Now, two planning commissioners have stated for the record that they donâÂÂt care what the public says it wants. They think Sixth and Wakarusa needs a âÂÂbig boxâ store. Said Commissioner Ron Durflinger, âÂÂThe public tells you they want one thing, then goes out and spends their money another way.â Commissioner Tom Jennings voiced his support for the idea. What arrogance! Gentlemen, what part of âÂÂNOâ donâÂÂt you understand?

The role of a public official is to represent their constituency, the residents and taxpayers. These two pro-development commissioners clearly see things differently. They seem to believe that they know what is good for us and that we donâÂÂt. The irony of these statements by elected officials being published on Election Day is not lost on me. I for one will work strenuously to ensure that these two gentleman are soundly defeated when they are up for re-appointment and that they are replaced by commissioners that will legislate the will of the people rather than seek to circumvent it.

Doug Burger,

Lawrence