To the editor:

“Thorny issues thwart city consensus” (J-W, Sunday) revisits the old “neighborhoods/Chamber of Commerce” division. Unfortunately, this article gives voice to the Lawrence chamber and its political supporters, but fails to provide balance with activists or elected leaders open to neighborhood concerns.

The chamber gets a second chance to frame the issue on the Business pages with “Wanted: Consensus builder.” My best wishes to Bill Sepic with his career move, but to attribute this recent consensus flirtation to him alone is unfair to many who have made Lawrence their home. Before Mr. Sepic arrived, Larry Kipp and the Friends of Douglas County were planning the Smart Growth conference that was held May 13, 2000.

I facilitated the first-ever meeting of 130-plus neighborhood, preservation, environmental and other activists, along with chamber leaders and representatives of the development industry for some “hands-on” consensus building. In fairness, Mr. Sepic cooperated with the conference planners, but failed to maintain chamber interest in follow-up activities. They couldn’t walk the walk.

Conflicts that exacerbate consensus efforts originate with those development interests that see Lawrence as mere market. Home Depot and Wal-Mart want to have it their way regardless of any local kumbaya facilitated by Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center or the Journal-World’s “Lawrence is Growing.” It’s doubtful the chamber can find a Solomon who must simultaneously build consensus while promoting a non-negotiable growth agenda.

Our community could benefit from the Journal-World reporting neighborhood/ preservation/environmental leader thoughts on the consensus crisis in Lawrence.

Steve Lopes,

Lawrence