November 4, 2008

When I made the decision to run for Mayor 22 months ago, we began a journey that we knew would be challenging while at the same time be very rewarding. Today, that journey will take on a new direction.

I spoke with Sue Fuchtman a short while ago and congratulated her on her victory. I also extended my commitment to Sue and to the citizens of Norfolk to do everything possible to work with her to help unite and advance our community.

As much as it is in my heart to serve as Norfolk's next mayor, the time has come to serve in a different capacity.

I have said from the beginning of the campaign that we are determined to restore growth and optimism to Norfolk, by believing in and bringing people together. I truly believe that Sue Fuchtman desires the same thing for Norfolk. The real opportunity for both of us now, is to continue to work together in ways that will bring positive results to the citizens of Norfolk. Today will be an important step in that process.

I made the commitment early on that our campaign would remain positive, take the high ground, and stay focused on the issues facing Norfolk today. I am thankful to our campaign team for keeping that commitment. In the words of Mike Huckabee, “I’d rather lose an election than lose the principles that got me into this race in the first place.”

It's now very important that we not direct our attention, our energy, and our passion to what could have been or what we wanted to happen, but that we focus on where we need to go as a community and what we need to do to get there.

I want to give a very special thank you to my family and especially my wife Linn for her awesome support and patience throughout the campaign. I truly could not have done this without her. I am deeply grateful to my business partners Carla Oestreich and Rick Schommer and the rest of the staff at Telebeep, for their extra efforts and support that allowed me to embark on such an incredible journey.

I appreciate all of the many volunteers that sacrificed so much to help out with the campaign by contributing their precious time and financial gifts. Many people contributed, not out of abundance and wealth, but out of the little they had. Those gifts are most appreciated.

My passion for Norfolk is not lessened by the results of tonight's election. I am still very committed to continue to play an active roll in Norfolk's future.

We approached this election with the attitude that I will wake up the day after the election with everything that really matters in my life fully in tact. My family, my health and most importantly, my Faith in God is stronger than ever.

Perhaps the most important thing my wife and I learned over the past 22 months is that through adversity, God builds character and wisdom. We will forever be thankful to Him for that.

Tom Schommer

Saturday – November 1, 2008

He's the Best ‘Coach'
NORFOLK - After reading several thoughtful letters to the editor and seeing many “dueling” mayor signs, I decided to look again at which of the candidates for mayor would best serve the long-term interests of Norfolk.

The day-to-day management of city affairs is directed by a city administrator appointed by the mayor. But it is our mayor and city council who determine the direction of the city administrator. Our new mayor, as the highest elected city official, has the opportunity to set the tone and direction of Norfolk for the next four to eight years.

The mayor, who presides over the council, in effect becomes the “coach” to urge the council and the citizens of Norfolk to seek new ways to improve our city and our future. Our new mayor must proactively stimulate new alternatives for the future, without abandoning the things that have worked well in the past. Maintaining status quo will not be enough, because cities like South Sioux City and Columbus are not satisfied with staying where they were, and Norfolk can't be left behind.

So how do we choose between the two? Without taking anything away from his political opponent, I believe Tom Schommer has the better background to be the next “coach” (mayor) for Norfolk.

His experience in starting and growing a successful, high-tech company in a very competitive, continuously changing environment demonstrates his ability to bring diverse people together to succeed where many other companies have failed. That's the kind of vision and drive it will take to make Norfolk competitive and viable in the future.

J. Paul McIntosh

Saturday – November 1, 2008

What Norfolk Needs
NORFOLK - As a former Norfolk city council member and a very active member in the Norfolk community, I felt compelled to comment on the upcoming mayoral election. Although I now live outside city limits, I feel this election is very important to the citizens of Norfolk and it should not be taken lightly.

I would encourage each of you to take a very close look at the two candidates running for mayor.

Listen carefully to what they say, then ask yourself the question: “What does Norfolk need most right now out of your local government, and which one of the two candidates is most capable of getting that done?”

I feel strongly that Tom Schommer is the best candidate to be mayor of Norfolk. Tom has what it takes to lead people to go beyond just getting everybody together and talking, to a point where actual results are achieved for the good of Norfolk.

