Three council members vie for mayor spot

1) Why are you running for Lansing mayor?

Blackwell: I want to work with Lansing’s citizens to keep our city a great place to live. I’m highly motivated and have a strong passion for public service. I want to be involved in my community, identifying issues and working with residents to solve problems. I will provide the strong leadership Lansing needs given the challenges ahead of us.

Pawlowski: I believe the city needs to be a more effective organization in responding to the needs of its citizens. I will provide the leadership to make this happen. I know where we can create efficiencies and streamline the business of the city. We need to be more dynamic and contemporary in recruiting new businesses and residents. Taxes don't have to go up.

Studnicka: I am running for mayor to give back to our community. I learned a long time ago as a Boy Scout to give back to your community and others. I have done that as a city councilman since 1997 and would like to continue that as Lansing’s mayor.

2) Whoever wins the November election is bound to face some challenges with adjustment, given that outgoing Mayor Ken Bernard held the seat for so long. How do you plan to make that transition?

Blackwell: In preparation for becoming Lansing’s next mayor, I am actively seeking guidance and mentorship from Mayor Bernard. I am shadowing both the city administrator and Mayor Bernard at key meetings and events. As the current council president, I frequently meet with department heads and the city administrator.

Pawlowski: It should be gradual. The mayor has been involved a long time. Being mayor is not a dictatorship, it is leading the council, directing the staff and involving the public. I will sit down with the city administrator and city council, see what needs to be changed and implement a plan.

Studnicka: If elected I feel the transition will not be hard. I have served and worked with the city staff for the last 15 years on all of the issues that the city has faced, and I feel that the change of mayors will be minimal. The only real change will be getting used to my personality versus that of Mayor Bernard’s.

3) What would be your priorities, if elected?

Blackwell: Priority number one is to get the city’s comprehensive plan updated. Updating the comprehensive plan will set the stage for many other priorities, such as economic development, facilities and services, infrastructure, city parks and growth management. The next step will be to establish milestones to ensure resources are applied to the goals and objectives in the comprehensive plan.

Pawlowski: Doing business as a governing body in a more open and transparent manner, increase involvement of residents, expanding economic development, better rapport with the county and neighboring cities, keep taxes in line and raise them only as a last resort.

Studnicka: Priorities are city employees — we want to keep the best and brightest for a long time. Infrastructure — our streets, sidewalks, trails, sewer lines and bridges. Not only to maintain but replace and build where needed for the future. Economic development — coming up with an “incentive package” that is fair, but competitive to attract new businesses to our city. Parks — continue to upgrade Bernard Park by getting running water into the park for drinking and lavatory facilities, and upgrading our sports fields.

4) What do you see as Lansing's best assets as a city?

Blackwell: Our citizens, our city employees, and our school system are our best assets. As the mayor, I will establish a citizen advisory committee that meets on a regular basis. The committee’s mission will be to reach out to the greater community to gather citizen input, and then bring the community’s issues and concerns to the council for consideration and action.

Pawlowski: The people, our school system and our city services. How would you propose the city use those assets to encourage future growth? We have a great base of hugely talented and educated people. I believe that if we could track the education level of our residents, less the prison population, we would have one of the highest educated work forces/incomes in the state. That would be a tremendous asset when trying to attract new businesses and employers. We need to get the word out!

Studnicka: Our best asset is our location. We are located close enough to a larger city’s shopping, sports complexes and facilities but yet far enough away to maintain our small town camaraderie and peacefulness. We are a city with a future, as our motto says, and we can encourage growth by emphasizing that small town atmosphere.

5) Municipalities across the state and the nation have been feeling the budget pinch for the last several years. What are your budget priorities and why?

Blackwell: Our infrastructure is the face of Lansing. Keeping our infrastructure in excellent condition will ensure we can attract families and businesses to the city, so funding city services and infrastructure are high on my priority list. We owe it to our citizens to provide them with the best services possible at the most affordable prices, as well as an infrastructure maintained in the highest state of repair possible.

Pawlowski: We have raised taxes by small amounts over the last couple of years, when we didn't have to. We have not made the hard choices, because it was easier to raise taxes "just a little bit." I wasn't elected to take the easy way out. I voted against the last two budgets. We need to have a frank conversation about needs versus wants.

Studnicka: My budget priorities would be the same as stated in No. 3.

