Monday Memo: From Doorstep Drama to Tax Bill Realities

Good morning, Platte County!

This week, our post showing doorbell footage of campaign literature removal has now been viewed by 8,094 of you as of this morning!  WOW!  Thanks All!  And two more folks are following this blog, making 114 followers—though one is the Democrat nominee for Presiding Commissioner.  Guess she wants to keep tabs on me!

If you missed KSHB 41’s coverage interviewing Collector candidate Jim Bosch about the incident and the ongoing police report, you can watch the segment here:

👉 Watch the Channel 41 News Segment Here

While video of door-front behavior gets immediate attention, it points to a much bigger question for taxpayers: If candidates act this way on your front porch, what will they do with your wallet at the courthouse?

Let’s talk about what’s actually at stake for Platte County's bottom line this fall.

1. Property Taxes & New Tax Proposals

As property values remain a top concern across the county, the fiscal direction of the Presiding Commissioner seat and Commission bench will shape your annual tax bill:

• Tax Levy Caps vs. Resets: Proposals floating among Independent and Democratic slates lean toward restoring county property tax levies up to the full 6% mark.
• New Tax Initiatives & Mental Health Funding: Debates continue surrounding sales tax initiatives. Frankly, now that Platte County is establishing its own local management path (following its exit from the tri-county mental health structure) with dedicated property tax-backed funding coming online for mental health services, Platte County does not need competing, overlapping boards. Adding extra funding layers can easily result in unnecessary bureaucratic bloat and heavy tax burdens. 

2. The 30% Salary Increase Elephant in the Room

Earlier this cycle, county leadership approved a controversial 30% salary increase—set to take effect in January 2027 for newly elected officials, with remaining offices adjusting in January 2029.

• The Procedural Reality: Under Missouri law, the County Clerk is the official statutorily responsible for calling a Salary Commission meeting to evaluate and set elected officials' compensation.
• The Silence Across the Board: Neither candidate for County Clerk has put forward a concrete plan to impanel the Salary Commission to review or roll back these increases. While the Republican nominee noted that 30% was excessive, there has been no commitment to initiate a statutory review. Meanwhile, the Democratic candidate continues to support broader budget expansions.

Taxpayers deserve clear answers from every candidate on whether they intend to use their statutory authority to revisit these pay levels should they be elected to office.

3. The Power of an Informed Electorate

As voters navigate a crowded ballot featuring party nominees and Independent candidates who previously held party alignments, dynamic choices are emerging in key watchdog roles like Collector, Treasurer, and Auditor.

While yard signs don't vote, visibility, track records, and clear policy positions do. Whether it's standing up for homestead property tax credit implementation or maintaining strict budgetary discipline, voters shouldn't have to guess where candidates stand.

The Republican candidates for County office are: Jason Maki for Presiding Commissioner; Laura Waldon for County Auditor; Jim Bosch for County Collector, Krysten Jury for County Treasurer; Mary Calvillo for County Clerk.  The rest of the county candidates are unopposed in the General Election.  This is the link to the Platte County Board of Elections sample Ballot: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/561e88cee4b06543191f1ad2/t/6aa304205c50e57900fd5e8b/1789068320262/Election_Proof_Report_136.pdf

I urge voters to educate yourselves. Several candidates are posting their positions and updates regularly on their Facebook pages—go look them up. An informed electorate is essential to keeping our local government accountable and protecting our community!

The Bottom Line:

Don't let doorstep distractions pull your focus from the fiscal math. When you fill out your ballot, look past the political theater and ask: Who is going to keep my property taxes low, control county spending, and demand accountability from county officers?

We’ll keep tracking the numbers, reviewing the filings, and reporting the facts.

Have a great week, stay engaged, and keep an eye on your tax dollars!

Silence on the Surface, Movement Underneath

Good morning, Platte County!

While things may seem quiet on the surface as we head into the fall, there is plenty moving behind the scenes.

We can confirm that multiple active inquiries—spanning both state and federal law enforcement levels—are quietly underway regarding potential county-level public corruption, specifically centered on allegations of honest services bribery and budgetary leverage.

Because official inquiries require discretion to ensure integrity and due process, we are not naming specific individuals, candidates, or offices at this time. But the questions being asked behind closed doors are serious, and the answers will eventually have to come to light. We will let the official processes play out and report the facts as they are formally documented.

A Telling Contrast

At the same time, it is worth noting what isn’t getting traction.

Despite detailed public documentation and formal referrals regarding ballot petition harvesting practices inside local senior living and memory care facilities, there has been a remarkable lack of movement. Neither local mainstream media nor regional investigative agencies appear eager to pull on that thread or examine how those signatures were gathered from vulnerable residents.

It raises a fair question for local citizens: why do certain election integrity issues get immediate top-tier coverage, while direct, documented allegations involving our most vulnerable neighbors get met with a shrug and radio silence?

When "Minor" Acts Reveal Major Patterns

Consider this week’s doorbell video footage showing candidate Dale Brouk removing opposition literature off a resident's front door. The incident prompted a police report with Platte City Police and made regional television news as harmed candidates spoke out.

When candidates feel entitled to disregard basic property rights and campaign boundary lines on camera, it begs the question: what else gets bypassed when no one is watching?

