A plan to hire a new economic development planner seems like a step toward putting more of the area’s business future into the city’s hands.

Unfortunately, Lawrence does not have the best reputation around the country as a city that is helpful and cooperative to industrial and retail businesses interested in opening a facility in Lawrence.

In fact, it is known as an extremely difficult, even unfriendly, place in which to build or expand.

Lynn Parman, the able and highly effective vice president of economic development for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, announced her resignation last week to take a similar position in Kansas City.

It didn’t take long for City Commissioner David Schauner to suggest now is the time for the city to take over the job of economic development planning for the community.

This has been a goal of some commissioners for some time. This effort centers on the “growth” vs. “no-growth” question. If the city can control the strings, the selection of the city’s economic development officer and the funding of this effort, it places the city in control of the area’s growth and quality of growth.

If City Hall already is being blamed by many for the negative image of Lawrence and the difficulty of attracting new business and industry, consider what the new image is likely to be with the city in even greater control of this terribly important facet of the city and its future.

Also, where would Douglas County fit into a city-run economic development program? Now, the area’s economic development efforts are jointly run by the Chamber of Commerce, the city and the county, with each contributing a third of the funding.

What voice would the county have in the economic development of the area?

According to Schauner, who is urging quick action on his plan, he isn’t calling for the new position because he is unhappy with the chamber’s effort but rather because he thinks there is “a difference between a recruiter and a planner.”

What he wants is a “planner.” It should be clear to most everyone that even if you have an excellent “recruiter,” a “planner,” following the wishes of some or all of the city commissioners, can control what businesses and industry come to Lawrence and probably the entire county.

The growth/no-growth or “smart growth” debate continues, and there’s no question but that some commissioners, and perhaps some senior city officials, have an agenda for the city. It is a long-range plan. It doesn’t have to be executed in a year or two or three years, but it remains a goal.

When an opportunity, such as the resignation of the chamber’s top economic development official, arises, those who want to control growth and shape the city’s future to their liking, are quick to seize the reins.

Some may want quick action, but this is a sufficiently important matter to merit serious, thorough discussions that involve city and county officials as well as the Chamber of Commerce.