To the editor: I am writing this letter to commend the excellent service provided to our community by the Lawrence police and firefighters and support them in their current contract negotiations with the city.

Recently, I had a serious bike accident at the intersection of the Eagle Bend Golf Course access road and East 1000 (Lone Star) Road. The accident was caused by loose gravel left over from recent chip-and-seal road work (sounds familiar?). An off-duty Lawrence policeman found me on the ground after the accident and brought me and my bicycle home and also called an ambulance since I was exhibiting signs of a concussion. The ambulance was at our house in a matter of minutes, and the emergency medical person who took care of me was very kind and very professional and gave my wife and me a great deal of confidence and comfort in the emergency medical service that was provided to me at home and on the way to the hospital. Luckily for me, everything turned out to be OK.

My wife and I want to thank all the men and women like those who helped me who serve in our police and fire departments. We have lived in Lawrence for 30 years; this community is something special and very gratifying.

I also want to take this opportunity to request the road crews to clean up after road work to minimize the hazards especially to bicyclists.