Audio from Potter Candidate's Forum

Potter held a county-wide candidate's forum Thursday night at the American Legion Hall.

Candidates for Clerk of the District Court, County Sheriff and County Clerk participated, and the full house also heard from State Senator Ken Schilz.

For those who were not able to make it to Potter, here are the audio recordings of the various parts of the hour-long event. The event was recorded with permission of moderator, Kirk Enevoldsen.

Master of Ceremonies, Kirk Enevoldsen welcome message:


Clerk of the District Court Candidate Debra Hume:


Clerk of the District Court Candidate Deanna Volkmer:


Clerk of the District Court Questions and Answers:


County Sheriff Introductions by Kirk Enevoldsen:


County Sheriff Candidate John Jenson:


County Sheriff Candidate Patrick Jenks:


Introduction of County Clerk Candidates:


County Clerk Candidate Beth Fiegenschuh:


County Clerk Candidate Sarah Deaver:


Statement from State Senator Ken Schilz:


Closing remarks from Kirk Enevoldsen:

The Letter from Susan Ernest

Hi Julie,
Sorry it took me so long. I wasn't around my computer today.
S

March 4, 2010

To:
Gary Person
Jordan Ball
Jo Houser
Geri Anthony
John Henke
Members of the Sidney City Council



Due to the conflict that has gone on in the past couple months there have been changes made to the process of obtaining public information from City Hall. While I do not disagree that the changes have been made I am concerned by the so called “equality and fairness” that a blogger recently claimed. I have no issue with filling out the newly formed “freedom of information” paperwork, paying five dollars for the DVD of the council meetings or even paying ten cents per copy when we request information. Other government entities that KSID requests information from have their own rules. All of this came about in order to “make it fair for all media”. Even the media packets have changed so that Mike Rowland doesn’t have to come to City Hall to pick up the media packets that are made available to anyone upon request. Again I don’t have a problem with this new procedure as it was convenient and worked well. However, KSID, The Sun Telegraph and a few other citizens are the only ones abiding by your new rules. Mike Rowland, blogger of Guardian news, only emails his questions and actually receives answers to those via email by city personnel. Responding to emailed questions only enables that information to possibly be skewed by changing the wording and forwarding it on to others. He has not filled out the “freedom of information” paperwork or pay for anything, yet he screams inequality the loudest.

I received a phone call from the city attorney, offering the page he read during the council meeting on Tuesday evening, February 23rd. He stated that since the “blogger” had requested it that he would offer it to us and the Sun Telegraph. While I greatly appreciated the effort put forth by Jordon Ball to make sure all was “fair”, Mike still did not sign the paperwork for “freedom of information” and did not have to pay for the copy or the postage as it was MAILED to him. In addition, the time Mr. Ball spent on this foolish request is billable to the city. I thanked Mr. Ball for the offer of the paper but declined a copy.

The grand slam was the fact that this “blogger” took the seat of the local newspaper reporter at the press table during the February 23rd council meeting. While I will not argue whether or not this “blogger” has the right to be there, I do believe he needs to go through the proper channels to get his seat at the table.



KSID has been covering Sidney City Council news since 1952.
Below is a list of our credentials as a longtime reputable community news source:
1952-2009 ABC Radio Affiliate. Paul Harvey did his 15 minute newscast from the KSID studios in 1955.
1952-Present: Member and contributor of the Associated Press
1954-Present: Member of National Association of Broadcasters.
2002-2003 Susan Ernest serving two years on the NAB Small Market Radio Board
2004-2005 Susan Ernest receiving all expense paid scholarship to attend the NAB Broadcast Leadership Training class. One weekend per month for one year, all expenses paid to Washington D.C. for women and minorities who are purchasing radio/television stations.
1952-Present: Member of Nebraska Broadcasters Association
David W. Young served as Director, President and is in the NBA Hall of Fame
David S. Young served as Director for 3 terms
Susan Ernest served 2 terms as Director 2004-2008
1988-Present: Affiliate of the Husker Sports Network
Affiliate and Contributor of Nebraska Radio News Network
Dave Collins regularly contributes stories that are broadcast throughout Nebraska
Affiliate Learfield Broadcast Network
Affiliate Brownfield Radio Network
2009-Present: Affiliate with Fox Radio Network
2006-Present: Member IBIB International Broadcasters Idea Bank

Since 2005 KSID has been the recipient of 17 news cast and sports play by play awards through the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and the Northwest Broadcast News Association.

