Former board member wants to see Rames elected

Letters from Our Readers

My name is Robert Huntley Senior and I am supporting Steven Rames for the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District, LENRD, Board of Directors in Sub District 5.

I’ve lived in Nebraska my whole life—born in Hastings and movedto Norfolk in the early ‘70s. Now at 85, I’ve seen a lot of changes in Nebraska,most of them positive. But one thing that’s really concerning is the decline in thequality of our groundwater.

From 2006 to 2022, I served four terms on the board of the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD). During that time, we studied groundwater quality extensively. We have the data we need to create policies that will protect the health of our families. However, addressing the buildup of chemicals in our soil and groundwater—accumulating for over 70 years—won’t be easy. It’s going to take time, wisdom, and strong leadership from our elected LENRD officials.

That’s why we need to elect leaders with proven records of collaboration and decision- making—people who understand how to balance the needsof both our agricultural producers and our communities. Unfortunately, in recent years, the LENRD has been bogged down by unnecessary legal issues that have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. We need to elect leaders who will listen to farmers, municipalities, citizens, and each other, and provide responsible stewardship of our natural resources which is so urgently needed.

Help me elect Steven Rames to the Lower Elkhorn NRD Board of Directors.

— Robert Hunter, Sr.