THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH ELECTION 2020 Voters to decide 4 council seats
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
WARD 1 Jim Backenstose (I)* » Age (as of Nov. 3): 67 » Address: 2109 Iron Eagle Court » Education: Roncalli Catholic High School, Omaha; University of Nebraska-Lincoln » Occupation: Retired » Past public offices: Appointed to City Council, December 2018 (confirmed by council, January 2019) » Other elections entered: None Meet the candidates
perience, he added, would help the city handle “a unique time in our history.” » Ward 4: Ostendorf said he has “a good work- ing knowledge of the city processes and procedures. When a citizen reaches out for assistance and I don’t have an immediate answer, I know where to go to get it.” Woods said he’s “an inde- pendent thinker,” has run his own business most of his adult life and follows “the character traits that my par- ents instilled in me: to be honest, hardworking and kind to others, depend on yourself and never stop try- ing.” City operations In your opinion, what are the main functions of city gov- ernment? Are there particular services you believe that the city should provide or that it could do a better job in deliv- ering? » Ward 1: Tryon said she would “encourage privatiz- ing as many nonessential services as possible,” while Backenstose said the city is “behind the eight ball, so to speak, in providing up-to- date recreation.” Both cited the primacy of providing es- sential services. » Ward 2: Volz said the city first needs “to set pol- icies and procedures to accommodate the goals of its citizens.” That includes the need “to stimulate growth” that diversifies the tax base “to remain relevant and competitive in our society to- day.” He and Agler agreed that essential services take top priority, with the lat- ter adding “there may be efficiencies that can be examined to provide the ser- vices the community uses and desires.” » Ward 3: Cities’ main role, Kurre said, “is to pro- vide those services and programs that we do best as a community.” North Platte has put off maintenance and repair of its streets and wa- ter and sewer systems and needs to address those, he added. Garrick said the city “should help rather than hinder people thriving.” By doing so, “we could defi- nitely do a better job at supporting and growing our own local businesses and at- tracting new businesses to move in.” » Ward 4: Woods said North Platte does well pro- viding city services, but he perceives “a feeling of dis- trust of the council and a feeling that the city does not take into consideration the ideas and concerns of the av- erage citizen.” Residents north of the Union Pacific tracks have “a sense that we are left out of the mix as far as economic development,” he added. City government exists “to serve the needs of the peo- ple,” Ostendorf said. Besides basic services and promo- tion of economic growth, “I believe that safe, comfort- able, affordable housing is of primary importance to all people, and the city should do whatever it possibly can to ensure that all citizens have access to it.” Economic development, QGF What role should the mayor and the city play in econom- ic development? What is your opinion on renewing the city’s Quality Growth Fund in this election for 10 more years? » Ward 1: Both candidates agreed that elected leaders and residents need to coop- erate to grow North Platte’s economy. Renewing the Quality Growth Fund, Backenstose said, “is integral to grow- ing our community.” Tryon said she would “apply the law as originally intended on a case-by-case basis” to city economic development pro- grams, calling them “a form of corporate welfare in pick- ing winners and losers.” » Ward 2: Agler and Volz said the mayor and council should be partners with lo- cal business leaders to grow North Platte’s economy. Both favored renewing QGF, with Volz saying “we will be at a severe disadvantage com- pared to other communities” if allowed to expire. » Ward 3: Both candidates
said city government plays a key economic development role in North Platte. Garrick and Kurre both called for QGF’s renewal. » Ward 4: Ostendorf cited the City Council’s recent re- zoning of Newberry Access’ east side as an example of good cooperation with North Platte’s business community. The council and mayor “should do everything pos- sible to facilitate new and existing business growth,” Woods said, but residents themselves “also need to pro- mote our town.” He called himself “torn on the issue of the Quality Growth Fund,” saying he op- poses “corporate welfare” but probably will vote for re- newal because the council has the last word on all QGF applications. QGF is meant “to help businesses of all sizes get started and grow,” Ostendorf said, citing a newly approved loan from the fund to Shae and Jeff Caldwell to help re- fit their newly purchased Parkade Plaza as a prime ex- ample. Iron Eagle What is your position on the proposal to sell or lease Iron Eagle Golf Course? All eight council