mcre Media .......[Henry McClure Publisher]

A KORA request is a request made under the Kansas Open Records Act. That state law gives every citizen the right to see public records kept by cities, counties and other government bodies. You don't need a lawyer, and you don't have to explain why you want the records. How to make one: - Write a short email or letter saying you're asking under the Kansas Open Records Act - Describe the records you want as clearly as you can - Include your name and your contact information The city has to respond within three business days. It may charge reasonable copying fees. If it denies any part of your request, ask it to cite the legal exemption in writing. Send your request to the Topeka City Clerk at cclerk@topeka.org . It's your government. Ask for the records. Henry McClure, Publisher, mcre Media (762) 291-2765 https://mcremedia.blogspot.com/

Here's what I believe happened. Behind closed doors, the governing body wanted Dr. Perez out. He was given the chance to resign, and the city paid him to go quietly. The contract says a voluntary resignation earns no severance, but taxpayers paid $237,600.48 anyway. Either the resignation wasn't really voluntary, or the city paid money it didn't owe. We deserve to know which. You don't need to be a reporter to find out. Under the Kansas Open Records Act, any citizen can ask for public records. Send a short written request to the Topeka City Clerk asking for: - All drafts of the Perez separation agreement, and the emails, texts and memos about it - His performance reviews, including the one from July 2026 - Any complaints, grievances or claims he made against the city - Legal fees and any other costs tied to his departure - Who negotiated the agreement, and when Keep it simple. Add your name, your contact information, and a line saying you're aski...

By Henry McClure, mcre Media Topeka, it's time to get angry. In a single night, our governing body spent about $157,000 on a ballot question so voters could weigh in on a tax to help our homeless neighbors. Then the same body turned around and approved a separation deal that sent outgoing City Manager Dr. Robert Perez a lump sum of $237,600.48. That's on top of his final paycheck and his unused vacation. Let's be clear about what that check covers. According to records 13 NEWS obtained, it's nine months of salary plus nine months of health, dental and life insurance. In exchange, Perez agrees not to bring any further claims against the city. Now look at the contract. It says severance is owed "in the event the Employee's employment is terminated by the City's Governing Body." It also says that if he voluntarily resigns, he "will not be entitled to the severance sum." Mayor Spencer Duncan keeps telling us the resignation was volunt...