To the editor:

On the back page of section B of Tuesday’s J-W was a story that should boil the blood of every voter and taxpayer in Lawrence. Recently the city planning commission, in the face of an overwhelming groundswell of sentiment expressed by the residents of Lawrence, rejected the proposed rezoning of the area at Sixth and Wakarusa to allow the building of a “big box” Wal-Mart. A year ago, the same outcome resulted from the public stating loud and clear that they did not want the proposed Home Depot “big box” located there either.

Now, two planning commissioners have stated for the record that they don’t care what the public says it wants. They think Sixth and Wakarusa needs a “big box” store. Said Commissioner Ron Durflinger, “The public tells you they want one thing, then goes out and spends their money another way.” Commissioner Tom Jennings voiced his support for the idea. What arrogance! Gentlemen, what part of “NO” don’t 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 don’t. 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