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Snowplow driver says he’s been fired for good deed

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By The Associated Press

Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 02:18:35 pm CDT

BENNINGTON — The snowplow driver who used state equipment to clear the private driveway of a heart patient says he has been fired by the state Roads Department.

Chuck Odom, who had worked 30-plus years for the state, said he was told Monday that his good deed on March 2 led to his firing.

A call Thursday seeking comment from the Roads Department was not immediately returned.

Department policies bar use of state equipment on private property.

Chuck Odom’s wife, Sharon, said the termination letter her husband received listed several reasons. She said she would not share them because she and her husband wanted to talk to a lawyer first.

Sharon Odom did say the letter mentioned that her husband had talked to a reporter despite his agreement in writing not to discuss the incident during the state investigation.

After the March 1 blizzard, Odom answered a call from rural Bennington resident Alice Howard, whose husband was a heart patient.

Bob Howard was experiencing some pain. The Howards didn’t think it was an emergency, but he was worried about getting to his scheduled doctor’s appointment in Omaha.

Their quarter-mile-long driveway was filled with snow, and drifts kept them from reaching the snow blower in their garage.

The couple’s friends and the private snowplow operators she called March 2 were so busy they couldn’t help either.

So a friend recommended Odom, whom she didn’t know.

Odom soon arrived with a plow. When that plow stuck in a drift, Odom called in another plow, then someone with a loader to finish clearing the driveway.

The Howards arrived late for the doctor’s appointment but in time for Bob Howard to be seen.


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Michael wrote on April 12, 2007 2:29 pm:
" What has happened to COMMON SENSE in this world. fifty years ago this man would have been praised for doing such a good deed! I am truely ashamed of the State of Nebraska. "

 Tom wrote on April 12, 2007 2:41 pm:
" Sad that you cannot help your neighbor. What a world!!! "

 ?!?!? wrote on April 12, 2007 3:24 pm:
" THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! "

 WC wrote on April 12, 2007 3:28 pm:
" No good deed goes unpunished. Give me a break... "

 tr67 wrote on April 12, 2007 3:52 pm:
" How ridiculous! 30+ years of working for them, and instead of a warning or a suspension, he is fired. That's absurd and unfair! "

 Doug wrote on April 12, 2007 5:53 pm:
" This isn't about one person's good deed. It is about a person using state property to clear a private drive, period. There was no emergency and if there was they should have called 911. You are probably the same people who complain about your property taxes. Wonder why they go up? Read this again; it says he was fire for several things. Primarily he spoke to reporters after signing a statement that said he wouldn't discuss this during the investigation. This guy doesn't sound very smart to me. He only got caught because he isn't a very good plow driver. He got the plow stuck and had to get another plow to help out (more tax dollars). Bottom line is, while nice to do a good deed, do it with your own property, not property of taxpayers. "

 Jason wrote on April 12, 2007 6:54 pm:
" No Doug, this is about an out-of-control HR Dept within the Dept of Roads. This kind of screw the worker's behavior is common place. The only reason people don't hear more about these kinds of things is because the people who are fired are required to sign a paper saying they won't talk to the press. "

 ¿¿!!x wrote on April 12, 2007 8:12 pm:
" What would you say Doug if you were the one with the heart problem, let him die? "

 no common sense wrote on April 12, 2007 10:17 pm:
" The department of roads needs some mamangement changes and maybe now is a good time for the leadership to resign or be fired. I hope Odom does sue the state and wins. I am sure with a jury of peers the Department of Roads will learn what real Nebraskans think of this decision. Better yet maybe those in charge of making this decision will decide to all resign and maybe we can get some people that really know how to run this department more effectiveley with less of a gas tax like our neighbors. "

 Bill wrote on April 13, 2007 1:14 am:
" Whats he going to sue the state for? The state of Nebraska has every right to fire some one for using government property to clear snow off of private property, especially if hes on the clock. I think the punishment is overboard, but its perfectly legal. "

