Sam Fields, 46, is a bail bondsman running for Lawrence City Commission. Fields said Lawrence’s economy is one of the best and most consistent of all the cities where he has lived. But, he said, the community needs to spend more time thinking about bigger-picture issues that will play out in the next 30 to 100 years. “I really want to stress how important it is for our local leaders to make good business decisions now that will reflect on the prosperity of our town 100 years from now,” Fields said, pointing to how some Kansas communities are still paying the price for frontier-era decisions related to keeping the railroads out of their community.

l3roy

Why should Lawrence Firefighters vote for you, instead of other candidates?

Thank you.

hawkperchedatriverfront

Mr. Fields, are you aware that for a person to get from Lawrence to Hays , KS on the bus one must first take it to Kansas City. What would you do as a city commissioner to impress the importance of public transportation in and out of Lawrence. Ideas please, do answer you will study it.

rhd99

Mr. Fields, as you campaign for a seat on the City Commission, what is your definition of the Freedom of Information Act, & how can the residents of Lawrence be assured that the information we request from City Hall is provided in good faith without the bureaucratic run-around? Thank you.

Marion

Sam, how’s Sunshine and that other little critter?

Thanks.

Marion.

consumer1

Sam, the most pressing issue facing lawrence to me is the thug infested bar “last call” what would you do to eradicate this problem business?

Godot

Thanks, Sam. Straight talk, new ideas. Good job.

jade

I know almost nothing about your platform. Where do you stand on the relationship between economic development and environmental protection?

Souki

What is your view of the proposed domestic partnership registry?

Moderator

Hi folks! Sam Fields is here a bit early, so we’re going to get started early. Welcome!

Sam Fields

Hello, it’s a very nice day out today.

zimmerman

Your bio says you want our local leaders to make better business decisions. There seems to be some debate on what a better business decision is. Do you believe it more important to try and support our existing businesses by limiting retail development, or do you see bringing in new businesses as being the better business decision?

Sam Fields

New business, as well as, improve the city’s relatations ships with existing businesses.

kuhusker

Assuming the state Attorney General gives it his legal “OK”, what is your position on the proposed domestic partner registry ordinance that has been proposed here in Lawrence?

Sam Fields

If this were the case, then let me say that I am somewhat sadden that the Lawrence Equality Coalition or (LEC) has the narrow issue or motive base narrowly upon the need for partnership health care coverage. However,Failing to address the basic family needs of child displacement or address the equal division of community property. If state law ackownledges the registry, then common law in the absence of statue would prevail. Therefore, in the dissolution of a registry partnership, this would demand the need for fair and equitable distribution of community assets and even custody wrights for children. This is a family law matter and the state would have to rule on the
funding and assign matters to the appropriate law courts. In the absents of a state ruling, the city would only have jurisdiction to refer disputes to the municipal court, whereas, they are not currently prepared for matters of family law.

chic

Will you vote YES or NO on Walmart?

Sam Fields

Now, that Walmart has remodel an expanded its south Iowa store, they may want to re-evaluate the current need for a new store.If Walmart re-subbmitted a new plan I would be suprised. If they do submit a plan I might oppose the project. Its strickly hypothetical, and I would need more and current demographics.

bmboyer

Where do you stand on the SLT?

Sam Fields

The city of Lawrence has nothing to do with the SLT. I bet you did not know that. The project is controlled by the county commissioners. One government agency has approve only one aspect of the project. Senator Pat Roberts, Has secured only 1 million in ear marked funds for the project and that’s a drop in the bucket. The state of Kansas has not funded the project nor has the federal agencys because it must pass 4 or 5 more government agency before it can be funded. My gut tells me that it will fail, fail, fail. The 32nd street route will be controversal and not popular with the indian nations. The only reason this route was choosen was that it avoided the construction of two needed bridges
which will be needed to take the route further south and avoid the wet lands. The project is destine to fail miserably. I have and idea that would be a alternative solution to the problem. The city of lawrence has the power to annex a corridor from Iowa street to hwy 10, just beyond the east Lawrence curve. We can build a street, a wide street and bridges and overpasses linking the two Iowa and hwy 10. We could make it a toll road with no exits and avoid the wet lands and it would pay for itsself in time and it would solve the problem. The city would have to finance it and apply for any state and federal moneies that are available. We could bid it out on a cost plus bases.

lawrencian

Sam, what are your views about transit in Lawrence? Do you support the “T”? On the “T” website there are reports from a study about possible coordination of services with KU on Wheels — what do you think about this idea?

Sam Fields

I am very much in support of the T, The cost of operations has gone up in the past 7 years and some of the busses may be in need of replacement. The handicapped are in need of this valuable srevice and will support it.

komorgan

Do you support a new library for Lawrence? What is your view on the current proposal before the city commission?

Moderator

This is the last question today.

Sam Fields

If you want to destroy two perfectly good buildings that are owned by the tax payers, throw in a 30 million dollar library, raise taxes, suffle the post office like a deck of cards and split it in half and put it in a shoe box where the parking is a boondoggle in the making, you better have a 15 million dollar bribe. Say it ain’t so Joe. Where’s the library moving to in the mean time, are we going to cose it and layoff everyone for a year, while the new ones being completed. We could sell the two buildings and buy the riverfront mall building, the whole building, It will make a large and spaceous library, second to none. We could have an event center there as well. We could keep it open and grow into it for years to come.

Moderator

That’s all. Join us tomorrow for the final chats!