The Great Mural Wall of Topeka

mural wall of topeka

Next time you are in the 21st & Topeka Blvd area, take a slight detour over to SW 20th & Western (just west of the fairgrounds) and check out The Great Topeka Mural Wall,  a very cool collection of murals that honors the cultural history and ongoing spirit of Topekans.  It is very unexpected, and interesting.

The mural wall started as a project of the Chesney Park NIA in 2006.  They took a blank wall that surrounds a former city water reservoir in their neighborhood and turned it into a work of art.  With a lot of community involvement since 2006, they have covered about a third of the 900 lineal feet of wall, adding new panels each year.  They plan to continue to add panels each year until they have covered the entire wall.  This is a great example of the creativity and pride many people in Topeka have, and I would like to thank and applaud all those that have had a part in making the mural wall to date. Donations to help continue the wall can be made through the Topeka Community Foundation.  I look forward to next spring and summer when I can go by and see what panel they are adding next!

Guest Blog: Clean Air, the only standard that is acceptable

I support this ordinance because it aims to protect the workers who are exposed to unsafe levels of second hand smoke for extended periods.  I know some may say that they choose to work in these environments. But, as a true capitalist I will contend that the most productive worker should be in the job that best suits their abilities and if we alienate the portion of the labor pool that cares about their health, then we introduce inefficiencies to a free market economy and the city is not developing an environment that is conducive to maximizing efficiency and fostering growth. Read the rest of this entry »

Topeka Transit: What is the long term solution?

As I am sure many of you have seen in the news recently, Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority Board is both asking the city for a mill levy increase, as well as cutting Sunday & evening service (http://cjonline.com/news/local/2009-06-16/cuts_in_transit_service_nearing).  I am happy to see the City Council limited the mill levy increase to only one year, but I do not see the TMTA board coming up with long term solutions, so they are not back next year looking for more money again.  A city the size of Topeka should have a public transportation system, but it should also not cosume huge amounts of tax dollars.  At this point to come to a long term solution, it seems the entire operations of the TMTA need to be reviewed.  Read the rest of this entry »

TopekaKidsRock.com Launch Party

For any of you with young kids, there is a great event going on Saturday! Here are the details & check out http://www.topekakidsrock.com/ for more info.

Saturday, May 2nd
10:00 – 1:00
Gage Park Amphitheater
Performers include the Topeka High Drumline, A kid-friendly blues band.. and Topeka’s own rock star for kids, KYLER!

If you get hungry Via’s Pizza and Jason’s Deli will be there.. you can also get free pictures taken from Portraits by Brandy.. and much more!

Another Ballot Question to be Aware of When you go to Vote on Tuesday

With all of the attention the sales tax issue and the mayor and city council races have gotten, and rightfully so, there is another ballot question that has not really been publicized, but I think it is important that everyone is aware of as well.  I did not know much about this  ballot question until this past Friday and wanted to be sure to share with everyone what I learned.

When we voted to change to a City Manager form of government it was drafted in the charter that we voted on that the mayor would still have veto power, and, at least the way it has been interpreted by a judge at this point, the City Council cannot override the veto. The ballot question is to vote on whether to allow a 2/3 majority vote of the City Council to override a mayoral veto.  If you vote “Yes”, you are voting that you want the 2/3 majority vote of the City Council to be able to override a mayoral veto.  If you vote “No”, you are voting that you do not want the City Council to be able to override a mayoral veto.  This is a very important issue on how much power we want the mayor to have.  Please give this some thought and most importantly GO VOTE!

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