Names Surfacing for Sigerson Seat
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Republicans are wasting no time looking for candidates to succeed Republican City Councilman Chuck Sigerson who is resigning for health reasons effective March 1st.
Nebraska Watchdog has learned of at least two names, both from the same political family: Republican cousins Dave and Mike Friend.
Dave Friend is the Director of Public Safety at Metropolitan Community College, a part time police officer in Bennington, and a member of the Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD), Board of Directors. In 2005 Friend, a 
former Omaha police captain, ran for Mayor of Omaha but lost to incumbent Democrat Mike Fahey.
Mike Friend is the Director of the State Office of Violence Prevention. Friend was appointed to the $70,000 a year job in August, 2009 by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman. Friend served in the Nebraska Legislature from 2002 until 2009.
According to sources Dave Friend could serve simultaneously on both the MUD board and Omaha City Council.
It is not clear if Mike Friend could continue to hold his state job if he was named to the council.
Sigerson’s successor will be named by the four Democrats and two Republicans on the council.
Many City Hall insiders from both political parties, who have spoken privately with Nebraska Watchdog, are convinced the Democrats on the council will name a fellow Democrat to replace Sigerson.
One other name that has surfaced is Sigerson’s son, Andrew Sigerson.
Nebraska Watchdog spoke with the younger Sigerson today. Sigerson says he can’t seek the job because he does not live in his dad’s northwest Omaha district.
Chuck Sigerson suffered a heart attack and stroke in August and has not attended any council meetings since.
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Reported by Joe Jordan, joe@nebraskawatchdog.org
Posted under News, Omaha City Hall, Omaha Government.
Tags: Andrew Sigerson, Chuck Sigerson, Dave Friend, Joe Jordan, Mike Friend, Nebraska, Watchdog
8:38 am on February 12th, 2010
Either one would be fantastic. They’re both good people and would elvate the quality of the board significantly.
12:18 pm on February 12th, 2010
Dave Friend would be an excellent choice for Mr. Sigerson’s council seat. Dave would bring the common sense down to earth solutions that this lame council so badly needs. Right now we have a lawyer who can’t form a sentence, a president of the council who never speaks, Festersen just spews the cute lines, Stothert can’t stay away from the media since she knows everything and Thompson –who knows where he is these days I suspect still trying to solve race problems. Ben Gray I believe could be the other common sense person…..I also think Mike Friend would be a good choice but does this council really want to select someone with good sense and abilities or just another ‘d’ they can control?
9:39 pm on February 17th, 2010
I predict that a Democrat will be appointed to the Council. In reality, we have a two party system, if not nominally. One party keeps a close eye on the other.This is a good thing. Parties are basically a good thing. They prevent chaos, craft policy, help voters decide, and are the biggest bulwark against overweening special interest influence. (I don’t think Ben gray is too long on common sense, but rather a hard leftist with an attitude that African Americans are victims of racism and need more handouts and special treatment..The election of an African-American as our President doesn’t seem to have changed Gray’s victim mentally much.)
1:42 am on April 9th, 2011
I must admit this post is very wonderful . Thanks once again for the push!