Lawrence Central Rotary

Blog

Steve Lane Rallies LCR for 8th Year of Community Bike Rides
The annual Community Bike Ride has become not only a celebrated event in Lawrence, but also an anticipated tradition in Steve Lane’s family.

“On March 21st my son, who is eight years old, came to me so excited,” said Lane. “‘Dad, it’s only four months to the Community Bike Ride!’” Now entering its eight year, the bike ride has been part of his entire life.

The idea for the Community Bike Ride was born in 2009. Lawrence Central Rotary club members met with Marilyn Hall, of Douglas County Community Foundation. The club was looking to discern:
- What do we want to do in this community?
- What do we stand for?
Hall shared that the Foundation had identified that while there was a strong local biking community, it was not accessible to families. Recreational opportunities were geared toward high-end riders.

With support from the Foundation, the Club built RideLawrence.com and had enough funds to manage two years of the ride.

While the activities at the ride and sponsorships and partnerships have increased, the purpose of the ride has remained the same, to promote biking as a fun and healthy activity for families.
May 10, 2018
Proposed Sales Tax Increase Seeks to Improve Jail and Provide Crisis Center

Nancy Thellman, Douglas County Commissioner, tackled the issue currently facing Douglas County voters—whether or not to approve a ½-cent increase to the sales tax. The County Commission has asked for the sales tax increase in order to fund expansion of the county jail and to create a mental health crisis center with related services.

According to Thellman, it was ten years ago when Ken McGovern, Douglas County Sheriff, first came to the County Commission to warn about the jail’s capacity. Intended to house 167 inmates, Thellman says that the facility currently averages 50-80 people over that number each day. Deputies routinely transport the extra inmates to other jails, a solution that costs $1.3 million each year. When inmates are housed at other jails, Douglas County rehabilitation services are unavailable to them. Thellman says that recidivism is up nearly 50% since the overcrowding has worsened. Violent interactions in the jail are now more frequent.

Douglas County has one of the lowest incarcerations rates in the state and in the nation, declares Thellman. The behavioral health court is functioning well. There are seven programs to divert people from the jail currently in place. Around 150 people are now free from jail because of those programs.

A mental health crisis center for adults that would also be funded by the proposed sales tax increase. In addition to crisis services, the plan includes prevention programs and transitional housing for those living with mental health issues.

May 2, 2018
Oury Takes Pride in Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority

There is so much that Shannon Oury, Executive Director of the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, is proud of in this community. She also knows how much work is left to do.

LDCHA, which recently celebrated its 50 anniversary, serves 1,250 families monthly through owned and managed properties. 73 percent of people served are considered extremely low income, making $15,000 or less as a household. Programs are 99 percent full, with waiting lists.

Oury shared that she has always been “pulled to this work.” While she taught at the University of Kansas Law School and worked as a practicing lawyer, she served on the board and as the attorney for LDCHA. When the previous Executive Director announced she was stepping down, Oury realized how much it mattered to her that the organization’s work continues.

She’s especially proud of the Moving to Work (MTW) program, which provides a flexible structure for LDCHA to provide support and resources based on where the individual or family is at, whether that be rental assistance, job training, bikes and bike trailers, computer access, or counseling. The transitional program also has a wonderful success rate, with 83 percent of participants transitioning into stable housing after completing the 24-month program.

May 2, 2018
Open House with Brenners

George Brenner, a longtime member of Lawrence Central Rotary, retains his membership in the club even though he and his wife Mary Ann now live in Richmond, VA. When the Brenners visited Lawrence recently, club members met for a potluck meal to reconnect.

April 16, 2018
Driving to Keep Bicyclists Safe
Be predictable! Kirsten Yunuba Stephens underlines that advice to all bicyclists and to those who share the road with them.

Stephens volunteers her time to teach “Bicycle Friendly Drivers” in Lawrence on behalf of the Lawrence Bicycle Club. Based on a program developed by the City of Fort Collins, CO, the course briefs drivers of cars and other motorized vehicles about the rules of the road when they encounter bicyclists. The hour-long interactive class is “aimed at educating all drivers on the best and safest ways to share the road with people on bicycles.” Kirsten has incorporated photographs of Lawrence streets to help learners envision problem situations.

Many drivers are surprised to learn that:
- Bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road that cars and other vehicles do.
- Bicyclists can legally “take the lane” and ride in the middle of road.
- It’s okay for two bicyclists to ride side by side.
- Cars should stay at least three feet away from bicyclists.
- Many accidents occur when vehicle drivers making a right-hand turn don’t check for cyclists coming on their right.
April 13, 2018