Monday, February 8, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 3
Homeless Lawrence man running for city office
By Heather Woodward Kansan staff writer
Paul Bryant stands in front of City Hall. Bryant, who is homeless, is running for a Lawrence City Commission seat in the upcoming election. Photo by Graham K. Johnson/KANSAN
Paul Bryant decided to run for a seat on the Lawrence City Commission as he slept on the floor of an apartment that did not have heat or water. Bryant, a homeless, former KU graduate student, filed as a candidate Jan. 25. He has been campaigning via his Internet site, http://members.tripod.com/Paul4 Lawrence.
"It's a roof over your head," Bryant said, who lists his permanent address as 1100 Massachusetts St, the Douglas County Courthouse. "It keeps you alive. But seeing what's happened to a lot of people really triggered my desire to run for City Commission."
Bryant received a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science in 1992 from Grand Valley State University in Traverse City, Mich. He then moved to Lawrence and began working on his masters degree in planetarium sciences at the University of Kansas. Bryant said the planetarium sciences degree was eventually dissolved in 1995, leaving him with about $48,000 in student loans that he could not afford to pay.
A self-proclaimed "practical idealist," Bryant said he felt strongly that the needs and problems of the homeless were not heard by Lawrence city government.
"The main reason I'm qualified is because I've seen all of Lawrence, especially the homeless," Bryant said. "I've had people tell me to just live under the bridge. That's unacceptable. The homeless are the ones who need protection and the functions of government."
Jean Ann Pike, coordinator for the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutritional Kitchen, 9th and Vermont streets, sees Bryant weekly when he eats L.I.N.K.-sponsored meals.
"I think what he hopes to accomplish is reasonable," Pike said. "I feel that Lawrence has a very diverse group of people that we try to embrace. Paul is willing to represent a certain segment of our
people, and I think it would be good to have the lower-income population represented at the city level."
There are nine people running for three commission seats. The pool will be narrowed to six at the March 2 primary before the general election April 6. Bryant said he has been impressed by the other candidates. But whether Lawrence residents are ready to elect a commissioner who does not have a home remains to be seen.
"Anyone who runs for political office is going to be inexperienced the first time they run." Bryant said. "I think I'm intelligent and rational and educated. Realistically, the odds of me winning at face value are slim. I have no name recognition and no money. My budget for the entire campaign is $60. I hope that students will get involved and register to vote."
Bryant passes out business cards with his campaign slogan, "Because Lawrence is Our Home," and five issues he is concerned about, primarily the South Lawrence Trafficway debate.
Bryant's Web page contains biographical information, his stance on issues and photos of him work.
PAUL BRYANT'S GOALS
Resolve the South Lawrence Trafficway debate without disturbing the Haskell/Baker landlocks
the Hobart/Sydney terminal
Establish a fixed-route transportation system
- Establish a full-time, full-service homeless shelter and deal honestly with the problem of poverty
- Create initiatives for youth, seniors and minorities to help themselves, one another and the community.
Maintain and strengthen community infrastructure, including locally owned business
ing on his book "Credit Card and the American Debtor's Prison," which he plans to self-publish this year. Bryant keeps his computer in a storage unit and takes it out when he needs it.
On the Web site, Bryant invites questions and comments through his e-mail account: Paul4Lawrence@usa.net.
Bryant works part time at BASIC Cleaners, 4143 Pondera Dr., and is a regular columnist and photographer for the Kaw Valley Independent.
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