The Stothert Administration

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Jul 12, 2022 6:23 pm

Should the Omaha Mayor have power when they're out of town? City Council to vote soon on the issue

KMTV 3 News Now

Currently, the Mayor of Omaha must turn over their power to the Council president when they leave city limits. A proposed law change would allow them to keep power for up to five days.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Jul 12, 2022 6:45 pm

Proposal would allow Omaha mayor to remain in power when out of town

A proposed change to Omaha’s City Charter would allow the city’s mayors to remain in charge when traveling outside city limits. The proposal from Mayor Jean Stothert has prompted a debate on the capabilities and limits of new technology, as well as whether Omaha needs a clear line of mayoral responsibility in times of emergency. Currently, the city charter requires the City Council president to serve as acting mayor whenever the mayor leaves Omaha. It’s largely a caretaker position, including signing documents on behalf of the city. But an emergency situation — a major fire, a police shooting or a significant weather event — could require the fill-in mayor to take on a more active role. Supporters of the change say the current wording is an outdated policy. They note that modern technology allows near-constant communication between an out-of-town mayor and other city officials.

Stothert walks in the Juneteenth parade along North 24th Street on June 18.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Jul 13, 2022 9:02 am

Coyote wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 6:45 pm
Proposal would allow Omaha mayor to remain in power when out of town

A proposed change to Omaha’s City Charter would allow the city’s mayors to remain in charge when traveling outside city limits. The proposal from Mayor Jean Stothert has prompted a debate on the capabilities and limits of new technology, as well as whether Omaha needs a clear line of mayoral responsibility in times of emergency. Currently, the city charter requires the City Council president to serve as acting mayor whenever the mayor leaves Omaha. It’s largely a caretaker position, including signing documents on behalf of the city. But an emergency situation — a major fire, a police shooting or a significant weather event — could require the fill-in mayor to take on a more active role. Supporters of the change say the current wording is an outdated policy. They note that modern technology allows near-constant communication between an out-of-town mayor and other city officials.

Stothert walks in the Juneteenth parade along North 24th Street on June 18.

I think this is a good move. That policy is way outdated.

Greg

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Jul 13, 2022 9:32 am

Mayor Stothert asks Omaha City Council to 'seriously consider' charter changes

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert is urging City Council members to “seriously consider” all suggestions from the recently completed City Charter convention. The 15-member group wrapped its final meeting Monday after approving 24 charter amendments to be considered by the council. That includes a revised proposal from the Mayor’s Office that would allow the city’s mayors to remain in charge when traveling outside city limits. The council’s president and vice president have raised concerns about the proposal. In a World-Herald interview Tuesday, Stothert said the amendment would modernize Omaha’s out-of-town policy. “With all of the tools we now have, I can certainly manage the city with my laptop, with my tablet, with my cellphone,” Stothert said. “I am accessible and people can get ahold of me 24/7 when I am out of town.”

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Wed Jul 13, 2022 9:42 am

Greg S wrote: Wed Jul 13, 2022 9:02 am
Coyote wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 6:45 pm
I think this is a good move. That policy is way outdated.

Greg

Yeah, this was obviously put in place in the pre-digital age.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 11:54 am

Louie wrote: Wed Jul 13, 2022 9:42 am
Greg S wrote: Wed Jul 13, 2022 9:02 am
Coyote wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 6:45 pm
I think this is a good move. That policy is way outdated.

Greg
Yeah, this was obviously put in place in the pre-digital age.

Better get that fixed before we have another Lormong Lo incident...

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Jul 29, 2022 9:20 am

Stothert, City Council at odds over charter change allowing mayor to work while out of town

KMTV News Now

Stothert, City Council at odds over charter change allowing mayor to work while out of town

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Aug 02, 2022 9:56 pm

84 days: Mayor Jean Stothert's lengthy absentee record

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:25 pm

Mayor Stothert to be out of town for 42 business days in 2022 by mid-September

In May of 2021, Mayor Jean Stothert won her third term with a gigantic margin of two-thirds of the vote and, seemingly, was handed a commitment to the city of Omaha. The rest of that year, city records show that Stothert took about five-and-a-half weeks off for personal travel. In 2022 Stothert has been out of town for 25 days, not counting weekends and holidays. That equals about five weeks of vacation, and she plans to take more.

