Banks for Mayor

The Maverik Project: A Missed Opportunity for Sales Tax Growth

A clear recent example is the proposed Maverik convenience store and fueling station at SW 6th Avenue and Fairlawn Road. This project offered strong potential to boost Topeka’s sales tax revenue through retail sales, fuel, and traveler services along a key I-70 corridor. Maverik’s modern format typically draws customers efficiently while creating jobs and signaling that our city welcomes responsible investment.

Councilmember Dave Banks advocated for practical development and worked to align support. However, the project encountered significant hurdles related to traffic concerns on Fairlawn Road and proximity to nearby schools. While these issues deserved careful review, the overall process highlighted a gap in proactive mayoral leadership. A mayor focused on economic development could have played a pivotal role by:

• Serving as the city’s chief salesman — personally engaging stakeholders, highlighting the revenue and job benefits, and addressing valid neighborhood concerns through targeted mitigations (such as traffic improvements or design adjustments).
• Acting as a coalition builder — working closely with council allies like Dave Banks to secure the necessary votes and build broader consensus.
• Prioritizing sales tax growth — championing projects that expand our revenue base without increasing property taxes on residents.

In the end, the council voted to reject key aspects of the rezoning proposal. While local input is important, this outcome represents a lost chance to capture additional economic activity in a competitive retail environment. Stronger mayoral facilitation in similar cases could help balance community feedback with growth objectives.

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The Mayor’s Role: Salesman, Cheerleader, and Coalition Builder

Title: Why Topeka Needs a Mayor Who Sells Our City: The Power of Political Leadership in a Council-Manager Government

By Henry McClure, MCRE, LLC – Topeka Real Estate Broker & Advocate for Economic Growth

In Topeka’s council-manager form of government, the city manager handles day-to-day operations, budgets, and administration with professional expertise. That structure has its strengths in reducing patronage and ensuring competent execution. But as we’ve discussed before, it still demands strong political leadership from the elected mayor to set vision, rally support, and act as the city’s chief salesman for economic development.

A proactive mayor should function like a “majority whip” — building coalitions on the council, championing pro-growth policies, and relentlessly promoting Topeka to attract businesses, investment, and jobs. Sales tax growth is the lifeblood of local revenue for infrastructure, services, and quality-of-life improvements. Every new retailer, restaurant, hotel, or development that brings customers through our doors expands that base without raising property taxes on existing residents.

Unfortunately, recent examples show where this leadership has fallen short.

The Maverik Opportunity: A Missed Chance for Sales Tax Growth

Consider the proposed Maverik fueling station and convenience store at SW 6th Avenue and Fairlawn Road. This project represented a significant economic development opportunity — a modern truck stop and retail hub off I-70 that could generate substantial new sales tax revenue, create jobs, and signal to other businesses that Topeka is open for investment.

Councilmember Dave Banks appeared ready to support practical development and get the votes aligned. Yet Mayor Spencer Duncan and the broader leadership failed to aggressively rally behind it. Instead of treating Dave Banks (or any pro-development council voice) as a key ally and working the council like a whip to secure approval, the project faced delays, opposition, and ultimately rejection or significant hurdles.

This is precisely the kind of moment where a strong mayor should step up: personally engaging stakeholders, highlighting the sales tax benefits, addressing neighborhood concerns constructively (traffic, infrastructure), and closing the deal. Maverik stores are known for clean, efficient operations and drawing travelers — exactly the kind of incremental growth Topeka needs. By not championing it more forcefully, we let potential revenue, jobs, and momentum slip away.

The Mayor’s Role: Salesman, Cheerleader, and Coalition Builder

In council-manager cities that thrive (Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas), mayors don’t micromanage operations — they sell the vision externally and build internal consensus. Topeka’s mayor should:

• Court businesses daily with site-ready proposals and incentive packages.
• Whip votes for CIDs, TIFs, zoning reforms, and infrastructure that unlock development.
• Prioritize anything that grows the sales tax base — retail, hospitality, mixed-use projects.
• Partner closely with council allies like Dave Banks who understand development realities.

Our city manager excels at execution when given clear direction. But without mayoral energy driving the agenda, we risk bureaucratic inertia while neighboring communities steal opportunities.

