From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Oct. 3, 1973:

• Members of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce aviation committee were urging a $625,000 bond issue election to pay the city’s share of a $2.5 million expansion of the city airport. Committee member Dave Kohlman stressed to the Lawrence City Commission this week that the 75 percent federal matching share would come from taxes on airplane owners, pilots, and passengers so that “those benefitting pay the largest share.” Regarding the city’s share, Kohlman stated, “Facilities which are necessary for a progressive city should be supported by all citizens.” Commissioner Barkley Clark, a pilot, said, “If we’re going to have an airport we might as well have a decent one.” Clark called the existing airport “crummy” and said it was dangerous without a cross-wind runway.
• Lawrence area residents were still assessing the damages caused by the wettest September in the record books when forecasters today predicted an 80 percent chance of another rainstorm. The two-day dry spell had served as a welcome time for farmers to try to salvage some crops and for local agencies to estimate damage to roads and bridges.