n i ii i fi
tuesday, September 16, 1980
lincoln, nebraska vol. 105, no. 16
u
Political, personal accusations climb
Fowler, S
By Mary Kenipkes
The 27th District race for the Nebraska
Legislature has already become the most
expensive in Nebraska history. It also pro
mises to be one of the most hotly contest
ed. In a letter to constituents last week,
Lincoln Senator Steve Fowler accused
opponent Jerry Sellentin, personnel
manager of St. Elizabeth Hospital, of "low
road politics" and of being supported by
special-interest groups from outside the
district.
"We're behind," Fowler said in the
letter, "and if we don't catch up and win
this race we're all going to be in big
trouble."
Trouble, Fowler said, refers to Selletin's
acceptance of more than $5,000 from 12
special-interest groups and to what he
called the "dirty politics" he said Selletin
introduced into Lincoln.
"There is kind of campaigning style
becoming p opular called negative cam-
ellentin
. . .
paigning, primarily associated witn ngnt
wing and conservative candidates," Fow
ler said Sunday.
"It involves three elements, Fowler said,
"First you avoid taking a stand on the
issues. Second you focus on attacks on
your opponent's records. And third, you
take a highly emotional and sensitive issue
and play that up the media."
Denies name calling
Sellentin, who won the May primary by
700 votes, responded Sunday to Fowler's
comments and said if anyone has resorted
to "low politics" it has been Fowler.
"I have not called him any names, in
fact, I sent him a telegram on his
wedding," he said.
Fowler, Sellentin said, has referred to
him as a "Thone-clone."
Selletin said he has stuck to campaign
issues and that Fowler just doesn't like
what he has to say.
But Fowler, facing the toughest cam
paign battle of his eight-year legislative
swap.charges of 'low politics'
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Photo by Kent Morgan Olson
A view from the top-Dave Roseland and Jack Fitch clean windows on the First Nat
ional Bank Building, as seen looking down from the top of the building. The building
takes two days to clean.
High court hears Ellis evidence
By Jim Faddis
The Nebraska Supreme Court Monday
heard arguments on whether evidence of
other alleged acts by John Ellis should have
been admitted as evidence in the Debra
Forycki case.
Ellis was convicted of manslaughter in
Lancaster County District Court in 1979 in
the death of Foryski. He was sentenced to
one to 10 years in prison.
Forycki, was a 21 -year-old UNL student
when she disappeared Oct. 3, 1974. Her de
composed remains were found Sept. 13,
1978, in an old water wagon near
Elmwood in Cass County.
Ellis was arrested Sept. 21, 1978, in
Evanston, III., where he was a student at
an Episcopal seminary.
Ellis' appeal was first heard by the
Supreme Court on April 10. But the court
called attorneys back to further discuss
why certain evidence should or should not
have been admitted.
The evidence in question was testimony
by Carol Nelson and Lynn Miserez.
Nelson testified that she knew Ellis and
that he had identified himself to her using
an alias similar to a name found on a note
in Forycki' s possession. The prosecution
used this in its attempt to show that Ellis
knew Forycki.
Miserez testified that in 1976, Ellis took
her to a secluded location near Elmwood
and assaulted her. This location was 75 feet
from where Forycki's body was found.
This was used by the prosecution to show
Ellis' knowledge of the area.
Robert Creager, Ellis' attorney, told the
court that the Nelson testimony did not
Erove that Ellis knew Forycki, only that he
ad used an alias before.
The Miserz testimony did not show that
Ellis had a knowledge of the area, only that
he had been there before, Creager said.
For evidence of other acts a person
to be used in a trial on another matter,
there has to be clear and convincing proof
that the two matters are related, Creager
said. This proof was not there, he added.
Creager said the prosecution used the
Nelson and Miserez, testimony to show
Ellis as a "bad person," not because the
Forycki case.
Sharon Lindgren, assistant attorney
general, told the court that both state and
federal courts have allowed evidence of
subsequent acts as evidence.
She said the Nelson and Miserez testi
testimony had any relevance to the Forycki
case.
career, said sellentin has misrepresented
facts.
In one release early in the primary,
Sellentin said Fowler could not fairly
represent labor because he has never work
ed, having entered the Legislature full
tune after dropping out of UNL.
Fowler said this misrepresents the facts
because he has made the Legislature his
primary concern. Fowler said he has not
held a job otherthan the Legislative seat
so he can better serve his constituents.
