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: Greg Robinson

• 49 years old, a Lawrence attorney who was a leader of the group opposing the recent sales tax proposal for a new police headquarters.

• 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 a new Lawrence Police Facility is necessary for the community as the city continues to grow. I do not support a regressive sales tax to pay for the facility as the police department is a core city service and should not be subject to the ebb and flow of a sales tax. The recent proposal for the facility to be located near Hallmark Cards was unsound for many reasons and the voters stated such in a loud and clear voice at the ballot box.

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?

I can support a registration and licensing program provided that intrusions into a tenant’s home are respected to the utmost extent of the law. Renters should not be placed in a less desirable position than homeowners. One policy modification could be that inspections are to be carried out when there is a change in tenants during the move in period and then only if problems are readily apparent or if the tenant contacts city inspectors.

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. This will not happen under any scenario.

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, unless it is for affordable housing projects. For profit, mega complexes should not receive city financing or support which is not readily available to other local citizens.

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?

Tax incentives for Venture Park would have to be closely scrutinized. Unless, the proposed business is bringing large number of above-average paying jobs, then the City should reject such proposals.

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.

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?

It’s a dog chasing its tail. The more development means more streets, so the 3/10 of percent will simply not keep pace with growth. Infrastructure is and should always be a priority.

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?

If designed in the proper way during the initial construction of developments, then such roadway enhancements can be quite beneficial. However, the logic of placing some of these most recent roundabouts defies logic.

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. This rebuild should not be considered until the input from those which will be affected are known. The current process is, “We’re going to do this, come tell us what you want, we’ll consider it and build what we want.” This process was used for Rock Chalk Tax Park and we see how voters thought of this.

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, not as currently briefed to the commission.

What is the biggest issue facing Lawrence neighborhoods?

Deterioration of infrastructure.

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?

Yes, provided such items actually promote the intended objective and are convenient to the citizens of 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.)

No, unless all revenues generated above the bond payments are earmarked as a rebate to taxpayers.

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?

No. The easy answer is to say yes and to say to provide the police department more funds. Police is reactionary and calls for service generated by reports from our citizens. More money is not going to stop crime, but greater inclusion of a diverse population and greater economic opportunities will help more than additional police.

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?

The expansion of the city also increases the costs for city infrastructure. So unless the proposed development is able to generate new taxing sources to pay for the expansion of city services, then one has to look very closely at the proposal.

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

A proactive city which continues to care for those less fortunate while striving to provide an educational and economic opportunity for all its citizens.