To the editor:

What to do with the “downtown”? From arguments I have seen, the acceptable answer is to love it or be told to leave. But there remain heretics among us; our “downtown” is not equally attractive to all! For those of us past our prime, the environment can be loud, the merchandise not particularly of interest and the parking painful. Is this a problem? No! There are 30,000 students with money in their pockets in close proximity to our “downtown” and it would really surprise me if the merchants did not respond to that opportunity.

For those who find it exciting, more power to you. I would ask, however, for a bit of understanding that acknowledges that some of us might not be as enamored. We might find it desirable to address most of our needs where we can find a good selection of comfortable clothing for sale, food that is amenable to our tastes, served in an environment in which we are comfortable, and readily available and inexpensive products needed by homeowners. If we cannot find what we expect here in Lawrence, then Overland Park will benefit.

I might make the point that I do pay taxes here and would like to see a community that sought to address the needs of everyone rather than to seemingly demand that some of us conform to the lifestyles desired by others. Is there not room here for true diversity – in people, beliefs and tastes?

George E. Lippencott,

Lawrence