Erick Brekke, Dist. 2 Cand., Republican

Name: Erick Brekke
Address: 1312 N. Maine Ave., York, NE 68467     
Occupation: Massage Therapist
Spouse: Michelle (married 10 years)
Children: Klaire, 2 years old, and baby due in July
 
Q: Why did you decide to run for this particular office?
A: I believe that County Commissioner is where I can serve York residents the best. Being self-employed, I can schedule as much time as needed, to do the county’s work. I believe it is the duty of all who are elected to public office to provide a service to his constituents greater than that which is expected.     
 
Q: Have you ever held another public office, and if so, what was it?
A: No, I’ve never felt called to serve in any other office like I feel I have been called to serve as Commissioner.
 
Q: What in your background will benefit you in this capacity?
A: I have experience of working on a farm which gives me knowledge in what issues farmers face. Experience in the Army has taught me to be mentally and physically tough while being able to use teamwork to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. Being a veteran also helps me respect my fellow veterans and realize the need to make sure they receive the best care possible. I’ve worked in manufacturing jobs which has shown me how big of an employer they can be for a county which not only creates jobs, but grows the tax base so that tax rates freeze or decrease. My time driving a semi over the road has shown me the awesome attraction that York County has for manufacturing companies, because of being located on the I-80 Hwy 81 junction. Owning and operating my own business for the last eight years has shown me some of the challenges small businesses face. Small businesses are the backbone of the York and US economy. The most important thing to me is my family. If York County has residents that come from strong and loving families, then we will have no choice but to prosper together.
 
Q: Work experience?
A: I grew up on a farm east of Ames, Iowa, where I helped my dad with field work. I joined the Army after high school and served for 2 years in the Airborne Artillery at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After being honorably discharged, I returned to Iowa and worked at Winnebago Industries, making cabinets for motor homes. In 1995 I moved to Nebraska to drive semi over the road for my brother-in-law. In 1998 I attended Myotherapy Institute in Lincoln for Massage Therapy schooling. I have worked as a massage therapist since receiving my diploma and becoming nationally certified in 1999. I practice in two offices located in York and Exeter.
 
Q: Political experience?
A: No experience, but I love a challenge.
 
Q: What do you hope to accomplish if elected?     
A: York County is a great place to raise a family and I want to improve its appeal. I’ll work with city and village boards to help them have the tools to attract new employers. Supporting the veterans who reside in our county is also a top priority. Finding solutions to rising costs in the county budget is a must, and county roads must be maintained effectively.
 
Q: What do you think are the primary issues facing this office?
A: The budget is my main concern. There are many variables that must be addressed in the coming years.  Health insurance costs for employees, medical bills for county inmates, increases in fuel cost for the roads department, and the inevitability of farm land values moderating or even falling. The county must use this time to work on these issues before we are faced with a budget crunch that affects the finances of other departments in the county. Working on bringing more jobs to the county is something we can do to increase the tax rolls so we are less dependent on farm land values for so much of our budget. Supporting the veterans office is another way of bringing money into the county that helps support veterans and gives them disposable income to spend locally. Roads must be maintained, but the money needed must come from being more efficient in other areas of the budget. I will work diligently on all facets of county government so that the tax burden of all residents is minimized.
 
Rank the following issues by importance:
1. Being available to County residents to hear their concerns
2. Keeping a tight budget
3. Economic development
4. Veterans affairs
5. Cooperation with city of York and other municipalities
6. Maintenance and new construction of roads