Southeast Nebraska speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Oct. 2, 2026
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Lincoln Journal Star.
- Updated
Recently, I've had several conversations with Lancaster County voters. While not everyone pays the same level of attention to down-ballot races as they do to the more high-profile ones, I am sure the readers of the Journal Star would agree with me that these positions matter.
The recent state audit of the Lancaster County Treasurer's office is case in point. The audit identified nearly $1 billion in misstatements and errors. Even though no money was reported missing, the errors remain concerning.
- Updated
As a lifelong independent, I vote for character, not party. That is why I support Randall Ritnour for Lancaster County Attorney.
I have known Randall for more than 20 years. He is fair, compassionate and committed to accountability. He once called me about a troubled individual he believed could benefit from mentoring. That person found a job and became a responsible citizen. Randall gives people the benefit of the doubt, yet he never loses sight of justice.
- Updated
Nebraska has talented people and employers ready to put that talent to work. The challenge is strengthening the pathways connecting education, skills and opportunities so more Nebraskans are prepared for the jobs available today and those emerging tomorrow.
As a SHRM member and Nebraska HR professional, I recently joined Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber, along with students, employers, educators and workforce leaders, for a roundtable in Lincoln. Our goal was straightforward: identify ways to make those connections stronger.
- Updated
Lancaster County Attorney candidate Randy Ritnour deserves the vote of every citizen concerned with fair treatment in our courts. Mr. Ritnour is unusual in his ability to balance law and order with compassion. He is able to discern the heart of a situation and nudge a solution into practical resolution. His wide experience and keen insight make Mr. Ritnour able to pierce the veil of appearances and find the practical heart of an issue. He has a keen understanding of when and how to use a carrot or a stick.
Terry Ford, Lincoln
- Updated
In state and local elections, candidate qualifications and political positions matter. In federal elections, only party affiliation matters. The representatives we send to Washington, whether Democrat or Republican, will take their direction from party leadership.
Washington Democrats will always support “dependency on government” economics, spending and wealth redistribution-driven economics. Washington Republicans will always support “dependency on free enterprise” economics, work and investment-driven economics.
- Updated
The Nebraska Examiner's article on the results of the recent Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) survey (LJS, 9/23) is very concerning. Having been a 30-year staff member and manager there, I am compelled to provide some personal impressions.
I moved to Nebraska to work at DED and had immediate and growing love for the state and its residents: my Lincoln neighbors, communities all across the state, the quality of state governance, local leadership, other state employees and most assuredly the staff members at DED. Indeed, I have spoken to out-of-state employers who said that if a Nebraskan applies for an open position, “We don't interview them — we just hire them!”
- Updated
I recently received a bill from the IRS that was not correct. I contacted the IRS twice and got nowhere. Like many taxpayers, I was stuck with a federal agency that would not fix its own mistake.
I then contacted the office of Sen. Pete Ricketts. His staff jumped on the problem right away. They connected me with the Local Taxpayer Advocate for Nebraska. In a short period of time, the error is being resolved.
- Updated
Walz can solve our problems
It’s impressive that Lynne Walz is singlehandedly responsible for bringing data centers to Nebraska, as Pillen’s ads claim. She apparently accomplished this feat as one legislator of 49 and from the minority party.
- Updated
So the president of the American Association of University Professors penned a letter to the Association of American Universities that they should not readmit UNL to the association. When UNL pushed to gain readmission, they should have included the following:
* UNL currently has the No. 1 ranked volleyball team.
- Updated
Campaign ads are gaslighting, twisting words and misrepresenting facts. Recent wet weather has produced some mud and some of it has hit the campaign trail. It appears that those with the most money, power and the most to lose participate more. Disparaging opponents isn't outlawed in campaigns, but doesn't say much about character.
Lonnie Kay Fuerniss, Lincoln
- Updated
I have spent a lifetime developing, investing in, and caring for my acreage. It is my sanctuary and the result of decades of hard work. Almost overnight, that investment has been threatened by a massive industrial data center moving in next door.
Local officials call these projects “technological progress,” but too often ignore the human cost: neighboring families facing declining property values, constant industrial noise, enormous cooling infrastructure, increased water demands, and the loss of the quiet enjoyment of their property.
- Updated
The AAUP recommending Nebraska should not be readmitted to the AAU underscores the damage Gov. Pillen is doing to our university system. He's forcing cuts to not just faculty but to entire divisions of our once-great university. And all so he and his rich cronies pay less in taxes.