candi- dates endorsed divesting the city’s interest in Iron Eagle, with Backenstose, Agler, Kurre and Ostendorf say- ing they hope the site will remain a golf course after being sold or leased. Property taxes What’s the best way to keep property tax burdens as light as possible while providing needed services? » Ward 1: To reduce infrastructure projects’ re- liance on property taxes, Backenstose said, the City Council should ask voters again to approve a half-cent sales tax dedicated to infra- structure needs. He also called for ex- ploring a 1% hotel-motel “occupation tax” that could be dedicated toward a new North Platte Recreation Center, among other possi- ble uses. Tryon said she hopes city government “can operate more like a business” with a new mayor and the recent hiring of Matthew Kibbon to replace the now-retired City Administrator Jim Hawks. “The citizens must realize for there to be any financial relief, government must re- duce spending, which can be achieved by a more efficient and smaller government as well as citizens taking per- sonal responsibility for some of their needs,” she said. » Ward 2: Sales taxes are “a very equitable way to spread that burden” borne by property taxes, Agler said, especially because out-of-town visitors and shoppers also pay it. User fees for more city services also should be considered, he said. Volz said “we need to manage the city bud- get critically” and expand the property tax base “by continuing to grow our population in a desired di- rection.” But “we are saddled with this (tax) structure” un- til the Legislature provides property tax relief, he added. » Ward 3: “It’s my belief that in examining the data and being clear, organized and transparent about where money is being spent, we could make our own systems more efficient and better able to manage within our means,” Garrick said. Kurre said he’d work to ensure “that spending is in line with the goals and pri- orities we set.” The ongoing downtown renovation “is one great example of what can happen when the city and lo- cal businesses do what is required to move into the fu- ture.” » Ward 4: “Sales tax is the fairest tax there is,” while growing North Platte’s population also pro- duces more property-tax payers to spread that bur- den, Ostendorf said. Woods called not only for promoting “jobs and growth” but for “aggressively” annex- ing areas outside city limits. Besides broadening the tax base, more annexation “may also get us to the magic pop-
By TODD VON KAMPEN todd.vonkampen@ nptelegraph.com
Half of the eight-member North Platte City Council will be elected for four-year terms in the Nov. 3 gener- al election. The other half will finish their terms in December 2022. » Ward 1: Incumbent Councilman Jim Backenstose is running against Donna Tryon for a full four-year term. The ward generally covers south and southeast North Platte on both sides of Interstate 80. Mayor Dwight Livingston appointed Backenstose at the end of 2018 to finish the term of Brook Baker, who moved outside city limits. Council President Jim Nisley is Ward 1’s other representative. » Ward 2: Pete Volz and Jim Agler are vying for the seat now held by retiring Councilman Glenn Petersen. Councilman Ty Lucas also represents their ward, which covers southwest North Platte north of the South Platte River. » Ward 3: Don Kurre, who represented the ward from 2006 to 2010, is running against first-time candidate Brad Garrick. The ward cov- ers central, west central and part of downtown North Platte. Incumbent Andrew Lee, who finished third in the May 12 mayoral primary, bypassed a run for a third Ward 3 term. Jim Carman holds the other seat. » Ward 4: Incumbent Lawrence Ostendorf is seek- ing a second term against Mark Woods, who led the primary voting. Tracy Martinez was eliminated in the primary’s only coun- cil race with more than two candidates. Councilman Ed Rieker also represents the ward that covers North Platte’s north side, a south-side area near- est to Bailey Yard and part of downtown. Next month’s general elec- tion winners will be sworn in at the Dec. 1 council meet- ing, along with the winner of the mayoral race between Brandon Kelliher and John Hales. Following are summaries of council candidates’ writ- ten responses to questions submitted to them by The Telegraph. Personal qualities What are your strengths that you believe make you the best candidate for this office? » Ward 1: Backenstose, a 30-year resident, said he managed many employees as North Platte’s UPS manager and later as operations su- pervisor at the North Platte Regional Airport. “I’m a good communica- tor and have good listening skills, which is a very useful tool when sitting on the City Council,” he said. With years of experience working for public, private and nonprofit employers, Tryon said, “I will work to make government smaller, more efficient and financial- ly accountable.” » Ward 2: Agler cited his 42-year North Platte Police Department career, which ended when he retired in 2019 as deputy police chief. He