Sound Off: Genesis Health Club

In the end LAC ownership was not going to survive. Genesis rates that I saw at renewal were about the same, and at least they now have a computer system. The club needed some stability. My guess is that they will likely consolidate into the LAC building and vacate the Iowa location when the lease expires.

December 27, 2012 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Letter: Fair share

Liberal or conservative, the landscape is unpredictable. The lack of clarity regarding tax structure keeps investment on the sidelines. If a deal is to be made, make it long-term to create stability. That will help the economy.

December 24, 2012 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Letter: Patrol problem

For traffic control devices, you need to present the issue to the traffic safety commission. They are appointed to review these type of issues. Go the the City of Lawrence website and contact the appropriate city staff.

For speeding, you can contact traffic control with the LPD and they will respond by observing the street. However, compliance is 9/10ths of the law. If people do not observe what is posted, it is hard to force them to be more respectful of the neighborhood.

November 16, 2012 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Editorial: Tasty or hasty?

I agree with the assessment that the 1994 sales tax should be revisited. That was almost 20 years ago with a number of issues that needed to be addressed at the time. The most recent sales tax for transit and infrastructure does have a 10 year sunset provision.

I also believe that the community has support and opposition to the proposed Rec Center. In the end, the commissioners must determine if they really believe that the probability of the net cost to operate the project can be funded by resources already earmarked. My concern is that we will be looking to take away from other services in the future due to an unforseen net cost.

November 13, 2012 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Editorial: Tasty or hasty?

All the stakeholders in this project are above board, but they are representing their perspective organizations. The City must do the same. If the long-term financial commitments are not fairly distributed between the parties, then the City Commission must be willing to walk away at least for the time being to get a more balanced arrangement. This project has taken on a life of its own. It needs leadership to make it fair for the taxpayer.

November 13, 2012 at 6:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Letter: Pension fairness

State pension plans were designed at a time that the age of the working population was much younger. The design is no longer sustainable. Retirement formulas were also set forth when life expectancy was shorter. We live longer, and more of the population will be retiring in the next two decades than ever in this country. Facts are stubborn, and it is important to address them while being fair to public servants.

October 15, 2012 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Letter: Vote on the issues

Our current political environment is toxic on both sides of the aisle. Both are supported by media outlets that feed the stereotypes each party perpetrates about the other side. We have lost leaders like Bob Dole who recognized that negotiation and compromise are part of a process that is best for the nation. More volatile public meetings are simply a symptom of a larger issue.

October 15, 2012 at 7:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Politics threaten moderate Praeger

This debate demonstrates why we will not continue to have talented people like Sandy Praeger in statewide elected office. The position should be apolitical, and it has become a battleground for arguments about ideology versus serving the people of Kansas effectively.

She nor Governor Brownback have influence over the decisions in Washington. Regardless of the result in November, the ACA will not be reversed without 60 senators who are willing to vote for repeal. There is no scenario that anticipates this type of result.

The federal mandate will happen whether conservative states like it or not. Doesn't it make sense to be prepared for the sake of Kansans? Good government makes pragmatic decisions best for their consituents regardless of the political environment.

October 8, 2012 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Editorial: On Main Street

The process of eliminating programs will continue as we move into 2013. This is a reality given the revenue gap that will hit the state with the new tax bill. I am not able to speak to the effectiveness of the Kansas Main Street program, but it is clearly a lower priority than funding K-12 education. Let's hope that the budget can be reshaped in order to fund the highest priorities at a reasonable level.

October 3, 2012 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Letter: Out of balance

Some of the concerns expressed are valid. They can be cured with one word - Vote. Primary elections still have very small turnouts that can be influenced heavily by targeted spending.

October 2, 2012 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )