The Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors have selected Paul Bethune of York to fill the seat vacated by long-time board member Steve Buller who retired from the board in May 2015. Paul Bethune represents Sub-District 8. There were three other applicants who expressed interest in filling the seat. They were Roberta (Bobbi) Janda, Jim Schneider, and Greg Staehr. The board selected Bethune by majority vote through an open roll-call. Bethune was then given the oath of office administered by John Turnbull, NRD General Manager. Bethune will be completing the rest of Buller's term which will expire in January 2017.

Bethune stated in his letter for board consideration that he has been employed with his family business, Bethune

Construction, LLC, since 2000. He is a 1996 graduate of the University of Nebraska receiving a B.S. in Natural Resources. He wrote: "I am an outdoorsman. I hunt, fish, and camp as much as time allows. I am interested in water quality and quantity, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, flood control, and soil and water conservation. I am a member of the local Pheasants Forever. I am a den leader for Cub Scout Pack 173. I have also coached Little League baseball in the past."

On behalf of the Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors and staff we wish to welcome Paul Bethune as a new board member.

The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) protects lives, property and the future of this area through a wide-range of stewardship, management and educational programs-from flood control to groundwater monitoring, from irrigation management to outdoor recreation and more. Activities and projects of the Upper Big Blue NRD are reviewed and approved by a locally elected Board of Directors. The Upper Big Blue NRD is one of 23 Natural Resources Districts across the state. For more information, visit www.upperbigblue.org or call (402) 362-6601.