Let your voice be heard!

I hear a lot about taxes being too high in Nebraska. We have a great opportunity coming up on Wednesday.

Revenue Committee Hearings will be held at the Harms Center at 10 am.

Topics for the hearing include:

LR212- valuation of agricultural land for tax purposes.
LR214-local govt. levy limits and property tax proposals that have been implemented since 1995

LR 215- current processes and procedures in statute applicable to county boards of equalization
LR 251- valuation processes of real property

Senators Louden and Harms really wanted one of these hearings in Scottsbluff. Please let your voice be heard on Wednesday, October 28th, 10am at the Harm's Center.

Clarification

Yesterday, during my "State of Gering" address, it was interpreted that I don't support the Gering Newspaper, the "Gering Citizen." I was asked for a written clarification by Publisher Jim Headley and Lisa Betz who also works there. I understand that Jerry Purvis, who did attend was also very upset.

It was not my intent to upset anyone with any of the comments I made.

I had a slide in the presentation that featured four new Gering Businesses. Classis Lanes, Pony Express Station, the Steel Grill and the Gering Citizen. These are the same businesses I mentioned in the October issue of the "Talk of the Town." I apparently made some additional comments that were interpreted that I did not support the Citizen and upset the staff at the Citizen.

For that, I do apologize. I do want all Gering businesses to succeed. I do read the Citizen at City Hall and am a "Fan" of the Citizen on Facebook.

Once again, I apologize for the misunderstanding.

So it has been about a month, since my last post. It seems when things get crazy this gets forgotten.
Today I will be speaking to the Leadership Scotts Bluff Class on Social Media and how to promote your professional and business image. Blogging will be one of those topics.

Three weeks ago, we were very honored to host two cabinet secretaries in Gering. Ag Secretary Vilsack and Interior Secretary Salazar were both part of the "Rural Tour" which made a stop at Scotts Bluff National Monument.
Ken Mabery, Superintendent at the Monument, looked back into the archives and the nearest they can tell, it was the first the Secretary of the Interior visited the park since it opened nearly 90 years ago. It was a very exciting day!
We must thank Geringite, John Berge, who really went to bat for our community to bring them here. John is the White House Liason to the USDA!

Last week on October 6th, I was proud to represent the City of Gering at Magnolia homes for the reception with USDA on the project of the 5 homes built in southeast Gering. Back in April, the City loaned them $575,000 to build 5 homes. That loan was paid back in September, with all the homes selling. The many partners were recognized. Twin Cities Development, Magnolia Homes, USDA and the lending partners of Valley Bank, Platte Valley Companies, and First State Bank. If you have not driven down K Street and Pappas, it is really taking on a new look!

Coming up next Wednesday, October 21st at noon, I will be presenting the "State of Gering" at Gering Business club. It is a similar presentation that was done at the "State of the Valley" in September. If you would like to know what is going on in Gering, please feel free to attend, it will be at the Civic Center.

We are in the process of updating the City of Gering's Website. We have added videos and we are working with Hale Multimedia to redesign it. Our goal is to have information that you might need on the sight. We will let you know when it is up and running.

Until next time....