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‘Hunger out there for something better’ Town Talk
Chad Lawhorn
I
clawhorn@ljworld.com
t wasn’t a very “chamber of commerce� thing to say. A chamber president is traditionally a community’s top salesperson. But here was a letter from Lawrence’s new chamber president and CEO
New chamber president paints frank picture of local economy in flux; here’s a closer look at the numbers that sure didn’t do much to sell Lawrence’s blue skies and green parks. Instead, Larry McElwain told chamber members earlier this month what he has learned thus far in his seven weeks on the job: The community’s taxes are high
and rising, the city has few job opportunities and a high cost of living, some residents feel marginalized by community leaders, instability with the chamber’s CEO position has hindered the chamber’s ability to lead, and residents are hun-
gry for community leadership to emerge. McElwain — a Lawrence fixture since the mid 1960s — clearly has decided now is McElwain not the time for a sales pitch. “I think we have a lot of work to do right now,� McElwain
said. “And if you are not saying what people already realize — like taxes are high and they are going up — then you are going to lack credibility in leading them to a different place.� Please see CHAMBER, page 7A
PHI BETA ARTIST
‘The secret to doing all this is just to do it’
John Sebelius holds greek life up to the canvas.
A&E, 1C
Smoking ban or smokescreen?
MARGARET SHIRK, WHO’LL TURN 97 THIS WEEK, shows off an album of historic Jayhawk memorabilia at her home in rural Lawrence. She never misses a Kansas University basketball game — except on election day, when she works the polls.
Keeping up with Margaret
M
argaret Shirk may be the most powerful woman in Lawrence. If you don’t believe me, find any number of Lawrence leaders who spent their college years at Kansas University, and ask them if they spent any time at the Shirk Barn, which has been renowned for decades as one of the top local spots for fraternity and sorority parties and other such gatherings. Then, tell them that you recently just spoke with Margaret and watch these esteemed community leaders begin to sweat and quiver
as they wonder what story she may have told. “Oh, we’ve seen it all over the years,� Shirk says of the nearly 50 years she’s rented out the large barn just north of North Lawrence. But don’t worry, she doesn’t tell those stories. At least not yet. She likely doesn’t have time. Shirk is set to turn 97 years old this week, and there’s always lots to do. Volunteering for the Red Cross. Working elections in Grant Township. Lending a hand at the Please see MARGARET, page 5A
Some complain 10-foot rule is not being enforced
Lawhorn’s Lawrence
By Giles Bruce Twitter: @GilesBruce
After it became law in 2010, the statewide smoking ban meant that people in Lawrence could no longer light up within 10 feet of the entrance to a public building. HEALTH The city of Lawrence added the provision to its existing smoking ordinance, leaving it up to the fire department to carry out the regulation. But four years later, some Lawrence residents who signed a recent petition to ban smoking on Massachusetts Street think
Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com
Richard Gwin/Journal World-Photo
Thunderstorms
INSIDE Arts&Entertainment 1C-6C Events listings Books 4C Horoscope Classified 1D-8D Movies Deaths 2A Opinion
High: 89
Low: 66
Today’s forecast, page 6B
Please see SMOKING, page 2A
2B, 6C Puzzles 8D Sports 2C Television 9A
5C, 8D 1B-6B 2B, 6C
Victims honored
Vol.156/No.229 44 pages
Lawrence residents gathered downtown Saturday to remember the victims of Quantrill’s Raid, 151 years ago. Page 3A
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