Surely if an act of casual door-front literature theft draws official police intake and news coverage, the systemic and documented allegations surrounding memory care petition harvesting deserve that same level of urgent, serious investigation!

We’ll continue keeping our ear to the ground, verifying facts over rumors, and bringing you the truth when it’s solid.

Have a great rest of your week, stay engaged, and take care of your neighbors!

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬!

𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐤, "Independent" candidate (we are going to call the four independents "Demopendents" as they caucus and strategize with County Democrats), candidate for Presiding Commissioner is showing how arrogant, ruthless, power hungry and stupid he is. We cannot have this man leading our county! He is only for taxing us more and ruining Platte County by over development or at least not caring about regulated development.

Police reports have been filed. I filed an Ethics complaint last week on all 4 "independent" candidates for campaign finance violations. Notice the "Jim Bosch" campaign material Dale is putting in his bag. Evident in the still photo.

I have no doubt many of us will be tested by these campaigns and their supporters with intimidation and retaliation tactics.

Vote Republican in November! The cost of living in Platte County is high enough without the county government imposing more sales and property taxes! The Courthouse needs cleaned out and new leadership installed to right the ship in the right direction for the citizens, not the elected!

This act over the weekend is beyond the pale! Abhorrent and indefensible!

Let them know your outrage by casting a vote for the Republicans running for County Office! There is too much corruption now in County Government and perhaps a Municipality or two.

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲!

Good Morning Platte County! Not much to update on local politics just yet but we are actively searching for any new updates and will be notified of new details from all the investigations now going on in Platte County.

On a brighter note, USA Spaceflight program got a boost this morning with the giant SpaceX Starship actually making it into orbit! It also successfully deployed 26 more Star Link Satellites and it appears the Starship will successfully splash down near Hawaii as planned, even if only after 2 orbits instead of 6. It flew for a little over 3 hours. The Booster also operated as scheduled, splashing into the Gulf after simulating moves for a Gantry catch.

This technology of actually catching a spacecraft is wildly amazing feats. It is planned to have Flight 15 catch the Booster and perhaps capture an returning orbital spacecraft. Pure scifi come to life type of events.

Some amazing video from SpaceX this morning. They hope to perform Flight 15 launch with similar program mission on the end of October or early November but they often get delayed.

Stay tuned for updates on Platte County and the controversies swarming around. We want to avoid rumors and inform with the facts. That can be difficult. So I may not be posting more this week. I am looking forward to catching up with old high school classmates as our 50th reunion meets this next weekend. A wonderful way to usher in Fall, but I will likely have to listen to the Chiefs game on the radio driving home Sunday.

Until next time, have a great Monday and a profitable week!

 Today, September 21st, would have been my bride's would have been 67.  We miss her every day.  I wondered why I felt anxious today thinking it was some looming medical bills.  Well I realize I had not noticed what day it was today!  And that makes me sad I didn't notice from first thing this morning.  This November will mark 18 years since she was taken from us, losing her fight with a rare cancer.  Yes, I have tried to move on and been semi-successful at doing so.  But I cannot relate to all of you just how difficult that is to actually do.  So she will simply always be a part of my life, a part of our lives.

Love you Bethy!

I am sure I share the same sentiments as all of my Platte County family at the shock to hear of Eric Zahnd's passing. No one I know would have believed this would happen. I am sure many of us are taking stock of our emotions and the events of the past year or two. It does not change what has gone on in the past but it may very well shape the future.

Not only prayers for the Zahnd family but also for Platte County which we call home. Let us start the healing.

Where Is Our Tax Relief? It’s Time for the Collector to Act

Platte County voters overwhelmingly approved local tax relief, and the County Commissioners have already done their job by passing the necessary ordinances to authorize property tax credit programs. The Commissioners have even brought up the issue publicly, noting that the delays sit squarely with the Collector's office.

Yet, as we look toward upcoming property tax statements, taxpayers are left asking the same critical questions:

• Where are the Senior Tax Credit refunds or adjustments for those who overpaid?
• When will the Homestead Act tax caps actually be reflected on our bills?

Every year of administrative delay is another year that working families and seniors on fixed incomes pay full, uncredited tax bills on relief they are legally owed. Bureaucratic foot-dragging shouldn't keep taxpayers' money sitting in county accounts.

A Barrier to Transparency: No Public Emails Provided

Adding to the frustration, the Collector and Auditor web pages do not list a single email address, just an office phone number.  Why no email addresses?

In a digital age, basic local government transparency requires offering taxpayers a clear, written channel to ask questions and document official responses. Forcing citizens to physically travel to the courthouse or navigate automated phone lines just to inquire about voter-approved tax relief creates an unnecessary hurdle for working families and mobility-impaired seniors.

The other offices are varying degrees of contact information and range from right up front contact information on the Commissioner’s, Recorder’s and Treasurer’s pages to other offices buried a click or two deep.  The County needs to direct the county IT department to remedy this situation and setup formatting rules to make access to contact information easy for the citizen to find and use.  Of course, the current culture at the Courthouse will fight such protocols because they operate as separate silos and believe they each can independently control their office sites.  Its one government folks, let’s present it as a cohesive institution.

