Candidates for Topeka's District 6 make their cases before Aug. 1 primary election
Streets, public safety and homelessness are among the key concerns that motivated candidates to run for west-central Topeka's District 6 seat on the city council.
Four candidates are on the ballot for the Aug. 1 primary election being held to narrow the number of candidates down to two in that district, where Councilwoman Hannah Naeger has chosen not to seek reelection.
District 6 voters will then elect their next councilperson during the Nov. 7 general election, when seats will also be up for a vote in council districts 2, 4 and 8.
The Capital-Journal posed five specific questions to District 6 candidates Bob Beers, 72; Craig Dunstan, 61; Marcus D.L. Miller, 39; and Zachary Surritt, 25.
Responses were lightly edited for length.
Bob Beers
Tell us about yourself and why you're running.
My name is Bob Beers. I live in the Elmhurst Neighborhood and am active within the neighborhood and with some of the groups interested in bringing the neighborhood feeling back to those areas. I am running because Topeka’s City Council has appeared to allow the city administration take over the business of running the city which has led to a lessening of the quality of life for Topeka’s citizens. The recent City Manager problems is a prime example. I have a resume that includes public service as a Nevada State Assemblyman representing a district with more than twice the population of Shawnee County. I forced a Casino Magnate to obey state law and also served as a mediator for the Nevada Supreme Court during the housing crisis.
What have you done in terms of community and public service?
I am very active on the Nextdoor App and have also been involved in fixing the food desert issue, working with people like Michael Bell. I have also been attempting to get the Governor’s office to try to begin attracting employers to Kansas and cities such as Topeka, especially since relocating here would save them millions of dollars per year over where they are now. I have already mentioned the term as a Supreme Court Mediator, but in that, I managed to save roughly 85% of the homes up for foreclosure by mediating an agreement between the bank and the homeowner. The national average at that time was 42%. I was the only Assemblyman who would talk to the nurses when they were having a labor conflict with the hospitals, and I was the only one to listen to the Casino Dealers when their tips were being stolen by the ownership to pay management.
Why should people vote for you?
I should be the one voted for because I already know how to do the job and have a proven track record of being a representative. I will be at the job when people need to speak to their council representative. I will answer questions directly and not deflect as many seem to do. The experience I have is far more directly related to this position than any of the other candidates. While in State Office, I was nominated for the JFK Profiles in Courage Award because I was not afraid to tackle very powerful interests, regardless of the potential consequences. Being in office means having to know how to negotiate, cross the aisle, and find a basis for an agreement that benefits all. My mentor in that skill was the man who wrote the book, The Laffer Method, Arthur Laffer. My record as a mediator proves I learned how to do the job well.
What issues compelled you to run, and where do you stand on them?
The main reason for my filing was a lack of representation for the district, especially where the 12th Street redesign was concerned. The majority of the district did not want it to happen and our council member not only fought us on it, but the one replacing him continued the pro-City Manager stance, regardless of what the citizens wanted. There was no representation. I have expressed my stand on a number of issues, such as education, the police, and mostly city infrastructure. In order, Topeka schools need to treat teachers far better than they do and I have several pages of proposals in that regard. The police also need to be brought back into the budget better than they are. Topeka doesn’t need a helicopter as much as it needs neighborhood patrols. As for our infrastructure, simply driving around tells anyone paying attention that the job needs to be done more efficiently and effectively. An example is the material used for our streets is not the right one. There is an asphalt formula designed for extremes. It is more expensive, but it also saves twice the price over time by lasting longer. The fourth is one I have been involved in, filling the food deserts. The neighborhoods need real grocery stores that can be reached on foot if the one needing to shop has no car. A Dollar Store won’t do it. The final for this section is bus service. We need a bus service that has more routes, is available so people can get to work on time and get home safely, not to mention a lot more sheltered stops.
Whoever wins in District 6 will help choose Topeka's next city manager. What would you look for in choosing that person?
My first search area for a new City Manager would be local. Bringing in someone who has no roots here has proven to be a losing proposition. The proper education combined with budget and planning management experience would be critical as well. The extraneous factors of age, gender, and race should have no bearing on the candidate chosen, just the ability to do the job. As I have extensive experience in working with managers in similar positions, I know very well what makes for a good one.
Craig Dunstan
Tell us about yourself and why you're running.
