Article Image Alt Text

City council members, left, and county commissioners, seated far right, listen as representatives from the League of Municipalities and Nebraska Association of County Officials, seated front right, provide answers to a variety of questions posed before and during the meeting. More than 20 Imperial and county residents were present at the joint meeting.  (Johnson Publications photo)

Could city, county be headed for mediation?

    Mediation could well be the next step in trying to solve the conflict between the City of Imperial and Chase County.
    Members of the Imperial city council and Chase County commissioners met on neutral ground at Mid-Plains Community College Sept. 11.
    They were joined by Jon Cannon, deputy director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials, Christy Abraham, legal counsel for the League of Municipalities, both of Lincoln, and County Attorney Arlan Wine.
    The purpose of the meeting was to begin a dialogue between the two boards in an effort to improve understanding and cooperation for the benefit of both city and county residents.
    Here are some things learned during the two-and-a-half hour meeting attended by more than 20 people:
    • The ongoing conflict between the two entities has caught the attention of state senators and other officials in Lincoln—to the extent that senators are wondering if they need to address the issue.
    Both Cannon and Abraham said they have assured people in the state capitol that it’s a matter best left to the locals to work out.
    • City and county residents said this has created an embarrassing situation for both the city and the county. Even members of each board acknowledged the chagrin for the situation they have found themselves in.
    Sheila Stromberger of Imperial said it’s embarrassing when she goes places and when people learn she’s from Imperial, they want to know what’s going on here.
    In spite of the embarrassment, Cannon said, “You guys have a pretty solid community. I mean, you’re all here. You’re speaking very painfully and honestly searingly true, certainly honest truth to each other. And, that’s at least a good start.”

To read more on this and other stories, please log in or subscribe to the digital edition. https://etypeservices.com/Imperial%20RepublicanID359/

 

The Imperial Republican

308-882-4453 (Phone)

622 Broadway St

PO Box 727

Imperial, NE 69033