I have known Tom Schommer for well over 20 years. I've seen things about Tom that many people don't see and I know what he is capable of doing. I've seen how Tom operates a successful business and how he handles problems. He knows what it takes to keep the doors open.

Tom has shown he has the skills to sift through the details with an open mind and build a consensus to get our city the best results.

Don Wisnieski

Saturday – November 1, 2008

More than a Slogan
NORFOLK - Here is why I think you should vote for Tom Schommer for mayor on Nov. 4.

Tom has proven by his actions that he has the credentials to make an excellent mayor for Norfolk.

Tom has offered more than a slogan to our community. Tom has offered a detailed plan that goes beyond “bringing people together.” What really matters to me is what happens after we are together. Unless we are able to produce measurable results at the end, all we have really done is brought people together and accomplished nothing.

I support the candidate who has shown us a clear plan to get the city of Norfolk back on track and supports economic development as well as quality of life issues. Tom has done that.

As a longtime member of this community I have watched our community go through various stages of development in our city's history. I want a mayor who is willing to take an occasional calculated risk for the sake of prosperity for the city of Norfolk.

This election is crunch time for the citizens of Norfolk. Ask yourself if you are willing to settle for maintaining the status quo, or would you like to see positive changes for our city? I have appreciated Tom Schommer's approach to challenging the status quo.

Teri Medelman-Bauer

Saturday – November 1, 2008

Man of Wisdom, Diplomacy
NORFOLK - I'll be voting for Tom Schommer for Norfolk mayor in the upcoming election.

As a business owner, family man and community volunteer, I have faith in Schommer's abilities to lead this city and to make the difficult decisions that a mayor is called upon to make.

I was impressed with Schommer's leadership skills earlier this year while dealing with the controversial city hall issue and the City of Norfolk's ad hoc advancements on the 13th Street church property. At a time when our own city staff was blazing forward with blinders on, Schommer worked tirelessly as a volunteer to bring sense and reason to the process. He became spokesman for a group of community leaders who sought to explore additional options, and he brought new ideas to the surface for public discussion.

He's a man of wisdom and diplomacy.

Christopher Amundson

Friday – October 31, 2008

Time for change
NORFOLK - We, as residents of this fine community, deserve the best that is available to us. We should have the best schools, the best recreation, the best shopping, the best restaurants and the best entertainment because that would mean we are a thriving community built for growth.

But we all know that this is not the case as we have gone backwards in several of these areas in the last 20 years. We have lost major employers and we have seen recreation decline and many residents shop out of town.

Norfolk needs change. We need a leader, someone who will step up and ask the difficult questions. We can't continue to keep doing what we are doing and expect different results.

The Norfolk mayor's race is an opportunity for that change. Ask yourself: “How can I make a difference?” By listening to and believing what one candidate is saying he will do for our community.

Tom Schommer will be that leader we have not had. He will be that ambassador for new business and a friend to youth and families.

Tom will find out how our tax dollars are being spent in a difficult-to-understand budget. He saved the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars questioning the wisdom of our city's decision to buy an old church next to a cemetery. This move would have removed city hall out of the heart of our city. He brought community groups together to explore other options for a new administration building.

As citizens we can choose to get more of the same or we can decide to make a change. I prefer something new as we have had very little change in over 10 years. I firmly support and will vote for Tom Schommer on Nov. 4.

TROY UHLIR

Wednesday – October 29, 2008

Tired of Status Quo
NORFOLK - I am writing this letter to show my support for Tom Schommer for mayor. Tom is an honest, caring and dedicated man who is truly looking out for Norfolk, and has total passion for the community of Norfolk.

Being a local business owner myself, I do know that growing the economy of Norfolk is vitally important and that is what needs to happen. I know, as a fellow businessperson in Norfolk, that Mr. Schommer will make the right decisions to ensure Norfolk's success as a community. We share a vested interest in this community.

If you think about it, Tom is a true entrepreneur, a genuinely real person, just like you and me. A person who started his business from the ground floor. Tom has experience and understands the risk and sacrifices it takes to step out on a limb and make things happen.

