Nebraska

Time for Incumbents to be voted out.

By Eric Pool

3/10/2024

The County Commissioners have raised the property taxes by 13% since 2020. The County Property tax request has gone from $5.490 million to $6.195 million currently.

The county purchased the Goodwin Jackson Street building to expand government for the county attorney's office. That cost raised the property taxes of every taxpayer in the county. The county courthouse was built in 1966-67 when the county's population was about 12,000. In 1970 the population was about 11,000, in 1980 about 10,000, and has hovered around that ever since. It's now 9500, why are we continuing to expand buildings and government when the population is declining and technology is improving? 

The LB644 meeting in September 2022 was a complete lack of transparency to the taxpayers. Only one Commissioner showed up and the justification for the increase in spending and an 8% tax increase was a savings account for a murder trial. The tax increase was $453,000 for the 2022-2023 budget. The tax increase was never reversed and another 2% was tacked on in the latest budget approval. The spending needs to be curtailed and the trend reversed.

Commissioner Miller voted and approved all these spending and tax increases over the past several years; we simply cannot afford to have another 4 years of these spending and tax policies. I plan to work with department heads to encourage a strategic reduction in the current spending levels and reverse the spending back down while protecting critical services and priorities. I’ve read several years of the county budgets, there is room to tighten the belt just as families, businesses, and farms have had to do over the past several years. It’s time to reduce the spending and reverse this continuous increase in taxes. If we vote for the incumbents who have raised spending, increased taxes, and taken out debt over the past several years; we will simply be sending the message that we approve of these spending and tax policies. We can continue to provide critical services and maintenance while exercising fiscal responsibility. We can champion lower spending and taxes.

Eight years is enough, let’s take a different perspective and exercise some conservative fiscal policies that work for all of Cheyenne County. Vote out all incumbents who have lacked transparency, raised spending, increased taxes, and have not listened to the voice of the people of Cheyenne County.

If you want change, transparency, and fiscal responsibility with lower spending and taxes; Please vote for me, Eric Pool in the Republican Primary on May 14th for Cheyenne County District 1 County Commissioner.

The Simple Math

By Eric Pool

July 20, 2023

The preamble to the constitution begins with: We the People. The intentions of our founding fathers was for the people to have the control, not a king or an autocratic ruler. Its design is as simple as that. We have the power to elect and remove our leaders. The state of Nebraska has guidelines for recall, the removal of unsatisfactory leaders, and we want to discuss and inform those who want to understand this process. And as always, we implore people to do their own research and read beyond this article and get informed on what your rights and responsibilities are as citizens in our free country.

The definition of recall is as follows: Recall is a power reserved to the voters that allows the voters, by petition, to demand the removal of an elected official. Ballotpedia states, "Municipalities in Nebraska are allowed by section 2 of article XI of the Nebraska Constitution under some circumstances to adopt a city charter. If they do adopt a city charter, the state's recall statutes apply to the recall of the city's mayor and city council even if the city charter has specifically adopted contrary provisions." So the people have the right to exercise accountability.

So now we know its meaning, what's next? As the definition states " by petition", as well as the time line requirements. Ballotpedia stated, According to 32.1309, "No recall petition shall be filed against an elected official within twelve months after a recall election has failed to remove him or her from office or within six months after the beginning of his or her term of office or within six months prior to the incumbent filing deadline for the office." The petition must be filed with the appropriate clerk (city or county) and the signatures collected must be submitted to the clerk within 30 days of the petition being issued. So the time is now for a petition.

How many signature are needed? Hence, the Simple Math. 

In the case of county commissioners;  According to NRS 32.1303, a recall petition must be "signed by registered voters equal in number to at least thirty-five percent of the total vote cast for that office in the last general election.

Phil Sanders' seat IN TOTAL received 976 votes between himself an his opponents, making his magic number 342=(976 x 35%) signatures needed in 30 days to place him on a ballot for recall.

Darrell Johnson's seat IN TOTAL received 787 votes between him and his opponents, making his magic number 276=(787 x 35%) signatures needed in 30 days to place him on a ballot for recall.

