One of the Comments requested the financial disclosures for Alan York, so here it is, as of today:
York, Loan to himself, $1,500.
That is it.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Retired Part III
From the most recent financial disclosure from the Botbyl campaign:
Judy Maher, Retired, $100
Glen Vining, Retired, $40
Dean Lawrence, Retired, $50
Patrick Botbyl, VFW Director Operations, $150
As previously noted, Pat, is the retired Mayor of Hawthorne, NJ
Judy Maher, Retired, $100
Glen Vining, Retired, $40
Dean Lawrence, Retired, $50
Patrick Botbyl, VFW Director Operations, $150
As previously noted, Pat, is the retired Mayor of Hawthorne, NJ
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Retirement, Part II
Jerry will glide into retirement after his last BOA meeting in April. Actually he started preparing for life after WL in December when he headed off to Florida, missing the BOA meetings in January and February. What will York/Botbyl inherit as he takes over the reins of the City?
The City's financial condition is ok, Jerry and the City have had the good fortune of windfalls from phone and ddt settlements to prop up the budget. Those windfalls are over and the City's revenues versus expenditures will get tighter as the revenue opportunities are limited for WL. The Community Center continues to bleed red, to the tune of six figures over Jerry's tenure. Take a drive down Kerns, you'll see the result of a patch and fill approach to streets gone bad...if you are an EastSider pay particular attention as you navigate East Side Drive, yikes, huh? Jerry's Road Guru, Vic, estimated the road life in the city to be about 20 years. Interesting. While we have around $600,000 at Platte County for roads, doing the math, we are a bit short on addressing our streets. And of course the management of the water and sewer increases from KC has long ago gone awry. Lots of issues simmering for the new mayor to address.
.
Try as Jerry might he was never able to mobilize citizens to participate in city government, I think it might have been an unrealistic expectation on his part. He started his first term with a flurry of new Committees, the Audit Committee, the so called Airport Noise Committee and the Entrance Advisory Group Committee (EAG). The Audit Committee was a flop, established on the premise there may have been problems with the City's finances. They reviewed an independent audit (last one conducted) and found the financial management of the City to be excellent (which was when Alan York was Mayor). The committee met a few times after that and died. Same thing with the Airport Committee, an initial flurry and then it too pooped out and died as well.
I'm sure Jerry felt the EAG would he his legacy for the City. Almost six years in the making, it is half done or as a neighbor commented recently, half-a##ed. The West Side still has the retro look of the old and of course East Side @ Barry and City Hall have the rusty/rustic look of the new. Unless I have missed it, fund raising stalled long ago. Vic, one of Jerry's chief lieutenants on the project, has left the City, and Jim Miller, the initial leader of the EAG no longer heads up the project...leaving Jerry with the mantle of leadership for the unfinished business. The whole monument project never generated an outpouring of community support, thus what you see is what you get.
Speaking of leaving, I think it is well known by now that Jerry at some point will be leaving WL for points North and South. I certainly don't fault him for moving on and enjoying retirement, I think that is something we all aspire to do.
The City's financial condition is ok, Jerry and the City have had the good fortune of windfalls from phone and ddt settlements to prop up the budget. Those windfalls are over and the City's revenues versus expenditures will get tighter as the revenue opportunities are limited for WL. The Community Center continues to bleed red, to the tune of six figures over Jerry's tenure. Take a drive down Kerns, you'll see the result of a patch and fill approach to streets gone bad...if you are an EastSider pay particular attention as you navigate East Side Drive, yikes, huh? Jerry's Road Guru, Vic, estimated the road life in the city to be about 20 years. Interesting. While we have around $600,000 at Platte County for roads, doing the math, we are a bit short on addressing our streets. And of course the management of the water and sewer increases from KC has long ago gone awry. Lots of issues simmering for the new mayor to address.
.
Try as Jerry might he was never able to mobilize citizens to participate in city government, I think it might have been an unrealistic expectation on his part. He started his first term with a flurry of new Committees, the Audit Committee, the so called Airport Noise Committee and the Entrance Advisory Group Committee (EAG). The Audit Committee was a flop, established on the premise there may have been problems with the City's finances. They reviewed an independent audit (last one conducted) and found the financial management of the City to be excellent (which was when Alan York was Mayor). The committee met a few times after that and died. Same thing with the Airport Committee, an initial flurry and then it too pooped out and died as well.
