Cass Politics

Posted By J.T. on January 28, 2010

Press Release from Commissioner Brian L. Baker

President John Quincy Adams once said, “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” Cass County Commissioners finalized 2010 budget plans this past month looking at facts and worked diligently with office holders across party lines to balance the budget and yet continue to provide quality services to citizens.

The facts were clear! In 2009 county revenues were down 6.3%. Cass County used a portion of its reserve funds to provide services to citizens. Revenue projections across the state look to be lower in 2010. Governor Nixon made it clear in his State of the State Address that the state budget would have to be reduced and prioritized. The jobless count in Missouri remains at 9.3% as of this report.

The unanimous consent of the County Commission was to maintain a balanced budget for 2009 and look at the fact that we had to make reductions in 2010. Our resolve is clear…we will live with what the voters have given us and we will not raise taxes to balance the 2010 budget.

The Cass County Commission voted to adopt a 2010 Budget Plan. However, due to the struggling economy the County Commission voted to appropriate budget dollars quarterly rather than annually. This is an effort to watch revenues closely and make sure the county lives within its means in these tough economic times. State designated budget items or items regulated by state law were appropriated for the year. (more…)

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Tags: Cass County, government spending

Posted By J.T. on December 19, 2009

Cass County, Missouri – The County Commission has appointed four representatives to the “Kansas City and Vicinity Workforce Investment Board.”

The County Commission appointed local attorney Chris Benjamin, to represent business organizations on the board. Chris Benjamin grew up in Harrisonville and graduated from Harrisonville High school in 1994.  Benjamin received his law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  He is a partner at Benjamin, McLaughlin, and Benjamin, PC, a law firm located on the Harrisonville square, and he serves as Garden City Municipal Judge.

The Commission also appointed Nicole Henderson, Vice-President of Operations at Belton Research Hospital to represent business organizations and appointed Jim Spencer, Director of the Cass County Career Center, to represent education agencies.

The Commission re-appointed Amos Jackson, Executive Director of the West Central Community Action Agency to represent community action groups.

The KC Area Workforce Advisory Board works with the Missouri Division of Workforce Development in implementing strategies to ensure that Missouri’s workforce system prepares the right people for the right jobs in the right places.

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Tags: Cass County, economic development

Posted By J.T. on December 3, 2009

Harrisonville, Missouri - The Cass County Commission is announcing a dedication ceremony for the newly restored Circuit Courtroom at the historical courthouse on the Harrisonville Square.

The restoration was funded through a Missouri Historic Preservation Grant.  Cass County repaired the ceiling, walls, old balcony in the courtroom, and updated lighting.  “The courtroom is as close as we could get it to its original condition,” stated Associate Commissioner Bill Cook.  “It looks beautiful.”

A number of special guests will be attending the dedication ceremony including Missouri Supreme Court Justice Laura Denvir Stith and Supreme Court Justice Mary Rhodes Russell.  Attorney General Chris Koster will be the special guest speaker.  Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory will also be sharing with those in attendance.

“It truly is an amazing reconstruction,” stated Associate Commissioner Brian Baker.  “It truly represents an important part of Cass County and Missouri History.  Future generations will truly share something special with past Cass County generations.”

The Commission has invited judges to use the newly-restored courtroom for some cases.  However, the room will also be available for public use.  Citizens and groups will be able to rent the restored courtroom for weddings, meetings, and events.  The Cass County Historical Society is already looking at performing reenactments in the historic room.

The Cass County Commission is very excited about the completion of the project.  “We have a complete and fully functioning historic courthouse,” stated Presiding Commissioner Mallory.  “We look forward to using the courthouse as a place where our communities and citizens can come together.  I want to thank former Associate Commissioner Jon Seabaugh for his work on this project and his efforts to see the project completed.”

The Cass County Restored Circuit Courtroom Dedication is on Monday, December 7 at 7:00pm at the Historic Courthouse on the Harrisonville Square.  The dedication ceremony is open to the public and citizens are encouraged to come see the restored courtroom.

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Tags: Cass County, fyi

Posted By J.T. on November 30, 2009

The Raymore City Council passed the first reading of 2 Bills that would loosen restrictions on firearms and allow qualified city council members to carry concealed weapons into meetings.

Bill 2514 removes the prohibition of open carry in city limits and allows anyone over 21 to transport a concealable firearm in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, both of which are already allowed by state law and thus unenforceable at the city level.

