University Daily Kansan, February 25, 1983 Pagr
City commission primary candidates
Mike Amyx
Mike Amyx, a barber at the Amyx Barber Shop, said the biggest issue facing Lawrence was the need to attract industry to provide jobs.
Lawrence needs an industrial park
"We should work hard to attract new industry," he said.
and a high-
technology research park to
provide jobs.
Two-thirds of
Lawrence High
School graduates
do not enter college;
four-thirds find jobs,
Anxix said. Many have
to look outside
Lawrence
New industry would expand the tax base, which would keep taxes from
re-election are now held by Mayor Marcel Francisco, Don Binns and Tom Glennson. University Daily Kansan walked with each of the 13 candidates;
Ernest Angino
Ernest Angina, chairman of the KU department of geology, said that friction between the City Commission and the city management and among the city commissioners themselves was a large problem.
Amyx also commented that there was a lot of conflict on the present classroom.
"I think you have to work in an atmosphere of
Angino said Lawrence needed a plan to maintain downtown and the city's successful redevelopment project was to be selective in
The cost to the city's taxpayers must be analyzed before any one proposal is made.
Amy, 3612 Redibud Lane, has lived in Lawrence all his life and has not held public office. He ran an unsuccessful office for the City Commission two years ago.
The city also needs a new industrial park, but it should be careful in what industries are sought for the park and where such a park is built, he said. Industrial growth is needed to maintain the tax base, he said.
He said that the recent downzoning of part of the East Lawrence neighborhood should have been done on a block-by-block basis.
The city also should work with KU because it is the biggest industry lawsuye
rising for the individual taxpayer, he said.
Amyx, 29, hopes to see development in the downtown area. He said that he could support some of the proposal presented by Sizerel Realty Co. Inc but would not want to see the East Lawrence neighborhood harmed.
Angino, 1215 W. 27th St., has lived in Lawrence for 22 years and has not held public office. He has, however, lost two bids for a City Commission seat.
He said the University was a vast resource and could aid the city with the expertise many faculty members could provide.
Also, zoning questions, when they come up, should be analyzed in smaller parcels than the recent downzoning of a lot, said, which affected more than 500 lots.
Don Binns
"I think it's clear that some people don't feel comfortable making decisions." he said.
Angino, 51, said that he had held decision-making positions before and that he was used to collecting and evaluating information, experience that would be an asset if elected to the commission.
Don Binnis, the only incumbent seeking re-election in the primary, said the biggest issues facing Lawrence were his party's loss to a Republican commission that could work together.
HE SAID HE favored attracting high-technology industry, but the chances of it coming to Lawrence were slim because of the great competition
Bimns, 65, said that he supported down town redevelopment and that it was necessary to keep area properous. area prosperous. He said that if a downtown plan were not approved, a shopping mall in an outing area of Lawrence might be built.
"I would like to see a city commission that operates as a unit rather than by individual district."
Of that possibility, he said, "I shudder to think what would happen to Lawrence."
Binns, 1402 E. Glenm Drive, is a teacher in the Lawrence High School
Extension Program. He has lived in Lawrence for 27 years and has served on the commission for the past eight years.
BINNS SAID that his experience on the commission and his 24 years of teaching government would be assets if re-elected. A city government that is fair to all people also is important, he said.
Binns said that Lawrence needed an industrial park to be able to attract interest.
The city is coming out on the short end of the stick with the University of Kansas, Binsn's said. He said that the city provided services for the University did not receive payment for some of them because KU was on state property.
The recent downzoning in East Lawrence was a grave step he has taken to keep the zone zoneless.
"Anytime you have a massive downzoning you're going to trample on you."
Don Brownstein
Don Brownstein, KU associate professor of philosophy, said that Lawrence city commissioners were caught up in the problem and needed to provide stronger leadership.
"I can provide that leadership," he said.
