LJWorld.com

July 24, 2008

This chat has already taken place. Read the transcript below.

Moderator:

Good morning, this is assistant assignment director Karrey Britt and I will be your moderator today. We have questions for Ken Adkinson, who is running for election to the Douglas County Commission as representative in the 2nd District. He is a Democrat. Ken, thanks for coming in on this hot day.

Ken Adkinson:

Thanks for having me here.

LindseySlater:

In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing Douglas County and how to you plan to tackle it?

Ken Adkinson:

The budget is the biggest issue facing Douglas and will be for at least the next two years. I plan to start working on the budget as soon as I am elected and learn as much as I can about each item currently in the budget.

gdiepenb:

If you were on the commission this year, what budget decisions would you have liked to have seen made regarding the mill levy and possible service cuts?

Ken Adkinson:

The current commissioners have much more experience working with the budget and at this point I would not like to second guess them. I did not like the size of the mill levy increase and I hope that we will not lose jobs.

Moderator:

What are your thoughts about completing the last leg of the South Lawrence Trafficway? The current commission favors the route north of the Wakarusa River.

Ken Adkinson:

I have met with the County and they advised me that if we want to make changes to the current plan KDOT will take us off their radar screen. It could take another twenty years to get a bypass. I also met with Roger Boyd Spokesmen for Baker University. Roger has indicated that the project will increase the size wetlands and perpetuate them. I have been unable to find the spokesperson for Haskell Indian Nations University but would be glad to hear from them. My E-mail address is kenadkinson@pcpeople.com. Lawrence has needed a bypass for the last twenty years.

Moderator:

Do you know much about your primary election opponent, Nancy Thellman? Any idea if the two of you differ on anything?

Ken Adkinson:

I would prefer not to address this question.

cheeseburger:

Your experience includes years of butting heads with the Eudora school district. Was that because of the issues at hand or the leadership, and should the taxpayers expect similar actions from you as a commissioner?

Ken Adkinson:

I had problems with the use of our tax dollars. If I see a problem in the County I will make every effort to correct it.

concernedlifelongres:

Ken,
Being a life long resident of the rural portions of our beautiful county I have noticed that the views of Lawrence residence seem to out way those of us who actually enjoy the peace and quite of country life. How do you feel about the views of city dwellers impacting the rural community so much?

Ken Adkinson:

I think that the views you are concerned about are coming from a vocal few. I enjoy the rural life.

Moderator:

Here's an easy one. Tell me a little about yourself and why you would make a good county commissioner?

desinr:

It seems to me the city of Lawrence tries to dictate development in this community. Nothing ever gets built (corporate, business wise) without having a 100% concensus behind the decision. What can you do to see that we get some 'real' companies here, that offer 'real' jobs? Can you get the commission to agree to disagree on something, and build it anyway?

Ken Adkinson:

I was raised in Wyandotte County and attended Wyandotte High School. We moved from Olathe to Douglas County in 1985. We have raised two daughters in Douglas County. I have owned and operated a business in rural Eudora and I am currently retired. My experience in working with people is my long suit.

Moderator:

Ken, thanks for coming in. And thanks to the readers for their questions.

Ken Adkinson:

If you have concerns please send me a e-mail kenadkinson@pcpeople.com and be sure to vote on August 5th. Thank you for having me on the Chat.