I am a fifth-generation Kansan who has lived in Topeka most of the past 40 years. I have lived and voted in Topeka District 6 for the past 28 years. I currently work as a software engineer. I graduated from Washburn University of Topeka and Topeka has been my home ever since. I’ve been a precinct Committee person for the past two years. I heard that the city council person for District 6 was not running so I thought about it. It was the encouragement by members of my party that inspired me to run.
What have you done in terms of community and public service?
I’ve been active in Boy Scouts as a leader, District Executive, and Camp Director. I was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for several years eventually fostering and then adopted two of the children on my caseload. I have also been an Educational Advocate for dozens of kids for their Individual Educational Plan (IEP). I was also a member in a statewide committee that oversaw the Department of Children and families. I’ve been Camp Commander in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. I’ve also been a leader in my church.
Why should people vote for you?
I have lived in District 6 the past 28 years. That is more time than all three of the other candidates combined. That experience will help me better represent the citizens of District 6. I work from home, so I am very accessible to the people. As a computer programmer I am a problem solver. I get to write new code using the latest technology and yet I also get to work with code that is more than 30 years old. That’s what it will be like representing the wide diversity of ages and incomes you will find in District 6.
What issues compelled you to run, and where do you stand on them?
Topeka currently has 1,330 full-time employees and 24 temporary employees. In less than a year the city manager added 34 new positions including seven paying more than $100,000 a year. Homeowners experienced an average increase of 13.8% in the appraisal values of their property in Shawnee County which includes Topeka. The city recently purchased a hotel for $7.6 million dollars that was appraised this year at $3 million. While the population of Kansas increased 7.4% from the 2010 to 2020 U.S. Census, Topeka's population decreased. Topeka went from being the fourth largest city in Kansas to the fifth largest city. Our most important issue facing Topeka is Bigger Government, Higher Taxes all while our population is decreasing.
This year Topeka surpassed last year's total number of homicides in the first six months. Several high-profile murders at the hands of police in the US (Michael Brown & George Floyd) have had a chilling effect on the ability of all police officers to do the job. The national "Defund and Demilitarize the Police" movement caused the Topeka Police Chief to hold several public forums in the past few years to allow community discussion. My proposal would be to allocate more funds to the police. Increase their pay and allow the hiring of officers from outside the city. Prosecutors and judges should be encouraged to prosecute both violent and non-violent crimes. Mental health services should be more readily available. Sometimes it can take up to a month to get in to see a therapist or counselor. That's too long. We need to make emergency mental health services more readily available.
Whoever wins in District 6 will help choose Topeka's next city manager. What would you look for in choosing that person?
The city manager needs to have the skills to manage people and money. They need good written and oral communications skills. Prior experience as a city manager would be helpful. They need to keep the mayor and the council informed and they should follow the council’s agenda, not the other way around. The city does not need to be adding positions to the payroll, especially with salaries of $100,000. The city also needs to use the talent that is available in the community instead of hiring consultants. I remember several years ago the city hired a consultant that recommended we put parkways in the center lane of streets like we have on 17th street in front of Washburn. This consultant had lots of great ideas and we paid them millions of dollars and the city didn’t follow many of their suggestions. What a wase of time and money. We need a city manager that is fiscally responsible with the taxpayer’s money. They especially should not be buying hotels with taxpayer’s money.
Marcus D.L. Miller
Tell us about yourself and why you're running.
I am a Topeka, KS native who attended grade school in the 501 and 450 districts, graduating from Shawnee Heights High School in 2002. I played football at Washburn University and earned my bachelor's degree in legal studies. I began my employment in customer service at Topeka Country Club for 11 years and in labor-intensive concrete work at Conroy Contractors Inc. I have also held various positions at the District Attorney's office under two different DA's and served as a director at the Boys & Girls Club of Topeka. Currently, I lead a team as Executive Director at First Tee – Greater Topeka that collaborates with community partners to provide learning opportunities and educational programs for young people in Shawnee & Jackson counties through the game of golf. In all of the work, my focus has been on serving others. My deep passion for my city and community motivates me to run for city council in District 6. I believe that positive changes can be made to enhance the quality of life for all residents in the district and bring proven leadership and a “boots on the ground” attitude that will benefit the entire community. I am married to a wonderful woman, and we have two children, making me want to give back to the community that blessed me to live alongside them.
What have you done in terms of community and public service?
