What candidates have to say about the issues
Wichita City Council, District 2
Pete Meitzner
Age: 59
Education: Graduated from Wichita State University
Experience: Wichita City Council, District 2 (four years); precinct committee (five years)
Phone: 316-686-7314
E-mail: PeteForWichita@gmail.com
Q. How can the city prepare for future drought and water shortages, and what should it do to pay for that?
A. We should maximize the capacity and storage of the Equus Beds, which does not have evaporation issues like Cheney Lake experiences in a drought. We should continue to work to determine the feasibility of El Dorado Lake. We should also determine the cost/advantages of expanding a grey water usage. As of now, the funding of these alternatives will have to come from water rates, and the users of the water, including the 14 communities supplied from the City of Wichita system.
Q. What is your philosophy or practice regarding public incentives for companies and developers?
A. I wish public incentives were not legal for any city or state. However, there is a free market called “government incentives,” and the rules are not the same for all cities or states. It is loosely regulated, and determined only by each respective city or state. The applicants (companies) are picking who wins or loses, not the cities or states. I do not want our city to be harmed, or put in a position whereby we can NOT compete. I do not like incentives, but they are part of our world.
Jim Price
Age: 43
Occupation: Contractor
Experience: None
Phone: 316-640-9775
E-mail: jimprice89@gmail.com
Q. How can the city prepare for future drought and water shortages, and what should it do to pay for that?
A. Cheney Lake has shown the need decades ago to be dredged in areas each year. Having the depth of water will allow for better water retention. If we keep the public informed about the condition on a weekly basis that will help the community conserve water.
Q. What is your philosophy or practice regarding public incentives for companies and developers?
A. If the city gets out of the way of industries, they will come without giving away taxpayers’ money.
This story was originally published March 26, 2015 at 6:28 PM with the headline "What candidates have to say about the issues."