BY LUCIE KRISMAN
The Nottingham property, senior citizens and business incentives were among the topics discussed at the City Commission voters forum Thursday night.
About 20 people gathered at City Hall to learn more about the stances of the City Commission candidates. Of the five candidates on the November ballot, Ruth Hughs, Tim Bruce and Rex Tedrow attended the forum.
Peter Latta did not attend. Roberta Lehmann, who could not attend due to her daughter's induction ceremony, issued a statement.
"I'm so sorry to miss this forum, but this was a life event I could not miss," Lehmann said in the statement.
The three present candidates answered questions about topics such as the demolition and redevelopment of the Nottingham property, possible ways to help the senior citizen population and their thoughts on solar panel installation in Eudora.
Audience members asked candidates about incentive systems for Eudora businesses, whether Eudora should engage in climate protection plans and whether Eudora should install more sidewalks.
Bruce recognized the Nottingham project as one of the city's most important issues.
"There's, in my opinion, a lot riding on that, and we have to get it right," Bruce said. "I think the steps we've taken so far in a methodical way are exactly where we need to take this as a community."
Hughs agreed the Nottingham project is central to the Eudora community and said she is opposed to placing apartments on that property.
"I think how we plan that is critical to the growth of Eudora," Hughs said. "As a taxpayer, I would like to put in things, businesses, industries that help relieve the taxpayer here and also make it so that we can offer different services."
Hughs said the demolition of Nottingham, despite having taken a long time, is on the right track.
"We have a buyer that has wanted to be there for a couple years," Hughs said about Casey's General Store. "We have given up the idea that it all should be developed at one time. We will develop it with a plan slowly."
Tedrow said he fears the amount of money put into the Nottingham project and the resulting rise in property taxes could be detrimental to the city.
"I just don't know that the city should be in the real estate business," Tedrow said. "Maybe it's going to be a prettier gas station, but it's still a gas station and that's definitely going to affect the other development in that area."
Candidates were also asked to address the concern that future businesses on the Nottingham property may negatively affect downtown businesses.
"Downtown has evolved a lot over the last five years," Bruce said. "It has grown and is becoming a vital part of our community center. We have a lot less vacancies than we did. The store owners down there are bringing it back to life and they're doing a good job."
Hughs said the Nottingham property won’t negatively affect downtown because the businesses will be different.
"We have a growing Chamber of Commerce that is vibrant now and alive," Hughs said. "They're not gonna let this die. This is going to continue to grow."
Tedrow said he would look at various incentives for downtown to help it grow.
In their discussion about senior citizens, Bruce said partnerships and programs such as the Meals on Wheels program and assisted living have helped the city provide resources to seniors.
"Having the assisted-living facility come to town is one of those opportunities that gives people who want to stay here the chance to stay here," Bruce said. "I think we're headed in the right direction."
Hughs cited the Senior Summit as a recent opportunity for the community to learn more about how Eudora could improve for seniors and expressed excitement about the city being able to provide free transportation and assisted living with memory care for seniors.
"I'm excited about the senior movement," Hughs said. "We know that change happens when you're heard."
Tedrow agreed Eudora has taken good steps toward making the town an accessible place for seniors.
"My wife is involved in most of the senior activities in this town, and she has nothing but good things to say about it," Tedrow said. "I strongly support the bus they're going to do and the volunteers that are going to do that. I can see a lot of people wanting to retire here.”
In the statement she submitted to the forum, Lehmann, who grew up in Eudora, expressed her hope that Eudora continues to provide a safe and enriching environment to its residents.
"I am also anxious to see continued growth and commitment towards Eudora's senior citizen groups," Lehmann said in her statement.
Regarding the installation of solar panels in Eudora to increase renewable energy, Tedrow said it may not be as beneficial as it seems for its higher cost, but he favors programs that reduce electricity and water use.
Although it is more expensive for Eudora residents to install solar panels, it is a helpful option, Hughs said.
"We did spend the money and have an electrical engineering consultant find out how this works," Hughs said. "That came back as a plan, which we adopted as a commission, and I'm glad we have it."
Eudora resident Samantha Arredondo said the forum was an opportunity for her son, Julian, to learn more about civics.
"I thought this would be a smaller forum and an easier place for him to understand so I could explain to him what is going on in a good learning environment," Arredondo said.
Arredondo, who lives one block from the now-closed Nottingham Elementary school, also attended the forum to stay informed on central Eudora issues such as the Nottingham project.
"It's important to come and be a part of the conversation," she said. "Information is power. If you don't know what's going on, then that can be a scary place. Being here and being informed is what's really important."
Reach reporter Lucie Krisman at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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