KSID also has www.ksidradio.com and is a member of the Associated Press on the web as well.
Some statistics on our website include:
Page views from Jan 1, 2009 through Dec 31, 2009 were 1,982,054.
Jan 2010 total page views were 212,490
Feb 2010 total page views were 227,277.
I would estimate our numbers for 2010 will be over 2.4 million.
www.ksidradio.com averages 30 listeners per game per station on our streams.
www.ksidradio.com averages 40 listeners online daily during Swap Shop.

Where are Mr. Rowland’s credentials and why is he allowed to circumvent the rules the city has put forth? The counter on his blog says 4,100 for one year. While I agree there is a large trend in blogging/journalism that should not be ignored, any media outlet/journalist or even a real blogger, would not publish innuendo or hearsay, yet he does. He also published a slanderous, anonymous letter on his blog. Again I reiterate, his BLOG. In searching news blogs and bloggers, it is in bad form to “publish” such information under the guise of a true journalist, especially when these so called journalists are fighting for the legitimacy of their blogs.

I think if you look at the Sun Telegraph’s credentials as well, you would find a long and impressive list of affiliates and awards. You would also be able to get information on their circulation, web page views etc.

The fact that Mike Rowland had to arrive so early to take someone else’s seat at the table without first providing credentials or asking is a slap in the face to paid professionals trying to do their jobs. If Mike wants to be considered “press or media” he needs to provide his credentials and follow the rules you have set forth for the rest of us.

Sincerely,





Susan Ernest, GM KSID Radio Inc. Pres/CFO Dead-Short Broadcasting LLC



On Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 2:17 PM, Julie Young wrote:
Could you send me a copy of the letter you sent? I would like to post it on my blog so people could read the entire letter and not just hear one side of it.

Julie

Just been feeling under the weather.

It was asked why I have not been posting. Perhaps someone has finally gotten control over me or maybe I found something I did not like. NOPE, I just have not been feeling the best and have been dealing with that. But it's nice knowing the anonymous people of Sidney were thinking of me.

Powers of City Manager and City Attorney

With all the discussion of who has "power" I wondered what the state statutes had to say.

19-646. City manager; powers; duties.
The powers and duties of the city manager shall be (1) to see that the laws and ordinances are enforced, (2) to appoint and remove all heads of departments and all subordinate officers and employees in the departments in both the classified and unclassified service, which appointments shall be upon merit and fitness alone, and in the classified service all appointments and removals shall be subject to the civil service provisions of the Civil Service Act, (3) to exercise control over all departments and divisions thereof that may be created by the council, (4) to attend all meetings of the council with the right to take part in the discussion but not to vote, (5) to recommend to the council for adoption such measures as he or she may deem necessary or expedient, (6) to prepare the annual budget and keep the council fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the city, and (7) to perform such other duties as may be required of him or her by sections 19-601 to 19-648 or by ordinance or resolution of the council.

16-319. City attorney; duties; compensation; additional legal assistance.
The city attorney shall be the legal advisor of the council and city officers. The city attorney shall commence, prosecute, and defend all suits and actions necessary to be commenced, prosecuted, or defended on behalf of the city, or that may be ordered by the council. He shall attend meetings of the council and give them his opinion upon any matters submitted to him, either orally or in writing as may be required. The mayor and city council shall have the right to pay the city attorney additional compensation for legal services performed by him for the city or to employ additional legal assistance and to pay for such legal assistance out of the funds of the city. Whenever the mayor and city council have by ordinance so authorized, the board of public works shall have the right to pay the city attorney additional compensation for legal services performed by him for it or to employ additional legal assistance other than the city attorney and pay such legal assistance out of funds disbursed under the orders of the board of public works.

Map of Current City Limits

Because of all the comments on the post here, I thought it might be a good idea to put up a picture of the city limits on South 11th Ave.

I was at the council meeting a few years ago when Greg Huck was asking to have his development annexed. I don't remember the exact details, but as they discussed various annexation suggestions, Filsinger moved that Weiderspon's land be excluded from the annexation. People asked Weiderspon's opinion on the matter, and he said nothing.

