Saturday, May 22, 2010

City Council Meeting Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 7:15 PM City Hall and Supporting Materials

The Sidney City Council will take up a number of issues when it meets this Tuesday evening at 7:15 PM in the Sidney City Council Chambers. Among the items for consideration:

Boot Hill Cemetery Chairperson Cathy Wilson makes a request for firearms discharge as part of the Pony Express Ceremonies.

Mayor Dave Wiederspon will make a formal recommendation to the city council on names for consideration to replace Dave Zackowski and Harold Perkins, both of whom have elected to forego further service on the city's planning commission. After a public solicitation in the Sidney Sun-Telegraph, Jeff Campbell and Tom Dial have both expressed interest in the position. Each man provided a letter expressing their intent to help the people of Sidney and detail some of their experiences they felt would be beneficial to the community.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

What is wrong with enforcing the law?

States have historically adopted and codified federal law into state statues for decades. One such federal law, called the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act was a cornerstone federal law that set boundaries for establishing guideline rules and laws for the administration of justice for children in separated relationships. Almost every state in the nation has incorporated vast provisions within state law without any issues or complaint from anyone.

Now comes Arizona with a similar attempt to codify a federal law, this time immigration. Not only has the backlash been inflammatory in nature, the tone taken by Obama Administration officials borders (pun intended) on the insane.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Critical Masses?

While the results of the city council primary race made a few people, including the candidates, scratch their heads, it also underscored the need for people to be as informed as possible when choosing those who are to govern them. The analysis that follows herein is meant to examine the outcome before the canvassing board met last Thursday and the subsequent changes found from those who were early/absentee voters.

Of surprising note was how well several first time candidates performed. Mark Nienhueser surpassed two incumbents, Dalan Hiett and Marvin Filsinger to secure the number two position in voter popularity. Although his vote tally was nearly 150 votes behind Wendall Gaston's 904, he has clearly emerged as an early game-changer in the race for the city's future leadership. Nienhueser's strong showing, in a primary that had higher than historical average turnout bodes well for the Cabela's vice president and presents challenges for both Filsinger and Hiett who hope to sway enough voters in November to return to the council chambers for another four year term.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Nelsen steals the show

Candidate Tamara Nelsen has passed Zane Hall by a count of 288 to 287 after a recount verified the updated results from the provisional and absentee ballots.

This puts Nelsen in the crucial sixth and final primary candidate spot for November's general elections.

More to come later.

Recount!

The results of the canvasing board show a one vote difference between Zane Hall and Tamara Nelsen. State statutes require a recount if the difference between the winning candidate is less than one percent of the top vote getter's count. That number is currently nine based on the over 900 votes received by Wendall Gaston.

Candidate Nelsen waived her right to recount, but Candidate Hall did not so the recount will commence momentarily.

Results of provisional ballot count

Vote counts in the Sidney City Council race between Tamara Nelsen and Zane Hall add 6 additional votes each to their total. The gap remains unchanged, with the next step being the counting of some 240 additional absentee/early votes.

The additional votes are being processed at this time.


Primary vote turnout higher than state, higher than local historical primary average

Turnout for Tuesday's primary elections was 7 percentage points higher than the historical average.

More than 2200 votes were cast out of nearly 6900 registered county voters.

Canvassing Board meets at 2:00 PM today

The Cheyenne County Elections Canvassing Board will meet today at 2:00 PM at the courthouse in Sidney. The purpose of the meeting will be to certify the results of the vote count from the Tuesday primary election and to also count some 243 late absentee ballots that were received Friday and Monday, and to verify 28 provisional ballots cast during the election day activities.

Theguardiannews will cover the canvassing board activities live and will make up to the minute reports on the outcome, particularly in the Sidney City Council race. Currently, first-time candidates Zane Hall and Tamara Nelsen are separated by a slim 16 votes and either could benefit from a swing in the voter sentiments as revealed by the board.

Both candidates feel that there is potential for excitement in the end results and are cautiously optimistic that the the few remaining votes may help secure their position or upset the apple cart of public opinion.

Be sure to check back frequently this afternoon in order to get the scoop... We will have it here first.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Hackleman disappointed with primary results, maintains resolve to help the city move forward

For former Sidney City Council Candidate Tim Hackleman, the results Tuesday night were less than what he hoped for. "I was surprised and disappointed," He wrote in an email to theguardiannews. "I think that the results would have been different all the way around, had there been a larger voter turn out."

