"look at this" we need change = David Banks for Mayor

The Revolving Door at City Hall: A Timeline of Topeka’s City Managers Since 2005

Topeka, Kansas, made a significant shift in 2005 when voters approved the council-manager form of government. This change professionalized city leadership by placing day-to-day operations under a hired city manager, while the mayor and council focus on policy.

Since then, the position has experienced considerable turnover — both with permanent hires and interim leaders who step in during transitions and national searches.

Here’s a consolidated chronological timeline of Topeka’s city management since the change:

• April 2005 – April 2006: Neil Dobler (Interim) Former Public Works Director who helped guide the city through the transition to the new government structure. Served approximately one year.
• March 2006 – July 2011: Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. (Permanent #1) Topeka’s first permanent city manager. Served roughly 5 years and 4 months before being terminated by the council.
• July 2011 – June 2012: Dan Stanley (Interim) Former councilman and state official. Served about one year.
• June 2012 – August 2012: Pam Simecka (Interim) Interim Finance Director who filled a short two-month gap.
• August 2012 – October 2016: Jim Colson (Permanent #2) Served approximately 4 years and 1 month before resigning to return to family in Arizona.
• October 2016 – August 2017: Doug Gerber (Interim) Then-Deputy City Manager. Served nearly 10 months.
• October 2017 – December 2021: Brent Trout (Permanent #3) Served about 4 years before resigning to take a county manager position in North Carolina.
• Early 2022 – September 2022: Short interim period (Details vary by source, with limited public prominence.)
• September 2022 – July 2023: Stephen Wade (Permanent #4) Served only about 10 months before being fired amid controversy.
• July 2023 – June 2024: Richard (Dick) Nienstedt (Interim) Veteran Kansas city manager who provided nearly a full year of steady leadership.
• June 2024 – Present: Dr. Robert M. Perez (Permanent #5) Currently serving. Perez holds a Ph.D. in Education with a focus on organizational leadership.

Patterns and Reflections

In roughly 21 years, Topeka has had five permanent city managers, with an average tenure of about 3.5–4 years. Interim managers frequently bridge gaps lasting from a few months to a full year.

Common reasons for departure include firings, resignations for personal or career reasons, and the natural conclusion of interim contracts. While some turnover is normal in municipal government, this pace is relatively high.

Topeka remains a non-growing city facing stagnation. Population trends show little to no growth, and many residents feel the city lacks a bold, unified long-term vision for the future. Like a flower struggling on a vine, Topeka has real potential — rooted in its role as the state capital and its central location — but consistent, stable leadership will be essential if the city is to build momentum on infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life.

Strong leadership continuity could be the key to breaking this cycle.

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Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
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Hey

You should put a light layer of hay (or preferably, weed-free straw) over freshly planted grass seed to protect your newly planted lawn, retain essential moisture, and shield the seeds from the elements. [1, 2, 3]  

Hay or straw serves several primary purposes for new seeds: 

• Retains Moisture: Seeds require constant dampness to germinate. The covering slows down evaporation, meaning you won't need to water quite as frequently. 

• Prevents Erosion: It shields the loose topsoil from washing away during heavy rains or strong winds. 

• Deters Birds & Pests: Birds and rodents will eat unprotected seeds. A light cover makes the seeds less visible and accessible. 

• Regulates Temperature: It insulates the soil slightly, keeping it warmer during cool nights and shielding delicate seeds from the harsh, baking sun. [2, 9]  

A Few Words of Caution 

• Hay vs. Straw: While often used interchangeably, straw is generally recommended over hay. Hay is made from nutrient-rich grasses and often contains viable weed and unwanted pasture seeds, which can take over your new lawn. Straw, which is the hollow stalks of grain plants, is cleaner and contains far fewer weed seeds. 

• Apply Lightly: Only apply a very thin layer (about ¼ to ½ inch thick). The soil should still be visible through the covering. Applying too much will smother the seed, blocking essential sunlight and trapping excess moisture, which can cause mold. [2, 10, 11, 12]  

If you'd like, I can: 

• Tell you how to properly remove or manage the hay as the grass begins to grow. 

• Suggest better alternatives to hay (like peat moss or erosion control mats). 

• Share a watering schedule to help you maximize germination. [10, 11, 13, 14]  

Let me know if you'd like to narrow down any of these options! 

