Wednesday, October 13, 1976
daily ncbraskcn
AlSooimcG foods Ine-q
uiiy ion mmo
' 'i if 'V i"
b
1C0S
By Mary Jo Pitri
A question of fundamental fairness concerning proper
tax assessment of railroad property has prompted a group
of Lincoln citizens to approach the Lancaster County
Board for answers on the issue.
. The Lincoln Alliance, an organization of 26 commun
ity groups, has uncovered tax assessment facts that pre
sent the possibility of inequities on terminal property
owned by the Omaha, Lincoln and Beatrice Railway
Company (OL&B), according to Rose Meile, executive
vice president of the alliance. Those possible inequities
could represent a tax break for the OL&B, and unfair and
unnecessary taxes for Lincoln citizens, Meile said.
Areas of OB&L property being questioned by the
Alliance as representing inequities include a tract of land
at 48th and Garland streets, currently being used for com
mercial purposes. Of the nine lots owned by OL&B,
a 1975 tax list showed a $3,250 assessment for the
terminal property, compared to a $7,380 assessment for
lands of comparable size and location used for commer
cial purposes.
Three executive members of the group, Coleen Seng,
president; Byron Peterson, vice president; and Meile met
Tuesday afternoon with County Commissioners Bruce
Hamilton, Robert Colin, and Jan Gauger. Approximately
55 alliance members also attended the informal meeting,
which preceded the county boards regular meeung.
Colin said alliance business would not be discussed at
the meeting because it was not on the agenda, but he
added tlut there would probably be "some feet dragging
on the issue. . ,
The alliance presented several tracts of terminal pro
perty that they feel represent "appropriate inequities,
Seng said. . . ,
Terminal property is defined as tend that is actively
used by the railroad (in this case, OL&B , said Don
Wesley, a UNL senior. Wesley, who has done research
on the issue for the alliance, said land that lies vacant
or that 'does not have railroad property built on it should
not be classified as terminal property. .
Many parts of OL&B's terminal property have changed
in function from when they were first assigned, Peterson
sakl. They now serve strictly commercial purposes. This
property needs to be re-classified to receive proper tax
assessment, Peterson said.
The question of proper classification for unused ter
minal property concerns the alliance. OL&B assessments
are made 'by the company itself, and this self-assessment
is submitted to County Assessor Fritz Meyer for review,
Peterson said.
The tax assessments are used to classify county pro
perty classification " Wesley said, since OL&B terminal
land is not being used as it is intended.
Litter program capitalizes on youth
If the sight of kids wearing kangaroo aprons and pick
ing up trash at the state fair grounds made you think
twice about littering, then the "Litternaut" program
worked.,..
Describing the State Fair Board as "more than pleas
ed," the chairwoman of the Governor's Council to Keep
Nebraska Beautiful (KNB) suggested at the group's meet
ing Tuesday that the program be continued again next
year. . ' V - ; - .. '
Mrs. Les Anderson said the sight of youth collecting
litter tends to make adults ashamed of their carelessness.
KNB is financed by the Nebraska Legislature. Members
of the governor-appointed council are from private and
government sectors.
"We would like to see Nebraska be a better place to
live Anderson said, adding that the council promotes
citizen action.
The "Litternaut" program is part of its work, with
Lincoln youth. The council also has a film library used by
public schools. The school program urges students not to
litter and to recycle trash, Anderson said.
KNB members also discussed the Nebraska Environ
ment Month (NEAM). NEAM is part of a two-month pro
ject to get people to promote community environmental
improvement, Anderson said.
Prizes are awarded and all participants given a certifi
cate signed by Gov. J. James Exon, Anderson said.
lJjS
n.
Li
IT
nil
LjuuJ L'w
nmppp.fin ....
3 W B - f
J
ULMi
Iff n H -J 1,
kaWai Can .
You can't anticipate a broken leg, mono or appendicitis. AI
though you hope they don t happen, it makes good sense
to be prepared for the expenses that accompany sickness
and accidents, just in case.
