Final questions for Lawrence City Commission candidates as Election Day approaches

With the city election less than a week away, we had a few more questions for the people running to serve on the Lawrence City Commission.

Three out of five commission seats will be on the ballot. Seats are nonpartisan, and city commission positions are paid ($22,044 each in 2022).

Jump to a section:
• Quick questions
• Commission inspiration, consternation and more
• Final pitches

Three of the six candidates will be elected to serve four-year terms on the commission.

Candidates are Justine Burton, Mike Dever, Brad Finkeldei (incumbent), Amber Sellers (incumbent), Courtney Shipley (incumbent) and Dustin Stumblingbear. All responded to this questionnaire.

In our final questionnaire, candidates discuss the performance of the current commission and city manager, appointments to city boards, whether they regret any votes, and more. 

Find out how to cast your ballot on or before Nov. 7 and find much more election coverage, including more questionnaires and coverage of forums in which candidates have participated, at lawrencekstimes.com/election2023.

Quick questions

1. Based on what you know right now, how do you believe you will vote on the ballot question regarding the city’s form of government?

Background:
The Lawrence City Commission voted to approve a ballot measure that will ask voters in November 2024 to decide the following:
• Whether voters should directly elect a mayor;
• Whether the commission should expand to include six members elected by districts;
• and whether the mayor should vote only if the commission is tied. (See this article for more information.)

A “yes” to the ballot question would mean a “yes” to all three.

Burton: No

Dever: No

Finkeldei: Yes

Sellers: Yes

Shipley:

Stumblingbear: No

2. If elected, on which boards and/or commissions would you most want to serve?

(We asked candidates to please choose at least one, but up to three. Options included the Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence – Douglas County, KU Innovation Park, Destination Management Inc., eXplore Lawrence Board, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Sister Cities Lawrence, Lawrence Public Library Board and Community Health Plan Steering Committee.)

Burton: Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence – Douglas County, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

Dever: KU Innovation Park, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board, Sister Cities Lawrence

Finkeldei: Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence – Douglas County, KU Innovation Park, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

Sellers: Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence – Douglas County, eXplore Lawrence Board, Community Health Plan Steering Committee

Shipley: Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence – Douglas County, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board, Sister Cities Lawrence

Stumblingbear: Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence – Douglas County, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board, Community Health Plan Steering Committee

3. Please rank on a scale of 1 to 10 the performance of the current Lawrence City Commission throughout the past two years.

(1 = very bad, 10 = excellent)

Burton: 4

Dever: 6

Finkeldei: 7

Sellers: 7

Shipley: 8

Stumblingbear: 4

4. Please rank on a scale of 1 to 10 the performance of City Manager Craig Owens throughout the past two years.

(1 = very bad, 10 = excellent)

Burton: 4

Dever: 6

Finkeldei: 9

Sellers: (skipped)

Shipley: (skipped)

Stumblingbear: 8

5. Please rank on a scale of 1 to 10 the performance of high-level city staff members throughout the past two years.

(By “high-level,” we are referring mainly to department directors and assistant directors. 1 = very bad, 10 = excellent)

Burton: 4

Dever: 6

Finkeldei: 9

Sellers: (skipped)

Shipley: (skipped)

Stumblingbear: 8

6. Optional explanation space: Here is room to explain or elaborate on any answer(s) from questions 1 through 5 above.

Burton: (Skipped)

Dever: In regards to question #1, I am in favor of items 1 and 2. I believe that the Mayor should also be required to vote on all issues because it allows the members of the public to understand what the Mayor’s political and social priorities are for all issues. The lack of a voting record for the majority of the mainstream issues makes it difficult to evaluate any Mayor for re-election. As one of only three at-large candidates, voting records are a valuable tool for voters to chose wisely.

Finkeldei: I believe the city manager implements the decisions and will of the commission, so his performance must be considered based upon the direction given him from the city commission. The department heads then work for the city manager and are thus similarly judged.

Sellers: 1) Expanding the commission through a hybrid model of at-large and district seats would create greater access and pathways for those interested in running for office. While Lawrence has many homogeneous areas, an at-large-only election system weakens the voices of small, often marginalized community groups. Additionally, a directly elected mayor would not create a vulnerability that doesn’t already exist. A directly elected mayor system impacts (potentially increases) voter turnout, policy development, and accountability.

Shipley: Sometimes we defer items which is a sign to me that we could function better.

It is inappropriate for sitting commissioners to comment on HR matters such as question 4 and 5.