Throughout my life, I have actively participated in various community and public service activities. I have volunteered with local charities, participated in neighborhood clean-up projects, and mentored young individuals to help them reach their full potential. Additionally, I have served on a community board where I advocated for the needs and concerns of the residents in our district. As a member of both the Omni Circle and the Stormont Vail Patient & Family Partnership Council, I am dedicated to serving my community. I am proud to hold the position of President of the Police Athletic League and to serve as a Board Member of the Topeka Area Sports Commission. In addition to my volunteer work, I have coached high school basketball for Tonganoxie High School & Shawnee Heights High School for four out of five seasons. I have run multiple boys’ and girls’ AAU basketball programs, currently being a head coach for the Missouri Phenom Topeka Hub. I am honored to have been recognized as a 2022 Topeka 20 Under 40 honoree and to have completed the 2022 Leadership Greater Topeka program.
Why should people vote for you?
Thank you for asking me why you should vote for me. I believe that I am the best candidate for the District 6 City Council of Topeka, KS, because I have a strong commitment to serving my community and have proven leadership skills that have directly affected the way youth and families go about their lives. I have lived in this district for 16 years, and I believe in the issues of the people who live here. As your council member, I will work to improve the quality of life for everyone in our district for the things that THEY care about. I will focus on incentivizing jobs that pay well but that also treat employees and customers with the utmost respect. I will work to ensure that our local businesses & organizations have the support they need to thrive while working to make sure those businesses understand to support the community that supports them. With my history and relationship with the local law enforcement agencies, I will look for the most efficient and positive ways to keep our communities safe for all. In addition, I am a good listener, and I believe in working collaboratively with others. I will always be open to hearing the concerns and ideas of my constituents, and I will do my best to represent their interests on the council. Finally, I have a proven track record of working on important community initiatives and achieving positive results. I am committed to continuing this work as your council member. Thank you for considering me as your candidate for the District 6 City Council. I promise to work hard to earn your trust and your vote while never taking that trust for granted through my efforts and commitment.
What issues compelled you to run, and where do you stand on them?
As a candidate for district seat 6 in Topeka, KS, I am dedicated to addressing the pressing issues that our community is facing. One of my top priorities is improving the quality of our public schools. I firmly believe that education is the foundation of any thriving community, and we need to invest more resources and efforts in our schools to ensure that our children receive the best possible education.
Another issue that I am passionate about is public safety. We must work closely with our law enforcement agencies to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe and secure. Although statistics show similar safety levels to other cities, many people still perceive our community as unsafe. To prioritize the safety of our neighborhoods and businesses, we need to empower our law enforcement agencies with the support they need, and ensure they do their jobs, all while holding each other accountable for the actions of everyone who lives here. Through good faith collaboration with community leaders and organizations, we can address underlying causes of crime and promote positive initiatives.
Affordable housing is also a significant issue that we need to address in our city. Many families in our communities are struggling to find affordable housing, and we cannot ignore this problem. I support the creation of incentives for developers to build affordable housing units and the expansion of rental resources programs for low-income families.
Lastly, I am committed to promoting economic development in our city. We need to support the growth and expansion of existing local businesses to create more job opportunities for our residents while attracting new businesses and industries with incentives that come full circle for current residents. I support the implementation of business-friendly policies for those that are contractually committed to giving back to the community that provides those profits to them.
Whoever wins in District 6 will help choose Topeka's next city manager. What would you look for in choosing that person?
Selecting the right city manager is crucial for the effective governance of Topeka. I would look for a city manager who possesses strong leadership skills, a proven track record of successful management, and a deep understanding of municipal administration. It is essential that the city manager has the ability to work collaboratively with the city council, community leaders, and residents to address our city's challenges and effectively implement policies that benefit our community as a whole. Transparency and accountability are also key traits that I would seek in a city manager to ensure that decisions are made with the best interests of our city's residents in mind. I believe our public should be involved in who gets hired for that position.
Zachary Surritt
Tell us about yourself and why you're running.
