NEBRASKA CITY – Two Nebraska City street commissioner candidates talked about their professional careers at a recent forum hosted by NCTC  and a third talked about offering city resources to try and give the Mayhew Cabin a future.

Candidates Joe Chaney and Kurt Curtis both graduated Nebraska City High School in 1990. Chaney served in the Army National Guard and has a 28-year career in internet technology.

Curtis served 28 years in the Army and is currently working for the Nebraska Department of Roads.

Candidate Graham Swanson is a 2013 graduate of Nebraska City High School. He was worked as a tour guide at the Nelson House and is currently working at Honeywell.

Chaney talked about his community involvement and preparation for a role on the city council.

Chaney: “You know it’s been really eye-opening on how the city works, especially the streets department. How it’s funded it kind of news to me. For those who don’t know, it’s mostly state funded, not really the local taxes. …

Chaney: “I volunteer with youth sports. I volunteer at my church. I volunteer at my kids’ school, which is Lourdes Central Catholic, and I think it’s just important as citizens that we get out there and do what we can for Nebraska City.”

Chaney currently works in the IT department at the Otoe County courthouse and said he is interested in discussions about updating the city’s website.

Curtis retired from the Army after a 28-year career, where he served tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia.

Curtis: “I currently work for the Nebraska Department of Transportation here in Nebraska City full time and part-time I work with the Nebraska City Fire and Rescue. I serve on the church board at First Presbyterian Church and also in my 28 years in the Army I served in many, many different leadership roles throughout my career.

“I also assist the Otoe County Emergency Management office during severe storms. After my retirement I sat down with my wife and I told her I wanted to come back to Nebraska City and retire because Nebraska City always will be and always has been my home away from home.”

 

Swanson, who studied English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is regularly published in two short-fiction magazines,  said the street department employees deserve recognition for their work through disasters and the pandemic.

Swanson: “Before I got a job at Honeywell and ran for this office I was a tour guide at the Nelson House Museum and in my service there I learned that our biggest strength is history. I think there is a big problem right now. I’m going to build on our history.

“Mayhew Cabin is our only multi-cultured museum and it’s not open. It’s not going to be open for Arbor Day because the flood of 2019 overran the drainage pipes. There was spillage. There was damage. They already sued us. They already sued Nebraska City. The judge threw it out. This cabin, this museum, they are on their knees right now and they need help.”

Swanson said the Nebraska City Street Department could offer its expertise to help find solutions for the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.

Two of the candidates will advance to the general election.