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A native Topekan, Mayor Bunten graduated from Topeka Public Schools, then went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps serving as an infantry officer with the First and Third Marine Divisions in Japan and Korea.
Mayor Bunten’s public service career began in 1962 when he was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, where he continued to serve for 28 years in a variety of leadership positions. In 2003 Bunten was appointed to the Kansas State Senate to complete the term of Lynn Jenkins who was elected State Treasurer. While there, Bunten served on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and was Chairman of Senate Ways and Means subcommittees, as well as a member of the Senate Education, Commerce, and Post Audit Committees.
Mayor Bunten has spent a lifetime serving the citizens of Topeka, so it is only natural that in 2005 he would add the City’s top elected post - Mayor of Topeka to this list of public service.
Mayor Bunten and his wife JoAnn have two children, Bill, Jr. and Sandra, a daughter-in-law, Stephanie, and three grandchildren Hillary, Elaine and Suzanne.
Beginning in January 2007, funds raised by Mayor Bunten from the private sector will be utilized for additional equipment and tools to expand the offender clean-up crews from the state and county correctional facilities to pick up litter and maintain public parks and open spaces. Currently, 55 offenders trim
trees, pick up trash and pull weeds in public areas.
The newly formed Riverfront Development Authority has an exciting year ahead in 2007, as it prepares for the design and future development of Topeka’s Kansas
Riverfront area - an area destined to become an economical and recreational hub for the city.Among the items mentioned thus far as development possibilities include an Outdoor Amphitheater, Aquarium, Paddleboats, Riverboat Cruises, Pedestrian River Walkway and Condominium Development.
“As Mayor of Topeka I’d like to welcome you to our beautiful capital city, the “Gateway to the Great Plains”. I’m proud of Topeka and the many exciting events and accomplishments that are happening in our city. I invite you to learn more about our beautiful city through the various links on the city’s web site.”
William W. Bunten
Mayor
