Scott: BSDC, other institutions need better pay, training

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Candidate Susan Scott in five: 

1. My dad wanted a Susie Q, because my birth name was Quass. I wasn’t a Susie Q type, so it didn’t take.

2. I am originally a South Dakotan but graduated from Creighton and returned to Nebraska permanently in 1973. 

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Susan Scott

Susan Scott

3. In my spare time I travel to see Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, to Greece and South America. I do gardening — roses and dahlias.

4. I volunteer at the Gathering Place, on Habitat for Humanity builds, for Rotary and on boards like Fresh Start Home and Citizens Against Racism and Discrimination.

5. I have participated in 57 runs of marathon-length or longer, including four 50-mile ultra runs.

Democrat Scott, 60, is a former nonprofit executive director. She spent 20 years as a business consultant and is a substitute teacher for Lincoln Public Schools.

On the campaign trail:

Scott has contacted more than 3,500 homes either by walking or calling, handing out yard signs and doing mailings. 

She is abiding by campaign finance reform, she said, so she has to be efficient in her use of money.

She has raised about $36,000.

In her talks with people in her district, she finds they are concerned about taxes and moving the State Fair to Grand Island.

There’s a select group of people in her district that wants to be able to ride motorcycles without being required to wear helmets.

And women, she finds, are happy to see other women as candidates.

Q: Should the state have a role in the (illegal) immigration issue? If so, what specific legislation or bill might you propose?

A: Any law should help businesses assure citizenship of its workers and punish businesses that use low wages as an incentive for undocumented workers and ultimately eliminate local businesses because of the unfair advantage that low wages provide.

Local businesses that use employees with valid green cards have approached me to say they are concerned about how their employees are treated when they go out on a job. They tell them they must carry their documents at all times, because people will assume they are in the country illegally.  

I don’t think local law enforcement officers should have immigration issues added to their already busy schedules.

Q: What should be done to ensure that residents of the Beatrice State Developmental Center, the Lincoln Regional Center and other Nebraska institutions get safe, adequate care?

A: Having worked at BSDC and its counterpart in South Dakota, I know that it is difficult to recruit quality staff, especially in a small town, with our current low employment rate. Increased salaries, along with quality training programs, should ensure that professional qualified staff is providing care at state facilities. Additional oversight should also be part of planned improvements.

 — JoAnne Young