Deadline to file is Jan. 27
Lawrence residents have until Jan. 27 to file for one of three at-large seats on the commission. Commissioners Mike Amyx, Sue Hack and Boog Highberger all have terms that are expiring. Hack has announced she’s not seeking re-election. Highberger previously has said he likely will not seek re-election, but has not formally ruled it out. Amyx has not announced his plans.
In addition to James Bush and Gwen Klingenberg, two other candidates have begun campaigning for the seats. Aron Cromwell, the owner of a Lawrence environmental consulting firm, and Lance Johnson, the owner of Lawrence civil engineering firm, have filed for seats on the commission.
The general election will be April 7. A primary election, if needed, will be March 3.
The president of the Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods and a leader of the successful campaign to save the city’s public transit system is running for the City Commission.
Gwen Klingenberg announced Tuesday that she’s filing for one of three at-large seats on the commission and will run a campaign that seeks to bring more representation to residents.
“We have been so busy being business-friendly that we have basically ignored the taxpayer,” Klingenberg said.
Klingenberg, who has led the association of neighborhoods for five years and this year served as one of the organizers for the Campaign to Save the T, is a frequent participant in City Commission meetings.
Klingenberg, who currently does not have a full-time job because of back problems that have left her on disability, said she’s been disappointed with how the current commission has handled several key neighborhood issues. She said the fact that two neighborhoods — one near a proposed industrial park along the Farmers Turnpike and another near Lawrence High School — have sued the city shows that the commission is not doing enough to work with neighborhoods.
She also said her campaign would focus on the community’s economic development strategy. Klingenberg said she believes the city may be putting too much emphasis on attracting large companies instead of working with small start-up companies that want to be in Lawrence.
“Another way to get new businesses is to grow them,” Klingenberg said.
Klingenberg, 54, is married with three stepchildren.
Comments
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flyin_squirrel (anonymous) says…
Ah Oh.... RUN!!!!!!!! Lawrence is in trouble now...
geniusmannumber1 (anonymous) says…
Oh. Dear. God.
justaverage (anonymous) says…
No special interests with this candidate...geeez.
merrill (anonymous) says…
Ms Gwen Klingenberg has taken the time during the last 3 years to study the issues and become educated on ordinances and codes. Ms Klingenberg at least is prepared for the job.Obviously she is pro economic growth which is an attribute. Her concept of attracting smaller business seems like a great idea as every city on the USA planet will be going after the big fish which could cost communities a great deal in tax incentives. These tax incentives need to be reimbursed somehow usually by local taxpayers.
geniusmannumber1 (anonymous) says…
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/oct..., yes. Please spend my money. I trust you.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
"Klingenberg, who currently does not have a full-time job because of back problems that have left her on disability, said she’s been disappointed with how the current commission has handled several key neighborhood issues."Great. Will she release her medical records? If she can't work because she is disabled will her doctor allow her to serve full time as a Commissioner? I may be voting for Boog and Mike again after all.
cowboy (anonymous) says…
oh crap just shoot me and get it over withHello Baldwin , looking for a three bedroom .......
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
Bowhunter - Just what I was thinking! If Richard 'give me all your money' Heckler and Sven Erik 'I wanna be an architect' Alstrom are supporting someone, that is all the impetus I need to vote for someone else!(Oh, and Sven - don't send me any private emails!)
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
She went bankrupt personally and now she plans the same for the City of Lawrence?Douglas County residents or businesses filing for bankruptcy protection during the week ended Thursday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Kansas, according to court records:Gary Allen Klingenberg and Gwendolyn Leible Klingenberg, also known as Gwen Klingenberg, 4900 Colonial Way, Lawrence.http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/oct/19/bankruptcies/"Bankruptcies", LJW, October 19, 2008
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
ariadne (Anonymous) says… "nasty nasty forum members slinging mud - as usual."She filed for bankruptcy because she is so disabled she can't work and you don't think that impacts her physical ability to take demanding full time job with the City of Lawrence? Do you think voters shouldn't question her ability to manage a million dollar budget for 80,000 citizens in a recession when she can't even manage her own finances? Are you are a moron?
toe (anonymous) says…
Maybe it is time for Lawrence to be represented by districts.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
ariadne (Anonymous) says… "yes dear forum members – i think 'siggie & beobachter' have both hung themselves on this one - and should apologize to Gwen - a meeting could be arranged bythe forum moderator or Ann Gardner at LJWorld."What should I apologize for, telling the truth, or was it asking a question? Sven, I really feel sorry for you. You got banned as user "cool" and somehow you blame me. I'd be happy to meet with anyone at the LJW, but only if Dolph, Jr. joins us. But still you won't answer the questions, She filed for bankruptcy because she is so disabled she can't work and you don't think that impacts her physical ability to take demanding full time job with the City of Lawrence? If she is so disabled she can't work, what do you think being a City Commissioner is? If she can work, I am not sure the $10,000 salary as a Commissioner pays enough to help her current personal financial crisis.Do you think voters shouldn't question her ability to manage a multimillion dollar budget for 80,000 citizens in a recession when she can't even manage her own finances? Revenues next year will be down at least 7% and probably down another 7% the year after. Just what in her background gives the voters any confidence she can manage the City's finances in this challenging economic times?Finally, are you a moron?