Lawrence needs an industrial park, he said, to provide jobs suited to the Lawrence population and technology and research industry should be sought, he said.
Other issues facing the city
include delinquent special assessments, which he said must be collected. Also, he said the continued strength of Lawrence neighborhood groups was a neighborhood associations should be encouraged in the newer areas of town.
Brownstein
Brownstein, 39, said that he was
HE SAID THAT his philosophy teaching experience would help him in making decisions if elected to the commission. He has been involved in a number of issues over the years, including the nuclear freeze movement and the promotion of fair labor practices.
He has also spoken to both the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission and the City Commission that downtown redevelopment, he said.
He said that KU was one of the most important assets of the city and could act as a magnet to draw industry to KU, so he would make use of KU's expertise, he said.
pleased with the decisions made so far about downtown redevelopment. Any downtown redevelopment plan, he said, should be put to a public vote.
Brownstein, 1001 Rhode Island ST,
has lived in Lawrence since 1969 and
began his schooling.
Larrv Cole
Larry Cole, who works for oil and gas companies, said that KU was a tremendous resource for Lawrence and that it provides a good base for the University.
"We're foolish not to put it to use," he said.
Cole, 38, said that he supported downtown redevelopment, but that it needed much planning. The project also
"Both need each other to survive," he said.
He said that he liked the present downtown, and that Sizeler Real Co. Inc., the city's chosen developer, was working in the right direction. The redevelopment plans presented so far, however, have not been adequate, he said.
should be put to a vote of the people, he said.
Lawrence in 1974. He has not held public office.
AN INDUSTRIAL park should grow gradually, he said, and not all at once, as was planned for a 275-cubic site north of Lawrence that was rejected earlier
Lawrence needs an industrial park to increase its tax base to allow the city to maintain the present level of services, he said.
He said that his law degree and his work in administration among oil companies and state and city governments would be an asset to the commission.
Cole, 934 W 21st St, received his undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh.
He said that he thought the City Commission could
Colr
be more productive, but that most commissioners were working to the best of their ability. He said that he differed in how he commended him on how the commission should be run
Corbet Collins
Corbet Collins, owner of Henry's Restaurant, said the Lawrence City Commission had lost a lot of respect during the last few years.
Collins, 48, said that five years of military service and his ability to deal with people would be assets if elected to the commission.
"I would try to bring harmony and respect back to the commission,"
The most important issue facing Lawrence, he said, is to find jobs for its young people.
HE SAID THAT although Lawrence needed an industrial park, he did not support the site north of Lawrence that had been occupied by the County Commission refused to allow
C. Collins
the city to annex that area earlier this month. Lawrence must grow, but the city has not.
"Lawrence has been good to me and I want to repay the debt," he said.
Collins, 818 Crawford St., has lived in Lawrence since 1961 and has not held学位.
Milton Collins
HE SAID THAT he was against downzoning and did not support the downzoning of more than 500 lots in New York. He would let the people decide the issue.
He said he would strive to bring industry to Lawrence.
Milton Collins, owner of Uncle Milly's Cafe and the Club of the 4 Winds, said that he supported growth for Lawrence, whose son is a businessman who was unique and should be preserved.
He said he would support a downtown redevelopment project if the city could afford it.
He said that in the past he thought there had been some anti-University feeling in the city, but said that KU and UCLA would work together for the benefit of both.
A downtown mall would destroy a part of downtown, he said, and the streets are not big enough to handle the increased traffic.
"I'll always be in favor of growth as long as it is affordable," he said.
"I do not support spending tax dollars for a downtown mall," he said. "We don't need a mall for growth."
Collins, 57, said a large problem facing Lawrence was a lack of growth. Lawrence must attract both high-technology and traditional industry, he said.
"I like downtown Lawrence M. Collins the way it is," he said.
Collins, 502 N. Second St., has lived in Lawrence for 12 years and has not patented anything.
Lawrence needs an industrial park, he said, and the sooner Lawrence be completed the better.
