To the editor:

I congratulate City Commissioners Sue Hack and Mike Rundle and Mayor Boog Highberger for their votes to join with the school board and others to fund an assessment of recreational needs in our community. It is always easy to find reasons not to do something different; it takes courage and vision to reach out to work with others to help define a problem before attempts are made to solve the problem.

There are a daunting number of capital needs facing this city and it may be unlikely that the city can step forward to fund any needs found by the assessment. However, all three commissioners did a nice job of articulating the importance of at least understanding our needs even if we cannot rush out and satisfy those needs.

I must say that I agree that ignorance is a remarkably poor foundation upon which to base planning.

The three commissioners voted to spend the equivalent of about 28 cents for every Lawrence resident on a study. Maybe that’s not that earth shattering when viewed by itself. However, that small step is an important part of an effort by local governments and private entities to try and figure out a way to work together to make this community a better place for its kids while also respecting the limits of taxpayers.

Personally, I think our kids and our whole community are worth the effort.

Scott Morgan,

Lawrence