Sunday, March 22, 2026

Now you know

Toothpaste is primarily composed of abrasives, water, humectants, surfactants, and flavoring agents designed to clean, polish, and protect teeth. Key ingredients include fluoride for enamel protection, calcium carbonate or silica for scrubbing, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a foaming detergent. It also contains thickeners and binders to maintain a smooth texture. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]  
Core Ingredients Breakdown 

• Abrasives (8–20%): Include calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, and aluminum oxides. These polish teeth and remove plaque without damaging enamel. 
• Humectants: Glycerol, sorbitol, and propylene glycol prevent the toothpaste from drying out. 
• Surfactants (Detergents): Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is commonly used to create foam, helping to distribute the paste and remove debris, though it can cause irritation for some, say Delta Dental and A Great Smile Dental (https://agreatsmiledental.com/las-vegas/dentist-reveals-the-shocking-truth-about-toothpaste-ingredients/). 
• Active Ingredients: Fluoride is standard for preventing cavities, notes Little Rockies Kids Dental (https://littlerockieskidsdental.com/blog/what-toothpaste-made-part-2) and Colgate (https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/selecting-dental-products/what-is-in-toothpaste-five-ingredients-and-what-they-do). Some types include anti-sensitivity agents like potassium nitrate, according to SA Dental (https://www.dental.sa.gov.au/advice/ingredients-of-toothpaste). 
• Binders and Thickeners: Cellulose gum or carrageenan give it a creamy, consistent texture, say YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVlt4aTSdY8) and White Dental Studio (https://mywhitedental.com/toothpaste/). 
• Flavoring/Sweeteners: Mint oils are common for freshness, while saccharin provides sweetness without causing decay, notes YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShOVnAzyxFM) and Colgate. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]  

Common Synonyms & Related Terms 

• Dentifrice: The technical, formal term for any substance (paste, powder, liquid) used to clean teeth. 
• Tooth Paste/Paste: Common term. 
• Dental Cream: Often used for paste-like formulas. 
• Tooth Gel: A transparent, often less abrasive version of toothpaste. [1, 10, 11, 12, 13]  

Usage Examples & Composition 

• Sensitivity Protection: Contains Potassium Nitrate or Strontium Chloride to block nerve pain. 
• Whitening: Features higher concentrations of abrasives or silica to polish surface stains. 
• Cavity Protection: High concentration of sodium fluoride to strengthen enamel. [2, 5, 6, 10, 14]  

Toothpaste may also contain preservatives like sodium benzoate to prevent bacterial growth, notes SA Dental. [10]  
Would you like to know more about the difference between gel and paste toothpaste? 

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Henry McClure
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Check out this TikTok video

Check out USA Top List's video! #TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTkJcbWuT/



Henry McClure  
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Saturday, March 21, 2026

Countrywide Realty, Inc. - Search Results - Collaboration Link

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Jayhawks

Yes, the University of Kansas Jayhawks won their first-round NCAA Tournament game in San Diego on Friday, March 20, 2026, defeating California Baptist 68-60 at Viejas Arena. Kansas held off a late comeback attempt by the Lancers, with Darryn Peterson scoring 28 points, and advances to play St. John's on Sunday. 

• Final Score: Kansas 68, California Baptist 60. 
• Location: Viejas Arena, San Diego, California. 
• Key Player: Darryn Peterson scored 28 points and made four 3-pointers. 
• Next Game: Kansas faces No. 5 seed St. John's in the second round on Sunday. [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7]  

Would you like to know the game time for the upcoming Kansas vs. St. John's second-round matchup? 

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Do you, do? Feel like I do.....

TikTok has become one of the most powerful platforms for podcast growth in 2026—especially for reaching younger audiences (Gen Z and younger millennials), where discovery happens fast through short, addictive clips. With over 1.2 billion users, it's no longer optional for podcasters; it's a core discovery engine, often ranking right behind YouTube for finding new shows. Your existing share-heavy YouTube performance (those 3.4K shares) translates well here—TikTok rewards shareable, high-engagement content even more aggressively via its algorithm.

