The incumbent NRD Director DR. Larry Bradley is the candidate of choice when it comes to office of Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources, District #3. First, let us look at the Great Floods of March 2019 that hit the State of Nebraska, specifically, the greater Omaha Metropolitan area. Citizens were relying upon elected officials with experience in natural disasters. Dr. Larry Bradley, NRD Director of District #3, had the experience of the Missouri River Floods of 2011 when Offutt Air Force Base was under threat from flood waters. Once again in March of 2019, an immense blizzard in the heartland, along with heavy rain in the Missouri Valley area, created unprecedented flooding of major rivers in eastern Nebraska. Many of Omaha's highway traffic routes and supply lines were cut off.
Director and Treasurer of the Papio-Missouri River NRD Larry Bradley, along with other experienced NRD Directors, signed an emergency declaration for the expedient handling of affairs within numerous areas of the NRD District. Not only that, but Director Bradley was part of the team of many elected officials from all across the political spectrum to help floodwater victims and businesses. It did not matter if you were a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, during the Great Flood of March 2019. Every Nebraska public official from Federal, State, and local offices worked together to solve immediate and impending problems.
The Papio-Missouri River NRD was just weeks away from updating and reinforcing levees that protected Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE before the March 2019 flood occurred. As a veteran of the United States Army, a Cold War veteran, and cousin to former Five Star General Omar Bradley, DR. Larry Bradley knew about the vital mission for Offutt Air Force Base to keep America safe. Director Larry Bradley also knew of the local business aspect and what an economic engine Offutt Air Force Base is to eastern Nebraska. NRD Director Larry Bradley voted for the emergency declaration and other agenda items to quickly have a host of contractors and engineering firms immediately begin work on floodwater damage.
Second, during the Great Flood of March 2019, much of the Omaha metropolitan area, and NRD District #3 was out of floodwater danger. Why? Because from 2008 to 2012, and 2016 till now, NRD Director Larry Bradley and others had voted for projects that were designed to protect the citizens for just such a natural disaster. In 2008 the United States underwent the Great Recession. There were numerous lay-offs of employees, housing bubble collapse, and the banking industry needed federal help. Newly elected NRD Director Larry Bradley felt it was everyone's civic duty to get Americans back to work. Dr. Larry Bradley voted for flood protection projects in and around the Omaha metropolitan area. This long list of votes of approval by Director Bradley allowed for the creation of jobs, expansion of the tax base, and protect Omaha from a future natural disaster.
Third, NRD Director Larry Bradley grew up in poverty in the inner-city of Omaha. The only places Bradley had to fish were the city ponds of Benson, Hanscom, and Hitchcock. Once DR. Larry Bradley was elected to the Papio-Missouri River NRD, he did his best to advance the construction of reservoirs around the Omaha metropolitan area that would one, protect citizens from floodwater, and two, upgrade the recreational quality of life for everyone in the city. Director Bradley realized not every citizen of Omaha can afford fishing trips to Minnesota, Ozarks, or outstate Nebraska. Some inner-city families can only rely on outdoor recreational opportunities created by and in conjunction with Papio-Missouri River NRD, City of Omaha, Douglas County, and Nebraska Game and Parks. NRD Director Larry Bradley has many times voted for cost-sharing projects with other local government entities on projects that includes biking and walking trails, hunting and fishing opportunities, and general outdoor park upkeep.
Fourth, after seven years on the Papio-Missouri River NRD Board, Director Larry Bradley was elected to the position of Treasurer by fellow board members. The first year it was a six to four vote. By the second year the vote was unanimous. The very latest annual audit of the Papio-Missouri River NRD has received one of best and highest ratings ever. This is very integral for the tax payers who expect nothing less from their public taxing entities. Treasurer Larry Bradley of the NRD oversees an annual approximate budget of $70 Million dollars. DR. Larry Bradley is bonded and insured. On a side note, DR. Larry Bradley was recently employed as seasonal hire for the National Park Service. Bradley had to undergo, and pass two levels of security background checks because he handled monies for the U.S. Department of Interior. Treasurer Larry Bradley of the NRD has the experience the citizens demand.
Fifth, DR. Larry Bradley was unanimously elected by fellow NRD Board members to be the Missouri River Tributaries Basin representative for the Natural Resources Commission of the State of Nebraska. This NRC seat represents the largest metropolitan city in Nebraska (Omaha). Most recently, Director Larry Bradley was able to vote for the City of Omaha to receive a one million dollar grant for the separation of the sewer system as mandated by the Federal Government. Also, Director Larry Bradley helped garner a $400,000 grant for the Papio-Missouri River NRD to have the ability to create digital mapping for a vital groundwater basin in it's jurisdiction.
Sixth, NRD Director Larry Bradley has been teaching Environmental Geology at UNO for two decades now. DR. Larry Bradley's educational background consists of a B.S. Biology (UNO), M.A. Biology (UNO), Ph.D. Geography (UNL), and two Minors in Geology and Native American Studies. Director Larry Bradley has the expertise to work in many of the required areas to see that the overall mission of the NRD is fulfilled. Bradley has the temperament and goodwill to have solid working relationships with all Papio-Missouri River NRD Personnel.
Finally, NRD Director Larry Bradley has been with his wife Sylvia for almost 30 years now. They have two children and one grandchild. Larry's wife Sylvia graduated from Creighton. DR. Larry Bradley graduated from the University of Nebraska. The Cornhusker married a Bluejay. (See more in upcoming Education section.) It greatly helps to have a stable home life. And yes, Sylvia gave Larry Bradley permission to run for Re-Election to the Papio-Missouri River NRD once again.