved the focus will be placed directly on the voters in the county.
Mayor Jerry observed the last tax issue on the ballot, the Parks and Rec tax, barely passed in WL (the right call by voters here challenging the wisdom of the tax which many saw as being excessive). Apples and oranges in my estimation, hopefully WL citizens will recognize the importance of the Road Tax vote. In any event, there will be plenty of publicity as the November election rolls around.
To be continued.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Nako No More
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| English: Rapiscan TSA How it works (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| English: Backscatter Imaging "Backscatter technology projects low level X-ray beams over the body to create a reflection of the body displayed on the monitor. Backscatter technology produces an image that resembles a chalk etching." (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Saturday Matinee
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| Zebra Mussels (Photo credit: Todd Moon) |
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uLKK09TljI
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| Zebra mussels sign, Antrim - geograph.org.uk - 1625378 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Friday, January 18, 2013
Back At It
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| pardon (Photo credit: catadioptre) |
Jan 17th
Pardon the interruption, was on mountain duty in CO until last evening, but did return in time to attend the BOA. A full accounting of the meeting will be had right here, so come back (again and again) for the scoop.
April Election and Candidates
Filing for City offices closed on the 15th and assuming all candidates have/will be certified the ballot will have:
City Judge:
Larry Maher
West Ward:
Patrick Botbyl
East Ward:
Ron Surma
Brian Stevenson
Aldermen Hoy and Folkedahl have elected not to run, meaning the BOA will have some new faces. It has been a while since there has been a contested race. The West and Judge look set unless a dark horse appears as a write-in.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Lock Out
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| Zebra (Photo credit: James F Clay) |
I am going to take a wild guess, but most of us, almost all of us would not be a party to the transfer of the Z's. Example...our pontoon has been in the lake for years, pulled out on occasion for repairs (at Venita) and put back in the water the same day. Runabouts get pulled in the late fall, towed to the boat lot where they winter and then towed back to Venita for launch. You might pull your boat each fall, but my guess you store it and then bring it back in the lake...no journeys to Smithville or other contaminated lakes. So no danger to the lake there?
What does that leave us? Members who have what I call fishing boats, they launch to fish and then pull the boat at the end of their fishing day. If they fish in other lakes...that could be a problem. Folks who take their sailboats to other lakes and then relaunch here could be a problem as well (that would include other sail boats which come here for regattas). WLIC knows exactly the type of boats members have, maybe that is the starting point. I suppose it is possible for member to lend a key to a non-member friend to launch a boat for fishing, most of the time this might go undetected...and the boat could be infected with the Zebras. Maybe members shouldn't have keys but make arrangements to have access...just like we do with the boat lot.
Not an easy problem to solve.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Smoke On The Water
Mature citizens will recognize the song, by Deep Purple of course.
http://www.last.fm/music/Deep+Purple/_/Smoke+on+the+Water
WLIC is firing on all cylinders with its double barrel emails this week regarding the threats to the lake water. The results of testing two fish were not encouraging and the threat of the invading zebra mussel is real. What to do? No simple answers here and it doesn't paint a very pretty picture of water quality (or at least the impression of water quality).
I talked on the phone with Jim Miller in regards to the fish found to have "chemicals" My interest was to find out exactly what chemicals we are talking about. A 23" catfish and black bass were submitted for testing (last time fish were tested was 4 years ago according to Jim...I thought there had been testly more recently...nope) The object of concern was the catfish with trace amounts of DDT, PCB, CHLORDANE and TOXAPHENE. I believe these are all chemicals banned for use in the USA. Bottom line, for now, the advisory to eat no more than 8 ounces of catfish per person, per month. Especially susceptible are children and women of child bearing age (I guess old males are on the down hill side anyway).
There is a plan to test fish again in the spring, March/April, with three different samplings of 3 to 5 fish of the same size and different parts of the lake, stay tuned.
So how did the contaminants get into the lake? At this point nobody knows beyond conjecture. Chlordane was used quite frequently as an agent to combat termites here at the lake and other places. Could chemicals be transported from sources upstream? Did the dredge operation "stir up" chemicals that resided in the dredge material (I did ask Jim if any of the dredge material had been examined for chemicals, he said best of his knowledge, no).
Not pretty.
Tomorrow...Lake on Lockdown, The Threat of Zebras
http://www.last.fm/music/Deep+Purple/_/Smoke+on+the+Water
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| Chlordane (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
WLIC is firing on all cylinders with its double barrel emails this week regarding the threats to the lake water. The results of testing two fish were not encouraging and the threat of the invading zebra mussel is real. What to do? No simple answers here and it doesn't paint a very pretty picture of water quality (or at least the impression of water quality).
I talked on the phone with Jim Miller in regards to the fish found to have "chemicals" My interest was to find out exactly what chemicals we are talking about. A 23" catfish and black bass were submitted for testing (last time fish were tested was 4 years ago according to Jim...I thought there had been testly more recently...nope) The object of concern was the catfish with trace amounts of DDT, PCB, CHLORDANE and TOXAPHENE. I believe these are all chemicals banned for use in the USA. Bottom line, for now, the advisory to eat no more than 8 ounces of catfish per person, per month. Especially susceptible are children and women of child bearing age (I guess old males are on the down hill side anyway).
There is a plan to test fish again in the spring, March/April, with three different samplings of 3 to 5 fish of the same size and different parts of the lake, stay tuned.
