Brown vs. Board Dedication Speech

Mayor's 2005 State of the City Address

Mayor James A. McClinton
State of the City Address
January 13, 2005

Good evening. Please join me in a moment of silence for the victims and survivors of the Asian tsunami. May our prayers be with them.

I would also like to recognize and ask for a round of applause for DTI for a wonderful dinner and on celebrating this, their 40th Annual Meeting.

Deputy Mayor Duffy, members of the City Council, other elected officials, board members of DTI, and citizens of Topeka, nearly 52 weeks ago I stood before you laying out a foundation for the year 2004 and a vision for the future for this great city. It was a plan that I felt required visionary leadership and broad, confident steps to move Topeka into her rightful place in history. Tonight, it is with great pleasure that I report to you that much of that plan is underway and successful. In a word, the state of the city of Topeka is “revitalization.”

2004 has been a phenomenal year. We went into the year with a spirit of renewed cooperation, a call for citizen participation, continued efforts to partner with our private business friends, bold new initiatives and beginnings, a challenge to our employees to “think outside of the box,” a sense of re-inventing ourselves and worthiness, and finally the anticipation of taking our moment in history with a feeling of pride and confidence. I believe we succeeded.

Hundreds of citizens answered the call to do more and get involved in moving Topeka forward. You good people have dedicated countless volunteer hours to this city by serving on boards, commissions, and task forces, cleaned up and revitalized neighborhoods, attended untold hours of hearings and meetings, and offered your advice and comments about Topeka’s progress. We asked you to “Think Topeka,” and you did. During the Monroe neighborhood cleanup, we even heard from citizens from other states offering to bring volunteers to Topeka to help. Thank you, citizens and volunteers!

Public/Private partnerships in Topeka are thriving. Private companies have donated hundreds of thousands of hours and dollars to the community. Companies like Target, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Hills Pet Nutrition, Security Benefit Group, Commerce Bank and Trust, Capitol Federal Savings, SBC, and many other lending institutions, government agencies, and companies throughout Topeka have partnered with us for a better Topeka. Thank you all, for your community spirit and investment in our City’s future!

Washburn University students have contributed many hours on cleanup projects both in the Monroe neighborhood and in the neighborhoods around the university. In acknowledging the students’ importance to Topeka, I have created the first Washburn University Mayor’s Advisory Council. Members already have their first assignment awaiting them upon their return to campus. Thank you, President Farley, for helping us bring Washburn students into the mainstream of Topeka!

In 2004, we proposed a new way of renewing our urban neighborhoods. Thanks to the City Council’s support and the trust of the neighborhoods, we put that plan into action. By concentrating our resources in one neighborhood, rather than spreading a small amount over many neighborhoods as had been done in the past, we got a “big bang for our bucks” and made a huge difference in a part of our city that was long overdue for attention. The redevelopment of the Monroe neighborhood was, by everyone’s account, a refreshing success. These efforts included the rehabbing of Cushinberry Park; planting over 100 new trees; rebuilding streets, sewers, and gutters; extensive rehabbing of residential houses; constructing brand new houses; landscaping; and renewing citizens’ pride in their homes and their Monroe neighborhood. Help me thank City employee Dale Cushinberry, who, under the leadership of the City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Director Randy Speaker, helped us receive a national award for the organization and execution of this plan. By the way, that same plan is in place to revitalize other urban neighborhoods throughout Topeka, one at a time.

As we redevelop our neighborhoods, we want them to support a thriving downtown. In 2004 the City staff worked hard to support the efforts of DTI in developing downtown Topeka by approving the construction of the Kanza Parking Garage, completing the Jackson Street drainage project (which received national publication recognition), and purchasing the EBA building for $5.5 million. The renovation of that building into offices will ensure that city operations remain in downtown Topeka and that all business with the City can be conducted within a few close blocks. We also proposed, and the Council approved, the 8th Street Corridor and the Van Buren Plaza projects. Both will be catalysts to not only inviting our guests into Topeka, but also providing a place for our workers, citizens, and downtown residents a place to gather in downtown Topeka for shopping, relaxing, and outdoor entertainment. We also have applied for a grant to enhance our gateway into the city on our Interstate. We want to create an effect that makes travelers want to stop in Topeka to dine and shop before they reach the Rockies.