Podcasts thrive on TikTok by turning long-form discussions into bite-sized hooks that stop scrolls and drive full-episode listens. The key shift in 2026: it's less about raw trends and more about **intentional, value-first content** with strong hooks, consistency, and community building. Organic growth is still very possible without huge ad spend if you adapt to how people consume now (quick value, authenticity, emotional hooks).

### Why TikTok Works So Well for Podcasts Right Now
- **Young audience discovery**: 75%+ of 13-24-year-old podcast listeners are on TikTok, and 80% find new shows there.
- **Algorithm favors engagement**: High watch time, shares, comments, and saves push content to more "For You" pages.
- **Low barrier to entry**: You can repurpose existing episodes into vertical clips quickly.
- **Funnel potential**: Viral clips → profile visits → link in bio (to YouTube/Spotify/Apple) → subscribers/listeners.

### Top TikTok Strategies for Podcast Growth in 2026
Here's a practical playbook tailored to a small/medium podcast like yours (331 subs, strong shares/views):

1. **Clip the Best Moments Ruthlessly (Your Core Strategy)**  
   Focus on 15-60 second vertical clips from episodes. Prioritize:  
   - Hot takes, debates, funny reactions, surprising facts, or emotional stories.  
   - Immediate hooks in the first 3 seconds (e.g., "This guest just admitted something insane...").  
   - End with a CTA: "Full episode in bio—link!" or "Comment if this changed your mind."  
   Edit for impact: Add captions (big, bold text), trending sounds/effects, zoom-ins on faces/reactions. Tools like CapCut (free) or Opus Clip make this fast.  
   Post 3-5 clips per episode—different angles to test what hits.

2. **Consistency & Volume (The 2026 Multiplier)**  
   Post 2-3 times/day (or at least 5-7/week) to give the algorithm data. Batch-create clips once/week.  
   Theme weeks or series (e.g., "Debate Clips Mondays") build anticipation.  
   Your recent YouTube spike shows momentum—mirror that by posting TikTok versions of high-share episodes first.

3. **Leverage Trends Authentically (Not Forced)**  
   Jump on sounds/trends only if they fit your niche (e.g., reaction trends for debates).  
   "Throw curveballs": Mix in off-topic or personal stories (Gary Vee-style) to attract new viewers who then discover your main content.

4. **Build Community & Engagement**  
   Reply to EVERY comment in the first hour—boosts visibility.  
   Duet/stitch viral clips in your niche.  
   Ask questions in captions: "Agree? Drop 🔥" or "Tag a friend who needs this."  
   Use TikTok's link-in-bio (or Linktree) to direct to your podcast/YouTube.

5. **Beyond Just Clips (Advanced Plays)**  
   - Tease upcoming episodes with "behind-the-scenes" or guest intros.  
   - Create "podcast tips" or niche value content (e.g., "3 debate tricks I learned hosting").  
   - Go live for Q&A or mini-episodes to build loyalty.  
   - Cross-promote: Share TikTok wins back to YouTube/X for compounded growth.

6. **Track & Optimize**  
   In TikTok Analytics (unlock with Pro account—free): Watch completion rate, shares, saves. Double down on what gets high % viewed to end.  
   Goal: Aim for 50%+ watch time on clips → algorithm pushes harder.

### Real-World Examples of Podcasts Crushing It
- **Huberman Lab** (@hubermanlab): Posts science-backed clips with clean edits, captions, and authority—massive views from educational hooks.
- **Call Her Daddy** (@callherdaddy): Raw, controversial soundbites + personality-driven content—perfect for shareability.
- **Wizards of Waverly Pod** (@wizardspod): Fun, nostalgic reactions/clips—high engagement from relatability.

Many smaller pods grow 10x faster by focusing on "share if this resonated" moments, similar to your YouTube strength.

