To the editor:

In response to the unadulterated praise of Dick Stuntz regarding the decision to rename 15th Street Bob Billings Parkway, I examined the documentation presented to the City Commission. Twenty-seven letters were submitted to the Lawrence Home Builders Assn. or the City Commission dated between May 1 and May 29. The letter sent to homeowners was dated June 12, 2003. To set the record straight, sensitivity was practiced only toward those the HBA knew would favor the proposal. Further, the people directly affected, i.e. the homeowners, were flicked off in the commission meeting of July 1.

The City Commission should consider a policy on naming (and especially re-naming) major numbered streets after anybody. Fifteenth and Iowa anchors the University of Kansas. This town is already bifurcated by the university. Sixth and Ninth streets are major arteries. Should we rename them west of Iowa as well? If the HBA proposal falls within those guidelines, by all means, accept it. But, please, do this now to prevent future attempts of this nature. The HBA did its research all right, but the timing of the letters to the homeowners was anything but sensitive. The train had left the station by the time we were notified!

Sandra Wick,

Lawrence