But Sellentin said, "I think the voters
don't want a full-time politician in the job,
they want a working man."
Record setting spending
The two are setting Nebraska campaign
spending records for a legislative seat that
pays $4,800 a year.
According to the candidates' unofficial
August reports, Selletin has raised more
than $30,000 and Fowler $23 ,000.
Sellentin said he needs to spend a large
amount of money to overcome inflation
and the edge Fowler has as the incumbent.
Fowler has the media readily at his dispos
al, Sellentin said.
Sellentin readily admits to receiving
contributions from special-interest groups
and said: "We're both guilty of that."
Sellentin received contributions in the
primary from 15 special-interest groups,
including the Nebraska Association of
Commerce and Industry, the Nebraska
Bankers Political Action Committee and
the Nebraska New Car and Truck Dealers
Association.
Fowler accepted contributions from
three groups - Nebraska State Education
Association Transportation Political Edu
cation League and the Nebraska Associa
tion of Public Employees.
Fowler has accepted the largest con
tribution from any single lobby - $2,000
from the State Education Association.
Sellentin was not far behind with $1,880
from the Republican State Committee.
Sellentin, however, has received the largest
total from combined interest groups -more
than $5,000 from 12 groups; most
with businesses located outside the largely
residential district.
"Well I think these interest groups are
backing him (Sellentin) because they feel
ne is going to vote in their behalf," Fowler
said.
"I've tried to stay as independent from
these types ofmterest groups as possible
and to vote directly for the needs of voters
in this district," Fowler said.
Oregon lobbying ability
gives woman top GLC job
By Patti Gallagher
ASUN President Renee Wessels said last
week that 1980 is the year the Government
Liaison Committee will "make it or break
it."
Wessels then announced her appoint
ments to the executive positions of the stu
dent lobbying group.
Nette Nelson, a junior with an undeclar
ed major, will head GLC. After working
five years in the Oregon governor's office,
Nelson is returning to school after 20 year
absence.
At 41, she classified herself as an "un
traditional student."
Nelson said she almost didn't apply for
the job because of her age. She said her age
makes no difference to her, but she
thought some students and ASUN
members might feel awkward working
with her.
Nelson said she thinks ASUN's welcome
was a warm one, however. The Senate
approved her appointment almost Unani
mously at its last meeting.
Although an independent organization,
GLC will clear major projects with ASUN,
Nelson said.'
During the years she worked in the gov
ernor's office, Nelson supervised a $120
million employment training program and
was involved in lobbying efforts for federal
programs for senior citizens and youth.
Oregon involvement
Nelson's involvement in other Oregon
organizations also will be an asset to her
GLC job, she said. She was a member of
the Oregon school board and worked with
affirmative action programs, served on the
advisory board for Women in Management,
and was involved in Metro Club, an urban
issue research and lobbying group.
Nelson completed two years at Oregon
State University, before dropping out "by
necessity." The "necessities" include
daughter Meri Blaylock, a pre-med UNL
freshman, and two sons, who live in
Oregon. She has been in Nebraska four
weeks.
Joining Nelson in the executive branch
of GLC will be Ann Block and John Vitek,
Vitek was appointed chairman in charge
of the university budget.
Incomprehensible budget
Although "nobody understands the uni
versity budget," Vitek said he will employ
his experience as a UNL debater to
research budgetary problems and to add
verbal strength to the committee.
Vitek is a junior English and economics
major.
Block, a 21 -year-old senior, will be vice
chairperson in charge of coalition building.
Her duties will include research and
lobbying for all campus and non-campus
issues, excluding the budget.
Block, a psychology and political
science major, said she will work to deter
mine and be responsive to student senti
ment on campus. She would like to imple
ment either poll-taking or surveys to gauge
opinions on issues, she said.
According to Nelson, one immediate
plan for GLC is to research past committee
records to see "what worked and what fail
ed and why."
Block said she would like to initiate
all GLC members with a crash course on
the Legislature. She said she would like
GLC members to be familiar with all legis
lative processes, from the views and per
sonalities of senators to the procedure by
which a bill beomes a law.
Nelson said the executive committee
was scheduled to meet with Wessels
Monday to begin organizing the group.
SO
o
Deceased pets: Lincoln residents mourned
the loss of pets at the Third Annual Pet
Memorial Day Services in Lincoln Page 6
Flower Power: Local woman finds career
still blossoming Page 8
Hayden's Hawkeyes: Coach Tom Osborne
says Iowa'i defensive line will be
strong Page 10