Interview with Don Dendinger Legislative District 4
Don worked as a social worker and as a professor at UNO for 28 years. He has also worked with the Catholic charities and as a priest. In addition, Don owns some farm land in Cedar County, where corn and soybeans are raised. He leases the ground out but stays involved with the farm.
Don is running because many of his former students felt that he would be good at the job. There are 20 open seats, and there will be a need for someone with experience. Don is fully retired and will be able to spend full time working on the campaign.
Don’s priorities will be education, mental health, child welfare and economic development.
He feels that things like LB 775 are good, if they work. There is a question about if the benefits trickle down. Don believes we need things such as LB 775.
It is his opinion that the move to community health centers instead of such institutions as Hastings increases Federal tax dollars to the state. This is one way to increase services without increasing taxes. Don believes we can improve the social services by better monitoring and restructuring the system. He has looked at other states and studied how they have made things work. Don likes the Minnesota system.
Don would like to sit on the Health and Human Services and the Education committees, if elected.
Regarding education, Don feels that the university needs a massive influx of dollars for buildings.
Don’s district is 55% Republican, 28% Democrat and 17% Independent. It is populated with mostly professional occupations. Don is a Democrat, but says he plans to work very hard, talking to all of those who vote.
He realizes this isn’t likely to happen. He also opposes allowing execution by lethal injection.
Don is not opposed to gambling. He believes it is a personal choice. He feels there are many things that can be very harmful, including gambling, but that that is true for many things. He cited alcohol as an example: When the nation tried to ban it, we ended up with a poor result. Many people can manage their entertainment, he says, and gambling is just one more form of entertainment. He further pointed out that driving is the most dangerous thing we can do, but we don’t ban it.
We talked about the proposed sex offender rule, where a sex offender is prohibited from living within 2000 feet of a school. Don feels that this is a simplistic rule that is lazy. However, he would probably vote for it in order to send a message; yet, he feels that a better solution should be found.
Don doesn’t believe there are many absolutes in life. He is willing to look at all issues and consider them with an open mind.
He hopes to finance his campaign with $100 contributions from friends. He believes that he can do that and is ready to send out his first letter.
Comments
Regarding education, Don feels that the university needs a massive influx of dollars for buildings.
Interesting. I've been hearing rumblings that several current and potential state legislators feel the same way. Many of them want to fund "specialist" buildings (nanoscale physics is one); I wonder how many candidates realize how badly general education building upgrades are needed at various NU campuses?
...He further pointed out that driving is the most dangerous thing we can do, but we don’t ban it.
Ugh, I hope he doesn't use that line on the campaign trail. Lame!
However, he would probably vote for it in order to send a message; yet, he feels that a better solution should be found.
That's awful! Get some principles, man! Why not vote against it while proposing reasonable alternatives?
One of Mr. Dendinger's priorities is education. Did he mention K-12 education issues?
Posted by: Mr. Wilson | November 10, 2005 07:22 AM
Mr. Wilson,
Mr. Dendinger has a bigger problem than possibly not having principles, he is running against two fantastic opponents. Kerry Winterer and Pete Pirsch are both intellectual, professional people who would do well in the Legislature. It's too bad they both can't be Senators.
Posted by: John | November 11, 2005 12:28 PM
You've got to be kidding me John! I worked with Pete Pirsch and he's nothing close to Senator material. I'm NOT making a personal attack. He's simple not that sharp of a guy. I think Winterer is a much better choice. Someone should tell Pirsch to drop out. There's no reason for him to be running.
Oh, and this Dendinger doesn't have a shot. This one is already decided. Mark my words!
Posted by: Jim | November 29, 2005 12:09 AM
I have worked with Pete Pirsch. Not Senate material? I found him quite brilliant. He has a law degree and a Masters in Business. He is handsome and personable. He is hard working, dedicated, and moral. Prolife and probusiness. Kerry Winterer may be as smart, but talking to him is like putting on wet underwear.
Posted by: Drew Aurora | December 5, 2005 01:19 PM
I usually won’t give two ditties about the State Senate race but I have to state that Jim should post his complete last name if he doesn’t believe that Pete is Senate material. I spoke with Pete and found him to be a genuine and honest guy who actually answers a question rather than filling you full of ten minutes of double talk. If this “Jim” person means that Pete isn’t Senate material because he is an honest, straight talking and open guy than I agree with him and maybe we need a few more non-Senate material people in government that actually remember what its like to bring home a paycheck and have to make every dollar count.
Posted by: Edward Gerety | December 5, 2005 06:20 PM
I also have talked with Pete in depth on several issues. Maybe Jim's idea of working with Pete came while Jim was a door greeter at Wal-Mart and Pete said Hi to him as I found Mr. Pirsch to be very well versed on the issues at hand.
Pete is well educated, comes from a great strong family backround and is willing to listen to the facts to make the right choices.
Posted by: Tom Leary | December 6, 2005 06:04 AM