To the editor:

Several obvious points have emerged from the City Commission debate.

First, smart growth candidates and supporters seem motivated solely by their genuine belief in the best interests of our community. The “growth for growth’s sake” coalition of builders, bankers and Realtors have multiple motives. Certainly one is financial gain. Builders build, developers develop, and Realtors sell property. The more they build, the more money they make.

I fail to see what the “growth for growth’s sake” coalition does not like about Lawrence. Fifteen years ago they wanted to build the “cornfield” mall that would have destroyed historic downtown Lawrence, the most beautiful six blocks in Kansas. To see the effects of control by builders and developers, look at Topeka where the indoor mall destroyed the downtown retail trade, strip malls dot every major intersection and the historic Fleming Mansion is being destroyed to build a pharmacy, 200 yards from its current location.

I support the smart growth candidates who are acting in the interest of our community, not those who would gain financially from the policy.

Patrick Nichols,

Lawrence