Consider what the Dole Institute events will do for the community at a traditionally slow time of year.

What a terrific “problem” for Lawrence and Kansas University to have! We’re talking about the traffic control and parking arrangements that will be necessary for the reunion and dedication ceremonies for the Dole Institute of Politics in late July.

It is understandable there are concerns about how to handle the thousands who will come here. With the world and national spotlight due to be on the community, there will be every effort to make the Old Home Town look as good as possible. We can do that.

The list of exciting and intriguing events is tantalizing to many. Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, one of the finest public servants and patriots the state and nation have ever seen, will be the focal point of most of the program. But former presidents, World War II veterans and heroes and other noted public figures and politicians will be here.

Getting vehicles and pedestrians in and out of various venues probably will not be easy, and there is no way to be sure how huge the crowds may be. But Lawrence and KU have worked together for a long time handling big public turnouts for football and basketball games and other major functions. The beauty of all this is that there is time to plan for what will or might happen and there are people on board with experience in such matters.

We can be sure some unexpected snarls will be upon us. But, with the likes of the amazing Richard Norton Smith, Dole Institute director, and good people from the KU staff, traffic department and local law enforcement agencies in charge, we can be sure that no stone will be left unturned to make things run as smoothly as possible.

Late July is normally a time when things are slow in the community and on the campus. Summer school and various camps will be done or winding down, there are no games of any kind to lure both residents and outsiders. The fall semester is down the line. The program comes at a time when the economy will relish the kind of boost the event will bring.

Few are the communities of America that would not welcome an event this prestigious and monumental at any time, particularly during a slower time of year. But mere dollars and cents generated by the participants will not even begin to tell the real story.

Lawrence and KU will be on a world stage with tremendous things to offer as testimony to our status and our heritage. If that demands special traffic control and parking arrangements, bring them on. The challenge is welcome.

We’re tremendously fortunate to be blessed with such “problems.”