The city politics blog of The Omaha World-Herald

Omaha runs out of the offices at 1819 Farnam St. The work there impacts your safety, your parks, your pocketbook. You'll find the best City Hall coverage on this site. It also is a place for you to weigh in. Welcome to Omaha's eye on local government: The Hall.
The taxing and spending divide

The taxing and spending divide

Our colleague Matt Wynn broke down some of the more contentious taxing and spending issues that have divided Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle and City Councilwoman Jean Stothert.

Over the last four years of fiscal fights, the two were never on equal footing — the mayor introduced complete budgets while the council could only amend his proposals, and the power to negotiate contracts changed from the mayor to the council in the past year.

While Suttle says he was trying to address serious financial problems, he says Stothert was the staunch “voice of no.” He’s accused her of playing politics, declining to name budget cuts unless he led the way. Stothert’s replied that the mayor has simply addressed city fiscal challenges with new taxes or fees.

By May 8, 2013 Read More
Suttle on Stothert’s tax plans

Suttle on Stothert’s tax plans

Another ad from Mayor Jim Suttle’s campaign takes on Jean Stothert’s city finance ideas.

By May 6, 2013 Read More
Criminal charges for two fired officers

Criminal charges for two fired officers

Two of the  police officers fired af the controversial arrest of three brothers at a north Omaha home are facing criminal charges.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Monday that Officer James Kinsella would be charged with tampering with evidence, a felony, along with misdemeanor charges of obstruction and theft. Sgt. Aaron Von Behren is facing two misdemeanor charges: obstructing governmental operations and accessory to a felony.

Kleine said Kinsella took a memory card out of a camera that one of the brothers had been using to film police inside the home. Von Behren, he said, tried to cover up Kinsella’s actions.

Both officers can turn themselves in tomorrow morning, Kleine said.

We’ll be posting more updates here and at omaha.com.

By May 6, 2013 Read More
Council races: Dist. 3

Council races: Dist. 3

First-term City Councilman Chris Jerram is looking for a second term representing Midtown’s District 3, facing off against political newcomer JR Jasso.

Jerram bounced back after a controversial St. Patrick’s Day weekend incident in March, in which he was photographed holding up a T-shirt that depicted mayoral candidate Jean Stothert as a stripper. He received nearly 66 percent of the vote in the April primary, while Jasso took 33 percent.  

In the race to the general election, Jasso is focusing on messages about cutting taxes, while Jerram is talking about economic development efforts in Midtown neighborhoods.

By May 6, 2013 Read More
Council races: Dist. 4

Council races: Dist. 4

In South Omaha’s District 4, voters are weighing their options between two candidates with similar backgrounds: both lifelong South Omahans, both retired Omaha police officers.

City Councilman Garry Gernandt is seeking a fourth term in office, while Virgil Patlan is looking to unseat him.  Patlan is focusing in on plans to roll back new taxes and often talking about social issues, while Gernandt is focusing his campaign on his record and goals for doing more to improve city services.

By May 6, 2013 Read More
Council races: Dist. 6

Council races: Dist. 6

In one of two council districts that covers part of Elkhorn, candidates are trying to prove to voters that they can do more to improve city services in the once-independent community.

Former Elkhorn mayor Phil Klein is challenging three-term City Councilman Franklin Thompson for the District 6 seat. 

He wants to see the city do a better job providing basic services and to get more police officers watching the streets of Elkhorn. Thompson says he’s also looking out for Elkhorn, but sees his role as an advocate for neighborhoods across the city.

 

By May 3, 2013 Read More
Council Races: Dist. 5

Council Races: Dist. 5

With Jean Stothert running for mayor, the seat in southwest Omaha’s District 5 is up for grabs.

The race pits two-term state legislator and former school principal Rich Pahls against Jeff Moore, a longtime insurance agent with State Farm.

Both candidates are registered Republicans interested in tax and spending issues, but differ on other issues. Pahls is touting his experience and connections from years of public service, while Moore says the district needs an outsider with business experience to make changes at City Hall.

By May 1, 2013 Read More
Rick’s Café for sale?

Rick’s Café for sale?

UPDATE: 5/2: City officials say they will serve Rick’s Café Boatyard owner Rick Albrecht with a notice of default this week.

That move means the city is looking to get complete control over the restaurant, which Albrecht listed for sale.

Meanwhile, Albrecht told us he’s still working with the city but exploring his options.

“I’m just seeing if it’s of interest to anybody else,” he said.

***

Yes, according to a real estate listing. But news of the troubled restaurant’s listing was a surprise to city officials.

Rick’s Café Boatyard, which sits on city-owned land on Riverfront Drive, is listed by the Lerner Co. for $2.75 million.

Owner Rick Albrecht won’t return calls for comment. City officials doubt the tightly-worded parameters of Albrecht’s lengthy lease agreement with the city gives him any authority to sell the property.

Celebrated at its opening, the pricey restaurant was counted on to anchor new riverfront development. But it closed its doors in January and faces an uncertain future, despite apparent plans to resume operations this spring.

There definitely seems to be outside interest in the property. The city says it will continue courting several prospective tenants for the site. Plus, in the past two days, even I’ve heard from prospective tenants: a noted Kansas City restaurateur and a local private equity firm.

I expect more news to come soon. Stay tuned.

By May 1, 2013 Read More
Council Races: Dist. 1

Council Races: Dist. 1

Our pal Roseann Moring took a closer look at the race to represent District 1 on the Omaha City Council.

When Ed Truemper decided to run for Omaha’s District 1 City Council seat, he heard the incumbent was “unbeatable,” she writes. The numbers certainly appear to favor incumbent Democrat Pete Festersen.

Truemper, a critical care pediatrician, will face Festersen, a first-term council member, in the May 14 city election. The two are vying to represent Benson, Dundee, Florence and Westroads, mostly Democratic areas.

By April 30, 2013 Read More
Election update: Omaha Steel, crime, tax cuts

Election update: Omaha Steel, crime, tax cuts

Last week was a big one for sparring between the Suttle and Stothert campaigns.

First, there was crime. Jean Stothert held a press conference Monday to challenge Mayor Jim Suttle’s claims that crime rates have been flat during his administration. She cited Omaha Police Department statistics that showed both violent and property crime going up over the last few years. A day later, Suttle fired back in his own press conference. His stats, also from OPD, showed crime dropping, and then staying flat.

So what gives? Both sets of statistics are correct. But we talked to experts who caution that any short-term look at crime can reveal skewed pictures of the real situation.

By April 29, 2013 Read More