Free complimentary copy October 2, 2015 • Volume 2, No. 49
www.raytowneagle.com • 50¢
Jackson County, KCATA agree to funding deal, purchase of Rock Island Corridor Jackson County nears deal with Union Pacific
On Sept. 30, Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority President and CEO Joe Reardon revealed at a press conference a cooperative agreement that will finance the acquisition of 17.7 miles of the Rock Island Corridor from Union Pacific Railroad. “This is a historic step forward for our entire community,” Sanders said. “The significance of this announcement, and its potential to shape our county’s growth for generations to come, cannot be overThe Mayor on the Rock Island Corridor “The economic development in Raytown spurred by trailheads and transit stops connecting to the Katy Trail and the junction of the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails which run through our City could be enormous. Raytown has the distinct advantage of being the only town in this region that has three places along the trails that are on the National Register of Historic Places: Cave Springs Park, the Rice-Tremonti Home, and the Raytown Historical Society Museum, which is certified as an interpretive center on the trails. Think what an economic boom this could mean to the downtown area of Raytown, as well as other portions of our city, and the interest surely generated in the coming months and years in bringing more businesses and commercial development to Raytown. We have for far too long ignored Raytown’s prime location and the fact that one can get to and from Raytown within the KC region in a short amount of time. This corridor will only add to that. Now is the time for us to take advantage of the opportunity this brings to us, the economic advantage, pride in our town, proximity to Truman Sports complex, more traffic through our city and the possibility of tourism. This is an exciting time for Raytown. Let’s get behind this effort and let’s win this one for our future.” Mike McDonough
Photos by Diane Krizek Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, “Today I am pleased to stand before you and announce that a formal agreement between Jackson County and the Kansas City Area Transit Authority will provide the funding for the purchase and acquisition of the Rock Island Corridor.” stated.” Dozens of supporters attended the announcement at the Truman Sports Complex, including community leaders, proponents of walking and biking, trail enthusiasts, and transit supporters. Those representing Raytown made up a good portion of the crowd, from city staff to representatives of Main Street Association, Rice-Tremonti Home, Cave Springs, the Historical Society, Farmer’s Market and other or-
On the left, Pam Clark and Phylis Goforth hold a $1.3 Million Economic Activity sign and to the right, Mayor McDonough ganizations. Kansas City Mayor Sly James, Raytown Mayor Mike McDonough, and Lee’s Summit Mayor Randy Rhoads, whose communities will be directly affected, attended the announcement to show their support. “Imagine being able to leave your seat at the top of Arrowhead Stadium and get home before most cars leave the parking lot,” said Sanders. “Imagine the economic development in Kansas City, Raytown and Lee’s Summit spurred by trailheads and transit stops. Imagine connecting to the Katy Trail so that you can ride a bike from the Truman Sports Complex to the St. Louis Arch.” The Rock Island project has received federal support in the past, and is ready for even more. U.S.
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver hopes support comes soon. “This announcement is a major step forward for our community,” said Cleaver. “This partnership shows the federal government what local communities can do with leaders like Mike Sanders and Joe Reardon. Now it is time for the federal government to do its part and support worthy projects like the Rock Island Corridor.” KCATA will provide part of the funding to acquire the corridor. The KCATA Board of Commissioners approved the cooperative agreement at a meeting shortly before the announcement. “The opportunity to secure this invaluable corridor for public access and future transportation and development will benefit our entire
region for years to come,” Reardon said. “We are excited about our partnership with Jackson County. I applaud Mike Sanders for his efforts to secure the Rock Island Corridor over the last four years without which we would not be where we are today.” While discussions with Union Pacific continue, the parties said that they are nearing a final agreement. “All major issues involving the acquisition of the Rock Island corridor have been agreed to. We anticipate having a final agreement very soon” said Sanders. “In addition, $10 million in federal funds has already been set aside to help clear the way for future construction on the trail.”
