Grand Island city leaders brief citizens on the state of the city

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - City and county leaders met with Grand Island citizens at the Bosselman Enterprises’ conference room to discuss the State of the City Address on Friday.

The topics ranged from roadways and the airport to the education and housing. Officials looked to the future and how to make the next generation of city leaders successful.

The list of speakers included Grand Island Public Schools interim superintendent Matt Fisher, Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele, Central Nebraska Regional Airport Director Mike Olsen and Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity.

Fisher gave a presentation highlighting the successes of the district in the last year. He also highlighted one concern he has for the future, a teacher shortage.

Another concern in Grand Island was juvenile crime. Mayor Roger Steele said he’s looking forward to working with new Grand Island Police Chief Kevin Denney to curb juvenile crime.

Fisher said he’s grateful for GIPD support.

“The school resource officers are certainly a critical part of what we do to operate our schools on a daily basis,” Fisher said. “Those individuals are there not only to help us deal with day-to-day issues but to evaluate where are we safe and where there are concerns and how we address those concerns.”

Mayor Steele said there is still work to be done for a better future.

“I think all the indications are Grand Island will continue to get larger, we’ll continue to attract people,” Mayor Steele said. “But, at the city, we have to build for that growth and we are.”

This was the seventh year of the State of the City Address put on by the Young Professionals and the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce.

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