Schmidt said he has been a resident of Kearney for the past 34 years. He has been married to his wife, Ginger, for 31 years and they have two sons who both attended the Kearney Public School and Kearney Catholic High School.

Speaking of his qualifications, Schmidt said in his current role as Director of Electronic Health Records at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege he has to make tough decisions that affect the entire hospital.

Schmidt said sometimes the decisions are easy and popular, but other times he must make hard decisions with the good of the entire facility in mind.

Schmidt noted he is currently a member of the Buffalo County Planning and Zoning Commission.

Schmidt said his time on the county’s planning commission has given him the experience of dealing with things such as permits, zoning, etc. “I think I can use that experience I have on the county side,” he said.

One reason he is running, Schmidt said is passionate about keeping Kearney the best place in Nebraska to live and raise a family. He said he wants to give back to the city.

Schmidt also said he has had the desire for several years to be on the city council, but his professional and personal commitments did not allow him the time to pursue a seat.

With his sons grown and pursuing their own careers, Schmidt said he feels he now has the time to run for city council.

Questioned about the most pressing issues, Schmidt said that Kearney needs to remain a safe place to raise a family. He wants to ensure the police and fire departments are supported.

Another issue Schmidt mentioned is housing, he noted the council cannot force homes to be built, but they can help make the process easier for developers.

On addressing the housing shortage, Schmidt said the zoning needs to match what the needs of the community are. He said ensuring there are plenty of places to build is an important step.

When asked what would influence his decisions as a council member, Schmidt said he is a public person and would get out and speak with Kearney residents about their thoughts on the issues.

He said it’s good to have both views, positive and dissenting, regarding an issue.

In conclusion, Schmidt said voting in the local elections are some of the most meaningful, as they will be the ones that can most directly impact residents on a daily basis.

Editor’s Note: Kurt Schmidt appeared on 1340 KGFW and this article was written using information provided during that interview. The full interview can be found here.