Councilman Robert Meyer and former mayor Jay Vavricek will compete for Grand Island's top office in the general election.

Poll vounteers called the primary election turnout in Grand Island fair.

"If it's a general election, it's much busier. As far as the primaries, about the same," said volunteer Nancy Meyer.

Grand Island's mayoral race brought many out to vote.

Ultimately the two most visual candidates came out on top.

"The signs get your name out there - which nobdy can dispute that fact - but I think the issues that I stand on are very important. I've had several people tell me that they appreciated that I've had to say about the issues that the city is standing on, the hard economic times that were going through, my honesty about whether or not we can hold down taxes," said candidate and currenty city councilman Robert Meyer.

"Hopefully our campaign was successful in reaching out to voters," said candidate and former mayor Jay Vavricek. "We talked about jobs, the importance of public safety, managing a budget wisely, but also promoting public trust and openess in government."

With the most confrontational candidate - Frank Robinson - out of the race, Vavricek and Meyer agree the race will be cordial from here on out.

"I think it's going to be a good campaign. I think it's going to be a very nice campaign," said Meyer. "My first goal is, of course, to see if we can't raise a few more campaign funds, do a little more advertising, but what my real goal would be to get my information and my plans out to the citizens now."

"In Grand Island we kind of do it the Nebraska way in the sense that you work all year long to go ahead and advance to the general election and hopefully represent the people," said Vavricek. "That means reaching out to a lot of different individuals, learning more, asking questions."

With 97 percent of votes counted, Vavricek has 58 percent of the votes. Meyer has 22 percent. Mary Lanfear has 9 percent. Troy Paulsen and Frank Robinson have 4 percent, with Paulsen topping Robinson by 8 votes.

Vavricek has already held the office of mayor. The Grand Island business-owner was elected back in 2002 and served for four years.

Meyer was elected to the city council the same year and still serves. He's a retired firefighter and now works as a maintenance supervisor.

Grand Island's budget woes are the top concern of these both candidates minds.

"We even have a projected shortfall going forward so budget issues will drive a lot of decisions right now," said Vavricek.

He says he'll maintain property taxes while controlling spending.

Meyer says he'd like to restructure or get rid of programs that lose money like the Heartland Shooting Park.

"I think the prioritization program is going to work very well for us. I still think there are some areas that we can out in the budget," he said.

Meyer is the only candidate to say he isn't ruling out a tax hike.

Both of these candidates say they hope to restore public trust in city government.

"I have some very good ideas. I think there's a lack of trust between city government and the public, and I'd like to fix that lack of trust," said Meyer. "There's a very confusing budget process that we go through that very few people can understand. I'd like to make that budget process a little bit simpler."

"I would hope that people know I'm accessible and I'll be responsive and that I care for them," said Vavricek. "This is my home. We have a family owned business so we know that business climate's real important. Education's important. You need a safe community. You need jobs."