(Online editor’s note: David Holroyd,who is a candidate for both the Lawrence school board and for Lawrence city commission, used the second question in this chat to announce he was dropping out of the school board race. For more on this story, see the 6News reports at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sunflower Broadband’s channel 6 and pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Journal-World.)

Welcome to our online chat with David Holroyd, candidate for Lawrence city commission and for school board.

The chat took place on Tuesday, February 15, at 1:45 p.m. and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Welcome to today’s online chat with David Holroyd. He’s at the News Center and we have several questions submitted earlier by our readers. So we’ll go ahead and get started.

Steve, Lawrence: Would you support a compromise on fireworks allowing them to be used in the city on just one day, the Fourth of July?

David Holroyd: Hi Steve,

With regard to fireworks ban, I was concerned from the beginning that the majority of the residents were not fairly represented. I was thinking that after the ban our insurance rates would drop. That didn’t happen. So, yes, to answer your question, I would support the use on one day. The city has noise and litter ordinances to address excessive problems with the use. Any more questions?

Stephen, Lawrence: Why have you chosen to run for both city commission and school board? It appears that it would be difficult for one to serve in both positions simultaneously. Why should voters consider you to be a serious candidate for either position?

David Holroyd: Yes, you have raised a very good question. The fact is, if elected one can only serve one position. I have decided and you are the first to know publicly that tomorrow I will decline from the School Board race. There are three people who want it and I will make it very easy for them to win without spending any money. I will stay in the Commission race. Furthermore, I would be 65 years old by the time I got off the school board. I can still be involved in the bond issue proposal and quite frankly, the bond issue should not be a candidates issue. However, my filing has roused the interest of my friends and they are going to follow the bond issue proposal. Thanks

Brian Lawrence: Do you support the smoking ban in privately owned businesses?

David Holroyd: I was not pleased at the way the Commission handled the issue. In fact, from my dining experiences and my friends’ experience, we didn’t know there was such a problem. After all, the restaurants involved are not 5-star restaurants.

Do you have any more questions?

Jim, Lawrence: What do you suggest as a solution to the proposal to build a new library?

David Holroyd: Jim, I appreciate your question about the library. My parents have been involved in the library program in their town and I realize the importance to a community. Lawrence needs to take a modest approach to expansion. The population of this town does not dictate a $25 million expansion. What I would propose is very simple. Add a 3-story expansion to the west of the library. The reading rooms would stay on the main floor, with views overlooking the pool and park. All genealogy materials would be moved to the Carnegie Library and, likewise, the historical documents and papers from Watkins moved there also. Both facilities would operate under one Director. Since it would take more funds to operate both, that is another reason to be modest in the financial approach. Does that answer your question satisfactorily?

Pete, Lawrence: So you would consider bringing smoking back to the restaurants and bars?

David Holroyd: Pete, I am not a smoker but understand the concern. What I would like to have brought forward is a representative petition from those interested. The reason is simple. If I were on the Commission, I don’t believe my lone vote would carry but a petition with 5,000 names would. It is unfortunate that the City Commission decided that a Smoking Ban was of highest priority. Do you have another question?

Jim, Lawrence: You have expressed a conviction that money set aside for neighborhoods may have not been used well. Please identify several specific examples.

David Holroyd: Hi Jim…..For starters, in my area near the University, the Oread group convinced the city to spend $54,000 to replace a set of steps that lead from the cul de sac at 12th and Indiana to another sidewalk on the east side of Mississippi. There was a need to replace the steps but $54,000 for 18 steps is unexplainable. To this date, there has been no public reporting of how the money was spent and who got paid what? Ask any contractor in town what $54,000 will buy for concrete? I have had personal experience with construction projects and there is no way the steps should have cost that much. Other older neighborhoods are in need of sidewalks, alley improvements, street lighting. It seems that the priorities are out of whack. Do you have any other questions?

Arletia, Lawrence: Where do you stand on the 6th Street Wal-Mart situation?

What do you see as a solution for the homeless problem we face?

