To the editor:

Chad Lawhorn’s recent column on the lack of jobs for local graduates struck a sensitive spot with me. As a KU grad who has chosen to remain in this area, it has been a struggle to find positions in town. I’ve been luckier than most with careers in technology. I’ve spent a good portion of my life working in Lawrence.

Avoiding the commute to KC has been difficult. The accuracy of the statistics cited in Chad’s piece is clear to me. Lawrence is content with being a university town and bedroom community.

Are we content to stay on this current path, telling ourselves how progressively great we are? If our kids and grandkids are going to move away, I want it to be because they want to, not because they must.

Technology is an ever more prevalent part of our lives. Lawrence is not just in danger of being left behind; it has been left behind. Amazing things are happening in other small communities. What about doing some cool stuff here?

Lawrence won’t ever be a micro Silicon Valley, nor should we want it to become one. Tech is not the sole solution to this problem, but it is where a lot of good paying jobs are.

Shouldn’t we encourage that part of our local economy? Shouldn’t we do more than talk about the importance of STEM? I don’t know what the future holds, but we all know which way the wind is blowing. It’s a good time to unfurl our sails.

David Klamet,

Berryton