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- Planning Commission recommends approval of Menards store for south Lawrence May 20, 2013 · 62 comments
- Lawrence High graduation 2 comments
- Blog: Kansas science and math teachers easily recruited away May 20, 2013 · 48 comments
- Opinion: Amid crisis, Europe resists extremism May 21, 2013 · 36 comments
- Two men arrested in connection with Sunday morning shooting May 20, 2013 · 49 comments
- Opinion: Benghazi triggers a major credibility crisis May 18, 2013 · 78 comments
- Blog: Push-back on Common Core not unique to Kansas May 21, 2013 · 15 comments
- Crews race to find survivors of Oklahoma twister May 20, 2013 · 36 comments
- Blog: FreedomWorks urges Legislature to reject Common Core reading and math standards May 21, 2013 · 22 comments
- City accepts recreation center bids, but won' t proceed with building until Fritzel provides infrastructure costs May 21, 2013 · 6 comments
- Will of the people May 21, 2013
- LHS student earns perfect ACT score May 21, 2013
- Missouri man dies of injuries after Saturday motorcycle accident May 18, 2013
- House Republican leaders propose 1.5 percent cut to higher education for each of next two fiscal years May 21, 2013
- KU baseball gets involved in Moore, Okla., relief effort May 21, 2013
- Lions face one more test February 29, 2008
- Editorial: Hometown pride May 21, 2013
- Lawhorn's Lawrence: Westie, the wheelchair ramp champion April 28, 2013
- Planning Commission recommends approval of Menards store for south Lawrence May 20, 2013
- Legislature makes no progress; Brownback leaves state to tout tax cuts May 20, 2013
Brownback seeking end of property tax deduction for homeowners
Please forgive me, just please stop he class warfare dialogue.
THe issue is what is best for the USA & by extension every person in the country.
If you really want equity between government& its citizens, it must be responsive to we the citizens. Then demand & support "Term Limits". We have to stop the "power players in our governments", at all levels, who have been elected for too many years & become insulated from us. They become all about their party and not about the real needs of we the people.
The tax code needs to be changed in a sensible way providing not only equity but also provide long term stimulus to the economy.
January 24, 2013 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Simons' Saturday Column: Unique development arrangement raises questions
The issues should be: (1) Should we build a Recreation Center versus all the other capitol needs we have that are upon us, e.g. New Police facilities, water treatment plant, etc. (2) How do we build an "affordable" recreation center that does not raise taxes for either its daily operation nor its long term maintenance. (3) Currently several ongoing expenses & bond payments are due to stop as those are paid for. What is the best place to spend those funds or do we spend them on anything for the time being?
The big problem with the current recreation center plan is it is too big, unaffordable (parks & recreation currently says they can not cover the operating expenses in the current budget). Parks & Rec is being asked to market the rec center to a fragmented industry to get sporting events into the facility. This is not in their field of expertise.
The way this project is being implemented we (the city/citizens) do not control our own destiny. This entire project is being dictated by KU Endowment Assoc. See their letters to the city dated 10/2/2012 & 11/08/2012.
December 15, 2012 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Simons' Saturday Column: Unique development arrangement raises questions
Because he probably can't raise the money himself.
More than likely the current arrangement benefits himself & his family. Additionally the good tax payers of Lawrence will grant a very low cost loan via a city sponsored bond issue that exempts his property from taxes. There are other grants that can accrue also.
The citizens of Lawrence need to wake up and recognize the "sweet deal" that is being hatched for the financial benefit of a few under the guise of benefiting the citizens. The only problem is the citizens are paying for this ruse.