In the case of the city council, the law reads: "for an office for which more than one candidate is chosen, the petition shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to at least thirty-five percent of the number of votes cast for the person receiving the most votes for such office in the last general election". That person was Paul Strommen (4 year term) and he received 1149 votes. So to place Brad Sherman on a recall ballot for example, this simple formula makes his magic number 402=(1149 x 35%) signatures. And a side note, Sherman only received 904 votes.

So as we demonstrated with this Simple Math, The People have the power to hold elected officials accountable who are not being transparent, are constantly increasing budgets and raising taxes, are not holding unelected bureaucrats accountable, spending tax dollars on frivolous pet projects and so on and so forth. Are you tired of elected officials disregarding your voice? It really is this easy to make meaningful changes and feel empowered by holding nonperforming dismissive officials accountable.  

Do the Simple Math and make your voice heard.

 

 

Transparency

By Eric Pool

July 3, 2023

 

Since the inception of our group and the subsequent growth and expansion, we have always strived for transparency and openness for ourselves and asked it of our elected leaders and government bureaucrats. We have called for transparency from our chief of police on a near fatal beating last October; we have asked the mayor to announce the candidates for the city council seat that was filled last Tuesday. We have experienced many instances personally of complete disregard for transparency by elected officials, proverbial wave of the hand. 

In high school, back in the day, many of us took a course called "civics" or government. It was designed to teach the basics of the constitution and how our government is designed to work. It taught us about our civic responsibilities, such as voting and jury duty. It gave us a basic understanding of the constitution and the Bill of Rights. We had discussions in class about some of the most important constitutional case law, such as Brown v. The board of Education and Miranda v. Arizona. Unfortunately in talking with young people today, this practice of teaching the next generation about the constitution and their constitutional rights as fallen by the way side in many cases. Many school have stopped teaching kids about their rights. We are striving to inform people to go and do their research and know their rights.

A very important law for government transparency is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The basic function of the Freedom of Information Act is to ensure informed citizens, vital to the functioning of a democratic society. With rare exception, all citizens are fully empowered to examine public records. The Nebraska statute that covers FOIA is listed as 84-712. Upon written request for access to or copies of public records, the custodian (government entity) of such records shall provide the information not more than four business days after the request. Even with these laws in place, officials will attempt to deny access and quite simply refuse to provide information requested. In which case, a writ of mandamus is filed.  A very important case was decided by the Nebraska Supreme court in 2009 (Evertson v. The City of Kimball) regarding public records disclosures, further strengthening the rights of citizens to request and receive public documents. 

We cannot simply leave it to those in power to do what is best for us. We must participate in our governance, so as not to be ruled. We see examples all over our country of states and local municipalities thrown into fiscal and social chaos because of lack of involvement by citizens. California, Denver, New York, Chicago, St Louis, New Jersey,  Austin, Seattle, and the list goes on. Its imperative that we find time to attend a commissioners meeting 3 or 4 times a year, view the city council meetings on YouTube, read the agendas, and ask questions about the budget expenses.

We always encourage people to do their own research and ask questions about topics they want more information on. The links below are a link to the law 84-712 and a thorough review of the law in layman's term. Remember, it's easy to take away your rights if you don't know what they are. Be vigilant and stay informed. The People govern our country. 

Public Records overview. Lincoln Bar association

Statute 84-712

 

Let's Tax Empty Buildings!

LB 256 (2018) was passed by the Nebraska Legislature and sign by the then governor on March 21, 2018. The intent of the bill is to address vacant buildings in communities that can create problems with crime, arson, public health issues, and lower property values. Now this law is written through the eyes of big city Lincoln bureaucrats, with good intentions (highways to hell are completely paved with them) of stopping major issues in vacant properties within BIG communities. But this is a blanket "solution" thrown at communities of all sizes with the the first intent of raising revenue via taxes. This bill is in no way designed for the panhandle and rural areas. The second intent is what is claimed in the text of the bill; stop crime, public health issues, etc. 