I am a native of the Topeka area and I’m ready to serve our city. I’m a graduate of Washburn University with a bachelor’s in public administration and I’ve lived in District 6 since I started at Washburn. I currently work for R&S Maintenance, where I am a member of the third generation of family leadership, and Chadwell’s Automotive as the Business Development and Marketing Director. I also serve as the Chair-Elect for Forge Young Talent and a member of both the Topeka Chamber of Commerce and the Topeka Human Relations Commission. Previously, I served as a City Councilman in Meriden, where my father served as Mayor for 14 years. I’m blessed to have a supportive group of family and friends that have made it possible for me to take this opportunity. I’m running because I want to see Topeka continue to grow in the right direction. Young adults and children are the two fastest growing ages in our city, yet they are the least represented at any level of government. Young people are the ones getting an education, settling into their communities, working full time, and starting families, so they don’t always have the same amount of time to get involved with their local government. I want to use this opportunity to represent the bright future of Topeka as a young adult with the necessary experience, passion, and vision.
What have you done in terms of community and public service?
As I stated previously, I am a former City Councilman for Meriden where I grew up. While serving on the council, I also interned for the Kansas House of Representatives. These experiences showed me the ins and outs of public policy and working with constituents to balance the needs of the community with the resources of local governments. While at Washburn I served as the Student Body President, where I advocated not only to university administrators about student needs and concerns, but also to our state government. I organized a statewide conference of student governments where we went to the statehouse to speak for Kansas students. In my time in Forge, I have done similar advocacy work on behalf of young professionals in Topeka and throughout Kansas. We just organized the state’s first Young Professionals Day at the Capitol this past session where more than 75 young professionals came out to discuss how Kansas can be a better place for young people to live, work, play, and belong. Finally, serving on the Topeka Chamber board and the Topeka Human Relations Commission have given me the opportunity to work with both city leaders and community business partners to ensure that we’re creating a city that continues to grow without forgetting about the needs of the people we serve.
Why should people vote for you?
I have the experience, passion, and vision necessary to serve District 6 and all of Topeka on our City Council. It’s important that everyone has a voice while we are making decisions about the future of our city and this election gives us an opportunity to do just that. District 6 has the only race for city council this year where a younger candidate is running where the incumbent is not. In at least two of the four city council races the winner is guaranteed to be the same age as or older than the current council person. If we want to build a future for the next generations, they need to be represented in our city. I am the only candidate in this race that is younger than the incumbent and I have what it takes to bring action to the issues we continue to discuss. I am connected to this city and I love Topeka, so I will be dedicated to improving the lives of each person every day that I’m on City Council.
What issues compelled you to run, and where do you stand on them?
a. I’ve talked a lot about young professionals in our city because it is an issue I am uniquely involved in. Topeka needs to recruit and retain more young talent in our community. As a young professional, I have seen countless numbers of my friends and Washburn alumni move out of Topeka for other opportunities. We need to work more closely with our area school districts, trade schools, and Washburn to make Topeka a place where graduates want to stay and where we can adequately recruit new young professionals to the area.
b. The growing unsheltered population in Topeka has taken center stage lately. We all recognize the need for action, but a complex issue like this one will take time to resolve. We need to treat this not as some policy issue, but as an issue with how we serve our community members. First, Topeka needs to develop a low-barrier shelter so that those that cannot currently find shelter gain access. This would also bring those individuals access to mental and physical health care as well as addiction treatment. We currently have amazing community partners dedicated to resolving this issue, but the city needs to be at the center of making these connections and using our resources wisely.
c. Finally, I would work to ensure that more transparency is brought to Topekans about our infrastructure and public works. Topeka has a reputation for lengthy roadwork and poor roads in general. District 6 has been involved in many large road and utility projects and will continue to be for years to come. Our city councilperson will be heavily involved in these conversations, and I bring a background in maintenance and contracting work. We need to make our construction more efficient and more transparent to the communities it impacts.
Whoever wins in District 6 will help choose Topeka's next city manager. What would you look for in choosing that person?
This is one of the most important items concerning the city council. Topeka’s city manager is the one person that leads all city departments on a full-time basis and sets the tone for the entire city government. Our next city manager must be familiar with our community and the growth we’ve seen in just the last 5-10 years. The city manager will need to bring together people and groups from all over Topeka to create positive change, so they must have the network to do that. They will also need to be service oriented, as they are public servants and a city leader, not a business executive. The city manager is accountable not just to the city council, but also to all Topekans and their goals should reflect service to the people. Finally, our next city manager needs to be forward-thinking and be prepared to bring Topeka into the future as our community continues to grow. No city council member could find success in their goals without a qualified and competent city manager in place.
Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka City Council candidates explain positions before Aug. 1 primary
