Grand Island council member speaks out on recent events

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by Katie Gauthier

Story Created: Sep 27, 2012 at 5:54 PM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 27, 2012 at 6:20 PM CDT

A new seat will open at the Grand Island City Council. Larry Carney will not be running for re-election. He was elected in 2008. Carney is known as one of the most outspoken council members and he's not leaving without voicing his opinion.

"I wanted to more or less give my thoughts about things as they're going. I wanted to be truthful as to how I really felt," Carney said.

Councilman Larry Carney has a lot to say about the state of Grand Island City Hall. He expressed that when he wrote a letter to the editor in the Grand Island Independent.

"I think the Mayor's leadership is in question, serious question."

Which is why Carney now supports the recall petition against Mayor Vavricek.

"There was some other kind of agenda or there was some other affliction, ailment, illness, whatever it might be that was affecting his leadership and that lead me to change my mind."

Previously Carney was against the recall.

"If somebody commits a criminal act, or does something that is outrageously detrimental or has really displayed faulty leadership qualities, then I think the recall is in place, or it's acceptable."

One of the most divisive topics for Grand Island City Hall is the city administrator position. After Mary Lou Brown submitted her letter of resignation, she's now back in.

"That was certainly the issue that probably broke the camel's back, the straw, but there were many other issues."

Carney says the mayor asked the opinion of the council regarding the position but feels it was ignored.

"It had little to do with the council's opinion on that subject. Which was no."

Carney is moving to Scottsbluff to be closer to his wife who moved there a few years ago for a job.

Carney will finish out the remainder of his term which ends December 4th.

Carney says the issues at City Hall did not have an effect on his choice to move. His name will still be on the November ballot for the Ward 4 seat but is urging voters to vote for his opponent Mike Paulik.

Regarding Mary Lou Brown and her surgery, Carney says there is a recovery period with the surgery.

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