Bill 2515 repeals the city’s current prohibition of CCW endorsement holders from carrying inside buildings located on Park property.

From the Belton Star-Herald:

State law currently prohibits even concealed weapons qualified citizens from carrying their weapons into such meetings.

The proposal drew the ire of Mayor Juan Alonzo, who called the current state law concerning weapons an attack on the second amendment because itfavors members of the government while unduly restricting citizens.

It also drew immediate opposition from council members Charlene Hubach and Monique Lewis. Council member John Seimears offered an amendment to allow all provisions of Cox’s bill except the council chamber clause, but after its failure, voted in favor of the overall bill leaving Hubach and Lewis as the only opposition.

From a statement by Councilman Jeff Cox:

Some of the proposed changes correct current City Code provisions that are in conflict with State law and are therefore illegal and unenforceable, while others would remove restrictions contained in the City Code that, while legal, impose more stringent restrictions upon the Raymore citizenry than those imposed by the State which affect Missourians at large. Essentially, both bills would remove all of the additional firearms restrictions currently imposed by the City Code that go beyond those provided for in the State Statutes, giving the citizens of Raymore as much possible freedom that is allowed by State law.

The text of the Bills can be found HERE (pp. 197-211).  It should be noted that this is a large .pdf file and may take awhile to download.

A video of the Council Meeting can be viewed at http://raymoreftp.com/raymore2/Council%20Meeting%2011-23-09.wmv

The second reading will occur during the Council’s Dec. 14 regular meeting.

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Tags: firearms, legal issues, Raymore

Posted By J.T. on November 20, 2009

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources applauds the partnership of the Mid-America Regional Council, or MARC, Solid Waste Management District and the Cass County Sustainability Committee, which has resulted in a county-wide recycling program that has diverted more than 59 tons of solid waste from Missouri’s landfills between March 1 and Sept. 30 of this year.  The goal of the committee is to promote recycling and sustainable practices in Cass County.

In fiscal year 2009, the MARC Solid Waste Management District awarded the committee more than $16,000 to support its educational efforts for a new rotating recycling center in the county.  The center rotates between the rural communities of Peculiar, Freeman, Drexel and Garden City within the county.  The committee partners with Town and Country Disposal to place a bin each Friday for the following weekend drop-off site.

“Rural recycling has its challenges, particularly with issues of transportation.  The partnership with Town and Country is very timely given they recently completed the installation of a Materials Recovery Facility in Cass County.  While distance between communities and the facility are still far, it is clearly more attainable,” said Nadja Karpilow, Environmental Planner with the MARC Solid Waste Management District.
The project is largely done with volunteer help, including program manager Doris Sherrick, who added “I’d love to keep a hand in keeping the center going and perhaps make the rotating sites into something permanent.”

For more information about solid waste management districts and grant opportunities, visit the Department’s Web site at dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp or call 573-751-5401.

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Tags: Cass County, environment

Posted By J.T. on November 10, 2009

Harrisonville, Missouri - Per state law, all elected office holders in Cass County must form a salary commission that meets every two years.  This commission votes on the base salary for each of elected positions of the county that will be chosen by the voters in the November general elections.

Previous salary commissions had instituted a policy that no elected office could receive a raise unless all county employees also received the same raise.  The new salary commission of 2009 discussed the economy, revenue projections, and policy surrounding salaries. They commission voted not to raise the salaries of elected positions.

Per state law, the salary commission is made up of the county clerk, county treasurer, presiding commissioner, associate commissioner - district 1, associate commissioner - district 2, county assessor, county circuit clerk, county recorder, county collector, county prosecutor, county auditor, and county sheriff.

It should be noted that Cass County Commissioners unanamisouly voted for a 3% salary increase for elected officials in January.

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Tags: Cass County, government spending

Posted By J.T. on November 10, 2009

Pleasant Hill residents who have “yard waste” on the street now face fines of up to $500 and 60 days in jail due to the passing of an amended ordinance recently.

From the Pleasant Hill Times:

Homeowners will no longer be able to blow huge piles of fall leaves into neighborhood streets under an amended nuisance ordinance adopted by the Pleasant Hill City Council last week.
The amendment cleans up language in the city’s nuisance ordinance and adds leaves, yard waste, compost materials or plant trimmings to the list of trash or junk that cannot be disposed of on city streets.
The amended ordinance was prompted by homeowners on Baltimore Street who complained that their neighbors were blowing huge piles of leaves into the street.
The property owners said the leaves were not only an eyesore, but were potentially dangerous.

