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  • Will Fahey Seek Re-Election? Save Email Print
    Mayor promises an announcement next week
    Posted: 5:10 PM Jul 23, 2008
    Last Updated: 8:01 PM Jul 23, 2008
    Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

    A | A | A

    Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey said Wednesday he'll announce next week whether he plans to run for re-election. But did a comment made at the end of the news conference announcing the city’s new police and fire chiefs give his intentions away?

    Police Chief Eric Buske and interim Fire Chief Mike McDonnell were formally named as heads of their respective departments. “And again, congratulate the newest leaders of the Omaha Police and Fire departments. I look forward to working with you for many years to come."

    The mayor tells Channel 6 News the comment does not necessarily mean he'll work with the chiefs as mayor. "We have some of the most capable young leadership in public safety leadership in the history of the city right now." Will Fahey stay around to nurture that young talent?

    There have been issues during his administration that one would think would make him run to the cover of private life. Fahey took major flak over the annexation of Elkhorn, over the make up of the MECA board and there was a failed recall attempt.

    "If you had no flak as you put it, I don’t think you're doing much of a job if you're just a caretaker,” says Fahey. “I think you need to keep moving the city forward. We have a lot of areas in our city that still need a lot of attention, particularly the eastern part of the city."

    It’s that more-work-to-be-done statement that makes one think that Fahey will make a third run. There are neighborhood projects he would like to see through and he would probably like to be around to cut the ribbon on his new downtown baseball stadium that guarantees the College World Series to Omaha for decades.

    "I've thought long and hard about it, again, without making a decision here and now, I'm very comfortable with the decision I've come to and I've enjoyed this job and I continue to enjoy this job. I look forward to working with all the people here for the time that I'll be in office."

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    Posted by: C on Jul 28, 2008 at 03:41 PM
    I think you all will be very surprised at the amount of people who WILL vote for Fahey if he decides to run again. I DEFINITELY WILL!! There have been a lot of advances for our city since he's been in office. Why would we want to take 20 steps back and vote in Hal Daub. Think about it....

    Posted by: Reality on Jul 26, 2008 at 07:01 PM
    Fahey sacrificed basis city functions for the new stadium. There is traffic gridlock in millard and other areas because he and the planning committee approved land development without considering that roads should be widened first. Fahey puts himself before the needs of the city. Why would anyone vote for him?

    Posted by: Never Wins on Jul 25, 2008 at 05:36 PM
    No one ever wins with politics... there will always be people that love him and people that can't stand the site of him. I don't care either way.

    Posted by: Barb on Jul 25, 2008 at 03:30 PM
    To Ex Brit...you don't get it. Sure we have it better than some other countries but when surrounding states charge less to license a vehicle by hundreds of $$$, tax property less by hundreds of $$$ and have elected officials that listen to the people who elected them, we DO have the right to complain. Even people in California pay less property tax than we do on homes and vehicles. This city has some of the worst looking streets I have ever seen PLUS streets that flood when we get alot of heavy rain. Our mayor seems more concerned with an new stadium.

    Posted by: llr on Jul 25, 2008 at 12:40 PM
    Kevin and A from Bellevue hit the nail on the head. Believe me, we DO plan to move when the housing market comes back around. And it will be to ANY place that can't be annexed by Omaha. I've lived here 20 years but the back-biting and sniping and anger and rise in crime (pick any or all) have made this a pretty nasty place to live. Not to mention taxes, high prices and driving the city into a huge debt for things that are not needed.

    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 25, 2008 at 12:23 PM
    It would be fun to see him run just to see the landslide win against him. How many votes will he get from the part of Omaha formerly known as Elkhorn? How many non-baseball fans will vote for him? What about his pension fiasco? That should earn a lot of votes from the ones getting it. How many criminals vote? Not many I'd guess. Crime has escalated in since his term in office. The criminals could vote for him, so he can continue his stance on crime.

    Posted by: What a joke! on Jul 25, 2008 at 10:52 AM
    I hope he runs again, so he can see just how bad the majority of the people of Omaha want him out. Then he can hide his head in shame as he cleans out his office.