It’s important to know that there are no limitations on how much time the mayor of Omaha can take off. But the mayor must pass over power to the city council president when she leaves the city. Stothert left the city Wednesday and won’t be back until Sept. 9. Not counting weekends and holidays, that’s another 17 days out of town. This puts her total at 42 business days, or eight-and-half weeks of vacation time by mid-September, with three-and-half months left before the end of the year. Altogether, Stothert will have been out of the city for 63 total days by Sept. 9. That's one out of four days.

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Fri Aug 19, 2022 6:05 pm

I voted for her the last two elections and was happy that she won. For whatever reason, she seems to have lost the heart for this job. I honestly think that she should resign. Go be with her new fam and be happy.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Sun Aug 21, 2022 1:32 pm

I never voted for Stothert but I think she has done a pretty good job overall. But taking 8 weeks off through September is really a bit of an abuse of the privileges of her office. I realize she can communicate via various means from Italy or wherever she is, factoring in the 6 or 7 hour time difference, but really!

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Aug 24, 2022 2:56 pm

Omaha City Councilman votes in 'error', revote next week on Stothert's pet charter change

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Aug 30, 2022 6:16 pm

Proposal for mayor to remain in power when out of town is stopped short of November ballot

With a vote of 4-3, Omaha City Council members put an end to the long and at times unexpected journey of a proposed city charter amendment that would have allowed the mayor to remain in power when traveling outside city limits.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:15 pm

Omaha City Council reverses previous vote,
amendment allowing mayor to work outside of city fails

After multiple back-and-forth spats, Omaha residents will not be deciding if their mayor can remain in power for up to five days when they’re out of city limits. Last week, the Omaha City Council made the somewhat surprising decision to put a charter amendment on the ballot that would allow the mayor — in this case, Mayor Jean Stothert — to remain in power when they’re out of town for five days. But right after the meeting one council member who voted 'yes' said it was a mistake.

Councilmember Danny Begley cited the Nox-Crete fire and the 2021 flood in east Omaha, saying the mayor needs to be in town and that he made a mistake by voting yes last week. “My position isn’t partisan on this. It’s based on the principle that I believe we should have boots on the ground. From the pictures I showed people that happened when the mayor was out of town,” said Begley. This comes at a time when the mayor is on a three-and-a-half-week Italian vacation including travel to Carlentini, Italy for a portion of that trip to solidify a sister city agreement.

A public records request showed that Stothert will have been out of town for 42 working days so far in 2022, equivalent to eight and a half weeks of vacation. Councilmember Vinny Palermo said that didn’t sit well with his voters. “Almost every one of the people said they really appreciate the job Mayor Stothert is doing. So I’m not up here saying she’s gone, she’s unhappy. They’re happy with the job, but they feel like the leader of the city — the mayor of the city, the executive branch — should be in place more than what has been shown,” said Palermo.

Stothert has publicly pushed the city council to put the "out of town" amendment on the November ballot and she was backed by Councilmember Aimee Melton, who said Stothert deserves days off and sometimes puts in 12-plus hour days when she’s in the office. “Our mayor works more, more than most of us. And when she’s here and even when she’s out of town during one of those events. I spent an hour-and-a-half on the phone with her,” said Melton. Melton believes all charter amendments should be voted on by the people and said she'll push to have a similar amendment on the 2024 ballot. Council President Pete Festersen, who becomes acting mayor when Stothert is gone, voted to not allow the "out of town" amendment but did speak on the issue.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Aug 31, 2022 4:43 pm

Omaha Mayor's 84 days away dominates city council squabble

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Thu Sep 01, 2022 11:26 am

Very disappointing of her. I get that she was widowed tragically and this with her new marriage likely burdened her more that she counted on, but, even as a supporter, this has gone on too much and she should probably step aside.