Take Action: Demand Answers From the Collector

The County Commission has laid the legal groundwork; now it is up to the Collector to execute. If you are tired of waiting for the relief you voted for, reach out directly:

Call to Action for Platte County Citizens:

• Call the Collector's Office: Phone the administration office directly at (816) 858-3356. Ask specifically when property tax statements will reflect approved Senior Tax Freeze credits and Homestead Act adjustments.
• Visit in Person: If you are near the courthouse, visit the Collector’s Office in person (Platte County Administration Building, 415 3rd St., Room 212, Platte City, MO).
• Demand Digital Access: Ask why the Collector's office does not provide a direct, functional email address on their primary webpage for constituent inquiries and official correspondence.

Let your voice be heard. It’s your hard-earned money—demand that the Collector's office follow through on county orders and obey the law!

Just now I shared the post on Facebook from Chris Wright for Recorder announcing his office's implementation of full disclosure and records being on line for the public to access at will. This is a great innovation and simple common sense. It could actually save taxpayers money by not having to request and bog down staffers with filling requests for information.

But will other offices take the cue and implement similar pages to their County websites?

Probably not. Okay, the Commissioners might. I urge them to do so. There is some already up there like PDFs of County orders - but I urge the County to list the title and short description instead of just the County Record number.

The incumbent Clerk lost the election because she led hiding public information and the office dragging their feet responding to requests for information. The Clerk evidently has more power over website access by other departments than the county IT department. Does that make sense? It's not statutorily based the Clerk have that power.

The Collector's office - Will we see Homestead Act tax credits on our property tax bills in 2026? Will those of us who overpaid property taxes in 2025 get the promised refund/tax credit in 2026 on our "frozen" Senior Property Tax credits?

How about the Auditor and Treasurer blocking citizens from their social media posts because they didn't want opposing comments or questions about their conduct and job performance? This will take more research but some are calling for federal civil rights violations lawsuits based on SCOTUS decisions like 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑘𝑒 𝑣. 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑑 (2024) involving public elected officials and social media or website commentary. Stay tuned. I am looking into this. And I am keeping watch on potential investigations into alleged petition signature harvesting at memory and elder care centers by the four independents running and their campaign manager - an elder health care worker herself. Shameful.

January cannot come soon enough but November 3rd must come first and I am just trying to inform the voters so we can elect responsible people, or at least throw out the old guard that spent our money recklessly and kept matters under wrap. I am very disappointed with the elected and its why I ran - to solicit change. But others had different plans for me and so be it. The voters will get what they deserve. I pray the challengers, once elected, will stand up, do the right thing, fight the good fight and change the direction and culture. I know they all have promised to do so. Every campaign makes promises and once in office some successful candidates get promise amnesia. The lure and seduction of money and power over ride actually serving the people. And folks I am talking both political parties. Neither has a monopoly on "win at all costs but serve yourself once in office". This must stop. We need to hold them accountable. Best of intentions or not, actions and at least trying hard to implement change will benefit us all. Just stating intentions but never following through will simply not be tolerated. There are many of us out here ready to be watchdogs and, in a civil manner, hold our elected accountable. I do have faith many of our candidates will work to improve and change county government. Not sure all will or be able to. Now is the time for brutal honesty. Our tax dollars are at stake and perhaps to some extent, our way of life is at stake.

November 3rd will be an anxious night as election returns are reported. I believe it could be one of the most important in our Nation's history to date. Select your vote carefully. Even not voting on various issues or for various candidates is a vote. It says you don't agree with a yes or no for an issue or for either candidate for an office. I expect to see lots of write in votes this November. But staying home is not an option. Get out and VOTE! It is the last glorious right and power we the people have left. And even that is being manipulated this season. We didn't get to vote for a County Prosecuting Attorney. Nothing illegal. All the rules were followed. But it was shenanigans that resulted in an unopposed election. There is more and the issues will be addressed in future posts.

Remember to vote in November! Its your duty as a citizen!

Good morning all. Another day in the heat wave! Make sure you all take care in the heat and stay hydrated. This heat spell is said to be with us into mid next week! Welcome to high energy bills!

I am sad to report that there still is no announced investigation by any County or State agency on the petition harvesting scandal. Let me know if that scandal concerns you or whether or not it needs investigated. Just comment below and I will follow up.

Also let me know what issues concern you this election year. Can be at any level-- County, City, State or National.

It was a rough weekend as we said goodbye to a dear friend who passed away last week and I had to install a new water heater. I am so grateful my son was here to help me with that. He has a good eye at solving problems. I did the plumbing and he reengineered the new flue we had to install when we found the old flue had simply disintegrated. Got to expect that from galvanized metal that's been in use for over 50 years! The water heater was 14 years old. It was due. Sometimes home ownership isn't so grand!

We are coming together next Saturday to tribute Jack Birdsell who passed away on August 24th. He was 79 and one of the smartest men you'd ever meet. It will be good to congregate at Al's Bar & Grill at noon and remember Jack. Friends and family are said to be gathering. I am looking forward to it.

Let me hear from you on those issues and in the meantime, have a great weekend and enjoy the long Labor Day holiday! Always signals summer coming to an end though you'd never know it with this weather! Hope we get some rain soon!

Good afternoon folks.