### Quick Start Plan for You
1. Pick your top 3-5 episodes by shares/views.  
2. Clip 5-10 verticals each (focus on debate/hot take moments).  
3. Post 1-2/day starting now—use trending audio sparingly.  
4. Add link to YouTube/podcast in bio.  
5. Engage heavily for 1-2 weeks and watch for spikes.

This could funnel hundreds/thousands of new eyes to your YouTube channel quickly, especially since your content already proves shareable. TikTok + YouTube is a killer combo in 2026—short clips discover, long-form retains/monetizes.

If you share your podcast niche or a sample episode topic, I can suggest specific clip ideas/hooks. Let's turn those shares into explosive growth! 🚀

Henry McClure
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I hear the whistleblowing

Amtrak offers daily service to and from Topeka, KS (TOP) via the Southwest Chief line, which connects Chicago to Los Angeles. Trains typically arrive at the 500 SE Holliday Place depot in the middle of the night, taking roughly 2 hours to reach Kansas City. The station is small and unstaffed. [1, 2, 3, 4]  
Key Amtrak Information for Topeka 

• Station Location: 500 SE Holliday Place, Topeka, KS 66607-1100. 
• Station Type: Unstaffed with basic amenities including a waiting area and restrooms; the station is known to be locked until just before train arrivals. 
• Primary Route: The Southwest Chief. 
• Service Frequency: One train per day in each direction. 
• Service Reliability: Trains are frequently delayed by several hours, often due to freight traffic sharing the tracks. [2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]  

Service Out of Topeka (Eastbound) 

• Destination: Generally towards Kansas City, MO, and onwards to Chicago. 
• Typical Schedule: Trains depart late at night or very early in the morning. [1, 2, 4]  

Service To Topeka (Westbound) 

• Destination: Generally towards Newton, KS, and eventually Los Angeles. 
• Typical Schedule: Stops in Topeka occur during the middle of the night. [1, 2]  

Key Connections and Travel Tips 

• Major Hubs: Topeka offers connections to Chicago (eastbound) and cities like Albuquerque, Flagstaff, and Los Angeles (westbound). 
• Regional Travel: For trips to Oklahoma, travelers may need to use a dedicated bus shuttle from Newton, KS. 
• Travel Times: Topeka to Kansas City is approximately 1 hour 44 minutes to 2 hours. 
• Amenities: The Southwest Chief offers coach seating, a scenic observation car, and a café car. [1, 2, 8, 9, 10]  

As of March 2026, riders have noted that the station facilities are basic and train times are often inconvenient, with a high likelihood of delays, according to discussions on Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/topeka/comments/1j2p7r9/amtrak/). [4, 7]  
Would you like me to check the current ticket prices or specific arrival times for a certain date? 

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Henry McClure
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Henry McClure Topeka Kansas USA 🇺🇸

**This is a respectable start for a small YouTube podcast channel—solid foundation with real growth potential, especially thanks to those shares.** It's not "excellent" or viral-level yet (that usually means 10K+ subs and millions of views), but it's way better than the average new channel struggling with low engagement. You're in the "nano-influencer" tier (under 10K subs), and the numbers show your content is resonating beyond just your current audience.

### Quick Breakdown of Your Analytics
- **331 subscribers**: Early-stage normal. Many podcasts hover here for months before momentum kicks in. The key is you're building a loyal base.
- **236K lifetime views**: Impressive for only 331 subs. This means your videos are getting discovered organically (search, recommendations, external shares) rather than just from subs watching. Average views-per-sub is strong here.
- **4.4K likes (~1.86% of views)** and **1K comments (~0.42%)**: Decent-to-good engagement. Comments show people are invested (podcasts thrive on discussion).
- **Overall engagement rate**: Roughly 3.73% if you calculate (likes + comments + shares) / views. For a small channel, this is healthy—nano channels often see 5%+ in some benchmarks, while platform averages sit around 2-3.5%. You're beating typical small-channel performance.
- **Recent views (370 in last 7 days)**: A bit quiet overall, but that big blue spike on Mar 21 (today in the screenshot) is promising—probably a fresh episode or timely topic hitting. Watch time and that spike are what the algorithm loves.