As these visitors exit the interstate into the city, we’ve made sure they will know how to get around. In my 2005 budget, I proposed, and the Council approved, $200,000 for the installation of Wayfinding signs. I am happy to report that we will begin to receive the new signs in February. Thank you City staff and others who have worked hard on the development of the signs, and thank you City Council for supporting my budget request.

Speaking of visitors, we found in a 2004 survey that leisure travel to our community brought $17 million dollars to our local economy. Although a few people say, “There is nothing to do in Topeka,” well, the numbers prove otherwise. Thousands of visitors enjoyed NHRA racing at Heartland Park Topeka, the Topeka Performing Arts Center, the Annual Sunflower State Games, the ASA Women’s Masters National Softball Tournament, the Sunflower Music Festival, the Kansas High School Rodeo Championship, the Kansas Senior Olympics, the community theaters -- 10,000 turned out to experience the 25th Annual Ward-Meade Apple Festival alone! Hey, the 2004 US Olympic Softball Team even came to Hummer Park! Topeka hosted its first Black Business Expo and it was a great success. We partnered with the state to create more urban fishing for our citizens by stocking a neighborhood stream with trout and catfish. In 2004, 4,000 youth registered for the City’s Parks and Recreation summer day camp programs. 178,000 people visited our Topeka Zoo; 420 adult teams registered for summer league softball, generating $164,000; 150,000 visitors enjoyed our mini-train and carousels at Gage Park. This past year, we opened our second skate park, where young people from miles away come to skate and skateboard in a facility not offered in other communities. Yes, there is plenty to do in Topeka! Dollars spent at these venues go to the overall economics of our community. Please join me in congratulating our City Council and Ray Irwin for securing the SCCA Run-Offs, which will bring millions of dollars of investment into our community, and in thanking all those who provide the culture and entertainment a well-rounded community deserves!

I cannot say enough about our status as an Economic Development powerhouse. Through the leadership of Doug Kinsinger and his staff at the Chamber and Go Topeka!, Topeka is on the forefront of creative job growth and development initiatives. The development of Commerce Park continues with a great outlook for 2005. In the heat of 2004, work began at the Target distribution facility that will eventually employ nearly 1,000 employees. I am confident that more will come in the year ahead. The Jostens expansion will create many new jobs in the southeast part of town, a place where job growth was needed. Topeka’s and Shawnee County’s Fast Track employer development program, Incubator and DBE programs are already getting regional and national attention. All of this is possible due to the ¼ cent sales tax for economic development that you, the citizens, approved. With your support we passed not only the extension of the tax, but its enhancement to a ½ cent sales tax. That tax will help fund the replacement of the Topeka Blvd. Bridge, as well as needed road and bridge improvements throughout the county. In support of our aggressive economic development attitude I have placed more emphasis on International Trade. We are in the trade corridor and it only made practical sense that we let the trade world know that Topeka is open for global business. So to Doug and his Chamber and Go Topeka! staff and to you the voters who approved the funding for these successes, thank you!

For years this community discussed the consolidation of City and County governments, but got nowhere. Last year I put forward a proposal to move that discussion to action. The City Council ratified that initiative, as did our counterparts on the County Commission, and it was approved by the voters last November. Today our consolidation efforts sit before the State Legislature and Governor. I am hopeful that soon we will be able to address the tax equity concerns we currently face.

Let us not forget one of the most memorable days in Topeka’s history. May 17, 2004, will never fade in my personal memory cache. That day Topeka joined the rest of the world in commemorating the landmark decision Brown v Board. It also joined the nation in the opening of the first National Historic Site located in Topeka, the former Monroe Elementary School. Over 4,000 visitors, national and international media and many national dignitaries, including the 43rd President of the United States, were in attendance that day. And Topeka stood tall and humble as she showed the rest of the nation how proud she was of her heritage and her progress. The underlying theme of that day was that much had been done to remedy inequalities, but much still remained to be done. Let us give the National Park Service, Cheryl Brown Henderson and the Brown Foundation, and the Topeka community, a round of applause for a job well done in telling our Topeka story.

