City Commission Candidate Forum
Saturday, October 11, 10:30am-12pm Lawrence Public Library
Sponsored by Women for Kansas, Lawrence League of Women Voters and NAACP Lawrence KS.
From The Lawrence Times-
“Briefly (in 2 or 3 sentences), why do you want to serve on the Lawrence City Commission?
Mike Courtney: I’m running because Lawrence is facing a housing affordability crisis, and I believe there are viable solutions to make Lawrence a more affordable place to live without compromising its unique character. I want to serve on the Commission to implement housing and budget solutions that will allow our neighbors and our children to put roots down here for decades to come.
Bart Littlejohn: I have been honored to serve on the commission and I want to continue the progress that we’ve made in terms of housing/houselessness, the land development code, our asset management plan for infrastructure, and working to create an economic ecosystem that will help those at every level. Given the uncertain external circumstances we face, I want us to navigate a path that will help us be flexible and resilient.
Kristine Polian: I absolutely love this City, and am surprised at where we are. People are getting priced out of their homes due to high property taxes, yet we have little to show for the money we have spent. I would like to provide my expertise to this city to correct our path.
Bob Schumm: I have a lot of experience in municipal government (12 years) and I have witnessed what I would refer to as “out of touch” proposals during the last couple of years.The proposal to move City Hall out of downtown was one of the most preposterous: the proposed site was obscure and difficult to find, the building was old and in need of a major investment, and the City was going to pay $4.5 million for it. After the Commission turned it down, through public urging, the building later sold for $1.5 million! Need I say more? We paid a consultant for that (bad) advice; I believe that my experience could have aided in making a better decision.”
Someone should go ask Ms. Polian why she has not divulged the fact that she has been endorsed by DG Co GOP. Both she and Mr. Courtney are being funded by some extreme MAGAs and that’s a huge problem.