Norfolk Daily News

Tuesday – April 29, 2008

Norfolkans thinking they might hear distinct differences of opinion Monday night from seven candidates for city office probably came away disappointed.

Not that the opinions expressed by the three mayoral candidates and four city council candidates were bad — they just sounded the same.

The importance of economic development, the need to make improvement to Norfolk’s parks, the desire that the city’s next administrator be a “people person” and the need to be progressive — those themes and several others were echoed frequently by the six men and one woman participating in a candidates forum sponsored by Norfolk radio stations WJAG/KEXL.

About 25 people showed up at the city council chambers to attend the forum, which also was broadcast live on the radio and on CableONE’s public access channel.

Participating were mayoral candidates Sue Fuchtman, Tom Schommer and Larry Sweigard, two of whom will advance from the May 13 primary election to the November general election.

In addition, the four men seeking to be a Third Ward representative to the Norfolk City Council participated — incumbent Jim Brenneman, Dave Hedrick, Vaughn Wiebusch and Chad Korth. The top two vote-getters among those four will advance to the November election.

As an example of the similar sentiments expressed by the candidates, Fuchtman said she is running for mayor because she wants to bring people together and assume the responsibility for unifying the city council. Schommer said he’s running because he felt the time was right to unite the community.

Among the council candidates, Hedrick said he’s running for office because he wants to see positive change and see Norfolk grow. Wiebusch said it’s an opportune time to run because there’s “change in the air.” Korth added that he feels it’s time for a new vision for Norfolk.

The candidates also all generally supported the idea of working toward passage of an LB840 ballot issue in the future so that Norfolk has more flexibility in using taxpayer funds for economic development purposes.

“It’s essential to pass an 840 program,” Brenneman said.

On the keno issue on the May 13 ballot, the candidates said they recognize the value of generating additional revenue for park improvements. If the ballot issue passes next month, the city council already has decided to make use of the city’s share of the keno proceeds to fund recreation improvements.

But many of the candidates avoided directly answering the question of how they personally will vote on the issue in May.
Perhaps the biggest and only area where differences of opinions were expressed was when the topic of a new city office building — or a shared office facility — was brought up.

Brenneman said that there are “several fine options” available to the city and that new city offices are needed to “send a message that we are a progressive community.”

Wiebusch said he believes there are four or five things more important to the city right now than new city offices.

Korth said he would support taking a close look at what it would require to fix up the city auditorium and the current city offices before pursuing other options.

Fuchtman said she’s supportive of new offices for Norfolk city staff members. From her own experience with The Day Companies, Fuchtman said she’s seen firsthand how productivity, communication and efficiency can improve when individuals are in an environment conducive to work.