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McCook Gazette

Nelson statue dedication July 3

Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Courtesy photo

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Community Foundation Fund is pleased to announce that a special dedication of the Nelson Family Sculpture will be held on Saturday, July 3 at 11:30 a.m., at the Nelson Family home at 608 Norris Ave. in McCook.

Highlighting the event will be the keynote address by John Gottschalk, the Immediate Past National President of the Boy Scouts of America and Chairman of the Omaha World-Herald Co., who noted, "This is another important example of McCook doing a tremendous job showcasing its rich heritage of providing Nebraska with governors and senators. I am honored to have been invited to speak at the dedication of the Nelson sculpture. Its theme of scouting and family resonates with the values of the good people of McCook and our nation as well." Following Gottschalk's talk will be remarks by United States Senator E. Benjamin Nelson.

Mark Graff, Treasurer of the McCook Community Foundation Fund's Advisory Committee and the Chairman of the Nelson Sculpture Project, will serve as master of ceremonies. The program will also include music by the Oberlin Area Concert Band, presentation of our flag by Boy Scout Troop 132, a welcome from the former Mayor of McCook, Linda Taylor, and remarks from the sculptor, Martha Pettigrew from Kearney, Nebraska.

There will be an informal lunch reception in Norris Park for those attending the event with complimentary tickets from the McCook Community Foundation Fund. If you would like to attend the reception following the dedication, please call Peggy Been at (308) 345-8725 by June 29 to reserve your tickets.

The three bronze sculptures were funded by a gift to the City of McCook, made possible by private contributions to the Heritage Square Account of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.

McCook Community Foundation, through its affiliation with the Nebraska Community Foundation, receives tax deductible charitable donations to fund numerous community betterment projects in McCook and the surrounding area.

If you would like to learn more about how the McCook Community Foundation is positively affecting lives in Southwest Nebraska, please visit MCF's website at www.mccookcf.org. If you would like to contribute to this effort or help the McCook Community Foundation continue to further its charitable work in the McCook area, contributions can be sent to the McCook Community Foundation Fund, P. O. Box 36, McCook, NE 69001-0036.

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  • YES, oldfarmer your right!!!

    But with good news coverage it will be a GREAT STORY. Might make the front page.

    It's got me confused already.

    Thinking of the statement, "What a difference a day makes." Does a month matter.

    Is there a difference between June and July.

    Headline, from the gazette, Tuesday, June 22,2010

    Nelson statue dedication June 3.

    First paragraph of the article states that

    The Special Dedication will be held Saturday, July 3 at 11:30 a.m.

    Sure hope this was not June 3, or the news media and thousands of people has missed it!!

    What a "story"

    -- Posted by Just a reader on Wed, Jun 23, 2010, at 7:17 AM

  • Crooks honoring crooks. You won't see me there and I hope everybody boycotts it.

    -- Posted by Oh what a wonderful day on Wed, Jun 23, 2010, at 9:14 AM

  • What a joke - the prostitution of Nebraska

    -- Posted by Dinasaur on Wed, Jun 23, 2010, at 9:32 AM

  • Seems to me like all of you "casting judgement Sen Nelson" are perfect in your lives, decisions and actions. Can't you remember that Sen Nelson has done some great things for our State and we should be proud that McCook (our community) produces such men and women?

    Matthew 7:2 - For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

    -- Posted by LOAL4USA on Wed, Jun 23, 2010, at 10:58 AM

  • "for you will be treated as you treat others" Yep, sounds good to me. Senator Ben screwed us so let's screw him!

    -- Posted by remington81 on Wed, Jun 23, 2010, at 12:34 PM

  • Nice attitude. Looks like you're one heck of a leader yourself and good role model to our children. Forgiveness is a much better road to take if you think your man enough...

    -- Posted by LOAL4USA on Wed, Jun 23, 2010, at 1:02 PM

  • Rural please leave religion out of politics the ACLU will be angry with you if you don't.

    Ben will be rememberd for his HC vote and thats his fault not ours. I will not forget or forgive until after he is out of office the I just won't give one bit of a **** about Ben.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Thu, Jun 24, 2010, at 7:36 AM

  • My point has very little to do with religion...more to do with morals and maturity.

    -- Posted by LOAL4USA on Thu, Jun 24, 2010, at 8:18 AM

  • I can't believe the way some of you folks are selling out on our own Senator Nelson. I have known Ben and knew his mom and dad for a long time. Do you have any idea the things he has done for McCook? Obviously not! If any of you know of any politician out there that you agree with 100% of the time, you simply don't know politics. Sure, he's made some decisions that I don't agree with but who hasn't? For some of you to make the rude and obnoxious comments on here about him is simply outrageous! Crawl out from underneath your rock or come out of your glass house and get a life!

    -- Posted by McCook Supporter on Thu, Jun 24, 2010, at 9:05 AM

  • I greatly dislike Senator Nelson's vote on health care. However we need to consider his body of work. Remember he was the most ficasally responsible voting Democrat in the Senate. We also must remember he has done a lot of good for McCook and SW Nebraska. And even if you have hardened your heart to him we should still respect the office of Senator. Additionally the presentation is about the Boy Scouts as much as it is about the Senator.

    -- Posted by dennis on Thu, Jun 24, 2010, at 10:38 AM

  • Wow! I wish I would have thought of some of these rationalizations a long time ago...

    Yes mom and dad, I did wreck your car and I understand that you said you didn't want me driving it BUT look at my overall record. I mow the lawn, take out the trash, do the dishes and so many other good things. In fact, more often than not, I'm doing something good so don't be upset with me about this... you can't say you don't trust me because of this one thing. Although, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have bought it either.

