Letter to the Editor

Positive leadership

Friday, October 29, 2004

Dear Editor,

We are appalled at the attack ad leveled at incumbent University of Nebraska Regent Don Blank of McCook. Criticism is not leadership.

His opponent in the Regents race failed to mention one positive thing he would do for the University.

His opponent criticized the closing of a program at the Curtis School of Agriculture. Curtis chose to close their mechanics program themselves. It was Don Blank's efforts that kept the Curtis school open. Don Blank also saved the School of Nursing at Scottsbluff from being closed.

His opponent criticized the closing of the Learning Center in North Platte. That program had only four enrollees in fiscal year 2001-2002 with no enrollees for the fall of 2002. That's why the program was cut. The online program is still continuing. What did his opponent want to cut? Accounting? Physics? Teaching? Nursing?

His opponent criticized Blank for abusing his position by purchasing football tickets. It was Scottsbluff Regent Bob Simmons who started the program of saving an allotment of tickets for Western Nebraskans, particularly when Nebraska played at Colorado. Don continued the practice of making tickets available to be purchased by Western Nebraskans. Does his opponent want to give those tickets back to eastern Nebraskans?

His opponent criticized an increase in taxes. With five budget cuts to the University's appropriations the last four years and with a billion-dollar budget, tax increases do not keep up with inflation and other costs. Tuition increased because of budget cuts -- but Nebraska's tuition increases are less than those in surrounding states.

His opponent criticized the closure of livestock diagnostic laboratories in North Platte and Scottsbluff. These were chancellor's cuts made because of budget cuts to the University's appropriations. There is still a livestock diagnostic lab in Nebraska -- the same number as in almost all states around us.

That's only part of the "rest of the story."

Rotary International has what is called a four-way test. 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair? 3. Will it build goodwill or friendship? 4. Will it be beneficial to all? Don's opponent fails this test, unless one believes in half-truths and misrepresentations.

Don Blank represents a positive voice for Western Nebraska and deserves re-election for his leadership. For example, he was the driving force to keep tuition rates low for distance education.

Don Blank's leadership is not recently acquired. He is past mayor of McCook and past president of the Nebraska League of Cities. He is past McCook Jaycees president and past national vice president of the U.S. Jaycees. He is past president of the McCook Rotary Club and helped organize and is past president of the McCook Community Theater. He was inducted into the Nebraska Dental Association's Hall of Fame, the youngest dentist so honored. A graduate of the University of Nebraska, Don lettered in track. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Criticism is not leadership. Does anyone know what his opponent stands for?

Respectfully,

Dr. Jon Crook and

Jack Pollock

Ogallala

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