From the President, Bill Burgess

The old and new president of NSA

President Bill Burgess

Welcome! I would first like to take this opportunity to thank Larry Koranda, outgoing President, for all the work he did last year and for leaving the Association in such good shape. It has been a long year with the hiring of a new Executive Director, Amy Prenda; a new lobbying firm, Cutshall & Nowka; a new firm to manage the magazine and website, Goodrich & Goodrich; and a new telemarketing company, Community Relations. We also have the pending lawsuit with the state about our building. Thanks again Larry for your exceptional dedication to the well-being of the Association.

Included among my goals for 2011 are to increase membership. I think that the new by-laws being considered will help increase membership of deputies because they will be given more ability to make a difference in the NSA. I would also like to address the membership dues for sheriffs in hopes that a reduction in dues along with additional incentives may also encourage increased memberships. My ultimate goal is to get all 93 sheriffs to be members of our great law enforcement association. We have had our ups and downs in the recent past, but with everyone’s help, I know we can have great success.

Another goal I have is to write a grant to the Nebraska Highway Safety for two driving simulators and two trailers to transport the simulators across the state so local sheriffs’ offices may use them for their driver education programs or take them to their local senior citizen centers.

It has also been brought to my attention that the NSA should continue to have a presence at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. I would also like to have a presence at Husker Harvest Days, which is also held in Grand Island. I know that with all of us working together, we should be able to have a presence at both of these statewide events.

Finally, we will no longer be meeting monthly in an effort to encourage more participation at the meetings. Meeting dates for 2011 will be:

I am looking forward to the next 15 months, and want you to know that I have an open mind regarding change for our Association. Please feel free to either let Amy or me know of your ideas, and we would also welcome your participation on a committee. Remember, we are all working together to make this Association one of the best in Nebraska!

William L. Burgess, President
Fillmore County Sheriff