Stumblingbear: Question 3 explanation: We have a lack of decorum amongst our commissioners, the rules change depending on who is running the meeting. There is also a clear resistance by a majority in our city commission to adopt Robert’s Rules of Order. Our city commission has instead chosen to adopt rules more clearly aimed at curbing public participation at meetings. We have a city commissioner who falls asleep at the dais. At a recent city commission meeting we had one of our commissioners intimate that being a city commissioner isn’t a real job.

Commission inspiration, consternation and more

7. Name a previous or incumbent city commissioner who is not running in this election who you admire, and share why you admire them?

Burton: N/A

Dever: Representative Dennis “Boog” Highberger. I had the honor to serve with Boog during my first two years as a City Commissioner from 2007-2009. Throughout my first years of service, Boog was in the minority for many votes, but always managed to speak clearly and concisely in support of the other side of the argument. His viewpoints brought insight to the conversation, and his kind, but persuasive, demeanor allowed all of us to make better decisions for the City.

Finkeldei: Mike Amyx. Mike has served the citizens of Lawrence for so many years in different capacities, and I have admired that he always seems to have the “pulse” of the citizenry.

Sellers: I prefer not to share – if you know, you know 😎

Shipley: Current Representative Mike Amyx is someone I admire because of his high one on one engagement with the public. His obvious commitment to being accessible is a high bar that I strive for.

Stumblingbear: Matthew Herbert because he knew to get while the gettin’s good.

8. What do you believe is the single biggest threat to the city of Lawrence right now, and why?

Burton: LAWRENCE ITSELF. Lawrence has communities that are not whole. There are buildings and streets crumbling there are food deserts in Lawrence. Lawrence needs a diversification of economic development in all areas of Lawrence.

Dever: I believe that a lack of civility in public meetings and discourse has become a threat to the progress Lawrence needs to sustain it’s upward movement. City leaders and staff need to be more approachable and controversial issues need to be transparently communicated to the Public. A more humane, communicative approach to public meetings and unfettered access to information will help move the community forward.

Finkeldei: Lack of affordable housing is not only the single largest factor in the homelessness issue, it threatens the working class, the ability to bring in new employers, and the long term viability of Lawrence as anything more than a bedroom and university community. Thus, we have an urgent and critically important need to expand our housing stock for all price points.

Sellers: I found this quote timely: “impatience for victory guarantees defeat.” We cannot change what we are unwilling to confront– we must commit to action. Most importantly, we must be willing to educate and inform ourselves of the systems that impact how we successfully build strategies to create a quality of life that benefits all.

Shipley: Projects or incentives that result in unrealistic fiscal commitments by the City are a danger to our economic future.

Stumblingbear: Planning that leads to unsustainable developments as our city continues to grow.

9. Mayoral appointments to city advisory boards and committees have come under discussion with greater frequency in recent memory than they have in years prior. What changes, if any, do you believe should occur in the appointment process, and why?

(Examples: here; here; and here)

Burton: I would like to see the application for advisory boards and committees to have more of a democratic process. No one person should have that power to elect anyone of their choosing. You have more than one person on a city commission then, each person needs to be a part of this process. All commissioners would collectively review applications and then vote and interview the applicants then select the most qualified person/s with the majority of votes.

Dever: Tradition has served the CIty of Lawrence for many years, and any changes to the process should be based on reason and logic. The real issue related to board member selection is the lack of an active effort to seek out the best candidates, and assure that they apply for a position. Relying on community members to be aware of openings they may be suited for is not the best route to diversity and excellence in board membership.

Finkeldei: Although there were more discussions in this last year compared to the previous two years, I think if you go back over the last 10 to 20 years, there is often discussion of appointments, so I am not sure any changes are needed unless, and until, the voters approve a directly elected mayor. At that point, I believe we will need to revisit the appointment system.

Sellers: I believe appointments should be a shared duty between the mayor as well as advisory boards/commissions with a required confirmation (not consent) of appointments by the Commission.

Shipley: Political appointments to boards are not job interviews. However we should expect the Mayor and Commission to be thoughtful in their selections. The Mayor is currently chosen by the greatest amount of votes, meaning the public expects the Mayor to make appointments according to their judgment. If the people wish to change this it can be done but I have not heard from many people who see that as a priority but I’d love to hear public dialog on the issue.

Stumblingbear: change from appointment to a set of recommended candidates that the full city commission vets through q&a at a city commission meeting. Votes are then taken upon the candidates for the appointments to the board or commission. Should a majority of the commission feel a viable candidate didn’t get recommended they could vote to add that person to the candidate pool at the public meeting.

10. Incumbents or former commissioners: Is there a vote you have taken during your service that you wish you could change? If so, what is it, and why would you change it?

10. Non-incumbents: Has there been a specific commission vote in recent memory with which you disagree? Why, and how would you have voted?