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Sep 01, 2022 11:38 am

I assume some of those days out of town were work related? Remote management isn't too hard to do, but I understand that some things need to have in person review or evaluation, like emergency situations. 42 working days YTD, or essentially two of the first 8 months, or to put it another way, a quarter of the year so far, is out of town? That's hard to defend.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 1:18 pm

Fundraiser heightens talk of McDonnell for mayor in Omaha
Invite doesn't say "McDonnell for Mayor" but it might as well

It's hard to find a political insider in Omaha who thinks State Sen. Mike McDonnell, a lifelong Omaha Democrat, isn't running for mayor in 2025. And now we have more than just talk, there's a fundraising invitation for this Thursday. And while it doesn't say "McDonnell for Mayor" it might as well.

Jins123 · Post by **Jins123** » Mon Nov 21, 2022 10:20 am

Coyote wrote: Wed Nov 16, 2022 1:18 pm
Fundraiser heightens talk of McDonnell for mayor in Omaha
Invite doesn't say "McDonnell for Mayor" but it might as well

It's hard to find a political insider in Omaha who thinks State Sen. Mike McDonnell, a lifelong Omaha Democrat, isn't running for mayor in 2025. And now we have more than just talk, there's a fundraising invitation for this Thursday. And while it doesn't say "McDonnell for Mayor" it might as well.

This article and event has great timing as his political views are getting more closely examined when talking about the Unicameral, and the the Dem filibuster majority might not be a thing with his leaning right views and political contributions

ArchStanton · Post by **ArchStanton** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 7:47 pm

In the paper today, she defended spending 24 days in Sicily as conducting business with our sister city there. I'm sorry but what kind of business could be conducted with a sister city that lasts 24 days? It'd be one thing if she said she went there to conduct this business and then stayed on to have a nice trip--that would sound reasonable. But don't lie to us.

She also didn't rule out going for a 4th term. I think she has been a decent enough mayor but personally I think it's time for someone new.

Post by **nebugeater** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:38 pm

ArchStanton wrote: Sun Jan 22, 2023 7:47 pm In the paper today, she defended spending 24 days in Sicily as conducting business with our sister city there. I'm sorry but what kind of business could be conducted with a sister city that lasts 24 days? It'd be one thing if she said she went there to conduct this business and then stayed on to have a nice trip--that would sound reasonable. But don't lie to us.

She also didn't rule out going for a 4th term. I think she has been a decent enough mayor but personally I think it's time for someone new.

That really depends on who that someone is.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:31 pm

nebugeater wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:38 pm
ArchStanton wrote: Sun Jan 22, 2023 7:47 pm In the paper today, she defended spending 24 days in Sicily as conducting business with our sister city there. I'm sorry but what kind of business could be conducted with a sister city that lasts 24 days? It'd be one thing if she said she went there to conduct this business and then stayed on to have a nice trip--that would sound reasonable. But don't lie to us.

She also didn't rule out going for a 4th term. I think she has been a decent enough mayor but personally I think it's time for someone new.
That really depends on who that someone is.

There will probably be a wide field either way, though more so if she retires. Between senators and council members, there’s a lot of potential candidates in the city

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 8:47 pm

Garrett wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:31 pm
nebugeater wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:38 pm
ArchStanton wrote: Sun Jan 22, 2023 7:47 pm In the paper today, she defended spending 24 days in Sicily as conducting business with our sister city there. I'm sorry but what kind of business could be conducted with a sister city that lasts 24 days? It'd be one thing if she said she went there to conduct this business and then stayed on to have a nice trip--that would sound reasonable. But don't lie to us.