The story of Brown v. Board parallels our City’s story as well – that is, much has been done, but the job is still not complete. For example, developing Topeka’s riverfront has long been discussed, but little movement had occurred over the years. During 2004, we worked to bring the dream of riverfront development into action. Our City’s Public Works Department has entered into a contract and has applied for a grant with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to conduct a study on riverfront redevelopment. An initial report has been given and a follow-up report is due this month. So far, all signs indicate that development is possible. With the help of the Chamber of Commerce and City staff, two public meetings occurred in 2004 to discuss the interest, ideas, and enthusiasm surrounding riverfront development. Those meetings were well attended and ideas have been abundant, generating excitement on both sides of the river about the concept. Continuing the effort, a formal taskforce to study this issue will be named later this month, because riverfront development is crucial to Topeka’s development. This past December, for Topeka’s 150th anniversary, we saw for the first time what fireworks look like on our riverfront as hundreds of citizens braved the chilly weather to celebrate there. I am certain that is not the last celebration we will be seeing on the river.

Since we are talking about the riverfront, it is appropriate to talk about the opening of the Great Overland Station in 2004. What a festive time it was celebrating our railroad heritage. But even more is still to come, both at the station and in other parts of North Topeka, because the City Council has earmarked nearly a million dollars for the improvement of downtown North Topeka. The Kansas Avenue fly-off into the Overland Station and downtown area will begin construction this year. Do you get the sense that something special is about to occur in North Topeka? Let’s give a big “thank you” to city staff, North Topeka On The Move, Councilman John Alcala, North Topeka businesses, and citizens and churches of North Topeka for their support in the renaissance that is about to occur here.

As to Topeka’s fiscal status, during 2004 we acted in concert with the City Council to guide Topeka on a course of improved fiscal certainty. Our City staff has worked hard to control budgets and spending, hence the taxpayers benefit through our commitment to keep taxes at a controllable level. This year’s budget reduces the City’s mill levy by approximately .8 mills. That means Topeka is prepared to compete as a site for business and homeowners!

I want to recognize and thank another group of people. The days of strife and confusion among our City’s governing body are long gone; our City Council members are to be commended for their dedication to good government. Jim Collins, in his book Good To Great wrote, and I paraphrase, “We don’t have great government, principally because we have good government…” This Council has repeatedly demonstrated that they want great government, so thank you, council members, for supporting city administrators and me in trying to achieve “great government.”

Some 52 weeks ago I told you we would do things right at city hall. I held that promise. We received the Management Partners optimization plan and City department heads are putting together implementation steps as we speak under the leadership of Dave Graversen, the City’s CAO. Let me just say Dave Graversen has committed many years and countless hours to improve this city’s progress. Please join me in thanking him for his many years of commitment.

During 2004, we implemented changes and saw the rewards. For the first time, a media policy was adopted that ensured that City government was transparent and that the public’s business was open to the public, was accurate, consistent, and timely in the reporting. We asked staff to think “outside the box.” We received a national award from The U.S. Conference of Mayors for having a healthy city due to our trail systems, our City employee health programs, and our many recreation outlets. Our finance department had an overhaul and now we are more efficient, receiving a 2004 award for Excellence in Financial Reporting and Distinguished Budget Reporting. Additionally, our Finance Department staff, thinking outside of the box, identified ways to refinance our bonds, saving the City nearly $5 million over the next 15 years. We also proposed, and the Council approved, that we implement a new Capital Improvement Program (CIP) policy to help manage debt and our capital projects. We also implemented a new Topeka Debt Management policy to establish parameters for making decisions that impact the City’s indebtedness.

During 2004 we changed a few things in our Municipal Court. Our two new judges, Judges Ebberts and Purce, are already mapping out efficiency changes in the administration of the courts. With the appointment of Judge Purce, Topeka and Shawnee County are finally beginning to represent the diversity of our community. Early in 2004, I asked staff to find ways to integrate our ability to effectively communicate with our Spanish-speaking citizens. Now many of our documents are translated into Spanish and we are constantly identifying staff who are bilingual.

Author Richard Florida suggests in his book “The Rise of The Creative Class” that we must hire smart, creative people and get out of their way, so we searched the country for a new Fire Chief and found one in Chief Howard Giles and then found Al Martin to direct our Human Relations Commission staff. I then established an atmosphere that allowed our existing administrators to do what they do best. We promoted our first female Deputy Fire Chief and first female Fire Marshal. The Topeka Fire Department was also chosen as a site for the Kansas Homeland One First Responder Training Network by the University of Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute.

