ELECTION 2020
D3
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Blaesi, Luenenborg face off in NP School Board race
By JOB VIGIL jvigil@nptelegraph.com Two candidates face off in the North Platte Public Schools Board of Education Ward 2 seat in the board’s only contested race in the upcom- ing election. Angela Blaesi and Brooke Luenenborg advanced to the general election after garner- ing the most votes in the Ward 2 primary. Pat Cullen of North Platte was the third candidate in May. Current board members Skip Altig (Ward 1) and Matt Pederson (Ward 3) are unop- posed for reelection. Angela Blaesi Blaesi said in a May inter- view that she decided to run because current board member Mike Morrell did not seek re- election. “Back when Hall School closed, I had gotten very in- volved with meetings and paying a little bit more atten- tion on the board level than I ever had,” Blaesi said. “I re- alized that interacting with the board, you found out more about your schools and about what was going on in the North Platte system.” With the COVID-19 pandemic changing many school dis- trict policies, Blaesi said she is proud of the way the current board and administration have handled the difficult situation. “They were very quick to take care of things and their thought process was what is safe for the children,” Blaesi said. “So that’s great.” She said the board and ad- ministration seem to have been listening to parents and the health officials. “With those things, I’m very happy, very proud of them,” Blaesi said. “So far it’s been good. Unfortunately, it’s a
Area school board races
Monty Farr Austin D. Klein Scott Stout
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Eric J. Nelson Duane L. Bowers Terence A. Schacher Justin Strasburg Jennifer Dalrymple Gothenburg
Tina M. Golter Marge Spencer Bryan Franzen William Porter
Paxton (Vote for up to three)
Angela Blaesi
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Mitch Mitchell Leah Fote Jeremy Spurgin Brittany S. Hardin Stapleton Kimberley Kramer Kristy Opela Rex A. Walz
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weird time and none of us real- ly know how to handle it, so all we can do is listen to each oth- er, lean on each other and work together.” Blaesi emphasized the impor- tance of community members communicating with board members. “I’ve talked to numerous board members who have told me that people just don’t reach out and talk,” Blaesi said. “They don’t call them; they have a problem, but they don’t go to them and talk to them.” Blaesi said she loves to talk and wants folks to feel comfort- able reaching out to her. “I want to be informed on how they feel about the differ- ent things that are happening and listen to them and be able to hear their side,” Blaesi said. “I’ve had a few people who have reached out to me and said, ‘If you get elected, I want to talk to you about this, or this.’ It’s kind of interesting to hear their per- spective.” She has two daughters who are students at North Platte High School and a son who graduat- ed from there. Brooke Luenenborg Brooke Luenenborg also has children in the school system and wants to be involved in de- cision-making. “I’m running because I care about the schools and the com- munity,” Luenenborg said. “I’ve been involved in some other projects or teams when there were changes made in the
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Yvette Troyer Steve Koch Tim Berntson Merle Konken
Derrick Hansen Marty Schurr Barbara Fritsche Darren Sellers
to work.” Luenenborg said she thinks being on the board would be similar. “There’s probably going to be topics I agree with right away, and some maybe I don’t,” Luenenborg said. “Just being on the board and being educated on every side of any issue will help me make some decisions.” She said she has reached out to people who work for the district and others. “I’ve asked themwhat their issues are, just so I could learn what I’d be facing once I’m on the board,” Luenenborg said. “I do feel like there’s been support and positive comments come my way. We don’t all agree, but that’s what makes the world go round.” McPherson County (Vote for up to three) Lana K. Albrecht-Watson Chrstena R. Schultis Josh O. Streiff Chad W. Fisher Mid Plains Community College Board of Governors District 4 Kent O. Miller (unopposed) District 5 Ernie Mehl (unopposed) At Large Ted A. Klug Jr. (unopposed)
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Eustis-Farnam (Vote for up to three)
Tory J. Copeland Mike Dillard Brandy Buscher
Alan J. Smith Michael Oberg Jeffrey Loshonkohl Nick Toberer
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went back and changed the playbook in the guidelines that were recommended.” She said it seems that’s what’s happening in every avenue of life. “We try one thing and if it works, we continue it. If it doesn’t work we change it,” Luenenborg said. “We have to learn to be flexible.” Luenenborg said should she be elected, she is ready to listen. “I’d like to think I’m going to come into it open-minded, like I did on the task force,” Luenenborg said in an earlier interview. “At first I wasn’t ex- cited about the task force, but once I saw the plans, talked to the teachers and started putting things in place, I learned more and I could see how it was going