6) The Kansas Department of Transportation said in a study of Kansas Highway 7 that the road will likely be transformed into a limited-access freeway at some point in the future. What do you think that means for the city of Lansing?

Blackwell: We are going to see more traffic through Lansing. We must be proactive and position ourselves to take advantage of the additional traffic. Our community must be innovative, developing the right mix of retail businesses and amenities to get folks traveling the freeway to stop in Lansing. The good news is that the freeway will end at Mary Street.

Pawlowski: Better access to the metropolitan area. It is essential for making us a viable and valuable part of the Greater Kansas City marketplace. Economic development is dependent on traffic. If we hope to reduce our residential property taxes, we will need commercial and/or retail development and their tax base.

Studnicka: Having K-7 as a limited-access freeway will allow and make it easier for people to get to and from our city, thus making it easier for people to get to our businesses and to attract others to want to live here and bring their businesses here.

7) Leaders from both Lansing schools and the city have touted a sense of cooperation in being able to accomplish tasks together, like the construction of the Bittersweet Bridge. How would you like to see that relationship develop, if elected?

Blackwell: The city and the school district have a great working relationship. When there is a need that benefits the entire community, it makes good sense to cooperate with the school district. As the new mayor, I will seek opportunities to foster our good relationship with the school district, pooling resources to save money and provide for the needs of our community.

Pawlowski: I think the relationship is even more important these days when we all have such limited budgets. We don't need to duplicate services or assets. We have had a good sharing relationship since I have been on the council, and I believe that will continue because the patrons of both entities expect it.

Studnicka: The relationship between the city and the schools has always been good. We have worked together over the years to balance our mils at budget time, so we could keep the tax bite low for our citizens. I would like to maintain that working relationship and thus have more projects like the Bittersweet Bridge, which benefit our community as a whole.

8) Lansing is a growing city, evidenced by Census numbers and school enrollment. What, if any, steps can the city take now to prepare for future growth?

Blackwell: We must update the city’s comprehensive plan. This plan is essential to our economic growth, and will go a long way toward positioning us to take advantage of economic opportunities. It addresses infrastructure, community facilities and services, future growth, and an implementation strategy. Lansing needs volunteers to sit on various committees. This is a fantastic opportunity for citizens to make their voices heard!

Pawlowski: We need to make every decision with future implications in mind. We shouldn't develop assets or spend tax dollars knowing it will have to be removed or redone. This is why we need to update the comprehensive plan, which is in the budget for 2013. It will give us a road map to follow in the future.

Studnicka: As stated in question No. 3; one of my budget priorities is infrastructure. By maintaining what we have and careful planning on new infrastructure will prepare the city for future growth.

9) What role do you think the city plays in economic development? What would you do to encourage new businesses and investment?

Blackwell: Lansing must set the conditions for economic growth, providing excellent city services and a well maintained infrastructure. We must ensure the right amenities are in place that supports new business. We must educate prospective business owners about federal, state, and local incentives available to them. The city needs a holistic view of what makes our community attractive to prospective businesses.

Pawlowski: We need development but we need to be smart about it. We have requests from every potential business into our city. They all involve tax rebates, some want cash up front. It doesn't make sense to give away more money or incentives than we will ever get in return. This process needs to be more open for public input.

Studnicka: As stated in question No. 3; coming up with an ‘incentive package’ that is fair, competitive, and does not penalize our citizens to attract and encourage new businesses to come to Lansing.

10) What do you see as your strengths, as a candidate, compared to your opponents?

Blackwell: Good solid leadership! I have a great rapport with the city council, the city administrator, and city employees. These relationships are critical during the transition from Mayor Bernard’s tenure in office. I am a consensus builder. I will explore and weigh all options before making important decisions. Finally, I will listen to and respond to Lansing resident’s issues and concerns.

Pawlowski: I am accessable, resourceful and I know how to negotiate. I am at community events, not just when running for office. I am not afraid to ask questions. I am not satisfied with the status quo. I have no conflicts with members of my family working for the city. I always want what is best for our city.

Studnicka: As a candidate I think my strength is my experience as a city councilman of the last 15 years, and my proven leadership. The other candidates also have experience and the best interests of city in mind. It will be up to the citizens of Lansing to decide, based on performance, who is best for the city.