As I have watched this mayoral race unfold, I am truly amazed by the numbers of people who are looking for change in the community of Norfolk. We all talk and talk, but it is time to step forward and support a candidate that has the capacity to actually facilitate that change.

If you are tired of the status quo and, like many of us, concerned we could end up with just more of the same, it is time to step up and support Tom Schommer as mayor.

JACQUE STAUFFER

Wednesday – October 29, 2008

At a Crossroads
NORFOLK - The fact that the Norfolk mayoral race is highly contested is great for the voters with both candidates putting a lot on the line to serve Norfolk. They have given Norfolk maybe some better options than in recent elections.

In my eyes, Norfolk is at a crossroads. This crossroads has 6 to 8 spokes or directions we, as a community, can go. We can no longer afford to give the answers everyone likes to hear. We can't continually circle the crossroads, afraid of the commitment needed to select a path and move us forward. We need to consider future trends and their impact on the community and region.

Making choices creates dialogue, interaction and, most of all, well-rounded solutions. If one is not willing to make a decision or commitment, we will continue to circle the crossroads, maintain the status quo and lose opportunities - opportunities for Norfolk's future.

I feel Tom Schommer has proven he is the one candidate who will give direction. Tom's ideas create seeds for dialogue, interaction and well-rounded solutions. He is willing to listen, to mediate ideas, to collectively move this community forward. Recently he directly helped in considering a shared community facility for public and non-public entities. His leadership created a sense of opportunity of what is possible and reasonable.

MARK HALL

Old Guard vs New Hope
I have had the opportunity to have small businesses in several communities. I currently have investments and business interests in Norfolk. I am writing this letter to express my support to Tom Schommer for mayor.

Its been my experience that every city has a group of individuals who can make a new business want to come to their town or can make a new business jump though hoops to come. It is a choice for both the local citizens as well as for the prospective business.

On November 4th, you have an opportunity to elect an individual with insight and passion to see a community grow and who has years of experience in running his current business. Tom Schommer is that individual.

It's exciting to see that a New Hope is on the Horizon for Norfolk. Please take the time to vote on this Nov 4th and I encourage you to cast your vote for Tom Schommer.

Mark Hartinger

Tuesday – October 28, 2008

Two Good Candidates
NORFOLK -Norfolk is fortunate to have two very good candidates running for mayor. I want to commend both Tom Schommer and Sue Fuchtman for submitting to the rigors and public scrutiny of the campaign and even more of the same if elected mayor.

The one thing I believe in is that Tom Schommer will absolutely, without doubt, be independent, do what is right and not be unduly influenced by anyone.

Not everyone can resist the pressures that go along with being recruited for a public office.

Whoever is our next mayor has to bring all Norfolkans together and heal the wounds and divisions of the past. I believe Tom Schommer can do this.

He will offer fresh perspectives and strive to fairly represent all citizens equally.

JOHN DINKEL

Monday – October 27, 2008

Two Main Reasons
NORFOLK - There are many reasons we support our friend and fellow businessman Tom Schommer for mayor of Norfolk.

The two main ones are vision and integrity. Tom has the vision to see a project from start to finish successfully. He will look at situations from every angle and gather as much information as he can before he comes to a conclusion.

Integrity? Simply put, we trust him.

Tom makes sound decisions based on credible information, education, faith and morals. We respect that way of leadership.

MARK and STEPH WEIDNER

Monday – October 27, 2008

He's a Hard Worker
NORFOLK - I have worked with Tom Schommer for the past six years as his bookkeeper. Over this time, I have come to know him as an honest, compassionate and hard-working individual.

He is dedicated to helping Norfolk and the area. He often donates to charitable events not only by volunteering his own time, but also financially even though it sometimes puts his own company in a position that certain expenses have to be cut to do so.

For Tom to put his trust and faith in his partners and employees to run a business that he has built over the past 25 years while he is out visiting with citizens, and potentially taking on the responsibilities of mayor, shows me how much he cares about Norfolk and its future.

Tom has the skills necessary to help Norfolk grow and I believe in Tom's integrity and diligence to get that accomplished.

