Trustees run unopposed for re-election to board
Three current members of the Hordville village board of trustees are seeking to be re-elected to the board and are unchallenged. The candidates are current board chairman Rod Blase and trustees Benjamin Blase and Robert Anderson. All are running to serve another four-year term on the board.
ANR recently sent out surveys to the board members for the purpose of publishing candidate profiles, but only Rod Blase chose to participate. The questions presented and his answers can be found below:
Rod Blase
Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up on a farm south of Hordville until 1972 when my parents moved us to a new home in Hordville. I graduated from Hordville High School in 1978 and went to college for one year. My wife, Cindy and I were married in 1982 and purchased our house in Hordville we are still living in for the last 42 years. We have two sons. One lives in Hordville and the other has a business in downtown Hordville. I have worked for Bonnavilla/Chief Industries for the last 44+ years.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for the office because I love our town. It is quiet and friendly. I care deeply about Hordville and always do whatever I can to protect it and make it a better place to live. While we may not have a lot of businesses, we have very good businesses in Hordville. I would take quality over quantity any day. I am super proud of what we have done with our old school transformation into the Hordville Event Center.
What personal strengths and talents do you bring to the position?
I have served on many boards and organizations and been involved with management at work. I guess you could call me a career politician as I have been on the Village board of Hordville since 1992.
What, in your view, are the top three priority issues facing the village?
A. Water and water management is critical to every single village and city. Nebraska is fortunate to have our aquifer, but some communities are dealing with water contamination from various sources. Hordville’s water quality has been testing fine, but our aging water wells must be replaced. We have received a large grant from the federal government to pay for most of the cost of one new well for now. We will be moving forward with this project in 2025. The cost of the first well might be more than the grant which may result in increased taxes or water fees for our residents.
B. Vacant and unkempt property is a constant issue with all towns. Hordville and a lot of communities have had to pass ordinances against vacant or unkempt properties. We do not like to pass ordinances if we can visit with the owner and work with them to get it cleaned up or renovated.
C. Housing: People are always asking for houses for rent or sale. Recently the Village of Hordville received a federal housing grant that we are using, along with some money raised by the village, to build a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with full basement and garage in Hordville. This will also be started very soon and the home is for sale. If you are interested, contact the Village of Hordville.
What goals do you hope to accomplish while serving on the board?
In the next 4 years I would like to have one new well running and be replacing the second well. I would like to see the first Hordville Housing site finished and sold and we should be working on house No. 2 and possibly No. 3 by then with the goal of removing old vacant houses and building new houses in their place. There is also a long-term goal of developing four large housing lots on the north end of Hordville, which will also require added infrastructure. I would also like to re-establish the Hordville Community Club to try to get current village residents more involved with town improvements and celebrations.