Leadership Kearney Class #31 began their morning with a breakfast and Welcome sponsored by Kearney/Buffalo County CASA & Daylight Donuts at the City Council Chambers. Shawna Erbsen, Director of Administrative Services, presented a detailed overview of Kearney’s City Services and Forms of Government.
A Question & Answer Session followed with City/County Leaders: Mike Morgan, City Manager; Tami James Moore, City Council; Sherry Morrow, District 5 Commissioner/Board Vice Chair; and Bill Maendele, District 6 Commissioner. The leaders graciously shared their experiences growing professionally and the importance of serving the community.
The group then toured Kearney Volunteer Fire Station #1, after a thorough explanation of fire/rescue services and membership details that were presented by Jason Whalen, City of Kearney Fire Administrator.
Next, we met at the Law Enforcement Center and were able to tour the various internal departments that serve our community and county so well. Various members of the Kearney Police Department shared multiple aspects of services, including K-9 demonstrations, investigative abilities, and the VirTra Use of Force Simulator.
Question and Answer with Chief Bryan Waugh, Kearney Police Department and Sheriff Neil Miller, Buffalo County Sherriff’s Office provided remarkable insight to the history, collaboration, and response capabilities of law enforcement services. Bruner Frank & Alley Rose provided a delicious lunch before departing to the Buffalo County Courthouse.
Darrin Lewis, Emergency Manager Buffalo County; greeted the leadership class in the Buffalo County Emergency Operations Center and shared a wealth of knowledge about the collaboration required and efforts needed to provide response capabilities in the many different scenarios that could occur within the area.
The class was then led on a tour of the Buffalo County Detention Center, led by Lieutenant Chad Hunt, of the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Hunt explained the various challenges with housing inmates and the high level of care the correction officers provide.
Our day finished up with a very informative panel discussion within Courtroom 3 led by the Honorable Judge John P. Rademacher, 9th Judicial District; Shawn Eatherton, Buffalo County Attorney; and Nathan Husak, Attorney at Law – Bruner Frank.
Leadership Kearney Class #31 would like to sincerely thank all who provide community leadership and service to the City of Kearney and the surrounding area.
By Bradley Palu