Let’s Aim Higher

 Title: A Hurtful Comment, a Quick Deep Dive, and Thoughts on Public Service in Topeka

I do need help. I am so arrogant. I am so arrogant that I thought I could change Topeka. I thought I could change Topeka due to my arrogance. And I’m going to need a lot of help to get people to actually change Topeka.

Today, while reviewing some old memories and posts, one comment stood out. Kristen Anderson White wrote on Facebook: “God help us if anyone ever takes you seriously. You need help!”

It was directed at me, and honestly, it hurt. I’ve spent decades in Topeka real estate, founding MCRE, LLC, working on developments, and running for Shawnee County Commissioner and Mayor because I believe our community deserves better—more transparent processes, shovel-ready projects, accountability for taxpayer dollars, and economic growth that gives our kids and grandkids reasons to stay and build here. Showing up at meetings, drafting proposals, studying drainage and zoning details, and putting my name on the ballot isn’t easy. It means sticking your neck out in public.

So I did what anyone would do after seeing a comment like that: I researched who Kristen Anderson White is. If she’s out there minding her own business as a kind person contributing positively, that’s great. I don’t hate her for a single post. But the disconnect between the comment and her actual record is striking.

Kristen Anderson White’s Track Record

Kristen is a lifelong Topekan, Topeka West High School Class of 1972 graduate, and Kansas State University art education alum. She built a career as an artist, designer, and entrepreneur. For years she and her husband Bob White ran Gallery Classic, a retail store focused on Belgian antiques, home décor, and art. They purchased the building around 1999 and operated it successfully until selling the property in 2011. She championed re-purposed and reclaimed pieces—promoting sustainable decorating well before it was trendy.

She also founded White x White, a wholesale home décor company importing quality Belgian-style furniture and antiques for retailers across the country. She made regular sourcing trips to Belgium with Bob, bringing distinctive European influences back to Topeka. She’s a mother, stepmother, grandmother (“Kiki” to her grands), and a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at age 40 in 1994, treated successfully, and has remained cancer-free. She’s active in local history groups like Topeka History Geeks, helping preserve and share our community’s stories.

That’s a solid, positive track record of building businesses, creating, and staying involved locally for decades.

Why the Comment?

Which raises the question: Why the hateful tone? Why tell someone actively trying to serve the public that they “need help” and shouldn’t be taken seriously?

It doesn’t seem in character with the rest of her life. But that’s the thing about online comments. It’s easy—and safer—to fire off a zinger from the couch or a dark basement. No need to study the issues, attend the meetings, file the paperwork, or put your own record on the line. Running for office, advocating for reform, and showing up publicly means facing criticism, scrutiny, and yes, mean-spirited posts. It’s not for everyone. Some prefer the comfort of the sidelines.

I get it. Local development, incentives, zoning, and city leadership spark strong feelings. Reasonable people can disagree. But dismissing the person rather than engaging the ideas doesn’t help Topeka move forward.

Let’s Aim Higher

Topeka needs more people willing to stick their necks out—not fewer. Whether you agree with my positions or not, the work is about results: better deals for taxpayers, infrastructure readiness, and consistent rules for everyone. I’ll keep showing up, researching, and pushing for positive change—arrogant as that may be.

To Kristen and anyone else: If you have substantive critiques of the policies or proposals, I’m happy to discuss them. Let’s keep the conversation focused on ideas and data instead of personal attacks. Our community deserves that.

Henry McClure