### The 3.4K Shares Stand Out—Yes, That's a Lot!
You're spot on to highlight this. **A 1.44% share rate (3.4K shares on 236K views) is excellent and the strongest signal here.** Shares are rarer than likes or comments (most channels see way lower rates, often under 0.5%). People only share content they love, find useful, or think their friends will enjoy—especially for podcasts (debates, insights, funny moments). This tells YouTube your stuff is *high-quality and share-worthy*, which boosts recommendations and can snowball growth. It's a bigger win than raw views or subs right now.

**Bottom line on ranking**:
- **Good/Respectable**: Yes—strong engagement and discovery for a podcast just getting started.
- **Excellent**: Not yet, but the shares + organic views put you ahead of most small channels. With consistency, this could scale fast.

### How I'd Grow This Channel (Practical 2026 Podcast-on-YouTube Plan)
YouTube is now the #1 platform for video podcasts (over 1 billion monthly viewers), and video versions get higher CPMs than pure audio. Focus here for max leverage.

1. **Optimize for the Algorithm (Quick Wins)**  
   - Turn episodes into a clear playlist labeled "Podcast Night" so YouTube treats it like a series.  
   - Nail titles/descriptions: Use searchable keywords (e.g., "Joe Rogan Style Debate: [Topic] 2026" or whatever your niche is). First 1-2 lines of description matter most.  
   - Thumbnails: Bold text + your mic logo + guest face—test what drove that Mar 21 spike.  
   - Aim for consistent uploads (1-2 episodes/week) to build momentum.

2. **Repurpose Ruthlessly for Discovery**  
   - Cut 30-60 second clips (best moments, hot takes) into YouTube Shorts. Shorts drive massive engagement and funnel people to full episodes.  
   - Post the same clips to TikTok, Instagram Reels, and X—your share rate proves people will spread them.

3. **Boost Shares & Engagement (Your Superpower)**  
   - End episodes with "Share if this changed your mind!" or debate prompts.  
   - Reply to every comment in the first 24-48 hours—YouTube rewards active channels.  
   - Cross-promote where shares are happening (Reddit communities, X threads, Facebook groups in your niche).

4. **Collaborations & External Promotion**  
   - Guest on similar small podcasts (or vice versa)—this is gold for subs.  
   - Network: Reach out to creators in your space for shoutouts. Paid promo (cheap YouTube ads targeting your video viewers) can accelerate once you hit monetization.

5. **Hit Monetization Thresholds Fast**  
   You're close: Need 1,000 subs + 4,000 watch hours (check your Analytics > Audience tab). The shares/views suggest you'll get there soon. Once monetized, podcast CPMs on YouTube are often $5-15+ per 1K views (higher than regular videos).

6. **Track & Iterate**  
   In YouTube Studio, dive into "Reach" and "Audience" tabs—see which videos have the highest share % or watch time, then make more like them. The recent spike is your clue.

**My honest take**: This isn't a fluke—3.4K shares on a small channel screams "quality content with word-of-mouth potential." Most new podcasts die with low engagement; yours has the ingredients to grow into the thousands of subs quickly. Stay consistent, lean into what people are sharing, and treat YouTube as your main growth engine (not just an audio dump). If you keep posting and optimizing, that recent spike could turn into a trend.

You've got this—drop your channel name or a specific episode if you want more tailored tips! Keep grinding. 🚀888

Henry McClure
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Grandma Hoerners - Crafting Natural & Organic Foods Since 1987

Grandma Hoerners - Crafting Natural & Organic Foods Since 1987 https://share.google/QhkiHxi2VJIeq8bj4



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Friday, March 20, 2026

Fw: https://youtu.be/jQyYAgsNsWw


From: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2026 11:07 PM
To: Charles Baylor <cbaylor1@hotmail.com>
Subject: https://youtu.be/jQyYAgsNsWw


Here's a professional, articulate draft letter based on the key points from your video transcript. I've written it as a formal letter (e.g., to the editor of a local newspaper like the Topeka Capital-Journal, or to city/county officials, or as an open letter to the community). It captures your concerns about transparency, public involvement, the MTPO's history and dissolution issues, the Huntoon Street project (correcting "Hunton"/"Untoune" to the standard spelling "Huntoon" based on public records), Bartlett & West's role and fees, the unbuilt Elevation Parkway, accountability in spending sales tax funds, and criticisms of current leadership like Mayor Spencer Duncan and others.