December 15, 2012 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Simons' Saturday Column: Unique development arrangement raises questions
The question is "Who benefits?" The answer is several people. First there is John T. Stewert, he gets a tax deduction & ensures his son-in-law Thomas makes a lot of money off both the citizens of Lawrence & KU Athletics. Can't blame John. The second winner is Thomas. He makes millions off of the following. He gets a low interest bond issue from the city that ensure Thomas has cheapest financing possible. The Endowment Association has requested that the city provide free watering of all of the landscaping for the athletic fields landscaping; no fees for building permits, impact fees nor cost of water meters; the big ticket is the city will be responsible for both maintaining & replacing all of the parking & private roads in Rock Chalk Park. None of this is in the city's budget or analysis of the cost impacts to the city. Thus the city is distorting the truth when it says they have enough money to pay for this. The only way this is true is if taxes are raised.
A concern for the citizens should be, besides the "obvious give-away" by the city, is: "Who holds title to the underlying collateral until the bonds are paid in full". Will we the citizens be properly protected in case of default?
The city also pays $25 million for a no bid Recreation Center, to Thomas. The cost estimates the shown indicates some of those costs to be questionable.
The critical issue is the city will pay $25 million for a facility and the city will not own one parking space. This will be owned by Thomas. Will the any users of the recreation center eventually have to pay for the usage of something we paid for?
The final question is why is the city commission so willing to move forward on this project which has many concerns & why is the city commission not publicly debating this? Details can only be obtained by getting involved and demanding the city turn over information.
There are too many egos involved and absolutely no long term responsibility by the city commission.
The city commissioners say by virtue of the fact they were elected they have the authority to execute this deal as they see fit. With that authority comes both responsibility & accountability.
This definitely should be an issue during the upcoming city commission election. The problem is all of the taxes & problems will not show up until after the election.
December 15, 2012 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
City commissioners to consider new plan to pay for extra level of parking at proposed library garage
lynn731, I will leave as soon as I can.
The city commission & city staff & manager of this town are out of control. They have absolutely no sense of priorities or the lack of funds. TAX, TAX, FEE, FEE, FEE to raise revenue.
The absolute ineptness of city hall is amazing. Do you realize this city has not attracted a single new employer of any size in the last 10 years. They had to bend over backwards to keep the few we have.
Wait until the public finds out the new Rec Center project is a financial give away to private interests at public expense. They will give away bonding capacity & cheap financing, give away free water to Rock Chalk Park Landscaping (not including the recreation center), they will pay for ALL maintenance & Parking lot replacement at Rock Chalk Park and the city will not own the parking spaces...KU will. You will love this, the city will pay $25million for a new recreation center on a NO BID basis and guess what...the city will not own one parking space. The big surprise is that none of these freebies are in the budget, so guess who pays?
OH yes, the public's usage will be on a fee basis based on membership.
The public best wake up and get involved, before this commission buries all of us in debt and obligations like the federal government.
December 11, 2012 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Conservatives are in the driver's seat in the Kansas Legislature; professors ask where they will take the state
Isn't not is liberal
November 29, 2012 at 8:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Conservatives are in the driver's seat in the Kansas Legislature; professors ask where they will take the state
Joe Alstrup is just whining because the whole country is liberal. Luckily Kansas is in Republicans hands.
Interesting fact in todays news. The best run state in the USA this year is North Dakota, it is Republican. The worst run state in the USA?...California, it is Democratic. So Joe be thankful that Kansas is in good hands
November 29, 2012 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Opinion: Ray Bechard needed big year, got it
Coach Bechard, good luck in the tournament.
November 26, 2012 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Fritzel offers to make $50,000 historic preservation donation to help resolve Varsity House dispute
Timing is very convenient on the very night he stands to gain much from the Rock Chalk Park & Recreation Center project negotiations being approved by the city commission. Funny thing about money. Dennis Brown is encouraged by the money donation...What about the original integrity of the building? I guess it doesn't make any difference, they won't see the building anyway with all of those dollar signs in front of their eyes.
November 13, 2012 at 11:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Town Talk: Cottin's Hardware undergoing major remodel; city set to start paying for retiree attraction efforts; land transfers, including liquor store, business park sales
BringBack Mark, you hit it this city has not had any real leadership or direction for decade.
That is desired by some folks who really control Lawrence. They want it to stay in the 50's or 60's.
November 6, 2012 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )