Despite an avalanche of financial problems at Omaha City Hall, State Senator Brad Ashford of Omaha says he’s against recalling Mayor Jim Suttle. Instead, Ashford is pushing for a merger of City-County government, with a countywide Mayor, to fix a mess of higher taxes, increasing pension costs, and cuts in services.
In an interview with Nebraska Watchdog, Ashford says a recall would hurt Omaha. “I was against the recall of (former Mayor) Mike Boyle and I’m against recalling Suttle. He (Suttle) hasn’t done anything immoral, unethical or illegal,” said Ashford.
Last week several Omahans formed a committee which is exploring the possibility of recalling Suttle. The group is promising a ‘go or no go’ decision by the end of September.
In December of 2008, Ashford considered running for Mayor but didn’t. Asked by Nebraska Watchdog if he’d run if Suttle is recalled Ashford said, “I don’t know what I’d do.”
Ashford says his merger plan, which he insists has nothing to do with a recall, would consolidate the seven member Douglas County Board and seven member Omaha City Council, into one 8-12 member legislative body. The legislation Ashford is drafting would call for a countywide vote within three years. According to Ashford a successful merger “needs to be taxpayer driven.”