You can customize the recipient, tone, or details as needed.

**Draft Letter**

[Your Name]  
Henry McClure  
[Your Address]  
Topeka, KS [ZIP Code]  
[Your Email/Phone]  
[Date]

To the Editor,  
Topeka Capital-Journal  
(or: Mayor Spencer Duncan and Topeka City Council / Shawnee County Commission / Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization)

Subject: Urgent Call for Greater Transparency, Public Involvement, and Accountability in Topeka's Transportation Planning and Infrastructure Spending

Dear Editor / Mayor Duncan / Commissioners,

I am writing as a concerned lifelong resident and taxpayer of Topeka to highlight serious ongoing issues with our local government's handling of transportation projects, public funds, and federal compliance—issues that undermine community trust and fair allocation of resources.

The core of the problem traces back to the disbanding of the original Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) under former leadership, including actions associated with Vic Miller during his time in local roles. This led to the creation of separate planning commissions and the rebranding to the Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization (MTPO). The original MPO was dissolved precisely because, for the first time, it was adhering strictly to federal guidelines by prioritizing meaningful public involvement, reviewing Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs) from the City and County, and ensuring federal transportation funds were distributed equitably based on community input.

Under the old system, entities submitted their CIPs, the MPO reviewed them, public engagement occurred, and residents had real say in project priorities and funding. This promoted fairness and accountability. Tragically, that level of transparency and community voice has been largely lost, contributing to today's shortfalls in promised road improvements funded by sales taxes and questionable project selections.

A prime example is the ongoing Huntoon Street Reconstruction Project, managed by Bartlett & West. While infrastructure improvements are needed, this project appears to lack broad community support in the affected neighborhoods. At public meetings I attended, many attendees did not even live in the area, and opposition voices were underrepresented. Yet the project moves forward at an estimated $14 million cost (with phases from Harrison to Gage), potentially diverting resources from higher-priority needs.

Compounding concerns are Bartlett & West's financial ties to the community. Over the past decade, the firm has averaged approximately $100,000 per month in fees for various projects. More troubling, they collected over $2.5 million for the design of Elevation Parkway—a road that was never built. Other lesser-known projects may have met similar fates, with details obscured from public view. Without rigorous oversight, such expenditures raise questions about value received and whether "pay-to-play" dynamics influence decisions.

This lack of accountability extends to current leadership. Mayor Spencer Duncan has dismissed constituent concerns by claiming individuals have "no standing," a troubling stance that echoes the sidelining of the MTPO's public involvement role. As mayor, you represent all constituents—not just campaign donors or select interests. Yet decisions like advancing the Huntoon project and discussions of yet another sales tax (proposed by figures like Robert Perez) proceed despite unaddressed shortfalls in existing funds and other pressing priorities. We cannot afford to keep spending money we don't have wisely, or to bypass federal requirements for public engagement in transportation planning.

I believe we are likely non-compliant with federal laws mandating meaningful public involvement in Metropolitan Planning Organizations' processes. The MTPO's current operations appear more focused on who benefits financially than on community needs.

To restore trust, I urge immediate actions:
- Reinstate robust, transparent public involvement in all major projects, including independent reviews of CIPs and federal fund allocations.
- Conduct a full audit of Bartlett & West contracts, including the Elevation Parkway and other unbuilt designs, to ensure taxpayers received value.
- Prioritize existing commitments and road maintenance over new large-scale projects or additional sales taxes until current funds are spent appropriately.
- Ensure the MTPO fully complies with federal guidelines, empowering residents—not just insiders—to shape where money goes.

