To the editor:

On April 3, voters must choose three city commissioners in an election which is the most critical in recent Lawrence history. It will determine whether we continue the steady progress toward the livable city which we all want or lose the gains of years of effort by many people. In the last four years, your City Commission has worked hard to establish these policies to help Lawrence grow in a positive way and at a healthy pace:

¢ Market impact studies showing what businesses would be lost to a new retail development;

¢ Traffic impact studies done by a city-approved consultant, not hired by a developer;

¢ Living wage agreements for businesses that get tax breaks;

¢ Impact fees paid by developers to reduce your taxes for new infrastructure;

¢ Pesticide-free parks for your kids to play in;

¢ Residential protections in the new development code;

¢ Neighborhood notification about new development in or along neighborhoods;

¢ A nuisance house ordinance and a noise ordinance which protects neighbors;

¢ Rental registration in single family-zoned neighborhoods to protect housing stock

¢ Affordable housing and homeless help;

¢ Recognition of gay rights and domestic partnerships;

¢ Smoking ban;

And most important of all, encouragement of citizen input in all areas of city government, a voice at City Hall.

If any or all of these considerations are important to you, then do not let them be lost. Our future Lawrence quality of life just may be riding on your vote!

Jeanne Ellermeier, Lawrence