To the editor:

Only one in seven eligible voters thought that this election was worth their time and attention. Apparently, the challenges the city faces are not pressing enough for our enlightened citizens to concern themselves. Our understaffed and underequipped police and fire departments didn’t concern them. The potential difficulties with the Bowersock Dam didn’t concern them. Neither did the need for suitable industrial space, or serious budget considerations as our local economy slows.

So the city continues to be run by a few special interest groups who get their contingency out to vote. Perhaps it’s time to rethink our form of city government. Infrastructure, budget and economic growth issues require more attention than a part-time city commission can devote to them. Maybe we need a full-time mayor/city council to work on these issues full-time, not just after work and on weekends. Maybe we need people whose job it is to consider these issues on a daily basis and give direction, rather than committees trying to reach some vague compromise.

I’m not a fan of political parties and such, but maybe we need individuals with a vision for Lawrence to step forward and present us with that vision in a clear and concise manner and then lead Lawrence to that solution. A strong mayor/city council might provide the leadership to address the infrastructure and equipment needs of the city before they reach a crisis level.

However, given the level of voter interest, maybe nothing will help.