I did not attend this morning's Commission Administrative meeting but watched it live on YouTube. I believe this is a great service the County does for our Platte County citizens. Though I noticed less than 10 actually joined the livestream! And it was a small crowd in attendance. This is rather sad to see so few take part or take in local government. On the other hand, I have always believed these meetings should take place at 6 or 7pm on Monday evenings to allow more interested citizens to attend after their day of work.

The Commission did vote to keep the County Property Tax levy at 1¢. This is a good thing for all of us. I will be watching closely how tax levies are handled in 2027 after the Assessor rockets our residential and business property assessments through the stratosphere. I expect the schools to resist reducing their tax levies or pull accounting tricks to keep levies high and rob citizens of their hard earned money.

So that brings us to the Homestead Act. And the Senior Tax Credit. The Senior Tax credit is already in place but the refund the Commission ordered has not been implemented. The Homestead Act is being slow walked as well and is now, again, said to be implemented in 2027, not 2026 as passed by the voters in April of 2026.

It is time for new leadership at the courthouse. New, never before served elected, to bring new ideas and proper execution of the offices. That means implementing the laws and ordinances approved by the Commission. This is not being accomplished now. November's election is very important this year. I am interested in installing good conservatives! Not Republicans In Name Only. And returning Missouri to a pro-life state by passing Amendment 3!

Another great factoid from Rachel Kautz -

On this day, August 27th, 1776, C The Battle of Long Island (or the Battle of Brooklyn)

There are six more events that happened during 1776 all the way through December.

Let's continue to celebrate our nation's 250th year! Celebrate proudly! Be thankful we are still in a free society due to the efforts of the Colonial men and women and the generations of veterans and patriots over the last 250 years. They risked and lost their lives for the cause of Freedom! Let's honor them by keeping this Republic and our Freedom!

This post is intended solely for you, the voters, to decide if these folks are worthy of your vote or should be thrown off the ballot for what I consider to be quite unethical behavior. I am praying that the agencies contacted will open investigations into this scandal and hand down appropriate punishments.


Please read the info at this link and decide for yourselves. Terrible this happened in Platte County!

https://platte-research.com/

Happy Hump Day Wednesday Platte County!

A few ramblings here today as we move on with life, get reorganized, plan overdue recreational trips and return to working on the bazillion projects I have going on!

The "Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act in Massachusetts" news story I posted about last Wednesday has garnered the ire of many Democrats across the country and especially in Massachusetts as going too far, crossing a line of morality and ethics and being just plain wrong and criminal. I say Democrats because that is who passed and signed the bill in Massachusetts. Doctors, OBGYNs are speaking out. Pro-Life Democrats are coming to the foreground. The super leftist Democrats who will go to the ends of the earth to save animals over people, rally against the death penalty and favor letting felons who committed heinous crimes walk free also have no problem ending innocent life or favoring euthanizing us Seniors once we reach a certain age so we don't "burden" the healthcare system. They have finally crossed a line and have brought attention to whom are really the extremists in our society and nation. Keep watch on this story as it progresses and the backlash on elections it might render.
Speaking of elections - what a wild year its been and continues to be - locally and nationally. The Democrat Socialists of America (DSA) continue to defeat establishment Democrats all over the country. And the Democratic National Committee is not happy but they are afraid to combat them too much. Republicans must see this as an opening to retaining power and picking up seats in Congress. There was a time in this country when we expelled card carrying communists or they were shunned to the back burner. Now they are openly attempting nothing short of a coup to burn the Constitution, do away with the Senate, Judiciary and Executive Branch and put all the power into the House of Representatives, likely renaming it, and picking a President or Premier. Just be aware how you vote. What you wish for. Nothing is free. And when those who are paying for all your free food, housing and transportation either leave, run out of money or die, then where will your funding come from? Socialism is factually documented being responsible for killing more people than any other tyrannical despot regime - including the NAZIs in WW2 and the Holocaust. Think about it. Walk into your local Price Chopper or Hy-Vee or the newly announced Dillions in the Northland once its built and admire all the choices of foods you have. Then travel to Europe and look at their choices. Won't take long for folks here to start revolting against government run businesses when it all breaks down and life gets even harder. Remember, Mayor Q tried the City run grocery store and had to abandon the project when it completely failed. New York City is now trying the same thing by ignoring previous failed attempts around the country.

As for local elections - keep watch as scandals are breaking out. Next week I will join others in publishing a Platte County scandal that thus far the mainstream media and local papers refuse to address, investigate or recognize as nothing more than dirty politics. I will put forth the evidence and simply let you, the voter, decide if it is concerning, crooked, unethical and if those candidates participating are folks you wish to have leading Platte County. Personally I find their actions despicable, egregious and felonious. Authorities have been sent requests to investigate and I hope to update on the status of those investigations as well. And no, this scandal has really nothing to do with the Clerk's race I lost, though one candidate is tied to those involved. But this scandal had no bearing on the Clerk's race and will not going forward.

Woke up to reports of wide spread damage across our metro this morning and my rain gauge had 3 and 4/10ths inches collected. Wow. No need to water my plants the neighborhood deer have enjoyed feasting on this year! What I get for not having a fenced yard, I suppose! Mr. Groundhog is back after several years lodging elsewhere. And the hummingbirds are fighting over territory of my 2 feeders. What fun to watch them. I will miss them as they migrate in a few weeks.

