To the editor:

Public trust is the greatest asset any politician can hold and, therefore, their greatest loss. Even the loss of a political campaign allows the defeated to walk away with respect and character intact. This is not the case when elected officials conduct the city’s business in obscurity. Recent closed-door negotiations with Deciphera for tax rebates have begun the erosion of this trust.

The citizens of Lawrence are now being faced with the Airport Business Park. This Pine family/Jes Santaularia development is currently in negotiations with the city over public monies to bring infrastructure to this private development. To date, city taxpayers have no knowledge of these costs. They remain unknown and unpublished for public review.

The voting, taxpaying public of Lawrence is vigilant and engaged. They will continue to request information on this and future development whenever public funds are requested. It is our right.

Our city treasury is spent down; please do not continue to spend down our public trust.

Barbara Clark,

Lawrence