The city should work with KU and the
He said that he would bring "common horse sense" to the commission and would listen to each side of an issue before making up his mind.
"I can make up my mind and stick with my decision." Collins said.
The present commission is wishy-washy, he said.
Chamber of Commerce to bring high tech industry to Lawrence, he said.
He did not support the City Commission's decision to downsize more than 500 lots in East Lawrence, he said, because it affected too large an area. The downsizing means that structures as apartment houses cannot be built.
He wants to maintain the tax rate or lower it if possible, he said. The city budget had fat in it that could be eliminated, he said.
Phillip Endacott
"They can't get the job done," he said. "As individuals they are all
HE SAID THAT the downtown area was a vital part of Lawrence and that the city should lend every assistance possible, with the exception of city financing, to help developers improve the downtown.
Endacott said his 23 years of business experience, including both work in private business and for the University, were especially valuable.
intelligent and hard working, but they are unable to work together. The negative attitude developed has affected the ability of the commission, city staff and planning commission to get things done."
It's important to have a good understanding of both the public and private sector.
He said decreasing state and federal aid to cities such as Lawrence was a particular problem. More plans should be made to finance those programs that have been paid for with state or federal money.
Endacott, 48, supports the development of a new industrial park in Lawrence. The city should be involved in training, he said, but not in financing.
Endacott said the University of Kansas was a prime mover in the growth of Lawrence. But the growth of the University has leveled off and the city needs to concentrate on development in other areas, he said.
Endacott, 602 Country Club Terrace,
was born in Lawrence and has lived
here most of his life. He has never held
elected office.
Robert Isaacson
Robert Isaacson, the only KU student running for the City Commission, said the most important issues facing Lawrence were continued growth and the ability to attract appropriate industry.
Isaacson, 833 Tennessee St.. is enrolled in the School of Education. He also is the president of the KU Solar Energy Club.
The University
"We need to attract appropriate new
we can increase the tax base," he said.
of Kansas is a vant pool of expertise that should be consulted in city space planning.
Isaacson is the only candidate who has said Buford Watson should be removed from his position as city manager.
Isaacson
"Thirteen years is long enough," he said. "It's time for a change. It's healthy for city government to have leaders who can prevent entrenched bureaucracy."
ISAACSON SAID that although he favored a strong downtown, he was hesitant to support downtown redevelopment.
"We must keep the center of the city viable, but I don't think we should shoulder that responsibility."
private interests want to build there, that's fine."
Isaacson, 29, a Salina senior, has lived in Lawrence for five years and has not previously held public office.
He opposes any plans for an industrial park that would be built on prime agricultural land, he said. One site north of Lawrence that has been
considered for an industrial bark should not be used because it is in a
The present 5 percent natural gas franchise tax should be reduced, he said, or some of the money it raises be used to build a recycling plant.
David Longhurst
"We have to maintain what is already an excellent place to live," he
The main problems facing Lawrence are growth, the downtown area and taxes, said David Longhurst, owner of the House of Usher printing firm.
Longhurst
Longhurst said that his business experience and a strong feeling for the community support him in the commission.
The present downtown made Lawrence special, he said. And the city should plan redevelopment to enhance the present downtown and retain its good points.
THE CITY also needs new industry now to expand the tax base so that city
Longhurst, 39, said Lawrence had many favorable attributes to attract new industry. The city needs to provide for orderly, controlled growth, he said.
"We need to make people feel good about what they do," he said. "I care very much about the city and the people. I worry about what the commission is doing."
Barbara Maxwell, 2505 Yale Road, said that steady growth should be the city's main concern.
The downzoning of part of East Lawrence was poorly handled by city government, but was good from a neighborhood standpoint, he said. Problems with the downzoning, which restricts building to single-family residences, can be handled on a block-by-block basis, he said.