She also didn't rule out going for a 4th term. I think she has been a decent enough mayor but personally I think it's time for someone new.
That really depends on who that someone is.
There will probably be a wide field either way, though more so if she retires. Between senators and council members, there’s a lot of potential candidates in the city

Another important piece of this, is for the citizens of Omaha to care enough to get out and vote at a percentage that’s greater than the pathetic 31% voter turnout for the 2021 Mayoral election…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Feb 17, 2023 2:05 pm

Public forum discusses law enforcement interaction in communities of color

Transparency, accountability, and community engagement- those were the main concerns discussed at Thursday's public forum between law enforcement, and community leaders. “This time we care, this time we have to do something, this time we are motivated to do something,” said Ben Salazar, founder of the Nuestro Mundo Newspaper, and south Omaha advocate. Coming off the heels of the death of Tyre Nichols, the forum was an honest and open dialogue about how law enforcement could better serve their communities- particularly, communities of color. Some argue that the level of justice seen in these communities is less than those in white communities.

This oversight committee was appointed by Omaha Mayor, Jean Stothert.

Public forum discusses law enforcement interaction in communities of color

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:38 am

Stothert to deliver State of City Address as political future still unknown
If she runs in 2025, the city's first woman mayor would be 71 years old.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, still weighing a bid for an unprecedented fourth term, is scheduled to deliver her annual State of the City Address tomorrow. Likely topics include a streetcar costing upwards of $300 million and the final leg of the city’s downtown riverfront development. Despite some grumblings in town, not to mention Warren Buffet’s assessment that the streetcar is a bad deal, from day one Stothert has stood behind it insisting she has a firm financial plan. And while Buffet opposes it all four previous mayors—Republicans PJ Morgan and Hal Daub along with Democrats Mike Fahey and Jim Suttle—are on Stothert’s side; and Suttle lost to Stothert.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:38 pm

Omaha mayor presents 2023 State of the City address

https://www.youtube.com/live/iYhm2ISZMYM?feature=share

Mayor Jean Stothert presented her State of the City address in Omaha City Council Chambers on Tuesday afternoon. Her 10th annual address comes as several city projects are underway.

DEVELOPMENT

The streetcar project’s $28 million budget was approved by the Omaha Streetcar Authority just this week. Construction on the new downtown library is underway following the demolition of the W. Dale Clark Library a few months ago in preparation for the new Mutual of Omaha tower initially set for completion in 2026. Work also continues at the site of The Crossroads while The RiverFront is set to move into another phase following the completion of Gene Leahy Mall last year. Meanwhile, residents have been navigating standing concerns with potholes, which may have a better solution on the horizon as the city considers following suit on a process that has seen success in Lincoln.

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY

The mayor noted on Tuesday the city has seen stable or decreasing crime numbers, noting that in the first 80 days of 2023, there was not one homicide reported. Stothert said that gun violence had been reduced and that Kansas City was following Omaha’s policing model with officials from 30 other cities now planning visits to see whether OPD’s successes can be replicated in their departments. The mayor’s address comes two months after the Omaha Police Department touted increases in clearance rates for homicides and robberies in 2022, even as OPD’s comprehensive and violent crime clearance rates each fell 3% year-over-year. Other violent crimes clearance rates — particularly rape, aggravated assaults, theft, and auto theft — also declining year-over-year. Even still, OPD clearance rates in 2022 still fell noticeably above 2021 national average for areas with comparable populations.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 1:51 pm

Omaha Nebraska Mayor Jean Stothert State of the City Address on March 21, 2023

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:04 pm

Coyote wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:38 am
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, still weighing a bid for an unprecedented fourth term

NO.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 3:37 pm

HskrFanMike wrote: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:04 pm
Coyote wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:38 am
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, still weighing a bid for an unprecedented fourth term
NO.

I live in Sarpy for the moment, so I don't have a dog in this. That said, Stothert is the only thing keeping Omaha from turning into Chicago/MSP/Milwaukee, and I don't mean that in a good way.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 6:56 pm

Oh please

Flyer14 · Post by **Flyer14** » Fri Apr 07, 2023 3:45 pm

Louie wrote: Thu Apr 06, 2023 6:56 pmOh please

I had a response typed out to that person and then deleted and decided it just wasn’t worth it lol

buildomaha · Post by **buildomaha** » Fri Apr 07, 2023 7:35 pm

Flyer14 wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2023 3:45 pm
Louie wrote: Thu Apr 06, 2023 6:56 pmOh please
I had a response typed out to that person and then deleted and decided it just wasn’t worth it lol

Bingo.

