Neb. City recall organizer expects to turn in petitions

 No comments  
 E-mail Story
 Print Story
  Share

 digg it!
 Facebook
 del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit

Text Size: 

Tools Sponsor

By JOE DUGGAN / Lincoln Journal Star

A Nebraska City man plans to turn in more than 700 signatures Wednesday seeking the recall of an Otoe County commissioner over the layoffs of bridge workers.

Gregory Hager, 52, started collecting the signatures last month to force a recall election on Commissioner Dale Haverty. Hager said Tuesday he will turn in the petitions a day early so there’s no chance of being disqualified as late.

If at least 670 of the signatures are verified, Haverty will face recall during a December special election. The recall effort was too late to make the November general election ballot, said Otoe County Clerk Janene Bennett.

The petition effort was triggered by Haverty’s support of laying off several county road workers. In September, Haverty joined outgoing Commissioner Joy Schroder in voting to lay off three bridge workers and their foreman. The third commissioner, Nicki Kreifels, voted against the layoffs.

“They didn’t have any proof they were going to save any money by eliminating those workers,” said Hager, who co-owns a fiber-optic splicing business.

Haverty, who will not resign his office, said he voted to eliminate the bridge jobs to save the county money.

“Any actions I’ve taken are what I believed to be in the best interest of Otoe County,” he said Tuesday.

He added that he has received calls of support in recent weeks.

Reach Joe Duggan at 473-7239 or jduggan@journalstar.com.