Barbara Maxwell
Longhurst said the two things that made Lawrence special were the downwind and the University of Kansas. He said KU was an enormous asset to the city, but also to the city and made the city more attractive to high-technology development.
He wants to create an atmosphere of trust and honesty, he said.
services can be kept affordable. Lower amounts of state and federal financing coming into the city will make that difficult, he said.
"Providing regular growth will provide more job opportunities and increase the tax base, thereby lowering taxes," she said.
Longhurst, 219 Park Ave. has lived in Lawrence 16 years and has not held a job.
Maxwell
She supports efforts to build a new industrial park to provide that growth, she said.
The city, the Chamber of Commerce and Douglas County officials should work together to find a suitable location, she said.
Also, the city and the University should work together in efforts to develop high-technology research programs, she said.
She supports downtown redevel
The possible actions to take regarding downtown redevelopment should be based on the following considerations:
MAXWELL, 59, has a law degree from the University of Kansas. She said her work as a guidance counselor at a school in School had made her a good listener.
Maxwell has lived in Lawrence for 34 years and has not previously held
"If it is necessary to keep dollar circulating by adding stores, we should increase the amount of money."
opment, she said, but she has no favorite among the schemes that have been presented so far by the city's downtown developer.
She will research the issues before she commission, she said, and she will be ready to take action.
She said she did not approve of the downsizing of about 500 lots in Ealh Lawrence, which changed the zoning to new commercial and industrial to single-family.
Florence Tyrone, an electronics technician at King Radio, said social issues, such as providing short-term shelter for homeless people, are the most important issues facing Lawrence.
Tylor considers herself a representative of blue-collar people because she works in the food industry.
Florence Tyler
city commission has no blue-collar representation," she said, "and workers feel they are not taken seriously by the commission. I want to make myself available to listen to their problems."
Tyler
She said the downtown area should be retained. Redevelopment of downtown should use local financing and local builders
THE PUBLIC should be provided
Bonita Yoder
The commission's decision to dow-
zone part of East Lawrence to a
single-family rating was unsatisfactory and unworkable, she said.
Tylor, 47, has a master's degree in social work and administration and is the Chairman of City Road. She has lived in Lawrence for 10 years and has not held public office.
Tyler said the University of Kansas could provide the city with expertise in specialized fields and with potential labor. The University could also provide training and resources that the city should take greater advantage of.
Bonita Yoder, a Lawrence attorney, said she thought the main problems in the city were public safety and the human service organizations.
"I have a good foundation of exp in serving the community because I bring both legal and administrative knowledge to commission," she said.
Social services must be provided as efficiently as possible to ensure the health of our citizens.
YODER SAID she would like to see the city establish criteria for busi-ness.
with more information on redevelopment and other issues so that it will be possible to deliver the service.
Yoder
She suggested that smaller tracts of land be considered for an industrial park. Recent industrial park proposals have involved several hundred acres.
She was disappointed, she said, in what she saw
Tyler supports a new industrial park but said the city should set standards governing what industry should be in the park.
as a lack of variety in plans that Sizeerel Realty Co. Inc. has presented for downtown redevelopment. She advocated that a public opinion poll on the proposed downtown redevelopment project be taken.
rence, including job opportunities, pollution and other local concerns.
The city should work with the University, she said, to attract hightechnology industry as quickly as possible.
The public should look beyond the candidates' stands on the four or five current issues and instead look at their overall ability, she said.
"There will be hundreds of issues in the next few years," she said, "and we need to elect someone who will be able to look at the merit of each proposal."
She said she favored the move to downzone part of East Lawrence, which would prohibit the building of apartment houses, because it was in line with contemporary needs of the community. Problems caused by the downzoning can be dealt with on a block-by-block basis, she said.
Yoder earned both a master's degree in public administration and a law degree from KU. She has worked as a Kansas governor's fellow and as a
Yoder, 27, now lives at 746 Missouri
Sheriff. She has lived in the city for seven
years and is a proud native of New York.