JACKIE TAAKE

Saturday – October 25, 2008

Deserves Consideration
NORFOLK - Before you decide who you will vote for to be the next mayor of Norfolk, I would like to encourage you to go to Tom Schommer's Web site at www.TomSchommer.com.

Consider his rise from a humble beginning as a meatpacking employee to a developer of a family business that has become an industry leader.

Consider his commitment to service as evidenced by his involvement on various boards as well as to his political party.

As a member of the Norfolk Planning Commission, I appreciate Tom's vision to bring industry to Norfolk, as well as his desire and ability to assist existing businesses to expand their businesses.

Tom's past successful track record, his current involvement in community service and his plan for the future of Norfolk is proof enough to me that Tom deserves your consideration for our next mayor of Norfolk.

Maynard Ohl

Saturday – October 25, 2008

A Proven Leader
NORFOLK - Even though we won't be able to vote in the upcoming election of mayor (we live outside of Norfolk), we know how crucial this position is to the economic growth of the entire area.

It's for this reason we support Tom Schommer. As an owner of a successful Norfolk business, he understands how local government can impact the creation of new businesses and growth of existing business. He knows what needs to be done to remove roadblocks to business development. He's a proven leader and a “get it done” kind of guy. In our opinion, he's the right person for this job.

NORM and SHERI FUNK

Saturday – October 25, 2008

Change is Inevitable
NORFOLK - Change is inevitable and it's happening in Norfolk at a rapid pace. We have hired a new city administrator, contemplating relocation of city office facilities and have made a step forward on the river walk proposal. In the immediate future, we also have an all-important decision to make as to who will be our next mayor.

All of these items carry a huge impact on the community's vision and growth, not to mention its future. It appears to me that these issues deserve some undivided attention and some real leadership perspective.

We have a mayoral candidate in Tom Schommer who provides such leadership; not only can we count on that leadership, but we can expect it to come in the way of integrity, honesty, dedication and a vision that will, once again, shine a positive light on Norfolk.

I would ask that we take a good look at the issues, both positive and negative, that involve our city and then join me in casting a vote for Tom Schommer.

MARTY THOMAS

Friday – October 24, 2008

In Response
NORFOLK - This letter is in response to two recent letters by Mary Doyle. Mary was critical of Republicans Mike Johanns and Jeff Fortenberry and supportive of Democrats Scott Kleeb and Max Yashirin. What Mary neglected to say is she is the chairperson of the Madison County Democratic Party.

I have nothing against a person having a point of view but am disappointed when they try to hide their real agenda. So, in the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that I, like a majority of the people in Norfolk, am a conservative Republican.

I was an employee of the city for 27 years, with the last 10 years as a member of the Norfolk Fire Division. My interest in politics is on the national level. When I was asked by a renowned firefighter a while back what I thought of the Norfolk mayor's race, I told him, as the old saying goes, all politics are local.

Even though Norfolk's mayor's race is supposed to be non-partisan, as a registered Democrat, one of the candidates chose to make her formal announcement to run for mayor at the Madison County Democrats monthly meeting in November of last year.

The Nebraska Democratic Party has posted on its Web site what they call their 93 County Strategy to get Democrats elected to local offices. Because of this strategy, I also told my fellow firefighter that it is perfectly legit to let party affiliation impact your decision as it relates to the Norfolk mayor's race. And that is where I left it.

Fast-forwarding through this election season, I can see a lot of similarities between national and local campaigns. On one side you have Obama-Biden, Kleeb, Yashirin and Fuchtman with their “Change we can believe in” and “Bringing people together.” On the other side, you have McCain-Palin, Johanns, Fortenberry and Schommer with experience and courage, proven and trusted, answering questions, not raising taxes and clarity in having a plan and stating what that plan is.

Norfolk is coming out of some rough times, and Tom Schommer has proven to me that he has the credentials to be an excellent mayor for Norfolk during this transitional time.

BRIAN SIGNOR

Friday – October 24, 2008

Change is a Mindset
NORFOLK - Change. That seems to be the word of choice for candidates lately. To some, change means a choice outside of the “entrenched political establishment” and not anointing the “chosen one.”

