Approximately 80 people attended a Junction City Commission candidate forum where candidates were asked questions. The forum at the Geary County 4-H / Senior Center was organized by Christy Upham for an Informed Citizens of Geary County group.
Monday JC Post is running the comments of candidate Lorraine Ceniceros.
1. What is your vision for Junction City's future? What changes would you like to see in 5 years?
The changes I would like to see in the next five years will include city incentives that will foster pride in Junction City. This begins with allowing residents to become invested in the city they call home. These incentives can begin small by allowing residents to have a voice in commission meetings no matter how long it might cause the meeting to run. Residents must feel they are being seen and heard before they will be willing to invest their time and energy in improving their neighborhoods and the city at large.
Instead of spending on an interchange or on a slaughterhouse, the city should create grant programs to help low income or elderly homeowners repair their homes and clean up their yards. The city should invest in the economic development of our small businesses and help bring resident awareness to businesses who might otherwise languish without the support of the city.
The city should also consider being responsible for cleaning up its own front and backyard, so to speak. Grant Avenue is a perfect example of an area in need of revitalization. Several times I have heard a member of the current commission make the blanket statement that homeowners are responsible for the sidewalks and curbs in front of their properties. I’ve even heard them say homeowners are responsible for everything up to the middle of the street in front of their property. Statements like this could make a prospective homeowner rethink buying property in Junction City, it certainly made me wonder of the wisdom of my home purchase. Statements like this also do not reflect a city willing to care for itself or its residents.
2. What do you think are the priorities that need to be addressed in the city? At the present time I believe the highest priority facing the city is a change in the leadership culture of the commission to allow for more transparency in the decision-making process of the City Manager and the Commission. Instances of lack of information have caused anxiety, mistrust, and negative rumors to flourish in and among Junction City residents.
3. What are specific changes that need to be made and how would you implement them? I feel it is important for the public to feel their questions and opinions are important to the civil servants they have voted into office. I have witnessed residents’ concerns brought forward at the beginning of a commission meeting as barely being acknowledged except for a signaling that their five minutes is speaking time is up. Concerns should be acknowledged by assigning appropriate city staff for follow-up. Twice, once at a Commission meeting and again during the Democratic forum, a current commission member stated they take seriously statements made by anyone who has the courage to speak at a Commission meeting. Junction City residents should not need courage to raise their concerns to the people they voted into office.
4. What solutions do you see to reduce the debt the city currently has? I believe residents of Junction City should be allowed to vote, through a referendum, on projects like the Taylor Road interchange, the proposed slaughterhouse, or any industry the Economic Development Department, the City Manager, or the Commission proposes for the city.
5. Are you in favor of an interchange at Taylor Road? Why or why not? I am not in favor of an interchange at Taylor Road. The public keeps being told the only space for growth is on the west side of the city, yet no explanation has been offered as to how much this will cost the city. On February 15, 2022, Resolution R-2986 was passed by the Commission authorizing the application for a Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) Grant in anticipation of the grant partially funding the interchange from Interstate 70 to Taylor Road. The grant requires a minimum of 25% matched by the applicant for what could be a 10-million-dollar project (see City Commission Agenda Memo dated 02-15-2022 pg. 49-52). No explanation or public forum has been held that would allow residents to ask questions, receive answers, or voice opinions in real time.
6. What would be your approach to landowners along Taylor Road who do not want to sell or develop their land? I believe landowners have the right to decide what is done with their property and how or whether it should be developed. That said, I am aware privately owned land along Taylor Road can only be seized in one of two ways: annexation, which typically requires the approval of a majority of voters or by eminent domain, which is used to acquire property for a wide range of public purposes while providing the landowner with just compensation. The purchasing of property along Taylor Road for this purpose will further city debt. See my answer to question # 4.
7. Are you in favor of a slaughterhouse on Taylor Road? Why or why not? I am not in favor in a slaughterhouse on Taylor Road. Many factors must be considered before city leaders should consider building a slaughterhouse within its city boundary. The ramifications of environmental damage and a lowering of surrounding land value must be taken seriously. The Center for Biological Diversity has made available an document titled: The Environmental Impacts of Slaughterhouses: Fact Sheet. Studies can also be found regarding damage to the psychological health of slaughterhouse employees and the decrease of home values for areas surrounding and adjacent to a slaughterhouse. If Junction City leaders are concerned about the well-being of residents and the public good, they can do better than bringing in a slaughterhouse that will process up to 1,000 head of cattle a day.
8. How would you include the public in the plan for upcoming developments and a long-range plan for Junction City? Plans for upcoming and proposed developments would be made easily available to residents. Public forums, and opportunities for people to meet with a commissioner should be held regularly. Surveys, questionnaires, and opinion polls should be utilized to learn what is important to residents of our city. A long-range plan must have the needs of the people in mind and not be created in a silo. Neighboring cities such as Manhattan and Salina, who have embarked on or completed a successful revitalization plan should be consulted.
9. What do you feel you are bringing to the table that makes you stand out from the other candidates? I believe my training in listening, providing viable solutions, and seeking consensus for the good of all stake holders as well as my belief in the intrinsic worth of all, even those I disagree with, is what I bring to the table.
The election is November 7.