Norfolk Daily News

Monday – April 28, 2008

Three people are running for mayor of Norfolk, and only two will advance from the May 13 primary election.

Two of the candidates are business owners and got an early start filing last year. They are Sue Fuchtman, president of The Day Companies, and Tom Schommer, owner of TeleBeep Wireless and Tommark Properties.

Also running is Larry Sweigard, a retired Norfolk firefighter and political newcomer, who jumped into the race a week before the deadline to make it a contested election on the May ballot.

TOM SCHOMMER said he is running for mayor because “I love living in Norfolk, and I want to do my part to make Norfolk an even better place to live and raise a family. I am determined to restore growth and optimism to Norfolk by believing in and bringing people together.”

Schommer said he would offer positive change and a new vision.

“I will provide leadership that has the proven courage to make the difficult decisions necessary to reunite our community and move Norfolk forward,” he said. “I offer values that are based on faith, family, common sense and personal responsibility.”

He said citizens are hungry for new leadership.

“I have demonstrated that I possess the courage to take on important issues that affect our community,’’ he said. “I am determined to make a real difference to our citizens, our working families, our children, our seniors and our business community.

Schommer has most recently been involved as spokesman for the Shared Facility Work Group, which is exploring combined office space for the City of Norfolk and other groups. In addition to his business interests, he holds an associate degree in electronic engineering.

He has been an ambassador for the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce. He also has been involved in Norfolk Area Recruiters, NorthFork Development Foundation, Small Business Council, Norfolk Noon Optimists, Legislative Action Council, Norfolk Public Schools Advisory Council and the Congressional Leadership Team.

He and his wife, Linn, have four children.

SUE FUCHTMAN, a Norfolk native, said she’s running for mayor because she believes in the city’s future, and the city has been home all her life.

“I want to make sure we can keep our young people here in Norfolk and attract new business to Norfolk,’’ she said. “I know that I can do that because that is what I have been doing as president of The Day Companies. Retaining our people and bringing in new business is what I am successful in doing at work, and I want to work to do that for Norfolk.”
Her background makes her a candidate worthy of support, she said.
“I’m honest, open and true to what I believe and what I have been taught,’’ she said. “I am faithful. I will be faithful to the promises that I make, faithful to the city of Norfolk and faithful to the citizens of Norfolk.”

If elected, Fuchtman said, she’ll treat the people of Norfolk with respect.
“Why wouldn’t you treat the voters with respect? They are ultimately the boss of the mayor, so being responsive to the community and treating them with respect is what I will do,’’ she said.

Fuchtman has served in various capacities in Norfolk.
She has been chairwoman of the Norfolk Planning Commission since 2001. She also is on the NorthFork River Development Board and part of the Shared Facility Work Group looking into joint office space for the city and other groups. Fuchtman recently said she doesn’t believe a shared facility should be a high priority for the city because there are other, more important needs to address.

A graduate of Norfolk Catholic High School, she served two terms on the Norfolk Catholic School Board and helped develop that school’s annual auction fundraiser.

She was president of the Women’s Division of the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce from 1986 to 1988. In 1990, she received the chairman’s outstanding service award from the chamber and was on the chamber board from 2002 to 2005.
She also served on the Norfolk Area United Way Board from 1993 to 1995.

She is a graduate of the Leadership America program for women, vice president of the NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska Board that’s involved with delivering housing and community revitalization services and a member of Norfolk Noon Kiwanis. She was an adult sponsor for the Norfolk Youth Leadership Council during its formation.

In her job experience, she worked for the former Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. until the office closed in 1981. In 1982, she began working for The Day Companies in its 2001 Computer Store.

She moved to a position in The Day Companies Audit Group as an auditor. She eventually became president and partner in the company that she said serves 600 companies across the United States and handles $750 million in invoicing a year.

Sue has been married to her husband, Glen, for 37 years, and he also works at Day Companies. They raised four children. Two of her daughters are married and living and working in the community. She has also five grandchildren.

LARRY SWEIGARD said he is running to “appeal to voters that have given up on the voting system,” and that he has worked with Norfolk’s city administrator.

He also urged voters to go to the polls “no matter whom you vote for.’’
As far as organizations, on his questionnaire he said he has “been there, done that.’’ He and his wife, Darlene, have four children.