The chat took place at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Welcome to our chat today with Tom Bracciano. He’s in the News Center and ready to take questions. We already have a few questions for him, so we’ll go ahead and get started.

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

Tom Bracciano: I was on the fire code review board for six years. I am very aware of the fire department’s concerns regarding fireworks in the city. I would not overturn the ban.

Arletia, Lawrence: What is your stand on the Wal-Mart on Sixth Street?

What do you see as a solution to the homeless?

Tom Bracciano: I am opposed to big box development on the corner of Sixth and Wakarusa. This area should have been rezoned when the land was purchased for a second high school. We are paying for that lack of planning now.

The homeless must be connected with the necessary services to help get them off the street permanently. I am interested in the homeless task forces report as to how they recommend this be done.

Wand, Lawrence,Ks: Mr. Bracciano, I am curious about how your time spent, if elected, on the Commission will affect your duties with the school district. Mrs. Hack resigned from teaching when she became a teacher. Thank You

Tom Bracciano: Excellent question Wand. This was the toughest part of my making a decision to run for city commission. I feel that the cooperation between the city and district is so important that my being a member of both bodies will actually benefit the district and help me in performing my duties thereby maximizing the resources of both entities.

Richard – Lawrence: How would you rate the performance of the city streets dept re: long term planning, execution, results or lack of improved traffic flow?

Tom Bracciano: I think the city services on the whole do a good job. I think there is room for improvement in the capital improvement planning process which is what identifies the needs and priorities of the infrastructure repairs. We do need to spend more time and money maintaining existing infrastructure. Improved traffic flow is different across the city so each area has different needs regarding improvement.

Ted, Lawrence: Tom, your stated position on smokefree workplaces–that it should have been put to a popular vote–is both contrary to Kansas law (only signatures of the public can put an issue on the ballot) and the reality of the situation (the only such petition was not turned in by the opponents), So, how about putting political calculation aside for a moment and telling us all exactly what you think the commission should have done differently? Also, do you favor the ban or not? Thanks!

Tom Bracciano: First of all, I favor the ban. I am disappointed that the city and federal government have not stepped forward on this issue leaving it to the cities. This creates inequities in ban implementation in nearby communities thereby resulting in potential hardship for businesses. I believe a non-binding referendum in accordance with Kansas law would have supported the ban and would have been less divisive.

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

Tom Bracciano: I don’t.

Eric, Lawrence: Tom,

Do you have any ideas for improving public transportation in Lawrence? How about encouraging carpooling, bicycling, or walking (e.g., incentives/disincentives)? Thank you.

Tom Bracciano: Yes. As a member of the traffic safety commission for three years I am aware of and wholly support the bicycle plan that we endorsed when I was on the commission. I support funding of the “T” and have spoken to the city manager and KU chancellor about merging the “T” and K.U. on Wheels. I will work with the K.U. student senate to try to accomplish this. As a member of the parks and rec advisory board I support greenways and walking paths connecting communities. Development should contain provisions for pedestrian friendly links. The incentive is they will sell faster because people want this.

Ted, Lawrence: A follow-up to my previous question: The LJ World has you on record as stating that the smokefree workplaces issue is one of legislating “social behavior.” However, isn’t this simply a case where the greater good, “public health” should be placed at more of an importance?

Tom Bracciano: Ted – That is why I am so disappointed in the state an federal government for their lack of regulation in this matter. I have worked with asbestos, radon, mold and other indoor air quality issues in public schools since 1988. The state and feds have never been bashful regarding regulations in these issues. Why are they silent now?

Dave: Lawrence: Given the fact that the public is intelligent enough to understand road signs, how would you justify roughly a half million dollars for almost every roundabout and traffic calming device the current commissioners are approving.

Tom Bracciano: Like I have said, I was on the traffic safety commission and understand the reasons for roundabouts. They are a traffic calming device that in my mind should be used to address traffic issues that are usually the result of poor planning. I think we are overusing roundabouts and do not like traffic circles at all as they can lead to head on collisions because you can turn left in them. I do not favor a roundabout at 19th and Louisiana because I don’t feel there will be sufficient gaps for pedestrian traffic at peak periods.

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

Tom Bracciano: The public library was built when I was a small child growing up in Lawrence. It was too small and crowded way before I reached high school age. As I am in my middle years nothing has changed there. It needs to be expanded or a new building built and access and parking issues addressed at that time.

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

Tom Bracciano: I am aware of a plan that will facilitate traffic from east to west and west to east in southern Lawrence without building the traffic way through the wetlands. It will take a new mind set and require people to come back to the table but I think it will work and must be pursued.

Larry from Lawrence: You said that you the city is paying for lack of planning at Sixth and Wakarusa. You are right. Is it right to change the rules on Wal-Mart?

Tom Bracciano: Bad planning will result in situations where people and companies feel the rules are not being enforced fairly. I support developing a planning process that is clear, consistent and long term. This will help us to avoid being labeled unfriendly to business as well as the guy who wants to add a room or garage.

Merrill – Lawrence: What exactly is affordable housing and what new proposal could you offer over and above the tremendous amount of effort being put forth? The existing five commissioners have been very supportive. Thank You

Tom Bracciano: Affordable housing is becoming extremely difficult to find in Lawrence. We must stabilize our existing housing stock in our older neighborhoods and prevent it from becoming rental. We must encourage private investment into these neighborhoods and encourage young families to move in. This must be done without changing the character of the existing neighborhoods. New housing is being built for $180,000 on up. Not really affordable in my book.

Moderator: This will be our last question.

Woodie, Lawrence: 1. As a member of the Parks Department advisory board, you missed or left meetings early due to work. How do you have time to be a City Commissioner? 2. When our neighborhood’s proposal to save an old woods for a park was threatened by rezoning for a housing development, you told us we should be grateful for “affordable housing” and new families coming. Since you were speaking as a parks board member without knowledge of the project, why did you think you knew what was good for our neighborhood? What will you promise to do for older neighborhoods to help them address what they feel are their needs such as green space and less traffic?

Tom Bracciano: I am sorry, I don’t remember leaving any meetings early but I have been wrong before. Being a city commissioner takes a tremendous commitment of time. I have been able to serve on the fire code review board, traffic safety commission, parks and rec advisory board, Douglas County emergency preparedness board, Lawrence Public Schools budget and boundary committees and still do my job quite capably. My comment to you regarding the affordable housing was that from my years of experience on the boundary committee working with the East Heights community it was my impression they were wanting new single housing stock and the children that come with it to help keep their school open. Since you have been to parks and rec meetings you know that the parks master plan and particularly our work with the CPC addresses more green space and less traffic. I am committed to following the planning in that document whenever possible.

Tom Bracciano: If y’all have any more questions please feel free to visit my website at tomforcom.com There is a primary March 1 and I would appreciate your vote. If you don’t vote for me, please do vote. Your involvement is what it takes to keep our community going.

Moderator: That will conclude our chat for today with Tom Bracciano. We’d like to thank Mr. Bracciano and our readers for participating today.

Stay tuned. We have another chat set up for 3 p.m. today with another city commission candidate, George Grieb.