One of the best ways to protect yourself against the sud
den and unexpected expenses of a sickness or accident
is with the University of Nebraska's Student Health
Insurance Program. Here are five important reasons why:
(1) Ad vsnscd Protection
The University of Nebraska's Student Health Insurance
Program offers you the increased benefits you need to
help pay for today's improved but more expensive medi
cal care. Provides hospital-surgical-medical protection
for covered sickness and accidents. Pays these benefits
in addition to any other protection you may have.
(2) Crosd Covers
Your University plan can help you pay for medical services
not available at your Student Health Center, and, in some
instances, can even pay for the services provided by
the Center.
(3) Lower Cost
Your University of Nebraska program is available to indi
vidual students, and to married students, their spouses
and children at costs considerably below what similar
protection would cost if purchased on an individual basis.
(4) Yssr Ross&S Pro&ssSsn ." J
Your University's plsn provides protection for the entire
year including thosa periods when you are away from
school at home or on vacation.
("5 Lc:;: Ccrr.r.y
This program is underwritten by Mutual of Omaha, a
leading company in the individual and family health
insurance field. A company that is a
leader in providing protection to
students at many schools throughout
the country.
For-full details on this important
protection, contact John Van Gloom
tt Associstes today. They'll be heppy
to supply you with full dcteils without
Servicing Agency
CDisgeting you in cny wey.
1701 South 17th Street
Suite 20
P.O. Box 2457
Lincoln, Nebraska CC502
v ..... . . '
p
I
f
life tnstiraace Autc: Unid of Onulu
U B .
The inequity ol UL&u sell-assessments and terminal
property classifications were the main concerns of the.
alliance at the Tuesday meeting. Executive Vice President
Meile outlined three focuses of the group on this issue:
to present samples of lots under-assessed by OL&B, to
point out that the two people responsible for monitoring
assessment of this land (county assessor and the state tax
commissioner) have not been doing their job, and to show
that the county taxpayers will have-to carry the major
part of the tax load created by these inequities.
Hamilton said he will investigate the Nebraska law con
cerning terminal property with County Atty. Ron Lah
ners. At a post-meeting conference of alliance members,
Meile said the group will put pressure on Lahners to speed
investigation of the matter.
This inequity will affect a!I of us as taxpayers,"
Meile added. ' .
daily nabraskan
KAUnrSnwtiii' Theresa Porman. Manastra Editor: Randal
Blauvelt. News Editor: Sandy Mohr. Associate New Editor : Ron
Rugglessand Rex Seiine. Layout Editor: Liz Beard. Entertainment
Editor: Michael Zangiri. Sports Editor: Pete Wegman. Third
Dimension Editor: Nancy Stohs. Night News Editor: Kim
Shepherd. Photography chief : Ted Kirk.
Copy Editors: Chuck Beck. Nancy Clark. Pete Mason, Gail
Smith and Randy Wright.
Business Manager: Jerri Ha ussier. Advertising Manager: Gregg
Wurdeman. Assistant Advertising Manager: Bruce Mc Morris.
Production Manager: Kitty Policky.
The Daily Nebraskan is published by the UNL Publications
Committee on Monday. Wednesday. Thursday and Friday during
the fall and spring semesters, except during vacations.
Address: The Daily Nebraskan. Nebraska Union 34. 14th and
R Streets. Lincoln. Neb. 63403. Telephone (402) 472-2588.
Copyright 1976. the Daily Nebraskan. Material may be
reprinted without permission if attributed to the Daily Nebraskan.
except material covered by another copyright. -
Second class postage paid at Lincoln. Neb . CS501 .
A 1
Every last detail points to a perfect
Pappagal!o?
$35
UNCOLN GATEWAY SHOPPING CENTER
OOOOOOCOOCOOOOGOOO
o
o i urn
o
o
colclrates
Teddy EcoE3velts
bithday
O
o
o
o
o
o
8 Charge in for'F3.
O L25 ptchcrs
Tonight - Uci 0:t.,13
w W WW W w w w W W '.J O w W W V W w
STYUNG FOR
MEN AND VOMEN
oAUNb TREAMENT
oPERMS
cFACIALS
A
a .
y
h if i i
432-3412
124 No. 12lh
2 b!oc!;s south of
ccmpus on
12lh
T-t "" r-r-- - -