2 challengers stand in Black's path

During the past 10 months, David Black has become the new political face of Papillion after being thrust into an elected office he never sought.

Black was president of the City Council when, on July 7, he was elevated to mayor following the abrupt resignation of two-term Mayor James Blinn.

Months later, it became known that Blinn quit in the wake of a harassment claim involving his assistant and former girlfriend, Racheal Cascio.

In the May 11 primary, Black faces challengers Donald R. Eriksen and Terry Brennan. The top two vote-getters will advance to the November general election to vie for the $24,000-a-year, part-time position.

Black said he is taking his competition seriously.

“They seem to be good people,” he said.

Black said he tries to serve Papillion with honesty and integrity. He says the city has a promising future.

“Economic development is a very important thing to me,” Black said. “(But) I want Papillion to retain its small-town feel. Keeping our historical downtown core. Quality of life. Parks and recreation.”

Since taking office, Black said, he has presided over nearly 20 small-business openings in the city.

Additionally, Pentagon Federal Credit Union has moved into the Papillion Business and Technology Park. Cabela's plans to build a data center and later a technology development center at the park. Black Hills Energy plans to move from downtown Omaha to the Papillion development.

Black said the chief question on the minds of residents and business owners: Can Papillion get too big?

“The answer is, yes, we can get too big, when we lose our sense of community and small-town feel,” Black said.

“If we lose our historic downtown, we lose our image of who we were and are. When neighbors don't know their next-door neighbors any more, and if crime rises. If people don't feel comfortable going to our parks.”

Brennan and Eriksen said they are in the process of getting yard signs made for the May 11 primary, which is less than three weeks away.

Eriksen said his sign-maker misspelled his name on the first batch he ordered, setting him back.

Both plan vigorous door-to-door campaigns if they survive the primary.

Brennan said the issues surrounding Blinn's resignation prompted him to seek office.

He said he has heard from several residents who question whether City Hall is trying to hide the public's business. City leaders entered a confidential settlement last year with Cascio.

Brennan said Black has a name-recognition advantage.

“It makes it a little more difficult for me because of the fact is that he already is a public figure,” Brennan said.

“Is it impossible to beat him? Absolutely not. It's very possible. In a way, I guess he is an incumbent, but in an unconventional way.”

Eriksen serves as a union steward on the executive board of Local 251, the civilian employees union for the City of Omaha.

“If I make it through the primary, I plan to pound on every door and meet with everybody I can in Papillion,” he said.

Contact the writer:

444-1056, john.ferak@owh.com

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