Testimonials
Andrea Settje, MD Nebraska Internal Medicine
The COVID19 pandemic has presented one of the greatest challenges in the history of Lincoln with lives lost, interruption of the economy and challenges in the education of our children. History and science guide the basic features of a successful response to pandemics, masks and social distancing. The virus is still raging, worse now than ever. This is not the time to waste attention and money on a recall. Now is the time to join together to work toward our common goals. As a physician, I support the Mayor and City Council’s measures against the pandemic. I will Decline to Sign the recall.
Rev. Wayne Alloway, St Mark's United Methodist Church
Given the exponential rise of COVID-19 infections in our community, I fully support our city government’s wise and compassionate requirements for people to socially distance and wear masks in public spaces. As a pastor, I view these actions as expressions of love and concern for our vulnerable neighbors.
Jesus told his followers that, “Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do unto me,” and he specifically referenced the sick, saying: “I was sick, and you looked after me.” We look after “those who are sick” – those with compromised immune systems due to underlying health conditions – by adhering to the current health directives - keeping a safe distance from others and wearing a little piece of cloth over our nose and mouth. These seem like small sacrifices to make considering these actions can save lives.
I call upon citizens across this great city to support our Mayor and City Council members and to resist any effort to recall them for their efforts to protect us from harm. They are doing their job.
Jay Wilkinson, Firespring CEO
While I may be conservative on issues that affect business, public health is not a partisan issue, and recall efforts should be reserved for egregious violations of the public trust.
I’ve lost a lot of business due to COVID. And I’ve also lost a family member. So I know the pain of this pandemic all too well.
Let’s keep our focus on the real enemy and Decline to Sign the recall petitions.
Charles Wilson MD, FACC
The COVID-19 pandemic is approaching a crisis point in our state and community. Hospital acute care units here are almost full, and frontline health workers are overwhelmed. Our elected officials have acted prudently, in conjunction with our health department, to put measures in place to protect our residents (including proven strategies like requiring face coverings and social distancing), and this is no time to waste taxpayer dollars on an unnecessary special election. The effort to recall our city council and mayor for their decisions to protect our community is misguided and should be rejected.
Deb Schorr, Lancaster County Commissioner
Your local elected officials work hard every day to make important decisions in the best interest of our entire community. We gather all relevant information; listen to the experts, review the data, and balance the needs of various groups. It definitely isn’t easy, but it’s a commitment we each made when we were elected. A recall should be reserved for those situations when an elected official has committed fraud, gross misconduct or malfeasance while in office, not just a difference of opinion or political views. Our Health Department, the Mayor, and our City Council have provided tremendous leadership during the global COVID pandemic. I encourage you to decline to sign the recall petition and support public health in our community.
Bob Rauner, MD, MPH
Our community is facing the worst pandemic in a century that will kill hundreds in Lincoln if we do not put effective health measures in place. Our Mayor and City Council need the support of our community in putting in place effective public health measures to get this pandemic under control. The last thing we need right now is a misguided recall effort that will waste time and hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. Our community needs to focus all its efforts on controlling this pandemic, keeping our kids in school, and getting our economy back on track. Decline to Sign the petition if asked!
Adam Schrunk, Firefighters Local 644
I urge you to Decline to Sign. Recalls are reserved for severe unethical or illegal behavior. Attempting to recall city leaders for using their rightful powers and processes in a good faith attempt to protect the public health of our great community during a global pandemic is a failure in logic. It makes a mockery of a serious tool to fight corruption. Thanks to the leaders targeted by this absurd recall effort, Lincolnites make up less than half of the hospitalized Covid patients in our hospitals. The majority of those patients come from other localities that have not taken the serious steps needed to protect their citizens. Declining to Sign is protecting your health and that of those you love.
Dick and Former Senator Kathy Campbell
Our Mayor and City Council members have shown exceptional leadership to safeguard the health of the community during the Covid pandemic. They have been decisive, committed to an informed citizenry with a protection plan. Now is not the hour to stray from this focus with a divisive, expensive petition drive. Decline to Sign and reaffirm your support for their leadership.