Trust issue

The current legal probe into Lawrence City Commission dealings could have so easily been avoided.

This is an investigation that simply shouldn’t have been necessary. Last week, Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson directed Lawrence city officials to respond to allegations that city commissioners illegally discussed city policy in an executive session last week. The complaints grow out of what seems like a pointless effort to slip an unusual economic incentive for a new bioscience firm past local residents.

After commissioners discussed in closed executive session a tax rebate plan for Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, the matter was placed on the commission’s consent agenda, where it would be approved with other routine business but without public discussion. It was pulled off the consent agenda, but the rebate was not discussed.

The public has a right to be concerned about this. Officials have defended the action by saying quick action was needed, but that is no reason to bypass the public. Commissioners could have put their case to the public, admitted that this was an unorthodox move but said it was justified in this case.

The only reason to put this issue on the consent agenda was to try to hide it from the public, which anyone who understands Lawrence should know is a losing strategy. It was inevitable that the information would come out; it would have been far better for chamber of commerce and city officials to put it on the table in the first place.

It is hoped that officials will be able to salvage the deal with Deciphera, but they certainly will pay a price in terms of public trust.