The Stothert Administration

[bbinks]

Depends on who the fire and police unions prop up to run against her.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’ve been questionIng Stothert’s “leadership” running City Hall for awhile now. Especially since the eyeball raising debacle of HDR pulling its downtown HQ’s office plan in April of 2016, Conagra bailing on Omaha before that in 2015, numerous snow removal issues over the years she’s been in office etc etc etc ..

I think she’s run her course..and honestly, should have only been a one term mayor..

It’ll be interesting to see what candidates decide to run this go around...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Jins123]

I’ve been questionIng Stothert’s “leadership” running City Hall for awhile now. Especially since the eyeball raising debacle of the HDR pulling its downtown HQ’s office plan in April of 2016, Conagra bailing on Omaha before that in 2015, numerous snow removal issues over the years she’s been in office etc etc etc..

I think she’s run her course..and honestly, should have only been a one term mayor..

It’ll be interesting to see what candidates decide to run this go around...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Who’s out there, probably too early to tell... but my ideal candidate would be Festersen on the city council.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’ve been questionIng Stothert’s “leadership” running City Hall for awhile now. Especially since the eyeball raising debacle of the HDR pulling its downtown HQ’s office plan in April of 2016, Conagra bailing on Omaha before that in 2015, numerous snow removal issues over the years she’s been in office etc etc etc..

I think she’s run her course..and honestly, should have only been a one term mayor..

It’ll be interesting to see what candidates decide to run this go around...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Who’s out there, probably too early to tell... but my ideal candidate would be Festersen on the city council.

Good question and he may be a good candidate. It is pretty early.. But I think we’ve needed a change at City Hall for at least 5 years now...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Jins123]

I’ve been questionIng Stothert’s “leadership” running City Hall for awhile now. Especially since the eyeball raising debacle of the HDR pulling its downtown HQ’s office plan in April of 2016, Conagra bailing on Omaha before that in 2015, numerous snow removal issues over the years she’s been in office etc etc etc..

I think she’s run her course..and honestly, should have only been a one term mayor..

It’ll be interesting to see what candidates decide to run this go around...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Who’s out there, probably too early to tell... but my ideal candidate would be Festersen on the city council.

Good question and he may be a good candidate. It is pretty early.. But I think we’ve needed a change at City Hall for at least 5 years now...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I’m in total agreement about that too...

Palermo: tax fraudster
Gray: is reactive and I’ve never felt good about him since he switched his vote to approve that CVS on Dodge street many many years ago
Jerram: under his terms, midtown/downtown have gotten more and more unaffordable for certain populations to live there
Melton, Harding, Pahls: live in a conservative bubble

Of course just my opinions, obviously, but we could do absolutely better!

[Taco]

There were reports of RJ Neary exploring a run for mayor in February. Obv a lot has changed since then. Will be interesting to see what he decides.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Stothert has been surprisingly thin skinned in leading a major city.

First rule of social media is to not feed the trolls. Yet she keeps laying out a tasty dinner for them.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Stothert has been surprisingly thin skinned in leading a major city.

First rule of social media is to not feed the trolls. Yet she keeps laying out a tasty dinner for them.

I still can not believe that she was such an obvious internet amateur that she attacked that woman from Korea and called her a coward hiding behind symbols. It is unnerving to know that we are in the year 2020 and the person leading our city is such an absolute rookie on an internet that has been around for 20 years now.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Stothert has been surprisingly thin skinned in leading a major city.

First rule of social media is to not feed the trolls. Yet she keeps laying out a tasty dinner for them.

Thanks for bringing that up. That’s also been another thing about her that bothers me.. Her professionalism as it relates to day to day social media conduct. It’s very much “Trump like”.. But on a much smaller scale of course..

And as Jins123 alluded to, I think there is too much Quid Pro Quo going on at City Hall.. there is always going to be some of this in local/national government of course, but too much is a sign of ill will leading to corruption...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[buildomaha]

I think mayor Stothert has done her good but her time is past. I look at what even Lincoln is doing just from the standpoint of some urban planning implementations like reclaiming lanes downtown and showing it is a progressive, accepting city. Not to mention they have a high-rise planned downtown right now, and Omaha being 3x larger can’t manage to do the same. It also seems she doesn’t have a backbone to tell the large corporations, developers, etc that they aren’t exempt from following the rules (looking at you Kiewit parking garage) just because they provide good to the community. Not to mention the complete lack of focus on public transportation.
We appreciate her time, but her time is over.

