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Mayor Suttle Announces 2012 Neighborhood Grant Recipients

May 4, 2012
Green Initiatives, In The Community, Public Safety

May 3, 2012 — Mayor Jim Suttle held a press conference and award ceremony for the winners of the 2012 Mayor’s Neighborhood Grants Program at the Hanscom Bark Park on Thursday, May 3.

The Hanscom Bark Park is a dog park and joint venture between the Hanscom Park Neighborhood Association and the Ford Birthsite Association. In addition to funding from other sources, the Hanscom Bark Park received a 2011 Mayor’s Neighborhood Grant and is the only dog park in eastern Omaha.

Every year, $80,000 is awarded to neighborhood and business associations for green improvement and crime prevention projects right in their own backyard — up to $5,000 per association.

“The Mayor’s Neighborhood Grants programs gives neighborhoods the tools they need shape the places where they live, work, and play,” Mayor Suttle said. “The Hanscom Bark Park is a successful example of what neighborhood associations can accomplish with a little creativity, cooperation and hard work.”

Twenty-five projects were selected for funding: 18 from the green improvement category, and 7 from the crime prevention category. Nearly 40 associations applied. The winners were selected by a committee comprised of local government, business, and nonprofit representatives.

All applicants received notification from the Mayor’s Office last week.

Mayor Jim Suttle and the Empowerment Network Gain Business and Community and Support for Summer Employment

April 26, 2012
Economic Development, Featured, In The Community, Public Safety
Mayor Jim Suttle and Willie Barney of the Empowerment Network Answered Questions About the Step-Up Omaha Summer Jobs Program

Mayor Jim Suttle and Willie Barney of the Empowerment Network Answered Questions About the Step-Up Omaha Summer Jobs Program

April 23rd, 2012 — Mayor Suttle and the Empowerment Network announced today that the response from Omaha’s business and philanthropic community to help match $300,000 the City contributed to Step Up jobs program with an additional $600,000 has been excellent.

“We are pleased to report that we have raised $400,000 toward our goal,” said Mayor Jim Suttle. “This city’s community partners understand the importance of getting our young people trained for valuable workplace experiences during the summer months and beyond. It’s how we curb violence in our community and how we provide kids hope for a productive and prosperous future.”

“The businesses and foundations that have chosen to support the Summer Training Employment Pathway and Urban Pipeline, the “StepUp” program, will provide a structured alternative to negative activity on the streets and deters young people from the temptation of gangs and guns,” said Willie Barney, President of the Empowerment Network. “We are pleased with the businesses and philanthropists who have Stepped-Up on behalf of the young people in our city and our future work force. Their financial contributions will pay for training, work experience and eventually full-time jobs that will benefit our youth and make a huge difference in their lives now and in the future.”

More than 20 companies have made cash or job contributions totally $400,000 in the last month. They include; American National Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Lindsay Manufacturing, Woodmen of the World, ConAgra Foods, Pinnacle Bank, AT&T, Coventry, UPS, Omaha Steaks , Cox Communications, Wells Fargo Bank, Physicians Mutual, Security National Bank, American Harvest, Max I Walker, three foundations and a number of non-profits. There are also proposals pending.

“We are hoping more businesses and community leaders will consider investing so we can reach close to a million dollars and provide employment opportunities for 500-700 young people in Omaha,” said Mayor Suttle. “Our City is dependent on the success of our young people and we must make sure they are given every chance to gain the skills necessary for a successful career, particularly in areas of high unemployment.”

Mayor Suttle Unveils New Task Force To Remove Guns from Omaha Streets

March 28, 2012
Announcements, Featured, Public Safety
Citizen Task Force Members Alberto Gonzales and Barbara Robinson Stand Behind Mayor Jim Suttle As He Announces the New Illegal Gun Task Force, With Councilman Ben Gray and Jonathan Crosby of the City Prosecutor's Office

Citizen Task Force Members Alberto Gonzales and Barbara Robinson Stand Behind Mayor Jim Suttle As He Announces the New Illegal Gun Task Force, With Councilman Ben Gray and Jonathan Crosby of the City Prosecutor's Office

March 28, 2012 – Mayor Jim Suttle unveiled the second of two initiatives to assist in addressing crime in Omaha today. The Mayor issued an executive order establishing a special task force to expand the City’s ongoing search for innovative ways to reduce violent crimes and homicides by removing illegal guns from Omaha streets.

The group will be asked to study “best practices” from comparable cities across the country, find ways of improving communication between city officials, prosecutors, law enforcement, and the public on what is being done to make our streets safer, and aggressively prosecute first offense misdemeanors for illegal gun possession or use in criminal activity. They will also be looking at advanced reporting of illegal guns through new technology, which can lead to more arrests, and potential legislation mandating harsher penalties for those who sell or use illegal guns.

“The task force is composed of professionals in City government, elected officials, and citizens who will assist already established law enforcement coalitions and community organizations to see if there are new ways to remove illegal guns from our streets,” said Marty Conboy, Prosecutor.

“The goal of this task force is to help existing groups promote what is working and broaden our search for new methods of combating gun violence in our community,” added Mayor Suttle.

The task force includes; Mayor Jim Suttle, District 2 City Councilmember Ben Gray, District 4 City Councilmember Garry Gernandt, Special City Prosecutor Jonathan Crosby, Omaha Police Department Captain Russell Horine, and three citizens: Barbara Robinson, Alberto Gonzales, and Primus Jones.

