Number of Terms Served / Year Elected to Office:
Carney was appointed to office by Mayor Margaret Hornady in May of 2007 to represent Ward 4.  Carney grew up in Ward 4 and has a real desire to see to the interests of the people residing there.

Reason I Ran for Public Office:
Carney stepped up to the plate because he wanted to do what he could to help Grand Island reach its full potential.  He feels that Grand Island has been very good to him – now and in the past—and is indebted to the people of this community, and one means of repayment is through inspired public service.  Therefore, Carney takes the opportunity to serve very seriously.

Goals or Areas of Special Interest:
Grand Island is a very good place to live for many reasons.  For Carney, the chief reason he feels that way is its people; and he knows they deserve and want a healthy, safe and prosperous community in which to live.  The citizens of Grand Island also want a place of beauty, and the opportunity to realize the goals they set for themselves and their children.  Carney’s chief goal is to help the people of Grand Island get what they want.

Community Activities and Organizations Involved in:
Carney is a member of St. Stephen’s Church and the church choir.  He serves on the Board-of Directors of the Grand Generation Center and is a member of the city’s Problem Resolution Team.  He is a volunteer for the Central Mediation Center and the Literacy Council in Grand Island.

Family Members:
Carney has a wife, Suzanne, and they raised four, outstanding children - two boys and two girls; all of whom are now grown.  In addition, he and his wife are blessed with five grandchildren – four girls and one boy.

Number of Terms Served / Year Elected to Office:
Councilman Mitch Nickerson served his first term beginning in December of 2002 and he was re-elected for another term in December of 2006.

Education/Background:
Nickerson was born in Billings, Montana in 1957. He lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado until 1990, and worked at Lockwood Corporation in Gering, Nebraska from 1990 to 1992. He then moved to Grand Island in 1992 to work for Ore-Ida Foods, which was later purchased by McCain Foods in 1997. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Technical Services from Bellevue University and his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska, Kearney.

Place of Employment:
Nickerson works for McCain Foods as a Production Coordinator and has held various management positions with Ampex Corporation in Colorado Springs, Lockwood Corporation in Gering, and McCain Foods in Grand Island. 

Reason I Ran for Public Office:
Nickerson ran for City Council was to serve the residents of his Ward and the City of Grand Island.

Goals or Areas of Special Interest:
Nickerson wants to move Grand Island forward as a destination, continue to diversify our economy, and delights in the different cultures in our city. He is dedicated to public safety, controlled spending, senior adult needs, youth, government integrity, and community involvement.

Community Activities and Organizations Involved in:
Nickerson’s community involvement includes: past board member and board chair of United Way; member of  Adult Basic Education Advisory Committee and GED/ESL Instructor;  Board of Health member;  member of the Government Efficiency Committee; Regional Planning Commission liaison for the City Council; and committee member for Law Enforcement/Emergency Management technology. He has also been involved with Grand Island's Little Theatre, Grand Island City Singers, and the Interfaith Choir.

Family Members:
Nickerson is married to Susan. He has two sons, Craig and Chad Nickerson, a step-son, Ryan Bittel and step-daughter, Carlie Bittel.