 M.D. wrote on April 13, 2007 1:43 am:
" Its unfortunate that the power to be for the State of NE has such a callous concern about the life of a fellow human being. Had he been in a life threatening incident and called 911 they would not have been able to access his home and he surely would have died. May the person that fired him not have to worry about his parents in possible need of 911 or maybe even himself in a severe weather situation in the future. Furthermore, why should Mr. Odom be required to keep quiet about circumstances that involve him? Is there something to hide? "

 tkosmo wrote on April 13, 2007 2:02 am:
" I guess "Dong" didn't read the post when this issue first appeared in the paper when we disgussed how impossible it would have been for an ambulance to make the trip had they called 911. I am sicken to hear the department of roads fired Mr. Odom after 30+ years of service. He couldn't have been that bad at his job if he worked there that long. And the only reason the department didn't want him talking to reporters is because it makes them look extemely horrible which they are. Whatever higher ups decided this should be very ashamed. I hope they never need assistance of any kind. "

 Namdac wrote on April 13, 2007 7:02 am:
" We are a State of people that need to look out for one another. We can not count on our own government to help so our friends and neighbors help us out when we are in need. Bravo Chuck you are a Man among men. Doug needs to get a serious life. Move to Iran or Iraq if you have a problem with folks helping each other. These snow plow drivers are brave men and women who are highly trained and respected in thier communities. These folks work long hours clearing the road during blizzard like conditions. We all who live in this state should be proud of the work of our road crews. "

 Sean wrote on April 13, 2007 7:15 am:
" Wow this is such a waste! Fire him over a good deed like this is not common sense. At least offer the worker the ability to pay for the time he used the state vehicle. I'm sure others would have kicked in. The funny thing is, the state likes to be all tough on situations like this but come to actual budget spending, they are out of control. Do you think this cost the tax payers that much money? it was pocket changed compared to how much our state blows each day on worthless projects, people, and goods. "

 Deb wrote on April 13, 2007 7:49 am:
" For those of you who think this is right to fire this man - I think the State needs to start at the top and look at all the wrongs each and every person has made during their time of employment. Further, I bet there is not one of you out there that has misused property to some sort and got away with it. This incident certainly didn't cost the taxpayers that much money and if I was in this man's position, I would have done the same thing. We have to look at the human side of things. Instead we are caught in a world in which the almighty dollar is the answer to everything. One mentioned that this man's plow was stuck and another had to pull him out. Well that happens all over. I saw that happen here in Lincoln during the last heavy snow fall. Quit pointing fingers - he did the right thing. Sad to see so many heartless people. "

 Traci wrote on April 13, 2007 7:57 am:
" And next weeks article will read State employee refuses to clear driveway, man dies. He should of kept quiet to the media like he agreed to. I think this is a case of the State using a something trivial to fire a long time employee who they can replace with someone cheaper. "

 Brian in Lincoln wrote on April 13, 2007 8:01 am:
" IF it were an emergency, they should have called 911 and when the ambulance was dispatched, they would have went thruough the CORRECT channels to get get the drive opened....heck it may well have been the same driver called to the scene! BUT, rules are rules and he broke the rules of his job. Right or wrong, he knew what he could and could not do on state time. The next thing you know, is that people will be calling up with "serious" situations just to get their drives cleared and the roads will be ignored. Are you all that naive that things like this would not happen in a matter of minutes if allowed? Snow storms are slow moving and if you had to be at an appointment of any kind out of town, leave the night before and get a motel if it was that important. Right or wrong, he broke the rules of his job. "

 eldon wrote on April 13, 2007 8:09 am:
" The person who made this decision to fire this employee should be forced to resign. I don't want my tax dollars funding such a ruthless and unfair policy. "

 GMP wrote on April 13, 2007 9:26 am:
" What Bob did was just plain neighborly -- a Nebraska value I've heard. Guess "values" aren't very valuable any more, at least to the state. Thank you, Bob, for being a caring of man. I'm sorry you had to pay the price. EMT's have said what he did was necessary, and if they would have been called out and then the road was cleared, the man might have died. We all know who did the right thing. "

