>>Valley Patriot>> |
It’s election time once again in our great city and I am looking forward to lively debates. I applaud the fact that candidates (my opponents included) place themselves before the voters and get involved with our electoral process. I think Lawrence is a great place to be mayor. It is a demanding, stressful and sometimes confrontational job, but that is only part of it. Behind every door in each of our neighborhoods lies the real reason we are called to serve. It is Lawrence’s people. For the most part they are solid citizens who have contributed a great deal to society. They have raised their children here, worshiped here and continue to call Lawrence their home. It is up to us as elected officials to represent their best interests. We must put our petty squabbles aside to fight crime, auto fraud and unemployment - and not each other. We have a lot to be proud of during the past four years. More young families have purchased homes here within the last 48 months than in the past quarter century. Home values are up while unemployment is down. Together we have built four new schools, regained high school accreditation, reduced auto insurance claims, and have brought crime down in every major category. We are putting hard-earned tax dollars into our infrastructure. A state-of-the-art water treatment plant and a renovated Veterans Memorial Stadium are now under construction. I have submitted a fiscal 2006 budget that avoids a property tax increase. I have proposed over $4 million worth of additional revenue by selling surplus land and delinquent tax liens. It is no coincidence that some expect me to raise the $4 million by increasing property taxes. To those people I can only say that I am sorry to disappoint you. I will veto any tax increase to balance this budget. Because we have been aggressive in building our high school on time and on budget, and with the reforms to the state school building program supported by our delegation, we stand to gain an early payment of over $20 million to add further relief to our budget this year. I will continue to work hard to win the fight for the people I serve. If we stay positive and focused, we can achieve much. If we dwell on old political rivalries and obstruct progress, the city loses. When a child looks out the window of our public schools onto the city streets, I want him or her to see hope, not despair, and opportunity, not a dead-end street. If we can’t act as role models for this generation, then who will? If we truly mean it when we say it is an honor to serve, it is up to us to show it not only in our words but also in our deeds. That is what being mayor is all about. *Michael Sullivan is in his first term as the mayor of Lawrence and is seeking reelection in the September primary. To comtact him you can email your comments to N_Carroll@cityof lawrence.com *Send your questions
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