Welcome to our online chat with City Commissioner Sue Hack.

City Commissioner Sue Hack types in a response this afternoon during an online chat at the World Company's News Center, the downtown offices of the Lawrence Journal-World, 6News and World Online.

The chat took place on Wednesday, June 2, at 2:00 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Rich, Ottawa: Why is it that in a town that won’t support the Patriot Act because they claim it violates personal rights, those same rights are allowed to be crushed under foot by such ideas as the smoking ban, the ridiculous dog tie-out fiasco of late and the denial of business to build in Lawrence? Sounds like Lawrence is full of hypocrites.

Moderator: “Resolution condemns Patriot Act”
http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/167935

“City smoking ban OK’d; opponents vow to force vote”
http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/169342

“Proposal would set limits for leaving pets tied up”
http://www.ljworld.com/section/archive/story/171471

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Rich – You have asked a question that I have been asked several times. I wish I had an answer, but I don’t.

G. Faye Watson, Lawrence: Is there any way we can get the “outdoor seating” of restaurants to CLEAN UP the areas? Shouldn’t the outside be required to pass inspection as the inside? Many are so very filthy that the ordinary person would not set there….yesterday, I passed spilled junk and even vomit in one occasion……….I am wishful of a general washing off of the areas, and perhaps do the WHOLE sidewalk in front of their places..thanks.

Moderator: “Outside dining rush begins”
http://www.ljworld.com/section/archive/story/170822

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Faye – I would think that it should be the responsibility of the owners to make sure that the areas are clean. I think the problem is that some of the messes take place after those businesses are closed. I do know that we have so many downtown business owners that work very hard to keep their places of business clean.

Laura, Lawrence: Our neighborhood had suffered a rash of burglaries and thefts in the last month. We feel that the police have not been very responsive. What is the City commission doing or going to do to control or limit property crimes in Lawrence?

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Laura – livability of neighborhoods is a priority for this commission and the previous one. We work closely with our law enforcement people to make sure that Lawrence is a safe place. I would hope that you continue to let the police know of your concerns and please keep the commission informed as well.

Michael, Lawrence: There sure is a lot of street construction along Sixth Street — one project ends and another begins. Is there anything the city can do to make it easier on drivers?

Moderator: “Orange cones spread east on Sixth Street”
http://ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/171899

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Michael – I knew that I would get a question about road construction! It certainly has been difficult for Lawrence drivers to get around and hopefully, the results will be worth the extra time. As for making it easier on drivers, I know that the Mayor has asked for a staff report on the contractual agreements for work to make sure that we are getting projects finished in a timely manner.

Mary, Lawrence, Kansas: Do you feel the Police Officers that protect us are underpaid for cities the size of Lawrence and should they get a raise equal to the cost of living? I have a friend that has been with the department for 13 years and is leaving soon because of pay raises not even equal to the cost of living in Lawrence. Has the commission studied these items in an effort to matain good officers.

Moderator: “Police reject contract proposal” (Story from 2003)
http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/134791

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Mary – We have just completed a compensation study for our police officers and are working with the results. I hate to see a good officer leave Lawrence due to the salary situation. We are committed to providing good service to the citizens of Lawrence, but there continue to be increasing costs to those same citizens. That part doesn’t go over as well.

J., Lawrence: What’s the status of the Business Retention Task Force that you’re leading?

Moderator: “Lawrence task force will study concerns about business climate”
http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/161498

City Commissioner Sue Hack: J. – We are in the final stages of completing the survey and David Kingsley and I will be meeting this week to finalize the questions. Distribution should occur during the next two-three weeks and after that we will be getting some help from students at KU to analyze the results. I am really looking forward to getting the survey going.

Ray, Lawrence: IS THERE ANY WAY possible to get the hole just north of 2nd & Locust fixed someone is going to get killed there!!!!!!!!hole is 4″ deep

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Ray – Thanks for letting me know. I will make sure that Public Works is aware of this problem.

Sue, Lawrence: I read recently you have quit smoking, I am on Day 100! But I don’t feel others have to quit because I did. Glad you feel choice is right, can we have a choice on fireworks too?