[bbinks]

Worst case scenario... While on a term limits hiatus from the legislature. . Ernie Chambers.

[NEDodger]

Especially since the eyeball raising debacle of HDR pulling its downtown HQ’s office plan in April of 2016, Conagra bailing on Omaha before that in 2015

What, exactly, should Stothert have done to prevent ConAgra from bailing? Appeal to the CEO's wife that she should want to live in Omaha instead of Chicago?

It's fascinating to see the contradictory takes on how the mayor's office should approach companies. When they play hardball with a company, the mayor is stupid for chasing the company away. When they let the company do what they want, the mayor is stupid for bowing to a company.

[bigredmed1]

Especially since the eyeball raising debacle of HDR pulling its downtown HQ’s office plan in April of 2016, Conagra bailing on Omaha before that in 2015

What, exactly, should Stothert have done to prevent ConAgra from bailing? Appeal to the CEO's wife that she should want to live in Omaha instead of Chicago?

It's fascinating to see the contradictory takes on how the mayor's office should approach companies. When they play hardball with a company, the mayor is stupid for chasing the company away. When they let the company do what they want, the mayor is stupid for bowing to a company.

Yep ConAgra did this to themselves. The mayor had nothing to do with this.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Especially since the eyeball raising debacle of HDR pulling its downtown HQ’s office plan in April of 2016, Conagra bailing on Omaha before that in 2015

What, exactly, should Stothert have done to prevent ConAgra from bailing? Appeal to the CEO's wife that she should want to live in Omaha instead of Chicago?

It's fascinating to see the contradictory takes on how the mayor's office should approach companies. When they play hardball with a company, the mayor is stupid for chasing the company away. When they let the company do what they want, the mayor is stupid for bowing to a company.

Yep ConAgra did this to themselves. The mayor had nothing to do with this.

That’s true. ConAgra did leave on their own..

But then again, this did happen under Stothert’s watch. It just has me wondering 2 things- How close of a watch did her office have on the pulse of ConAgra months or a year or so prior to theIr bailing on Omaha? You’d have to figure they knew something was in the wind..and were, hopefully, trying to do everything reasonably possible to keep ConAgra here. Perhaps they did do ALL due diligence necessary. Would the same thing have happened if, say, Hal Daub was mayor? Likely yes, because wifey was so bent on leaving Omaha. But Hal did have a way with words and commanded a room.. I’m not blaming Stothert per se.. But again, ConAgra leaving did happen under her mayoral tenure..And say what you want, it was a black eye...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[bigredmed1]

Only a black eye because you want her to have one. I don’t think that any mayor other than Dahlman could have stopped that. Dahlman would have had the CEO’s family threatened or had one of the babe houses leak that the CEO got syphilis from a former employee of theirs if they left. Basically a deal they can’t refuse.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Only a black eye because you want her to have one.

Oh come on red. Let’s not project here..

I never stated I wanted Stothert to “have” a black eye, lol. I simply stated ConAgra leaving happened under her watch..and it was a black eye. We can’t change history on either. They are facts. Right or wrong, Stothert and her administration will be tied to this happenstance. Do you think if Omaha had lost the CWS in 2008 while Fahey was in office, that wouldn’t be a black eye too? And yes, it would have happened under his watch.. It would be historical association..

I am simply making commentary here questioning her leadership. Especially the goings on at city hall the last 4-5 years. I think it’s time for a change. Perhaps you don’t agree. That’s fine and dandy. It’s your opinion and you are entitled to it. As I am mine...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[NEDodger]

Haha, no....you don't get to have it both ways. Right now, we're at:

1.) "It's happenstance! Woulda happened to any mayor, because wifey was NOT going to live in Omaha!"
Also 2.) "I question her leadership for allowing them to leave".

Fingers on the pulse or not, ConAgra was NOT going to give ANY indication that they were likely going to leave if the CEO/his wife were dead set on that. When it's a foregone conclusion, why on earth would you allow rumors to get out and make the exit as ugly as possible? This wasn't a negotiation/bargaining tactics to try to get a better deal out of Omaha - they were GONE because that family did NOT want to live here.

[Omaha Cowboy]

2 facts-

#1) ConAgra bailed on Omaha Oct/2015..
#2) This happened while Stothert was mayor..

