To the editor:

New urbanism in Lawrence sustaining families that would live in one location forever! Please, get a grip. Has City Hall not been paying attention to their own actions? It appears that City Hall also has not been paying attention to the job market in Lawrence and the economy. Have they forgotten that they continue to keep a choke hold on new business development based on the philosophy that we must support our local businesses no matter what the cost?

Has City Hall studied the number of families who leave Lawrence to get better jobs or even find a job at all? With the turnover of businesses in Lawrence (Journal-World Business Section, Aug. 17) how does City Hall expect families to pay for their new urban habitats?

However, City Hall will spend significant money sending some city official (with no urban planning experience) off to a cozy urban development in Colorado that in no way can be compared to Lawrence – different tax base, different culture, different everything!

Until the concept of growth and development catches on in Lawrence, there will continue to be an exodus of families to greener pastures. City Hall needs to continue to think small town or get on the fast track of business growth and development so it can support families, their children and their aspirations.

Is change going to occur, or will Lawrence continue to be a parasite to surrounding job markets in Kansas City and Topeka?

Steve Turner,

Lawrence