To the editor:

On March 5, the planning commission voted on Wal-Mart’s request to rezone the area northwest of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive. A great number of people attended the meeting despite very bad weather. They expressed concerns about Wal-Mart building another store in town.

It is my opinion that most of the commissioners appeared to be listening and considering the comments expressed — with the exception of three: Sue Pine, Dennis Lawson and Roger Schenewerk, all of whom voted for Wal-Mart’s request.

In the three meetings I attended these three people never once asked a question or made a comment, Ms. Pine even failed to attend one of the meetings.

Prior to the vote, each commissioner, with the exception of these three, addressed those who attended and explained their vote. Commissioners Pine, Lawson and Schenewerk’s failure to participate except to vote in favor of Wal-Mart’s rezoning request showed a lack of respect to the people who spoke about the concerns for the safety of their children and the negative effect another Wal-Mart would have on the quality of this community.

The people who attended are the ones whose children grow up here, who pay taxes here, who have businesses here and give back to Lawrence in so many ways, yet these commissioners acted as if they were unconcerned. They gave us the impression their minds were made up prior to the first meeting.

To these commissioners, I ask, why did you vote for a proposal that will make Lawrence less safe to drive in and help further destroy Lawrence’s wonderfully unique business environment?

Timothy G. Riling,

Lawrence