State of Community

STATE OF THE

COMMUNITY

State of the Community 2021, organized by the Greater Topeka Partnership, included presentations from Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla, Shawnee County Commissioner Kevin Cook, and a housing panel led by GO Topeka’s director of business and talent initiatives, Trina Goss. State of the Community highlighted past successes in Topeka and Shawnee County and focused on future goals. The 2021 event, held Nov. 9, was moved to a breakfast experience, showing off the newly renovated Townsite Avenue Ballroom. The event began with Commissioner Cook highlighting three moving stories from families who have been impacted by development work in Shawnee County over the past year. “I always look forward to the State of the Community; I find the format to be a great opportunity to give an update of what our community is trying to accomplish, and effectively has accomplished together,” Cook said. “This event proved especially meaningful to me, as I was able to shine a light on what really matters – and that is the people of Shawnee County. Their stories of triumph and heartache, and their aspirations for a better community, are the reasons I serve as a commissioner.” Mayor De La Isla took the stage to the sounds of Broadway’s Hamilton playing in the ballroom. She performed a rendition of “One Last Time,” itself a retelling of George Washington’s last speech. Singing “I wanna talk about what I have learned, The hard-won wisdom I have earned. As far as the people are concerned, you have to serve. You could continue to serve, No. One last time, the people will hear from me. One last time, and if we get this right, we're gonna teach' em how to say goodbye.” “The State of Community event truly was an experience that brought so many people that love our city and county together,” Mayor De La Isla said. “This event was especially meaningful to me, as we passed the torch to a new mayor. I appreciated this time to reflect on our successes over the past four years and share my hopes for the future of our community.”

I wanna talk about what I have learned, The hard won wisdom I have earned, As far as the people are concerned, you have to serve, You could continue to serve, No. One last time, the people will hear from me, One last time, and if we get this right we're gonna teach' em how to say goodbye.

–Mayor Michelle De La Isla from "Hamilton"

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