    Posted by: Michal on Jul 25, 2008 at 08:31 AM
    If Fahey were as smart as he think he is, he would realize that the majority of people DO NOT liek his tactics and would vote against him Realize that he does not stand an ice cubes chance in hell of being reelected. Way too many negatives going against him. Especially since the people of Elkhorn will be able to vote now. He is a bully and is not for the citizens best interest. Prove is in the pudding. Look at all the vilence and shootings in North O for example. What has he done about that? Goodbye Fahey. And take your smugness and arrogance with you.

    Posted by: To Eric on Jul 25, 2008 at 07:37 AM
    Hey Eric, you know that $19M of the $22M for the ped bridge was a FEDERAL earmark that Sen. Kerry got us before Fahey was even in office right? The other money came from private donors like the Iowa West Foundation. The only thing Fahey had to do with the bridge was that it got built while he was in office. Please get a clue.

    Posted by: john on Jul 25, 2008 at 04:47 AM
    There is a person that walks arounf 16th and dodge everyday. He talks to himself. He as fights with trash cans. He would be better then current major.

    Posted by: Eric on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:11 PM
    I think that the major has done a decent job, but I can't get past two words when it comes time to vote for him: "Pedestrian bridge"

    Posted by: Wendy on Jul 24, 2008 at 06:41 PM
    For people posting comments about the police dept backing Fahey...your wrong. They backed Daub, then they back Friend. So no, they don't back Fahey.

    Posted by: ERIC on Jul 24, 2008 at 06:12 PM
    LETS PRAY HE DOESNT HAS DONE NOTHING FOR THIS CITY NEVER HAS

    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 05:09 PM
    Mark can you spell CLUELESS?

    Posted by: Sue on Jul 24, 2008 at 05:09 PM
    Please...Fahey & Daub both need to go away. We need some fresh brain cells in the Mayors's Office, to come up with working plans to get this spending under control. By the time 2010 comes, there are several massive expenses that are going to hit Omaha. We need a Mayor on board that will not add to them.

    Posted by: Ex Brit on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:57 PM
    As someone who moved here from another country at the beginning of Fahey's term, I can say that this city has thrived under his tenure. Omaha has grown and is starting to take on a more cosmopolitan feel. You have low crime compared to other parts of the US, and compared to the rest of the US and the UK - your taxes and cost of living are unbelievably low!! Perhaps it is a case of not knowing how good you really do have it...and trust me coming from a country where we must pay license fees for owning tv's and charged monthly fees for parking on our own streets...you have it really good!!

    Posted by: Downtown Dave on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:53 PM
    Let's see, Police and Fire Pensions are under funded by millions. Mayor appoints former Union Officers to the highes postions in Police and Fire Dept'ts. No one is talking about the millions underfunded in the City Civilian pension system. We are going to build a new Stadium and still owe millions on Rosenblatt. Wake up tax payers, a lot of you home owners are going to be in for a big surpise. Now that the housing market is kind of stable, you home cost won't being going up, so watch the next budget year for a sidnificant raise in the amount of taxes you pay.

    Posted by: Ted on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:51 PM
    I hope he chokes on his greed. I'll vote for anyone besides him, even if I don't like the other canidate.

    Posted by: Nick on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:48 PM
    I hope Mike decides to run for re-election. He has done an amazing job as our mayor and he still has some unfinished business to take care of and I want Mike to run. Hal Daub would be a horrible mayor and we can't afford to have him in as mayor again. Mike deserves to be mayor, he has accomplished so much for the city that it would be a shame for him not to see it through. I will vote for Mike if he runs again because I know that if we don't vote for him the city goes to HAL.

    Posted by: Fed Up on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:47 PM
    Gotta tell you, never cared much for former Mayor Daub, but compared to this current Mayor, Daub has him beat.

    Posted by: chris on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:12 PM
    i will not be voteing for him. fahey is a joke.