Informed (anonymous) says…
“We have been so busy being business-friendly that we have basically ignored the taxpayer,” Klingenberg said.Yet, she served as one of the organizers on the Save the T campaign, which, wait for it... RAISED our taxes.Hmmm, methinks she talks out of both sides of her mouth. And which large companies has the city lured to town, prompting Klingenberg's desire to focus on start-ups? Anybody? Anybody? That's right: NONE!!Klingenberg? Nah, don't think so.
igby (anonymous) says…
lolololol!i have a medical problem too!It's called "city got its' hand in my pocket".WaterTaxesSales TaxButwhole associations who have their own special interest and not the residents.For once I'd like to see a CC say "I'm going to fire all the SZZZOb'es and start all over!"They would get my vote!Bush, is a psyco-social-path who could'nt get elected when he had the real estate and builder guru's supporting him, how could he even think he could get elected now. Changes churches like most people change their underwear.Anyone that even knows Marci would not get my vote either!
igby (anonymous) says…
lolololol!i have a medical problem too!It's called "city got its' hand in my pocket".WaterTaxesSales TaxButwhole associations who have their own special interest and not the residents.For once I'd like to see a CC say "I'm going to fire all the SZZZOb'es and start all over!"They would get my vote!Bush, is a psyco-social-path who could'nt get elected when he had the real estate and builder guru's supporting him, how could he even think he could get elected now. Changes churches like most people change their underwear.I mean now that all the real estate and builders Guru's are broke! Lol.Anyone that even knows Marci would not get my vote either!
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
How can a city like Lawrence be considered business friendly when it is known nationally as one of the top most restrictive communities in the United States of America? Obviously, this candidate doesn't have a clue. Even our sitting City Commissioners are business unfriendly. Geez!
Solomon (anonymous) says…
"We have been so busy being business-friendly that we have basically ignored the taxpayer,” Klingenberg said.What planet has this woman been living on? Lawrence is the most anti-business city I've ever seen. As soon as a business expresses interest in Lawrence people like this lady are throwing road blocks. The last thing Lawrence needs is this woman helping to direct it.
alm77 (anonymous) says…
I actually met Gwen last night for the first time. She was hot on the mic regarding the city's new "smart" plan (which I have no opinion on, that's just how they kept referring to it). My neighbors and I were there to protest a developer building more duplexes in our already overpopulated neighborhood. The "businesses" Ms. Klingenberg refers to are developers. Plain and simple. And on that point, she's right. After a huge neighborhood petition and good turn out last night, the commission still wouldn't vote down the proposed duplexes. They told us all to get together and get along. Work out a compromise and come back to them about it. I was blown away by the deaf ears on that panel.
spammer89 (anonymous) says…
"She filed for bankruptcy because she is so disabled she can't work." Well she should have had AFLAC.
1029 (anonymous) says…
Bigprune writes that Lawrence "is known nationally as one of the top most restrictive communities in the United States of America"I would be very interested in learning more about whatever study or survey was done. Is there an article about this somewhere? Or is bigprune simply lying and making up a bunch of b.s. because he/she hasn't been exposed to much of the rest of the country?
Godot (anonymous) says…
At what job was Klingenberg employed when she became disabled? Why didn't she have workers comp? Didn't she have health insurance? Did she fail to plan, or plan to fail?
geniusmannumber1 (anonymous) says…
Does anyone else, when reading sven/ariadne's posts, imagine them read in a man's voice, with a Swedish Chef accent, except really high-pitched to pretend he's a woman? Cause I do.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
offtotheright (Anonymous) says… "How can she 'work' for the taxpayers, but can't 'work' at a job?"Further, if she is on disability she may lose it if she begins working for the City of Lawrence as a Commissioner. But you do have to wonder who is going be stupid enough to contribute to someones campaign when they filed bankruptcy in October of 2008.http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/oct/19/bankruptcies/
gl0ck0wn3r (anonymous) says…
So she's unable to work and yet she is able to "participate frequently" in every faux progressive activity in the PRL? And now she wants to "work" for taxpayers? How about she tries paying some income taxes first.
gl0ck0wn3r (anonymous) says…
On another note, I wonder if Richard "give me all your money" Heckler will demand Gwen release her financial records like he has demanded from other current and potential commissioners. Somehow I doubt it.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
gl0ck0wn3r (Anonymous) says… "On another note, I wonder if Richard “give me all your money” Heckler will demand Gwen release her financial records like he has demanded from other current and potential commissioners. Somehow I doubt it."As merrill has already given support (not actual dollars, that would be foolish) and as long as she promises props up his real estate investments by reducing any new competition I doubt he will care. However, all that should be in her bankruptcy filing and I do believe those are public records and can be order from the court.
458casul (anonymous) says…
klinkenberg has wrote all kinds of bad checks to local stores and they are after her
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
458casul (Anonymous) says… "klinkenberg has wrote all kinds of bad checks to local stores and they are after her/"Hopefully she passed also bad paper to Rundle at the Merc, to the city for empTy bus passes, to Heckler for lawn care, and to Sven Alstrom to join as a plaintiff in his lawsuit.