As I stated previously, her term as mayor will have a historical association with this event..and yes, it was a black eye..

Is it fair to include this event when analyzing her leadership as mayor? I believe it is. Sure, it was likely a forgone conclusion that ConAgra CEO Sean Connolly was going to move HQ’s to Chicago. But, if memory serves, I think there was one last ditch meeting the mayor, governor and Omaha Chamber had with Connolly about one month prior to their announcement they were leaving. Was this enough? Should the mayor, knowing that it was a forgone conclusion, do little to nothing to try and stop it? I dunno. If it was me, I’d have bugged Mr.CEO at least monthly (even bi-weekly) once I caught wind they were possibly moving..until he got sick and tired of my attempts/messages. And why not? If they were going to move anyway- at least our leadership could say they did everything they could to prevent a 100 year old Omaha born and bred company from leaving.. And who knows.. Maybe a Jean did do all due diligence. But again, I feel it is fair to question if she did.. Sorry you don’t think so..

In any case, I also feel it’s time for a change at City Hall. I suspect there is a bit too much cronyism and Quid Pro Quo going on for my taste. Has Stothert been a bad mayor? No. Good? That’s arguable. I’d say she lands right in the middle..and I think Omaha can do better moving forward...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Doctor Fate]

I’ve been questionIng Stothert’s “leadership” running City Hall for awhile now. Especially since the eyeball raising debacle of HDR pulling its downtown HQ’s office plan in April of 2016, Conagra bailing on Omaha before that in 2015, numerous snow removal issues over the years she’s been in office etc etc etc ..

I think she’s run her course..and honestly, should have only been a one term mayor..

It’ll be interesting to see what candidates decide to run this go around...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

The debacle of the HDR downtown HQ still upsets me off. That would've been such a huge boost to downtown in so many ways.

[bigredmed1]

I’ve been questionIng Stothert’s “leadership” running City Hall for awhile now. Especially since the eyeball raising debacle of HDR pulling its downtown HQ’s office plan in April of 2016, Conagra bailing on Omaha before that in 2015, numerous snow removal issues over the years she’s been in office etc etc etc ..

I think she’s run her course..and honestly, should have only been a one term mayor..

It’ll be interesting to see what candidates decide to run this go around...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

The debacle of the HDR downtown HQ still upsets me off. That would've been such a huge boost to downtown in so many ways.

The HDR building was not going to happen downtown. That is a brain business. Brains that don't want to schlep themselves to downtown Omaha just because some hipsters thought it would be cool to have a big building downtown when they could just stop at AK Village and hang out there after work.

Once HDR got a taste of the push back they were getting from their brains and the brains they were trying to hire, it was pretty obvious that DTO was a no-go.

[Linkin5]

I’ve been questionIng Stothert’s “leadership” running City Hall for awhile now. Especially since the eyeball raising debacle of HDR pulling its downtown HQ’s office plan in April of 2016, Conagra bailing on Omaha before that in 2015, numerous snow removal issues over the years she’s been in office etc etc etc ..

I think she’s run her course..and honestly, should have only been a one term mayor..

It’ll be interesting to see what candidates decide to run this go around...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

The debacle of the HDR downtown HQ still upsets me off. That would've been such a huge boost to downtown in so many ways.

The HDR building was not going to happen downtown. That is a brain business. Brains that don't want to schlep themselves to downtown Omaha just because some hipsters thought it would be cool to have a big building downtown when they could just stop at AK Village and hang out there after work.

Once HDR got a taste of the push back they were getting from their brains and the brains they were trying to hire, it was pretty obvious that DTO was a no-go.

That is just not accurate based on how we know everything went down, they aren’t downtown because of the OPA.

[bigredmed1]

And if HDR had really really wanted to be downtown, OPA would pushed off the block. HDR is a far bigger dog. HDR got push back internally and they used OPA as an excuse.

[Linkin5]

And if HDR had really really wanted to be downtown, OPA would pushed off the block. HDR is a far bigger dog. HDR got push back internally and they used OPA as an excuse.

Hm I’ve never seen anything to that effect, do you have some proof that an entire company’s employees were that upset about having to work downtown?

[NUub]

I think the traditional idea of clustering everything in a downtown environment may give way to a more decentralized distribution of businesses going forward. Lots of people still hardcore urban lifers, but I know there's a lot like me who want nothing to do with working in a downtown environment. Will be finding out about how businesses can make do with more work-from-home type employees which could crunch the commercial real estate business.

