First published in The Manhattan Mercury, October 23, 2006.

In Strawn, we finally have a candidate we can all support

To the Editor:

As a former business executive and a past president of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, I am very pleased that Bob Strawn is running to represent the 66th District in the Kansas House of Representatives.

All too often we have candidates who are on a lifelong crusade to be elected to public office. It is encouraging to see someone step forward who is not a career politician, but who can bring to the Legislature a pro-active business discipline, a creative mind and who is a proven problem solver.

Obviously, these attributes have been recognized by a long list of Kansas institutions I found on his Web site including the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Realtors, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Beverage Association, Kansas Construction Engineers, Kansas Medical Society, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association and Kansas Bankers Association

These institutions support Bob Strawn because he has the background and the leadership qualities so necessary for our government to deliver more efficient services in the 21st century. Thankfully, he stepped forward to run for office. We finally have the quality candidate we can all support. Please join my wife, Beverly, and me and vote for Bob Strawn on Nov. 7.

Richard LaGree
1519 Williamsburg Drive