Free complimentary copy April 8, 2016 • Volume 3, No. 24
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Police seek information on April 3 shooting at 63rd, Blue Ridge Cutoff Kansas City police are seeking information on the death of 39-year-old Jacob Brantner, who was shot and killed at approximately 8:30 p.m. April 3 in a parking lot near 63rd Street and Blue Ridge Cutoff. Police said an off-duty officer working at the Price Chopper nearby heard gunshots outside and found Branter’s body in the parking lot. It was reported that Brantner was trying to sell a gun
and that his 10-year-old daughter was in the car during the exchange. The Kansas City Fire Department responded to the call, police said, and declared Brantner dead on scene. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
By Kris Collins
Jacob Brantner
Raytown PIO leaving city for new job By Kris Collins The city of Raytown’s public information officer, Brenda Gustafson, is leaving her position with the city on April 15 to take a new job with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Gustafson tendered her resignation April 5, according to Raytown Administrator Mahesh Sharma. “I have made some great friendships while I’ve been at the city,” said Gustafson, who began
working for the city in September 2012. “I’m proud of the work we’ve been able to accomplish. Before I came, the website was inadequate, we didn’t have Facebook, YouTube, live streaming, Twitter; nobody was putting out press releases. “I appreciate the mentorship I was given by Mahesh Sharma. I have immense respect for his professionalism. I only hope for the best for Raytown. It’s a great little city.” Gustafson said she will be the
public affairs specialist administrator for FEMA’s region 7 office, located on Ward Parkway in Kansas City. The region 7 office covers Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. Though her new position will require a heavy travel schedule, Gustafson said she plans to continue her involvement with Rotary Club of Raytown and Kiwanis Club of Raytown Three Trails. “Within the area I’ve got some commitments I want to maintain, one of them being the craft beer
festival because I’m the chair of that,” she said. It’s unclear at this point if Gustafson’s position will be filled. Sharma said he is evaluating the position, which is common practice when an employee leaves. “Any time a vacancy does happen we review the position and the need,” Sharma said. “At this moment, I’m in the process of filling the economic development director, as well as her (position). We’ll look for the opportunity. The position is funded in our budget.”
Jackson Co. jail employees disciplined for mistaken release of murder suspect By Kris Collins Following the mistaken release of a murder suspect from the Jackson County Detention Center in mid-February, three employees have come under disciplinary action. According to a statement from Jackson County Department of Corrections Director Joe Piccinini, 26-year-old Malcolm Johnson was released as a result of clerical errors. Johnson was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action for the October 2014 death of 22-yearold Monteario Hogan, whose body was found outside a Family Dollar Store in the 5200 block
Malcolm Johnson, a suspect in the 2014 death of Monteario Hogan, is being sought by the Raytown Police Department. Johnson was accidentally released by the Jackson County Detention Center in February.
of Blue Ridge Blvd in Raytown. Johnson was released after the charges against him were dropped and refiled by the prosecutor’s office, according to authorities. In his statement, Piccinini noted Johnson’s release was “preceded by, but not ultimately caused by, the dropping and refiling of the charges in the case.” Several employees had access to the file with the refiled charges, but failed to see them, according to a statement from the department of corrections. The county has not disclosed what disciplinary actions have been taken against employees, though one of the employees no longer works for the county.
According to a statement from the department, release papers on violent criminals will now be reviewed by more senior supervisors to prevent mistaken releases in the future. “We understand the concerns of the family of the victim, and those of our residents, and we apologize to them,” Piccinini said in a statement. “We will continue to work with law enforcement to help in any way with the arrest of Mr. Johnson.” As of press time, Johnson was still at large. Anyone with information on Johnson is asked to call the Raytown Police Department at 816-737-6020 or the Tips Hotline at 816-474TIPS (8477).
Lee’s Summit city council candidate ruled ineligible day before election By Kris Collins A Jackson County judge declared a Lee’s Summit man an ineligible candidate in the race for city council after Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker learned of the man’s felony conviction days before the election on April 5. According to court documents, Franklin D. Tatro, a candidate for Lee’s Summit district 1 city councilman, was ruled ineligible April 4 because of a 1996 class C felony stealing conviction. Tatro said the charge was filed against him while working for a car dealership in Jop-
lin and he took a car out of the state. Under state law, no person with a felony conviction may run for public office. “When I signed that paper, I knew in good conscience I had a voter registration card and this was 20 years ago,” he said. “My thinking was that they didn’t go past seven years. I did not know that was on the books for that far back.” Court documents state Lee’s Summit police made Baker’s office aware of Tatro’s conviction on April 1. During a court hearing April 4, Jackson County Circuit Judge James F. Kanatzar additionally or-
Dancin’ 2 Wynn Page 3
Aldermen approve animal adoption service contract, $76k PD furniture bill
Photo courtesy Franklin Tatro
Easy Cinnamon Rolls Page 7
dered that the Jackson County Election Board post a notice of Tatro’s ineligibility at polling places and that the board shall not certify any votes for Tatro, nor shall it disclose how many votes he received in the election. Tammy Brown, Republican director of the Jackson County Election Board, said this is the first time, to her knowledge, that a candidate has been ruled ineligible for office in such close proximity to an election. Tatro said he plans to get his record expunged and run again for public office in 2018.
The Raytown Board of Aldermen approved a bill 8-1 during its regular meeting Tuesday evening to award a contract for pet adoption services to Midwest Animal ResQ, which recently opened an animal shelter at 10312 E. 63rd St. in Raytown. Raytown Public Affairs and Development Director John Benson recommended passage of the bill, noting his department’s efforts of the past years to improve the city’s reputation in the Kansas City Metro Area with respect to its animal control services. Furthermore, Benson noted the need for adoption services with increasing numbers of impounded animals. In 2015, the city impounded a record 471 animals. “That’s a 50 percent increase in the last four years,” Benson said. “The adoption rate over that same time has dropped.” When an animal is picked up by Raytown Animal Control, it is impounded for up to 10 days while the owner is sought out. Following the approval of the bill, after the 10day impoundment period, the animals will now go to Midwest Animals ResQ for adoption, at a cost of $7,000 annually. The cost is based on a $25 cost per animal taken in. “That $25 helps them – doesn’t completely cover their cost – but helps them with their administrative cost of operation in providing the adoption services,” Benson said. Benson said, “the savings would be in the lives of animals,” when asked about potential cost savings on the bill. Alderman Bill VanBuskirk opposed the expense, and was the sole vote against the bill. “This is a private entity,” he said prior to the vote. “Certainly it’s the responsibility of us to take care of animal control for our tax payers and I think that’s an appropriate way to spend tax dollars, but when we start providing monies to a private agency whose main function is for animal rescue and adoptions of animals that’s not connected to our city, I don’t believe that’s an appropriate use of taxpayer money. I just won’t’ be able to support that.” Alderman Mark Moore disagreed. “Citizen’s tax money has to be put to a good use, and this actually does that,” he said. “This is a public service. I completely approve of every nickel that’s spent on this.” The bill was approved 8-1. VanBuskirk voted against the bill. Alderman Jim Aziere was absent from the meeting. Police station furniture The board also approved a $76,000 expense for new furniture for the police department, much to the chagrin of several board members who thought the expense should have been anticipated. “We believed it was (budgeted),” said Police Chief Jim Lynch. “Unfortunately, it was not budgeted in the original project, so it’s an expense that we have.” Alderman Eric Teeman said he was frustrated with the lack of foresight to budget for the expense, considering an unbudgeted expense the board approved for the Downtown Streetscape Project during the board’s previous meeting.
BOA continued on page 4
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