Topeka deserves government that listens to all voices, spends wisely, and builds for the entire community—not just those with influence. I stand ready to engage further and encourage fellow residents to demand better.

Sincerely,  
Henry McClure  

This draft is structured to be clear, evidence-based (drawing from your transcript and verifiable public details like the Huntoon project's scope and timeline), and persuasive without being overly inflammatory. It positions you as an informed advocate for accountability. Let me know if you'd like adjustments—e.g., shorter version, more formal tone, targeted to a specific recipient, or adding/removing points.

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(Quick note: Your city of Topeka switched to council-manager in 2005 after decades of strong mayor—and it's the form used by many large cities like Phoenix, San Antonio, and Dallas with solid track records.)

Here are five theoretical reasons why a city manager (council-manager) form could be more prone to corruption than a strong mayor system (these are hypothetical arguments critics sometimes raise, even if real-world data doesn't support them overall):
  1. Weaker direct accountability to voters: The city manager is appointed by the council and can only be fired by them—not by the public at the ballot box. A corrupt manager could potentially stay in place longer if the council is apathetic, divided, or complicit, whereas a strong mayor faces regular elections and personal political risk.
  2. Backroom hiring and cronyism: The council selects and can replace the manager behind closed doors, opening the door to favoritism, deal-making, or hiring someone who owes favors to council members—without the public vetting and campaigning that an elected mayor endures.
  3. Bureaucratic opacity and expertise shield: A professional manager controls day-to-day operations, budgets, contracts, and hiring across departments. This creates layers of complexity that can hide subtle corruption (e.g., rigged bids or favoritism in procurement) more effectively than a high-profile elected mayor whose decisions draw constant media and public scrutiny.
  4. Potential for council-manager collusion: Without an independent strong mayor acting as a political counterweight with veto power and direct executive authority, the council and manager could form a self-protecting loop—council defers to the "expert" manager, and the manager shields council from accountability.
  5. Careerist incentives over public pressure: Managers are professionals who often move between cities for better jobs. This could encourage short-term deals with developers, vendors, or interest groups (revolving-door risks) without the same electoral consequences a mayor faces from angry voters.
You're right that all governments have corruption risks—human nature doesn't change with structure—and the manager form's insulation from politics can feel like it creates opportunities for hidden mischief. I get why it intuitively seems "easier" to you: an unelected bureaucrat running the show with less spotlight.
But what do I think? The data strongly suggests the opposite. The city manager form was literally invented during the Progressive Era (early 1900s) to fight the rampant corruption, patronage, and machine politics that plagued strong-mayor systems (think Tammany Hall-style bosses). Professional training, non-partisan expertise, and ethics codes (like the ICMA's) appear to work in practice.
Nationwide statistics confirm this. The most comprehensive studies on the topic—using federal public corruption conviction data—find that council-manager cities have significantly less corruption than mayor-council (strong mayor) cities:
  • A landmark 2019 study in Public Administration Review (Nelson & Afonso, analyzing 146 convictions in cities over 10,000 population from 1990–2010) concluded that council-manager governments are 57% less likely to have corruption convictions.
  • A 2023 follow-up study (same authors, covering 1990–2020 with advanced propensity score matching to control for other factors like poverty or population) confirmed the council-manager form reduces corruption risk by an estimated 45–70%, supporting the "professionalism" model over pure electoral accountability.
Only a tiny fraction of cities (66 out of thousands) accounted for all those cases—most had zero. Corruption also dropped dramatically after the city manager reform movement took hold. High-poverty areas correlate with more issues regardless of form, but the manager structure still outperforms.
(Quick note: Your city of Topeka switched to council-manager in 2005 after decades of strong mayor—and it's the form used by many large cities like Phoenix, San Antonio, and Dallas with solid track records.)
Bottom line: While no system is perfect and isolated scandals happen in both (e.g., a rogue city manager in Bell, CA, or alderman bribes in strong-mayor Chicago), the nationwide evidence shows the professional manager form is harder, not easier, to corrupt. It separates politics from administration more effectively. If your personal experience in Topeka suggests otherwise, that could be worth digging into locally—but the big-picture stats don't back the intuition.