Its good getting back to a normal life. Being a political candidate is not normal. Is not fun. It is not really all that rewarding. If you lose, you lost and life picks up where you left off. If you win, you likely have another contest to campaign for and win that you swear in to dealing with all the troubles of County government and dealing with an unhappy electorate who mostly will complain about how high their taxes are! So, yes, I can be relieved I won't have to deal with those issues. But I was prepared and had a solid plan to do so. To at least attempt to make life better and more affordable.
Frankly, I do not possess confidence that will happen any time soon with a some of the candidates who are in the general. I wish them well and good luck, but we all need to hold whomever gets elected accountable and call out when any promises are unfulfilled, official duties are not duly performed and the citizen's concerns ignored. Come nearer election time I will publish my recommendations of candidates I wish folks to cast a vote for.

Until then, we should all be watchdogs!

And know that your vote really does count! Please vote on November 3rd!!

Voter ID… SAVE America Act

It’s time Congress passed the SAVE America Act.

Why do political elites and Washington Democrats keep fighting against mandating photo voter ID and proof of citizenship to vote in American elections?

Why?

Because they want the ability to manipulate the system. And guess what, folks? Too many establishment Republicans are also quietly against mandating strict safeguards for free, fair, and secure elections.

BECAUSE THOSE IN POWER WANT TO DETERMINE ELECTION OUTCOMES AGAINST THE VOTER’S WILL.

That is the bottom line. Nothing else makes sense. We call it the “Uni-party” for a reason. Entrenched politicians in both parties want to control the results to keep themselves in power, raking in campaign money, controlling legislation, and dictating our everyday lives.

We need new blood in politics. We need firebrands willing to fight the greed and power brokers who stand in the way of progress and conservative principles. The political left is united in pushing policies that make it increasingly difficult for hard-working Americans to work their way up the socio-economic ladder—from poor to middle class to self-sustaining.

Self-sustaining folks scare the hell out of leftists and machine politicians. Why? Because they are original thinkers. They think for themselves. And the powers-that-be cannot stand for citizens to know the facts, vote with their hearts and minds, and pick the best candidate over party labels.

Write your congressman today and urge full passage of the SAVE America Act to ensure our elections are fair and strictly limited to legal U.S. citizens!

Real Reform Starts Locally

Let’s put election integrity FIRST:

• Hand-counted paper ballots observed and verified by all parties equally.
• Transparent counting: Count the votes at a local gym or civic center where the public can attend and watch in the open. Livestream the count. What is there to hide? Hiding only fuels distrust and suspicion. The ballot box is private, but the count must be completely public!
• Prohibit ballot harvesting and restrict unchecked mail-in voting. Bring back Election Day instead of a "voting season."

Folks, even within our state, committee insiders aren't pushing hard enough for true ballot transparency. Contact state leadership soon to push for fair, unbiased, and open election procedures.

Elections are often decided by thin margins. Your vote DOES count—let's make sure it’s protected!

Happy Monday y'all!

Ol' Russ is moving on with life to an extent and devoting time getting back to projects put on the back burner during the campaign. One thing is clear, there are issues evolving that will need exposed to the voters and great citizens of Platte County. The utter greed, power hungry at all cost factions that are taking over Platte County must have spotlights shined on them.

I fear some of our elected will wind up being beholden to these factions and suffer greatly if and when the elected try to do the right thing which may be in contrast to the agenda these political factions are promoting.

I will not be so vague in the coming days and weeks as the political chess game plays out, news hits and people are stymied at what the heck is going on in Platte County.

Yes, I am aware I take a risk, not sure how great a risk, to expose and name names. But I will when I am certain of the facts, the players involved and if able, highlight their motivations. I do not think they will be in the best interest of Platte County.

In the meantime, watch for a new app I have developed for the tourism industry that has been literally years in the making while technology caught up to allow one of my pet projects to see the light of day.

I now look forward to a Fall season of travel, Fall gardening, remodeling projects reignited and attending my 50th class reunion.

Living life is important. Also promoting the cause of keeping this Republic free and intact is also important. I won't make promises, predictions or veiled threats. I will prove by actions. As Lee Iacocca said: "Lead, Follow, or get out of the way!" I have come to appreciate that quote over the years.

Stay safe in this heat. Stay hydrated. And smile! Wave to that neighbor.