 Jay wrote on April 13, 2007 9:29 am:
" That winter storm was a near disaster for Nebraska. The reason you don't hear about it in National News is because of the kind of people Nebraskans are when it comes to helping your fellow neighbor. So many extra deeds were done during that week that probably crossed the lines of Standard Operating Procedure for every kind of industry. I realize this is an extreme comparison, but can you imagine if both the Feds and the State of Louisiana followed such strict protocol with Katrina, how many people would not have been helped?!? In those instances you let your employees make those difficult decisions, and with 30 years of experience, Mr. Odom made the right choice. Thanks Mr. Odom! "

 Can't Believe wrote on April 13, 2007 10:24 am:
" Fired WHAT!!!!! You have to be kidding-this man made a judement call- possibly saving a life. He has worked for 30 years and because he is human trying to do a good deed gets fired. What happpened to humanity? "

 Brian in Lincoln wrote on April 13, 2007 10:27 am:
" So you are all saying, that during the next big snow event in the state, it is ok to get a STATE dept of roads truck to your place to clear your road off, when you are not feeling good and have a heart condition? Guess what, that is all they will be doing then!!! It is not secret that the rural population is aging, so should this be SOP for all dept of roads trucks, forget the roads, but get the driveways open, there MAY be a need to get out to a dr......most of you are missing the big picture here, in that making exceptions to rules opens up a pandoras box "

 I wrote on April 13, 2007 10:42 am:
" Complete and utter nonsense. Nice how the previous article made it sound like he wouldn't get punished like this and now, come to find out, they did fire him. He's been a good employee for 30 years! I call B.S. "

 CP wrote on April 13, 2007 10:43 am:
" So I guess I shouldn’t have used that State Fire Extinguisher out my DOR van to save a motorist’s Pickup from burning to the ground on I-80. My Bad! The motorist was most grateful, just as the Howard’s were, I’m sure! Man I could have been fired. I have seen the DOR waste more money in one foul swoop that Odom ever though of, by clearing a path for a fellow Nebraskan in need. "

 Shelly wrote on April 13, 2007 10:45 am:
" There are no such things as Nebraska values, they are the same values as NYC and California, dirty and rude. "

 BT wrote on April 13, 2007 10:52 am:
" A man tries to help a couple who are snowed in. Even if it was not an emergency the man had a heart problems which may cause death at anytime. He did something our world lacks today which is human compassion. Maybe the state should show some also.Surely the state has more important things to do then fire a man who represented his employer with class and dignity. "

 the whole picture wrote on April 13, 2007 11:17 am:
" Let's everyone look at the whole picture here. If you read the article, the firing was for a number of reasons beyond just using state equipment to clear a private drive. I definitely believe that Mr. Odom did exactly the right and 'Nebraskan' thing in the situation by helping someone in need and for that action alone I don't believe at all that he should have been fired. A slap on the wrist for violating policy or perhaps a fine to cover the cost of the resources used, fuel and pay. If it is true that the Dept. of Roads would have fired him for just that incident rather than stand up for such a long-time employee, than Shame on You DOR! But if there were other policies outside of the action that were violated than however sorry I feel for Odom and his family, the state may not have been able to overlook them and had cause to terminate. Way to go, Chuck for your committment to helping others and to the entire community, including myself, for supporting your judgement. Good luck in your future! "

 JJ wrote on April 13, 2007 11:19 am:
" This is embarrasing to the state and the people who live in it! Today I am ashamed to be associated with the State of Nebraska. "

 Lisa wrote on April 13, 2007 11:26 am:
" Who said we had the right people are in charge of "our" State? B.S. "

 Embarrased Nebraskan wrote on April 13, 2007 11:36 am:
" So then let this be a warning to anyone in the state, the next time you require assistance, don't expect anyone employed by the State of Nebraska to stop and help you during business hours, they could be fired. Just when you think the HR Dept at Roads can't stoop any lower, they prove you wrong. Way to go DOR. "