school system. I think it’s inter- esting and think if you want to make a difference, then the best way to address that is to get in- volved.” Luenenborg was a member of the Buffalo/Lincoln schools merger task force. “I still have some mixed feel- ings afterwards, same as I had before,” Luenenborg said. “I think it’s hard because emotion- ally, looking from the heart, I wanted Buffalo to stay there.” Luenenborg said she supports district’s decisions and process in dealing with the pandemic. “I think they did the best job they could of keeping peo- ple informed when it was time to go back to school and what the expectations would be,” Luenenborg said. “Then they
Pederson, Sellers vie for NRD seat in only contested race for board
on the development and use of wind turbines? A: I am all about re- newable energy. I have (seven) grandchildren and I want them to have the nice life that I have, and I don’t see how that is going to happen if we continue down the path with what is going on with climate change. I think we’ve got to be smart. We’ve got to look at wind energy, solar en- ergy. We’ve got to look at all of that and figure out what makes sense. Ryan Sellers Sellers, 40, the owner of Sellers Sales Trailers, is making his initial campaign for a spot on the NRD board. He was a candidate for the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners in District 3 in 2018. Sellers experience in the political field also includes a doz- en years’ involvement with the Lincoln County Republican Party, in- cluding two terms as its chairman. Q: What are your strengths or qualities that make you the best candidate for this posi- tion? A: I grew up in the area and been involved with ranching all of my life. The NCORPE (prop- erty) is right next door to me, so I’m really famil- iar with it. That is the main reason I am run- ning is because of (the project) and the misman-
the best way they can to be the most profitable and also conserve the water. Q: What are your views on the NCORPE project in provid- ing water to both the Republican and Platte river basins and its part- nerships with affected natural resource dis- tricts? A: It was actually im- plemented before I came on the board. It was the best option at the time and no one has come up with a better option. The biggest disagreements now is how it is man- aged and the NCORPE organization owning the land. In my mind I love seeing (the property) go back to dry land and what it really was sup- posed to be. I know that has been a change in the (property taxes) for school districts and just some different things that have had to have been adjusted from irri- gated to dryland values. As far as NCORPE own- ing the property, I think it goes back to what makes the most sense. We don’t want to have an issue where we sep- arate land from water in terms of ownership rights. I think that leads us down a path that has unintended consequenc- es in the future. To me it’s about maintaining water rights, and if that means it has to be with the land, let’s find some good uses for it. Q: What is your view
to come. It’s weed manage- ment and planting the right the banks of the riv- ers. Also, cedar kind of trees at
Platte, is seeking to re- turn to the NRD board. She served as an at-large member from 2015 to 2019 before running against state Sen. Mike Groene for the District 42 legisla- tive seat. Pederson also served two terms on the North University of Nebraska Medical Center Board of Counselors, Nebraska Commission on Housing and Homelessness and the North Platte Trails Network. Q: What are your strengths or qualities that make you the best candidate for this posi- tion? A: I grew up on a farm (about 60 miles south of North Platte) so we had dry land, we had pas- Platte City Council and serves on the ture, we had irrigation. So I grew up very famil- iar with what goes into farming, irrigating, crop rotation, water resources and water management. That is a strength for me having that background. Q: The board members can be considered land stewards. What does that mean to you, or being a conservationist? A: It means a lot of dif- ferent things. Part of it is that we have the riv- ers that run through the district and how those are managed and the im- pact it has on the land on either side of the river. Just the irrigation itself and making sure that we have adequate water re- sources for generations
agement of it. Now
By TIM JOHNSON tim.johnson@ nptelegraph.com
they’re talking
The Twin Platte Natural Resources District spreads across nearly 4,300 square miles, covering 13 com- munities across parts of Arthur, Keith, Lincoln and McPherson counties. Seven individuals are on the ballot this year seeking four-year terms on the board of directors, which directs the dis- trict’s policies in flood control, soil erosion, irri- gation runoff, grasslands and wildlife and ground- water quantity and quality. Incumbents Shane Storer (Subdistrict 1), Robert W. Wiseman (Subdistrict 4) and Dennis L. Schilz (Subdistrict 5) are all running unopposed. Incumbent Jerry L. Weaver and challeng- er Ken G. Anderson are both on the bal- lot in Subdistrict 3, but Anderson says he in- tends to move outside the area and would not ac- cept the seat if elected. That leaves the only contested race in Subdistrict 2 between Judy Pederson and Ryan O. Sellers. Here is a closer look at that race. The candi- dates’ answers have been edited. Judy Pederson Pederson, 60, the owner of Pro Printing and Graphics in North
about put- ting wind turbines out there. What’s go- ing on out there is a mess.