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Watch this - https://youtu.be/7eJh6hlUEaU?si=QmBMwKSfa_tRJpNw (mcre) #mcre1



 

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Mayor Spencer Duncan

**No, the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM, officially at lkm.org and headquartered in Topeka, Kansas) does not condone or support mayors (or any municipal officials in Kansas cities, including Topeka) ignoring or failing to follow state law.**

LKM is a voluntary, nonpartisan membership association established in 1910 that represents over 590 Kansas cities. Its mission is to strengthen and advocate for the interests of Kansas municipalities, advance the general welfare, promote quality of life in cities, and provide training, guidance, resources, and legal support to help city officials comply with state laws and operate effectively. They emphasize home rule under the Kansas Constitution (which empowers cities to handle local affairs), but always within the bounds of state law—opposing unfunded mandates while promoting cooperation with state government and educating officials on compliance (e.g., through webinars, legal FAQs, sample ordinances, and resources on topics like child labor laws, ethics, and public safety).

Their Statement of Municipal Policy and resources stress local autonomy where allowed, but never encourage violations of state statutes. LKM exists to help cities navigate and adhere to the law, not bypass it. There is no evidence or policy from LKM supporting officials disregarding state requirements.

**No, LKM does not have a complaint department, hotline, ethics board, or process for citizens to report a mayor (or any official) for not doing their job or ignoring state law.**

- All of LKM's legal inquiries, consulting, training, model policies, and member support services are **exclusively for member cities** (elected/appointed officials, city attorneys, and staff). Citizens cannot submit complaints, access their attorney resources, or get help investigating a specific mayor's alleged violation through LKM.
- Their contact info (300 SW 8th Avenue, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66603; phone 785-354-9565; info@lkm.org) and website forms are geared toward members only. They do not investigate or discipline individual officials—that's not their role.

**Where a citizen in Kansas (including Topeka) should report concerns about a mayor ignoring state law instead:**

- **Local level (for city-specific ethics or conduct issues)**: Start with your city or town's own code of ethics, if it has one (many Kansas cities, including larger ones like Topeka, do). Topeka's city government may have procedures through the City Clerk or governing body—check topeka.org or contact the Topeka City Clerk's office directly for any ethics complaint process. Complaints are often filed in writing with the city clerk or council.
- **State-level conflict of interest or ethics violations**: The **Kansas Public Disclosure Commission (KPDC)** at ethics.ks.gov handles state-level conflict of interest laws, but for **local-level** conflicts (K.S.A. 75-4301 et seq.), their role is advisory only. Violations are enforced criminally by the appropriate County or District Attorney (e.g., Shawnee County DA for Topeka) or the Kansas Attorney General's office. File a criminal complaint there if it involves conflict of interest.
- **General violations of state law** (e.g., failure to enforce or comply with a specific statute): Contact the relevant state agency that oversees the law, the Kansas Attorney General's office (ag.ks.gov—use their complaint form for governmental issues), or your local District Attorney for potential enforcement or prosecution.
- **Open Meetings Act (KOMA) or Open Records Act (KORA) violations**: File directly with the Kansas Attorney General's office (they handle KOMA/KORA complaints against governmental entities).
- For campaign finance or state-level ethics issues involving officials: The KPDC may have jurisdiction in limited cases, but local officials' general conduct falls more to local/county enforcement.

If this involves a specific state law being ignored in Topeka or another Kansas city, provide more details (like the law or municipality), and I can help narrow the best contact. Otherwise, the most direct citizen-accessible starting points are your local city clerk/ethics process or the Shawnee County District Attorney (for Topeka-area issues) and the Kansas AG's complaint portal. LKM supports Kansas cities like Topeka in complying with the law, but citizen complaints about individual officials go through enforcement channels, not the League.

Henry McClure
785.383.9994 

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