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Sutton residents demand answers from city
Sutton residents want answers in the latest investigation involving Sutton Police Chief Tracey Landenberger. And, they're turning to city hall for them.
There was a city council meeting Friday morning. There was no open discussion concerning the Sutton case. Instead, they discussed LB 840, an economic development plan. News 5 had the opportunity to speak with City Administrator Virg Ulmer about the state auditor's report. He did not speak on camera, but the city is no longer avoiding the issue. In Virg Ulmer's words, "We are reviewing the reports and we're reviewing our policies to see where we want to revise them." Mike Foley's state audit report lists invoices that indicate the City has made personal purchases for the Chief and allowed Chief Landenberger to make reimbursement payments on an installment basis. This could violate constitutional and statutory concerns. Other purchases noted as problematic include food, gas, credit card, uniform, radar gun, and cell phone purchases. Off camera, Sutton residents claim, quote, "the city is doing a poor job of managing the city and the Sutton audit report proves it." A handful of taxpayers want the city to be more open and honest about its city affairs. "You go to a council meeting and everything is fine and then when the facts want to come out they go into Executive Session and we never hear what comes out of the Executive Session so therefore we don't get the facts," said one resident. News 5 has contacted other city leaders, Mayor Bob Hale says at this time he has no official statement. News 5 called city council president Fred Figi, but got no answers. Instead, Figi said "bye" and hung up. Ulmer says, "The reason people are afraid to talk to the press is because they fear reprisal from the auditor's office." A member of the fire department told me the way business operates in the city is no different than what any other department would do, the only difference is? Sutton got caught during an audit. As you may know the Nebraska Attorney General's Office says they have the audit report. News 5 also made a stop at the Sutton City attorney's office. He also was unavailable. |
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