Hackleman said that it should stand as a testament that primary elections are just as important as the general election and people shouldn't take it for granted the person they support will advance if people don't vote.

Hackleman, who campaigned in large measure through his Website, often had to make changes to counter anonymous comments that directed questions or blame to sitting council members or other members of the community. At times, the comments bordered on the more vicious side of the debate regarding over trust and equality of treatment under the law. Despite the challenges encountered during his first attempt at public service in Sidney, Hackleman continues to look at the bright side.

"All in all, it was a fantastic experience," he wrote. "I learned so much and will hopefully continue to learn. I love this city." He hopes to remain engaged in local public service. Hackleman plans to talk with City Manager in the coming weeks about possible service on the Historical Preservation Society board. He believes that the proximity of the I-80 corridor is a money pipe that needs to be directed into downtown business opportunities."

"I think the Historic District is the way to tap into it," he wrote, indicating the tourism and travel dollars that come into town at the exits from the interstate and how they could be used to build up the downtown area. Hackleman wrote that a strong downtown business area will help grow jobs and sales tax revenues.

Hume, "touched, honored" by choice of the voters

Gradually assuming the many of the duties of the Clerk of the Cheyenne County District Court was a challenge that Republican challenger Debra Hume readily accepted as the retiring Edith Baumbaugh began to transition away from some of the tasks during the last several years. That effort, however, was small by comparison to the amount of effort it took to get into the campaign to hold the seat  Baumbaugh vacated earlier this year.  It took more than words of encouragement from her husband Rick and all of her friends. It took coaxing from her mother.

"She believed in me," said Hume.  When prayer and encouragement from some of her closest friends seemed to not be enough, her mother told her, ""She told me, Debra, you run,""

Wanting to run for a political office can be daunting for a first time candidate.  In fact, after the Cheyenne County Commissioners appointed Volkmer, Hume questioned her willingness to run at all. Wanting to advance one's career by appealing to those whom are served can be intimidating and Hume gives credit to those people closest to her for giving her the courage to put her hat in the ring.

"I have a lot of ladies and gentlemen who stepped up and put their faith in me," said Hume.

Her mother's advice, coupled with those around her turned out to be solid for Hume, who secured the Republican nomination with a strong showing in the election, winning by approximately 300 votes over the appointed incumbent Volkmer. The results may have surprised some people in Cheyenne County, but Hume was not surprised by the results.

We worked hard," she said. "We had a lot of good supporters who walked the streets and put signs up." Hume said that the support that received from volunteers, family and friends gave her a sense of strength and hope. Several times she commented on how prayer and the love of her family helped her to keep a positive attitude.

Campaigning took Hume and many of her supporters out of their comfort zones. "Most of us had never been door to door before, but they believed in me ...  put their faith in me. I feel honored."

Volkmer, who currently holds the position that Hume will most likely assume early next year, remains as the District Court Clerk by virtue of her appointment. Whether any early transition of some duties will happen is up to Volkmer, according to Hume.  "I totally respect the position and I will do what I need to do," she said. "A lot of that (the duties to be passed along) is up to Deanna, but I have done many of those tasks for quite a while, but we will see what happens."

The impact of the primary race results is still sinking in on Hume. "I am very touched that I got the votes I got," she said. "I am proud that people stood up for what they believed in me, and that they went out of their comfort zone. I am very blessed."

Nelson, Hall wait on results of final, uncounted ballots for city council primary race

The slim majority lead held currently by Zane E. Hall over 7th place finisher Tamara Nelsen is well within the margin of change possible when the Cheyenne County elections canvassing board takes up the issue of counting approximately 240 absentee ballots along with 28 provisional ballots cast on Tuesday.

According to a post on her campaign blog site, Nelsen feels she still may have a chance yet to pass current sixth place candidate Hall. Currently Hall holds a slim lead of sixteen votes over Nelsen, who graciously thanked her supporters for their efforts in promoting her campaign.

Based on the nature of those who tend to vote early and absentee, the odds may indeed favor Nelsen. Zane Hall, who ran pretty much a grassroots effort to get younger people involved in the race might need a little Scott's Turfbuilder to preserve his lead, if the choice were limited to just these two candidates.