Mayor Suttle Unveils Initiative on Chronic Code Violations by Landlords

March 21, 2012
Announcements, Featured, In The Community, Public Safety
Interim Police Chief David Baker, City Prosecutor Marty Conboy, Jennifer Taylor, Mayor Suttle, Mike Battershell, Special Prosecutor Mike Getty, and Carl Christian, announce a new task force dealing with chronic code violations.

Interim Police Chief David Baker, City Prosecutor Marty Conboy, Jennifer Taylor, Mayor Suttle, Mike Battershell, Special Prosecutor Mike Getty, and Carl Christian, announce a new task force dealing with chronic code violations.

March 21, 2012 - Mayor Jim Suttle unveiled the first of two initiatives to assist in addressing crime in Omaha today. The Mayor issued an executive order establishing a special task force dealing with chronic code violations by landlords. The group is being asked to find ways of achieving safe, sanitary housing by identifying and solving problems created by landlords with significant building code violations.

"This problem was brought to our attention by neighborhood associations who had concerns about crime in areas with substandard housing," said Mayor Suttle. "Criminal activity tends to occur in areas where landlords neglect their property and have major building code violations. Like any business, landowners who rent property to others should meet basic legal standards to ensure safety in all neighborhoods."

"The task force is designed to bring law enforcement, elected officials and citizens together to find answers," said Marty Conboy, City Prosecutor. "By targeting problem properties in the city, we can work with landlords to comply with building codes or more aggressively prosecute those unwilling to cooperate."

The task force includes; Mayor Jim Suttle, District 2 City Councilmember Ben Gray, District 4 City Councilmember Garry Gernandt, Special City Prosecutor, Mike Getty, Special OPD Investigator, Officer James Stokes, Planning Department Chief Code Enforcement Inspector, Kevin Denker as well as three citizen members, Mike Battershell, Carl Christian, and Jennifer Taylor.

The group will identify landlords with chronic code violations in the city, establish a system for working with them to bring problem properties up to code using existing resources, and more aggressively prosecute landlords who refuse to correct code violations.

The group will submit a plan of action to the Mayor in 90 days.

Omaha Police Chief Alex Hayes To Retire

March 5, 2012
Announcements, Public Safety

March 5, 2012: Omaha Police Chief Alex Hayes will be retiring after two and half years as head of the Police Department. The Chief, who has been with Omaha Police for more than 25 years, informed Mayor Suttle today that he would retire March 30, 2012.

“Chief Hayes has been an asset to this community and he will be greatly missed,” said Mayor Suttle. “He has set a standard for public safety that we will continue to model in his absence. We will work with the Chief and his leadership team to maintain continuity during this transition so residents can be sure that our streets and neighborhoods remain safe.”

“My decision to retire at this time was personal and was not an easy decision to make,” said Police Chief Alex Hayes. “I will be working with my staff, community leaders, and the Mayor’s office to make sure there is a smooth transition for the community at large. It has been a privilege to work for the citizens of Omaha.”
“Under Chief Hayes’ leadership the police department has embraced community policing and worked successfully to collaborate with community organizations and neighborhood associations throughout the city to lower the rate of violent crime and get illegal guns off the streets,” said Mayor Suttle. “He has done a lot to improve citizen outreach in our community and those efforts will continue.”

According to Mayor Suttle, Hayes was willing to look at internal procedural changes and the reallocation of personnel in order to make the police department more efficient in managing resources and crime in Omaha. Chief Hayes made improvements in technology, such as reestablishing cameras in cruisers and implementing the Shot Spotter system which allows officers to respond instantly to the exact location of shots fired in the city. This has assisted officers in making arrests and getting guns off the streets.

Chief Hayes also enhanced the risk management program, putting more resources in place as well as creating new checks and balances for officers, improving their ability to do their jobs more effectively, and reducing public complaints. The Omaha Police department, with Chief Hayes’ leadership, is continuing its efforts to be more transparent by working to make non-tactical police procedures available to the public.
The Mayor will appoint an acting Chief between now and March 30th.

Mayor Suttle’s 2012 State of the City Address

February 9, 2012
Economic Development, Featured, Public Safety

State of the City Address
Mayor Jim Suttle
Thursday February 9, 2012 – Gallup University Campus

Good Morning. Thank you for joining me at this beautiful facility on the Gallup University Campus.

Gallup is one of Omaha’s strongest business leaders, helping our economy continue to thrive. My thanks to Jim Krieger for hosting us today. I’d also like to recognize members of the City Council, department heads and other elected officials with us this morning.

Gallup is an Omaha business located on the banks of the Missouri River. It is also a valued employer in our city.

Businesses threatened by flood waters for 104 days weighed heavily on my mind in 2011.

We were in no position to have thousands of people out of work, or lose millions of dollars in business investments vital to our city’s economic development.

We were in no position to have our airport closed down for months until flood waters receded and significant repairs could be made.

Nor could we afford a levee break, devastating our economy for many years.

So I am pleased to announce today that the Army Corps of Engineers is committing $15 Million in federal funding to secure our levee system, weakened by a summer of flood waters.

My thanks to Colonel Ruch and the Army Corp of Engineers. Could you and your team please stand up and be recognized?

A strong levee system will allow us to preserve our economic assets, it will allow us to keep our people employed, to continue building our economy, attract businesses to Omaha and
create jobs for our citizens. (more…)

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