Lawrence ? Despite efforts in recent years to improve armories and security concerns that have grown since Sept. 11, Gov. Bill Graves has proposed closing 10 of the 58 armories across the state.

The action would transfer the property to local authorities and remove the National Guard’s presence from the affected communities.

Maj. Gen. Greg Gardner, who as Kansas’ adjutant general commands 8,000 National Guard troops, is working with his staff on a formula to determine which armories could be closed.

It’s a process he has taken seriously. Besides hurting the Guard’s recruiting efforts, losing an armory often cuts a community’s only connection to the military.

“Our business of soldiering is a duty of the heart, because it requires sacrifice of self and family,” Gardner said. “Any closure will be traumatic.”

‘Every agency is giving’

The Lawrence armory is home to the members of the 2nd Battalion of the 137th Infantry, who are providing security at military installations in Europe. Before Sept. 11, the building was a gathering place for numerous community groups, including the Jayhawk Kennel Club’s obedience courses.

Just two years ago, the state issued $22 million in bonds to repair armories, which on average are 50 years old. But the economy has lost strength and the state’s tax receipts have shrunk, helping create the current budget shortfall of about $700 million.

Closing 10 armories  a small part of Graves’ proposed solution  would save the state $175,000 in fiscal 2003, which begins July 1. In recent interviews, Graves defended the proposed armory closings against questions raised by some legislators.

“It would be the same answer I’d give to why do the other three or four hundred things that cut programs or services,” Graves said. “We have to find places to save state general-fund money, and every agency is giving in some way.”

He expressed confidence that the Guard could perform its mission with fewer armories but acknowledged that affected communities would feel the loss.

A strategic approach

Neither the House nor the Senate Ways and Means Committee has endorsed the armory closings plan so far. Senate Ways and Means Chairman Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, said his panel wants to keep the $175,000 in the budget.

Rep. Lee Tafanelli, who is a lieutenant colonel and commander of the 891st Engineering Battalion, said the state may need to close some armories but should take a strategic approach.

Tafanelli, R-Ozawkie, said the state should consider armories with a low number of Guard members assigned to them, the need for them in future emergencies and the buildings’ physical condition.

Rep. Rocky Nichols, D-Topeka, called Graves’ recommendations “political gamesmanship.”

Nichols said such proposals inflame legislators and put people like Gardner in a tough position.