If you are a Raytown voter who supports parks, take heart: Raytown voters support parks by a 4-1 margin

Raytown is going through a tough time right now, thanks to decisions made years ago. We hear a lot of criticism and "how can we justify spending money on parks when we have other priorities". 

In online forums, the negative voices often drown out supporters and even reasoned discussion.

But if you support parks and trails in Raytown, take heart!  Because you are in the silent majority:

The vast majority of Raytowners will consider a good parks tax proposal if the Board of Aldermen allows it to be put before them.

That is a good-sized, random sample, scientifically valid poll of all Raytowners, and it is asking them about their support for a LARGE 1/2 cent sales tax increase (source information).
It doesn't mean that any parks tax increase will automatically win at the ballot box and it doesn't mean that Raytowners will automatically support every parks tax proposal.

It doesn't mean we shouldn't ask hard questions and carefully examine any proposal put before us.

The vast majority of Raytowners will support a good Parks funding proposal--if given the chance

But it does mean that the vast majority of Raytowners--61%--are well disposed to at least carefully consider any reasonable proposal put before them

And another 25% will at least consider it.

And only 15% will definitely vote against.

The 15% who are dead set against any increase in Raytown parks funding can and will have their say. Let's respectfully listen to them.  They have their own reasons for believing the way they do, and that is OK.

Why does the 15% get to decide for all of us? Why can't Raytown voters decide whether or not they support parks funding?

But why doesn't the 85% of Raytowners who support parks funding, or will at least consider it, get to have their say at the ballot box?

Why does the 15% get to decide for all the rest of us?

That is a good question to ask your Raytown Aldermen.

If you support Raytown Parks, take heart--and be empowered to speak up

But if you are inclined to support Raytown Parks, please do take heart: You ARE the silent but very large majority.

But right now, we need you to become the VOCAL majority--no longer the silent majority.

If you don't speak up, the Raytown Board of Aldermen doesn't know you exist.

In talking with elected officials over the past 17 years working at the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation, they have told me that as few as just two or three messages from constituents on a certain topic starts to bring it to the top of their priority list.

When you speak up, it really does make a difference!

Please take the time to write or call your Raytown Aldermen today or tomorrow, and attend the City Council Meeting at Raytown City Hall Tuesday, May 21st, at 7:00pm if you can.

________________________________________________________________

All the background, details, and contact info you need is below 

That's the end of the article.  But if you want to contact your Raytown Aldermen or attend the City Council meeting Tuesday to support Raytown Parks, here is all the info you need:

Please attend Tuesday's City Council meeting--and consider speaking if you can

• Citizens can attend the Raytown City Council meeting Tuesday, May 21st, 2019, 7:00pm at Raytown City Hall and speak briefly
   
• If you're planning to speak, best to arrive by 6:45 or earlier. Be sure to sign the list to give public comment. Public comment is at the beginning of the meeting and you will be limited to just a few minutes speaking time.
   
• 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.

Please consider email or calling your Raytown Mayor and Aldermen

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

If you live, work, vote, visit, or pay taxes in Raytown, please speak up--we need your voice!

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 we know about Raytown Parks and why a modest parks & stormwater tax increase is a good move for Raytown right now

The Raytown parks budget is currently at 1/4 the average of our peer cities. Raytown is very much an outlier on the low side of parks, recreation, and trails funding--and this directly impacts the quality of life of every Raytown resident.

What the Raytown Parks budget looks like under various tax proposals - Continuing the current parks/stormwater sales tax puts parks budget at a significant deficit for the next 10 years

Stormwater proceeds from this tax will double if the tax is increased to 1/4 cent - assuming the Board of Aldermen keeps the current 75/25 parks/stormwater split

The vast majority of Raytown households need parks facilities and will use them if available. Parks affect close to every Raytown household

Information sources

Most of the information above come from the recent Raytown Parks Master Plan and related materials available on the Raytown Parks and Recreation web page (scroll to the bottom).

The information about projected parks budget for different sales tax levels comes from page 92 of the Master Plan.

The Master Plan has several parts:

• Master Plan, approved by the Parks Board
• Parks Implementation Plan
• Master Plan Findings Presentation
• ETC Institute's Findings Report for a Statistically Valid Citizen Survey conducted as part of the Parks Master Plan

The charts above representing needs and concerns of Raytowners, including the first chart listing the percentages who support or oppose a parks sales tax increase, come from the Statistically Valid Citizen Survey, which achieved a statistically valid random sample of 486 households in Raytown, which means that the results have a 95% level of confidence and a precision rate of at least 4.4%.

It is worth remembering that it is expensive and time-consuming to conduct surveys of this type, which go to the trouble to follow best practices, reach a random sampling of the population, and reach enough residents to achieve statistical validity.

But the reason we spend that time and trouble is because the results have a degree and validity and reliability that is important when making wide-reaching decisions affecting our community. 

If you feel that Raytown needs better parks, trails, and outdoor recreation opportunities, please take the time to contact your Raytown Aldermen now.  They need to hear from you!