Norfolk Daily News

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