To the editor:

I’m opposed to Resolution 7442’s proposal to directly elect a mayor for four-years and change city commissioner elections from at-large to geographic districts.

Now retired, my opposition is based on 28-years experience as a planner for Johnson County and 8 years as planner for Lawrence, where I’ve lived since 1980.

In 2001, Johnson County voters replaced its process of electing county commissioners who, like Lawrence now, annually rotated the chairmanship. Johnson County’s form of government is now similar to proposed Resolution 7442. The chairman is now essentially in charge of the commission – controlling the agenda, meetings, information flow, committee appointments, with more exclusive county manager contact – effectively diluting the influence of the other commissioner whose previous collegiality and collaboration diminished.

Do we really want to transfer our city commission’s power to one person?

Creating districts invariably results in competition for parochial influence, benefits, etc. District commissioners routinely focus on their constituent’s interests versus the community-at-large. “Horse trading” votes is common – you vote for my constituent’s request and I’ll vote for yours next time. Related, how will district boundaries be established, by whom, etc. isn’t even part of the ballot question?

Lawrence’s 50+ years form of government is particularly well-suited to our history, population, and open/fair governance. Voters are equally represented through open at-large nonpartisan elections of all commissioners – elected to be impartial instead of parochial – no commissioner having more power for more than a year as mayor. “Why fix what ain’t broke, indeed?”

Dean Palos,

Lawrence