Governor: Every part of state important

Thursday, January 27, 2005
Gov. Dave Heineman is greeted by District 8 students Ali and Hannah Clapp, front from left, joined Don Power, back from left, and Molly, Lori, Jessa and Naomi Sughroue. The student carried signs asking for the governor's support of Class I schools. (Gloria Masoner/McCook Daily Gazette)

Places like the city of McCook will not be the forgotten step-child under the new leadership of Gov. Dave Heinemann.

"The McCook's of Nebraska are just as important as any community in the eastern part of the state," Gov. Heineman told a group of more than 100 McCook residents Wednesday afternoon at the McCook Regional Airport terminal.

"Every part of the state is important," Heineman said. "Every individual in this state is important."

Heineman's visit came just six days after taking the helm from former Gov. Mike Johanns and hours after delivering his State of the State address to the Nebraska Legislature.

Six students from Red Willow County District 8 greeted the governor with posters asking for his support of Class I school districts. In response to a question from Richard Klein, a board member at District 8, the Governor admitted he had not read the specific legislation pertaining to the possible consolidation of Class I schools with larger districts.

"I believe in local control and will look at the issue very carefully," he said.

Gov. Heineman told Gene Morris, publisher of the McCook Daily Gazette, he would continue to support ethanol development as well as other value added agriculture programs.

Heineman highlighted the four priorities of his administration which include education, economic development, efficiency in government and protecting families.

"You can expect to find these four priorities ... woven into my decisions as Governor. They will serve as my compass as I work with you to chart a future course for our state," Heineman reiterated what he had told the Nebraska Legislature only a few hours earlier.

Heineman asked that every person in Nebraska with a concern or suggestion get in contact with him by letter or email and let him know their concerns.

He promised he would personally read each and every one.

Heineman told the group gathered at the airport, when he was in the Nebraska Panhandle he is often reminded that the area has four state capitals closer to it than Lincoln.

He assured the residents of Southwest Nebraska that every part of the state is important to him.

"I will be here often," he assured them.

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