Sarpy surveyor race begins

Bellevue resident Denny Wilson wants to unseat longtime Sarpy County surveyor Tom Lynam in what could become one of the county's most hotly watched political races.

Wilson has filed paperwork to challenge Lynam in the May 11 Republican primary. Lynam may be the county's most vulnerable elected official heading into next year's races.

“I am running because the position fits my qualifications as well as my experience,” Wilson said Monday.

In 2008, the Federal Highway Administration withdrew $6.9 million from a Sarpy project overseen by Lynam's office because Lynam did not respond to state and federal requests for information about the land acquisitions.

Sarpy County had already spent the money extending 96th Street, so the county had to issue more than $6 million in bonds, which will cost another $340,000 in interest, to cover the revoked funds.

Lynam, who is finishing his fifth term, has yet to file for re-election. He said in a November interview that he definitely intends to seek another four-year term. Incumbents have until Feb. 16 to file.

In 2006, he switched from Democrat to Republican and ran unopposed.

Wilson served as director of economic development for the City of Omaha under former Mayor Hal Daub in 2000 and 2001. Wilson now is operations manager at HGM Associates Inc., a regional architectural, engineering and surveying firm with offices in Omaha and Council Bluffs. He also serves as an adjunct professor of marketing management at Bellevue University.

This marks Wilson's first bid for elected office.

“No one did seek me out to run,” Wilson said. “I have always had an interest in politics. I am 54 years old, and I have quite a bit of experience in engineering. My economic development experience will be a key area for this (office).”

Wilson, who said he has known Lynam professionally for years, said he won't use the 96th Street funding process as campaign fodder.

“I don't think it needs to be made an issue, but people will certainly ask about it,” Wilson said. “But I do intend to make sure those types of issues don't happen if I am elected.”

Wilson said that as Sarpy County continues to grow, roads and infrastructure must remain at least five years ahead of new residential and commercial development, particularly along Highway 370, and 72nd and 84th Streets. Otherwise, traffic congestion and tie-ups are imminent.

“Just think of Shadow Lake Towne Center five years ago,” Wilson said. “There was nothing there. We need to be addressing the infrastructure before the development takes place.”

The winner of the GOP primary will move to the Nov. 2 general election. So far, no Democrat has filed to run for surveyor. The deadline for nonincumbents to file for election is March 1.

In November, the County Board voted 3-2 to boost the surveyor's salary by about $2,360 to more than $96,000 in 2011. The surveyor would get annual pay raises of at least 2.5 percent in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The surveyor also oversees the county's Highway Department.

Under Nebraska law, a pay raise for an elected official can only take place in the next term, so elected officials are not voting to give themselves pay increases.

Contact the writer:

444-1056, john.ferak@owh.com

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