During 2004 our City Planning staff completed the 2025 Land Use & Growth Management Plan and is now putting the final touches on a Comprehensive Annexation plan. Changes are happening with more to come at the newly named Cypress Ridge Public Golf Course (formerly called Topeka Public Golf Course). A few weeks ago we partnered with the University of Kansas to kick-off the Advantage Topeka student loan program in an attempt to stop the brain drain. The plan is to encourage Topeka students to stay and work here after college and to start and raise their families right here in Topeka where it is safe. Thanks go out to Council member Clark Duffy for his leadership in that effort.

As for safety, Topeka’s crime rate is falling at a rate higher than the national average. Violent crime is down 16%; that means more than 100 fewer violent crime victims in 2004. Property crime is down just under 2%; that equates to 150 fewer property crime victims. Thank you, Police Chief Ed Klump and staff, for your willingness to change and for your reorganization efforts that are making our neighborhoods safe.

Finally, this is my last State of The City Address. The citizens have chosen a different direction. But I am confident that good things lie ahead for Topeka. I still believe that Topeka has an ambitious outlook, regardless of the form of government. I continue to say “It’s all about the people.” City employees once again face uncertainty and anxiety, but they are resilient, focused and committed to seeing this City succeed. Since others may someday receive credit for what is being done today, let us not forget those who are right now giving of their talents. For example, I point with pride to Rookie Topeka Firefighter Damon Smith who, along with his Captain, Todd Williams, rescued a victim with extremely high carbon monoxide levels. We were informed later that the victim would have survived only one or two more minutes had they not found him when they did. This was especially notable as it was the first Signal Two fire for Rookie Firefighter Smith, and he assisted in saving a life! That’s why I want to recognize every single one of the 1,400 City of Topeka employees who work quietly and effectively around the clock 365 days a year to keep the water clean and flowing, the sewers running, the streets navigable, the neighborhoods safe and orderly, and the many, many other services that they perform. Please join me in saying thank you to a great City staff.

Now the foundation has been set for the new City Manager form of government. Citizens of Topeka, your participation is still a must; your capacity for success must overcome your apathy for government. You voted for change and now you must follow through and not leave it all up to the elected officials. They need your help and counsel. The common good of the community must be your number one goal. If I can leave one piece of advice, it is, “Be Patient.” Some say we have done more in the last 12 months than was done in the last few years. I do not know if that’s true, but I do know you have required more to be done in the last 12 months and I hope we have lived up to your expectations. I have had the best time of my life these last 12 months and will never forget those who have stood with me and beside me, including my staff Donna Freel, Shawn Maisberger, and Marcia Steinbock, and of course my wife and family. I promised to work hard and I kept my promise. I still think this is the greatest job in the world.

Today Tomorrow Topeka!

Thank you.

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Mayor's 2004 State of the City Address

Mayor James A. McClinton
State of the City Address
January 29, 2004

150 years ago near the banks of the Kansas River, nine men met and began to form what is now this great city. They laid the foundation for their city (now our city) by careful planning, then continued the endeavor by working together for the common success. One of those men, Cyrus Holliday had a dream and a vision for this city and began to promote it. Well, that vision and drive to promote Topeka has infected me, as it has so many other of Topeka's leaders throughout history. That's why I'm here to talk about the need to make Topeka an even greater place in which to live, work, and do business.

Mr. Board President, members of the City Council, distinguished elected and former elected officials, city staff, business leaders and partners, and citizens of Topeka, I come before you tonight to reflect upon our history, to take a look at where we are presently, and to encourage us to move confidently into the future.

This is an exciting and historical time to be a Topekan! This year we celebrate our 150 th birthday. Happy Birthday, Topeka!! (Pause for applause.) Without giving too much away, I can promise you that throughout the course of this year you'll find many special events and activities designed to mark this important occasion. And coincidently, we are also celebrating the 50 th year since the landmark decision of Brown v Topeka Board of Education. That means Topeka will be hosting the opening in May of the National Park Site and Museum of that name, a site that will draw thousands of tourists from all over the world. Those two anniversaries alone remind us of how proud we can all be of our heritage.

