LJWorld.com weblogs Town Talk
Posted
by Chad Lawhorn
December 17, 2008 at midnight
Top five City Hall stories of 2008
We're counting down the top five stories on various topics today as part of an annual recap of the top stories of the year we'll do later this month. Join the conversation by letting us know what we missed or what stories you think are important by posting a comment, below.Honorable Mentions
- City delays $88 million sewer plant project as population growth continues to be stagnant.
- Wal-Mart begins construction on second Lawrence store.
- Oread Inn hotel project wins approval, begins construction
- Deciphera Pharmaceuticals nixes East Hills expansion plan; wins multi-million dollar deal with Eli Lilly.
The Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival ended its five year run in Lawrence by announcing next year’s event would be in Arkansas. The parting came after festival leaders and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks disagreed over several financial issues related to holding the event at Clinton State Park. 4. Last Call closes
The controversial downtown nightclub Last Call closed its doors for good in February after a shooting at the club left three people injured. 3. Industrial development battles
In what they say is a critical search for new industrial land, city commissioners approved a controversial proposal for a new business park along the Farmers Turnpike, and agreed to submit a new bid for the vacant Farmland Industries fertilizer plant. But commissioners balked at a proposal to convert property near the Lawrence Municipal Airport into an industrial park, after neighbors objected strongly. 2. Home industry tumbles
The home construction industry — generally considered the second largest employer in the city — suffered through its worst year in recent memory. Home values also began to fall citywide for the first time in memory. 1. Sales taxes roll to victory
Voters in November overwhelmingly approved a trio of citywide sales taxes — two to keep the city’s public transit system operating, and one to fund a variety of street and other infrastructure projects.
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- Blog: Iranian Nuclear Energy: Will It Destroy Lives Or Save Them? May 29, 2012 · 6 comments
- National group seeks repeal of 'Stand Your Ground' law in Kansas May 27, 2012 · 165 comments
- U.S. military sees new appreciation May 28, 2012 · 47 comments
- State shuts down roll-your-own cigarette machines March 24, 2012 · 36 comments
- Kansas tax act most regressive in nation May 27, 2012 · 277 comments
- On the street: How did you spend your Memorial Day? May 28, 2012 · 37 comments
- District Attorney Charles Branson to run for third term May 29, 2012 · 13 comments
- Tax gamble May 26, 2012 · 94 comments
- God, marriage May 25, 2012 · 200 comments
- Sound Off: How much does the city’s transit system collect in fares compared with how much it costs May 27, 2012 · 136 comments
- Kansas tax act most regressive in nation May 27, 2012
- Thread of pain ran through Jackson’s career June 28, 2009
- Friends mourn Lynn Bretz, former voice of KU May 28, 2012
- Hilltop executive director Pat Pisani stepping down May 28, 2012
- Town Talk: UPDATE: Frank Male files for county commission; keep an ear open for local sales tax talk; city hires new city engineer; wholesale water district buys land near Kaw; weekly land transfers May 29, 2012
- How to help: Guides needed for Lamplight Tour of Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park May 27, 2012
- Library kicks off reading program May 27, 2012
- City, county mull upgrade to emergency radio system May 28, 2012
- Experts: Remedial college classes need fixing May 28, 2012
- Book helps family heal after tragedy May 28, 2012
Comments
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foodboy (anonymous) says…
Commission resists pressure to violate free speech by rejecting new panhandling ordinance. Current ordinance just needs to be enforced
akuna (anonymous) says…
The Wakarusa Festival leaving Lawrence and DGCO, really chaps my hide. Enough so that I want the people responsible for not working with the WF management to be fired, not re-elected, or at least have some very bad karma. Lawrence, a once progressive city that is turning into corporate and Republican squaresville.
smitty (anonymous) says…
This ever missing story on what Mike Amyx described as a personnel issue handled by the city manager's office when asked publically about the on gong investigation into the LPD, Olin, and his staff by an outside higher legal authority. Olin, McAtee were/are under investigation. Olin is no longer vailable for public comment and McAtee went to rehab in lieu of any criminal charges for the drug thefts from Red Bud dealers and the evidence room. But there is a formal complaint or two against the LPD's actions on an open federal case so the data is most likely sealed by the feds until the local people are tried. That doesn't excuse the abuse of power and corruption they are consealing though. If you were an addicted druggie criminal you would be prosecuted with maybe some leniency given for an early attempt at rehab but you sure wouldn't of had it handled as a personnel problem by the city's various levels of authority,This corruption is #1 this year and every year that Olin has been chief and the city commission bows and scraps to hide the facts of their corruption.