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/shorts/D7K8_p8u2ao

[2] https://lawnlove.com/blog/should-you-put-straw-over-grass-seed/

[3] https://www.facebook.com/groups/2732437180206924/posts/7502182079899053/

[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kqNtdO5fns

[5] https://www.greenviewfertilizer.com/articles/why-you-shouldn-t-use-straw-on-your-newly-seeded-lawn

[6] https://www.facebook.com/groups/2732437180206924/posts/7502182079899053/

[7] https://www.quora.com/Is-it-okay-to-use-hay-to-cover-grass-seed

[8] https://northwestmeadowscapes.com/pages/faq

[9] https://www.facebook.com/scottslawn/posts/avoid-straw-when-planting-new-grass-heres-why/1474596111376016/

[10] https://www.reddit.com/r/landscaping/comments/50ift5/is_straw_necessary_for_new_grass_seed/

[11] https://www.reddit.com/r/lawncare/comments/inolgw/i_highly_recommend_against_using_straw/

[12] https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativegardening1/posts/1792757801209218/

[13] https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativegardening1/posts/1192331674585170/

[14] https://www.tamelings.com/grass-seed/

Henry McClure

785.383.9994 

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Good morning

Drinking hot lemon water first thing in the morning rehydrates your body after sleep, aids digestion by stimulating the GI tract, and provides a gentle dose of vitamin C. It is a simple, zero-calorie morning habit that can also promote fullness and help prevent kidney stones. [1, 2, 3, 4]  

The primary benefits of this morning ritual include: 

• Rehydration: You lose fluids overnight, so drinking water as soon as you wake up wakes up your body's systems and prevents dehydration-related fatigue. 

• Digestion Support: The warm water helps stimulate gastrointestinal motility (the movement of your digestive system), while the citric acid from the lemon triggers digestive fluids. 

• Immune & Skin Health: A squeeze of fresh lemon provides a natural boost of Vitamin C, which supports your immune system and helps the body produce collagen. 

• Kidney Stone Prevention: The natural citrate in lemons can increase urine volume and pH, making it harder for calcium-based kidney stones to form. 

• Healthier Weight Management: Replacing sugary morning beverages (like juice or sugary coffee) with lemon water reduces your caloric intake and aids hydration, which is linked to better weight management. [2, 3]  

A quick word of caution: The acid in lemons can erode tooth enamel over time. Consider drinking it through a straw, waiting 30 minutes before brushing your teeth, or simply rinsing your mouth with plain water afterward. [3, 5, 6, 7, 8]  

If you'd like, let me know: 

• Is your goal for this habit hydration, digestion, or weight management? 

• What is your current morning beverage routine (e.g., coffee, tea, or straight from the tap)? 

I can help you adjust your morning rituals to best fit your personal health goals. 

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-lemon-water

[2] https://www.verywellhealth.com/hot-lemon-water-benefits-11945031

[3] https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/nutrition/is-drinking-lemon-water-good-for-you

[4] https://www.vogue.com/article/lemon-water-benefits

[5] https://www.guardianphysician.com/blog/7-reasons-to-start-your-day-with-lemon-water

[6] https://8fit.com/nutrition/rise-and-shine-benefits-of-drinking-lemon-water-in-the-morning/

[7] https://www.coolwatercompany.co.uk/what-does-lemon-water-do-for-you/

[8] https://www.truemeds.in/health-library/benefits-of-drinking-warm-lemon-water

Henry McClure

785.383.9994 

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Robert (Dr. Robert M.) Perez (May/July 2024 – present) — ongoing (as of late 2026). How long will he make it?

 Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. (often called Norton Bonaparte) was Topeka’s first permanent city manager.

Topeka switched to a council-manager form of government in 2005 (after earlier mayor-council and commission systems). Bonaparte started in March 2006 as the first person hired for the role on more than an interim basis.

List of Permanent City Managers

Here is the list of the five permanent (non-interim) city managers based on available records:

• Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. (March 2006 – ~2011; terminated by council) — ~5 years.
• Jim Colson (August 2012 – October 2016; resigned) — ~4 years.
• Brent Trout (October 2017 – end of 2021; resigned) — ~4 years.
• Stephen Wade (September 2022 – July 2023; fired) — ~10 months.
• Robert (Dr. Robert M.) Perez (May/July 2024 – present) — ongoing (as of late 2026).

Interims (e.g., Richard Nienstedt, Doug Gerber, others) served between some of these but are not counted as permanent.

Average Tenure

Using approximate completed or current tenures for the first four (to allow a full calculation): roughly 5 + 4 + 4 + 0.83 years = ~13.83 years total → average of about 3.5 years per permanent city manager.

This is a bit below the national average for city managers (often cited around 5–7 years in studies, though it varies), which aligns with Topeka’s pattern of relatively short stays, often due to resignations for personal reasons, firings, or better opportunities elsewhere.

Note: Exact start/end dates can vary slightly by source, and interims fill gaps. For the most authoritative details, check the City of Topeka’s official site or archives.