Nelsen Brings Community Knowledge

SIDNEY – Tamara Nelsen, one of nine candidates for one of three Sidney City Council seats available this election year, says she brings a knowledge of the community and a chance for diversity on the council. The sole female candidate in the race said her employment history has helped build her community knowledge.

“For the past several years, I have reported on school board and county commissioner meetings, and attended meetings of several political subdivisions such as the Sidney Historic Preservation Board, Sidney Historical Association, fair board and city council,” Nelsen said. “I am the ideal candidate for council because of my knowledge of the community.”

Nelsen, a former Sun-Telegraph reporter and editor, said residents may recognize her as “the lady with the camera” as she's made her rounds for just about every major news event in Sidney. Nelsen most recently worked as a reporter for SidneyStageCoach.com, which is currently in “hibernation” as both Nelsen and the site's owner, Marva Ellwanger, pursue other interests.

“I am currently working on personal writing and photography projects, which means I can devote myself to this position full time, something no other candidate can bring to the table,” Nelsen said.

The 47-year-old has been a member of the Way Out West Board of Directors for several years and has acted in several productions. Nelsen also has experience in directing.

An avid fisher and hunter, the candidate's other hobbies include photography, reading and embroidery.

Nelsen, raised on a farm near Oconto in Custer County, has been a Sidney resident for 12 years. She has lived in Chadron, Kearney and Lincoln.

Nelsen's husband of 19 years, Mark, is a Senior Marketing Manager for Cabela's Brand Management Department.

“I decided to run for council because I want to be involved,” Nelsen said. “The great thing about this country is that ‘we the people’ are also the government, especially on the local level. If you look at the rich tradition of Sidney’s history and see who has served on the council in the past, you will see a diverse group. It has been a few years since a woman sat on the council, however, and I think it’s time to give the voters a chance to diversify the board again.”

Nelsen said she doesn't think the election should be about decisions that have already been made by council, but rather focus on the future of the community.

“We are waging a war of sorts with the state regarding our local sales tax and I think that deserves more of our attention than arguing about the past,” she said.

Nelsen can be contacted via her blog site at http://nelsenforcouncil.blogspot.com.

Other candidates in the council race include Tim Hackleman, Tracy Hruza, Mark Nienhueser, Zane Hall, Wendall Gaston, Marvin Filsinger, Dalan Hiett and Roger Gallaway. One-time candidate Jimmie Hansel recently stated he would pull his name from the ballot citing family issues.