Heartland Visioning - Review Pt 1

Over the next few weeks we will be slowly going through the Heartland Visioning draft. Page 3 of the draft has a Comments and Input Form, this is a great way to send in your thoughts on some of the points and ideas in the plan.

Let me say up front that this plan does not appear to me to be a “take all or leave it” situation. There are good ideas laid out just as there are (in my opinion) bad ideas. One of the wonderful things about America, that I sometimes think we forget, is that we can disagree while still appreciating each others differences of opinion. Respect is the name of the game. If you disagree with someone, that’s ok, just explain your reasoning and don’t belittle. The way you treat others is a great reflection of how you feel about yourself.

I’m going to start with the Call to Action (page 4), going kind of point by point of some of the items I see that stand out.

1. “…1,500 citizens…” - A personal thanks to all who got involved. Everyone has a sphere of influence, it is great to see people trying to expand their spheres.

2. “We are in a downward spiral. Our population is growing older. Not enough skilled young workers are available to replace those who will be retiring. The tax base is shrinking. Those left are paying more, yer services are decreasing. Our quality of life is diminishing. We are slowly dying on the vine.” - Reading this gave me a positive first impression of the draft. We can’t fix the problem if we aren’t dealing in reality. Many of us see this with our own eyes (and pocketbooks) and understand the situation. I think this pretty much nails the situation on the head.

3. “…increase the size of its available workforce…retain existing workforce…making our community attractive to young workers…grow business and our economy…expand our tax base” - This is the crux of it all, summed up. Businesses create jobs, jobs need workers, attractive community will bring the workers in, tax base expands (Topeka expands possibly), economy increases, cost per citizen goes down, quality of life increases. It is all interconnected.

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Washburn hosts Casnocha

Denise and I had the pleasure of attending Mr. Casnocha’s talk at Washburn University on Tuesday evening. If you have never heard of Ben Casnocha, I encourage you to check his blog out, http://ben.casnocha.com/ and his book My Start-up Life. His attitude and ideals parallel those of Transform Topeka (and the individuals that make up Transform Topeka). I’d like to highlight some of his talking points. (Author note - Warning, I’m not a journalist. I am paraphrasing and my comments are opinion. Spelling and grammar, at times, may be of my own invention. )

Be yourself. - A very refreshing take on living your life. His comments correlate the idea that many people live a life that is being handed to them by their schools, parents, family traditions, and society. Throw away the establishments text book! Don’t let others define you or your future. Entrepreneurs have a knack for bucking the system and doing it their way.
Optimism. - Entrepreneurs are by nature optimistic individuals. They see opportunity where others see irritation and annoyance. They think of solutions rather than problems.
Action. - Do something. Do anything. Don’t sit around waiting for others to solve the problems. Sit up, take notice, and shape your own reality.
Knowledge - Continue to increase your knowledge. Challenge yourself to learn something new every year, a hobby, or language, or instrument. Always be pushing your mind in new directions.

This is a very simple codex for living. Seek knowledge, be optimistic, be yourself, and do something. Want to change your paradigm, focus on these four things (and throw in a dash of self-awareness for good measure).

He also made some other very interesting comments concerning the education system and money. He commented that the education system was in a terrible disarray and needed a serious overhaul. On the money front, he made a great comment about how money can’t be your motivating factor forever, that need will wane over time, there has to be something of more substance to sustain you for the long term.

My Take - Casnocha gets it. His success proves it. Being long lived is not a requirement for wisdom and understanding. Keep going Ben!

City Wide Voting

At-large council suggested

Mayor says setup would be less provincial

By Tim Carpenter

The Capital-Journal

Published Friday, June 20, 2008

Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten raised the possibility Thursday of electing the city council through at-large voting rather than by district.

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Visioning Meeting Pt.3

Process narrows visioning priorities

After 3 meetings, developing the local economy tops the public’s list

By Tim Hrenchir

The Capital-Journal

Published Friday, June 20, 2008

Economic development should be Topeka and Shawnee County’s top priority while better governance should come in second.

Improving the community’s quality of life, education and self-image are third, fourth and fifth, respectively, on the priority list.

Mike Burley / The Capital-Journal

Jerry Farley

That was the consensus of more than 650 people who took part in three community "visioning" meetings this week to share ideas for making Topeka and Shawnee County a better place.

Where do you see the city?

Visioning: Where do you see the city?

The Capital-Journal

Published Wednesday, June 04, 2008

In preparation for Heartland Visioning community meetings scheduled for June 16, 17 and 19, Daily Dose is presenting a series of findings aimed at spurring conversation among local residents about key issues.

Shawnee County is located in what could be called the Kansas Knowledge Corridor, an area featuring the following resources for innovation and knowledge-based economic development:

• In 2005, Kansas State University had research grants of $123.4 million and an enrollment of more than 23,000 students.

• In 2005, The University of Kansas had research grants of $116.3 million and an enrollment of more than 29,000 students.

• Also that year, KU Medical Center had $73.2 million in grants.

• Those research grants totaled $312.9 million.

• Washburn University enrolls more than 7,200 students in Topeka on a 160-acre campus. More than 1,200 students participate in internship opportunities at more than 125 sites in Shawnee County, and more than 1,200 degrees and certificates are awarded annually…

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Heartland Visioning - Review Pt 1

Washburn hosts Casnocha

City Wide Voting

At-large council suggested

Mayor says setup would be less provincial

Visioning Meeting Pt.3

Process narrows visioning priorities

After 3 meetings, developing the local economy tops the public’s list

Where do you see the city?

Visioning: Where do you see the city?

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