Sound Off 2009
Sound Off for November 2009
Monday, November 30
- How much did the city spend last year removing snow and ice from city streets?
- I have seen that some Salvation Army bell-ringing sites are able to take credit cards. Are any of the locations in Lawrence equipped to do that?
Sunday, November 29
- I saw the recent story about the makeup of Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s work force. I was wondering what the breakdown is by ethnic groups?
- I saw the city did a new study that compared the condition of city streets in 2005 versus today. How many more streets does the city have today than in 2005?
Saturday, November 28
- I read where the owners of the Boardwalk Apartments want to rebuild the complex using three-story apartment buildings. Will the neighbors have a chance to comment on that plan before it gets approved?
- Whatever became of Lance Stephenson, the New York City high school player Kansas recruited before getting a commitment from Xavier Henry?
Friday, November 27
- Why does the county send out two mailings, one the real estate tax information sheet and another the property tax bill? Why does the real estate tax information sheet contain an empty envelope?
- I came across some signals on ramps along Interstate 435 the other day. How do those things work? I’m not sure how to react to these things.
Thursday, November 26
- Will rhythm and blues player Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, from Chicago, be playing in this area? If so, when?
- Will we be able to choose whether or not to have the new monitoring system on our electric meters?
Wednesday, November 25
- How are Kansas University’s monarch butterflies doing in space?
- What will become of the fighting cocks that were confiscated, south of Eudora? Will they be available for purchase or adoption?
Tuesday, November 24
- How has the number of males and females enrolled at Kansas University changed over the last 10 years?
- Will the Bizarre Bazaar be held again this year?
Monday, November 23
- Why can’t the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit juice?
- Is there a city ordinance that requires owners or real estate agents responsible for unoccupied homes to remove fallen leaves from the front yard? If so, through what city office can a complaint be filed?
Sunday, November 22
- Is there anything in zoning rules that says businesses need to keep their parking lots well-lit? I know a parking lot has several lights out.
- When will the health department have regular seasonal flu vaccines? It’s impossible to get one in Lawrence. They ran out in early October. None of the pediatrician’s offices or the health department has it.
Saturday, November 21
- How many people in Kansas don’t have health insurance?
- For how long is a residential contractor allowed to block the street or parking along the curbside with a city roll-off trash bin when there’s a relatively small project going on at a nearby residence?
Friday, November 20
- I understand the city of Lawrence receives annual Community Development Block Grant from the federal government. What department in the city oversees the allocation of that money?
- Can you tell me how much yard waste the city’s crews normally pick up as part of their Monday yard waste routes?
Thursday, November 19
- I read where the city has increased the guest tax to help pay for renovations to the former Carnegie Library building in downtown. How much did it increase to?
- My daughter is in one of the priority groups and would dearly love to get the vaccine, but she does not live in Douglas County. Can she get one in Douglas County?
Wednesday, November 18
- How do you pronounce Xavier Henry’s first name?
- Did the Frederick family ever sue the city or Black Hills Energy over Bob Frederick’s death? Did the family of the Tonganoxie boy who was hurt by the laughing gas ever file a lawsuit?
Tuesday, November 17
- I’ve noticed in recent months that about one in three cars with fog lights has those on all of the time. Are there any laws dictating when you can use those fog lights? Do they have to be turned off during normal driving conditions?
- I read where Lawrence was moving forward on a pair of projects — a brick street and walking path — that are being funded by federal stimulus dollars. Can you tell me how much the city is receiving in federal dollars for those projects?
Monday, November 16
- After the renovations, will people be able to walk or run for exercise inside Allen Fieldhouse again?
- Has the city ever considered buying a leaf vacuum truck instead of having people waste money buying paper lawn bags, which are wasted?
Sunday, November 15
- How do I access the “Do Not Call” list for cell phones?
- How many people in Kansas die every year from regular seasonal flu?
Saturday, November 14
- Every morning after it rains, I look in the Journal-World for the overnight precipitation. Why don’t you print that?
- I have been told that the Heisman Trophy was named after a former KU player. Is that true?
Friday, November 13
- Are employers required by law to give employees who work an eight-hour shift at least 30 minutes for lunch?
- Someone told me there was a marble company in Kansas City. Can you tell me where it is?
Thursday, November 12
- If the city and county buy the former Oread Labs building in west Lawrence, as proposed, would the building remain on the property tax rolls?
- What did the Kansas University Class of 2009 give for their class gift?
Wednesday, November 11
- I have heard that contrary to what the Journal-World has reported, Brady Morningstar is not allowed to participate in practice first semester. Is he allowed to practice while suspended or isn’t he?
- When will Douglas County Commissioner Mike Gaughan face re-election?
Tuesday, November 10
- What happened to the “Bad Mommy” feature that used to run in Go?
- When lawmakers in the Statehouse file a bill, how much does that cost?
Monday, November 9
- Is there a way for people summoned for jury duty in Douglas County to check online for whether they will be needed?
- Who oversees the state’s new e-Health Advisory Council? Can you tell me more about it?
Sunday, November 8
- How old would James Naismith be if he were still alive today?
- The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department will offer the H1N1 vaccine during elementary school conferences, Nov. 11-12, at Lawrence public schools. Kennedy and East Lawrence will not be hosting a clinic. The reason given was there was to be a clinic held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, which has now been canceled. Why isn’t Kennedy participating in the clinics associated with the school conferences?
Saturday, November 7
- Why has it been so windy the last few days?
- Has the Kansas Turnpike Authority done an environmental impact study to determine if there will be any negative impact when they blast the bridge? How will it affect the efforts of recovering the debris from the river?
Friday, November 6
- Why isn’t Langston Hughes’ gym available for Park and Recreation’s basketball league? Who is in charge of the schedule and will any games be played at Langston Hughes’ gym?
- Since the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department is holding swine flu clinics in Eudora and Baldwin City, why aren’t they holding one in Lecompton?
Thursday, November 5
- I read where the 2010 Census won’t include the long form that people have traditionally filled out. I never filled out a long form. How many people were required to do so?
- What kind of lights or reflectors are required on bicycles in Lawrence?
Wednesday, November 4
- Will our local cable provider make Fox Business available to customers? If so, when?
- What’s the deal with all of the tiny gnats in east Lawrence?
Tuesday, November 3
- Are Avon representatives required to get a solicitor’s license from the city?
- Can you tell me where Tyler Hansbrough is playing these days?
Monday, November 2
- Can a person who lives in Tonganoxie get an H1N1 vaccine in Douglas County when it becomes available? I work at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and was able to get the vaccine there, but can my husband get one in Douglas County as well? I was told he wouldn’t be able to. If not, whom should he contact?
- Are police allowed to give people tickets who are driving in dim inclement weather without their lights on?
Sunday, November 1
- Is it illegal to rake leaves into the street and leave them there?
- How many bicycle infractions has the Lawrence police department written since January? We hear a lot about bicycle safety, but not about infractions — such as failing to use a hand turn, running a stop sign, etc. I see a lot of people riding their bicycles downtown on the street.
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