[bigredmed1]

I think the traditional idea of clustering everything in a downtown environment may give way to a more decentralized distribution of businesses going forward. Lots of people still hardcore urban lifers, but I know there's a lot like me who want nothing to do with working in a downtown environment. Will be finding out about how businesses can make do with more work-from-home type employees which could crunch the commercial real estate business.

Yep. Fancy buildings with big rents are going to be a lot less needed now that people can work from home.

Parking in DTO is expensive and often distant from your office. Parking in AK village is cheaper and close by. AK Village is 10 miles from Millard or Elkhorn and half the distance to DTO. I imagine that the internal buzz was loud and clear enough that HDR’s leadership didn’t need much to see which way the wind was blowing. Hassle with the art fascists and upset off my brains? Or move to AK Village and keep my brains happy, AND avoid the fight with the Art Fascists. Easy call.

[Linkin5]

I think the traditional idea of clustering everything in a downtown environment may give way to a more decentralized distribution of businesses going forward. Lots of people still hardcore urban lifers, but I know there's a lot like me who want nothing to do with working in a downtown environment. Will be finding out about how businesses can make do with more work-from-home type employees which could crunch the commercial real estate business.

Yep. Fancy buildings with big rents are going to be a lot less needed now that people can work from home.

Parking in DTO is expensive and often distant from your office. Parking in AK village is cheaper and close by. AK Village is 10 miles from Millard or Elkhorn and half the distance to DTO. I imagine that the internal buzz was loud and clear enough that HDR’s leadership didn’t need much to see which way the wind was blowing. Hassle with the art fascists and upset off my brains? Or move to AK Village and keep my brains happy, AND avoid the fight with the Art Fascists. Easy call.

But again, what proof of this do you have that this actually happened?

[NUub]

As he stated, it was imagined, but I would let him speak for himself there. Not hard to conceptualize though, with the bonus of working in a more visible urban environment that you have to pledge undying allegiance to group XYZ or face retribution by their militant arm in whatever various form.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I don’t want to veer too far off kilter here..

But the HDR debacle of 2016 was much more complicated than is being stated..

Let’s remember the timeline- June of 2015, HDR came out with a media presser indicating they would be committing to Downtown Omaha by building a 22-25 story corporate HQ’s in the DT core. There was much buzz and positive thoughts.. February of 2016, HDR came out with another presser indicating their commitment to Downtown and a more scaled back, 16 story HQ’s building in the core. This time, the HDR announcement came with design renderings and a timetable for groundbreaking to completion.. THEN, a mere 73 days later in April of 2016, HDR announced they were scrapping their current downtown HQ’s plan completely..

It’s well documented the 3 ring circus which surrounded that decision within this 73 day period..

Point being, HDR’s decision to scrap Downtown was not an easy, happy-go-lucky happenstance. There were multiple layers of childish silliness that created the plug to be pulled... Then, 6 months later in Oct of 2016, HDR announced they were building at AK Village instead...

That’s the timetable story in a nutshell...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Fireman Freddy]

From what has been mentioned at the Fire Union Hall, the former Fire Chief and now State Senator, is recommending a certain County Commissioner by the name of Cavanaugh to run for Mayor. With a last name like that, you are a guaranteed to win, at least in a ole River City.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Today, In 2020, I don’t think a name guarantees anything anymore..Not that it necessarily did 40 or so years ago either..

But Cavanaugh is certainly a name that has a history in Omaha politics..But that “high profile” significance was many moons ago..

We’ll see...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Jins123]

Today, In 2020, I don’t think a name guarantees anything anymore..Not that it necessarily did 40 or so years ago either..

But Cavanaugh is certainly a name that has a history in Omaha politics..But that “high profile” significance was many moons ago..

We’ll see...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I was going to say... as a 30 year old who’s earliest Omaha political memories start in the mid 90s, the Cavanaugh name dosent ring anything for me. Not to diminish what him or their family has done. I see their name in state senate politics and board seats. I just am not familiar with any sort of old glory days that might mean something to a older Omaha generation.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Today, In 2020, I don’t think a name guarantees anything anymore..Not that it necessarily did 40 or so years ago either..

But Cavanaugh is certainly a name that has a history in Omaha politics..But that “high profile” significance was many moons ago..

