Letter: Stagnant city

To the editor:

In response to your “Voter apathy” observations of the last local election (J-W editorial, April 9), it seems to be a recurring article after every one of these elections over the years. Thankfully the public was spared the sophomoric campaign ads of the state and federal elections.

Having been a resident over 50 years, I have observed Lawrence grow stagnant in terms of retail business, industrial development and in general a good tax base. Home ownership is less than rental occupancy. Lawrence is a transition town, a stop on the way to somewhere else. Residents are not staying because there are not enough good-paying local jobs. Lawrence has lost a lot of industrial jobs that employed a lot of people that area towns are getting. Seems that job creation has been delegated to the local chamber of commerce and even they have lost leadership to a lack of suitable employment for spouses. Even the local paper is now printed in Kansas City!

I feel a city commission should focus on infrastructure, roads and bridges, public services and increasing the tax revenues by attracting and retaining solid businesses that will bring blue collar jobs that workers can stay and retire from. Having a vibrant work force I feel will provide a more permanent and hopefully larger residential base that future commissions would answer to and should increase turnout at the polls.