THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2006
NEWS
》LAWRENCE
3A
New city manager appointed by commission
After serving as an interim since early March, local David Corliss is chosen to hold a more permanent position
BY MARK VIERTHALER
David Corliss stood with his family in the corner of the Lawrence City Commission meeting room, shaking hands and posing for pictures as he awaited Mayor Mike Amyx's announcement of his appointment as city manager.
Corliss took responsibility for the position immediately after the announcement.
Neither Leon Churchill nor Dennis Taylor, the two other candidates, were present at the Friday morning announcement. Amyx stood in front of three of the four city commissioners and read from a prepared statement.
"I was supposed to come up with a cute analogy," Amyx said. "This is where I screw up. So let me delay no longer."
Corliss, who has been interim city manager since March, received a standing ovation as Amyx announced the hiring. Amyx thanked Corliss for his service as interim city manager during the last several months.
Amyx also addressed concerns
that me hiring of a local official meant the interviewing process was a waste of time and money. He said the city had started a nationwide search in an honest effort to find the best person for the job. After what he described as "intensive interviews," the commission decided Corliss was best suited for the position.
After congratulations from those in attendance, Corliss thanked his family and the commission for the time they had put in during the three-month hiring process.
Corliss said his first step, as city manager would be a complete examination of every city program across the board. He said it would be a continuous process and a necessary expense.
The main issue Corliss said he would focus on was the economic development of Lawrence.
"The last thing we want is for Lawrence to become a bedroom community for Topeka and Kansas City." he said.
City commissioner Sue Hack said Corliss's previous knowledge of Lawrence played a large factor in
his hiring. She said he represented a fresh look at how to handle the city's affairs.
Corliss has been working for the City of Lawrence since 1990 when he was hired as a management analyst. In 1996 he was promoted to director of legal services and in 2000 to assistant city manager—a position that had him working closely with former city manager Mike Wilden.
Corliss received his bachelor's master's and law degrees from the University of Kansas.
Commissioners cited his handling of the budget as another reason they decided to hire him.
"We have every trust in him that he will make each department run efficiently." Hack said. "He has a wealth of knowledge on this city and he comes with great experience."
Kansan staff writer Mark Vierthaler can be contacted at mvierthaler@kansan.com.
Edited by Kate Shipley
**mayor Mike Amyx shakes** David Corliss 'hand in congratulations after announcing his new position as Lawrence's city manager. Corliss has been serving as interim city manager since early March.
Amanda Sellers/KANSAN
MUSIC
Ben Folds tickets sell out one day after going on sale Thurs
BY BEN SMITH
Tickets for the Nov. 6 Ben Folds concert sold out Friday in the early afternoon, the day after they went on sale.
Tanner Burns, SUA live-music coordinator and Wichita senior, said that students waited in line at the Student Union Activities box office from as early as 6:15 a.m. Thursday.
Students still looking for tickets cluttered the fourth floor of
"Ben Folds can usually be relied on for an excellent concert."
DENNIS MERSMANN Lawrence senior
the Kansas Union on Friday. They received line numbers to keep the process orderly.
dents," Burns said. "A lot of the people in line seemed really charged about the show"
SUA will present the concert, featuring the singer/songwriter and former front man of Ben Folds Five, at the Lied Center, located on West Campus.
Dennis Mersmann, a Lawrence senior who started waiting in line at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, said he has
been a Ben Folds fan since junior high school.
"Ben Folds can usually be relied on for an excellent concert," Mersmann said.
"We're thrilled to have such a positive response from the stu-
Mersmann said the SUA did well to bring such a talented musician to campus.
But he said he would've preferred a different venue than the Lied Center because he enjoys being
more active and doesn't like the idea of being confined to a seat.
The SUA began planning the special performance late last spring in hopes to bring a "big name" to campus, Burns said earlier this fall.
Burns said the SUA expected a great amount of student support when it began to receive calls about the concert as soon as the semester started in August. The show should
be packed. Burns said he viewed the concert as a great achievement toward bringing students quality entertainment.
Kansan staff writer Ben Smith can be contacted at bsmith@ kansan.com.
Edited by Travis Robinett
Photo courtesy of University Archives
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