To the editor:

As a resident of Lecompton, I cannot believe our county commissioners cannot, and will not, put the safety of our school children above money.

As I drive to Lawrence to do my shopping, I see endless miles of walking trails (money), which rarely have more than three or four people on them. I also see they would like to plan for more of these trails.

Lecompton citizens only ask that the commissioners keep one lane of this bridge open so our school children can get to school safely and not have to spend three and a half to four hours getting to and from school each day.

As the Kansas Department of Transportation stated, they have never heard of a 33-mile “detour” but now you can bet they have. This from the Douglas County commissioners (two we in Lecompton cannot even vote on), ignoring the city of Lecompton, fighting us on everything (Lecompton wanting some control over the three-mile radius around the city), and implying in one meeting they do not think we are competent enough to handle this. The County Commission also changed the Turnpike exit years ago.

In the paper Tuesday, the commissioners discussed the vacant plant east of Lawrence, implying only they could decide what is best for the city of Lawrence. A private company is interested but, once again, the County Commission knows best.

Everyone should watch how this bridge situation turns out and remember this at election time. God help us if a child gets hurt, or worse yet, killed, from the County Commission’s irresponsible and selfish act.

Nancy Howard,

Lecompton