Gomez, McNear represent change for Dakota County
By Michele Linckmlinck@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2008
DAKOTA CITY -- Dakota County voters will get the change they were apparently looking for in May when they used the primary election to sweep from office all three incumbents of the open seats on the Dakota County Board of Commissioners.
Democrat Tony Gomez, of Jackson, Neb., and Republican Richard McNear, of Hubbard, Neb., won seats on the board Tuesday. It's the first elective office for both. Former Commissioner Rick Bousquet, 52, a Democrat from South Sioux City, served on the board in 2002-06, but failed in a re-election bid as some voters wrongly expected tax relief from a new jail that hadn't yet been built.
In January, the three will take the seats of current commissioners Jackie Hartnet, Bill Engel and Betty O'Neill, all Democrats. Hartnett is the current chairwoman.
Bousquet said Wednesday that he thinks the ousting of the incumbents was voters' way of saying they were sick of the turmoil created by some of the commissioners and then-County Attorney Edward Matney, who resigned in February.
"The voters were sick of it. They wanted change," Bousquet said.
Tim Bahr, chairman of the Dakota County Democratic Party, agreed.
"They were too busy fighting each other than doing the public good," he said, noting that two of the three new commissioners are Democrats.
Gary Johnson, chairman of the Republican Party of Dakota County, said he hopes the three new members can work together and get things done while holding down spending and lowering property taxes.
"I think we've got three fine guys in there," he said, adding that he knows all of them personally.
He attributed Bousquet and Gomez's election to name recognition and the high turnout among Democrats, a party which he said saw the most new registrants. McNear was a longtime employee of the county road department.
Democrat Tony Gomez, of Jackson, Neb., and Republican Richard McNear, of Hubbard, Neb., won seats on the board Tuesday. It's the first elective office for both. Former Commissioner Rick Bousquet, 52, a Democrat from South Sioux City, served on the board in 2002-06, but failed in a re-election bid as some voters wrongly expected tax relief from a new jail that hadn't yet been built.
In January, the three will take the seats of current commissioners Jackie Hartnet, Bill Engel and Betty O'Neill, all Democrats. Hartnett is the current chairwoman.
Bousquet said Wednesday that he thinks the ousting of the incumbents was voters' way of saying they were sick of the turmoil created by some of the commissioners and then-County Attorney Edward Matney, who resigned in February.
"The voters were sick of it. They wanted change," Bousquet said.
Tim Bahr, chairman of the Dakota County Democratic Party, agreed.
"They were too busy fighting each other than doing the public good," he said, noting that two of the three new commissioners are Democrats.
Gary Johnson, chairman of the Republican Party of Dakota County, said he hopes the three new members can work together and get things done while holding down spending and lowering property taxes.
"I think we've got three fine guys in there," he said, adding that he knows all of them personally.
He attributed Bousquet and Gomez's election to name recognition and the high turnout among Democrats, a party which he said saw the most new registrants. McNear was a longtime employee of the county road department.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