150 years ago when those nine men laid the foundation, I'll bet they had an idea that it wasn't all going to be easy. That's part of the reason they banded together for their task. And, they were right; throughout the years, Topeka has experienced some difficult times. There have been natural disasters like floods and tornadoes and severe droughts and dust bowls and fierce killing blizzards. There have been epidemics and world wars and civil riots. And there have been economic depressions and recessions. But we've survived them all, every one. These last few years have been especially rough economically. Right now the economy remains fragile and we must maintain a cautious approach to our spending. But because of the wisdom of our City Council, coupled with the hard work of our 1400 talented City employees and the sacrifices made by you, the citizens of Topeka, we are able to stand strong as we move into the coming year.

Because in spite of the economic challenges we've encountered, we've got some wonderful accomplishments to point out. Just listen:

• We attracted the new Target Distribution Center
• Added additional jobs with the consolidation of shops at Burlington Northern/Santa Fe
• Opened Commerce Park/Center Point
• Set a new record for student enrollment at Washburn University, thanks to the leadership of Dr. Jerry Farley and his team
• Enjoyed record real estate sales and expect to set new records during the coming year
• Decreased crime in our city by 10%, thus ensuring that our neighborhoods are even safer
• Saved the taxpayers $2.5 million in interest and property tax savings after refinancing some of our bonds
• Completed $56 million in capital improvements such as streets, waterplants, and storm sewers
• Assisted in the effort to bring an ice-skating arena to downtown Topeka
• Regained our national accreditation at the Topeka Zoo
• Opened the new Orangutan Habitat at the Zoo
• Hosted the 14 th Annual Sunflower State Games, bringing in a total of 6,351 athletes from 83 counties
• Continued expanding the ever popular Shunga Trail

And we expect even more this year. For example:

• With new ownership, we expect a great year of auto racing at Heartland Park
• June will bring the opening of the Great Overland Station, another regional and national tourist draw
• Because of the success of our Police Citizen's Academy, we will be starting a Fire Department Citizens Academy this year
• We're constructing a new Skate Park in Shunga Glen Park
• And because of the growth and success of Washburn University, I'm instructing our City departments to forge partnerships with student interns wherever possible. By giving students valuable practical experience here, we hope to encourage them to remain in Topeka.

Tonight I'm asking the City Council, City staff, and the citizens of Topeka to help me lay a second foundation for this community. I'm asking you to help realize an even better dream than Cyrus Holliday and company could ever have imagined 150 years ago. There's going to be some work involved. I'm here to lay the groundwork for that next foundation and to push for it as hard as I can. And when it slows down, you can expect me to get out of the boat, get into the water up to my elbows, and lead and push and paddle and stroke and dream and try and fail and get back up and start pushing and paddling and leading some more as hard and as often as I must. But when I finish, we will have a foundation for the future laid out in simple, easy-to-follow instructions. And the next four years after this we will work that plan and build on that foundation.

We're all in this together, and as I said, I'm asking you to help. I'm convinced that a spirit of cooperation is alive and well in Topeka. I have talked with County officials and we have made a pledge to put our differences aside and embrace our similarities and common goals. Adventures that we can do together, we will join together and do. Our City Council has demonstrated that they are willing to work together as well. That fact is demonstrated by my standing here tonight after the Council took only eight minutes of deliberation to elect me. Thank you!

A good place to start our new foundation is at the original source of it all – the Kansas River. We need to return to that historical place. This year I hope to create a group of dedicated Topekans who will bring our focus back to the river for development and recreational use. I believe we can create an environment that will bring others, not just Topekans, to the river for entertainment. Can't you imagine the annual Spirit of Topeka Fourth of July celebration on the river? Can't you see colorful fireworks bursting and sending a beautiful reflection off the waters of the Kaw? Hundreds of Topekans and visitors enjoying outdoor concerts in a riverfront amphitheater, arts and craft shows, farmers markets and the Great Overland Station? What a wonderful place to envision and to in fact visit. I believe we can create such a place.

