The Journal-World sent a 16-question survey to each candidate running for three at-large seats on the City Commission. Fourteen people filed for those seats. The March 3 primary election will whittle the field of candidates down to six for the April 7 general election. These answers are presented as they were received from the candidates.

Candidate profile: David Crawford

• 65 years old, a retired boilermaker and union instructor who has led a grass-roots group to bring a grocery store to downtown Lawrence

• Full profiles and more questionnaires

Do you believe a new police headquarters facility is needed, and if so, are you open to considering a property tax or sales tax increase to fund the facility?

Yes, I believe that Lawrence needs improved police facilities. However, any proposed solution should be the result of thorough and thoughtful study, based on community needs and proven principles – free of special-interest influence. Lawrence does not need a military-base-style police headquarters. Police facilities should promote nationally proven methods of community policing and should discourage Ferguson-style police militarization. Ever-increasing sales taxes assessed on essential goods, including food, place an unfair burden on low- and moderate-income residents.  As such, these taxes impact local businesses and encourage shopping outside of Lawrence.  Property taxes are a more equitable way to fund essential services.

The city in 2014 approved a new registration and licensing program for apartments and other rental units in the city. It is set to begin inspections in July. Do you support the program as approved?

Yes, I believe the program represents a good start toward ensuring safe and decent housing for all Lawrence residents who rent, while maintaining affordability in housing. It should be thoroughly reviewed and strengthened, based on successful programs in other cities and particularly in other cities with large universities.

As part of the Rock Chalk Park sports complex, the city entered into a public-private partnership with Kansas University Endowment and a private development group. As part of that agreement, the city is paying for about $12 million worth of infrastructure that was exempted from the city’s standard bidding process. Do you support public-private partnerships that involve the city paying for work that was not bid?

No. I oppose special-interest no-bid contracts. These are clearly not in the best interest of local taxpayers, and sweetheart deals like this undermine competition. As a city commissioner, I will be an independent voice, free of influence by special interests, and will fight every day against the sort of backroom deals that have tainted city government in recent years.

In 2014 the city approved tax rebates for projects in East Lawrence, downtown and near the KU campus that were either wholly or largely for apartment development. Do you support providing tax incentives for apartment development?

No. I believe that the current city commission has granted tax breaks that are nothing but “welfare for the rich” – a simple transfer of wealth from ordinary taxpayers to developers and other business interests. However, I do support use of public incentives when they represent a clear benefit to under-served citizens of Lawrence.

The city last year opened Lawrence VenturePark, the new business park that was built on the former Farmland Industries fertilizer plant site in eastern Lawrence. Do you support the idea of providing tax abatements and other financial incentives to attract businesses to that park?

No. With every city using tax breaks to attract large businesses, we are in a national “race to the bottom” in which ordinary citizens and small businesses carry the tax load that should be shared by the largest businesses. I believe that tax breaks should encourage small, local business development and should only be used when there is a clear, cost-effective benefit to the Lawrence community – not just for wealthy special interests.

In 2015, the city is budgeted to provide about $220,000 to the Lawrence chamber of commerce to lead the community’s economic development efforts. Do you support that arrangement with the chamber?

No. The Chamber plays an important role in our community, but it is a lobbying organization that selects and supports candidates for local office. No such organization should receive public funds.

In 2008 voters approved a three-tenths of a percent sales tax to fund city-street maintenance and other infrastructure projects. How would you rate the condition of city streets today?

The condition of Lawrence streets is generally good. Maintaining and improving them will be a priority of mine. In general, maintaining and improving our infrastructure should take priority over special-interest projects promoted by development interests.

In 2014 the city built a new dual-lane roundabout on Wakarusa Drive, and is considering building more in the future. Do you support the use of roundabouts in the city?

Lawrence has installed some roundabouts that are too small and confined to be safe and efficient. Roundabouts should be used when they can be shown to improve safety and efficient flow of traffic.

Based on current city capital improvement plans, the city is scheduled to spend about $3 million in 2015 and 2016 on a project to rebuild a portion of Ninth Street as part of an effort to make the area into an “arts corridor.” As currently proposed, do you support the project?

No. The current project has been driven by development interests rather than by the needs of affected neighborhoods and artists. It is yet another example of the outsized influence of special interests in local government. However, with the significant involvement of these neighborhood leaders and artists, the Ninth Street corridor could be a model for the nation. We need an “arts corridor” project that places the needs of the community first and encourages affordable housing and artist spaces.

The city has been asked to approve financial incentives designed to spur the installation of additional gigabit, super-fast broadband service in Lawrence. Do you support the idea of providing a financial incentive to private companies interested in providing enhanced broadband services to the community?

No. The current process has yielded no tangible results and has put Lawrence behind other cities in the race to provide true high-speed Internet services to the community. Lawrence should proceed immediately with a project similar to Chattanooga’s extremely successful municipally owned fiber-to-the-premises system. This is something we can and must do now.

What is the biggest issue facing Lawrence neighborhoods?

The biggest obstacle to maintaining healthy and vibrant Lawrence neighborhoods is the outsized influence of development interests in local government. I will place the needs of Lawrence neighborhoods above the desires of real estate developers.

Given the other needs of the city, what is the likelihood that you would support additional funding for trails, bike lanes and other pedestrian-oriented projects in the community?

The likelihood is 110%. Pedestrian-oriented and bicycle-oriented public spaces are proven to promote healthy lifestyles, social interaction, and overall livability in cities. They are also some of the best incentives for attracting creative people and innovative businesses to Lawrence.

Given the other needs of the city, what is the likelihood that you would support the idea of city assistance for a new conference center in the community? (Full disclosure: Members of The World Company, which owns the Journal-World and LJWorld.com have put forward a proposal for a downtown project that includes a conference center.)

A state-of-the-art conference center – particularly one located in Downtown Lawrence – could be a valuable asset to our community. However, site selection and design must be thoughtful and smart, driven by community needs and community benefit rather than by special interests. The design should enhance the vibrancy of Downtown Lawrence, creating lively pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly spaces, preserving and restoring historic buildings, respecting the integrity of adjacent residential neighborhoods, and incorporating world-class architectural design elements.

In 2014 there were six homicides in Lawrence, the highest number in at least a decade. Is there anything the Lawrence City Commission can do to improve public safety in the community?

This is a disturbing statistic. New police facilities along with policies that encourage proven community policing strategies would do much to improve public safety. Lawrence should also do whatever is possible, consistent with state law, to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and others likely to use them improperly.

A proposal has been made by a development group to create a major new retail area just south of the South Lawrence Trafficway and Iowa Street interchange? Are you supportive of rezoning property for major new retail developments in the community?

In the past, zoning decisions have often been driven by development interests, not community interests. Any new commercial zoning should be done thoughtfully and consistently with the city’s comprehensive plans. No new commercial zoning should be granted that causes vacancies and the resultant blight in existing commercial areas, including Downtown Lawrence.

What’s your vision for the type of community Lawrence will become in the next decade?

My motto is “Keep Lawrence, Lawrence!” We have a unique community with a vibrant downtown, healthy and diverse residential neighborhoods, and numerous historic sites and structures. My goal is to retain and enhance these unique qualities by encouraging creation of well-paid and environmentally friendly jobs, stable and affordable neighborhoods and commercial areas, and attractive pedestrian-friendly public spaces. That is the proven equation for a community that attracts innovative and creative people and businesses.