Grand Island votes to censure mayor

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by Josh Egbert

After months of controversy in Grand Island, City Council held a special meeting to censure the mayor Friday. The big issue being the City Administrator position after, Mayor Jay Vavricek had asked Mary Lou Brown to resign, and ended up bringing her back into office.

City Attorney Robert Sivick opened the meeting saying he found the censure to be a personal or political matter and sees it as improper and illegal.

Council member Peg Gilbert says council believes the budget would go on fine without Mary Lou Brown.

Vavricek and Gilbert went back and forth about Robert's Rule of Orders.

That's when councilman Chuck Haase unsuccessfully tried to raise a point of order.

Vavricek's son-in-law read a statement citing a July 20th meeting saying Brown and Gilbert and the mayor discussed and decided upon Brown's resignation.

"We have an agreement with an employee and I've been in business for 35 years. I stick with my guns and I stick with my order. I don't go back and I don't remember what I said and change things later. So, I'm sorry I respect this council's viewpoint to disapprove," said Vavricek.

Grand Island City Council voted 7 to 1 to censure Mayor Vavricek.
Councilman Vaughn Minton opposed the censure.

City Attorney Robert Sivick says the censure has no legal impact.

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