    Posted by: Ray on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:12 PM
    I wouldn't vote for Mayor Folly even if he ran for dog catcher. I have been LIED to too many times since Omaha took over Elkhorn. You can tell when he lies, it's when his lips move. And yes, I would gladly move if I could.

    Posted by: ? for llr on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:10 PM
    When are you leaving? Not that it matters since you'll still be getting on here to spread your negativity. I guess I can hope that you'll find bulletins to post on in your new city...ah, to dream.

    Posted by: Amy on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:42 PM
    I'll definatly vote for him. I'm from a small town originally and for living in the big city; the improvements he has made are wonderful. Taxes are going to go up and only the Federal Goverment or Govenor can change that; not the mayor. We have it better here in Omaha than a lot of other cities in the US. I have always liked him and he will get my vote. How about the way they blackmailed him into letting Sokal come back in? I don't care what anyone says that was blackmail. Sokal should go back to Wyoming and stay there! I support the building of the new stadium and the fact that my grandchildren will see the CWS right here in Omaha; where their previous generations enjoyed prior to their generation. Sometimes you have to let go of the old and celebrate the new! It will bring lots of visitors to Omaha for years to come and I welcome them and the CWS!! I think he is a genuine good guy and I hope the best for him.

    Posted by: Terry on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:38 PM
    Did I just read thanks to the mayor the the crime rate has run rampant? It was a long cold winter, mayors fault I guess. And typical Dem, spending others peoples money. Republicans gain control of the white house and congress and we go from the biggest surpluss in the history of the federal government to the biggest deficit but the Dem spend the money. Wow. Republican issued blinders I guess.

    Posted by: anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:15 PM
    My Vote: Fahey - NO WAY, do I look stupid Daub - YES! The 2 things Fahey accomplished over his tenure were all inititated by Daub anyway. It doesn't out weight his arrogant attitude nor his blunders!

    Posted by: Cindy on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:10 PM
    Baby Fahey needs to give it up already. The only reason why the recall did not happen was because the election is so close. It is time to get a Mayor that will consider what the people of this city want instead of being focused on what they want.

    Posted by: A on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:47 PM
    To Josh: Actually we are moving to a small town just to get away from this gods forsaken hole called Omaha. It has nothing to do with growth, because in order to have growth one has to cater to the needs of many not the small few (sports fans anyone?). The ballpark does not bring in the people wanting to see good historical monuments, natural monuments, or fun theme parks. And what of the other problems this man has caused? That "was" the unique atmosphere of Omaha at one time, it was a big city with the feel of a smaller one. Now that is far from being so and what has Omaha to show for it? A high murder/assault/crime rate, sky rocketing taxes, a rather large poverty growth, gangs, it's become a sanctuary for illegal immigrants and there is much more that I cannot even have enough characters in this post to point out. The bad outweighs the good and nobody wants to step up for the better of this city, all they want are ballparks to use for a week or so out of the year?

    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:46 PM
    Mike Fayhe I hope you won't run for Mayor cause for one of the stupist thing you ever thought of was about Rosenbaltt now how many stupid things can you think of before I hope somebody takes over? I hope you don't run cause you need to retire.

    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:43 PM
    There's houses for sale in Ralston...and guess what? It can't be annexed.

    Posted by: A on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:41 PM
    I hope you run again Fahey!! You have done a lot of good for the city of Omaha!

    Posted by: g on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:36 PM
    I wouldn't mind Fahey coming back. I'd want him to be in office in case the stadium is a bomb. Wouldn't that be awesome to dog him like we always do!!!!!! oh and I like what Bob said.

    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:19 PM
    I hope he DOES run again...that way the PEOPLE can NOT vote for him and he will finally get the message that Omaha is sick of his tactics.

    Posted by: Just Me on Jul 24, 2008 at 11:38 AM
    he would do us all a great favor if he would not run agin...he's breaking us need someone new in office.

    Posted by: D on Jul 24, 2008 at 11:35 AM
    To Kris: You're flat-out wrong. The police union did not support Fahey in the last election. Nice work posting something completely false.