Although it will not be impossible for Nelsen to pick up some extra votes in the canvassing board tally beginning Thursday afternoon, based on the results from Tuesday evening, there will most likely be a strong gap between the top three and the rest of the pack.

Far stranger things have happened in the world of politics.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Top six vote getters advance to November Ballot

Wendall Gaston, Mark Nienhueser and Marvin Filsinger were the top three vote getters in today's Cheyenne County Primary election for Sidney City Council.

Gaston received 804 votes, with Nienhueser bringing in 674 votes and Gaston trailing in third place with 602 votes.

Dalan Hiett was fourth with 542 votes. Roger Gallaway captured 308 votes in his third bid for a council seat. Perhaps the biggest surprise was Zane Hall, who captured additional support in the crucial Sidney District 5 precinct to move ahead of first time candidate Tamara Nelsen with 253 votes. Nelsen garnered 237 votes.

Tim Hackleman received 214 votes, Tracy Hruza had 161 votes, and Jim Hansel, who dropped out of the race for personal reasons earlier, still managed to collect 56 votes.

Amendment 1 also went down to close defeat 995 against and 971 for. The amendment would allow local governments to purchase property for the benefit of nonprofit entities.

The results are unofficial and are subject to change as a determination must be made on more than 300 provisional ballots, whose outcome could sway the outcome the 4th-6th positions on the ballot.

Hume, Jensen, Fiegenschuh easily defeat opposition to advance to November Ballot

One incumbent, one challenger and one open seat candidate will advance to the November general election ballot if preliminary election results from the Cheyenne County Primary elections hold at their current margins.

Debra Hume, the long-time deputy clerk of the district court easily defeated incumbent Deanna Volkmer by a three to two margin. Volkmer had been appointed in January to fulfill the unexpired term of Edith Baumbaugh, who retired.

Beth Fiegenschuh who ran on a platform of 16 years experience proved more than a match for former county employee Sarah Deaver, winning by a two to one against the first time candidate.

Chief Deputy John Jenson had perhaps the strongest showing of the county candidates. He defeated challenger and three-time sheriff's department employee Patrick Jenks by a 1409 to 202 margin.

Please check the Cheyenne County Website for up to date information on totals for each office.

Hume victory almost assured

Flash

With all precincts reporting, Clerk of the district court candidate debra hume has tallied a 960 to 667 vote lead. Unless results from provisional ballots skew heavily in Volkmer's favor, Hume will advance to the November ballot. Results are unofficial.

It all comes down to Sidney 5

Sidney 5th district has just been delivered. It is the largest voting district with over 1300 registered voters. It has the potential to be a game changer in the city council election.

Results coming in now

Please check the primary day post for up to the minute results

Primary Day Coverage

This post will be updated throughout the day with time stamps. If people have information from the outlying areas in Cheyenne County, please call me at 540-354-7636 with your report. Reports will be listed by time. It is vitally important to get every registered voter out to the fairgrounds for those living in Sidney. If you someone who needs assistance to get to the fairgrounds, please help them get their voices heard.

======News from Election Day=====
7:15 AM Light turnout at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds, home to five of the ten voting precincts. Election officials indicate that early voting was up significantly and that party change registrations as well as first-time voter registrations are very high. Election officials are cautiously optimistic that turnout will be higher than normal this year and encourage all to vote. Next big push, Lunch time.

11:32 AM: Traffic has been light but steady at the fairgrounds so, as lunch approaches, more and more of the precinct voting stations are beginning to fill up.

12:07 PM: Traffic flow is beginning to increase. One voter complained to election officials about the inability to vote for certain party-affiliated races because he was an independent. The election official explained to the voter that primary race ballots are split by party affiliation but that all offices are on the general election ballot in the fall.

Jon Boothe, commented that there wasn't much to vote for if you weren't a registered Republican, an observation at the strongly conservative leanings Cheyenne County traditionally exhibits.

12:40 PM while preparing an update, was approached by a poll worker who instructed me to refrain from using the web function on my phone. Polling place directives preclude the use of cell phones, but no directive exists for text messaging, or web functions. Additional information was provided by asst. County Clerk who explained that cell phone calls were restricted to prevent disruption to voters, but that web access or texting was permissible.

