To the editor:

To Dolph Simons, Aug. 23 Saturday Column, titled “Changes in Lawrence attitude aren’t for the better,” I say balderdash! That’s an antiquated term befitting his assessment.

Because of the Lawrence attitude, we have a beautiful new Theatre Lawrence, funded by Lawrence donors. We have a new Rock Chalk Park brought about by unprecedented cooperation between city and university. Because of Lawrence attitude we have a beautiful new library with expanded programming. Local events such as the Busker Festival and the Christmas parade are growing bigger and better every year. Hundreds of people with good attitude gather in South Park each year for concerts, arts and crafts shows, and just plain fun.

Ask the vendors and shoppers at our farmer’s market how they feel about Lawrence attitude! Check out the attitude in the faces of folks attending the fiddling and picking contests in South Park. Watkins Museum, with new creative exhibits and programs, is attracting large new audiences, many from outside Lawrence. The museum has never looked better, and the staff have new and exciting plans for expansion. Retirees are moving to Lawrence because of the quality of life offered here.

I’ll shout it from the rooftops of new downtown construction, “Huzzah Lawrence, we have great attitude!”