Democrat Names Slow to Surface for Council Opening
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***Update: Bourne Tells Nebraska Watchdog he won’t seek council job (see below).
Omaha Democrats are wondering why no one in the party is stepping up to try and claim an open seat on the Omaha City Council.
Nebraska Watchdog’s latest tally finds at least four Republicans looking at the possibility of succeeding Chuck Sigerson who will resign March 1st after suffering a heart attack and stroke last August.
The four Republicans are Metropolitan Utilities District board member Dave Friend, former State Senator Mike Friend, Douglas County Commissioner Kyle Hutchings, and Metro Community College board member Tim Lonergan.
So far no Democrats have publicly announced they are interested despite the fact that the council chooses Sigerson’s successor and Democrats on the council hold a four-to-two margin over Republicans.
One Democrat name that surfaced in the last few days is former State Senator Pat Bourne. Bourne is a vice-president of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska. Contacted by Nebraska Watchdog, Bourne said he took a serious look at the council seat but has decided not to apply. Bourne also said he’s not aware of any other Democrats who are interested.
City Attorney Paul Kratz tells Nebraska Watchdog it takes at least four votes from the council to win the seat.
Residents who have lived in District 7 for the last six months and are at least 18-years-old have until 3:00 p.m. March 10th to submit to the City Clerk a letter, resume, and petition with the signatures of at least 50 registered voters in the district.
Sigerson’s replacement, who can eventually run for election, will serve out the remainder of the term which ends in June 2013.
The council hopes to make its selection in early April.
Editor’s note: to see previous stories on this subject click here.
Reported by Joe Jordan, joe@nebraskawatchdog.org
Posted under Blog, Omaha City Hall, Omaha Government.
Tags: Chuck Sigerson, Dave Friend, Kyle Hutchings, Mike Friend, Pat Bourne, Paul Kratz, Tim Lonergan
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[...] WatchdogDemocrat Names Slow to Surface for Council OpeningWatchdogOne Democrat name that surfaced in the last few days is former State Senator Pat Bourne. Bourne is a vice-president of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska. … [...]
9:45 pm on February 17th, 2010
The Democrats will find a Democrat for the City Council. That’s how the two-party system works, or should. Our two-party stystem works reasonably well.
12:22 pm on February 22nd, 2010
Is anyone else disturbed that Dave Friend is vying for the District 7 City Council seat? Friend is a retired Omaha Police Officer earning a sizable pension from Omaha taxpayers, currently is the Director of Public Safety at Metro Community College and is a current member of the MUD Board of Directors. Nebraska Watchdog reported a few weeks ago that Friend would be able to keep his seat on the MUD board if he is appointed to the City Council.
How many public troughs can one individual milk? If Friend is appointed, he would be getting a check from 4 (yes, four!!) taxpayer funded organizations.
The pattern of retired OPD officers who retire at a relatively young age and are double and triple dipping at the public’s expense should be investigated by Nebraska Watchdog. I’m sure the amount they are making from the public swill would be staggering. Among the OPD retirees I know who are double and triple dipping at taxpayer expense:
John Ewing-Douglas County Treasurer and retired OPD Deputy Chief
Tim Cavanaugh-Deputy Douglas County Treasurer, MUD Board of Directors and retired OPD Captain
Gary Gerhandt-Omaha City Councilman and retired OPD Sergeant
Dave Friend-Director of Public Safety at Metro, MUD Board of Directors and retired OPD Captain, candidate for appointment to Omaha City Council District 7
Mr. Jordan-please look into this fleecing of the taxpayers!!