Fremont City Council President Mark Jensen responded to a newspaper article today that accused him of violating the city’s municipal code by playing keno in the city.
Jensen released the following statement to Walnut Media as well as some Omaha television outlets.
The Fremont Tribune has posted an article containing video of me playing keno in Fremont at Big Red Keno. This video was apparently obtained with the help of a private investigator that lives in town, that was either hired by an individual or individuals for this, or performed the adventure on his own. I have no problem stating that I do, in fact, play keno here in town.
Section 2-505 of Fremont Municipal code referring to appointed and salaried city employees does prohibit some city employees from participating in “playing the lottery while in office”. Section 2-207 referring to elected officials ( i.e., Mayor and City Council) does not contain that specific language, therefore, Council members or the Mayor may participate in “playing the lottery while in office”.
Tens of thousands of dollars annually are returned to our community for projects to benefit all of us. The recipients of some of these grants include Catz Angels and St. Patrick church, just to name a couple. I’m proud to support a local business where I have friends and family employed that also contributes in this way. I will make no apologies for that position.
I would suggest that the Fremont Tribune should actually engage in some investigative reporting instead of apparently relying on what a small fraction of our community is whispering in their ear.
