Mayor Hulse: Not Running For Re-Election

LINCOLN — Mayor Rob Hulse announced last week he will step back from city government and not seek a fourth term as mayor of Lincoln.

“After eight years on the City Council and 12 years as mayor, I feel it’s time to step away and the time is right,” Hulse said in a telephone interview.

Hulse announced his decision publicly through a letter read at the

Jan. 15 City Council meeting. Hulse was absent from the meeting because of the flu but Becky

Carter, city clerk/ treasurer, read the letter on his behalf toward the end of the meeting.

“It has truly been an honor to work for the citizens of Lincoln, the many Council members, over the last 19 years,” Hulse wrote. “Also, I want to thank the city staff that works so hard every day to provide the services that we rely on. They are an unbelievable group of people.”

Hulse said he has been debating whether or not to run for several

months and finally made the decision not to seek another four years.

“I’m going to step away, watch the town continue to grow and to support the community in any way I can,” Hulse said.

His letter added, “So moving forward, let’s stay active in providing the highest quality service to the citizens, and continue to improve the quality of life for all that call Lincoln home.”

Looking back over the past 19 years, Hulse listed many accomplishments of the city. He said the city helped the Meals on Wheels program when he first came on board as a city alderman.

Other accomplishments include the new Lincoln Public Library, a trails system at the lake, walkable trails around the South Park, Bumblebee Park, additional vehicles for fire and police departments, new trash truck, updated technology, sidewalks and supporting the summer baseball program, community soccer program and the Youth Adventure Club at the middle school.

“We’ve tried to set our departments up with the equipment they need to do their job,” Hulse said.

Another accomplishment he mentioned was Christmas on the Square, a free community event that draws many families for food, pony rides and visits with Santa.

“Anytime you feed 900 to 1,000 people a year, that means something,” he said.

Hulse