David Holroyd: Hi, well, about the Wal-Mart. I find the previous school board members remiss for not purchasing that land. There are two options as I see it.

1. Build the Walmart. Nieman Marcus is not coming, Dilliards is not coming. Nordstrom is not coming. This constant battle over whether the store is a department store or variety store has paralyzed this town into a standstill. 2. The other option is that the school board with capital outlay money buy the property or sell the Adminstration Building and use that money to buy it.

Of course, the sales tax revenue is needed with the Wal Mart. Those living on that side of town who oppose it , I do not understand why they want to drive south to shop when at the same time they are complaining about traffic problems. My experience over the past 32 years is that many of those voicing opposition will not live in Lawrence 5 or 10 years from now.

The homeless situation I believe should at this point be turned over to the social service agencies and churches. The City Commission has again paralyzed the community for the past year or so with that issue and many people I know who would help address the problem are burned out on it.

Does that help in part to answer your questions?

Wanda Lawrence,Ks: Mr. Holroyd, I am interested in your comment about the areas of the City east of Kasold. What would be three things you would bring forward the first month if you are elected? Thank you,

Wanda

David Holroyd: Hello, the three things I would suggest are:

1. For a 90-day period, all permit fees would be waived for permits up to $500. The reason is to encourage residents to make repairs to their properties and to also allow trade persons to participate in gaining jobs.

2. Waive the demolition waiting period for those who may want to tear down an old garage.

3. I would like to see Mr.Torres head of Neighborhood Resources personally walk the neighborhoods and place flyers on every property informing residents/owners of programs available with the specifics of the city programs.

Does this help?

Mike, Lawrence: What do you feel is KU’s place in the community?

David Holroyd: Hi Mike, KU’s place now is the same as it has always been. It is here and not going away. I assume that maybe you are wondering if KU is the “gorilla” that some refer to it as being? I have had concerns with the administration regarding issues around the campus. I have found though that when I present them with a plan and a timetable, they act on issues. Since you are not specific,,,,I can only comment as I have.

James: Lawrence: Mr. Holroyd:

Can you please share your thoughts about the way our City seemingly cowtows the same groups of individuals, be they “neighborhood preservationist” or “developers”?

Do you think these people represent the ordinary citizen who foots the bill?

David Holroyd: Good afternoon James.

Well, I do believe the Commission and some member of past Commissions also have “cowtowed.” I am quite frankly disappointed that no Commissioners ask those who come forward for the names of the members of groups. How many are in the groups and also how many properties are in the “neighborhood” supposedly being represented. Were those questions appropriately posed, then it would be obvious that the representation is not accurate.

To answer in one word. No

I have always thought that Commissioners are afraid to take opposition as they hope to appease and the problems go away. That won’t happen. Ask reasonable questions of substance and follow forward.

Moderator: We’re running out of time, so this next question will be our last. We’re sorry we couldn’t get to all the questions.

Greg, Lawrence: Do you believe that Lawrence has a housing affordability issue, if so what steps would you make to help solve this problem?

David Holroyd: Greg, I am glad you brought this up. One problem is that Lawrence never had much housing stock built. You may not be aware but after the 2nd World War many of the older houses were converted and the owners also rented rooms. AFter the Korean War small developments were built east but at that time no one expected Lawrence to be as close to Kansas City and southern Johnson County. With the expansion of Johnson County and the movement of K10 thru Johnson County, Lawrence, all of a sudden, became closer to Ks City. So to help solve the problem as it is now, I would encourage the owner of the 4-plexes at 19th and Kentucky to convert those to owner-occupied condos. With a well developed set of By Laws and a well managed HOA, some very nice 2-bedroom living accommodations could be provided. Also many wanting the first-time home needs to change their expectations.

Hope this helps in part to your question.

Thank you.

Moderator: We’d like to thank everyone who participated in today’s chat. Our next chat begins at 2:45 p.m. today with Greg Robinson, another city commission candidate.

David Holroyd: I would like to thank those of you who have taken the time to ask questions. Certainly, anyone who wishes to speak to me personally , should feel free to do so.

Thank You and thanks to the Journal World for this opportunity.