I'm sure Jerry felt the EAG would he his legacy for the City. Almost six years in the making, it is half done or as a neighbor commented recently, half-a##ed. The West Side still has the retro look of the old and of course East Side @ Barry and City Hall have the rusty/rustic look of the new. Unless I have missed it, fund raising stalled long ago. Vic, one of Jerry's chief lieutenants on the project, has left the City, and Jim Miller, the initial leader of the EAG no longer heads up the project...leaving Jerry with the mantle of leadership for the unfinished business. The whole monument project never generated an outpouring of community support, thus what you see is what you get.
Speaking of leaving, I think it is well known by now that Jerry at some point will be leaving WL for points North and South. I certainly don't fault him for moving on and enjoying retirement, I think that is something we all aspire to do.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Sun City
Arizona has nothing on WL
Follow this...
Pat Botbyl retired (his words) from his post as Mayor in Hawthorne, NJ and shortly after moved to WL (http://www.hawthornenj.org/PDF/Minutes_Agendas/08CouncilMinutes/coun%20mins.08.06.08.pdf) page 8. He assumes a C level position at the VFW in KCMO.
WL resident Larry Maher retires from his executive position at the VFW and shortly thereafter is appointed Municipal Judge by Mayor Jerry Bos. Maher then ran for judge and was elected for that spot at the next election.
Jerry, as we all know, retired from a C level position at KC based Dairy Farmers of America. Shortly thereafter he ran for and was elected Mayor (x3).
Jerry is listed on Botbyl's January Committee Disclosure Report as the only donor other than Botbyl himself. Jerry donated $500 to Botbyl's campaign.
See, what goes around comes around? Pat-Larry-Jerry-Pat
Follow this...
Pat Botbyl retired (his words) from his post as Mayor in Hawthorne, NJ and shortly after moved to WL (http://www.hawthornenj.org/PDF/Minutes_Agendas/08CouncilMinutes/coun%20mins.08.06.08.pdf) page 8. He assumes a C level position at the VFW in KCMO.
WL resident Larry Maher retires from his executive position at the VFW and shortly thereafter is appointed Municipal Judge by Mayor Jerry Bos. Maher then ran for judge and was elected for that spot at the next election.
Jerry, as we all know, retired from a C level position at KC based Dairy Farmers of America. Shortly thereafter he ran for and was elected Mayor (x3).
Jerry is listed on Botbyl's January Committee Disclosure Report as the only donor other than Botbyl himself. Jerry donated $500 to Botbyl's campaign.
See, what goes around comes around? Pat-Larry-Jerry-Pat
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Airport Upgrade
Something new coming to KCI! No not a new terminal, at least not yet. Airport director Mark VanLoh has announced the arrival of the Missouri Lottery to Terminal B in the form of vending machines and Keno at the two taverns in B. "It's another one of those amenities that passengers would like" he proclaimed to the Star. Hmmm. The Aviation Department has been struggling to find good news in the deteriorating ambition to build a new single terminal. The recent proclamation by a regional TSA official that a new terminal would not really enhance security has not exactly helped VanLoh's case for the build.
So next time you depart from B pony up a some bucks and buy a ticket. It's much sought after amenity for travelers at KCI.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
So next time you depart from B pony up a some bucks and buy a ticket. It's much sought after amenity for travelers at KCI.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
1-1
Interesting article in KC Star regarding the levy increase issue for Park Hill School District. The mostly favorable article features the positive aspects of each student having a computer, thus 1-1. However, the mention of author Amanda Ripley's perspectives on 1-1 put a bit of chill in the hearts of the levy proponents. She was in KC recently and spoke to these facts...Asian and European countries who performed better than US students on international tests average 13 to 1 computers per student vs the US 5-1. Her take? It's not the "shiny objects" that make high performing schools.
Has the PH School District made the case for a 32 cent levy increase and the expenditure of $23 million over the next 5 years? You get to decide on April 8th.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Has the PH School District made the case for a 32 cent levy increase and the expenditure of $23 million over the next 5 years? You get to decide on April 8th.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
More Fiber for Thought
In response to a Comment yesterday:
I was at a BOA meeting where Google Fiber was discussed, led by Jerry. Jerry has been negative about Fiber going back to comments he made regarding the failed municipal network in North Kansas City (very much a separate issue). Jerry feared additional costs/challenges with start up of Google Fiber based on our infrastructure. Mr Botbyl echoed the Mayor's comments. End of discussion. Of course if Botbyl has changed his mind, which is ok, he can always post his position on the blog.
