Festersen kicks off council campaign Tuesday

BY ROBYNN TYSVER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
January 5, 2009

Pete Festersen will formally kick off his campaign for the Omaha City Council on Tuesday.

Festersen filed as a candidate last month for the seat currently held by Councilman Jim Suttle.

A Democrat, Festersen is chairman of the Omaha Planning Board and former deputy chief of staff to Mayor Mike Fahey.

He said he plans to outline his commitment to fighting crime and creating jobs in a series of campaign stops, including appearances in the Florence, Dundee and Benson neighborhoods.

"We must fight crime, hold the line on city spending and taxes, and create jobs in our neighborhood business districts," said Festersen, who is vice president of public affairs at Alegent Health.