Omaha World Herald. March 28, 2019
NRD bonding extension would strengthen flood protection for the Omaha area
This month’s massive flooding leaves no question about the destructive power of such weather phenomena. The flooding should leave no question, either, about the need to make public investments to ensure adequate flood protection for the future.
In the Omaha area, the reservoirs and levees built by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District are a key tool for that need, as noted in recent World-Herald news coverage. The NRD’s preventive actions regarding Papillion Creek, for example, helped keep it from flooding this month.
The Legislature faces an important question this session regarding the NRD. Lawmakers in 2009 gave the NRD bonding authority for a 10-year period to help it better address flood-control needs. Bonding has allowed the NRD to speed up projects and secure land to move forward before properties are developed, thus holding down costs. The NRD has issued $70 million in bonds over the past decade for six projects.
One of those projects is the Western Sarpy Clear Creek Levee project along the Platte River - a levee that proved vital this month in helping contain the flood threat to Omaha and Lincoln well fields.
The NRD’s bonding authority ends in December, and the NRD has requested that the Legislature extend the authority 10 years, to December 2029. Legislative Bill 177, introduced by State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha, would allow that. The Natural Resources Committee has voted 6-2 to send the bill to the full Legislature, with an amendment to reduce the bond extension to five years.
LB 177 deserves passage. One study found that large-scale flooding in the Papillion Creek Watershed on the scale of what struck Ames, Iowa, in 2010 could cause $679 million in building and infrastructure damage and displace 7,100 people. The NRD’s $170 million in current and proposed flood protection bonding is a sound investment when matched against that potential destruction.
Existing restrictions and safeguards on the NRD under the 2009 law make sense and should be retained. Issuing bonds requires approval by eight of 11 members of the NRD board, for example.
Leaders in downstream communities have communicated their support for LB 177 to the Legislature. The mayors of Bellevue, La Vista, Papillion, Gretna and Springfield wrote a letter of support that stated, “Considering development is rapidly occurring in the metropolitan area, we believe it is only prudent to extend the bonding authority an additional 10 years to ensure we continue to meet future priorities.”
Bonding can be soundly used, but opponents of NRD debt are right in pointing to the need for fiscal responsibility. NRD leaders should continue to regularly analyze the debt level and keep it within proper limits. In addition, critics are right to note that municipal governments should be more mindful to use zoning to restrict development in or near flood plains, to reduce the vulnerability of residences and businesses and lessen the need for reservoirs.
Catastrophic floods can wreak terrible damage. NRD bonding, soundly structured, can help provide the Omaha area with the adequate long-term protection it needs from such a dire threat.
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Lincoln Journal Star. March 29, 2019
Miles leaves Husker basketball in better shape than he found program
Even after his final season at the helm of Nebraska basketball fell short of lofty expectations, Tim Miles leaves the program as one of the greatest coaches in program history.
Doubt us? Try ranking them.
Danny Nee (1987-2000) tops any list. Then, you’d probably follow with Joe Cipriano (1964-80). But Miles, who was fired Tuesday after seven seasons, is arguably neck and neck with Moe Iba (1981-86) in third and above a host of other names.
Sure, part of this stature stems from the ignominy of Nebraska’s scarlet letter of being the only major-conference team to have never won an NCAA tournament game. But Miles’ contributions to Nebrasketball extend far beyond his 116-114 record.
Namely, he made the program and brand relevant on a national stage for the first time in a generation and inspired a dormant fan base to rally behind his squad.
As Nebraska moved into the new Pinnacle Bank Arena, he led the team to a surprise NCAA tournament run - and lost all of one game, by a single point, in the sparkling facility. Husker fans will never forget the pure electricity of No-Sit Sunday, an upset of No. 9 Wisconsin, to wrap up the home slate.
Under his watch, Nebraska fans turned PBA into one of the nation’s best home-court advantages, as attendance frequently ranked in the top 10 or 15 nationally. His outgoing, upbeat personality endeared him to fans. And while scandal engulfed other prominent schools, Miles’ program was never tied to any impropriety.
Though he never again led the Huskers to the NCAA tournament, his team remained highly regarded - including National Invitation Tournament berths in his final two seasons. The last featured Nebraska’s first postseason win since 2008, following an inspired run by a short-handed team down to seven healthy players at one point.
Those thrilling, late-season wins were too little, too late to save the job of a coach who went 52-76 in Big Ten Conference play in his seven years. In the end, there simply weren’t enough quality wins and postseason successes during his tenure.
Regardless, the school could not have had a better public ambassador for its men’s basketball team, who remained classy in his remarks to reporters outside West Stadium on Tuesday, even after losing his job.
Miles will no doubt land another head coaching gig. And that school will have snagged a good man to lead its basketball program.
His impact in Lincoln can’t be measured merely by wins and losses. Under Miles, Nebraska fans saw their historically abysmal program rise from an afterthought to prominence - and caught a glimpse of what they hope could be in their future. He leaves Husker hoops in far better shape than he found it.
For that and always leading the program the right way, Husker fans should thank the former coach as he heads into the next chapter of his career.
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Kearney Hub. March 27, 2019
Nation’s sugary dilemma: sweet drinks
Ask a Nebraskan about the East or West Coast and you’ll likely hear a reaction something along the lines of, “They’re both nice places to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.” Truth be told, Nebraskans don’t care much for those faraway places. The traffic is obscene, life moves too fast, and, well, everything is just so different.
If a Nebraskan was looking for a role model, probably the last place he would look would be Baltimore, Md., Berkeley, Calif., or New York City. But wait, what if you were seeking guidance for better health? Then Baltimore, Berkeley and the Big Apple begin to look a lot more promising.
Why? Because each has taken bold stands for better health. In particular, they’ve taken aim at sugar consumption.
Anyone who wants to strike a blow for healthier living can’t look past the most unhealthy substance on the menu.
That’s what happened in Baltimore, Berkeley and NYC. Elected leaders and health advocates attempted to limit sugar in their citizens’ diets, but the backlash was ferocious and the efforts failed.
You will recall former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s fated attempt in 2012 to limit the size of sugary drinks to 16 ounces. It died in court. Judges ruled the city overstepped its authority. Freedom-loving Nebraskans probably would agree with that ruling. This is America, and if someone wants to eat sugar, there must be a constitutional amendment for that.
Yes, this is American, but democracy cannot undo sugar’s magnetic attraction or the serious health consequences of consuming too much of it.
On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Heart Association reported that children are drinking about a bathtub full of sugary drinks every year. That’s 30 gallons of soda, sports drinks and fruit juice. Drink one soda per day and it adds up to 50 total pounds of sugar - enough to seriously enhance the risk of obesity, dental decay and other complications.
Consult organizations that promote healthy living, and you’ll hear many reasons why sugar is bad for you and why legislatures should outlaw sugary drinks.
But we all know that isn’t going to happen. Reducing sugar consumption isn’t a legal choice, it’s a personal choice. If you want an idea how to begin kicking the sugar habit, there may be role models at the table near you in the restaurant. They’re the people who opted for plain old water instead of a soft drink. When you eat out or eat at home, make water or milk your default choices - and become a role model for healthier choices.
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