He’s the official proposal: He would like to start a conversation about adding an 8th councilperson. NOT a special councilperson to represent ElkhO!rn, blacks, or anyone but a group of citizens which deserve a voice.

If you saw Kaleidoscope on Sunday, you realized just how STUPID Lee Terry, Jr.’s dad really is. He thought Suttle wanted to add a councilperson to solely represent ElkhO!rn.

LEE TERRY SENIOR…YOU MUST BE STUPID, STUPID, STUPID.

The only reason “Kel” has his panties in a bunch is because Suttle is far more talented and WAY more intelligent than Vokal could ever be.

The Pubs could only WISH they had a candidate in ‘06, ‘08 AND ‘09 that was half as sharp as Councilman Suttle.

Kel, I know you’re well aware that Jim Vokal is running for mayor in ‘09. So, Mr. Vokal has been pandering to that same bloc since his first day this year.

If your analysis about Mr. Suttle is true, I will be absolutely thrilled to death. If Suttle runs for Mayor, I will personally go out and volunteer for him.

Mr. Suttle is merely doing the job he was elected to do. His hard work and fresh ideas are putting the rest of the council to shame. If fulfilling his obligation to his constituents is pandering, then he is the best damn panderer on the City Council. I think you’re just mad that Suttle is doing a much better job than your guy (Mr. Vokal).

A Suttle/Vokal matchup will get me more excited than I was when Fahey ran against Daub.

I agree with the non-partisan statement and that is how these local elections should be taken as such. It leads to the issues being important, not partisan b.s. that plague elections. Democrats like Kerry, Nelson, Fahey, even Hoagland were able to appeal to a Republican state, who’s to say a charismatic democrat couldn’t win Elkhorn?

As Democrats, we can’t fear elections….especially in what are supposedly non-partisan races. The success of Mayor Fahey is proof that Democrats with the right message can play well and win anywhere in Omaha. By making a more representative city council, we wouldn’t be conceding the Republicans a damn thing. We’d be putting more power in the hands of individual voters…where it belongs. Besides, smaller districts require less expensive campaigns and allow for more face-to-face retail politics, both of which play to Democrats’ favor. Of course, there are limits to the expanse of representative government, but those limits should be born of reason – not fear.

What’s “glib” about discussion of reform? I think Councilman Suttle is making a bold and principled stand – he’s actually supporting a move that dilutes his decision-making power because he thinks it’s the right thing to do, particularly to bring some degree of much-needed reconciliation with Elkhorn. Dare we even hope that the rest of the council might show the same courage…..especially without drawing themselves their very own tailor-made districts? Would that it were so.

I hope a real debate emerges from this idea. It’s overdue and would serve the entire city well.