Welcome to our online chat with city commission candidate Greg DiVilbiss. The chat took place on Monday, March 24, at 4:00 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Welcome, everybody, to today’s chat with city commission candidate Greg DiVilbiss.

Moderator: Let’s take our first question.

pete: What is the difference between you and other candidates?

Greg DiVilbiss: I have a strong business background that I hope will allow me to bring efficiencies to the city. In addition to having a strong desire to represent all of Lawrence, I believe my strengths are that of a problem solver. Also, as a business owner, I know what it means to meet payroll and make the most out of available funds. I also work in Lawrence.

I can also be a full-time commissioner devoting as much time as needed to the job.

Shaun: Recently, you’ve attacked the single-family zoning ordinances that reduced the number of unrelated roommates from 4 to 3. Do you intend to fight in earnest for a repeal of these ordinances, as you have advertised in the Daily Kansan student newspaper? If so, how do you explain your intentions to the neighborhood associations that support the ordinances?

Greg DiVilbiss: I believe that it is important to have ordinances that work and are enforceable. It has been my observation that this ordinance is not enforceable. I would propose to have students, tenants, homeowners and landlords get together and try to come up with workable solutions to neighborhood problems.

I also believe it is important to enforce codes that relate to noise, trash, decaying property.

Shaun: Most of your large campaign contributions have come from big developers, construction firms, and related individuals. How can we be assured that you will fight for the best planning practices and not for developers’ short-term profit, as many feel the current commission does?

Greg DiVilbiss: My contributions in the primary came from people that I know because I lease commercial real estate. In the second phase of fund raising more individuals have contributed. I believe that as an individual that I have the highest ethics; for years I was on the Kansas Cities’ Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast Committee, which celebrates ethics in government and business.

I believe we have a strong planning department. Clear guides with Horizon 2020, a new plan that tells us what we want Lawrence to look like. With the checks and balances that are in place, you do not have to rely on my word, which I would give, but in good systems and procedures.

Follow the money…: Greg, I’ve perused your campaign finance reports from the primary and the general election cycles.

The vast preponderance of your campaign contributions come in the form of $100, $250, $500 checks from development interests such as Terravest Homes, GCB Holdings, Advanco, Southwind Capitol, Pennyâ??s Concrete, Callaway Development (Austin, TX), and Bristol Partners XIV and II ($500 eachâ??your family firm?).

Of course, these companies quite often have self-interested business coming before the commission. How do you figure you can give an independent appraisal on their requests?

Greg DiVilbiss: I have a question for you: are you saying that these men and women who have risked their wealth to bring properties that people live in and work in are somehow corrupt? Is it possible that these contributors are looking for nothing more then being treated fairly according to the rules we have?

Is it also possible that contributors to other campaigns are part of larger organizations that have their own agenda?

I believe in the good in people and do not judge based on suspicion but on their actions. If a company comes to Lawrence and is applying for development plan approval and they have zoning that is approved, complies with Horizon 2020 and has a positive staff recommendation, then they have done their job according to our rules and their approval has nothing to do with whether they contributed to my campaign or not but whether they have followed the rules.

Follow the money2…: Also, I see $200 from the Douglas County Fireworks Association. How does this fit with “larger community discussion on the issue” that is mentioned on your Web site? Seems like you’ve already had you mind made up for you…

Greg DiVilbiss: Again as in an earlier question, I am for ordinances that are enforceable. In my mind, because fireworks are legal in the county many of the citizens of Lawrence are going to break the law and shoot fireworks anyway. I believe that the police will not be able to keep up with the calls, thereby making it no different then when we had legal fireworks.

I am open to a larger discussion because I believe a good compromise would allow us to have more control, better safety and would better fit what the majority of what the community wants.

I am not saying I know what they want, but in my conversations with people I have only found a handful that agree with a total ban.