So how did the contaminants get into the lake? At this point nobody knows beyond conjecture. Chlordane was used quite frequently as an agent to combat termites here at the lake and other places. Could chemicals be transported from sources upstream? Did the dredge operation "stir up" chemicals that resided in the dredge material (I did ask Jim if any of the dredge material had been examined for chemicals, he said best of his knowledge, no).
Not pretty.
Tomorrow...Lake on Lockdown, The Threat of Zebras
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
More Lake News
To the WLIC Membership:
At the December, 2012, meeting of the WLIC Board of Directors, the issue of protecting the lake from zebra mussels was discussed. It was referred to the Stream Team Committee for review. Proposals for changes in existing WLIC practices and policies will be reviewed by the Board at the January meeting.
At the same December meeting the Board passed a resolution to temporarily suspend the issuance of any new access ramp keys and permits for additional boats (including pontoons, fishing boats, canoes and kayaks) and motors until changes to existing rules and regulations would be finalized, adopted and implemented. Also, request for permits for new docks, construction or modification will be reviewed by WLIC on a case by case basis during this period.
The Board believes that the increased spread of zebra mussels to local lakes such as Smithville, Lotawana, Wyandotte County and Lake of the Ozarks as well as the Missouri River increases the possibility that zebra mussels could be brought to our lake as well. This would present a significantly adverse impact on property values and our members’ ability to enjoy our lake.
To better communicate with all WLIC members and their families, we are requesting more information such as email addresses and phone numbers as you renew your permits for the 2013 season. This information will enable us to communicate with everyone more effectively and efficiently as changing conditions dictate. We urge you to provide such information to us when asked to do so knowing our intent is to educate eligible lake users to help protect the lake from this threat. If you have questions or wish to discuss your individual situations further, please contact the WLIC by telephone at
816-741-5556 or email at wlicoffice@sbcglobal.net.
Monday, January 7, 2013
This Week @ WL
No BOA this week, vacations and other commitments have postponed the monthly meeting to next week.
Filing for Alderman and Judge continues to be open until the 15th. So far two folks have filed. Patrick Botbyl has filed for the West Ward Alderman and Larry Maher (current appointed judge) has filed for the Judge position. Nothing on the East Ward yet...anybody?
Filing for Alderman and Judge continues to be open until the 15th. So far two folks have filed. Patrick Botbyl has filed for the West Ward Alderman and Larry Maher (current appointed judge) has filed for the Judge position. Nothing on the East Ward yet...anybody?
Friday, January 4, 2013
Catfish Tainted?
Fish Consumption Advisory for Weatherby Lake , Catfish Alert
January, 2013
A catfish and a black bass from Weatherby Lake were recently tested for chemical contaminants. Preliminary results indicated an above normal level of some chemicals in the catfish. Further testing will be done this spring with results expected in May or June. Until those results are received, the WLIC is recommending the following cautionary action: Catfish consumption should be limited to 1 meal (an 8 oz. serving) per month.
The black bass test results were within published guidelines. The current guidelines mentioned below continue to be appropriate for bass and walleyes. As has been communicated for the past several years, all WLIC Members are encouraged to follow the fish advisories from the State of Missouri .
These advisories can be found on the Dept. of Health and Senior Services website: 2012 MISSOURI FISH ADVISORY, A GUIDE TO EATING MISSOURI FISH; and in the Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations: Fish Consumption Advisory. Information on contaminants and fish preparation techniques to minimize contaminants is contained in these advisories.
If you have any questions, please contact Jim Miller at #816-516-1403.
A catfish and a black bass from Weatherby Lake were recently tested for chemical contaminants. Preliminary results indicated an above normal level of some chemicals in the catfish. Further testing will be done this spring with results expected in May or June. Until those results are received, the WLIC is recommending the following cautionary action: Catfish consumption should be limited to 1 meal (an 8 oz. serving) per month.
The black bass test results were within published guidelines. The current guidelines mentioned below continue to be appropriate for bass and walleyes. As has been communicated for the past several years, all WLIC Members are encouraged to follow the fish advisories from the State of Missouri .
These advisories can be found on the Dept. of Health and Senior Services website: 2012 MISSOURI FISH ADVISORY, A GUIDE TO EATING MISSOURI FISH; and in the Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations: Fish Consumption Advisory. Information on contaminants and fish preparation techniques to minimize contaminants is contained in these advisories.
If you have any questions, please contact Jim Miller at #816-516-1403.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
That's The Ticket
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| History of UK speed enforcement (Photo credit: brizzle born and bred) |
It does bring up an point to consider. WL ticket revenue is minuscule in proportion to budget. The expense of maintaining a police force is numero uno when it comes to biggest line item in the City budget. When was the last time the fine schedule was reviewed by the BOA? When was the last time there was a review of ticket production by the Police Department? There hasn't been any, at least in public for years. Not to suggest there is a problem...but if something isn't looked at form time to time...how do you know? Maybe something the BOA should take a gander.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Need Help?
If you make Resolutions for the New Year, check this out. This is a website/blog I have followed for some time, it usually has good stuff...enjoy.
http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/12/31/12-powerful-resolutions-you-should-make-every-year/
http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/12/31/12-powerful-resolutions-you-should-make-every-year/
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Congratulations!
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| Maya Calendar (Photo credit: Xiaozhuli) |
My only resolution for the new year is to win Powerball. Mboy thinks we are going to run the NY Marathon, not sure about that one. Maybe I can coax Bubba into one more Hospital Hill. Although my common sense tells me the time could be better spent, I imagine I will attend a few of the BOA meetings this year.
What are your resolutions? Cmon, you have been sitting on the sidelines too long...just go Anon and Comment.
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