Let the next round of campaigns begin.
Lawrence City Commissioner Sue Hack on Monday confirmed she would seek a second term on the commission, making her the first declared candidate for one of three spots on the board.
Hack, a 57-year-old retired junior high teacher, said she wanted to serve another term by bringing consensus to a sometimes divided community.
"One of the things I have been able to contribute is the ability to draw people together," Hack said. "I want to help us become more collaborative in our approach to problem-solving as opposed to combative. That's how I taught children, and that's how I think adults ought to behave."
City voters on April 5 will choose commissioners for the five-member board. If seven or more candidates file for the positions, which are all at-large, a primary will be March 1.
Hack's candidacy ensures there will be at least one opponent of the city's recent ban of smoking in indoor public places. Hack was the lone commissioner to vote against the ordinance in May.
"I felt the decision to either work in or frequent an establishment that has smoking was an issue of an individual choice," Hack said.
Hack said she would campaign on a platform of enhancing downtown's vitality, continuing partnerships in planning among city, county and school district officials, and helping the city take the lead in the state's bioscience efforts.
Commissioners David Dunfield and David Schauner also face the end of their terms. Dunfield has announced he won't run for re-election. Schauner has not announced his plans.
Candidates have until Jan. 25 to file at the city clerk's office for one of the three seats.
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