Topeka has the location, workforce potential, and assets to grow. What we need is consistent political leadership laser-focused on economic development. As someone who has spent decades brokering deals across the country and advocating for smarter local policies, I believe refocusing the mayor’s office on this salesman/whip role is essential for putting Shawnee County first.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s push our leaders to prioritize growth that benefits all Topekans.

Henry McClure is a licensed Kansas real estate broker with 45+ years of experience and founder of MCRE, LLC.

 

It's one of KC's fun, high-energy fundraisers that combines a great night out with impact for kids. Past events have raised hundreds of thousands.

 It's the BMA Foundation's annual "Dine & Dance with the Stars" event.

This is a popular charity gala and dance competition in Kansas City, inspired by Dancing with the Stars. Local "celebrities" (including community leaders, professionals, and advocates) pair with professional dancers to compete for a mirrorball trophy, while raising money through ticket sales, voting/donations, auctions, and sponsorships.

Key Details for Tonight (Saturday, June 6, 2026):

• Time: Starts at 5:00 PM (typically runs to around 9 PM or so).
• Location: Sheraton Crown Center, Kansas City, MO.
• Format: Dinner (dining), dancing/performances, competition, fundraising, and entertainment.

Cause:

It supports multiple children's charities and related causes through the BMA Foundation, which focuses on children's charities and animal welfare. Beneficiaries this year include:

• Carousel Pediatric Care (via Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care) — highlighted with a participant story (e.g., Brooke Cinalli dancing in honor/memory of her experiences).
• Dream Factory of Greater Kansas City (grants wishes/dreams for kids with critical illnesses).
• Fore the Kids (youth mental health and suicide prevention initiatives).
• Other local nonprofits helping underprivileged, ill, or at-risk children.

It's one of KC's fun, high-energy fundraisers that combines a great night out with impact for kids. Past events have raised hundreds of thousands.

If you're thinking of attending, check the official site (dance.bmafoundation.org or kchospice.org) for tickets, voting for dancers, or more info, as it may still have options or live updates. Let me know if you need directions, participant details, or anything else!

Koch trumped Trump for Ty Masterson

The Koch family’s collective net worth significantly exceeds the Trump family’s, by a factor of roughly 10–15x depending on the exact estimates used.

Koch Family

• Primary sources: Koch Industries (a massive privately held conglomerate in energy, chemicals, commodities, etc., with revenues often exceeding $100–125 billion annually). The wealth stems from stakes inherited and grown by Charles Koch and the late David Koch (and now Julia Koch & family).
• Key estimates (as of mid-2026):
  • Charles Koch & family: ~$70.5B–$73.8B (Forbes/Bloomberg).
  • Julia Koch & family (widow of David): ~$78.6B–$81.2B.
  • Combined family wealth: Often cited in the $127B–$155B range across broader family holdings and related entities. Some older or aggregated figures put it around $100B–$150B.

The Kochs rank among the world’s wealthiest families (frequently top 10), with stable, long-term industrial wealth.

Trump Family

• Primary sources: Real estate (golf courses, resorts, licensing), Trump Media & Technology Group (Truth Social), and especially cryptocurrency ventures (e.g., World Liberty Financial) that surged during/after the 2024 election and into the second term.
• Key estimates (as of early–mid 2026):
  • Donald Trump: ~$6.5B (Forbes, March 2026; up substantially from ~$2.3B–$4.3B pre-second term due to crypto and other gains).
  • Broader family (including Eric, Don Jr., Ivanka/Jared Kushner, Melania, etc.): Estimates range from ~$6.8B–$10B+ in some tallies, with crypto driving much of the recent growth (e.g., Eric ~$400M–$750M, Don Jr. ~$300M–$500M).

Trump’s wealth has grown rapidly in recent years (hundreds of percent in some periods) but remains far more volatile and tied to public markets, branding, and political cycles compared to the Kochs’ diversified private empire.

Summary Comparison

• Scale: Koch family >> Trump family (industrial dynasty vs. real estate/media/crypto portfolio).
• Stability: Koch wealth is more entrenched and privately held; Trump’s has seen big swings and recent crypto-fueled spikes.
• Context: These are estimates—private fortunes like the Kochs’ are harder to pin down precisely, while Trump’s has been heavily scrutinized and litigated.

