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Hudkins, Heier win endorsements

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Friday, Oct 10, 2008 - 01:03:54 am CDT

The Nov. 4 election comes at a time when the Lancaster County Board is in mid-stream on construction of a new jail.

Investing $65 million in a new jail is not the sort of thing that is going to make a politician popular with voters. Credit the incumbents Larry Hudkins and Bernie Heier, who both support the jail, with willingness to make tough decisions.

The current jail is overcrowded. The county is spending more than $1 million a year sending prisoners to other jails. If no action is taken, the county faces the possibility of state intervention for failure to meet state standards.

Story Photo
Larry Hudkins

Heier and Hudkins have deep institutional knowledge of the local criminal justice system. They have spent considerable time studying and implementing alternative forms of sentencing. They have examined different jail design options.

The circumstances and timing of this election should compel voters to give the edge to the incumbents who set the jail construction plan in motion.

County board members currently are elected in a hybrid district system. All voters in Lancaster County will be able to vote on Nov. 4 in the races for seats representing District 2 and District 4.

Both Hudkins and Heier face creditable opponents. Hudkins faces Barbara Baier, currently a member of the Lincoln Public School Board. Baier would step down from that post if elected to the county board. Heier faces Nancy Intermill, who has a grant-writing business and has been attending county board meetings.

Hudkins

Despite his length of service — he has been on the county board since 1987 — Hudkins still displays freshness and enthusiasm when he delves into the nuances and details of issues facing the county board.

A farmer, Hudkins is known for protecting the interests of rural Lancaster County residents. A Republican, Hudkins considers himself as frugal with tax dollars.

The Journal Star editorial board occasionally has looked askance at Hudkins’ indefatigable support for the Lancaster Event Center despite cost overruns and years of red ink. Now, however, Hudkins considers himself vindicated, as the center is finally in the black, drawing visitors from outside the county and benefiting the local economy.

Heier

Although he has been a farmer since 1985, Heier previously had hands-on experience in the criminal justice system as a state probation officer. He also was dean of the Omaha School for Boys.

That experience serves him well on the county board. About 60 percent of the county budget is devoted to public safety, including the jail, county attorney, public defender and related expenses.

A Republican, Heier says his priorities include responsible budgeting, support for the Juvenile Attention and Assessment Center and support for alternative programs to incarceration for qualified adult offenders.


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Wrong wrote on October 10, 2008 5:05 am:
" The Journal-Star has once again missed the mark. Misters Hudkins and Heier are not politically courageous in continuing their hard-headed determination to build this jail. Alternatively they are short sighted and giving old solutions to new problems.

We need new life on the County Board, people. How on earth are we going to pay for a $65 million jail? "

 Unbelievable wrote on October 10, 2008 7:34 am:
" If GW was able to run for a third term the LJS would endorse him saying something like "We need George's experience from the past. He just hasn't been given the time to make it work."

Four more years of these 2 will only create more animosity towards the board. Why oh why do you want that, LJS? I can only shake my head at your editorial board. "

 Liberal Agenda wrote on October 10, 2008 9:38 am:
" Another day, another set of Republican endorsements from the LJS. Can't wait till the endorse W again for president. CURSE YOU LIBERAL MEDIA! "

 Hadrian wrote on October 10, 2008 9:41 am:
" Great selections LJS. If people would look beyond partisanship and see who is best qualified to make the tough decisions they too would agree Hudkins and Heier are the best candidates. "

 Facts wrote on October 10, 2008 10:27 am:
" Larry Hudkins misled voters by advocating for a new jail. Larry Hudkins lies when he says that the county can afford this new jail. Larry Hudkins doesn't listen to his constituents and votes contrary to their concerns such as water quality and availability, as well as development. Truth is, Larry Hudkins can not be trusted for another term just as McCain can't be trusted in carrying out Bush's 3rd term.

Let's oust this 20 year entrenched Republican incumbent and vote in Barbara Baier, a candidate with integrity who can bring out real change to Lancaster County! "

 Shoot Me Now wrote on October 10, 2008 10:47 am:
" please. can this paper endorse anymore white male career politicians? Oh, yes. McCain. Just do it now, I think we all know your choice for President. Get real. "

 KLM wrote on October 10, 2008 10:56 am:
" The Journal-Star is wrong to praise Hudkins and Heier on the jail issue. Throughout this process, both are guilty of showing complete disregard for the voters and taxpayers of Lancaster County.

It's ridiculous for the Journal-Star to suggest "the circumstances and timing of this election" should speak in these incumbents' favor. Voters are hungry for change, and Hudkins and Heier are the farthest things from it.

Nancy Intermill and Barb Baier will bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to our very stale county board. Each promises a more dynamic future for our county that we'll never see with these tired old men running the show. "

 Darn liberal press wrote on October 10, 2008 7:53 pm:
" Wow. First Johanns. Then Fortenberry. Now Hudkins and Heier. Really original choices - LJS. And the best you can say about Nancy Intermill is that she is "attending county board meetings"? What about her human service background?

Un-be-lievable what this liberal press comes up with.....yet another gaggle of white middle aged male guys..... "

 Vote them out wrote on October 10, 2008 8:47 pm:
" Term limits are a common thing these days, here's a place where the voters can get in done by electing Baier and Intermill. We've had enough of the good old boys club here in Lancaster County. It's time for some candidates with fresh blood who will analyze issues based on fact, not favortism and uninformed opionions. "

 Kevin Conover wrote on October 10, 2008 9:37 pm:
" How far off base can this paper be. If you did your home work you would see that Heier and Hudkins are not for the rural residents but for rural developers. Voting to approve large developments in NW Lancaster County. Knowing the water problems of the area. Going against over 100 signatures against a development. Going against a 7-0 vote buy the city/county planning commission vote to deny all the developers requests. Evan going against their planers suggestions to deny some of the requests. Like the set back from State Lake property set by this board so that the developer could have some lots with a better view of Pawnee lake. How I think if you would survey the people in both of their districts you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would vote for them. Now I am not a betting man but if these two Board members were to rely only on there districts to be reelected. Well we would have new and fresh people as our County Board members. People who would represent the whole of the people of their district and not just the deep pocket books and their buddies. "

 george wrote on October 11, 2008 11:45 pm:
" Boy, did the LJS pick a pair of jewels or what. "

 Hudkins neighbor wrote on October 12, 2008 9:43 pm:
" I have personally taken to heart Larry's recent decision to vote for the development on NW 118th in Malcolm. Larry was contacted by several of his neighbors asking him to mediate the hearing and voice their concerns. Neighbors, I for one, voted him into the County Board position because we believed he would represent Malcolm and the rural area. He did not take to heart their concerns and instead passed the development for his personal gain, even though he had the opportunity to second another Board Member's request to lower the number of houses in the development to protect the water in the area. I witnessed Larry rolling his eyes and smiling at the developer during the hearing. If a man would turn his back on his friends and neighbors, I ask you why you would endorse him? He obviously doesn't have interest in Rural Malcolm. Drive the area and see how few Hudkins signs are displayed. These are the people who know him personally and not politically. That should make a strong statement. Research the development hearing to see the truth. "

 dewboy wrote on October 13, 2008 11:27 pm:
" We could get rid of the entire county board and not miss a thing. "

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