This morning, Alissa, Shay, Ryan and I had the chance to chat about Transform Topeka on the Jim Cates show. It was a great opportunity to share with a different audience what we are about. We would like to thank Jim Cates, Tricia Johnston and cjonline.com for the opportunity. You can listen to the mp3 of the show here.
First, I’d like to apologize for being remiss about getting this up sooner. Now, for the review:
The vision listed under infrastructure is as follows: Shawnee County will build a community that promotes learning, health, safety and growth for all residents through long-term planning and best practices. I think this is probably a pretty fair assessment of just about all people everywhere :) Who doesn’t want this? But it is among the top 10 issues that were deemed the most important in our county. In fact, this section addresses 3 of the top ten issues. Here’s a copy of it so you to follow along.
The strategies are broken into 10 areas of infrastructure… almost like a wish list. We’ve all mentioned this before, but this is an ala carte type of thing.
We are hosting a gathering to get to know one another and to share what you think of the happenings in Topeka. Please join us on Sunday, October 12 from 6-8 PM at Snyder’s Cabin at Gage Park (800 SW Porter Road, Topeka, KS).
Please bring a potluck dish to share (and lawn chairs).
We’d love to know if you plan on attending. If you have any questions, be sure to ask!
The Heartland Visioning first draft has been released today… as promised! The first thing I noticed was how concise it is… I know, that’s not at all the most important piece…. but this process started nearly 6 months ago with lots of data and input from the community. And, at 36 pages, it’s impressive to me that there really is a focused vision of what Topeka can be.
The first part of the report is tough to get through. It’s important, though… it’s the argument for change. But, Topeka is a place I love, and it’s hard to hear the truth sometimes. (For example, I really don’t care for my doctor to point out that I’m overweight.) However, by acknowledging the problems and a focusing on a new direction, Topeka can make a change (and in an oh-so-similar way, addressing my own weight issue is the only way that situation will change).
Forgive my slightly silly analogy, but I think that it makes a point.
While the Plan doesn’t hold any official weight…. no laws will be put in place after the draft’s been approved, the Heartland Visioning Steering Committee will not be the ones who will be investing in the downtown development (perhaps as individuals, but not as an entity)… so, the way this will take effect, is by all the citizens here. I’d encourage you to take a look at the Draft Heartland Visioning Strategic Plan and then submit your comments. It’s scheduled to be formalized in October, so be sure to take the time to look this over. You know that our elected officials will be looking to this document to get direction in the future. And the more input that’s received, even in this later step, the more importance can be placed on the document.
I’m really interested in what you think of the plan!
The Topeka Blvd bridge construction is complete! From afar, the bridge has beautiful touches. The area at SW 1st & Topeka (”my side” of the bridge) looks completely new. There are celebration plans for tomorrow afternoon and will officially open on Monday. I know the businesses that have been affected by the construction will surely be celebrating themselves.
The construction was a ‘have-to’ project because it was literally starting to fall down. My hope is that the renovation of this area grows throughout the rest of the city… before they become ‘have-to’ projects. Just like when you finish one project in your house, you can see all of the other areas that need fixing. And just in this way, we’ll have to take a look at the most-needed areas and the ones that we can afford 
to take of next.
There’s been a lot of discussion lately about what form of government Topeka should have. Reported on Wednesday in the Capital Journal, the city council members weighed in on a proposed change that was reported earlier in the week.
In 2005, Topeka voted to change from a strong mayor/city council form of government to a city manager/city council form, which is what the city currently has. There is a group who would like to see the strong mayoral form of government return as well as a change in how the city council is set up. I know there are many who see things this way. According the Capital Journal, none of the city council members are supporting the idea.
I have no problem with exploring the idea; however, I have to give the following remark some credence:
Councilman Bill Haynes said he hadn’t formed an opinion, but his initial reaction was that the current city council-manager form of government hasn’t been in place long enough to start thinking about abandoning it.
I know that there are other large cities hold a similar form of government, so it begs the question… is the real problem with the system or are the wrong people in place in the system? It’s not been in place long enough, or had enough different individuals in it, to form a clear decision.
I don’t know the answer. But I think that it needs to be considered. If you’ll allow the parallel, it’s a little like saying that marriage doesn’t work based on the wrong people being married.
This is just my opinion… So, what do you think?
One of the frequent things heard (and I’ve been one to say it) is that there is nothing to do in Topeka. Being a part of this group has made me ponder how I think about Topeka. So, last month I made a choice to rediscover Topeka. Here is what I’ve enjoyed:
Places on my list to go to this month:
My challenge to you is to find what Topeka holds for you. True, some things may be a bit off the beaten path. But I dare you to stop the next time you’re thinking of heading out of town for something, to take pause and check to see if what you are looking for might just be right around the corner.
Topeka/Shawnee Kansas Online
