Friendt Not Running Again

By: Amanda McGill

Updated: Fri 6:57 AM, May 21, 2004

Last year, City Councilman Glenn Friendt made a play for the mayor's office, but now the first term councilman doesn't plan on running for the position again when he comes up for re-election next year.

Friendt says there are several reasons he is not running again. His father's death earlier this year has made him rethink some of his choices. But he also says the council itself has made him very frustrated. Friendt says he feels too many votes are made right down party lines. That division includes what Friendt considers non-partisan issues like where to build the beltway around Lincoln. He also says council members are not civil with one another.

Fellow Councilman Terry Werner says he is not surprised Friendt has decided not to run again. Werner disagrees with Friendt's assessment of the council saying, "I don't see that at all. I think we have a good atmosphere."

Werner, along with fellow Democrats Annette McRoy and Jonathan Cook also say they don't feel most votes fall along party lines. Cook points out the smoking ban vote last year passed on a 5-2 vote, and the two against it were in different parties.

Friendt does not know what his plans will be in the future, but wants to stay involved in the community.

Young Woman Shot in Passenger Seat of Car