Healing Therapy

Cathartic to start clearing files, shredding documents and wrapping up the failed campaign and try to put aside the grievances that I have against a few players that doomed this campaign. Politics is a very dirty, a very nasty, a very crooked industry. Folks in this arena put personal gain and goals far above the good of society and the proper and fair governing of the people.
Yes, I knew that going in. I did not go in blind but it was easy to still get blindsided.
No, this post and the last has had absolutely no AI help or consulting. AI is becoming a great tool. A resource. And it will need guardrails. Technology does benefit society if properly and ethically deployed.
We need to work on educating voters. But that is impossible when they refuse to listen, to open their minds to alternative viewpoints, look and include the person, not the political party.
During my life in the music business we met all kinds, worked with all kinds and tolerated all kinds. I will slip back into that life.
Sure I may or may not have made my mark but I am proud of the legacy I tried to leave behind. What I will always cherish is that I told the truth. Tried to bring issues to light and explain why and how. Offered solutions, not vague catch phrases and thought I had an acceptable plan for the Clerk's office and Platte County. 3,118 agreed with me and I am humbled and touched that so many did cast a vote and supported me. That's almost 3 times the number of 1,054 who cast a vote for me in 2014 for Presiding Commissioner. I am sure in 2014 I had scared all the wealthier citizens that I was determined to put squatters and trailer courts next to their 10,000 sq. ft mansions. I am not a huge planning and zoning fan.... But my intent was not to affect property values but limit overbearing, HOA style rules this County has in place. I will likely to continue to fight to reform P&Z.
But also this week 7,864 folks didn't believe I had solutions or they did not care for the message I put forth. 3,409 choose to keep the tax and spend RINO incumbent in office. 4,455 chose my challenger who entered after me to cause a 3 way primary and thus likely insure my defeat. We split the anti-incumbent vote and that sector really didn't buy what I was selling. All a targeted campaign just to unseat the incumbent. Not necessarily improve government.
Lesson? Don't tell the truth when you run for office. Be vague. Cheat where you can. Do anything and everything just to attain the office. Make alliances during the campaign and screw them after elected. You do those things and you will usually get elected. I have written the playbook on how to not get elected by being honest and letting your emotions flow from time to time.
I find it a bit hilarious that I had a 103 followers and 2 have abandoned the loser. And more will jump this proverbial ship as time goes on. That's kinda funny. But then few care to tag along to a loser. Eh. So what. Others tag along only if they think there is a winner.
And perhaps folks are correct - a man simply cannot run against women without looking mysogonistic and like a bully. I believed we were overcoming that by the Facebook stats showing viewers were evenly split among the 2 genders. And there are only 2 genders.
I, as well as many, are worried and concerned for our nation. The communists are now out in the open trying to rip our country apart and take control. Immigrants are gaining office without having been here a generation or two or three and enjoying the fruits of opportunity that our system and society provides. But they want to bring to our nation the problems and stupidity that caused them to immigrate to us in the first place. I am a fourth generation immigrant and I saw first hand how each generation bettered itself from the previous. How proud my ancestors were to be "Americans". The sacrifices made to provide for their families and live an impoverished life that was rewarded through hard work and diligence. Real Patriots.
I personally will not tolerate being taxed out of the paid for home I have lived in the past almost 42 years. I don't want anyone else to suffer that fate either. Government and higher taxes to pay for everything is such a wrong direction and completely unsustainable.
I will be blogging on the Platte Valley Politics blog and may start up a Facebook page as well. I've learned new tricks. And the best place to sit is where I can throw darts and give politicians and office holders a whole lot of grief and shit. Along with solutions.
I like the phrase "I am mad as hell and not going to take it anymore". Living that life right now. I am sure I am turning off many of my loyal supporters but I am working through anger and disappointment. I am human. Not so sure about some others.
I urge all to stand up and be heard. The socialists are and so we need too also. And they are right here in Platte County trying to win elections. And not all are Democrats. Well they are without the name or party affiliation.
Now back to recycling and shredding and enjoying youtube videos while working in my home office. A big pot of Chicken Corn Chowder being prepared tonight. I now have time to get to attend a few Worth Harley-Davidson Thursday Bike night and Saturday afternoon music acts. It's a wonderful venue. Attend my 50th Class Reunion first weekend of October. Might even get to go out camping a couple more times since I am free of the shackles of campaigning. Gee, throwing a line and hook in the water or walking doors and having angry Democrats tell me what a piece of shit I am and immoral for being a Conservative affiliated with the Republican Party. Hmmm. Not a hard choice. And one that will make me smile as I sip on a cold beer and listen to the water lap against the shore.
Good luck Platte County. To the 7800 I wish you well and pray events don't turn out as bad as I think they are going too that you voted to keep the status quo. Make sure you sign up for the Senior Tax credit or that you find yourself eligible for the Homestead Act. Contact the courthouse for either. Demand answers. Demand transparency. Demand government has to be as disciplined as your personal treasury and ethical life. Start demanding now.
Caio! Folks

3rd in a 3-way race....

Well, not the outcome we were hoping for, and certainly never thought I would come in last. Yes, I am humiliated. I was asked last night what office I would run for next. My response? You've got to be kidding. I am done. The voters have spoken, again, and they simply do not want me to serve them. I cannot say I have much faith in the direction our county is going or if the culture will change. Don't look for elected salaries to be rolled back or anything changed. It is just not going to happen. The voters want the current status quo and they will get it.
This page will be up for a little while but the campaign is finished. My activism in politics is likely finished. I now have a new life to look forward too, secluded in some woods somewhere in a less costly county, enjoying nature, race cars and praying daily the USA does not fall to the socialists so desperately trying to take down this country from within. The Republican electorate is too apathetic and rudderless to fight the coming storm. And its coming.
I am sure we can look forward to higher property taxes in Platte County and businesses being forced out of business due to exponential tax increases. Budgets will not be trimmed. Staff will not be reduced. Government will only get larger and our wealth increasingly taken from us to pay for their follies.
We did the best we could but as usual, it wasn't good enough nor the correct message just to get elected. The truth rarely is the correct message in politics.
To all who aided in the campaign, I am sorry I could not deliver for you. You all did a wonderful job!
Remember - its your Republic IF you can keep it, said Ben Franklin.