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
Good one, Sig!
458casul (anonymous) says…
2006 2007 2008 klinky owes 7088.60 fed taxes and has paid no taxes as well to state owes 3600.00 is this what we want for our city
monkeyhawk (anonymous) says…
So glad to see that my peeps are all over this one. I guess if the likes of Al Franken can get elected, nothing is impossible. Even that Moody Maynard (or is it the other way around?) looks good compared to this, this .... person. Will the filing fee be waived for indigents?No more deadbeats in city office. The PLC/GRA will not be happy until those of us who are still solvent are just as broke and as miserable as they are.
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
7:38am Solomon (Anonymous) says… “We have been so busy being business-friendly that we have basically ignored the taxpayer,” Klingenberg said.What planet has this woman been living on? Lawrence is the most anti-business city I've ever seen. As soon as a business expresses interest in Lawrence people like this lady are throwing road blocks.The last thing Lawrence needs is this woman helping to direct it."I wouldn't say "throwing road blocks," I'd say throwing bricks. :)....and 1029 - I will provide you a link that says Lawrence is one of the most business unfriendly cities in the country.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
458casul (Anonymous) says… "2006 2007 2008 klinky owes 7088.60 fed taxes and has paid no taxes as well to state owes 3600.00 is this what we want for our city"If she owes the Feds and the State that kind of money she is sure to be behind on her property taxes as well.
alm77 (anonymous) says…
siggy, unless they are escrowed like most mortgages require....Personally, I don't care if she did file over medical bills. So what? I'm not saying I'll support her, I don't know. I'm just saying a simple bk filing is not a reason to not support her. I'd have to see proof of the bad check accusation before I'd believe it. That's important, but only if it's true. If her injury prevents her from working an 8 hour shift then it makes perfect sense that she spends her time in other time increments working on other items. It may be a good way to get off of the disability check. Why should we fault her for seeking work? Again, I just met her last night, so I don't know her at all. I'm just willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
alm77 (Anonymous) says…"siggy, unless they are escrowed like most mortgages require…. Personally, I don't care if she did file over medical bills. So what?"I haven't seen any evidence of medical bills, just a bankruptcy and a claimed disability without any indication of physical or mental disability. Most mortgages don't require an escrow for taxes and insurance and if she owes $10,000 in back taxes and can work I would think I'd like to make more than $10,000 per year. If she can't manage her finances what gives you the impression she can handle a multimillion budget for a city of 80,000 people?If she has time to lead the association of neighborhoods for five years and this year served as one of the organizers for the Campaign to Save the T, and participant in City Commission meetings shouldn't she have had the time to hold a job, build a career and at least pay her taxes for the last three years? Would you trust someone who was collecting disability, owed $10,000 in back taxes, and had filed for bankruptcy in the last three months with your checkbook? Would you write a personal check to her political campaign? Should she contribute to her own campaign or pay her taxes? Do you want her spending the thousands of dollars you pay in taxes? I don't. We have already had one dead beat bankrupt as Mayor and Commissioner and how well did that work out? This isn't a jobs program, this is running a organization that has more stakeholders and employees and a bigger budget than a lot of publicly traded companies. I have no problem with the disabled, Boog seems to handle his disability and hold a job with the KDHE, and act as Commissioner even though I disagree with him.If she can work she needs to get more than a $10,000 Commissioners job and begin to dig herself out of the hole first. If she can't work and needs to collect disability then it must be so severe that it would prevent her from pulling her weight on the Commission. Does Lawrence really need to scrape the bottom of the barrel for Commissioners? Seriously I'd rather we pick a random name off of the property tax rolls (and who are current on their taxes) than Gwen.
Godot (anonymous) says…
Default is as default does.
alm77 (anonymous) says…
Okay, okay. Calm down. First of all, I have worked as a mortgage processor and yes most mortgages (more than 3 out of every 4) were set up with an escrow account for property taxes and insurance. Secondly, I don't know why she did it, all I'm saying is that to me, medical bills (as stated by some other poster, who knows what's true?) would be an acceptable reason to file. Of course it makes sense for her to have done her work with and injured back. Anytime she's needed a break from this type of work, she is free to go lay down or whatever. For Pete's sake, you can make phone calls flat on your broken back from home for a political campaign! And no, I didn't say I'd write her a check. I just said I wouldn't immediately dismiss her as a candidate. I think her work for the T and the neighborhoods show that her heart is in the right place (as far as I'm concerned). That counts for something. And last time I checked, the city's checkbook wasn't controlled by any one commissioner. She obviously has a passion for this kind of thing and knows the codes fairly well. Have you seen her in action? Again, I'm not endorsing her, I'm just putting up a more balanced viewpoint to those expressed thus far. Sometimes that gets me in trouble and sometimes I'm wrong. But, I'm also usually the first to admit it.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
I'm not upset with you and if I came across that way I apologize. I just find it incredible that anyone with a room temperature IQ who gave it more than a passing thought would even consider voting for Gwen.