By Jesse Kuhnle
Members of Omaha’s Young Professionals Council, as well as members from other Omaha organizations, met Wednesday at the Magnolia Hotel to voice opposition against Initiative 424.
Initiative 424 would amend Nebraska’s state constitution and ban affirmative action. The initiative would end discrimination or preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
“This piece of legislation is one of the most disgusting damn things ever brought into Nebraska,” said Dick Holland, philanthropist and chairman of the Building Bright Futures board. “Everyone in this room has in some way benefited from affirmative action.”
The Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative Web site said the fear is Initiative 424 would threaten academic and college scholarships, hamper college recruitment and setback gains made in student and faculty diversity. Funding for certain health programs such as women’s health initiatives would also be in jeopardy. The NCRI Web site also said the initiative would not end certain affirmative action programs.
Opponents to the initiative cite the use of “deceptive language” as a way to attract voters who are unaware of 424’s full impact. “A lot of people think that it’s actually to make quotas legal, things like that, but we don’t even have quotas in Nebraska,” Kirsten Case-Penrod, director of the Young Professionals Council, said. “It’s an attempt to change the constitution that shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
Diversity was a theme throughout the night as various speakers mentioned the importance of providing an equal chance for everyone. “When all Nebraskans have a chance to succeed, all Nebraskans benefit,” Danielle Nantkes of Nebraskans United said.
The diversity of the Nebraskan workforce is one area that could be affected by the passing of Initiative 424. “In order to compete in this global market place we have to use the resources that we have, and that’s the diversity of our people,” Omaha City Councilman Jim Suttle said.
Paul Bryant of Wesley House said diversity is a key to continued growth and success in Omaha. Bryant cited Gallup studies offering proof that “diverse teams win more.” Bryant also pointed to the effect diversity will have in the presidential election, where America will elect either its first African-American president or its first female vice president.
Supporters of Initiative 424 said poverty is more important to consider then race and the initiative would not “prohibit or alter affirmative action that identify socio-economic conditions as a factor in determining program status,” according to the NCRI Web site.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Voters in West Omaha choose their candidates for a variety of reasons
By Jonathan Fritz
The Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian church played host a wide array of voters from the 1st and 2nd Precincts of the 6th Ward on Tuesday.
The presidential race weighed heavily on the minds of voters as the doors opened at 8 a.m. Each voter had a different reason for casting his or her ballot.
Dave Davis, a small business owner from Omaha, chose Republican candidate John McCain as his choice for president. Democratic candidate Barack Obama would raise taxes on his company and cause him to lose business, Davis said. In regards to the issues the Senate and House raises, Davis said he “voted a straight ticket.”
A newcomer to Omaha, Jason Bebout registered to vote in Omaha shortly before the election. He voted for McCain because he is honorable and will stick to his word. Obama “changes with the wind,” Bebout said.
Bebout is against gun control and sides with McCain on the necessity of finishing the job in Iraq. “Unfortunately,” Bebout said, “if I was a betting man, I would say Obama will win.”
Not all voters in West Omaha believe John McCain is the man for the job. Anne Tillotson, a registered Republican voted for Obama. Tillotson said she chooses a candidate on the issues, not because of the party.
She is a strong supporter of a woman’s right to choose and said Obama’s stance on issues is in line with hers. Tillotson, who strongly agrees with Obama’s drive to enlist the youth of America, said, “If you don’t go out and vote, you don’t have the right to complain about where your tax money goes.”
The Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian church played host a wide array of voters from the 1st and 2nd Precincts of the 6th Ward on Tuesday.
The presidential race weighed heavily on the minds of voters as the doors opened at 8 a.m. Each voter had a different reason for casting his or her ballot.
Dave Davis, a small business owner from Omaha, chose Republican candidate John McCain as his choice for president. Democratic candidate Barack Obama would raise taxes on his company and cause him to lose business, Davis said. In regards to the issues the Senate and House raises, Davis said he “voted a straight ticket.”
A newcomer to Omaha, Jason Bebout registered to vote in Omaha shortly before the election. He voted for McCain because he is honorable and will stick to his word. Obama “changes with the wind,” Bebout said.
Bebout is against gun control and sides with McCain on the necessity of finishing the job in Iraq. “Unfortunately,” Bebout said, “if I was a betting man, I would say Obama will win.”