Leaves and yard waste were not specifically mentioned in the nuisance ordinance and feared that omission might make it difficult to enforce.
The new ordinance corrects that oversight and clarifies the definition of “nuisance materials” that are prohibited on city streets.
In addition to leaves and yard waste, the public is also prohibited from disposing of ashes, sawdust, shavings, straw, rubbish, refuse, garbage, metals, old clothing, dead animals and several other offensive or disagreeable materials in streets, on sidewalks, lots or ponds.
Persons found in violation of the ordinance face a fine of up to $500 and 60 days in jail for each offense.

The amended ordinance passed by a unanimous 3-0 vote of the City Council. Councilmen Larry Rosanbalm, Pat Bates and Steve Long all voted for the change and Councilman Paul Beason was absent.

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Tags: legal issues, Pleasant Hill

Posted By J.T. on November 9, 2009

The Cass County Health Department will have two H1N1 Flu clinics in the near future.

Friday, November 13, 2009 5:00-8:00pm

Monday, November 30, 2009 4:00-7:00pm

Vaccine will be administered on a first-come, first served basis. The vaccine will be provided to the following priority groups:

· Pregnant Women

· Children six months through twenty-four years of age

· Caregivers of infants less than six months of age

· Healthcare workers and emergency medical services personnel

· People aged 25 - 64 years of age with chronic health conditions

The nasal spray vaccine, Flu Mist, will be administered to healthy individuals (who are not pregnant and age appropriate, age 2 through 49) who meet one of the priority groups specified above. (more…)

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Posted By J.T. on November 9, 2009

A Kansas City woman was driving in rural Cass County last week when she was struck by a bullet, probably fired from at least a mile away by a .30-caliber rifle.

From The Kansas City Star:

The bullet zipped over fields and pasture from the south as Long’s car traveled west from her aunt’s house. The two would meet at a point on 307th Street at precisely the same instant.

Not only that, Long’s driver-side window was down six inches or so and the bullet was at the perfect trajectory to enter the opening as she drove past that point at 40 mph.

The slug tore through her cheek, exited her mouth, then plopped onto the floorboard of the 1998 Ford Taurus.

“Looks to be a .30-caliber,” said Cpl. Kevin Tieman of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. “We did a follow-up with neighbors out there but so far haven’t found anything.”

He said he thought the bullet lost some of its velocity due to the distance it traveled.

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Tags: Cass County, firearms

Posted By J.T. on November 5, 2009

Harrisonville, Missouri – The Cass County Commission has been trying to find a way to cope with buildings and structures throughout the county that have been damaged by fire, wind, or have become so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, or unsanitary that they are unfit for human habitation.

Over the last year, abandoned homes or old homes that have been unoccupied for years have created possible health hazards. Other homes have caught fire and are left in disrepair.  In some cases these homes become breeding grounds for disease, rodents, or other hazards.

While researching how to address the safety and health concerns of these buildings, Commissioners were very concerned that they not usurp or negatively impact the property rights of individuals.  “We are not interested in going into homes and inspecting interior structures or trying to determine roof damage,” commented Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory.  “We are simply talking about buildings that are clearly uninhabitable and dangerous…with exposed electrical wires…massive holes in the sides of structures…and clearly abandoned and not usable…those present a real hazard.”

The Commission reviewed an old ordinance from 2002 that had been replaced by the International Building Codes adopted by previous Commissioners.  Commissioners felt that the definition of a dangerous building in the old ordinance went too far in trying to address buckling of walls, percentage of damage, or other things that may or may be debatable and create a bureaucratic-enforcement issue.

The county reviewed possible definitions and agreed on the following definition of “dangerous buildings”:

Those that have been damaged by fire or wind so as to become dangerous to life, safety, or the general health and welfare of the occupants or the people of the County.

Those that are so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary or that utterly fail to provide the amenities essential to decent living that they are unfit for human habitation, or are likely to cause sickness or disease, so as to work injury to the health, safety, or welfare of those occupying such building.

Structures deemed dangerous will need to be repaired or constructed to eliminate the hazard that exists or they will need to be removed entirely. (more…)

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Tags: Cass County, safety