On the vote front, turnout continues to be light but steady. Of the 24+ ballot stations in use, I have yet to see more than half filled at one time. People may be waiting till after 5:00 PM.

4:24 PM: Things are picking up at the fairgrounds now. There were nearly 20 people casting their vote as this was being written.

4:49 PM: The excuses are flowing now. Two junior poll workers, whose job it is to assist voters as tithe correct precinct to vote in have a friendly challenge going. The contest between them is to see who can find the location the fastest. From the accounts of the two, supervised by an adult poll worker, Miss Sarah has the lead over Mr. Sam presently with a little more than two hours to go.

5:04 PM: news flash. With a little less than two hours remaining, approximatly 22% of those eligible to vote in the five Sidney precincts have exercised their right to vote.

On a side note, Cathy Wilson approached me about a previous post while writing this update. Despite my instruction to her that the polling place was not appropriate for her choice of conversation, she persisted, a fact which was noted by others present.

5:26 PM: The number of people who have come in the last 20 minutes is approximately double the number from the previous hour.

5:59 PM The push seems to have subsided, many people wearing the characteristic green lanyard have made their way into the voting area. It looks like the turnout will be reflected in the statements, including my assessments at around 25-28% or registered voters. The next update will be the initial vote tally's from the courthouse. There is still an hour to go. If you know someone who is eligible to vote, or is unsure if they are registered, get them down to the voting stations to see what needs to be done. Every vote counts this year, especially!




===========================================


Here are the unofficial results (scheduled to be released around 7:30 PM this evening) contested positions only will be covered. Final, unofficial results will be posted for all office seekers as they are made available to the media.
http://www.co.cheyenne.ne.us/2010PrimaryResults.htm


@@@@@ 9 of 9 precincts reporting@@@@@

Amendment One...
Allows municipal governments the ability to purchase land for the benefit of nonprofit entities...
971 for
995 against
Cheyenne County Clerk, 4 year term
Sarah J. Deaver 491
Beth E. Fiegenschuh, incumbent 1145

Cheyenne County Clerk of the District Court, 4 year term
Debra A. Hume 960
Deanna Volkmer, incumbent, appointed 667

Cheyenne County Sheriff, 4 year term
Patrick J. Jenks 202
John D. Jenson 1409

Sidney City Council, 4 year term (3 positions)
Marvin Filsinger, incumbent 602
Roger M. Gallaway 308
Wendall F. Gaston, incumbent 804
Tim Hackleman 214
Tracy Hruza 161
Zane E. Hall 253
Jimmie Hansel – withdrawn from ballot 56
Dalan Hiett, incumbent 542
Tamara Nelsen 237
Mark Nienhueser 674

Sidney School Board, 4 year term
Randy Flamig, incumbent
Brian Fort
Brett Lococo
Thomas Von Seggern, incumbent
Jeffrey R. Wernsman, incumbent

Potter School Board, 4 year term
Valerie Ball
Chris Bogert
Kimberly Gotfrey
Brad Hicks
Mike Rotert

Monday, May 10, 2010

Excercising more than your waist line

As I sit here writing this piece, I want to come up with some catchy turn of phrase that will ignite a turn out of massive proportions for the people of Sidney and Cheyenne County. What can one person say that causes another to act on something the founders died for to make possible.

The escape from British colonial rule was a difficult and fragile time for the fledgling nation that was determined to prevent the kind of excesses imposed by an uncaring monarchy three thousand miles to the east. Part of the plan, they reasoned, would be to elect their leaders from the body public. First, free white male land owners, then former slaves, then women, all took their turns at the ballot box as we grew into a mature nation.

The essence that stabilized that fragile nation 223 years ago provides to all of us the chance to perpetuate the great experiment into the future with our voices, our votes.

Whether you are voting for someone, something or against something, your voice truly only counts when you exercise your precious right to vote. Some of the races will effectively end tomorrow as county wide races for Sheriff, County Clerk and District Court Clerk offices are Republican primary contests. These winners will most likely be elected if they advance to the November Ballot. Other office holders for various school boards and county commissioners are likewise lightly contested or open.

Three Sidney City Council candidates will fail to advance after the votes are cast and counted tomorrow. Which ones will you vote for? You have three choices and the six top vote getters will square off in November. How well have you done your homework to ensure you are not just voting on name recognition, or what you heard someone say in a coffee shop? How many sources did you consult, including talking with candidates to see if their goals and ideals match up to your own?

