 Mayor Keith Snyder asked for there to be a dual motion. He
specifically asked Tom O'Donohue, the remaining alderman for Ward 4,
to make the motion to pass a resolution in memory of Busby. He also
asked Marty Neitzel, who is now the longest-seated member of the
council, to make the motion to adjourn.Before the reading and
passing of the resolution in memoriam, Snyder opened the floor to
anyone who would like to offer some last words regarding Busby.
The first to speak was Melody Anderson. She had worked closely
with Busby for several years as the two co-chaired the finance
committee together through some of the toughest times the city of
Lincoln has seen. Anderson told the council there were many things
she would like to say about Buzz, but with a voice filled with
emotion, she said she wouldn't be able to.
David Armbrust spoke next, saying that Busby had been a mentor to
every person in the chamber. "He offered guidance for any question
and was glad to do it," Armbrust said, then later commented: "We
won't go through a meeting without thinking, 'I wish Buzz were here
to give us a clue or at least his feelings.'"
Marty Neitzel said she felt the reason Lincoln has been able to
stay in the black was because of "Senator Busby." "He taught us we
only spend what we have, we don't spend a nickel more, and to keep
ourselves focused on that. I think his memory will live for years on
that alone."
Kathy Horn commented by saying that every time she sees the red
ink pen in her desk or a Tootsie Roll, she will remember Buzz.
Chuck Conzo also commented on Busby, saying that he remembered
well the first city budget he had to do as the treasurer. He said
Busby was also doing the budget on his own at the same time. When
the two were compared and found to be very similar, it had helped
Conzo to feel confident in what he was doing.
"He taught us to be careful with money," Conzo continued.
"Someone just this week reminded me that he would say, 'Once it is
gone, it is gone.'"
Tom O'Donohue said that before he became an alderman, he was host
to a local television show. He noted that on that show, "one of my
favorite pastimes was to pick on the city council and what it was
doing." He continued: "When I joined the council, one of the most
amazing things that surprised me at first, but not after I got to
know him, was how aggressive the Senator was."
David Wilmert said he hadn't known Busby as long as the others.
He confessed that he was prone to occasional outbursts in the
chamber. He said he always would look at Busby, and "he would just
be looking at me with a knowing smile on his face, like I'd been
caught with my hand in the cookie jar. I would say our communication
there was nonverbal."
Snyder recalled the last time he had visited Busby in his home.
He said the Senator was kind of down about running for alderman in
2013. Snyder said he questioned him about it, and Buzz told him he
was sad because he wouldn't be able to serve on the finance
committee.
Snyder explained that in the city there is a rule that two
aldermen from the same ward cannot serve on the same committee.
Busby had told Snyder that he and Anderson would both be in Ward 1,
and he would not "pull rank against Mel."
Snyder said he reassured Busby that there might be something done
to change that. Considering that the city is going to go from five
wards to four after the next election, there might need to be
changes in some of those rules in order to cover the committees.
Snyder said that made Busby happier.
Tracy Jackson also remembered Busby; recalling that when he took
over as superintendent of streets and alleys, Busby paid him a
visit. He wanted to make sure Jackson knew how to manage his budget,
but the first order of business was a scolding for having no
coffeepot and coffee on hand. Jackson said from then on, any time he
saw Buzz coming, he hurried to get some coffee made for the Senator.
Chief of Police Ken Greenslate was the last to speak up. He said
that when he was vying for the position, Busby "didn't think I was a
real good bet." Greenslate continued: "I was glad I had a chance to
show him that I was deserving of him giving me a chance."
[to top of second column] |
Greenslate said he has been with the city 22 years, and in that
time Busby's name was synonymous with the council. He also noted
that on the union side of the fence, the union knew who was watching
out for the city's money.
When the round around the room was finished, Mayor Keith Snyder
read aloud the resolution that would be voted on and passed. Once
the resolution was passed unanimously, the dual motions mentioned
early on also adjourned the meeting for the night.
Below is the text of the resolution passed in honor and memory of
the Senator:
(Copy}
RESOLUTION 2012-266
WHEREAS, the Mayor
and City Council of the City of Lincoln wish to express our respect
and sympathy upon the passing of our dear friend and colleague,
Alderman Orville V. Busby, on December 8, 2012; and
WHEREAS, "Buzz," as
he was known to us lucky enough to be his friends, was born on June
21, 1937, grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis, attended the
University of Minnesota, worked for several years for Kinney Shoe
Store, and retired after working 34 years for National
Manufacturing; and
WHEREAS, he was
actively involved in the Lincoln Elks Lodge #914 and was a member of
the Logan County Shrine Club and the Compass Masonic Lodge #265 and
Zurah Shrine Club in Robbinsdale, MN; and
WHEREAS, Buzz was
first elected to the Lincoln City Council in 1973 at the age of 36,
served several terms, and rejoined the Council in 2003 where he
served until his death;
WHEREAS, Buzz
chaired nearly every committee of the City Council, he served with
distinction in the finance area, was the widely acknowledged and
deeply respected budget expert on the Council, earned the honorary
and beloved distinction of "Senator" for his length of service and
his wise and learned counsel in a host of areas, enjoyed his Tootsie
Rolls more than he enjoyed most lengthy Council discussions, and for
the last four years adjourned every single meeting of the Council he
could attend; and
WHEREAS, Buzz
served the citizens of Lincoln in any role he assumed with
dedication, integrity, enthusiasm, selflessness, excellence, and an
appropriate sense of humor; and
WHEREAS, his
untimely death deprived his Ward and this City of an outstanding
Alderman and leader.
NOW THEREFORE, BE
IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and the City Council that the City of
Lincoln sincerely regrets the passing of Alderman Busby and extends
its sympathy and deepest condolence to his surviving wife, Judy, his
daughters, Chris, Cince, and Cass, his grandchildren, his mother,
Isabelle, and his brothers and sisters; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we
thank his family for their support of Buzz's service and for the
countless hours selflessly devoted on the behalf of this community;
and be it further
RESOLVED, that as a
just and lasting tribute to the memory of Alderman Orville "Buzz"
Busby and as a reminder of the high esteem in which he will always
be held by all those who knew and served with him, this resolution
be made a part of the permanent records of the City of Lincoln and
copies be furnished to his family.
Adopted by
unanimous vote on this 17th day of December 2012.
[By NILA SMITH]
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