Net worth figures fluctuate with markets, valuations, and reporting methodologies (Forbes, Bloomberg, etc.). For the absolute latest, check real-time trackers on those sites. 

Overall, Koch funding has been instrumental in launching and sustaining GoCreate as a community asset

Koch funding for GoCreate is substantial and multi-faceted, primarily through the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation and Koch Industries. It positions the makerspace as "a Koch Collaborative" on Wichita State University's (WSU) Innovation Campus.

Major Koch Pledges and Donations for GoCreate

• $11.25 million overall pledge (announced ~2015–2018): This came from Koch Industries and the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation to support WSU’s Innovation Campus initiatives, with a significant portion dedicated to creating and advancing GoCreate.
• $3.75 million specifically for GoCreate: This funded membership and training assistance for qualifying applicants (e.g., scholarships/subsidies), mentor fellowships, and operational support. It enables reduced or assisted membership fees and community access.
• Ongoing annual support: Recent grants from the Koch Family Foundation (successor/related entity) include:
  • $260,000 in 2024 to WSU Foundation for GoCreate support.
  • $260,000 in 2023.
  • $260,000 (or similar) in 2022.

These contributions help cover programming, accessibility, equipment, and community outreach in the ~18,000–20,000 sq ft facility (with tools like 3D printers, CNC machines, welding stations, etc.). Koch support also extends to branding, events, and partnerships (e.g., Make48 events).

Exact total Koch investment in GoCreate (including building construction, equipment, and multi-year operations) is not fully public in aggregate figures, but the $11.25 million pledge was a foundational gift for the makerspace and related Innovation Campus efforts. WSU and Koch entities describe it as a key driver for the project's launch around 2017. Additional Koch family foundation giving to WSU broadly (hundreds of thousands annually in some years) supports related educational and economic initiatives.

Ty Masterson’s Role and Compensation

Ty Masterson has served as Director of GoCreate since its opening (~2017), a role that aligns with his background in business, construction/home-building, and community/innovation work.

• Salary details: Public records show varying figures over time. One source reports ~$135,000 in 2023. More recent legislative references (2026) cite the director’s annual salary at $228,800 (per Kansas Legislative Research Department). He takes unpaid leave from GoCreate during legislative sessions (typically Jan–April) and does not draw both salaries simultaneously.
• This position is funded through WSU (using Koch and other resources), not directly by the state legislature for his legislative duties, though critics have raised conflict-of-interest concerns given his Senate President role and Koch ties.

Masterson has publicly discussed the value of the makerspace for entrepreneurs, students, and community members.

Broader Koch Support for Ty Masterson

• Employment tie: His long-term directorship at the Koch-supported GoCreate is the most prominent link. Critics (including some Democrats and intra-GOP voices) describe it as indirect Koch support, noting the salary and institutional backing while he holds powerful legislative positions.
• Campaign contributions: Koch Industries and affiliates have contributed to Masterson’s campaigns over the years (e.g., $1,000 noted in older OpenSecrets data), though not at massive scales compared to broader Koch political spending. He receives support from various business interests aligned with Koch priorities (e.g., manufacturing, energy, free-market policies).
• Political context: The Koch network (including Americans for Prosperity) has been influential in Kansas GOP politics. Masterson’s gubernatorial run has drawn commentary linking him to this ecosystem, though he also garners support from Trump-aligned and other Republican factions. Some GOP critics (e.g., Sen. Alicia Straub) have publicly distanced themselves from perceived Koch influence.

Koch entities emphasize philanthropy in education, innovation, and community development in Kansas (their headquarters state), framing GoCreate as advancing STEM, entrepreneurship, and economic growth rather than direct political control.

Overall, Koch funding has been instrumental in launching and sustaining GoCreate as a community asset, with millions in direct grants plus ongoing support. It provides Masterson a professional role outside politics, but this has fueled debates about influence, especially amid his leadership in the Kansas Senate and 2026 gubernatorial bid. For the most current or granular financials, checking WSU Foundation reports, Koch Family Foundation 990s, or state transparency sites would yield more details. Let me know if you'd like me to dig into specific years, related Koch WSU gifts, or political angles!