Remember this in November.
More like this...
Recently, I've had several conversations with Lancaster County voters. While not everyone pays the same level of attention to down-ballot races as they do to the more high-profile ones, I am sure the readers of the Journal Star would agree with me that these positions matter.
The recent state audit of the Lancaster County Treasurer's office is case in point. The audit identified nearly $1 billion in misstatements and errors. Even though no money was reported missing, the errors remain concerning.
As a lifelong independent, I vote for character, not party. That is why I support Randall Ritnour for Lancaster County Attorney.
I have known Randall for more than 20 years. He is fair, compassionate and committed to accountability. He once called me about a troubled individual he believed could benefit from mentoring. That person found a job and became a responsible citizen. Randall gives people the benefit of the doubt, yet he never loses sight of justice.
Nebraska has talented people and employers ready to put that talent to work. The challenge is strengthening the pathways connecting education, skills and opportunities so more Nebraskans are prepared for the jobs available today and those emerging tomorrow.
As a SHRM member and Nebraska HR professional, I recently joined Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber, along with students, employers, educators and workforce leaders, for a roundtable in Lincoln. Our goal was straightforward: identify ways to make those connections stronger.
Lancaster County Attorney candidate Randy Ritnour deserves the vote of every citizen concerned with fair treatment in our courts. Mr. Ritnour is unusual in his ability to balance law and order with compassion. He is able to discern the heart of a situation and nudge a solution into practical resolution. His wide experience and keen insight make Mr. Ritnour able to pierce the veil of appearances and find the practical heart of an issue. He has a keen understanding of when and how to use a carrot or a stick.
Terry Ford, Lincoln
In state and local elections, candidate qualifications and political positions matter. In federal elections, only party affiliation matters. The representatives we send to Washington, whether Democrat or Republican, will take their direction from party leadership.
Washington Democrats will always support “dependency on government” economics, spending and wealth redistribution-driven economics. Washington Republicans will always support “dependency on free enterprise” economics, work and investment-driven economics.
The Nebraska Examiner's article on the results of the recent Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) survey (LJS, 9/23) is very concerning. Having been a 30-year staff member and manager there, I am compelled to provide some personal impressions.
I moved to Nebraska to work at DED and had immediate and growing love for the state and its residents: my Lincoln neighbors, communities all across the state, the quality of state governance, local leadership, other state employees and most assuredly the staff members at DED. Indeed, I have spoken to out-of-state employers who said that if a Nebraskan applies for an open position, “We don't interview them — we just hire them!”
I recently received a bill from the IRS that was not correct. I contacted the IRS twice and got nowhere. Like many taxpayers, I was stuck with a federal agency that would not fix its own mistake.
I then contacted the office of Sen. Pete Ricketts. His staff jumped on the problem right away. They connected me with the Local Taxpayer Advocate for Nebraska. In a short period of time, the error is being resolved.
Walz can solve our problems
It’s impressive that Lynne Walz is singlehandedly responsible for bringing data centers to Nebraska, as Pillen’s ads claim. She apparently accomplished this feat as one legislator of 49 and from the minority party.
So the president of the American Association of University Professors penned a letter to the Association of American Universities that they should not readmit UNL to the association. When UNL pushed to gain readmission, they should have included the following:
* UNL currently has the No. 1 ranked volleyball team.
Campaign ads are gaslighting, twisting words and misrepresenting facts. Recent wet weather has produced some mud and some of it has hit the campaign trail. It appears that those with the most money, power and the most to lose participate more. Disparaging opponents isn't outlawed in campaigns, but doesn't say much about character.
Lonnie Kay Fuerniss, Lincoln
I have spent a lifetime developing, investing in, and caring for my acreage. It is my sanctuary and the result of decades of hard work. Almost overnight, that investment has been threatened by a massive industrial data center moving in next door.
Local officials call these projects “technological progress,” but too often ignore the human cost: neighboring families facing declining property values, constant industrial noise, enormous cooling infrastructure, increased water demands, and the loss of the quiet enjoyment of their property.
The AAUP recommending Nebraska should not be readmitted to the AAU underscores the damage Gov. Pillen is doing to our university system. He's forcing cuts to not just faculty but to entire divisions of our once-great university. And all so he and his rich cronies pay less in taxes.
Remember this in November.
More like this...
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