Hutton, Smith Win Contested County Races; Fulton Carries County While Losing Statewide

Written by Nemaha County Herald

Jana Smith won the Democratic nomination for Nemaha County Assessor and Bob Hutton won renomination as Nemaha County Commissioner, 1st District, on the Republican ticket in the Tuesday, May 11, primary election.
Tony Fulton, Auburn native, carried Nemaha County despite losing the statewide vote for the Republican nomination for state treasurer.Smith received 333 votes to 112 votes for Wendy Hemmer in the assessor’s race. She will be unopposed in the Tuesday, Nov. 2, general election.Hutton, incumbent, received 179 votes to 99 for Jim Jarvis. He will also be unopposed in November.Brownville, Peru IssuesPeru voters, 64-19, approved continuation of a 1 percent sales and use tax.Brownville voters, 32-21, approved a 1 percent sales and use tax. The issue of whether that issue would sunset in 10 years tied with 25 votes each.Other County RacesAll other county officers were unopposed in their respective primaries.Republican: Amy Hector received 762 votes for Clerk of the District Court, there were two write-ins. Louie Ligouri received 675 votes for County Attorney, there were five write-ins. Brent Lottman received 718 votes for County Sheriff, there were six write-ins. Marvin Bohling received 224 votes for 3rd District Commissioner, there was one write-in. There were 42 write-ins for County Clerk, 86 write-ins for County Assessor, 29 write-ins for County Treasurer and 21 write-ins for County Assessor.Democrat: Joyce Oakley received 414 votes for County Clerk, there were two write-ins. Patricia Holtzman received 381 votes. Randy Rohrs received 115 votes for 3rd District Commissioner, there were three write-ins. There were 15 write-ins for Clerk of the District Court, 15 write-ins for County Attorney, 28 write-in for County Sheriff, 11 write-ins for 1st District Commissioner and 10 write-ins for County Surveyor.Humboldt-Table Rock Steinauer Board of EducationFor four-year terms: Lynn Fankhauser, 30 votes; Scott Ogle, 28 votes; Neal Kanel, 25 votes; Todd Binder, 23 votes; Corey Hain, 22 votes; Steve Schaardt, 21 votes; Pete Niedzielski, 13 votes and there was one write-in.For two-year terms: Bryan Gossman, 68 votes; James Zentner, 52 votes; Terry Vice, 51 votes; Jeremy Leech, 15 votes; Missy Freeman, 11 votes; Joe Standerford, seven votes and Sandra Stalder, six votes.State RacesRepublican: Gov. Dave Heineman received 746 votes to 57 for Paul Anderson and 38 for Christopher Geary. John Gale received 671 votes for Secretary of State and there was one write-in. Fulton received 673 votes for State Treasurer while former Attorney General Don Stenberg received 136 votes and Tom Nesbitt, former head of the State Patrol, received 36 votes. Attorney General Jon Bruning received 711 votes and there was one write-in. Mike Foley received 657 votes for Auditor and there were two write-ins.Democrat: Mark Lakers received 288 votes for governor and there were three write-ins. Janet Stewart received 289 votes for Secretary of State and there were two write-ins. Mark Stoj received 259 votes for State Treasurer and there were 20 write-ins. There were 20 write-ins for Attorney General and 13 write-ins for Auditor.Despite winning the statewide vote, Amendment 1 received 586 No votes and 573 Yes votes in Nemaha County. It authorizes the Legislature to permit officials of counties and municipalities to acquire, own, develop, and lease or finance personal property for use by nonsectarian, nondevotional and nonreligious purposes and to issue revenue bonds for such purpose; will prohibit the use of condemnation for acquiring such property and operation of such property as a business by county or municipal officials and will not authorize county or municipal officials to impose any tax to repay the obligations represented by such revenue bonds.Patricia Timm received 882 votes for the State Board of Education, District 5. There were seven write-ins.Congress, 1st DistrictRep. Jeff Fortenberry received 709 Republican votes. David Hunt received 60 votes and Ralph Bodie 49 votes.On the Democratic ticket, Jessica Lynn Turek received 108 votes; Ivy Harper, 67 votes; Sherman Yates, 60 votes; Stanley Krauter, 54 votes and there were two write-ins. Harper won the district Democratic nomination.

Smiths Recognized at 2010 Industry Recognition Event

Written by Nemaha County Herald



ADC chairman Daryl Obermeyer presented a plaque to Randel and Jane Smith in recognition of their accomplishments and dedication to Brownville and Nemaha County.