KCTA continued on page 8
Annual police, REAP benefit golf tournament raises $19k By Kris Collins A turnout of 140 golfers for the 12th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament Sept. 25 at Teetering Rocks Executive Golf Links raised approximately $19,200 for the Raytown police benefit fund and Raytown Emergency Assistance Program. The funds will be split evenly between the Raytown Police Benefit Fund Committee and REAP. “For a local tournament, we do pretty good,” said Raytown Police Chief Jim Lynch, who was one of the organizers of the event. “It’s typical for our tournament over the last
several years, but I’ll tell you, when I ask about other tournaments — Lee’s Summit has one, they just had their 20th or 21st, and they do about the same and even less than us at times.” Lynch was quick to give credit for success to Mayor Mike McDonough, who has long been involved in the tournament dating back to his career as a police officer. “To be real honest with you, the mayor … he goes out and hustles the money,” Lynch said. “He really gets after it. We have a lot of gratitude to all the people, the business owners in Raytown and beyond that make it so successful.”
REAP provides assistance to those in need in the form or food donations from the organization’s food pantry, and offers utility bill assistance, and other services. The police benefit fund committee has also put money toward community events, including Raytown School District events, The Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the Raytown Area Chamber/Raytown Rotary Golf Tournament, Raytown Kiwanis, Special Olympics, Hope House, Raytown Educational Foundation and others. The fundraiser also included a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and putting contest.
Golf continued on page 8
Photo by Kris Collins Mike Hunter, from left, Jeff Vance, Larry Mock and Raytown Alderman Steve Mock pose for a picture after teeing off on the back nine at Teetering Rocks Executive Golf Links Sept. 25.
Al Brown, long-time REAP director, retires
By Kris Collins
Al Brown served as the director of Raytown Emergency Assistance Program for 20 years. He retired in July and Holly Grimwood, then-assistant director, took over for him. He was very forthcoming about what a fine job she is doing in her relatively new role, not unlike how forthcoming — nearly eager — Al was during our hour-andtwenty minute conversation to shower REAP’s volunteers and staff with compliments and deflect all credit away from himself. “I’m extremely proud of this building,” he said of REAP’s office building, which was constructed five years ago. “I’m extremely proud of the people that put it together. I’m extremely proud of
Photo courtesy of REAP Al Brown often signed letters or thank-you cards with the above cartoon, joking that his 20 years with Raytown Emergency Assistance Program led to the loss of his leg and an eye. the community of Raytown who helped this building become what
New Board Members Page 2
it is. It was a community effort. That’s why I don’t want all these accolades. I’m just one figure. Anybody can do what I do. It took the community to make this happen.” And that’s true. Donations aside, the 9,000-square-foot facility was built primarily by volunteers, most were between the ages of 64 and 87 at the time. But Al doesn’t see himself as an integral part of that process. It’s not false modesty and, though he has a biting sense of humor, he’s not joking around. It simply isn’t a big deal to him — doing the work and giving seemingly endlessly, sometimes without appreciation or gratitude from the beneficiaries of his efforts. “I didn’t dream this up, but
I’m a believer in simple acts of kindness,” he said. “We all think big, grandiose things change the world. Well, it’s true, but we as individuals make a tremendous difference in people’s lives just by saying “Hi” to somebody, by just writing them a card, a smile on your face. Whatever you can do in a given day’s time, you tend to forget how important those things are. It just irritates me more people don’t do that on a regular basis.” It’s commonplace for him to be kind and not give it a second thought, something that he said was instilled in him during his upbringing. I imagine a heat map plotting every mailbox that received an Al Brown thank-you card would look as if somebody spilled paint all over it.
Baked Potato Pizza And Other Dishes Page 7
“Overall, you don’t do this because the money you’re going to make,” he said. “It is a labor of love, or you just want to be giving back and helping people … If I had my choice of doing it again, I’d do the same thing.” Al started at REAP in 1995, though he had never done this type of work before and originally declined the job offer, three years after it secured a 501(3)C nonprofit status. The organization was run in two back rooms at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church at the time. It grew and REAP found a new home on Maple Avenue. “We thought we moved into the Taj Mahal when we left Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church,” he said. Now, REAP has been in on East
Al Brown continued on page 8
Friday Night Football Page 8