Wednesday, August 20, 2025

From.....Tomorrow Hall

Folks, here's the truth about this Hotel Topeka deal. The city is selling a 224-room hotel on prime Topeka Boulevard for one million dollars. That is pocket change for a property this size. Why so cheap? Because the hotel is a money pit and the City does not want to carry it anymore.

The buyer says they will put in $17 million in renovations and rebrand it into a Wyndham "Dolce" upscale conference hotel. Sounds great on paper. Jobs, tourism, conferences, a shiny new building. But here is the catch:

The City is giving away 10 years of property tax breaks, sales tax exemptions, and $6 million in bond support. That means taxpayers are footing the bill up front so a private company can gamble on making this thing work.

If it succeeds, Topeka gets more tourists, more jobs, and new life downtown. If it fails, taxpayers just handed out breaks and forgave millions in revenue, and the hotel still sits there.

The buyer can walk away during the inspection period with little consequence other than losing a $100,000 deposit. Meanwhile, the City is locked in.

This deal might work out, but it is far from a sure thing. Topeka citizens are carrying the risk while a private developer collects the reward. Government is once again betting your money on promises that may or may not deliver.

If the City wants to protect the people who pay the bills, every single incentive should be tied to results. Jobs created, renovations completed, hotel revenue produced. No results, no taxpayer money.

That is the only way this becomes a good deal for the citizens of Topeka.



Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
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time kills deals
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Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Niccolò Machiavelli is best known for his book The Prince, a treatise on acquiring and maintaining political power. Other notable works include Discourses on Livy, a commentary on republican governance, and The Art of War, a military treatise. [1, 2]  
Here's a little more detail on each: 

• The Prince: This book, written in 1513, is a classic work of political philosophy. It explores the strategies and behaviors that a ruler can employ to gain and keep power, even if those actions are morally questionable. [1, 3, 4]  
• Discourses on Livy: This work, written around 1517, is a more in-depth look at republican government, drawing on the history of the Roman Republic. It provides a contrasting perspective to the more autocratic focus of "The Prince". [1, 2]  
• The Art of War: Machiavelli's treatise on military strategy and tactics, offering insights into the organization and conduct of warfare. [2, 5, 6]  
• Other works: Machiavelli also authored several other works, including "Florentine Histories," a history of Florence, and "Mandragola," a comedic play. [2, 7]  

AI responses may include mistakes.

Not all images can be exported from Search.


Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
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Security clearances my

Based on available information, including posts found on X and web sources, there is no definitive, comprehensive list of 37 specific individuals who have lost their security clearances as of August 19, 2025. Various sources mention different numbers and contexts, such as 37 clearances revoked by DNI Tulsi Gabbard related to the Russia-gate hoax, and 51 former intelligence officials affected by an executive order from President Donald Trump regarding the Hunter Biden laptop letter. However, the exact names totaling 37 are not consistently provided across all sources.

Some partial names and individuals have been mentioned in relation to security clearance revocations, but these lists are incomplete or speculative. For instance, posts on X suggest a list of 37 individuals tied to the Trump-Russia hoax, with names like Andrew Cedar, Andrew P. Miller, Benjamin A. Cooper, Beth E. Sanner, Brett M. Holmgren, and Charles A. Kupchan appearing in some contexts. Similarly, web sources detail 51 individuals, including James R. Clapper Jr., John Brennan, Michael Hayden, and Leon Panetta, affected by Trump's executive order, though this number exceeds 37 and includes some deceased individuals like Patty Patricia A. Brandmaeir and Brett Davis.

Given the inconsistency and lack of a complete, verified list of exactly 37 names, I cannot provide a full and accurate roster. The information available suggests ongoing developments and potential overlap between these events, but no single authoritative source confirms the precise 37 individuals as of now. For the most current and accurate details, further official statements or updates would be required.

Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
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Re: Huntoon

What was the final amount? 

On Thu, Aug 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM Robert M. Perez <rmperez@topeka.org> wrote:
Good Afternoon, All,

Received...we will provide the exact contract amount shortly.

Thanks,
Robert
Robert M. Perez, Ph.D.
City Manager
City of Topeka
Phone 785-368-3725

From: Spencer Duncan <sduncan@topeka.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2025 1:44 PM
To: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>; City Clerk <cclerk@topeka.org>; City Manager <citymanager@topeka.org>; MCRE Media <mcre1.snco@blogger.com>
Subject: Re: Huntoon
 
There was a public meeting at the library last night. It was mentioned at a council meeting, it was posted to the public, it was on social media and I believe I even saw it mentioned on one of the TV stations. The meeting appeared to have well over 100 people (if not more during two hours), who attended and were able to look at drawings and plans and speak with city staff and others about the designs. I believe notices were also sent out to the people who live in the area and businesses that will be impacted.

This was a public input session to get feedback and answer questions before anything is officially presented to the Governing Body, and people certainly turned out with questions. comments and suggestions. And yes, they had a presentation and drawings and designs, all made available to the public in a public space after being publicly advertised.

Is this the meeting you are asking about?

While I believe you may be close on the contract expense, I would ask staff to provide the actual number. I voted NO on that contract.

Thank you,

Spencer



Spencer Duncan
Topeka City Council
Representing District 8
785-207-8985

From: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2025 1:12 PM
To: City Clerk <cclerk@topeka.org>; Spencer Duncan <sduncan@topeka.org>; City Manager <citymanager@topeka.org>; MCRE Media <mcre1.snco@blogger.com>
Subject: Huntoon
 
Notice: -----This message was sent by an external sender-----

KORA

Please confirm that the project engineer for the Huntoon Project has been released and is working on drawings. 

As I remember, Bartlett and West got a $3.5 million contract. 

Spencer 

If this is so, what was the meeting about? 

--
Henry McClure 
Time kills deals
785-383-9994

www.henrymcclure.live


--
Henry McClure 
Time kills deals
785-383-9994

www.henrymcclure.live
on No comments:

​KORA Request for Voter Count and Details on $9.5 Million ATT Building Allocation



Under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), I am requesting the specific voter count and detailed information regarding the individuals who voted on the allocation of $9.5 million for the ATT building at the Go Topeka meeting held prior to the December JEDO meeting. While a percentage breakdown of the vote has been provided, the public is entitled to transparency regarding the individual voting records and how each member voted on this matter.
Please provide the requested information in accordance with KORA requirements. Thank you for your attention to this request.

Henry McClure 
Time kills deals
785-383-9994

www.henrymcclure.live
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