Our quality of life is great and is going to get even better. We're going to offer young families an even safer place to raise their children, a place with attractive outlets where they can enjoy themselves after putting in a hard day's work. We're going to convince graduating students from our high schools and our wonderful university to plan their careers and future right here in Topeka. We're going to take care of our most vulnerable citizens as well, our seniors and our young. I'll be asking community houses of worship and religious organizations to do more. If your church does not offer services to the poor, it can do more. If your synagogue does not have a food bank for the hungry, it can do more. If your outreach mission does not have a clothing bank to cloth the needy, it can do more. And if your temple doesn't have the capacity to do these things, then please partner with one that does.

Good neighborhoods are critical to our mutual success. I will charge staff to bring me recommendations to restructure our NIAs to re-energize them and make them stronger and more effective. Neighborhood participation is the key to neighborhood stability. We also plan to focus on urban infrastructure. My plan is to use our dollars wisely to ensure that we rebuild neighborhoods as a whole and not just single blocks every year.

As we grow, the issue of annexation always surfaces. I believe that we should rarely annex areas until we are convinced that we can provide adequate or improved services to that area. And, I will need to be convinced that we are serving our existing territory well before we decide to absorb even more responsibilities.

Another vital focus of our foundation is a strong economy. Topeka has to position ourselves for an era of improving economic growth and development. We must also be prepared to manage that growth, rather than experience growth haphazardly. That's why we have a plan and we must work our plan, not being afraid to revise it and accommodate current dreams and current trends and best practices. We are funding that plan with the economic development tax that elected officials and the citizens so graciously extended, thus enabling us to compete for jobs and development expansions. The Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka! has worked tirelessly fielding calls from prospective newcomers. They have landed some awesome successes such as Target and the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe consolidation. That quarter-cent sales tax is the most aggressive tool we have to bring growth to greater Topeka. It allows us to recruit good paying jobs to this community and it must be continued if we plan to stay ahead in the competitive economic development game.

Of course in this day and age it is not uncommon to bring jobs into one's community and lose other jobs at the same time; that is just the nature of the beast. We saw an example of that just yesterday with the announcement of the closing of TeleTech. But I am confident we will continue to stay ahead by bringing in more jobs and assisting existing employers as they expand local operations. We appreciate you current businesses very much and celebrate your every success because it is Topeka's success as well.

How we face these and other municipal issues has been brought into question as being determined by our form of government. I believe that any form of government will work if the “right” people are in place. As far as I'm concerned, the right people are in place. Our current form of government ensures accountability and honest representation. To change now causes instability, the kind that worries potential businesses and investors and may well cause them to seek other locations.

Finally, I want to pledge to you that we are doing things right in City Hall. That we are giving you efficient, professional and courteous service in everything we do. I have a wonderful staff who demonstrate that they will work their hardest to accomplish the City's goals. They comprise some of the brightest, most educated and experienced City staff in the Midwest, from the entry-level employee to our top administrators. I'm very proud of them and appreciate the fine job that they do. If leadership is defined as getting things done through others, then I have a great team of “others” to – can I say it? – to help me look good!

As for me, my style is to listen, plan, collaborate, and act. Together, all of us – myself, City staff, our partners, our businesses, and you the citizens -- will lay our second foundation as a team and build a community of excellence. We will tell our story all over this country. In fact, in the four weeks I have been in office I have already been interviewed by a number of foreign journalists and by one national journalist. I've been doing a lot of bragging about this wonderful place called Topeka.

This positive, progressive outlook is so exciting and infectious that I want to inject that positive energy into every Topekan! Our visitors see it and we all need to see it too. We will spread that feeling in the next 14 months, Topeka, so when you get the fever don't try to cure it. Enjoy it and tell someone about the wonderful outlook you have about Topeka. Even though budgets are tight, it doesn't take money to have a positive outlook for our city, to enjoy and invite visitors to come here and spend and play and be entertained here and to enjoy our treasures. Topeka has wonderful things to do and we're going to create more.

So Topekans and staff, we must start “thinking outside the box,” taking chances and becoming risk takers as we build our second foundation. There will likely be some mistakes; remember it took the Wright Brothers many attempts to get it right. But we can fly too! When we make a mistake, we just get back up, dust ourselves off, put on a new set of wings and get back on the runway. Yes there will be naysayers, just like there were on the beaches of North Carolina. But we will ignore them as the Wright Brothers did and as we fly above them, we hope that on the next take-off, they will purchase a ticket, come with us and enjoy the flight as we soar, together, into the next 150 years of our destiny.

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