Wojtkiewicz for Platte County Clerk Watch Party

Join us Tuesday, August 4th starting at 6pm for the Wojtkiewicz for Platte County Clerk Watch Party at The Craic, 12 Main St, Parkville, MO.  We will visit and fellowship and watch the election results.

If we have enough of you show and stay, the Craic will remain open later that evening!

Come celebrate with fellow supporters and campaign volunteers and congratulate yourselves on a job well done!

Russ "Wojo" Wojtkiewicz

I was invited along with Platte County Candidates to the Parkville Living Center Candidate Forum last Thursday evening, July 23rd. I am working on posting a video of my speech and my answers during the live forum. Afterwards, the hosts asked if we would answer via email some of the questions that time did not allow to be answered that evening. Below are the questions and my answers I replied to this morning.

To Platte County Clerk Candidates-

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝑆𝑢𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑡. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑣𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒. 𝐼 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛. 𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑑? 𝐼𝑠 𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑘𝑎𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐶𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑎𝑦, “𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛’𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑖𝑡 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡.” 𝐴𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

𝐌𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: Public information needs to be in the public domain where citizens can access it in this modern era 24/7 without spending time and money on Sunshine requests. Too much information is being blocked behind restricted access and too much time and money is being spent on required Sunshine Law and Freedom of Information Act requests. I will be reviewing all these issues and bringing resolutions that fulfill the laws of Missouri and are fair and just for the citizens.

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑦 𝐶𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑘’𝑠 𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑓𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑢𝑑𝑔𝑒𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑒𝑤 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠. 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡𝑜 2020 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙?

𝐌𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: In 2022, the Clerk's budget was $183,000. In 2026 the budget is $389,000. A 212% increase. Staff was increased from the Clerk, one full time and one part time in 2022 to Clerk and 5 full time staff. A request was put in by the Clerk this year for 2 part time staff for 6 weeks at a cost of $70,000. That's some nice part time work. One of my first goals is to audit the entire office, determine staffing needs and make adjustments wherever it is possible to save Platte County taxpayer money. I don't believe it should cost that much to maintain the Clerk's office.

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐷𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑙-𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑛-𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐺𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑖𝑡?

𝐌𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: I do not support mail-voting or early in person voting. I believe mail-in voting is venerable to fraudulent voting and election interference. Absentee voting should be only at the Board of Elections if you have an excuse of why you cannot vote on election day. If one day is not enough time to vote, I would support a 2 or 3 day window to vote. I also am in favor of election integrity laws and each party observing and counting the votes, in public and live streamed for full transparency.

To All County Candidates-

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐼 𝑎𝑙𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑧𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑎𝑥 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑧𝑒, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑘 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑘𝑦𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑎𝑟 𝑏𝑒𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑑 15%. 𝐼𝑓/𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛, 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝐼 𝑏𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑡𝑎𝑥 ℎ𝑖𝑘𝑒? 𝐴 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑧𝑒 𝑖𝑓/𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑙.

𝐌𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: This is a myth. There is no attendant estate property tax. And Seniors are not going to have to "repay" the tax credits received through the Senior Tax Freeze. Every dollar saved on property taxes under SB 190 stays in your pocket permanently -- it is not clawed back when the home is sold. Missouri does not have a state real estate transfer tax nor does Platte County have an estate fee or exit tax on real estate sales. So please don't worry about it and DO sign up for the Senior Tax Credit!

I hope you appreciate and respect my answers and hopefully align and agree with them. I look forward to your vote on August 4th!

Monday Memo - Know the Statutes: What the County Clerk Actually Does

With just over a week until the August 4th primary, it is essential that voters have absolute clarity on what the County Clerk’s office is—and what it isn't.

There is often confusion on the campaign trail about election administration. Because Platte County is a First Class County, elections are handled by an independent Board of Election Commissioners. The County Clerk does not run elections.

The Clerk's primary duties are centered on statutory financial oversight, Board of Equalization dockets and administration, tax rate certifications, and county commission records.

Listening to my primary opponents' recent speeches at the Parkville forum reveals a clear contrast in how we approach those core responsibilities:

1. The "Executive Assistant" View of Government

One challenger stated the County Clerk is "basically the executive assistant for the commission," focusing her platform on issuing licenses, swearing in notaries, and extending office hours by 60 minutes.

• The Reality: The County Clerk is an independent, constitutional officer—not a secretarial assistant. The Clerk orders warrants for payments to the County Treasurer on orders approved by the County Commission, serves as secretary to the Board of Equalization under RSMo 138.090, and acts as keeper of public records. Managing this office requires technical system diagnostics, not entry-level administrative routines.

2. The Incumbent: Routine Compliance as "Innovation"

The incumbent spent her time re-branding standard statutory duties—like housing Board of Equalization records—as personal innovations. Meanwhile, she remained silent on her vote in favor of the 30% pay raise for elected officials and claimed voter-approved Homestead tax relief was "too complex" to implement for 2026.