Moderator: “Commission advances fireworks ban despite protest”
http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/112422

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Sue – I would imagine that this question will come up again due to the upcoming 4th of July celebrations. If a citizen wants the commission to act on something, it can always be brought up during the public comment section of our meetings. In addition, I would assume that the referendum procedure for fireworks would be the same as the one for the smoking ban. Congratulations on quitting..not an easy thing to do.

Ben, Lawrence: What do you think the ban will do for safety downtown when all the people that have been out drinking all go out to and stand on the sidewalks, in front of the bars?

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Ben – As you may know, I was not a supporter of the ordinance that was passed by the commission. I am concerned about our downtown and the effect this will have. We will work with owners and law enforcement to make sure that our downtown does not suffer ill from the ban.

Michael, Lawrence: Commissioner: Will you be running for commission again next year? And will there be a political action committee to support business-friendly candidates the same way Progressive Lawrence has supported smart-growthers?

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Michael – Good question! The decision as to whether I will run again has not been made, but I certainly have been thinking about it, and need to decide soon. After I tell my family, I promised to tell Joel Mathis, and then he will go public. As to the PAC, that would be for others to decide.

Eric, Lawrence: Are you concerned that the smoking ban might send the wrong message to business owners whom the city might be trying to attract to the area, that message being “We will let you know how to run your business”?

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Eric – You have asked a good question, and I am hopeful that there are not unintended consequences from the ban.

Sarah, Lawrence: It seems like the current commission is taking heat for many projects and votes–Wal-Mart, round-abouts, 6th St construction delays, fireworks–that were actually the purview of previous commissions (which you were on). Meanwhile, it seems the current commission has actually been very measured and deliberate in their actions, in essences disproving the sky-is-falling rhetoric seen in the last election. Outgoing Mayor Dunfield’s State of the City addresses addressed this topic head on (not that many people read/saw it). Why do you think there is the disconnect? Are the media and others sowing discontent where there is none? What of the vaunted civility in civic discourse (see first question here)?

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Sarah – Each commision has to deal with issues that are before it…some less pleasant than others. This current commission has worked very hard to tackle problems in a civil manner and I feel that the media has done a good job of reporting our actions.

Dayna, Lawrence: Hi Sue, my name is Dayna and I spoke on here to Mr. Highberger when he was online not to long ago regarding no stop signs near New York School. He asked me to email him which I have done twice now, and I still have not heard from him. This issue needs to be addressed now or at least by the time school begins again this Fall. I’m mainly asking if you could talk to him, ask him to read his e-mail and get back to me about this issue. Thank you very much, Dayna

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Dayana – Thanks for letting me know about your concerns. I will look into the stop sign issue. In Commissioner Highberger’s defense, I know that he has switched providers for his email and has experienced some down time. He is very good about listening and responding to citizen concerns. Don’t give up on him!

Jason, Lawrence: Commissioner Hack, many individuals continue to assert the the smoking ban now being extended to restaurants and bars–but, importantly, previously already in effect in most other public businesses including retail stores smaller restaurants, hospitals, etc., etc.–how is there this disconnect? It seems most all other businesses in town have been no-smoking for years. Isn’t this just closing a loophole and leveling the playing field (aka the vaunted “market”?

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Jason – I appreciate your interpretation of the current and future situations. We will probably have to agree to disagree on this one.

RICHARD, TOPEKA: LOOKING BACK ON MY SCHOOL DAY’S AT CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY SCHOOL DAYS HAVING YOU FOR A TEACHER AND DOING PROJECTS WITH THE OTHER JUNIOR HIGHS. LOST TOUCH OVER THE YEARS WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THOSE DAYS.
AGREE WITH EVERTHING YOUR DOING FOR MY HOMETOWN GOOD LUCK
RICHARD

City Commissioner Sue Hack: Richard – Thank you so much for the email. I do remember you and my great days at Central. It was a pleasure to get to spend time with you, and I wish you the best!

Moderator: That’s all the time we have. Thanks to Commissioner Hack for participating! We’ll have another commissioner back to chat next month.