Will you invest 3 cents to help improve our number one economic tool to bring new companies and expand existing companies in our 25 county area? That is 3 cents per each $100 of valuation. When the CEO of Case NH called the mayor's office during my term as mayor, his challenge to me was to help save our plant in Grand Island. Central Community College, their foundation, local manufacturing firms and other charitable foundations came forward with nearly $500,000 for state of the art training equipment. Included were robots, powder coat painting, laser cutting equipment and the teachers to train. Yes, your CCC was key in keeping this well-known, world-wide company in our area.
What goes down, must come back up. The Oct. 2 Wall Street Journal, page R9, asked this question. Since 1960, the average bear market lasted how long? The answer was 14 months. The 3 cent levy does not start until January 2010 and goes away in five years.
This is the first facility improvement request since the college was built 40 years ago. Enrollment grows each year and that is the reason for adding facilities. Best of all, 95 percent of CCC graduates stay in Nebraska and 77 percent stay in our county area. Your vote, as an investment, will keep our area growing.
As we can only submit one letter each 14 days, I must add the following and ask you to study the qualifications of these candidates. First, Mike Johanns for Senate, a farm boy, county supervisor, city council, mayor of our capital, unopposed Secretary of Agriculture, now running for the U.S. Senate. He is qualified and knows how to work across party lines.
Second, Mike Gloor for the Nebraska Senate. Mike is a small town Nebraska boy, was CEO of St. Francis Hospital, one of the top five employers in Grand Island, is very involved in our community, is past chair of our economic development corporation, United Way and many others.
Third, much and more important than the first two, for County Supervisor, please compare Glen Murry's qualifications with his opponent, who does not live in the district.
Thank you for voting November 4th.
Ken Gnadt,
Mayor 1994 - 2002
1610 Gretchen
