LJWorld.com weblogs Town Talk
Posted
by Chad Lawhorn
December 17, 2008 at midnight
Top five City Hall stories of 2008
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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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- Club Magic manager says he's trying to turn around a new business at an old, and troubled, location May 25, 2013 · 72 comments
- Former area Boy Scouts react to decision allowing gay scouts May 24, 2013 · 59 comments
- Veritas graduation celebrates faith, family May 25, 2013 · 5 comments
- Wichita might fine residents over use of water May 24, 2013 · 21 comments
- On the street: Should residents or businesses who use too much water be fined? May 24, 2013 · 29 comments
- Opinion: Discrimination more than just poor service May 25, 2013 · 19 comments
- Opinion: Why gay role models matter May 23, 2013 · 49 comments
- Police department's case for a new facility not likely to show on next year's budget, officials say May 25, 2013 · 11 comments
- Senate Republicans approve sales tax increase, cuts in income tax rates, lower food sales tax May 23, 2013 · 61 comments
- Simons' Saturday Column: KU’s legislative lobbying effort lacks clout, continuity May 25, 2013 · 17 comments
- Lawrence pastor seeks to reconnect youth to NAACP May 25, 2013
- Simons' Saturday Column: KU’s legislative lobbying effort lacks clout, continuity May 25, 2013
- Wichita might fine residents over use of water May 24, 2013
- Bill Self: Security tricky subject May 25, 2013
- Opinion: New Orleans has inspiring rebirth May 5, 2013
- Graduation and 'stepping up' an all-school event at Bishop Seabury May 24, 2013
- French family cares for the graves of Americans killed on D-Day May 30, 2011
- Free State girls clinch 6A state track title May 25, 2013
- Kobler to lead shift toward 'technology-rich' classrooms May 23, 2013
- Opinion: NYC has seen enough of Anthony Weiner May 25, 2013
Comments
foodboy 4 years, 5 months ago
Commission resists pressure to violate free speech by rejecting new panhandling ordinance. Current ordinance just needs to be enforced
akuna 4 years, 5 months ago
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 4 years, 4 months ago
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.
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