To the editor:

Last Sunday’s edition allowing our City Commission candidates to articulate their views on good government was helpful and informative. The candidates have a great deal of high-fashion ideas about improving our town’s fortunes and governance.

As part of the discovery process, I encourage current and prospective commissioners to take a self-guided walking tour of the Lawrence Loop along the river. It is easily accessed at the Sandra Shaw Community Wellness Trail at Second and Maine and can be followed east on an interesting walk through to Burcham Park along the Kansas River and back to downtown. Even a casual visitor will find this walk provocative as to why residents might find an otherwise lovely river walk uncomfortable or distasteful.

The walk shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes — if uninterrupted by unhinged screaming, public bathing or unsettling mentally ill advances — and at the end, commissioners can take a few moments to reflect on their experience. Discussion topics might include whether we are meeting our basic obligations as public stewards to make Lawrence an attractive city for all residents and visitors, and what role the vast sums being appropriated for our wellness play in the expansion of the degradation of our community.

David Kipp,

Lawrence