    Posted by: Nan on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:49 AM
    Why would he want to run again and take the abuse that has come about because he has tried to make Omaha a better place. Why would anyone want to seek public office? "You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time". Don't do it again and take the abuse from the nay sayers.

    Posted by: David on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:40 AM
    Do Omaha a favor and do NOT run for re-election.

    Posted by: Kevin on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:00 AM
    He has no control over taxes, so he hasn't "kept them low"... but he HAS run up millions upon millions of dollars in debt, leaving someone else to figure out the details of wringing those funds out of our taxpayer pockets. Typical Dem, spending other people's money, claiming to care about the poor but doing nothing real for them while lining his own pockets through real estate deals and contracts that favor his cronies. To LeShawn: I love Smalltown USA. That's why I moved here 27 years ago. If you like to live in Debttown USA, please move to NYC, Chicago, LA... anywhere but here. If you hated the way Omaha was, why did you live here? Not every city has to look the same or be just as broke as the next. What you call "progress" is just expensive destruction of a way of life that hundreds of thousands of us really did enjoy. The minority you and Fahey belong to should have left town instead of trashing it.

    Posted by: Hey Josh on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:50 AM
    Supporting Daub is hardly backwards thinking. It was Daub that got the ball rolling on everything great that Omaha has today. Daub was very progressive.

    Posted by: Bill on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:27 AM
    He should do Omaha a real favor by not running for re-election. Thanks to him, our taxes will go up. Thanks to him, our crime rate is running rampant. Has he done a "good job"? No. If he would have been more open to the citizens of this town, he might have a chance to get re-elected. After the ballpark fiasco and what he tried to do to David Sokol, he better just fade away.

    Posted by: Joe C on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:02 AM
    The only good that would come of his running again would be to vote against the guy.

    Posted by: w on Jul 24, 2008 at 08:54 AM
    Lets just run a small poll here. Who will or won't vote for fahey? I won't. That makes 1 against. Next?

    Posted by: To JA in Millard on Jul 24, 2008 at 08:13 AM
    Why don't you get child support? If you can prove who the father is through DNA, there is no reason you couldn't get child support. Assuming he has a job, the state can garnish his wages and request for back child support.

    Posted by: anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:58 AM
    MR ARROGANT NOT RUN, I'LL TAKE THAT BET! I just can't wait till he looses the election!!!! A great day for all Omahan's and tourism too.

    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:50 AM
    Please, Fahey... GO AWAY.

    Posted by: Kris on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:48 AM
    Mr.Fahey is getting his "ducks in a row" for another run at Mayor. Our new Police & Fire Chief will urge their unions to "back Fahey". Who do you think helped get him elected last time? I just hope and pray that the people of Omaha remember the shady way he conducted the ballpark business, the police contract fiasco, and the millions & millions of dollars he has spent of "our" money for his dreams. The worst thing that could happen to this city is to have another term of Fahey!

    Posted by: Jimmybob on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:32 AM
    Send the clown back to the circus where he belongs.

    Posted by: George on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:15 AM
    I would vote against him but I cannot since I live in the three mile gotcha zone. I have to pay the stupid $35 wheel tax but cannot vote on anything regarding the city of Omaha.

    Posted by: Kevin on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:10 AM
    Please run again Mike, this city needs someone who will do what's right for Omaha!

    Posted by: TJ on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:09 AM
    TO Josh: How can one move to a small town and be happy if he tries to annex all of them anyway?

    Posted by: M on Jul 24, 2008 at 05:23 AM
    I wouldn't vote for him-I didn't vote for him last election. He has done so much to irritate voters this past year, I would hope that he would decide to retire. The way he went about the stadium was sneaky,wrong and he basically fabricated the truth. Elkhorn was another big issue, not to mention firing a MECA board member "because the law said he had to", but then turning around and reappointing him in fear of losing donations for his beloved stadium (which will only house CWS for 2 weeks and possibly Creightton).

    Posted by: Dude on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:10 AM
    To Rae: I have to disagree with you about the mayor raising your home value. The market does that and other factors. Sure he hasn't had to raise taxes, as the market has increased the value, which is good, I thought, as I always thought you invested in a house for that reason. and to JA: how is the mayor suppose to help you, You also need to speak to the governor, your reps, and the president...

