Past Issues

Economic Development

Mayor McClinton supports economic development for Topeka. He has spent years serving on the Go Topeka board generating economic growth in Topeka. As Mayor and serving also on the Chamber Board, his leadership supports citywide growth. Mayor McClinton opened the Target Distribution Center in July 2004 where nearly 1,000 people will be employed. He announced nearly 300 jobs in May 2004 that the state will be adding to Topeka. Mayor McClinton announced in June 2004 job expansion of an estimated 200 jobs at the Jostens Yearbook plant. After several trips to Washington, DC, Mayor McClinton brought home $7 Million in support of rebuilding the Topeka Blvd. Bridge, an economic development lifeline to Topeka. He supports the economic development tax for Topeka to create jobs, supports local businesses and entrepreneurs and supports women and disadvantaged groups that want to do business in Topeka.

Consolidation

Mayor McClinton put forth a plan to consolidate Topeka/Shawnee County government. Mayor McClinton has lead this effort for nearly 11 years and finally as Mayor lead the City Council to send that plan to the state legislature. He believes Topeka can resolve all issues of annexation, building codes, subdivision and plat approval by creating one local government. He supports a business friendly government and city and county consolidation will create that environment. Mayor McClinton’s plan could create efficiency and cost savings. Topeka deserves it and if Mayor McClinton has his way the Governor and the Legislature will support his idea. Others talk about it-Mayor McClinton Acts ON IT!

Crime

Mayor McClinton holds a Bachelor Degree from Washburn University in Criminal Justice so Crime in Topeka is a major concern of his. When Gang activity increased Mayor McClinton spoke directly to Gang Members “Live like the rest of us, Leave Topeka or GO TO JAIL.” And the gang members got the message. Consultants have offered a number of measures that will be implemented to address crime and Mayor McClinton’s leadership will guide the police department in Making All Topekan’s safe.

Neighborhood Redevelopment

Mayor McClinton’s leadership and vision led the city through putting forth a plan to revitalize all struggling neighborhoods in the urban areas of Topeka. Now, those areas will be redeveloped using a plan that will TARGET local and federal dollars in needed areas and not scatter those funds in areas that produce little real impact. That plan was used in improving the Monroe Neighborhood. Now, more than EVER, investors are interested in investing dollars in that area.

Downtown Redevelopment

Mayor McClinton supports the redevelopment of downtown Topeka on both sides of the river. Development grants are helping empty store fronts in downtown open again with new energy and excitement. Mayor McClinton's budget continued funds for another year of new grants. Mayor McClinton also offered a plan and has earmarked money for downtown North Topeka to revitalize an area that has been neglected for decades. It will now have new landscaping, trees, decorative sidewalks and new signage. Mayor McClinton also supports the many new Loft Apartments in the downtown area. Having residents live downtown is WORKING and keeps Topeka on the cutting edge of downtown redevelopment ideas. He hopes to create and maintain an after hours nightlife in downtown Topeka. Mayor McClinton presided over the opening of the Great Overland Station. Its opening will add an economic boost to downtown North Topeka.

Riverfront Redevelopment

Mayor McClinton has a vision and a plan to redevelop Topeka’s Riverfront. He has engaged meetings with the Army Corp of Engineer, who oversees the river levy systems. He has gone to Washington, DC to seek federal assistance in redeveloping Topeka’s Riverfront. Meetings have occurred and are continuing with riverfront consultants and local partners. Mayor McClinton is forming a Riverfront citizens committee to offer ideas on what Topekan’s want in their Riverfront. Mayor McClinton envisions paddle boats, canoes, an amphitheater, river walk and benches along the riverfront. He believes such amenities will generate tourism and economic development along Topeka’s riverfront.