helped prepare the po- lice budget for more than 20 years, he said, and has “in- sight on how all city and county departments work and operate.” Volz pointed to his con- struction and engineering education, service as an Air Force officer and leader- ship roles including his past chairmanship of the city’s Planning Commission. “Having the ability to me- diate differing opinions to come up with an agreeable solution will allow North Platte to move toward our objective,” he said. » Ward 3: Garrick said his business background helps him understand what busi- nesses need to come to North Platte. “I’m a natural prob- lem-solver (and) have an analytical mind that under- stands numbers and data,” he said. Kurre said he’s “a good listener with the ability to summarize what other people say” and “a caring person with a positive attitude.” His skills and ex-
Jim Backenstose
» Community organizations: Nebraskaland Days, past board member; Cody Cavalry, mem- ber; North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity, board president; Golden Spike Tower, board member Donna Tryon » Age (as of Nov. 3): 73 » Address: 820 S. Bryan Ave. » Education: Accounting degree » Occupation: Part-time bookkeeper » Past public offices: North Platte Board of Adjustment, alternate, one year (appointed 2009) » Other elections entered: None » Community organizations: Fraternal Order of Eagles, North Platte Aerie No. 2839, member WARD 2 Jim Agler » Age (as of Nov. 3): 66 » Address: 3311 Reagan Court » Education: Mid-Plains Community College; Western Illinois University » Occupation: Retired deputy chief, North Platte Police Department (officer, 1977-2019) » Past public offices: None » Other elections entered: None » Community organizations: Police Officers Donna Tryon
Jim Agler
Association of Nebraska, past board member, past president; North Platte Noon Rotary Club, past board member, past president Pete Volz » Age (as of Nov. 3): 57 » Address: 4021 Sequoia Drive » Education: Colorado State University » Occupation: Insurance agent, Pete Volz Agency Inc./Shelter Insurance; retired captain, U.S. Air Force » Past public offices: North Platte Planning Commission, 2010-19 (chairman, 2014-19); North Platte Board of Adjustment (2014-present) » Other elections entered: None » Community organizations: Nebraskaland Days, past board member, past president; North Platte Ambassadors, member, past president;
Pete Volz
North Platte American Legion baseball, past board member; Nebraska School Activities Association, past football game offi- cial; past youth baseball, football and softball coach; Salvation Army, North Platte, past board member, past president WARD 3 Brad Garrick » Age (as of Nov. 3): 40 » Address: 1118 W. Fifth St. » Education: North Platte High School » Occupation: Clinical business intelligence an- alyst; owner, Top Tier and RA Productions » Past public offices: None » Other elections entered: None » Community organizations: North Platte Noon Rotary Club, past board member; volunteer self-defense instructor Don Kurre » Age (as of Nov. 3): 70 » Address: 1110 W. Third St. » Education: Indiana University » Occupation: Retired coordinator, North Platte Citizen Advocacy » Past public offices: North Platte City Council, Ward 3, 2006-10 » Other elections entered: City Council, 2006, 2010 » Community organizations: North Platte co-chairman and chairman; Leadership Lincoln County, com- mittee chairman; North Platte Chautauqua, co-chairman WARD 4 Lawrence Ostendorf (I)* » Age (as of Nov. 3): 79 » Address: 512 N. Elder Ave. » Education: High school graduate; real estate training » Occupation: Real estate agent; court-appoint- ed guardian/conservator » Past public offices: North Platte City Council, Ward 4, 2016-present » Other elections entered: City Council, 2014, 2016 » Community organizations: North Platte Noon Rotary Club, past board member, past pres- ident; Music on the Bricks, co-chairman; North Platte Downtown Association Kids Fest, former mittee member); North Platte Housing Authority, former vice chairman; Lincoln County Board of Realtors, former vice pres- ident and president; Sertoma Club, past secretary-treasurer; Fraternal Order of Eagles, North Platte Aerie No. 2839, member; Great Plains Corvette Club, past governor Mark Woods » Age (as of Nov. 3): 66 » Address: 902 N. Emory Ave. » Education: Arapahoe (Nebraska) High School; Mid-Plains Community College Area Habitat for Humanity, board member, past president, vice president, treasurer and site com- Brad Garrick Don Kurre Lawrence Ostendorf
» Occupation: Flooring contractor, including sales and installation; real estate entrepreneur (purchase and rehabilitation of older homes for rental purposes) » Past public offices: None » Other elections entered: None
Mark Woods
» Community organizations: Platte Valley Christian Academy, past board member, past president; AYSO youth soccer, past coach and referee; youth T-ball and baseball, past assistant coach *“I” denotes incumbent
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