Jane and Randel Smith, Brownville, were recognized Tuesday, May 11, for their accomplishments and dedication to Brownville and Nemaha County.The Smiths were recognized at the Industry Recognition Luncheon at Arbor Manor Steakhouse, Auburn.
“There are great things happening in Brownville. We didn’t do it singlehandedly. Our family and friends get involved,” Jane Smith said.Auburn Mayor Bob Engles said that Brownville has invented and repeatedly re-invented itself. That has enabled Brownville to maintain its position as Nebraska’s oldest town and one of the most progressive communities in Nebraska, Engles said.“No community in the state has drawn upon its cultural and historic heritage to the extent Brownville has,” the mayor said.Engles recognized such Brownville attractions as Whiskey Run Creek Vineyard & Winery; the Brownville Concert Hall; the Brownville Village Theatre; Spirit of Brownville river excursion boat; the Captain Meriwether Lewis Steamboat Museum; The Lyceum Cafe & Bookstore, which was the Smiths’ idea and The River Inn Resort, a floating hotel.Richard Baier, Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) director, was guest speaker. Baier talked about the economy, housing, economic development, tourism and business development.Baier said that Nebraskans are fortunate that the state’s unemployment is below the national average.“We need to be appreciative of where we are at. Nebraska is in good shape,” Baier said.Companies are hiring, jobs are coming back and people are making investments, he said.“We have to deal with budget issues. The Legislature is working on that. It’s a significant challenge. We need to be cognizant of that,” Baier said.In housing, Baier said that officials are clear and conscious about watching housing starts. He said that values of homes are increasing and land values are beginning to level out.“We need to be cognizant about providing housing over all spectrums, how to get young families into their first homes and priorities about what first-time homebuyers are looking for,” Baier said.In business development, Baier said there are a lot of requests for information. Areas seeing a lot of activity include renewable energy, solar and geothermal. He said that Nebraska is fortunate to have an affordable operating environment, but there are training challenges to work on. Labor force is a huge issue, Baier said. State officials are investing a lot of money in site efforts. Nebraska Advantage has made Nebraska competitive in the marketplace, Baier said.In tourism, Baier said that Brownville officials have created a model for tourism in Nebraska. Officials need to know how to market and create tourism long-term, he said.“Tourists are looking for an experience. They want to be part of a living, breathing experience. We need to change the model and build attractions that people want to go to,” Baier said.Nebraska officials are working with officials of a national consulting firm to look and evaluate new target industries, innovation, creativity, and strategies in the workforce and population, Baier said.Baier thanked State Sen. Lavon Heidemann of Elk Creek for his service.“He’s got one of the toughest jobs in Nebraska. He’s a real leader in the Legislature. He’s done a great job. We’re fortunate to have him represent Southeast Nebraska,” Baier said.Major Employers RecognizedMajor job creators in Auburn and Nemaha County were recognized.Engles thanked Steve Skaggs of Ariens Company for contributing to economic development in Southeast Nebraska. Engles said that Magnolia Metal Corporation was “an extremely valuable member of our business community.” Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) serves residents of 91 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. “Their presence and value in Nemaha County cannot be underemphasized,” Engles said.The mayor said that he was disappointed when Armstrong Cabinets Products, Inc. closed, but officials worked closely with officials of various state agencies to assist the displaced workers. Plans are to recruit a major job creator and officials will continue until successful in replacing Armstrong, Engles said.“We are committed to get a job creator replacment for Armstrong. With help from NPPD and Nebraska DED, we will get the job done,” he said.“The only constant in economic development is change. It’s an ongoing process,” Engles said.

Auburn Chamber President Kris Gill presented recognition certificates to AHS Future Business Leaders of America officers (from left) Spangler, Comstock, Allgood, Harmon and Wellman.

Engles recognized members of the Auburn High School Future Business Leaders of America. Five members and adviser Teresa Hahn attended. They were: Nathan Allgood, president; Hannah Harmon, vice president; Michael Wellman, community service representative; Martha Spangler, news reporter and Kerri Comstock, historian.Allgood reviewed the chapter’s activities in the past year. He thanked the officer team and advisers. Allgood thanked community members for their support.“It’s important that our young people get involved with business. We need youth willing to step up and take responsibility,” Engles said.Engles thanked Auburn Rotary members for being hosts. He introduced important guests who have done a lot for Auburn, Nemaha County and Southeast Nebraska.Engles said that Southeast Nebraskans and Nebraskans are fortunate to have Heidemann as chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

Auburn Celebrates 34 Years as Tree City USA

Written by Nemaha County Herald

EDGAR HARTWIG, AUBURN city forester, accepts the city’s 2010 Tree City USA award from Gov. Dave Heineman; Scott Josiah, Nebraska state forester and Eric Berg, Nebraska Forest Service community forester.

The award was presented during early April at the annual Tree City USA Recognition Program at the Lincoln Holiday Inn. Auburn was among 106 Nebraska communities honored for developing and maintaining a community forestry program. Auburn residents were honored for their commitment to management and enhancement of the community tree resources.

UNO Names Scott Snyder to Chief Research Position Effective This Fall

Written by Nemaha County Herald

The University of Nebraska at Omaha announced that Scott Snyder has accepted the position of associate vice chancellor for Research and Creative Activity. This is UNO’s chief research position. Snyder begins Sept. 15. Snyder has been on leave from his position as a professor in UNO’s Department of Biology since 2008 while serving as a program director in the Division of Environmental Biology at the National Science Foundation. He has been a UNO faculty member since 2001. “He brings to the associate vice chancellor position his own background as an accomplished scholar and researcher as well as a wealth of NSF experience,” said Terry Hynes, senior vice chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs. She added that since completing his postdoctoral research fellowship, Snyder has attracted more than $500,000 in external funding to support his research. Snyder’s research results have appeared in more than 30 refereed journal publications, among other venues.“I’m very excited by the opportunity to serve UNO in this new capacity,” Snyder said. “I feel strongly that research and creative activity contribute directly to the primary mission of the university, the education of willing minds. I look forward to the opportunity to facilitate the growth of scholarly activities, to foster new activities, and to share the scholarship of this dynamic campus with the public.” Snyder had been an NSF/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation postdoctoral research fellow in molecular evolution at the University of New Mexico from 1996-1998. From 1998-2001, he was an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He earned his doctorate in parasitology and bachelor of sciences degree in biological sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His master of science degree in biological sciences came from Wake Forest University.