 Soylent Green wrote on April 13, 2007 11:36 am:
" Wait a minutes here people...Raise your hand if you are one of those who gripes about overspending or misuse of government property. Now, raise your hand if you have ever moaned and whined that some guy in government gets to drive a new car and gets a fancy computor and then you "just know" that he/she is using it for personal things... Put it in perspective people; this guy misused government equipment! He bucked the system and did something that he thought was right without clearing it. This is no different than a person who doesn't like a certain law or regulation going ahead and breaking it and then getting caught and punished... I'm not saying that he is a bad person for doing this, but he shouldn't except anything different coming from the environment that he worked in. In fact, I would beat you lunch that he had to read and sign a policy statement that he WOULD NOT use government property for personal functions. At this point it sounds like he is just grandstanding to get some attention for his case. Oh, there is still the issue that the "sick" person could have called 9-1-1 and got help thru official channels... "

 ?? wrote on April 13, 2007 12:13 pm:
" I think this is an outrage. From a medical point of view, we are taught PREVENTION PREVENTION!!! and that's what this man did. What if this heart patient were to have an emergency?? How could the EMT guys get to him and save him? Every minute is vital when it comes to an emergency.. SERIOUSLY "wait til the ambulance gets stuck and then go the right route???" COME ON, this man should be congratulated for taking care of the citizens like he's suppose to. What happened to above and beyond?? "

 What if he worked at a bank? wrote on April 13, 2007 12:35 pm:
" And he gave away money to somebody that was poor? It is not his money to give away, put he did it anyway. Would everybody be okay with that because this is the exact same thing. He was giving away taxpayer dollars to an individual(s). "

 Interesting wrote on April 13, 2007 12:55 pm:
" Seems it is not what you do but what you do for the city, county etc as to whether you can get away with it. I know that there are people who work for the city that have done things alot worse and they still have thier jobs it just amazes me that sometimes it seems that depending on how much pull you have will depend if you can keep your job. "

 Al wrote on April 13, 2007 1:06 pm:
" Shame on the State!! Ok. The guy did wrong, but he did a good deed. He was suspended while the matter was investigated but to be fired!! Ridiculous!! But's the the anal way that State agencies work, unfortunately. People like Doug need to think more before they spout off about the guy deserving to be fired. Hey, Doug, bet your viewpoint would be different if it had been you with the heart condition, wouldn't it!!! "

 Well wrote on April 13, 2007 1:26 pm:
" It probably was a mistake of him to do. It's tax payers money he used after all. But firing him is WAY OVERBOARD. "

 ok then wrote on April 13, 2007 2:02 pm:
" If they would've called 911 he probably would've been sent back there to clear it ANYWAY. Last I knew there weren't any off roading, snow plowing ambulances. This man helped his fellow man and gets the boot. Employers are getting too comfortable in abusing their employees and it's gotta stop. Nebraska is a horrific state when it comes to employment. I am not proud to be a Nebraskan because of this type of crap. "

 Dave wrote on April 13, 2007 2:08 pm:
" Shame on you Tim Weander Shame on you DOR and most off all Shame on the Governor for not stepping in and correcting this PR fiasco. What a mark the 3 have put on the State of Nebraska. Mr Odom please do not accept Binding Arbitration with the state as you know that if they do not like the outcome what will happen. Mr. Odom wear your head high and walk with your back straight as you did not wrong. I think that the vast majority of Nebraskans back you and not the idiots who run DOR to make the right decisions. "

 NEbr takes another step down wrote on April 13, 2007 2:25 pm:
" Shelly is right, Nebraska values are dirty, rude & greedy. You won't see this kind of Nebraska crap in my former state. I've told several people in my former state about this and they can't believe this situation. My suggestion is the Odoms would be better & definately financially off to move to a caring state that has half the taxes and constantly works to care for ALL of its citizens. I sure found that out after the State of Nebraska slapped me in the face many years ago. I'm sure this has come from Lincoln and this is the most cruel, underhanded, greedy snotty city in the U.S. Is firing a 30 yr employee a way of getting out of paying him pension & health insurance. I wouldn't trust these people in state or city government two inches. People that would get the taxes as high as they are and continue to raise them DON'T have their citizens concerns at the forefront! THERE ARE STATE THAT DO CARE ABOUT THEIR CITIZENS WITH HALF THE TAXES. Shows the kind of judgement in the State Dept. if this 30 yr employee needed firing, what kind of a person would do it at the expense of a person's medical & life probability. I'd say the firer needs firing!! "

