Former councilman Haar to run for Legislature

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BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star

A former Lincoln city councilman says he will run for the Legislature to improve the future for his grandkids and other Nebraska children.

Ken Haar, who served on the council from 1989 to 1997, will run for the District 21 seat now held by Sen. Carol Hudkins of Malcolm.

“I believe it is a winnable race,” he said.

As he has gotten older — he’ll turn 65 next month — his thoughts have turned to the future of the state’s youngest generation, he said.

“They deserve the same opportunities I have,” he said.

Haar said that with so much change in the Legislature due to term limits, his City Council experience would allow him to hit the ground running. And with just eight years to get things accomplished as a senator, he said, that’s an important quality.

His priorities would be affordable health care for families and small businesses, building a strong economy, finding tax relief for Nebraskans and maintaining a quality public education system.

“I have the experience it takes to build consensus and find solutions in the Nebraska state Legislature,” said Haar, a computer technology consultant and systems analyst.

Seventy-one percent of District 21 is in Lincoln, including Air Park, the Highlands, Fallbrook and the 27th and Superior streets area. During his years on the council, Haar said, he supported annexation of the Highlands and building a swimming pool, golf course and fire station there. He was also in on planning for the Eiseley Library at 15th and Superior streets.

He also was there in the beginning stages of bringing minor league baseball to Lincoln, said Haar, who now lives in Malcolm.

He is a former chemistry, math and physics teacher. He left teaching to pursue a career in computer technology and worked for several companies, including US Life, National Arbor Day Foundation and TAG/TMI. He formed his own company, Compliance at a Glance Inc., which develops software for healthcare providers.

Reach JoAnne Young at 473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com.