We’ll see...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I was going to say... as a 30 year old who’s earliest Omaha political memories start in the mid 90s, the Cavanaugh name dosent ring anything for me. Not to diminish what him or their family has done. I see their name in state senate politics and board seats. I just am not familiar with any sort of old glory days that might mean something to a older Omaha generation.

That’s precisely what I was getting at ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Greg S]

I'm a Democrat and that name definitely carries some clout with the older generation, but I agree, I think anyone under 50, it might not resonate.

Omaha got so taken advantage of with Democratic mayors and the fire union (spiking pensions) that I would have a hard time voting for any candidate endorsed by that union. I would be afraid they'd do it again.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I'm a Democrat and that name definitely carries some clout with the older generation, but I agree, I think anyone under 50, it might not resonate.

Exactly.. I’m in my late 50’s and I remember the Cavanaugh name as prominent within Omaha politics as far back as the mid 70’s when I was in 8th/9th grade.. I remember John Cavanaugh speaking at our school in 1976 when I was in 9th grade...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[bigredmed1]

I'm a Democrat and that name definitely carries some clout with the older generation, but I agree, I think anyone under 50, it might not resonate.

Exactly.. I’m in my late 50’s and I remember the Cavanaugh name as prominent within Omaha politics as far back as the mid 70’s when I was in 8th/9th grade.. I remember John Cavanaugh speaking at our school in 1976 when I was in 9th grade...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

He was important then, but since has not been very effective and the rest of the family has not been particularly impactful. I think that the fire union is going to dredge up any moderate democrat they can still find to try to run someone they think might beat her. She may not be the best, but she would cream a modern era democrat.

[NUub]

I wish the FD wouldn't get involved with politics. Sometimes I wonder if they often don't have better things to do.

[Erik]

I remember several posters on this very board bringing up the Conagra concern months before the announcement.

Stothert claimed that her office was blindsided.

I think that was a lie. There were many concerns raised and she was playing hardball.

Her time has run it's course as one of the worst administrations in city history

[Omaha Cowboy]

I remember several posters on this very board bringing up the Conagra concern months before the announcement.

Stothert claimed that her office was blindsided.

I think that was a lie. There were many concerns raised and she was playing hardball.

Her time has run it's course as one of the worst administrations in city history

I’ve never believed the mayor’s office was blindsided by CEO Connolly pulling up stakes and moving ConAgra out of Omaha..and if that was truly the case, then I’d be (and am) even more concerned about what the he!l is going on at City Hall..

As I’ve stated previously here, I question her leadership and agree that Stothert’s time as mayor has run its course. Omaha can do better moving forward...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Fireman Freddy]

[quote=NUub post_id=318531 time=1594672087 user_id=12327]
I wish the FD wouldn't get involved with politics. Sometimes I wonder if they often don't have better things to do.


Well the now State Legislature Senator who was former Fire Chief and Fire Union President was allowed to write the blank checks for the Fire Dept. by the two Mayors preceding Stothert. That is why the former Fire Chief retired at over $10,000 a month. Those Mayors allowed him to have large pay day checks for the firemen by requiring "4 per truck" which resulted in calling back to duty off day firemen. "Safety first" was touted by the Union, even though extra fire rigs could of been dispatched to help avoid manpower issues at scenes. Then the firemen used all that overtime pay to pad their pensions, some even retiring at more than they earned when working. So it really pays the union to donate thousands of dollars to politicians, and to provide free manpower to put up campaign signs and work the phones. Ever wonder how this same Fire Chief was promoted up through the ranks so fast, along with a few of his relatives and close friends? And especially since the 9-11 disaster, the citizens of Omaha seem to agree that there is not enough money that you can pay their Police and Fire Dept.'s, so there you have it.

[Greg S]

I remember several posters on this very board bringing up the Conagra concern months before the announcement.

Stothert claimed that her office was blindsided.

I think that was a lie. There were many concerns raised and she was playing hardball.

Her time has run it's course as one of the worst administrations in city history

I’ve never believed the mayor’s office was blindsided by CEO Connolly pulling up stakes and moving ConAgra out of Omaha..and if that was truly the case, then I’d be (and am) even more concerned about what the he!l is going on at City Hall..

As I’ve stated previously here, I question her leadership and agree that Stothert’s time as mayor has run its course. Omaha can do better moving forward...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I don't think there was really anything Stothert could have done to keep Con Agra.Connolly wanted them in Chicago and took less money to make it happen.

Greg