 RT wrote on April 13, 2007 2:33 pm:
" I agree with M.D. & Dave. Now all Nebraskans know what kind of a whimp they voted in as governor. Nebraska is for the birds, crows that is. Just the few years I've been here, you listen to people and it gets worse and worse any direction you look. The high taxes have everybody so hateful its sad, and they take it out on everybody and everything. "

 Bottom Line wrote on April 13, 2007 4:15 pm:
" Did the guy do a good deed? Yes. Should he be commended for it? Yes. However, did he brake the rules? Yes. Should he be punished? You bet. Listen people, if you don't have repercussions for breaking the rules, there is no way to enforce the rules. Firing someone, however, is radical and really a last case scenario; not appropriate for this situation. The guy should get a suspension to let both the employees and the public know that this is not going to become commonplace. Let me say that I am happy for the man that he was able to get to the Doc and get treated. But, as has already been stated above, if he really thought he was in dangerous, call 911 and do it right! They SHOULD use what ever methods they need to get to the patient. I may have done the same as the State Worker if I thought the situation was desperate, however I would expect the worse when it comes to consequences. "

 Dee wrote on April 13, 2007 4:16 pm:
" DISGUSTING! OUTRAGEOUS! INFURIATING! I wrote letters about this to both the Gov and the DOR. They don't care what Nebraskans think. If Odem was fired, John Craig should be fired too. Such gutless leaders we have! So sorry for you, Mr. Odem. Something tells me you'll have no trouble getting a job. "

 NL wrote on April 13, 2007 6:59 pm:
" I'll gladly give my share of taxes to be used to help people. I'm not that selfish and I applaud Mr Odom for helping. "

 mike wrote on April 13, 2007 7:42 pm:
" has any given any thought that he has been clearing drives with state equipment and getting paid for and now its time he pays his dues for doing so "

 turn it around wrote on April 13, 2007 7:55 pm:
" Ah Nebraska the good life. Lets take this situation, and it turns out the guy was had a heart attack,and the driver gets there, and gives him CPR, and saves his life. Do you think he would be getting a comendation for his actions, you bet he would, with the Governor right up front in the picture for all the papers. Also I bet the boss of DOR takes a vehicle home at night, and I am sure he has never stopped for groceries, went to a school event, or ever used his take home vehicle for personal use!!! I would hazard a guess that there have been alot more tax dollars taken home with pens, pencils, stationary and other DOR materials, than was used in this case, and the many others, that I am sure were done, by these fine drivers being good samaritans, as the old saying goes, THOSE THAT LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES, SHOULD NOT THROW STONES. "

 Go State wrote on April 13, 2007 8:23 pm:
" Think about if your mother called 911 for a medical emergency at the same time. And ambulance could not get there because this snowplow driver was off doing a "good deed". I could slip and fall down the stair, so will all you nice people pay for an ambulance to sit outside my house 24/7 just in case? "

 Guru wrote on April 13, 2007 8:58 pm:
" This is exactly the reason why we are moving out of this state! Nebrasaka is is not like it was.... it is for ever gone..... "

 Julie wrote on April 13, 2007 10:00 pm:
" DOR better get ready to fire 95% of their employees for misuse of equipment. I worked for DOR for 6 years and I can guarantee that the majority of the employees have misused the computers(surfing the web & playing games), used DOR phones for personal conversations, copiers, faxes, printers, you name it and it's been misused. These are also tax payers dollars, why are they not being fired? "

 good wrote on April 13, 2007 11:02 pm:
" good question Julie i think they should be fired and as another part of the punishment they should be made to reimburse the state for the wages earned while doing so maybe thats the problem all the state workers are screwing around all the time and never doing their jobs i say its time for a large lay off and cut all the dead weight sitting around doing nothing or standing outside smoking all day in front and back of the SOB let this just be the beginning of many terminations for dereliction of duty and miss use of equipment "

 Not Shocked At All wrote on April 13, 2007 11:18 pm:
" I am not shocked or even slightly surprised about the decision to fire this guy. First he uses state equipment to clear a private drive that WAS NOT AN EMERGENCY. Second he is told to keep his mouth shut and not talk to reporters about it, yet he does so anyway. It looks like Mr. Odom has a problem with not following policy and rules. I don't know for sure but if this is a snapshot of the past 30 years, then I am sure they did have a list of reasons to fire him. I fully agree with this decision and I wish Mr. Odom success with his next job. You can't just decide to do what you want to do and then expect to be able to keep your job. Also, the lawyer idea won't work either. The Odom's don't have a case because he was fired with cause. Employers don't have to be fair - this is an "at-will" state. By the way, I think the Howards need to be billed for the use of state property and they need to pony up and support Mr. Odom because they over reacted and caused this whole thing to start in the first place. "

 hopeful wrote on April 14, 2007 12:08 am:
" Good luck with your lawsuit. What is perceived as an err in judgement is understandable but termination seems extremely harsh - thank you for making the decision from your heart to help another.from "

 dj wrote on April 14, 2007 12:55 am:
" The punishment was way too harsh. Suspension possibly. And Doug the letter from DOR w/accusations, doesn't mean they are true. The state & government use the rules when it suits them. I was thinking it had been said that state & government employees were no longer allowed to use state/government vehicles for personal use? So, why is it on Thanksgiving day I saw a state car w/a couple in the front seat & 2 small children in car seats in the back? I followed them from York Co. to Platte Co. So, don't know where they went from there. So, obviously there are exceptions to the rules, huh? (Oh yes, I read that the first time this article was in the paper.) The state/government can make exceptions. So, this is where they should have made an exception & had the Howard's & Odum's pay the gas, etc. And I see the state/government vehicles out cruising w/family members all the time. All or none! "

 Disgusted Nebraskan wrote on April 14, 2007 6:50 am:
" If this couple had been tied to the football program, all would have been forgiven. This state's priorities are out of whack. I've been in customer service for 25 years and have always been told it's not black and white. There's a large gray area where you have to use your judgement as to what's best for the customer. Sometimes you have to go above and beyond (and bend the rules) to serve. I remember a few years ago, the city workers in Omaha sleeping in their trucks during work hours. That was purely selfish and they didn't all get fired. Be proud of what you did Mr. Odom. You served and will be rewarded in good time. "

 Roger wrote on April 14, 2007 7:40 am:
" I say lets do away with State Government and local government all together and lets form coops to get things done. We will all be better off "

 hunter wrote on April 14, 2007 7:49 am:
" I am appaled that this good man was fired! Gee I wonder if his supervisor ever used state time to read the paper, make a personal phone call, or worse yet, run a quick personal errand while on the clock. If you are going to fire one, than get rid of them all that misuse state time! If every state employee was fired for the misuse of state time, there wouldn't be more than a handful left. "

 TJ wrote on April 14, 2007 9:07 am:
" 1. It gives me joy to see the number of people supporting Mr. Odom in these postings, a renewed faith in the Ten Commandments. 2. I think Odoms should not sue. I don't think the taxpayers should have to pay if Odom's would win and I think they would. I think the decision makers in this case should be held accountable. 3. I think the decision makers should "lower their pride" and offer Mr. Odom his job back, pay back the costs of their decisions and do it now before the costs get higher. "

 willie wrote on April 14, 2007 10:31 am:
" Nebraska Tourist Bureau "Alert". Welcome to the State of penny-pinching,cheap political bureaus, inadequate department managers, and the neanderthal Department of Roads Management. One decision about a snowplow and you have lost far more tourist dollars than the few bucks spent on clearing a driveway. Your story has already hit a couple of West Coast Newspapers. Great publicity!. Congratulations Nebraska. "

 State HYPOCRITS!! wrote on April 14, 2007 10:49 am:
" Oh PLEASSSE! After 30 years of service he gets fired for this? Look at HHS those fat cats sit up there and dont do diddly about developmentally disabled people and our veterans when the place they are responsible for is falling apart BUT THEY still have their jobs! Voters remember all this you have four more years to live the "Good Life" according to Hindemans Rules!! "

 Roger2 wrote on April 14, 2007 4:48 pm:
" Oh the humanity of it all!!! Is what's embarrassing are all of the completely silly, over-the-top posts defending this guy for misusing state equipment for a non-emergency situation. Yeah, I hurt my back shoveling snow and it would have been sweet if he would have come cleared my drive too. And then someone has the nerve to post something about "Welcome to Nebraska, land of the penny-pinchers" or something, after nearly 90% of all the posts to the online edition of LJS are about sky-high taxes. Gee, wonder why? Quite the rocket scientists out there. Bottom line is, the guy most likely got fired for putting this out in the press, but sometimes it can be hard to read between the lines. "

 Karen wrote on April 14, 2007 5:10 pm:
" You know I don't mind my tax money going to this. I do mind the waste that goes on in the state and city. Come on give the guy a break. The next time the life could be yours. "

 Medic wrote on April 14, 2007 8:09 pm:
" this very storm had most of highway 2 shut down because of wrecks. I myself had to call on helps of county and state plows to get me from a rural hospital to an lincoln hospital with a heart patient. Only thing differnt is I called the proper channels. What Mr. odom did was right. I don't care if it was done proper or not. You think after 9/11 people would just buck back up to what made this country. Hard work, taking care of one other, and people like mr. Odom. My hats off to ya. "

 TD wrote on April 14, 2007 11:20 pm:
" i comend what what he did, i used to be proud of being a nebraskan,, but not no more, and the person that wrote about being abank has no common sense,, if he worked at a bank he would not give free money,, my tax dollars are being used too, and i dont mind them being used in that way,, besides i think since he had 30 years in, what does that tell you about not getting his retiremnet,, they just trying to wiggle out of that if you ask me,,but with taxes so high here, and being a single mother,, i cant afford to move ,, if i could i would, "

 Michael wrote on April 14, 2007 11:38 pm:
" I smell a big fat lawsuit coming. I can't blame the guy if he sued. Then look at the wasted money. "

 Scott wrote on April 15, 2007 12:16 am:
" What amazes me is that the Howards couldn't get friends or family out to their house for the "emergancy" so they had to call Odom. This story has taken on a life of its own and I'm sure there's a lot more to it. Using state equipment for personal purposes is illegal but everybody does it from time to time. There is more here than meets the eye. "

 taxpayer wrote on April 15, 2007 9:45 am:
" LET"S SEE THE LETTER! Mr. Odom said he won't release the letter until he talks to a lawyer. Isn't it ironic, if he would have talked to someone before he acted on March 2, he would still have his job. "

 Jim wrote on April 15, 2007 11:34 am:
" Someday in the future a DOR employee will be in a location where someone needs assistance. It's bound to happen. The employee will remember this and decide whether or not to help. Nebraskans don't ask for help unless needed, but if in someones opinion it's frivolously being asked, we can afford to have the employee stop. We can't afford to have to decide while being worried about being fired. Other reasons after 30 years? I don't believe it. "

 Doug wrote on April 15, 2007 1:06 pm:
" I say again, he was fired primarily because he spoke to reporters after signing a statement that said he wouldn't discuss this during the investigation...But he DID!! Let me ask you all this. Is it okay to steal food from a store if I am starving and have no other way to eat? Legally? Morally? Ethically? The fact is, most people would steal to survive. It still doesn't make it right. Homeless people are arrested all the time for stealing food or money to pay for food. Where are your comments when those stories are printed? Al, the answer to your question is no. It would still be wrong and he still should be fired. I work for the government and I can tell you that government empoyees are fully aware of the consequences for using government equipment for other than official means. When people were dying in New Orleans, the government didn't haphazardly send troops and equipment down to rescue everyone. That is because they have a duty and commitment to the taxpayers. I never said I agree with these rules but they are rules nontheless. "

 Amber wrote on May 4, 2007 8:09 pm:
" To Doug: It bothers me that you talk about this story like you have all of the facts. Where did you hear that he got fired mainly for talking to the press. Oh, and by the way, I know the facts (Chuch is my dad), and he didn't talk to the press. They called and he said he wouldn't comment. My mom and I said stuff, but we didn't sign ANYTHING that said we wouldn't talk to the media. Don't go blowing your mouth off if you don't know what you are talking about. "

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