Burton (non-incumbent): I would have voted no on giving incentives to rebuild the Borders Building which doesn’t benefit the community. And, I would have voted no on placing homeless individuals in North Lawrence on the river I feel that the North Lawrence communities was not given much consideration.

Dever (commissioner from 2007 to 2015): As a former commissioner I relied upon the best possible information available at the time of the vote provided by City staff and the public. Once information becomes available after a vote, or circumstances change, one’s perspective does change but a vote cannot be changed. I think several process related issues related to Rock Chalk Park and the Oread hotel could have been carried out better, and the developer vetted more carefully.

Finkeldei (incumbent, elected in 2019): I honestly can not think of a vote I would go back and change. Certainly there are situations where the outcome is not what I expected, especially during COVID, but I feel I made the best decision possible with the information I had at the time.

Sellers (incumbent, elected in 2021): No. I understand parliamentary procedure and how to use it. However, I am concerned that the commission has yet to adopt common rules and procedures for debates and deliberation.

Parliamentary procedure makes meetings more efficient and reduces challenges to process deficiencies. Municipalities across the country utilize such rules to create shared language and cohesion during all aspects of governing meetings, including advisory boards and commissions.

Shipley (incumbent, elected in 2019): There’s not a vote that I would change but there have been plans we made or policies we adopted that did not play out the way I anticipated. For example, the short term rental restrictions have allowed more short term rentals in areas that are taking affordable housing off the market than I had expected.

Stumblingbear (non-incumbent): The vote to annex the SE corner of SLT & US 59. The intent is to modify the area along a river for housing. We humans are clever beings but we don’t control rivers like we wish.

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11. What is one question you would like your fellow commission candidates to answer? How would you answer that question?

Burton: N/A

Dever: Do you believe the City of Lawrence should be main provider and manager of services related to the unhoused and transient population and how do you propose to fund such services if provided by the City of Lawrence.

Finkeldei: I do not have one. After all the forums we have been through, I believe I have gotten the answers I need from the other candidates and I hope the public feels the same.

Sellers: Question: What is Community?

Answer: Community is centered on belonging. It is not a catch-all; it shapes identity. Social change, as it relates to community, involves deep, intentional relationship-building to transform cultures and institutions. Therefore, for outcomes to be considered impactful for a community, institutionalized narratives must be transformed.

Shipley: How big do you think Lawrence can be physically and by population and still feel like the Lawrence we know and Love?

Stumblingbear: In what ways will you engage with the Lawrence community beyond attending the city commission meetings? I will attend public meetings by choice and by invite, I will sit down with community members and groups across Lawrence and listen to them, I will respond to their email queries and guide them to those city staff who can best answer their questions, I would attend conferences to improve my knowledge in an effort to better serve the whole community.

Final pitches

12. Why should voters choose you for this office?

Burton: I am for the people of Lawrence, and I am for Lawrence communities.

Dever: With over eight years of prior Lawrence City Commission service, I would bring experience and proven results to a commission that needs more focus and leadership. Thirty-five years of business management and leadership experience, including running my own business for 23 years, also helps round out the qualities that I think are useful in the position. However, the most important quality I think I will bring to the commission is a willingness to listen and communicate with the community regularly, and act on that input to make critical decisions for the future of Lawrence. The City of Lawrence needs seasoned leaders.

Finkeldei: With most of my first term being effected by COVID and its effects on the community, there is a lot of work to get finished, and I would appreciate the opportunity to finish that work to make Lawrence the best place to work, live and raise a family. This includes finalizing the new development code, implementing the city/county homelessness plan, and continuing to advance the the city’s strategic plan.

Sellers: My experience tracking and interpreting the impacts of state legislation on local governing makes me a unique asset to local governing. Having worked in public health, I have utilized that knowledge to drive meaningful and measurable outcomes. My ability to inform and engage people directly while teaching policy implementation speaks to my passion for civic engagement – a vital characteristic for a Commissioner.

Local government must build with, and not for, the community. Our community needs elected officials who will move initiatives forward in a way that grows us into a community where we all can live, work, and thrive together. For the last two years, utilizing my public policy knowledge and passion for civic engagement to strengthen our community from within comes with great joy and pain. Through it all, my voice can be a catalyst for policy development and social change our community needs.

Shipley: I am committed to access and engagement with the People of Lawrence and I’m not just focussed on immediate economic benefits of any given project to policy but on the long term consequences to future generations.

Stumblingbear: I know I can do this job. I will hear and listen to the members and groups across Lawrence. I have been doing it for six years and I will continue to do it. I understand that my sole voice does not dictate the direction of the city commission. I have worked to understand the will and voice of the people for several years. I would use this knowledge in working to gain consensus as a commission for actions that you the voters of Lawrence have asked for.

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