FYI...how is Google Fiber doing in our neighborhood? Sign ups start right across the street from us in Wildwood West in May. Guess they don't have the problems we have.
https://fiber.google.com/cities/kansascity/#zone=KC+Northwest,+MO&fiberhood=
I was at a BOA meeting where Google Fiber was discussed, led by Jerry. Jerry has been negative about Fiber going back to comments he made regarding the failed municipal network in North Kansas City (very much a separate issue). Jerry feared additional costs/challenges with start up of Google Fiber based on our infrastructure. Mr Botbyl echoed the Mayor's comments. End of discussion. Of course if Botbyl has changed his mind, which is ok, he can always post his position on the blog.
FYI...how is Google Fiber doing in our neighborhood? Sign ups start right across the street from us in Wildwood West in May. Guess they don't have the problems we have.
https://fiber.google.com/cities/kansascity/#zone=KC+Northwest,+MO&fiberhood=
Monday, March 24, 2014
What's In A Name?
The WL Mayoral Race
Since the campaign signs have sprung up, I have received quite a few questions from folks...Who is Botbyl? In short he is the current alderman for the West Ward, almost a year into a two year term. He is currently the CIO for the VFW, headquartered in KCMO. Prior to becoming alderman he has kept a low profile in the City, not on any boards or commissions. He mentions on his campaign signs he is "experienced", referring I believe, to his role as Mayor in Hawthorne, NJ.
One way to dig deeper, Google (Ironically, Botbyl is opposed to Google Fiber as witnessed by his comments during a BOA meeting).
Google
https://www.google.com/search?q=Patrick+Botbyl&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb
Since the campaign signs have sprung up, I have received quite a few questions from folks...Who is Botbyl? In short he is the current alderman for the West Ward, almost a year into a two year term. He is currently the CIO for the VFW, headquartered in KCMO. Prior to becoming alderman he has kept a low profile in the City, not on any boards or commissions. He mentions on his campaign signs he is "experienced", referring I believe, to his role as Mayor in Hawthorne, NJ.
One way to dig deeper, Google (Ironically, Botbyl is opposed to Google Fiber as witnessed by his comments during a BOA meeting).
https://www.google.com/search?q=Patrick+Botbyl&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb
Thursday, March 13, 2014
6,000 and counting
The WL Fishing Club continues their annual fish habitat deployment this week, consisting of donated Christmas trees, anchored by cement blocks. Staging area is/was Venita launch. Hundreds of trees are sunk in the lake. I have lived here 15 years, so by my calculation, over those fifteen years, if a person stacked the blocks you would have a pile more than a mile high...really. Seems a bit excessive to me, and just wonder if the annual event is necessary?
Photos by SMM
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Skirting The Issues
Probably the only time there will be a live, face to face, encounter with the two WL mayoral candidates (Botbyl/York) will happen this Thursday evening and you will be able to see it all...if you are a woman...and a member of the WL Womens Club. Sorry guys.
The event kicks off at promptly at 7PM at the Community Center with about 30 minutes total allotted for comments and questions.
I'm away on a business trip otherwise I would be tempted to go in drag and observe...lucky for everybody that won't be possible. However, any of you women folk out there can always post your impressions if you attend the event.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Spring Sprung
Sure sign of Spring, election signs...and they are here. (Forgot to mention Friday, we saw a pair of bald eagles off our cove, standing on the ice covered lake and snacking on something stuck in the ice...magnificent)...but I digress.
First out with signs, Pat Botbyl, one of the two candidates for WL Mayor. First to file papers for the race was Alan York. More about the race as we go along...should be an interesting contest to replace Jerry who is bowing out of the Mayoral chair.
The other contested race, for West Ward Alderman, has incumbent Steve Clark vs Jim Soendker. This is a screen shot of the ballot as you will see the two races. Of course you have the opportunity to write-in a name of your choice...that would be a long shot at this point.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
First Things First
You gotta buy a ticket to win...old lottery ticket adage.
You have to be registered to vote to vote...Dah? You may know of a newcomer to the lake or a youth who turns 18 on of before election day April 8th. This coming Wednesday is the last day to register to vote with lots of places to register, including City Hall, the library, the Park Hill District office or even print a form and send to the Platte County Board of Elections (postmarked NLT this coming Wednesday the 12th)
http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/register2vote/Platte.pdf
WL is well known for voter turnout, I suspect with the contested races and two ballot issues the vote will be brisk.
Posted with BlogsyFriday, March 7, 2014
A Mid-Winter Escape
Time off during the winter malaise to tend to many things, including a job change. All good. Today we get a preview of what spring should look like, heck may have to break out the shorts?
Speaking of spring, our city elections are about one month away...did you know that? Did you know we have a couple of contested races? I'll post all things WL, provide insights you won't find anywhere else, hopefully get candidates to share their views on the important issues facing WL.
Come back tomorrow.
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