TPAC - To fund or not to fund…

The Topeka City Council voted last night to cut the $300,000 for TPAC from the most recent city budget.

“To think we can operate without that is ludicrous. It can’t happen,” said Jeff Hiestand, president of the TPAC board of directors.

it is my understanding that TPAC is a non-profit organization.

Why?Are all Performing Arts centers managed the same way?

Is it reasonable to ask the question, “If TPAC had been a corporation would have it been in this position to begin with?”

I don’t know, I am just asking the question. I think we need TPAC and it is a quality of life issue.

I have not noticed a lot of shows going on there over the last couple of years. Do they market the events that are going on there?

Does TPAC have a Facebook, MySpace, etc? What are the methods TPAC uses to communicate?

Should TPAC consider relocating near the Riverfront?

With or without the funding, the issue that must be examined is, What can be done to help TPAC not be in this position in the future?

That is just my opinion

T. Boone in T -Town

This afternoon, Topeka has a chance to be part of something special. For those of us who are concerned about rising energy prices, we all need to get to the Heritage Hall at the Kansas Expocentre today at 4:00 p.m. Former oil man, now diversified energy crusader T. Boone Pickens will be in Topeka today, and I am looking forward to going.  

Once the people get behind, the leadership will get behind, they will have to. Thank God, Mr. Pickens recognized that. If he makes money while helping everyone get the picture, good for him. I applaud him for his efforts. 

I would encourage everyone to attend the Town Hall meeting at 4:00 p.m. Spread the word. 

For more information go to www.pickensplan.com

What is a good charity?

In my opinion, there are a lot of good charities and a lot of bad charities. Good charities give the money to those who need it, while bad charities are either poorly managed or just rip people off. Of course, unless one performs research, it is not always easy to tell the difference between the two.

Here is an article I found that talks about making a charity better

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23715656/

Additionally, there are websites available that gather information about charities and help people determine the good from the bad

Charity Guide

http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/charityratings.htm

Charity Navigator

http://www.charitynavigator.org/?gclid=CM7j_7Gb25QCFQKaFQodkAnakg

I would encourage anyone to check out the charity they support just to confirm for yourself.

It is imperative that we give money to the organizations that do good work for those that need it.

Visioning reveals true colors

The following is a link to an op-ed by Mike Hall of the Topeka Capital Journal. He attended the most recent Heartland Visioning Task Force meeting.

Read the blog at http://blogs.cjonline.com/index.php?entry=7633

Riverfront Development

This past Monday, I attended the Masterplan for the Topeka Riverfront Development. Going into the meeting, it was difficult not to be skeptical considering so many things that has happened in Topeka. From bad attiudes to bad planning, Topeka has seen a fair share

The Masterplan was impressive. If you did not go to the meeting, you missed out. The information should be online. It was clear that a lot of thought and care had been put into the Masterplan. The group Sasaki Associates has provided other Masterplans in the United States. It was evident why.

I was disappointed the next day to read so many comments posted a local website dismissing the idea. The majority of those who posted were not at the meeting.

What does Topeka want?

The Apathy of Topeka

Those who do not make a choice, make a choice.

As we go forward on this journey, it is imperative that everyone realizes the future of the community is at stake. There are many people who live in Topeka who complain about anything and everything. The bigger issue is not the fact there are problems, there are problems everywhere, the fact that many fail to get involved in something bigger than themselves. The Apathy of Topeka is the greatest obstacle that lies ahead. We have a responsbility to inspire one another, to involve one another, and to listen to one another. Topeka is our community.

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