Wednesday, April 14, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 7
New Lawrence city commissioners Jim Henry, left, Mike Rundle, middle, and David Dunfield take their oath of office. The new commissioners were sworn in during a ceremony held at last night's city commission meeting. Photo by Graham K. Johnson /KANSAN
Commission swears in members, elects mayor
By Heather Woodward
woodward@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Former commissioners Bonnie Augustine, Bob Moody and John Nalbandian took the nameplates that have marked their places through countless meetings off the table last night. Former mayor Marty Kennedy then placed blank nameplates on the commission table in front of the newly elected commissioners.
Last night's Lawrence City Commission meeting was devoted to recognizing the achievements of the three commissioners who did not seek re-election and to initiating new commissioners David Dunfield, Jim Henry and Mike Rundle.
After taking an oath of office, the new commission elected Commissioner Erv Hodges as mayor and Henry as vice mayor.
Hodges listed many of the issues that will come before the new commission in future weeks. Hodges said that public transportation, a wastewater master plan, the capital improvement budget and a Louisiana Street traffic-calming study would be priorities.
"To the new commission, I want to say that we have a lot
of work to do," Hodges said at the meeting. "All I can ask them to do is study and be ready to work really hard, and we will do what is right for Lawrence."
Hodges set May 4 as the date for a goal-planning session for the new commission.
Still adjusting to the view from behind the commission table, Henry said he appreciated the opportunity to serve the community.
"The old commissioners have been wonderful role models," Henry said. "I want to do my very best to measure up to their wonderful work."
Before swapping seats with Hodges, Kennedy said he had enjoyed his one-year term as mayor.
"This has been an exciting year for Marty Kennedy representing the city," Kennedy said. "It was the chance of a lifetime. How many people get a chance to be the mayor or their favorite town?"
Augustine, Moody and Nalbandian, sitting at the front of the room for their final minutes, reflected on their time as commissioners.
"I want to, first off, thank my family," said Moody, who has been in office since 1993. "I couldn't have imagined the sacrifices they would have to make as I engaged in this midlife crisis."
Augustine, who took office in 1995, was visibly moved as she talked about how much she would miss working with city officials.
"When I made the decision months ago to not run for a second term, the consequences of that seemed so far away," Augustine said at the meeting. "I didn't realize how much I would miss everyone. You've all been such a constant in my life."
After stepping down, Nalbandian, who took office in 1991 and is a KU professor of public administration, said he was a little sad.
"It's closing a period of time," Nalbandian said. "I think about what I'm losing and how this has been a part of my life for eight years, and now it's over in one day."
City Manager Mike Wildgen presented the three commissioners with "Great Moments in Public Service" awards, which represented a pinnacle achievement during each of their terms.
"I want to show my appreciation for being able to work with such an excellent commission," Wildgen said. "I think we've gotten a lot done with this group, and I hope it's been a two-way street."
ROTC teacher investigated by U.S. Army
Edited by Keith Burner
By Jennifer Roush
jroush@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The U.S. Army is investigating an alleged improper relationship between an officer who was teaching KU Army ROTC classes and one of his students, a female cadet.
Steven Ferrell, a captain in the Kansas Army National Guard and adjunct instructor of military science at the University of Kansas for about one year, was transferred to National Guard headquarters in Topeka on Feb. 8 pending the investigation results.
In a statement released Thursday, Lt. Col. Anthony Gasbarre, commander of KU Army ROTC, said the investigation centered on U.S. Army and KU policies regarding faculty-student relationships.
He could not comment, however, about what offense Ferrell was accused of or how the complaint originated.
"While there is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further," Gasbarre said.
Gasbarre also could not comment about the female cadet.
A pamphlet published by the Office of the Provost says that consenting relationships between faculty and students at the University are not expressly forbidden. Such relationships, however, are strongly discouraged in cases where the faculty member holds power over the student.
Gasbarre said that U.S. Army policy prohibited personal relationships between ROTC students or cadets and their superior officers. This includes, but is not limited to, dating and romantic or sexual relationships, he said.
Lt. Col. Joy Moser, public affairs officer for the adjutant general, said Ferrell had been reassigned to a full-time administrative position in the National Guard's educational services office.
She also said that the military's reluctance to comment publicly on Ferrell's transfer was in the interest of fairness to all parties involved.
"When there's an investigation like this, generally we don't talk about it." Moser said. "We don't want to unfairly prejudice it either way. Our whole idea is that you are innocent until proven guilty in the United States of America."
Moser said that U.S. Army investigators were handling Ferrell's case and that the investigation was ongoing.
"This is a long process, and as soon as the investigation is complete, we'll be happy to release a statement," she said.
Edited by Allan Davis
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