City commission candidates give views on economic development issues, downtown redevelopment

Improved the City/County image with site selectors.

March 17, 2013 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City commission candidates give views on economic development issues, downtown redevelopment

You and Leslie are hypocritical to support cash and public incentives given to the Poehler building but not to other businesses making investments in the community. Why shouldn't that project meet your test of being able to make it on its own?

You also need to update your letter from McClure. Vacancy rates across all sectors is low. Downtown is more vibrant than ever. City is generating strong sales tax revenue. Chamber has a new leader who is a 20 year Economic Development professional, who has led the charge for technical training, improved the City/County's image with tie selectors, and understands the importance of attracting primary jobs (local jobs where most of the revenue of he business is generated outside of the local community ). Be a little more objective and meet with the new Chamber CEO before passing judgment.

March 17, 2013 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Curbside recycling deal in the works

You do know that Hamn is owned by Summitt Capital, and thus, the profits will be exported. I am a fan of Hamm and their operations, which are impressive, but support te decision for reasons other than dollars staying local. Hamm as employees that live in Jefferson County, Shawnee County, and Leavenworth, as well as Douglas.

March 3, 2013 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Curbside recycling deal in the works

No. There are plenty of competing firms offering services for handling solid waste. The same does not exist for water treatment. The City should handle infrastructure, safety (police, fire, water, etc...), and enforce regulations. They should not doe out money to social services (they choose winners and losers based on Commissioner preferences), or those services that can be handled more efficiently by the private sector.

March 3, 2013 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Curbside recycling deal in the works

+1 The focus continues to be on the salaries of the City employees, and the impact on the local economy. What about the impact of increasing the disposable income on the 24,000 households in Lawrence? Why is it Deffenbaugh can pick up my one bin of recyclables every week for $17/quarter, but the City charges me roughly $20/month o pick up on bin of trash? The savings of $120/year multiplied by the number of households would be nearly $3MM in additional income that could be spent in the local economy. This combined with the windfall from selling the solid waste business would be a huge economic benefit for the City.

March 3, 2013 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Curbside recycling committee recommending city sign contract with Hamm Companies for local recycling center; question of whether to accept glass still undecided

What about the impact of the local customer having more disposable income to spend in Lawrence? This is about allowing competition to lower prices to benefit the broader economy. The City should not be in the solid waste business unless they can do it as efficiently as the competition.

March 1, 2013 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City Commission primary: Amyx, Farmer, Riordan, Chestnut, Criqui, Soden qualify for April election

Careful, the momentum for career and technical training center began as a Chmber of Commerce idea.

February 27, 2013 at 10:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Taking stock of Tuesday's City Commission election and wondering how school bond and recreation center issues will affect the general election

+1.

February 27, 2013 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Economic development board questions whether new vo-tech campus ought to be located on former Farmland Industries site

This is a community asset in which there are other partners besides the school district. Why wouldn't we want a discussion of identifying the a location that provides greater visibility, is economically feasible, and may kick start another community asset in Farmland (whether you are fan of the City owning Farmland or not is irrelevant as the decision has been made, now the decision is how do we optimize its value).

February 2, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Downtown retail vacancy rate drops in 2012 as new projects begin

I thought we were way overbuilt on retail.

January 17, 2013 at 8:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )