Elmwood voters OK alcohol sales

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Cass County

Elmwood voters made history Tuesday by approving alcohol sales in the western Cass County community.

If Coleman and Deb Lenz, owners of CD’s Express convenience store, proceed with their plans, beer and liquor will be sold within the town limits — the first time that has happened in 122 years.

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“I am pleased,” Deb Lenz said  Tuesday night after hearing the results. She said it was a good margin but declined further comment.

Deb Lenz said they will start selling alcohol in their store as soon as they obtain a license from the state Liquor Control Commission, a process that takes about 50 days.

No alcohol has been sold in Elmwood since 1886, the year  the community was incorporated as a village.

Louisville residents will be able to play keno at the Good Times Bar.

The town will use its keno proceeds to help pay off the debt for its new well fields and water treatment plant, said deputy clerk Cheryl Knutson.

Two other ballot measures to help reduce that debt and also pay for street improvements and economic development also passed.

Lancaster County

Hallam voters easily approved plans to allow keno games at MacDonald’s F-4 Pub. Keno also could be allowed at a new bar or restaurant that will replace The Hitchin Post II, which is under new ownership. The city’s share of keno funds would pay for improvements to the town park and other public amenities.

“Hope it gives my business a boost,” said Mac MacDonald, who owns the bar with his wife, Karen. He was unsure how soon the keno games will be offered.

John F. Hestermann and Michael Werner easily advanced to the November Waverly mayoral contest, outdistancing Gregory A. Dudley.

Hestermann, current president of the Waverly city council, led Werner by only 18 votes. “It’s kind of like a scrimmage; you see how everybody falls into place and move on from there,” Hestermann said.

Werner said he was proud, surprised and grateful. The upcoming discussions will be good for the community, he said.

Butler County

Incumbent Butler County Commissioner Wayne Hassebrook lost the Republican primary Tuesday to challenger Tony Krafka.

With no Democrat having filed, Krafka apparently will be unopposed in November.

Fillmore County

Voters in Exeter easily approved a $1.3 million bond issue to build a new swimming pool and a 1.5-cent sales tax to pay back the 20-year financing on the pool. The tax also will fund economic development and other needs.

The new pool will replace one built in 1964. It could open by next summer.

Exeter banker Alan Emschoff, one of the leaders of the pool and sales tax campaign, said he “was really pleased” with the support voters gave the proposals.

Gage County

Gage County voters narrowly approved a $2.8 million courthouse renovation project Tuesday.

The proceeds will be used to replace the structure’s roof and all of its 225 windows; replace the heating and air-conditioning systems; upgrade the electrical system and lighting; add sprinklers and fire alarms; and to make some repairs to the building’s foundation.

Jefferson County

Jefferson County voters shot down an $8.56 million  proposal to expand the current jail. Had the proposal passed, it  would have added 32 beds, a courtroom, meeting room and office space for the county attorney and county and district court staffs.

Sheriff Nels Sorensen said he was disappointed but not surprised by the results.

“It’s an economic time that’s tough,” he said.

The jail has long needed more room, he said. 

In a few years, Sorensen said, he suspects the issue will come up again.

Nemaha County

Auburn voters defeated two of the three parts of a school bond proposal, but the one they approved will expand both the elementary and high schools.

The $4.5 million bond issue that passed will build 18 new classrooms, a new library and a physical education area at the elementary, among other improvements.

Bond opponents narrowly defeated a proposed $2.5 million performing arts auditorium at the high school. A $900,000 bond issues to build a new practice gym at the high school lost by 104 votes.

Peru voters approved a keno lottery to fund city improvements.



Otoe County

Keno will be coming to the Otoe  Steakhouse.

The Otoe Village Board placed the measure on the ballot at the request of Otoe Steakhouse owners Melvin and Evelyn Giittinger.

Six percent percent of the keno proceeds will be used by the village for street improvements.

Pawnee County

A proposal to use half of  Pawnee City’s sales tax revenue to fund an economic development program passed Tuesday by 19 votes.

The program will receive about $44,000 annually from sales tax revenue.

Richardson County

Former Richardson County Sheriff Charles Laux lost his bid to serve another term on the Richardson County Board of Commissioners.

In District 2, where four candidates squared off in the primary, Rex Jones and David Sickel advanced to the general election.

Saline County

Voters in Saline  and Seward counties approved formation of a hospital district to support Friend’s Warren Memorial Hospital,  which has been a city-owned hospital.

Formation of the district will allow the hospital to collect tax revenue from the broader region the hospital serves.

“I think it is an affirmation that people are ready to face the future and come together,” said CEO John Wilson.

Saunders County

Yutan voters defeated a $600,000 bond issue to pay for improvements to Timbercrest Park and Clear Creek.

City Administrator Gary Duncan said the money would have been used for new restroom and storage facilities, a children’s aquatic park, lighting for one or two ballfields and channel improvements, plus a pedestrian bridge.