    Posted by: Jeff on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:11 AM
    No, he will not run again. He's buried too many land mines for the next mayor: PD/FD retirement fund, storm/sewer system, chemicals at stadium site, $25 million a year to NCAA, understaffed PD, completely inadequate PD & FD staffing in Elkhorn, police auditor, to name a few. If he runs again, he can't blame his predecessor.

    Posted by: Laura on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:54 PM
    Oh I SO hope he wont run again. If he did I bet many idiots would vote for him and he will be mayor again, that would suck.

    Posted by: Josh on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:42 PM
    llr, you must of miss it when the city council ALREADY passed the taxes for the ballpark. I guess you hadn't noticed because they are on hotel rooms and rental cars. I bet you signed the recall too huh? The only people that don't like Fahey for mayor are backwards thinking folks that don't want Omaha to grow and should move to a small town where they'd be happy.

    Posted by: Jake on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:14 PM
    I cant wait TO VOTE AGAINST HIM, but with all the "sheep" in this town that believe everything he tells them, Im sure he would get re-elected. "Baaaaahh"!

    Posted by: E on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:02 PM
    Please go away Mike!! Haven't you done enough damage to this city?????

    Posted by: mtm on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:47 PM
    ha ha ha

    Posted by: llr on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:27 PM
    Kept taxes LOW??? Fahey has no power to keep taxes ANYWHERE. The County Board and the County Assessor does that. Wait until the City Council approves all of Fahey's tax increases to pay for the new stadium and the City Council approves other taxes for funding. Not to mention, the COUNTY (read above: THEY assess taxes) lose the keno revenue and are forced to raise property taxes. You'll sing a different tune THEN, I bet you. 'Course you're all frogs too stupid to get out of the water before it boils...a frog placed in hot water will immediately jump out to save itself. A frog put in cool water over a hot flame will sit there until the water boils, at which time it is too late to leap and save itself. Small town? We already have big city crime! Are you all sheeple, or WHAT?

    Posted by: JA on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:05 PM
    Well, let's see, I'm a single mother, I don't get child support, and I make too much money to get assistance from the government I have served in the past. I can barely afford my 1 bedroom apartment, let alone food and utility bills. What would Fahey do about this? He has done nothing so far. I know I am not alone in my situation either, but I feel like as long as he is getting a shiny new stadium built, and expanding the city to be responsible for even more struggling people, he is satisfied. He obviously doesn't give a crap about the little guys and gals.

    Posted by: Rae on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:56 PM
    Lets not all speak too soon!! He keeps saying that he hasn't 'raised' taxes, yet he raises our home values, and in return that does raise our house taxes. Since he has been in office my house started out being appraised at $120,000, now it is appraised at $178,000!!??! I don't agree with his tactics and his sneaking around behind Omaha's back with many issues! Pitbulls, ballparks, trolleys, Elkhorn, police auditor, a little too much for me to take anymore!

    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:04 PM
    If he doesn't ban pitbulls, he has both me and my husband's vote. He has kept our taxes low.

    Posted by: Kris on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:24 PM
    The guy's like a bad rash. I wish he would go away, but I'm guessing he won't. That would just be too good to be true.

    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:06 PM
    It may not be so easy. He said this to see if people beg him to run again. If he did not run, what would he do with himself? Watvh the new ball park being built?

    Posted by: Bob on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:57 PM
    Fahey or Daub...hmmm..Im moving to Iowa!

    Posted by: LeShawn on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:15 PM
    I hope so. We need his leadership or else we'll be stuck in small town USA

    Posted by: Mortified Taxpayer on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:01 PM
    Why sure he'll stay. The mayor's office is an untapped goldmine to quote this guy. Omaha taxpayers are trained to just keep throwing into the pot.

    Posted by: mark on Jul 23, 2008 at 05:33 PM
    I'll vote for him. He's done a very good job for the city.

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