Of course he abstained from the vote, but that is why his clinic sits on that strange peninsula of land that is surrounded by the city. In fact, the Verde Lane Dam is city property, just not technically in the city limits.

On the map below, the bright green line shows the current city limits. The words "CITY LIMITS" are OUTSIDE of the city limits. Click on the image to see it larger.

Setting Things Straight

My question for council regarding financial matters was derailed by the sudden panic that I might be making accusations. Let me set it straight.

I was not there to accuse, I was there to point out a few facts that I had gathered.

I requested information from the city offices about all funds paid to ALL city council members or to businesses owned by council members in the past 2 years.

Among those numbers were the travel reimbursement amounts paid to Gaston and Hiett. No big deal. No disclosure statements necessary.

I was not attempting to imply that Van Vleet had done anything wrong, only to point out that his last disclosure statement was signed in 1993, during a previous stint on council. I merely wanted to suggest that he consider filing a new form, if appropriate. He jumped to the conclusion that I was questioning his sale of iron to the city. I couldn't care less, as long as the relationship is disclosed properly. He has every right to do business with the city.

I merely wanted to point out that Weiderspon's disclosure is current and in order. If I have any question at all about his contract with the city, it would simply be to ask how the bills from him are reconciled against the services rendered.

Regarding Filsinger, my main point is that he has never filled out a financial disclosure form, required by law, to fully disclose the nature of his business dealings with the city. We know that he loans equipment to the city, but we don't know the city's obligation in return. A disclosure form would totally remedy the confusion over issues such as the Fedex matter discussed Tuesday. It would also stop ALL rumors of his intentions.

I checked again on Friday. No new disclosures have been done. Because I asked in an open meeting, they can no longer blame the city attorney for their own ignorance of the law. I will continue to check, and will let you know as soon as anything changes.

The reason for the questions was public perception

I did say personnel file, mea culpa. What Bob asked for was "Why was the crew leader position created and by whose request."

The question to Bob was why would you ask for this the very next day after Palmer spoke out in a meeting? He has been in this job for 5 years. And by all accounts has done it very well. In speaking with people who work with and around him he is a very good employee. So again, why the day after? The public perception and the perception of some of the city employees was and is, "if you speak up we will get you." And the mayor said "How can we do anything, Gary runs the city?" Can he really not understand the threat felt when a councilman requests information on you? I have no power over council, but look how they felt when I questioned their actions.

I want to make it very clear. I did not say Bob is a bad person. I do not think Bob is a bad person. In fact I voted for Bob. I heard from a third party that Bob is concerned with the type of business that is being recruited to town. I would like to hear it from Bob during a council meeting. If what I was told is true, Bob has a good point, if it was his point. That goes back to wanting open meetings open. I want to hear what the councilmen have to say about the economic development/city manager job.

As far as the amounts being paid to councilmen, Bob turned that entire topic into something about him. I said he signed a disclosure form in 1993 on his last time around on the council. How did he know to fill one out then, but not this time? How is it that the Mayor's disclosure is current and the others are not?

It is not Jordan's job to make sure they fill out the disclosures. When you are elected, you are offered the chance to go to a class to be sure you know what you need to know. As I pointed out, Gaston and Hiett had been reimbursed expenses for just that. The "public perception" was that Filsinger said he would do something for free and then billed the city. Had he filled out the proper disclosure forms prior to doing the work everyone would have known just what he was doing. I asked them to follow the rules and laws. Again, this was NOT about Bob. It was about doing the councilman job completely and in the open. Even when they have the best intentions, but don't follow the laws, things get in a big mess.

As far as why did I go in front of them at a council meeting and not take each one aside to discuss these things personally, I have talked with the mayor about open meetings. I did not get much of a response from him. It was about the fair board that I spoke to him, but still everyone in attendance was asked to leave a public meeting by him. Why would I ask again? By making my request in public, they can't deny or say they did not know. I asked through proper channels if Marv had written understandings with the city years ago, and was told he has never agreed to a written disclosure. So again by doing it in public they can't deny they were told.

I read Bob's site, Pitchforks and Torches. It was Bob who put the whole idea in my head to bring it up in council. He said he did not read the unsigned letter. He went to the Tea Party and stood for what he believes. I didn't write a letter. I stood before him in public and asked my questions.

Bob is correct about getting our constitution back. But, I don't think we can ask Washington to do to the job right if we don't start at the local level.