    -- Posted by McCook1 on Thu, Jun 24, 2010, at 1:01 PM

  • No kidding McCook1. Nelson went AGAINST the wishes of the very people that voted him into office! My vote will not be bought by the things he has done for our town, unlike many of you! CAN'T WAIT FOR 2012! REMEMBER ANYONE BUT BENOVER!

    -- Posted by remington81 on Thu, Jun 24, 2010, at 5:01 PM

  • Thanks for the laugh McCook1 that is spot on. Ben may be the most fiscally conservative dem but thats like saying he is the most honest politician it really dosen't mean much.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Fri, Jun 25, 2010, at 8:15 AM

  • I just really, really, really hope no one vandalizes this great piece of work.

    -- Posted by Hugh Jassle on Fri, Jun 25, 2010, at 5:55 PM

  • I agree vision that would be stupid.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Sat, Jun 26, 2010, at 9:42 AM

  • The piece of art work is also recognition for the Boy Scouts. I too hope that it is not vandalized. My last word on Senator Nelson on this article. Again, I am a Republican. I did not like his vote on health care. Before we "throw" him out of office stop to think who might replace him...Don Stenburg of Omaha? Jon Bruning of Lincoln? Rick Sheehy of Lincoln? One of the Lincoln or Omaha US Congressmen? Will any of them hold McCook and SW Nebraska in their hearts like Nelson? Will we get anywhere near the help from any of them on our local issues? Be careful my friend on what you ask for, as we just might get it.

    -- Posted by dennis on Sat, Jun 26, 2010, at 11:55 AM

  • dennis, that's called buying votes. But if your happy having other peoples money being spent on you, enjoy.

    -- Posted by Hugh Jassle on Sun, Jun 27, 2010, at 6:34 PM

  • Ben has brought jobs,street monies, airport, keystone, Century 21 jobs and lots of money to McCook area and big supporter of farm program payments to those farmers who need reminded of his help getting help in tough times on the farm....I am also disappointed in how he was used as a pawn by Obama but time will tell if that health care plan will ever get totally funded and installed before elections in 2010 and 2012 may get a reversal ... I will vote for the best man in future elections and if Ben is still in the running i may still vote for him again regardless of the healthcare vote because lets face it...Repulicans my party had all kinds of time to do something to help with both Bush's in office .and did abousoulutly nothing to help control skyrocketing cost in the past 20 years thats what all you negative postings folks on Ben Nelson should be mad about in their own party of choice and 1000% in premuims before obama ever showed up on the radar screen................

    -- Posted by Cornwhisperer on Tue, Jun 29, 2010, at 10:53 AM

  • You can't argue politics. What happened, happened. I don't agree on all the things Nelson has done. Lately, I don't agree at all.

    Every state has a problem like this. What I would like to know is why all the things named after Nelson?? The airport was just fine like it was. Why change it?? I agree the statue does give to the boy scouts. Why not put it in Lincoln?? There were and are many other boys who received honors like Nelson in the boy scouts. Shouldn't they be honored like Nelson?? Where is their statue?? Why is Nelson's statue so special???

    -- Posted by edbru on Wed, Jun 30, 2010, at 11:47 AM

  • Yep the people of West Virginia just let things go like being a clan leader and filibustering the civil rights legislation of the 60's with Robert Byrd becuase he brought the pork home. He sure could bring the pork home though, I guess for some the ends justifies the means.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Thu, Jul 1, 2010, at 7:35 AM

  • ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! All of your continual mean comments about Senator Nelson and others who serve the public is getting old. You never miss an opportunity to bad mouth people who are truly out there trying to make a difference. IF any of you can honestly say that you have never made a bad decision, then by all means keep writing...and if you are that perfect, you obviously won't have to worry come judgement day! I can only hope that the Lord will forgive YOU for your trespasses since it is so hard for you to forgive others. You have made your feelings abundantly clear....so how about some worthwhile and constructive comments in the future?

    -- Posted by java mocha on Thu, Jul 1, 2010, at 12:00 PM

  • It appears the sensitivities of java mocha have been hurt, so lets all forgive Senator Nelson. (10 second pause). Now let's vote him OUT of office!

    -- Posted by Hugh Jassle on Thu, Jul 1, 2010, at 10:27 PM

  • It is not my place to forgive but it is my place to remember and vote him out. This is politics not religion.

    I am totally offended that the flags are at half mast for a racist like Bobert Byrd ex clansman and man who filibustered the civil rights act.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Fri, Jul 2, 2010, at 7:35 AM

  • I think I will take my dog for a walk by old Bens place.....bet he likes it better that the hydrant on the corner....

    -- Posted by kmarty on Sat, Jul 3, 2010, at 10:21 AM

  • I agree with java mocha and ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! It's okay to disagree with someone but to berate Senator Nelson the way some of you do is absolutely asenine, Politics or not. If you all think you live in a perfect world, think again. Maybe someone should follow your every move and the instant you make a wrong one, lets just write you off! Remember, those who live in glass houses shall not throw stones.

    -- Posted by McCook Supporter on Tue, Jul 6, 2010, at 12:23 PM

  • One big difference I did not run for office to represent the people of Nebraska then ignore what 70+% wanted to toe the party line. Don't you understand the difference between public elected official and private citizen?

    I can't take peoples money away at the point of gun and if I do I go to prison, Ben can vote for huge sweeping bills to do just that make me do something at the point of a gun.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Wed, Jul 7, 2010, at 8:15 AM
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