• The Reality: Fulfilling a baseline legal duty is standard procedure, not innovation. When the incumbent requested more staff and budget to deliver Homestead Act tax credits, data-driven analysis proved that over 20,000 eligible property owners can receive automated tax relief on their 2026 invoices—without expanding government spending or adding office bloat.

3. The Engineering Approach: Precision, Law, and Taxpayer Defense

Throughout my 30-year engineering career, my job was to analyze complex systems, read the schematics, and eliminate operational waste. That is the exact discipline I will bring to the courthouse:

• Real Salary Transparency: Using RSMo 50.333 to advocate for a Salary Commission meeting and put elected official compensation back in the public eye.
• Streamlined Citizen Services: Eliminating unnecessary red tape so citizens can efficiently navigate the permitting, licensing, and notary processes overseen by the Clerk's office.
• Board of Equalization Rigor: Ensuring Board of Equalization proceedings strictly enforce property owners' statutory rights, maintain transparent record-keeping, and guarantee every appeal is evaluated fairly under Missouri assessment law.

Choose the Leader Who Understands the Mechanics

Platte County taxpayers don't need administrative excuses or part-time mindsets. You deserve a County Clerk who understands the law, cuts operational waste, and fights for your wallet from Day One.

I humbly ask for your vote in the Republican primary on August 4th!

Let's keep county government accountable. Share your thoughts below!

#PlatteCounty #PlatteCountyMO #TaxpayerAdvocate #HomesteadAct #Accountability #LeadershipNotRhetoric #LocalGovernment #CommonSense

Monday Memo: Real Leadership Leads from the Front, Not the Rearview Mirror

Happy Monday, Platte County.

Leadership isn't about jumping in front of a parade after the work has already been done. It isn't about filing sudden Sunshine requests to sound "engaged" or parroting talking points that other candidates have been researching, publishing, and speaking about for months. Real leadership is being in the room, understanding the statutes, and pushing for actual taxpayer results from Day One.

Major News: 2026 Homestead Act Relief Is Officially Locked In

First, the big victory for Platte County taxpayers: The County Commission has officially passed the authorizing ordinance to implement the Homestead Property Tax Credit Act for 2026!

Furthermore, the Commission ordered that these tax credits appear directly on your 2026 Real Property Tax invoices this fall.

As someone who sat in on the Commissioners' Work Session, listened to the technical updates from County Administrator Wes Minder, and publicly advocated against the bureaucratic stalling tactics coming from the Clerk's and Collector's offices, this is a massive win.

While certain incumbents claimed implementation was "impossible" until 2027 or demanded expanded budgets and more staff to handle it, the Commission proved what I’ve been saying all along: with common-sense data gathering, we can deliver voter-approved tax relief immediately without expanding government bloat.

You can thank the County Administrator along with the County Assessor for providing the data that has qualified over 20,000 property owners for the Homestead Act tax credit—without a single application being necessary.  Furthermore, a clear appeal process will be implemented for anyone who wishes to decline the credit or feels they were inadvertently overlooked.

Copycats, Sunshine Requests, and Catching Up to the Facts

At the end of today’s Commission meeting, my primary opponent stood up during public comments to deliver a speech questioning the 30% elected officials' pay raise, mentioning Sunshine requests, and asking "when the Homestead Tax Act will go into effect."

It was a fascinating display, to say the least.

For two months, my campaign has been publishing detailed breakdowns, hosting discussions, and dissecting the exact mechanics of the Homestead Act, statutory assessment caps, tax rate rollbacks, and courthouse accountability. Now, two weeks before the primary, my opponent seems to have discovered these topics, filing Sunshine requests for emails that commission updates already covered, and repeating the exact concerns I raised months ago.

Here are the blunt realities for Platte County voters:

1. You Don't Need a Sunshine Request to Read the Room: If you attend the meetings, read the ordinance text, and actually understand county administration, you don't need to play catch-up with emergency records requests. The answers were already there for anyone doing the work.
2. Asking Questions You Should Already Know: Asking "when will the Homestead Act go into effect" when the Commission was actively finalizing the 2026 rollout shows a late arrival to the conversation. Taxpayers deserve a Clerk who enters office already knowing the law—not one who needs a recap email to understand basic implementation timelines.
3. Leading vs. Echoing: Voters can easily tell the difference between an engineer who reads the schematics and builds the solution, and a candidate who listens to what's trending and echoes it back into a microphone.

Results, Not Rhetoric

Platte County taxpayers voted for tax relief in April, and they deserve leaders who know how to execute that mandate without administrative drama or performative politics.

Neither of my primary opponents has offered a real, technical plan to modernize this office or navigate state statutes to protect your wallet. One voted to give herself a massive raise while declaring voter-approved tax relief "too difficult" to execute on time; the other is playing catch-up on basic county policy.

I will continue to monitor the Commission, do the heavy statutory lifting, and ensure that your local government operates with absolute efficiency, transparency, and respect for your hard-earned dollars.

Let's stop running out the clock, stop copying the homework, and bring real engineering precision to the County Clerk's office.

Let's keep the conversation focused on facts and real solutions below.

#PlatteCounty #PlatteCountyMO #MondayMemo #TaxpayerAdvocate #HomesteadAct #LeadershipNotRhetoric #CommonSense #TransparencyInGovernment #LocalGovernment #Accountability