Free complimentary copy January 15, 2016 • Volume 3, No. 12
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Raytown Schools Wellness Center restored as community asset By Kris Collins Since the YMCA closed approximately three years ago the vacancy left a void in Raytown and an acrid taste in the mouth of the community. But it was difficult not to spot joy in the faces of Raytown C-II School District personnel and board members, community and civic leaders and members of public Jan. 7 as the iconic red ribbon was cut in honor of the facility’s convalescence to a wellness center for the entire community. “Today marks the culmination of a dream for me, one that was initially sort of a nightmare,” Raytown Schools Superintendent Allan Markley said at opening of the Raytown Schools Wellness Center. “When word came to us that the YMCA formerly located right here would close its doors, our community was devastated.” The newly renovated wellness center was made possible through local businessman Chris Payne,
to acknowledge the opening of this beautiful facility.” Markley specifically gave thanks to the school board, whose members, he noted, had the vision to restore the facility into a community asset. The facility has a health clinic that is estimated to save the district $2.6 million in health insurance costs over the next five years, cardio and strength-training equipment, an indoor track, rooms for fitness classes, a community event space and a pool, which will also act as a home base for the once-displaced Raytown swim team. “Raytown is blessed to have people who care enough about our city not to let buildings sit vacant, but to make it a presence, one that will help all of us,” Raytown Mayor Mike McDonough said at that ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We don’t quit. We fight for our town and for the things that make us stronger and better. This Raytown wellness center is a perfect example of what is good and right about us in RayPhotos by Kris Collins Raytown C-II School District Superintendent Allan Markley, center right, and Raytown Mayor Mike McDonough, center left, are surrounded by school district personnel and board members, and city and civic leaders as board of education President Kristie Collins prepares to cut the ribbon for the opening of the Raytown Schools Wellness Center Jan. 7.
Raytown Schools Board of Education President Kristie Collins, left, accepts a plaque commemorating the opening of the wellness center from Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce President Vicki Turnbow.
who purchased the building and outfitted it for use by the school district, which is opening the doors to those who live or work within the school district for a monthly user fee. “With Chris Payne, we were able to establish a plan that not only encompassed a clinic for Raytown school employees … but a wellness center that would serve the public and our community as well,” Markley said. “Today, the overwhelming emotion of happiness has replaced all the others as we cut the ribbon
town.” In total, the revitalization of the building cost approximately $3 million, according to Raytown C-II Schools Assistant Superintendent Travis Hux. He said the school district is currently leasing the property at $30,000 a month, but that could soon change as the district makes arrangements to buy the property from Payne’s Monopoly Acquisitions. “We plan on purchasing the property from the current owner, pending a board vote to do so,”
The Raytown swim team is now able to practice in the renovated swimming pool at the Raytown Schools Wellness Center
Hux said, noting the purchase could be wrapped up as early as the end of January or early February. “We already have an agreed price, which in total would be about $3 million; that includes the purchase
of the property and renovations that we did.” Steve Shelton, associate superintendent of operations for the schools, said the school district is already taking steps to finance the
purchase of the property. Shelton said the district will borrow $4.6 million from a bank or creditor to fund the building acquisition, among other projects, and
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Frank White appointed as county executive By Kris Collins Jackson County Legislator Frank White was appointed Monday to serve as the Jackson County executive for the remainder of 2016 to fill a vacancy left by the Jan. 5 resignation of Mark Sanders. White, who resigned as 1st district at-large legislator to take on the new position, was sworn in at the Truman Courthouse Monday afternoon. “I am humbled by the support of my colleagues,” White said. “I am looking forward to working with the administrative team to continue the successes of the past few years. Our county employees are hardworking, and making sure they have the tools they need to serve our residents will be one of my top priorities.” Fred Arbanas, a Jackson County legislator for 40 years, had been appointed as the temporary executive by Sanders when he left office, in ac-
cordance with the county charter. Jackson County Legislative Chairwoman Crystal Williams said White “is absolutely intent on serving the people of Jackson County. … One of the reasons I am so thrilled he has agreed to take on this rather hefty job is because Frank has said -- since the very beginning when he got elected to the Legislature -- that his priorities were for constituents to have an operating and transparent county government, and that he wanted the employees of Jackson County to understand how much we value them. “So, I think we are likely going to see a lot of hard work put into a lot of the work-a-day issues, which are ultimately what is important to the people of Jackson County.” White, a Mississippi native, grew up in Kansas City and attended Lincoln High School. As a laborer he helped build Kaufman Stadium, where he later spent 18 years as a Kansas City Royal, earning eight
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Gold Gloves and five All-Star Game selections as a second baseman. White was instrumental in helping the Royals capture their first World Series Championship in 1985. He was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame in 1995. “My experience tells me that teamwork is contagious,” he said. “We have a good team in place, and I am excited to work with them to make sure Jackson County residents and businesses can win.” White and his wife live in Lee’s Summit. He currently serves as first base coach for the American Association’s T-Bones Baseball Club, conducts hitting and fielding clinics for young athletes, and works in sales for a local roofing company. White was elected to the county legislature Nov. 4, 2014. He chaired the land use committee and served on the budget, health and environment and public works committees. Voters will elect a new executive this year to finish Sanders’ term
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Photo courtesy Jackson County Frank White is sworn in as Jackson County executive Jan. 11 at the Truman Courthouse. White resigned from his position on the legislature to take on his new role. He will serve for the remainder of the year, and voters will elect a new executive to serve the remainder of former executive Mike Sanders’ term, which runs through 2018.
through 2018. The following is White’s speech after being sworn in: “God has truly smiled upon me
and my family today. “This is a historic day, and I have to say the most humbling experience
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