Shaun: If you had been on the City Commission the past couple of years, how would you have voted on the following issues:

(a) Wal-Mart’s 6th and Wakarusa development

(b) Home Depot’s 31st and Iowa development

(c) The original (stronger) version of the floodplain regulations

(d) The endorsement of the South Lawrence Trafficway’s path through the Baker Wetlands and Haskell property

Greg DiVilbiss: Hi David,

a) it depends on if the zoning was in place or not and if the particular retailer was in compliance with the rules in place at the time.

b)I would have voted no because of staff recommendations and neighborhood concerns, flooding, not complying with Horizon 2020, displacement of individuals from their homes, etc… I certainly am looking forward to Home Depot, but I think it should have been located elsewhere.

c) I am against an arbitrary freeboard.

d) I believe the 32nd street alignment with all of the mitigation that comes with it is the best location for the SLT.

Jeremy: Seeing as how there is an ever-increasing threat against security, not only abroad, but here in our own country, how would you plan to better prepare the city of Lawrence for attacks of bioterrorism? Also, what contingency plans would you introduce to assist in a city-wide effort to counter such an attack like this going forward?

Greg DiVilbiss: I have not studied this subject but I believe that the emergency preparedness group here has been undergoing training to handle a crisis situation. It is my understanding that they have a formalized plan in place currently.

I would have to look into it more to be more specific.

inner city: At a recent forum, you said that if a person’s house in a new development is worth more than a person’s house in an existing neighborhood, his or her taxes would be more and therefore the new development paid for itself. Please explain how you came to that conclusion despite costs for schools, roads, etc. that must be paid up front.

Greg DiVilbiss: I have read a study that indicates this.

However, new development does not pay for all aging infrastructure. That is why I have developed a plan to deal with core neighborhoods and their specific infrastructure needs and the funding to pay for it.

Not corrupt, but definitely influenced…: Greg, since you asked, I wouldn’t say they are necessarily “corrupt” on the face of it (after all, these donations are legal under current election laws).

However, one really has to wonder these vested interests hope for “returns” on their “investments” (as you again allude to), why wouldn’t they be expecting favorable votes from you in return for their largess?

At the very least, it doesn’t look good. Why not pursue the $10-50 donations from your average Joe (who you are also supposed to represent)?

Greg DiVilbiss: I have actually spoken with the people who have contributed money to me and have told them that there are going to be times when I believe what they are bringing to the commission I would not be able to support.

You know what? They do not care. They are looking for a level playing field, not an automatic approval.

However, before it ever would get to the city commission for a vote, it has to get past the planning department and the planning commissioners.

inner city: I believe you sold managed mental health services to employers while in Wichita. These folks try to hold down costs to employers for their employees’ mental health services and decide whether a service will be covered. Is that correct? How will that help you on the city commission?

Greg DiVilbiss: We worked with large companies to provide mental health care services that resulted in employees having their problems resolved. The companies saved money in two ways — one through direct cost, less visits before problem resolution, and also a savings in productivity by having employees return to work more quickly.

This will help me look at the most efficient ways in which to resolve problems. When you are working with Fortune 500 and 50 companies they want results that save them money while having high employee morale. That is why I believe we can control cost and at the same time improve customer service.

Moderator: We’ll take one more question, after this next one.

Worker: What’s your position on a living wage?

Greg DiVilbiss: In principle I do not have a problem asking a company who is receiving an abatement to have wage and benefit requirements. The new abatement policy that went into effect two years ago states that the company coming in has to exceed the industry average for wages in the state of Kansas. So far both companies who have received abatements have lived up to this. Since it appears to be working, I would like to wait and see if changes are needed to be made.

The companies who currently receive an abatement have to sign a performance guarantee that ensures that they will comply with our rules or lose all or a portion of their abatement.

Craig: How much does the City’s General Fund contribute to the operation of the “T”? According to information I read, we are spending over $10.00 per rider. Did the City overestimate potential revenue? What can be done to decrease costs or raise additional revenues?

Greg DiVilbiss: I do not know the answer to this question. I would say we need to do a better job of increasing ridership. As the city grows it is going to be more and more important to work on our transportation issues. We have got to figure out a way to move people around this town.

If the population doubles in 30 years it is critical that we figure out how to move east and west. Two main arteries are not enough. Good public transportation can help ease some of the traffic burden.

Moderator: That’s all for today’s chat with Greg DiVilbiss. Thanks to everybody for joining us.