For almost 19 years, Topeka has been my playground. Although many of my friends have gone away for college, I made the decision to stay and attend Washburn University. While I am extremely proud to be a young resident of this city, I must say we have one very serious problem.
75% of Topeka streets are in sub-standard condition and need repairs. Evidence of this fact is everywhere you go in this town. I can see two potholes just by looking out the window at my desk. The alley running next to my house is atrocious and I've gotten several flat tires as a result of poor conditions on main Topeka streets.
In fact, the roads are so terrible, they have led to a diagnosable problem. 100% of Topeka residents suffer from pothole syndrome and the side effects are getting worse each day. I am most frequently affected by spilled coffee and my little Honda Civic won't be able to handle the rough dips for much longer.
Because of this, I will be voting yes on April 7th to invest in the future of Topeka. The wording of this ballot initiative is very clear and I know exactly where my money will be going. When it comes to improving the quality of Topeka, voting yes is a no-brainer for me.
I would like to stay in Topeka for many years to come so the future of my city is very important to me. I encourage all Topeka voters to become informed on this issue and vote yes. The good folks with The Committee to Fix the Streets have put together a great site to answer any questions you might have about this Infrastructure Improvement Measure. I would especially encourage you to look at the Myths and Truths section. It is very informative and clears up any confusion about how this increase relates to the Riverfront Project and Go Topeka.
Times may be tough, but this problem won't go away without action. While the average resident will be spending $3-$5 more a month, the burden of fixing our streets will be shared by all Topeka consumers, including those coming from outside of the city. If we don't act now, the city will likely be forced to raise the property tax. This will leave the cost of maintaining our streets entirely in the hands of Topeka residents.
If you live in Topeka, please vote yes on April 7 to improve the quality of the city we all call home.













