Oct. 1--NEBRASKA CITY -- Fellow employees offered cinnamon rolls and best wishes Tuesday to four Otoe County roads workers who lost their jobs amid a firestorm of controversy.

On Sept. 9, the Otoe County Board voted 2-1 to lay off three bridge crew workers and their foreman, Lynn Denniston. Their last day on the job was Tuesday.

The board cited poor productivity and potential savings from hiring private contractors to fix and maintain rural bridges.

Denniston, 58, worked for the county for 33 years. The others losing their jobs were Chris Schneider, 57, a 31-year employee; Matt Watkins, 32, a one-year employee; and Lou Wurtele, 41, a six-year employee.

"At first, you're a little frustrated; you're angry at the situation," Denniston said Tuesday. "At this point, honestly, it's kind of a relief, after what we've went through."

In August, the County Board voted to lay off three bridge crew members and four rock truck haulers. However, the board rescinded the layoffs after the Nebraska Attorney General's Office ruled that the decision was made without proper notice. The board voted again in September, adding the bridge supervisor to those laid off, but keeping the rock truck haulers.

Wurtele said he and the other workers hope to get their jobs back in January, when at least one new member of the County Board takes office. Joy Schroder, who pushed for the layoffs, is not seeking re-election in November. Board Chairman Dale Haverty, the other supporter of the layoffs, has been targeted for recall.

"We're hoping that we have a chance to maybe state our case again," Wurtele said.

In the meantime, the laid-off workers are in limbo.

Denniston said he isn't going to look for another job until after the November election. "I'm just going to wait and see what happens," he said.

Schneider said he probably won't start scouring the employment ads yet, either.

But Wurtele said he's already looking for work. He said he can't afford to remain jobless for three months. The four workers are being paid for unused vacation and sick pay but will not receive severance pay.

"I've got bills to pay," he said. "I have to find something."

--Contact the writer: 444-1056, john.ferak@owh.com

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