To the editor:

First of all, our governor did not order the closing of the SRS office in Lawrence. Never suggested it. He ordered “administrative cuts” be made and, rather than cutting a few high-paying administrative jobs or cut some out-of-town “educational seminars,” the SRS administration decided to close the office.

That said, the “Give back” letter by Jim McCrary (Public Forum, Aug. 16) made a very valid point but only offered one solution to the $300,000 per year SRS building lease. The landlord (a Lawrence resident) should lower the cost. Great suggestion, Jim. I think it would be very patriotic and the Christian thing to do (if they are either of those).

About the “deal” made to keep our SRS office open, we all know how the local governments are going to come up with the money for their “deal”: raise more taxes. How about shopping around for a building taxpayers are already paying for? Do we have any recently closed school buildings available? Let’s see, you get ample parking, a reception area, plenty of office and meeting rooms, it is probably wired for computer access, larger “play area” for the kids, and even access to a kitchen where they could serve meals or have a food pantry.

So who owns the empty school buildings in Douglas County? I think it is the taxpayers. Do we as taxpayers ever have a say in these properties we paid for?

I say the local elected officials should shop around. Is this “deal” the best they could come up with? Seriously!