Tomorrow is Primary Day in Cheyenne County, Neb. You may not get what you want just because you vote, but at least you draw your own line in the sand though this precious exercise. You could allow someone to vote for you and remain silent and be fish, waiting for the right bait to come along. Wouldn't it be better to be the fisherman, who after careful study of the waters and the shore grasses, understands where the big fish lie, biding their time.

My friends, It is time to be the fisherman. Please vote on Tuesday May 11th and let the fishes know that you will be heard and they will listen.

City Council Meeting Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 7:15 PM City Hall and Supporting Materials

The Sidney City Council will take up a full slate of activities this Tuesday evening as it considers items from financial statements to zoning requests. A replacement nomination for the Library Board comes before the council as Doris Jensen offers Sidney Public Schools teacher Michelle Onstott to fill the unexpired term of Gina Rosdail who resigned last fall.

Perhaps the biggest item on the agenda will be the consideration of a new ordinance to regulate and mitigate the operation commonly referred to has panhandling that has drawn public and media attention in the last few weeks. The ordinance seeks to discourage professional panhandlers who camp out at street corners, particularly at the intersection of 385 and East Old Post Rd near Wal Mart, Runza and other businesses, by requiring that special permits to panhandle be obtained prior to fund raising activities commence.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Cheyenne County wide candidates forum in Potter

For reference, Julie Young taped the recent candidate forum for the three contested county-wide offices up for a primary vote. Since all three races are contested by Republican candidates, the winner of these races Tuesday evening will only have to face write in candidates in November as no Democratic challengers have come forward.

Excepts from the forum can be found here, or by going to Julie Young's Website. Theguardiannews wishes to thank Ms. Young for her taking the time and effort to inform the citizens of Cheyenne County during this primary season.

Michael Rowland
Publisher

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Response to attacks on me from Tim Hackleman's Campaign Blog commenters

Publisher's note: I received an email from Tim this morning in which he explained that he removed a couple comments from people who were not using his site to promote or educate voters about his positions. I thank him for doing so and encourage everyone to use these resources in a way that positively reflects on the elections underway.

Tim,

I feel I need to address a couple things regarding those who comment on your blog. This information is being sent to your email, your site and this site in the hope that you will receive the message. Your site is a campaign site, not a bash Mike Rowland Site. Several times now I have asked you to remove references to me by your posters. You have changed your site from a free for all un-moderated site to one where you at least approve of the comment before posting. There is no reason to post any comment with my name on it, and yet you persist in allowing such material to flow through your site. You are right, I am not the Sidney Citizen. I appreciate the statement of your belief that I am not the writer of the anonymous paper. I don't understand your statement minimizing my ties to local businesses downtown as being a key to understanding the problems outlined by the Sidney Citizen, to the extent any such comments are valid.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

***UPDATED**** Dog Dodges Hangman, has new lease on life

There is joy in Mudville this day as the German shepard no longer has to walk the green mile, but instead finds greener pastures in the care of a family who adopted him moments ago. Special thanks to the concerned citizen who forwarded the information of the dog's circumstances and to the family opened their hearts and home to a new member.


===== Original Post========
A concerned citizen just informed me that an unclaimed, untagged German shepard is on his last day of hold prior to euthanasia procedures being applied per city ordinance. According to the information supplied theguardiannews, the dog is an adult male, who appears to be pure bred in appearance, though no paperwork accompanies the animal. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact White Bluffs Veterninary Hospital immediately at 308-254-2704.

Constitutional Amendment on ballot

Among the various state and local election choices voters will have to consider is a constitutional amendment to allow counties, cities and villages to acquire, own, develop and lease of finance real and personal property by nonprofit enterprises for non religious purposes. Another provision in the amendment allows localities to issue revenue bonds in order to acquire such property.

Localities will not be able to condemn any land or property as part of the acquisition process, nor will localities be able to levy any tax to pay for any such purchase permitted under the proposed amendment.

Theguardiannews provides this information in order to let voters know the potential impact on their choices in the upcoming primary election next Tuesday.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Open Door Policy

You may have noticed that I have not been writing very much lately. It isn't that I have given up on the people of Sidney, but rather the result of open doors and closing doors that brings me to today's resumption of theguardiannews.