Would you call or email your Raytown Aldermen today, and consider attending the Raytown City Council meeting Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 at 7pm?
Why?
- Raytown has about 1/4 the parks budget of our peer cities.
- Our parks facilities are below national standards in 10 areas while meeting them in only 4, according to Raytown's recent Parks Master Plan--which proposes modest steps to address the shortfalls.
- The Raytown Parks budget has been steadily declining for the past 10-20 years, while expenses steadily rise.
- Some areas are extremely deficient--for example, trails are at less than 25% of recommended mileage. Even the forthcoming Rock Island Trail won't have enough mileage to completely address that deficiency.
- We'll need numerous local trail connectors to tie the entire community into the new trail. These local trail connectors are low cost, high impact facilities.
- Raytown's Parks & Storm Runoff sales tax is about to expire.
- Raytown Parks Board wants a modest increase in this sales tax from 1/8 to 1/4 cent, so we can implement some of the much-needed Parks Master Plan.
- The proposed tax increase is very small--it equals an extra
1.25 cents on every $10 you spend, or 12.5 cents on every $100. Can't we afford that small amount, given the payoff in better parks and trails in Raytown?
- This would raise the current Parks Budget by about 25%, and the Storm Runoff budget about the same.
- The Aldermen are voting Tuesday to put the a no-tax increase proposal for Raytown Parks and Storm Runoff on the November ballot.
So this is your chance to speak up and make a difference. If you would like better parks, recreation, and trails in Raytown, your Aldermen and Mayor McDonough need to hear from you!
SUGGESTED MESSAGE:
Alderman X,
I [live, work, pay taxes, vote, etc] in your district and I strongly support better parks, recreation, and trails in Raytown. I hope you will support them, too.
I believe that the people of Raytown should be able to decide whether or not we want a modest increase in our Parks and Stormwater tax.
I am concerned that the Board is making this decision on its own without allowing the people to decide.
The Citizen Survey done as part of the Parks Master Plan showed very clearly that citizens value parks, want better parks, and support increased funding for parks--even a double the sales tax that the Parks Board has proposed.
POINTS YOU COULD MAKE (if you agree with them, of course):
- Tell a brief story about why parks, bicycling, walking, trails, recreation are important to you, your family, the community.
- It seems like the citizens of Raytown should have a chance to make the choice about a modest tax increase.
- Why is the Board of Aldermen making this decision for us, and not letting citizens have a voice?
- Increased investment in parks and trails increases property values and city tax revenue, improves health, builds our community
- Having safe parks and trails is very important for our kids and their health
Sincerely yours,
- With the Rock Island Trail coming through Raytown, we have an amazing opportunity to build that into a citywide trails system. But we can't do that if the Parks Department is starved for funding!
XXXXXXTIPS
- Your message doesn't need to be long to be persuasive. Short and to the point!
- Please be polite and persuasive not angry or argumentative when you call or email your elected representatives. That works best!
Aldermen are working hard and doing their best grapple with complex
issues and represent their voters.
- Please share this with friends and family and ask them to call/email/attend--only a groundswell of community support can make a difference with the City Council at this point.
- If you could attend the Raytown City Council meeting Tuesday, May 21st, 2019, 7:00pm and speak briefly to make one our two points like those above, it would make even more difference (arrive 15 minutes early & sign in).
- Aldermen are just are not hearing from Raytown residents that they want better parks and trails. If they don't hear from you, they won't make a change.
- Contacting your elected officials and speaking at City Council meetings can make a real difference on this issue that is important for Raytown's future.
- Even if you don't speak, just attending the City Council meeting helps give support to the issue, especially if you communicate privately with your own Aldermen before and after the meeting.
RAYTOWN BOARD OF ALDERMEN CONTACT INFORMATION
Every Raytown Ward has two Aldermen, and the Mayor represents all citizens. So you can contact your two aldermen and the Mayor.
- Not sure which Raytown Ward you live in? Check this Raytown Ward Map
MAYOR - REPRESENTS ALL RAYTOWN
Mayor_Mike_McDonough@raytown.mo.us
Phone: (816) 737-6005
WARD 1 - Mid West Raytown
Alderman_Greg_Walters@raytown.mo.us
Phone: (816) 517-6852
Alderman_Frank_Hunt@raytown.mo.us
Phone: (816) 301-2829
WARD 2 - Mid East Raytown
Alderman_Jason_Greene@raytown.mo.us
Phone: (816) 255-8407
Alderman_Jim_Aziere@raytown.mo.us
Phone: (816) 521-9596
WARD 3 - Far North Raytown
Alderman_Ryan_Myers@raytown.mo.us
Phone: (816) 215-8847
Alderman_Janet_Emerson@raytown.mo.us
Phone: (816) 737-5050
WARD 4 - Mid South Raytown
Alderman_Bill_Van_Buskirk@raytown.mo.us
Phone: (816) 737-2799
Alderman_MJ_Van_Buskirk@raytown.mo.us
Phone: (816) 737-2799
WARD 5 - Far South Raytown
Alderman_Derek_Ward@raytown.mo.us
Phone: 816-245-4022
Alderman_Bonnaye_Mims@raytown.mo.us
Phone: (816) 965-0141
WHAT'S NEXT? INFORMATION SUMMARIES
It seems like Raytown has been having the debate on this topic in something of an information vacuum.
I am working to create summaries of important information about this issue over the upcoming days and weeks, and that help Raytown residents make an informed decision--and also back up the statements I have made above with accurate information:
- Raytown has real parks and recreation needs; The current lack of parks and trails affects the health and wellbeing of thousands of Raytown families
- Proposal to renew Raytown's 1/8 cent Parks & Stormwater tax at current level means Parks deficits inevitable
No comments:
Post a Comment