This person is not afraid to share their ideas, to encourage interaction by thinking out loud. Not perfect but human, nurturing and mixing ideas to find unique solutions for our community. Thinking outside of the box, not following but leading. Not necessarily saying what you want to hear, but what you need to hear to find positive solutions.

Of the two candidates running for mayor of Norfolk, I support Tom Schommer and feel he is the one candidate capable of facilitating that type of change for our community.

Some people who have talked of change may have breathed a sigh of relief prematurely when our previous city administrator stepped down. Change is not an individual stepping down or even his replacement.

Change is really a mindset. Change means moving away from the established or “the way we have always done it” while still keeping it in clear sight.

I am for this kind of change and that is why I support Tom Schommer for mayor.

Tom has demonstrated his willingness to change the mindset and culture in such a way that will create true change for the better in Norfolk.

Dave Claussen

Friday – October 24, 2008

Has Passion and Energy
NORFOLK - On Nov. 4, we'll have the privilege and responsibility of electing a new mayor of Norfolk.

This position should not be ceremonial but one that can set direction, organize projects and decide on issues that affect us all.

There are two candidates. When choosing, there are things I look for in the candidates' lives. For that reason, I choose Tom Schommer.

Tom has all the qualifications, but also the passion and energy to lead Norfolk into new success. He is a businessman, an entrepreneur who took the risks to build a business that serves Norfolk well. He gives of his time to serve on community committees and projects.

There are many examples of leadership in Tom Schommer, but the most telling characteristic is who he gives his time to. He is approachable by anyone and has as his friends business leaders, governors, senators and congressmen. But, most importantly, on any given day, you will also see Tom with the youth of the community, helping them at a critical time in their lives.

That is the mayor I want for Norfolk. One who will not only wear a title but also with passion and energy give of himself to make this community so much better. For that reason among many, I choose Tom Schommer for mayor.

DEAN CYBORON

“Having a solid job creation plan will help us in recruiting and retaining the best and brightest young people,” he said. “Ultimately, our focus is jobs, jobs, jobs and even more jobs for Norfolk.”
Earlier this month, Schommer released a proposed job creation plan for Norfolk that called for a random survey to be taken of Norfolkans and business owners with the results to be the focus of a summit on the topic of job creation. An action plan would follow the summit.

Schommer said the analysis done by the National Community Development Services shows that if a community were to create 312 jobs, an additional 284 “indirect and induced” jobs also are produced.
The study also pointed to the fact that the most tangible and widespread benefit to the region comes from the potential for increased earnings. The creation of new jobs during the 2002-2007 period analyzed in the study generated about $19.1 million in total personal income and earnings for the region's residents.

The study also pointed out that job creation can have a social benefit, too. “As personal and business earnings increase, so does personal spending as well as savings,” Schommer said. “Families end up having more disposable income available to them to do some of the things that add to the quality of life.”

Wednesday – October 22, 2008

Right Person at Right Time
NORFOLK - As a Norfolk businesswoman, I have known and worked with Tom Schommer for more than 16 years. He was my employer for the first seven years and has been my business partner for the past nine years. I've had the privilege of observing Tom in a lot of different and difficult situations - ones that test the real character and integrity of a person.

Tom is a man who will do what is right and not what is easy. At the same time, he is fair and empowers people with the tools necessary to make decisions on their own.

Tom always explains the “why” behind any decision. And when he commits to something, he does it with resolve, sensitivity, compassion and commitment.

Tom really likes to think things out and has some phenomenal, visionary ideas. Because of his ability to imagine what the future can hold and then see the route that needs to be taken, our business has survived some very difficult economic and industry-wide changes.

On a personal level and as a working mom, I have really appreciated the fact that Tom is pro-family. Tom approached me and offered that during the school year, I leave work early enough to be able to pick up my kids from school and spend those “oh so precious” after-school hours with my sons and daughter. That time has allowed me to stay connected to my kids.

I believe that Tom Schommer is the right person at the right time to be the next mayor of Norfolk.

Carla Oestreich