Not all voters in West Omaha believe John McCain is the man for the job. Anne Tillotson, a registered Republican voted for Obama. Tillotson said she chooses a candidate on the issues, not because of the party.
She is a strong supporter of a woman’s right to choose and said Obama’s stance on issues is in line with hers. Tillotson, who strongly agrees with Obama’s drive to enlist the youth of America, said, “If you don’t go out and vote, you don’t have the right to complain about where your tax money goes.”
Education, energy fuel Terry’s campaign
By Heather Nasif
Shortly after 8 p.m. several men, including former Mayor Hal Daub, clustered around a small TV to watch the first wave of results come in. Cheers erupted as early reports had Rep. Lee Terry Jr., R-Neb., taking 52 percent of the vote.
The Firefighters Union Hall at 60th Street and Grover Street, site of Lee Terry’s election night party, is packed tight with volunteers, supporters and multi-colored balloons.
The party is the end to months of careful campaigning and focused strategy. The Terry campaign had an unprecedented mix of factors that significantly changed the face of the campaign, including younger voters turning out in record numbers and the worst economy in decades.
Terry, like many other republicans around the nation, also had to fight against the extremely low polling numbers of President Bush. Senior economic advisor Richard Carter said it has been an additional challenge this year, but they combated that by highlighting Terry’s accomplishments and keeping the campaign positive.
“Lee Terry is very anti-negative campaigning,” Carter said. “Lee just wanted to focus on the issues.”
Terry showed his commitment to positive campaigning when he went to the National Republican Congressional Committee to ask that they discontinue an ad featuring Jim Esch’s arrest for driving under the influence, according to a news release sent out by Dave Brown of the Terry campaign.
Carter said the Terry campaign wanted to focus on the differences between Terry and his opponent. Carter referenced the Republican congressman’s long history of experience in Washington, highlighting Terry’s commitment to energy initiatives. According to LeeTerry.com, Terry has co-sponsored seven pieces of legislation that increases funding and support for energy independence. Energy independence is a key piece of Terry’s platform.
Carter also noted that the economic situation in Omaha has been better than the rest of the country. According to an AP piece published today on Yahoo’s web site, six in 10 voters ranked the economy as their top concern. No other major issue including Iraq, terrorism or health care were ranked as most important by more than one in 10 voters.
Terry supporter Angie Deck, a 31-year-old teacher at Underwood Hills Focus School at 9030 Western Ave, voted for Terry because she said he is an education focused representative.
“I appreciate that Lee supports education and the betterment of education in our state and the country,” she said.
Shortly after 8 p.m. several men, including former Mayor Hal Daub, clustered around a small TV to watch the first wave of results come in. Cheers erupted as early reports had Rep. Lee Terry Jr., R-Neb., taking 52 percent of the vote.
The Firefighters Union Hall at 60th Street and Grover Street, site of Lee Terry’s election night party, is packed tight with volunteers, supporters and multi-colored balloons.
The party is the end to months of careful campaigning and focused strategy. The Terry campaign had an unprecedented mix of factors that significantly changed the face of the campaign, including younger voters turning out in record numbers and the worst economy in decades.
Terry, like many other republicans around the nation, also had to fight against the extremely low polling numbers of President Bush. Senior economic advisor Richard Carter said it has been an additional challenge this year, but they combated that by highlighting Terry’s accomplishments and keeping the campaign positive.
“Lee Terry is very anti-negative campaigning,” Carter said. “Lee just wanted to focus on the issues.”
Terry showed his commitment to positive campaigning when he went to the National Republican Congressional Committee to ask that they discontinue an ad featuring Jim Esch’s arrest for driving under the influence, according to a news release sent out by Dave Brown of the Terry campaign.
Carter said the Terry campaign wanted to focus on the differences between Terry and his opponent. Carter referenced the Republican congressman’s long history of experience in Washington, highlighting Terry’s commitment to energy initiatives. According to LeeTerry.com, Terry has co-sponsored seven pieces of legislation that increases funding and support for energy independence. Energy independence is a key piece of Terry’s platform.
Carter also noted that the economic situation in Omaha has been better than the rest of the country. According to an AP piece published today on Yahoo’s web site, six in 10 voters ranked the economy as their top concern. No other major issue including Iraq, terrorism or health care were ranked as most important by more than one in 10 voters.
Terry supporter Angie Deck, a 31-year-old teacher at Underwood Hills Focus School at 9030 Western Ave, voted for Terry because she said he is an education focused representative.
