Moderator: Thanks for joining us today in another one of our chats with Lawrence city commission candidates. George Grieb is now in our News Center office and we have questions that have been submitted already, so we’ll get started. Feel free to continue to submit questions during the chat.

The chat took place on Wednesday, February 16, at 3:00 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

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

George Grieb: I would definitely want to look at this compromise. My campaign is about listening to what the people of Lawrence want.

Larry from Lawrence: What is your view on the issue between Wal-Mart and the City of Lawrence?

George Grieb: The courts are unfortunately deciding for us the issues. i wish we could have avoided the taxpayers spending so much money on legal fees. In the future I would like to try and get all the players to the table to work out these types of issues

Robert, Lawrence: What do you propose to do about roundabouts and neighborhood safety?

George Grieb: The roundabouts are a hot issue because of the high cost of construction. I think we are spending too much money to install these roundabouts in existing traffic situations. I think we also need to look at the safety issues regarding school buses trying to move around the roundabouts and also what effect it has on fire department response times. Safety First!

Beth – Lawrence: Why do you support smoking and second hand smoke? Our family happens to find life far more enjoyable without the smoke downtown.

George Grieb: Beth and Sarah,

I support representative government. The smoking ban was passed by the city commission not by the citizens of lawrence. I support the ability of the citizens of Lawrence to set the public agenda. As far as a compromise, if the people want to have a referendum then let’s get the signatures and have a vote.

Richard, Lawrence: What is your position on the city financing water line growth on the backs of the current users with continual utility rate increases?

George Grieb: I am not sure we can separate paying for water line growth from maintenance. The thing to keep in mind is that we all pay for water and we all pay taxes. Some citizens would say that citizens in newer neighborhoods pay for the maintenance of the older neighborhoods. The city has a current plan to replace these lines.

Tony Lawrence: So, What are your Views on the proposed Wal-Mart? If you were on the commission, would you lobby for it?

George Grieb: I wouldn’t lobby for the Wal-Mart. If i were a commissioner it would not be my place to lobby either way for the Wal-Mart. My job would be to be a road block to that project until the project met all the current city standards, zoning standards, site plan standards etc. If the plan met all the requirements set forth i don’t see how I could turn it down.

Kathy, Lawrence: What is your position on expanding the downtown public library?

George Grieb: The reason we pay taxes is so we can provide all sorts of recreational and educational opportunities for our community. I agree with the library plan. But instead of spending $25 million let’s spend $10 million. Our city debt continues to increase.

Mike Contreras, Lawrence: What are your feelings on the South Lawrence Trafficway and a route through the Haskell-Baker Wetlands?

George Grieb: I believe that the SLT should be built. As soon as the plan met with opposition from the various interest groups, with good reason, the SLT should have been re-routed around the Baker Wetlands. There is no funding available for this project from KDOT until at least 2010 and maybe longer.

Sarah – Lawrence: Is there anything that can be done to help the working class in Lawrence? It has gotten to expensive to live here.

George Grieb: The cost of living in Lawrence is outrageous. Especially housing. Finding homes for our workers is nearly impossible. The cost for land is not likely to go down. Therefore we need to get all the stakeholders from all sides of this housing issue at the same table. The neighborhoods, the city, the county, builders, developers etc. Believe it or not there is a way to handle the housing cost issue using smart growth ideas that is beneficial to everyone that has a stake in the Lawrence Community. I am talking about getting to the table in a meaningful way. Not just rhetoric. If we do not start to face the real issues for workplace housing none of us will be able to afford to live in Lawrence.

Moderator: This will be our last question.

Orville, Lawrence: The Chamber of Commerce and Homeless groups receive a considerable amount of money from the City, but have no measurable accountability for their efforts. As commissioner, will you continue to pour money into these ineffective PACs, or will you rein them in? Secondly, are you receiving any money from these groups?

George Grieb: I am not receiving money from either the Chamber or the homeless people. The Chamber performs some meaningful economic development functions that help to create jobs in Lawrence. As long as they are receiving money from the city then I think meaningful reviews of their activities are warranted.

Moderator: Mr. Grieb is going to take another before he has to leave.

Arletia Stewart Lawrence: What is your thoughts on the homeless here in Lawrence?

George Grieb: We have been trying to protect Downtown Lawrence for 20 years. The homeless are creating difficult situations for downtown merchants. Certainly, we have a social and moral obligation to help the homeless to a certain degree. I think we should wait to see the results of the Homeless Task force that is chaired by our Mayor. I think there should be a meaningful enforcement piece to whatever ideas they come up with.

George Grieb: Thanks to the LJW for hosting this online chat. Please vote for me on March 1st. You can reach at georgegrieb@sunflower.com. Thank You

Moderator: That wraps up our chats for today. We’d like to thank Mr. Grieb and our readers for participating in today’s chat. And we’re sorry that we just didn’t have enough time to get to all of the follow-up questions that have been coming in.

Our next chat with a city commission candidate will be at 1 p.m. featuring incumbent City Commissioner David Schauner.