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 3:14 pm

Coyote wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:38 am
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, still weighing a bid for an unprecedented fourth term

I can hear the commercial if she runs. "Does Omaha need a mayor who lives outstate?"

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 12:58 pm

S.O.Boy wrote: Sat Apr 08, 2023 3:14 pm
Coyote wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:38 am
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, still weighing a bid for an unprecedented fourth term
I can hear the commercial if she runs. "Does Omaha need a mayor who lives outstate?"

That absolutely will be used against here if she runs.

Greg

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 1:32 pm

Greg S wrote: Wed Apr 12, 2023 12:58 pm
S.O.Boy wrote: Sat Apr 08, 2023 3:14 pm
Coyote wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:38 am
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, still weighing a bid for an unprecedented fourth term
I can hear the commercial if she runs. "Does Omaha need a mayor who lives outstate?"
That absolutely will be used against here if she runs.

Greg

Opponents wouldn't even need to bring that up. Just wait to see adds saying, "Stothert is building a streetcar no one wants or will use (according to 272 polled citizens)."

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 2:25 pm

ita wrote: Wed Apr 12, 2023 1:32 pm
Greg S wrote: Wed Apr 12, 2023 12:58 pm
S.O.Boy wrote: Sat Apr 08, 2023 3:14 pm
Coyote wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:38 am
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, still weighing a bid for an unprecedented fourth term
I can hear the commercial if she runs. "Does Omaha need a mayor who lives outstate?"
That absolutely will be used against here if she runs.

Greg
Opponents wouldn't even need to bring that up. Just wait to see adds saying, "Stothert is building a streetcar no one wants or will use (according to 272 polled citizens)."

Yeah they will definitely use the street car against her too.

Greg

PWL73316 · Post by **PWL73316** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 2:26 pm

In a Republican primary maybe but the streetcar isn't going to be attacked from the left by a Democrat. And if the GOP wants to hold the mayorship they should not run anyone to the right of Stothert.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 4:46 pm

PWL73316 wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 2:26 pm In a Republican primary maybe but the streetcar isn't going to be attacked from the left by a Democrat. And if the GOP wants to hold the mayorship they should not run anyone to the right of Stothert.

Heath Mello was very anti streetcar from what I recall. I remember a TV ad where he had kids (his kids?) playing with toy trains.

buildomaha · Post by **buildomaha** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 7:47 pm

OmahaJaysCU wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 4:46 pm
PWL73316 wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 2:26 pm In a Republican primary maybe but the streetcar isn't going to be attacked from the left by a Democrat. And if the GOP wants to hold the mayorship they should not run anyone to the right of Stothert.
Heath Mello was very anti streetcar from what I recall. I remember a TV ad where he had kids (his kids?) playing with toy trains.

Most of the big and most progressive cities in the country have some of the largest NIMBY movements and ideologies. Voters are complex and have complex issue sets, and politicians cater to the most vocal.

I will also say, the mayor might be in a race with a Dem who is further to the right than even her, given Mike McDonnell’s votes this legislative session.

Jins123 · Post by **Jins123** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:40 pm

buildomaha wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 7:47 pm
OmahaJaysCU wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 4:46 pm
PWL73316 wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 2:26 pm In a Republican primary maybe but the streetcar isn't going to be attacked from the left by a Democrat. And if the GOP wants to hold the mayorship they should not run anyone to the right of Stothert.
Heath Mello was very anti streetcar from what I recall. I remember a TV ad where he had kids (his kids?) playing with toy trains.
Most of the big and most progressive cities in the country have some of the largest NIMBY movements and ideologies. Voters are complex and have complex issue sets, and politicians cater to the most vocal.

I will also say, the mayor might be in a race with a Dem who is further to the right than even her, given Mike McDonnell’s votes this legislative session.

And correct me if I’m wrong didn’t McDonnell and Stothert have a bad past with him as OFD union boss?