Gerhard promises analytical approach to governing

Lee Gerhard is a scientist — a longtime veteran of the Kansas Geological Survey — and he promises to bring a scientific mindset to the Lawrence City Commission.

“I listen, I learn, I analyze,” Gerhard said at a recent forum for commission candidates. “Then I come back and ask again before making a decision.”

If elected, he’ll have to bring that approach to issues surrounding the city budget and the approach to growth.

“First, we need to understand what is being funded and what is being cut, then strive to maintain those services that are essential to the community even if it means raising revenues,” he said.
But Gerhard said the public should understand that the city is having to bear the burden of the state’s budget problems.

“I hope to identify for public scrutiny those items which are mandated or passed through by the state, or for which the state has withheld promised funds,” he said, “so that all can see what the city is pending on its own and what items we pay for but over which we have no control.”

Gerhard declined to rate Lawrence’s current leaders on how they handle growth.

“As a candidate I think rating our current leadership is inappropriate,” he said. “But I do believe that a growing, dynamic communityike Lawrence will always need strong, open-minded leadership.”

This is one of 11 city commission candidate profiles that will run in alphabetical order online each weekday, Monday through Friday, through Feb. 21.6News will provide an accompanying video profile at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. each weeknight through Feb. 21 on Sunflower Broadband’s cable Channel 6.Video and text profiles on the candidates will be compiled through the series online on our City commission candidates site.

Gerhard suggested that he was satisfied with the city’s tax abatement policy, and that it might be used in new ways.

“Whether its negotiating with new businesses wishing to locate here or retaining those already in Lawrence,he relative long-term benefit back to the city should be the guiding factor in those (tax abatement) decisions,” he said. “We may also wish to look at tax abatements as one means of enhancing living opportunities near downtown.”

On another hot topic, Gerhard sounds reluctant to revisit the city commission’s ban on fireworks during the July 4 holiday season.

“That decision has been made for now. We need toe looking forward,” he said.But if there is a citizens’ petition to revisit that issue, I’ll be the first to listen.”

Gerhard said he wanted to preserve Lawrence’s unique qualities.

“Lawrence is a magical place,” he said at the candidate forum. “I want to keep it that way.”

¢More election stories, voting information and links to download a voter registration form and an application for an advanced ballot