Judy Pederson
Ryan Sellers
trees out in the pastures have been such an issue, so Twin Platte works a lot with contractors who cut those down to try and bring back those grass- lands and allow those pastures to renew. It’s kind of a whole gamut of things. Q: What are your thoughts on the water in- tegrated management plan and data programs within the district? Is it working in your mind, or are there some adjust- ments you would like to see done? A: They’ve only been at this for about a year and a half, and to have almost half the land- owners signed up (for the programs) is pret- ty amazing. I think what that shows is the irri- gators are finding true value to the program. I think all the things Twin Platte partners with help the irrigators to under- stand better and to turn out not only a better product so they can have more bushels to sell but also have more profit off it. I think this is some- thing that will help them to really understand how to manage their farms
Q: The board members can be considered land stewards. What does that mean to you, or being a conservationist? A: Well, if you want to be a steward of the land, the first thing is to be a steward of the water. Pumping millions of gal- lons down a creek is not being a good steward of the water. We’ve got the best groundwater in any place in the country and it is being dumped down the creek. People think paying $2 for a gallon of gas is too much, but they go out and buy a $2 bot- tle of water and think nothing of it. What hap- pens when the water is all gone? Q: What are your thoughts on the water integrated manage- ment and data programs within the district? Is it working in your mind, or are there some adjust- ments you would like to see done? A: We’re going to have to do something. Right now we are not doing anything, There’s no me- ters on the wells. A lot of people don’t want them
Please see NRD, Page D4
CITY from Page D2
could be “a vibrant, growing city of 100,000 people” with a broad variety of jobs and recreational opportunities, Woods said. Ostendorf said he wants “to see the projects that are just getting started continue to grow and prosper” during an- other council term. With the new department heads the city has hired following a wave of retirements, “I believe the city administration we have in place now is poised to do some amazing things.”
such examples, he said. » Ward 3: Kurre said he envisions North Platte as “a vi- tal and growing community.” Though “I’m sure it will look different ... the spirit that en- ergizes our community will allow us to work together and continue to move forward.” Garrick said he agrees as long as the city makes “a few strategic moves and good deci- sions.” He added: “We’ve been stagnant for 30 years, and it’s time to change that.” » Ward 4: North Platte
ue to diversify and grow our business community, promote and attract other industry, continue the revitalization of our city and maintain and en- hance the outstanding quality of life that we deserve.” Agler said he takes “a pos- itive view” because “North Platte over the past several years has positioned itself for growth and economic success.” The proposed Lincoln County “rail park” near Hershey and the Shot in the Arm housing initiative are among many
lowest property-taxed commu- nity in the state would be an attractive benefit.” Backenstose said North Platte must “grow and diver- sify” its economic base and “attract young families to our community to increase our workforce.” More affordable housing, a new Rec Center and the Canteen District renovation “will hopefully ac- complish this.” » Ward 2: “ I feel North Platte’s future is bright,” Volz said, “as long as we contin-
ulation number of 25,000 that will help attract retail out- lets,” he said. Community vision What is your vision for North Platte’s future? » Ward 1: “Ultimately I want to facilitate bringing new and good-paying jobs to North Platte and reduce government costs and intervention in our person- al lives,” Tryon said. “Being the
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