“I appreciate that Lee supports education and the betterment of education in our state and the country,” she said.
Learning Community Council selected in decisive vote
By Mike Fischer
The new Douglas and Sarpy County Learning Community will be responsible for setting the standards as well as organizing the Learning Community Council.
Twelve of the 18 members on the council were selected in tonight’s election, and the remaining six will be selected by the council from current school boards, one from each Learning Community Districts.
The Learning Community Coordinating Council was selected by limited voting. Meaning, every voter selected one candidate, but the top two candidates will sit on the council.
The top candidate from each district was decisive. Ernie Chambers received more than 50 percent of the 2nd District’s vote. The 2nd district is mainly North Omaha east of 60th street. Chambers was a state legislature, and was an active proponent of the learning community there.
Rick Kolowski has taken a 2,000 vote lead in the 4th district, which is Maple Street to Cornhusker Street and 217th street to 120th street.
Although the top candidate from most districts is clear, the second candidate is not as obvious. With just over half the votes counted, many districts have two or more candidates within a few hundred votes of each other for second place.
Southwest Sarpy County did not get a representative on the council. The 6th district winners are from La Vista and Elkhorn.
Jim Thompson, of La Vista, was the top candidate from the 6th district. Thompson was not worried about leaving out the areas of southwest Sarpy County.
“I know the superintendent, Dr.[Kevin] Riley, in Gretna very well, as well as many of the school board members in Springfield and Papillion-La Vista,” Thompson said.
In Sarpy County’s only other district, the 5th district, Paul Hartnett has secured second place, and will be Sarpy County’s only other elected member to the council.
With Omaha Public School’s district in five of the six districts, the public’s concern has been a lack of representation by smaller districts, and overwhelming control by OPS’ interests.
Thompson brings 21 years of education experience to the table, and has worked with many of the coordinating council members, including Ernie Chambers.
“All have good reputations. The majority of people in there will be looking at the big picture,” Thompson said. “We have to look out for the kids; it doesn’t matter where they are from.”
Although Sarpy County has only two elected members to the council, it’s possible the number of representatives could grow to four, if the appointments from the 5th and 6th districts are selected from Sarpy County school boards.
“Most of them [council members] care about their own districts,” Thompson said, “but they also care about things across the two counties.”
The new Douglas and Sarpy County Learning Community will be responsible for setting the standards as well as organizing the Learning Community Council.
Twelve of the 18 members on the council were selected in tonight’s election, and the remaining six will be selected by the council from current school boards, one from each Learning Community Districts.
The Learning Community Coordinating Council was selected by limited voting. Meaning, every voter selected one candidate, but the top two candidates will sit on the council.
The top candidate from each district was decisive. Ernie Chambers received more than 50 percent of the 2nd District’s vote. The 2nd district is mainly North Omaha east of 60th street. Chambers was a state legislature, and was an active proponent of the learning community there.
Rick Kolowski has taken a 2,000 vote lead in the 4th district, which is Maple Street to Cornhusker Street and 217th street to 120th street.
Although the top candidate from most districts is clear, the second candidate is not as obvious. With just over half the votes counted, many districts have two or more candidates within a few hundred votes of each other for second place.
Southwest Sarpy County did not get a representative on the council. The 6th district winners are from La Vista and Elkhorn.
Jim Thompson, of La Vista, was the top candidate from the 6th district. Thompson was not worried about leaving out the areas of southwest Sarpy County.
“I know the superintendent, Dr.[Kevin] Riley, in Gretna very well, as well as many of the school board members in Springfield and Papillion-La Vista,” Thompson said.
In Sarpy County’s only other district, the 5th district, Paul Hartnett has secured second place, and will be Sarpy County’s only other elected member to the council.
With Omaha Public School’s district in five of the six districts, the public’s concern has been a lack of representation by smaller districts, and overwhelming control by OPS’ interests.
Thompson brings 21 years of education experience to the table, and has worked with many of the coordinating council members, including Ernie Chambers.
“All have good reputations. The majority of people in there will be looking at the big picture,” Thompson said. “We have to look out for the kids; it doesn’t matter where they are from.”
Although Sarpy County has only two elected members to the council, it’s possible the number of representatives could grow to four, if the appointments from the 5th and 6th districts are selected from Sarpy County school boards.
“Most of them [council members] care about their own districts,” Thompson said, “but they also care about things across the two counties.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)