By Paul Hammel
LINCOLN — The proposed merger between two central Nebraska utility districts has been officially proclaimed dead, though a spat broke out over a comment made about “frontier justice” if the merger had proceeded.
Dave Rowe, the president of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, said that a vote a week ago by Central’s board had ended pursuit of a merger with Dawson Public Power “unless and until there is a change in circumstances.”
But Rowe added that he condemned a comment made at the July 28 meeting that directors who voted to approve the merger would face “frontier justice.” That is a term that implies a lynching or judgment by vigilantes.
“Threats to the livelihood of the general public and businesses in the area, as well as directors who might be in favor of the merger are not acceptable and is nothing more than extortion, plain and simple,” he stated, in a press release Thursday.
On Friday, a leader of the irrigators’ group that opposed the merger called for peace going forward.
“We are all neighbors and want to be friends when this is all over,” said Gary Robison of Citizens Opposed to the Merger.
“We have encouraged peaceful resolution of this process from the beginning despite the challenges imposed upon us. We look forward to working with Central to help solve the challenges facing the district,” Robison said in a statement.
A week ago, before an overflow crowd, the Central board of directors voted 7-5 to approve a charter amendment and proceed with the merger with Dawson, but an eight-vote super majority was required.
The Central and Dawson boards had promoted the merger as the perfect marriage of a district that generated power (Central) with one that sold power to retail customers (Dawson). They said it would save money and enhance economic development.
The idea had advanced all the way to a state power board in April before being sent back due to a technicality.
Opposition seemed to increase after the initial rejection by the Nebraska Power Review Board, with some county boards and economic development agencies south of the Platte River passing resolutions of opposition.
The Citizens group, which formed to block the merger, argued that irrigators would have less control over water deliveries in the new, merged board of directors, and that there were no benefits to Central patrons.