Hear from both of Topeka’s District 1 candidates

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Karen Hiller and William Naeger are both moving on to the general election.

Hiller has served on city council since 2009. Since then, she has led many neighborhood revitalization projects.

If reelected, Hiller says her top priorities would be enhancing city services, creating a balanced budget, and addressing the affordable housing issue.

“We have issues with the budget right now, so we’ve absolutely got to work to deal with balancing it better. People want all the core services,” District 1 Candidate, Karen Hiller said. “They want extra things too, if we can do it. But they also don’t want taxes to go up, especially right now. So we’ve got that challenge.”

Although Naeger has never been a part of city council, he has a background in government from working as the Cabinet Affairs Coordinator for Governor Kelly. He also served as the Chair of the Topeka Planning Commission.

His main focuses if elected would be, city infrastructure, public safety, and the city budget.

“Whether the data says that areas of town are or are not safe, but they also feel safe because if an area feels safe, if there’s a store in that area, it’s more likely that people are going to go shopping at that store,” District 1 Candidate, William Naeger said. “If it’s a neighborhood, then it’s more likely that people are going to feel comfortable going out and meeting their neighbors.”

Hiller says there’s been lots of change in the city, and having a consistent council person would be beneficial. While Naeger says it’s time for a fresh perspective. Topekans will cast their vote in the general election on November 4.

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