Community members form plan for Topeka
10:09 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2008
More than 200 community members came to Topeka West High School Monday to be involved in making Topeka better. The meeting was hosted by Heartland Visioning, a new office specifically designed to implement a vision for Topeka.
"This is all about the community being involved," said William Beteta, executive director of the company.
Topeka West High School played host to the meeting Monday as community members became involved in making Topeka better.
"There's a lot of potential for this city," said 16-year-old Topekan Laura Salvatore. "When you go outside to bigger cities, you see so much that could be done and you wonder why it isn't being done."
Heartland Visioning Community Meeting
- When: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Where: Seaman High School, 4850 Rochester Road, Topeka
- Cost: Free
- Age limit: All ages
Small groups put pen to paper to cook up ideas for the Capital City, but Topekans have met before to find the ABC's of happiness for the city and though the meetings brought good ideas, little if anything has changed.
"The difference is this is a program that has planning and implementation designed into it," Beteta said.
After searching for the answers that couldn't be found in textbook pages were filled with what Topekans wanted to see done.
"My main thing is entertainment being more spread out instead of just on Wanamaker Road," Salvatore said.
Lavone Greys said there need to be more jobs in the community.
"There need to be not just jobs, but jobs with gainful employment," he said.
In his group, Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten listened to what Topekans wanted to see happen in the city.
"People are concerned about education and the quality of life," he said.
But even though the meeting brought forth multiple ideas for the Capital City, don't expect to see immediate changes.
"We didn't get to where we are now in one year or one week," Beteta said. "We're not gonna be able to change in one year or two years, it's gonna take time."
If you'd like to be involved in the planning process there are two more meetings this week.
Tuesday at Seaman High School and Thursday at Highland Park High School. Both meetings start at 6 p.m. sharp.
Comments
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Jul. 4, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)stuck (anonymous)
I enjoy listening to the 16-year old girl. She sounds smarter and pleasant than the mayor!
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