To the editor:

Eric Haar’s letter (Public Forum, Jan. 15) is a whopper, full of disinformation about Progressive Lawrence Campaign (PLC).

We are not a “self-aggrandized front organization for liberal Democrats, Green Party members, Socialist sympathizers, and members of the secular and religious far left.” We are a broad-based, non-partisan organization of local residents of diverse persuasions.

The current fate of the South Lawrence Trafficway was decided long before PLC came into existence. The “living wage” is NOT a costly scam and was fully supported by all five city commissioners AND the Chamber of Commerce. Redefining marriage is not in the purview of local government.

While PLC has never claimed to represent Kansas values, we will point out that we are in the best tradition of Kansas values. Kansas was founded on the premise that a progressive, populist response to the concerns of citizens was in the interest of all.

Nor have we contemplated either the Bush presidency or the “liberation of Iraq.” Our work is solely at the local level and, simply put, our goal has always been for Lawrence to grow in a sensible, equitable and economical manner. We support City Commission candidates who subscribe to that goal.

We are dismayed that he is so fearful of our participation in the democratic process. If he believes that supporting candidates for local government is akin to “hatching schemes behind closed doors,” then we must ask him if that concept applies to any group working to support any candidate?

We give Mr. Haar points for right-wing ideological spin.

Wally Emerson, chair,

Progressive Lawrence Campaign