Here is the text from the bill: The INITIAL registration fee is up to $250 on residential dwellings and Up to $1000 on commercial dwellings. A supplemental registration fee shall not be more than double the previous fee amount, with a maximum supplemental registration fee of 10 times the initial registration fee amount.

No home owner or property owners want to get caught in this mess. This bill has the intent and potential of stacking up fees and the confiscation of property by local governments. 

In the Sidney city council meeting on May 9th, the city manager David Scott presented to the city council that the way to motivate owners of buildings in downtown Sidney that are currently empty, is to fine them. Not offer incentives, fine them.  His logic was they still need to provide services etc. Isn't that the purpose of the ridiculous property taxes? The city also has a code enforcement officer for these types of issues.  This is the difference between a business person and an unelected bureaucrat, Scott is obviously the latter. Another reason this is just an excuse to generate more revenue via taxes. 

So, we can't grow business in downtown Sidney because of sky high taxes and a horrible business climate; so now the plan is to impose more fees (TAXES) on property owners? As we said before, this is a blanket "big city solution" being exploited by a tax and spend city manager. This is not a huge city where squatting goes unnoticed. If something is happening in a building in and around Illinois, Jackson, Hickory, etc its going to be noticed. The city manager is simply taking advantage of an ordinance to generate more revenue to their already bloated budget. Remember our golf course that cost a half a million a year in public funding? 

The city leadership is boxed into a corner because of poor decisions made on infrastructure development that did not pan out (Bond debt). Plus there are special assessments on the properties out by the hospital that is hindering and downright stopping any development of new affordable housing in the city. Now the city manager is sitting around reading new laws to shake down tax payers for more money after the failed economic policies keep piling up.

Below is a link to the text of the law. It's only a couple pages long. This city manger will continue using any revenue generating law to squeeze property owners in this city. Enough is enough. Control your spending. Stop with the shake downs.

LB 256 (2018)

Constitutional Carry Passes in Nebraska

By Eric Pool

Updated June 23, 2023

 

On April 26th, Governor Pillen signed into law permitless carry LB 77 (known as Constitutional Carry) in the state of Nebraska. Law abiding citizens over the age of 21 are now allowed to carry concealed without a permit. Nebraska joins 26 other states in cementing our 2nd amendment rights to keep and bear arms. Governor Pillen was quoted as saying "Signing this bill upholds the promise I made to voters to protect our constitutional rights and promote common sense, conservative values." 

According to NRA-ILA,org, The Nebraska law will take effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session, which ended June 9. Making the law effective on or about September 10, 2023.

Senator Tom Brewer from District 43 championed this bill and saw it through all the way to the end. The final vote was 34-14 in favor of the bill. Our Senator, Steve Erdman, did vote YES on this bill as well. We thank both of these senators for their hard work and support in protecting and strengthening our constitutional rights. 

LB 77 strengthens preemption, giving the state legislature sole authority to regulate firearms. This prevents Nebraska counties and municipalities from having a patchwork of confusing and conflicting local laws throughout the state. Senators from Lincoln and Omaha were adamantly opposed to this bill, but in the end it was passed and sign by Pillen.

Also a reminder for all; the law does not affect previously issued permits, and does not eliminate the permitting system. Those who wish to obtain a permit to carry in states that recognize Nebraska permits still can. In addition, this bill does not change who is permitted to obtain a firearm. Felons and other disqualified persons can still be punished under federal, state and local statutes for unlawful possession of a firearm.

We know the government is a master at stealing our rights and selling them back to us at a premium price, we see it around us everyday. This roll back of restricting our constitutional right is a huge victory for the voters and citizens of our great state.  Florida's Governor DeSantis also recently signed into law Constitutional carry. This puts the majority of states in the country now with guns rights significantly restored.

As always; be safe, practice, and be aware when handling firearms. Visit businesses on our site for some of the training and practice locations within our county.

https://cheyenneobserver.com/index.php/services

https://cheyenneobserver.com/index.php/recreation/recreation-home

LIST OF SENATOR'S VOTE

LIST OF CONSTITUIONAL CARRY STATES