City Beautification

Real estate is always a good investment (Photo credit: madpoet_one)

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the Weatherby Lake BOA
7 August

Taking another step towards freshening up the look of the City, the BOA removed the restrictions of realty signs from the City code, allowing real estate signs to be placed, if a property owner desires, immediately next to the roadway.  There was a concern that the previous 15 foot requirement was an impediment to assist some homeowners in selling their homes (whatever happened to location, location, location?).  Despite the reservations of the Police Chief regarding safety (distractions and visibility) and the probable knockdowns by City snowplows, the BOA continued to forge a brave new world for the City codes.  Previously they had authorized the use of the cheesy looking pointer signs stuck next to the roadway.  Classy, right?  This all came about because of a huge outpouring of support to change the ordinance...not.  Basically, it was the concerns of three property owners that got the ball rolling.

Alderman Finn took the time to discuss the issue with former Mayor Bill Maxwell, apparently the head guy at  the time the 15' rule was put in place.  Seems that in order to stay away from the city right of way, which varies across the city, 15 feet was established...and been that way for years.  (BTW during the discussion Mayor Bos referred to the City "easement" which is completely different than right of way, Attorney Scott, sitting in for John, made no attempt to clarify hizzoner's confusion).

Vic made the motion to abolish the 15' requirement, Mary seconded the motion (I feel certain Vic having a "For Sale" sign in his yard made no difference in his perspective).  Folkedahl joined the two, while Finn voted no.  Although the Mayor didn't get to vote on the issue and didn't make any strong comments during the discussion, my feeling was he was not enthusiastic about the deal.

But wait, there is more...coming soon, golf carts.  

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Winners & Losers

Post Election Analysis You Will Only Get Here

Winners:

• Beverlee-301 votes @ WL, Kathy-90 votes
• WL voter turnout, 25.7% of registered voters
• Absentee ballots favored Roper 120 to 93
• Roper takes every precinct except Parkville, Houston Lake, Line Creek
• County debt, JE Dunn, Dusenbery flipflop on reimbursement, county employees 
• Endorsements for Roper from Anderson and Knight
• No TV (for Bev)
• Landmark endorses Roper
• Both wear pearls

Losers:

• Hoy failed to bring home the vote in WL, the losing margin was much worse for Dusenbery in WL than it was for Roper in Parkville
• Parkville had 21.1% turnout, the Dusenbery stronghold (or was it?) did not come through, sealing the loss
• The advantages of being an incumbent and name recognition should have been a winner but...fail
• Ok, I did think the Pinocchio thing was a bit overboard
• "Vote against Beverlee" turned out to be a bit lame 
• Honey, I shrank the government, did not attract many fans
• TV (for Kathy)
• KC Star and Luminary endorse Dusenbery
• Both wear pearls

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• Duse-Palooza
• "Vote Against Beverlee August 7th"
• As expected, voter turnout is low

Roper Roars Past Dusenbery

KC Star "Roper Squeaks Past Dusenbery"

With the count still unofficial and the Platte County Election Board posting one precinct to report on their web site, Beverlee Roper appears to have won the Commissioners race by a little over 1% of the vote.  The Star is reporting the vote count as Roper at 50.5%, Dusenbery 49.5%, while the Platte County Board of Elections has the count at Roper 50.52 and Dusenbery 49.48.  (I believe current state law requires an automatic recount when the difference is less than 1%, that's why the number may be important).  The opinion is the unreported precinct may be either write-in or absentee...or both, whether it will make a difference is yet to be seen.  Interesting side note, there were 4462 votes cast in the election, but if you add up the votes for both (so far) there were 162 voters who did not cast a vote in the race...odd, and a potential game changer.  Voter turn out was light (14.7% of registered voters) which certainly did not favor the incumbent, I can only assume Dusenbery did not fire up her base in Parkville while Roper had a landslide in WL.  I'll post more info on the stats as they become available.

Final financial reports aren't due for awhile, but speculation is the final combined spend by the candidates will be over $100,000  (Dusenbery had quite a few TV spots and both had dueling color brochures) .  If so, that would be about $22 per vote, yipes!

If the election results hold up, the dynamics at the County are bound to change.  Presiding Commissioner Brown will have to deal with Roper who has not been shy about her disdain for some of the actions of the current commission and Brown in particular.  I suspect it will not be business as usual when Bev takes office.  Let's hope so.

8:30AM UPDATE
Confirmed with Platte County Election Board that the vote totals (noted above) are correct, the pending precinct noted at their web site does not pertain to the primary election.  Roper the winner and no automatic recount.


http://platte.lazarusgroup.com/current/results.htm

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• Roper squeaks by Dusenbery for Platte commission
• Cass, Johnson, Clay, and Platte county primary fights decided

Endorsement for Roper

If you haven't voted yet (or even if you have) see this piece written by Ivan Foley of the Landmark.
http://www.plattecountylandmark.com/ifoley.htm

Taco Tuesday!

Tomorrow, the best day of the week...cheap tacos (I prefer Luna Azteca) what more can a person want?
Well, there is some kind of election going on and for frosting on the taco there is the WL BOA.
Topics include legalizing golf carts on City streets, moving signs closer to the street and whatever else the Mayor and Board thinks need fixing.  7 PM, City Hall.

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