Mayoral candidates talk trash service, more at forum

When Shawnee residents elect a new mayor July 29, their decision will reflect what candidates have said about trash service, energy costs and building sidewalks.
The three candidates for mayor answered questions from local residents at a forum Thursday night sponsored by PAVE, Pottawatomie County Advocates for Voters Education. Among the topics was the city’s trash service. Several residents said Allied Waste is not abiding by its contract with the city.
Candidate Linda Peterson said trash service has had its problems, but the commission and mayor need to hear from residents concerning the details.
“We have to know service is not being provided to you,” Peterson said.
She said the commission will have to look at the contract to see if it’s being fulfilled. If Allied Waste isn’t doing what the contract states, the city can do something different, Peterson said.
Candidate Matthew LaHue said it is important for the city to look at the contract because “sanitation is a very important service to the city.”
“When citizens demand something, we have to react,” he said.
Candidate Linda Agee said residents are dissatisfied with trash service because Allied Waste misses homes and people are unhappy with the change to polycarts. However, she said it would be difficult to terminate a contract unless there is a breach.
Another question focused on what the city is doing to reduce Shawnee’s carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact that human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.
Agee said that by reducing energy use, the city will be reducing costs. She said there are many ways to conserve energy, and the city needs to work with groups to research the best method of conservation.
Peterson said the organization Sustainable Shawnee is looking at ways to reduce the carbon footprint in Shawnee, but the city also needs to look at how other cities are reducing use.
“We can follow leads where we can,” she said.
LaHue said the city needs to lead the way in reducing energy use, which may lead to residents reducing their use.
“The bottom line in reducing consumption is reducing costs,” he said.
Another energy cost issue is using sidewalks more to conserve fuel. Sidewalks have been a major topic in Shawnee for the past year, and residents asked candidates for their views.
Peterson said sidewalks are a priority, especially with the development of the master trail plan, which will move residents through the community on sidewalks, walking paths and bike paths.
“Sidewalks are a must,” she said.
LaHue said Shawnee needs to be proactive with sidewalks, especially with students in Shawnee needing sidewalks to get to school.
“For this city to grow, we need to look at this,” he said. “We’ve got to make things happen.”
Agee said that during discussions about sidewalks, there has been a failure to communicate with residents. She said the city needs to do more research on sidewalks and consider their impact on people who will use them.
Those attending the forum also wanted to know about the backgrounds and governing style of the mayoral candidates.
LaHue said he works in the Shawnee Public School system, but if elected, he would serve the city and spend the correct amount of time doing city business.
He said there is negativity associated with city officials in Shawnee, which is causing a lot of unhappiness among residents. He said the mayor should serve as “cheerleader” for the community.
LaHue said Shawnee has been lacking someone who can be a team builder. He said he would look to the future of Shawnee and not center on the bickering.
Agee said she would be available to perform the duties of mayor. “I have all the time in the world to devote to this,” she said.
She said she would value residents’ input on issues and their help in solving problems in the community. Agee said she believes “no man is an island.”
Agee said that anytime someone takes a stand, there is a negative response, but she always would be open to reviewing a decision she makes.
Peterson said being mayor comes with many responsibilities, including facilitating better communication between the community and the commission. One important task of the mayor is to take information from residents and give it to commissioners, she said. She said it is important for people to communicate because a lack of communication can cause negativity.
“Once you have the information, you have to pass it along to others,” Peterson said.
Residents will vote July 29. If a run-off election is needed, it will be in November.
———
Amanda Gire may be reached at amanda.gire@news-star.com or at 214-3934.