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Mayor Berry retires with record time in office
McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook City Council will say goodbye to Mayor Dennis Berry next week after he swears in City Councilman-elect Gene Weedin. Mayor Berry will exit the position after serving more consecutive years as mayor than anyone in the history of McCook.
Berry is completing his 11th straight year as mayor of McCook and only two other individuals since 1884 reached the decade mark in the lead position for the city.
M. Lawritson also served 11 years as mayor, however, his tenure was broken up into three terms including 4, 2, and 5 year stretches during the early 1900s. F.M. Karrer served as mayor for 10 consecutive years before resigning in July of 1965. More recently, Flora Lundberg served as mayor for 8 years during three terms including 4, 2, and 2 year stretches ending in 1999.
During a visit with the Gazette Thursday Berry was asked what accomplishments he cherished most during his tenure and considering he is fresh off an unsuccessful campaign run for the District 44 State Senate seat it was no surprise to hear him reference his banner campaign topic; City Council's ability to avoid raising the property tax levy while implementing a reduction to the occupation tax on land-line telephones. Berry said he was particularly proud of the city's conservative budget practices in general and ability to continually improve local parks and city facilities, while also coping with reductions in aid received from the state and federal government.
After getting past the popular tax topic, Berry touched on what his record-setting years as mayor may prove to be evidence of, his ability to instill a spirit of cooperation amongst City Council members. Berry said he by no-means eliminated disagreement amongst council members but believed he did play a role in emphasizing cooperation and progress.
"We don't always have to agree, but we can be agreeable," said Berry.
Several local officials have praised City Council for their ability to work together, especially in recent years. McCook Economic Development Director Rex Nelson said on several occasions projects such as the Tax Increment Financing authorized for a local housing development, as well as to assist another group start a new sports bar, would not have been possible given the divided nature of City Councils he worked with in the past.
City Clerk Lea Ann Doak may have more experience than anyone when it comes to working with the many leaders McCook has tapped over the years and praised Berry's knack for promoting the community.
"I have worked with a number of mayors, all of which I have a great deal of respect for, Dennis is no exception. Dennis is a great promoter of McCook and by his actions cares a great deal for the citizens of McCook and Southwest Nebraska," said Doak.
Doak started with the City of McCook in March of 1974 and she became City Clerk in 1994, which also happens to be the year Dennis Berry was sworn in as a City Council member.
Berry promptly found himself in the middle of a power struggle that year which left the position of mayor changing hands every couple years. The meeting he was sworn in included a 3-2 split vote resulting in Flora Lundberg's second two year stretch as mayor. Philip Lyons followed for two years before Lundberg returned for her final two years as mayor ending in 1999.
Linda Taylor served as mayor in 2000 and 2001, followed by Jerda Garey in 2002 and 2003, and finally the beginning of the most stable mayor run in the history of McCook began when Mayor Dennis Berry was named in 2004.
Berry said he was particularly proud of the relationship between the city and McCook Community College, which helped advance the construction of the Peter & Dolores Graff Events Center and other projects in recent years.
The events center sits on a portion of Kelley Park the city sold to the college for a $1. City Council similarly supported the sale of property south of McMillen Hall which was eventually converted to parking. Berry said council support of the sale was instrumental in overcoming opposition at the time.
That same spirit of cooperation was extended to other entities as well, which Berry said resulted in various benefits to the community over the years. The city had a positive role in the 2011 construction of the U.S. Armed Forces Readiness Center east of McCook, which was gifted a portion of city airport property for its new home. The city library has also seen regular improvements thanks to strong relationships with local groups.
Berry said he looks fondly at improvements made to area parks over the years, which began with a contentious clearing of trees at Norris Park and rolled into the addition of Russell Park.
"We've made good strides and I think done it with the most open process of any local government entity," said Berry, citing the city's three-reading rule, open budget process and multiple opportunities for public discussion on items.
Berry said he also prioritized fostering relationships with legislators at both the state and federal level and it proved to be an invaluable asset early on in his civic career. At one point the city faced massive fines from state and federal regulators pertaining to the city's lack of compliance with municipal water regulations, reflected Berry. He credited a change in local leadership at the time and City Council's subsequent ability to come together as a team with avoiding a fiscal nightmare.
"To calm the waters, sometimes you have to make a wave," said Berry, referencing the leadership change from Mayor Lyons to Mayor Lundberg. Berry said he and the other council members were able to convince regulators to accept funding invested in local water infrastructure in-lieu of paying fines, which significantly lessened the impact of an already costly situation.
Mayor Berry said there were several projects sill left on the table which he would have liked to have completed but otherwise he harbors no regrets. Some of the projects, such as finalizing cosmetic improvements to the Norris Avenue and B Street intersection, are simply a matter of time before completion. Others, including a proposed expansion at the McCook Work Ethic Camp and addressing the St. Catherine's Apartments building, will likely require continued support from the next mayor if they hope to ever come to fruition.
Berry said he and wife Cora have no plans of leaving McCook and offered no hints as to where he might direct his energies in the near future. It was unclear at the time whether Berry was simply being coy on the topic or genuinely uncertain as to what his future holds. Those who have worked with him over the years would likely see his resurfacing locally as a safe bet, especially in a role which allows him to continue his efforts to improve the community he loves.
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