Category: News

Micah Seybold loved maps from an early age.  In university geography class he got serious about his interest and abandoned his plan to be a computer programmer.  However, his tech background did come in handy and lead to a GIS mapping job with the city of Lawrence.  Micah Seybold presides over a varied collection of digital maps, all of which are accessible by computer and even by smart phone.  The goals of his department include simplifying public access to city maps, eliminating the need for paper maps, and integrating GIS resources with business processes.  Each day he handles map and data information requests, catalogs related materials, performs spatial analysis, and strives to optimize workflow.  The use of digitalized maps and data saves time by creating efficiencies.  For example, digital maps may be used to design efficient service routes for transit or delivery of other services.  The city makes available a number of downloadable and interactive maps, including census tracts, bikeways, flood plains, crime, cemetery, tax districts, transit routes and more.  Users may customize maps by employing measurements, drawing on maps and even layering different maps.  Maps may be printed to PDF, JPG or other file formats.  All of these resources and assistance in using them are available at Lawrenceks.org/maps.

Making decisions that balance the needs of the environment, economy and society for both present and future generations is the goal of a cooperative sustainability program between the City of Lawrence and Douglas County.  Sustainability Coordinator Eileen Horn spoke to Lawrence Central Rotary about that task and the recent Four Star Rating Award for the Lawrence community.  The County and the City work together to achieve sustainability in operations, programs, and policies.  Presently, the areas of cooperation include emergency services, conservation, local food systems, renewable energy, alternative transportation, green building, waste reduction, recycling and economic development. The Lawrence community is very supportive of sustainability.  Eileen Horn works for the City and the County, both of which have advisory boards and sustainability plans.  (LCR’s Michael Steinle serves on both boards.)

There are only a few local government sustainability programs in Kansas and Lawrence is the first community in the state to achieve a Four Star Rating.  The award requires extensive documentation of achievements in numerous categories.  Lawrence received over 95% the available points in the categories of greenhouse gas mitigation, education, emergency services, safety, air quality, public infrastructure, public spaces, business retention and development, efficient buildings and community water systems.  The process also identifies areas that need more work, like climate adaptation, environmental justice, invasive species, quality jobs and living wages.  The Lawrence community is a great place to live and an award winning sustainability program is a strong investment in the future.  More information on the Star Award may be found at lawrenceks.org/star.

Fred Atchison (right) accepted the gavel from Jim Peters to become 2017-2018 LCR President on July 5.  Fred, a Paul Harris Fellow, has been a Rotarian since 1998 and a member of Lawrence Central Rotary since 2011.

In his remarks, Jim commended the club for its continuing transition in membership commitment and comradery.  He sees that the club’s mission continues to mature and to become more focused. During the past year, the club decided on a primary fundraiser—a goal that Jim had set as a challenge—and he declared that the success of that effort has far exceeded what he had envisioned. “We have such a great club—a great group of people with whom it is a joy to be associated.”

Members of the board for the coming year include Audrey Coleman, President Elect; Steve Mason, Vice President; and Peters as Past President.  Megan Richardson continues as Treasurer and Shelly McColm as Club Administrator.  Jim Evers, Membership Chair, and Michael Steinle, Foundation Chair, also continue in their roles.

Scott Wagner received the “Becky Castro Award” at the July 5, 2017, club meeting from outgoing president Jim Peters.  Scott has been a member of Lawrence Central Rotary for thirteen years (since December 2004), is a Paul Harris Fellow, and served as club president in 2008-2009. In recent years, Scott has managed the roster of programs for the club, arranging a variety of stimulating speakers and communicating the program topics to the club weekly. Recently, Scott accepted the role of President Elect on the board of the newly-formed Lawrence Central Rotary Club Foundation.

Congratulations, Scott, on receiving the second Becky Castro Award. Thank you for all you have done for Lawrence Central Rotary and the Lawrence community.

Rebecca “Becky” Lizabeth Castro was a founding member of our club who died after a long illness in June 2014 at the age of 68. A lifelong resident of Lawrence, Becky was active not only in Rotary, but also numerous other community organizations. Her warm welcome greeted everyone who came to a Lawrence Central Rotary meeting. In spring 2015, Past-Presidents Tobin Neis and Carolyn DeSalvo conceived of the Becky Castro Award as a way to honor the memory of this tireless founding member. The criteria state that the award be given to a member who exemplifies the dedication to community service and the love of Rotary that Becky displayed.

In March 2016, Past President Steve Lane recieved the first Becky Castro Award in recognition for his leadership of the Community Bike Ride initiative.