Worldwide Media Coverage

When Mayor McClinton took office in January 2004 he was faced with a city that was not prepared for the opening of the National Historic Site Brown v Board Museum. He quickly put together a plan to “get the city ready.” In four months Topeka was ready and Mayor McClinton represented Topeka well on CNN, many national newspapers such as USA TODAY, the NEW YORK TIMES, the WASHINGTON POST, the LA TIMES and others such as in Denver, CO (Post) and Arizona(Informant). He was featured in Ebony Magazine and other national magazines. He was also heard around the country on NPR (National Public Radio.) Mayor McClinton put Topeka on the “national and world map.” Topeka has one of the premier National Historic Sites in the United States. Mayor McClinton has also represented Topeka at the U.S. State Department speaking about Topeka to the Foreign Press Center.

National Leaders

National Leaders know Mayor McClinton. Mayor McClinton greeted United States President George Bush in Topeka, Presidential Candidate John Kerry, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Julian Bond, President of the National NAACP, US Education Secretary Rod Paige and a number of members of the United States Congress. He also greeted United States Supreme Court Justice Stephan Breyer, all here in Topeka. Never before in Topeka’s history has a Mayor entertained such dignitaries in the capitol city.

A New Look

Mayor McClinton is bringing a new look to Topeka. He has a plan to install new wayfinding signs throughout Topeka to guide visitors to all of Topeka’s historical and tourist sites. Topeka has never put forth a serious effort to show off its wonderful sites to visitors. Mayor McClinton believes in and supports a clean and orderly Topeka. He is strengthening environmental code laws and supporting code officers, as they get tough on uncleanliness throughout Topeka. Mayor McCinton wants a new Topeka, one that every Topekan will be proud of. He is generating excitement and synergy in Topeka. Mayor McClinton wants a Topeka that welcomes young people who give life to a community. He supports efforts to prevent young high school and college graduates from leaving Topeka. He is supporting efforts to revitalize the College Hill area where students can have a place to go near the WU campus.

Children

Mayor McClinton loves children and is concerned about Topeka’s youth. He spends a great deal of time in Topeka’s schools speaking with students about education, about being Mayor and about them staying in Topeka and working in Topeka. Each year Mayor McClinton spends a day at Scott Elementary Magnet School teaching young students about voting and all about government and democracy. He has featured other high school students and Topeka High student playwrights at his weekly news conferences. Mayor McClinton is a member of the Washburn University Board of Regents and encourages all Topeka graduates to attend WU. There they get one of the best educations in the country and for a competitive cost. Children recognize Mayor McClinton on site because he always takes time to acknowledge them and spend time with them. They often are brought to the Mayor’s office by their parents to visit the Mayor. Kissing babies is not for “show,” the Mayor has not seen a baby yet that he did not want to hold. Mayor McClinton has made an effort to appoint young people to boards, commissions and taskforces. He created a WU student advisory group and also hears from the Mayor's youth advisory group at the Topeka Youth Project. Mayor McClinton is a charter member of the local Sertoma Club, a club that raises funds and spends money on Topeka’s youth. Mayor McClinton loves children!

Leadership and Management

Mayor McClinton holds a Masters Degree from the University of Kansas in Public Administration; he is an educated City Manager. He knows what it takes to manage a city government and his leadership demonstrates his abilities. He runs a “tight ship,” and holds city managers accountable to the citizens of Topeka. He meets with department heads and the Chief Administrator Officer weekly to ensure that Topekan’s are receiving the most efficient and customer friendly government their taxes can buy. He ensures that taxpayers are responded to quickly and appropriately. He returns many phone calls daily to citizens, sometimes to their surprise. Mayor McClinton ensures Topeka is fiscally sound, offering a budget that does not raise property taxes on frivolous items but to ensure our debt is paid and not left for Topeka’s next generation. Mayor McClinton is a Mayor for all people, he has offered messages in Spanish on his local government television station and has charged all department heads to convert service and information orientated documents to Spanish so that our Latino speaking citizens can feel that they are a part of Topeka. Mayor McClinton Leads!