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University Daily Kansan, March 31, 1983
Knowledge and experience valued East Lawrence a priority for Binns
By NED STAFFORD Staff Reporter
Editor's note: In Tuesday's city election, voters will select from a field of six candidates to fill three open seats on the Lawrence City Commission. Two of the candidates, Don Bims and David Kochman, will appear in a series of six candidate profiles.
Don Binsn said he thought his fourth-place finish in the City Commission primary election was the result of an abusive contact with the present commission.
He said, however, that during the two years he had been the only one to win.
"There is no question that I've been on the outside looking in during the last two years," Binns said. "I have probably been more critical of the present City Commission than anyone else."
"IT'S A PRETTY well-established fact that there is a trio down there and that when they want something they are going to get it, over the wishes and advice of the staff, planning commission and everybody else."
Binns has served on the commission for eight years, one of those years as
"I think my knowledge and experience can be of real value," he said. "I work with the Commission and enjoy being what I consider a vital part of the community."
Binns, a teacher in the extension
program for Lawrence School District 497, moved to Lawrence in 1956 after retiring from 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy. He lives at 1402 E. Glenn Drive with his wife, Eunice. They have two grown children.
Binns
BINNS SAID
ONE OF THE first
things he would
do if re-elected
would be to try to
rescind the decision by the
commission earlier
this year to downzone more than 500 jobs in a range of industries.
cial, industrial and multi-family ratings to a single-family rating.
"I think it was a reaf travesty of justice," he said.
Binns and Commissioner Barkley Clark against the downzoning.
Bimbs said that he could support downzoning in East Lawrence only if it were done a block at a time and be done by property owners on a board agreed to it.
On the issue of downtown redevelopment, Binns said that a plan proposed by Sizerel Realty Co. Inc., Kenner, La., was the best solution he had seen yet, but that it still did not satisfy him.
expand downtown it would be difficult to keep a developer from building a suburban mail.
HE SAID, HOWEVER, that studies had shown a need for retail expansion in Lawrence, and that if the city did not
Some people have criticized the plan proposed by Sizeler, which would require the demolition of some downtown buildings. Bimsa said that some buildings had to be demolished to get the space to build.
The cost to the city, though, would be the determining factor of any plan, and the voters would have to approve that plan, he said.
Bimbs also said part of the cost of building an industrial park in Lawrence should be paid for by the city because it required $10 million, added jobs and an expanded tax base.
"I see no reason in the world. why they should not share in the cost of an industrial park."
HE SAID HE DISAGREED with the Douglas County Commission's refusal earlier this year to allow development of an industrial park north of Lawrence.
The County Commission cited the site's location on a flood plain, along with traffic safety and drainage problems as reasons for voting against allowing the city to annex the land.
Another issue for Bins in the campaign has been that the more than $100,000 spent for the administration of the city's community development department was enough, and that the funds should be spent on improvements in the neighborhoods.
Longhurst's goal is to respond to feelings, problems of city
By JOHN HOOGESTEGER
Staff Reporter
David Longhurst, Lawrence City Commission candidate, says that he, too, has been evaluating the candidates in the April 5 general election.
"I have to vote, too," Longhurst said. "I'm looking-at how candidates say they are going to try to solve problems. We have to solve problems in a way that will benefit the whole community and its feelings.
"We need candidates who will remain responsive to the sentiments of the people after the election. I think all of them should have done it already, else some so they won't annoy anyone."
"What we have right now is certainly not the final proposal," he said. "Beyond the question of how much it will cost is the question of who will pay the cost. There are also many other problems that must be specifically purchase of the land, the parking problem, maintenance and installation of utilities.
Longhurst is not entirely happy with the current downtown redevelopment plan, known as Scheme 4, which the City Commission recently accepted.
LONGHURST, LIKE THE other candidates, has said that two big concerns are controlled growth and increased job opportunities in the city.
needs to be consistent and blend with the present downtown format. I don't want stores to turn their backs on the stores in the downtown, rest of the downtown," Longhurst said.
I also have a fundamental difficulty with this particular plan. The project
"THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND a mall is to get the people in and keep them there. This philosophy is in conflict with the idea of downtown integration and some type of compromise will need to be worked out." Lonchurst said.
"I don't want to poison the plan with this statement. If we wait and see, we'll have a better grasp of what the project will look like. We need to suit ourselves not to push. We have to get something we can
Regarding selection of a site for an industrial park, Longhurst said that the logical place was somewhere north of the airport and tied into main transportation lines.
"Once you choose a site, all the city has to do is be receptive," he said. "People in the community will undertake the actual building projects."
be happy with and the community will support."
ON OTHER CAMPAIGN issues,
Longhurst said that quarterly evaluation of the city manager was a bad move.
"It's absurd," he said. "Either you trust the man or you get rid of him. You have to put the question right back to him." The police were being evaluated that much."
Longhurst, 39, owns the House of Usher printing service, 838 Massachusetts St. He started the printing firm 16 years ago as a one-man business in the basement of his parent's home after returning from service in Vietnam with the Marine Corps. Today he has 22 employees and two business locations.
"I enjoy my work," he said, "I really get a thrill out of it. I don't mind hard work. I feel good about what I'm trying to accomplish."
LONGHURST ACKNOWLEDGED that the University of Kansas was isolated from the rest of the city, but it also had many students would still see a need to vote.
“There is a significant difference between a student, who spends most of his time on campus, and a permanent resident. There is some common ground — both downown and sporting classes — but there will always be a difference,” he said.
"I don't know that there's a whole lot the City Commission can do to tighten the bond except try to respond to the school's needs."
Longhurst lives at 219 Park St. with his 13-year-old son.
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