LINCOLN, NEB. (August 11, 2005)—Volunteer judges selected for the 2005 Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) will visit participating communities during the weeks of September 19-22 and September 26-29 to review nominations submitted for the NCIP Blueprint for Success Awards (Community Notebook). During the week of September 12, a separate judging team will be in Lincoln to review NCIP Special Project Awards in the categories of Leadership Development, Economic Development and Community Development.

The judges’ travel itineraries will be determined after all nominations are received by the August 31 deadline. Award winners will be announced at the NCIP Community Quest Annual Awards banquet on November 4 in Gering, Neb.

2005 NCIP judges are:

Blueprint for Success Awards
Class I: Jerry and Arlene Johnson, Wahoo, Neb.

Class II: Kimberly Niemann, Pilger, Neb., and Pat Hannan, Mead, Neb.

Class III: R. LaDene Rutt, Chappell, Neb., and Gene Speichinger, Columbia, Mo.

Class IV: Alicia Toczek, Loup City, Neb., and Carla Becker, Hartington, Neb.

Class VI: Lt. Col. Ed and Rhonda Smallwood, Omaha, Neb.

Special Project Awards
Volunteer and Leadership Development: Judy Berg, Lincoln, Neb., and Phyllis Schoenholz, York, Neb.

Youth Involvement and Leadership Development: Kathleen Lodl, and Gary Heusel, Lincoln, Neb.

Business Development: Leon Milobar, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and

Doyle Howitt, University of Nebraska at Kearney

Tourism Promotion: Jeanne Wehrbein, Plattsmouth Chamber of Commerce, and Todd Kirshenbaum, York, Neb.

Community Services: Darla Hopwood, Shelby, Neb.

Public Works: Glen Gatz, Kearney, Neb.

Environmental Projects and Awareness: Jane Polson, Keep Nebraska Beautiful, and Rich Tatum, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, Lincoln, Neb.

Parks Recreation and Forestry: Steve Karloff, and Christine Meyer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Arts and Humanities: Elaine Buescher, Nebraska Arts Council, Omaha, Neb.

NCIP is a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, University of Nebraska, and NCIP sponsors — ALLTEL, Northern Natural Gas, Glenwood Telephone, Great Plains Communications, Inc., HunTel Systems, Kinder Morgan, NorthWestern Energy, and Aquila. These sponsors help fund NCIP and provide support and encouragement throughout the program year.

For more information on NCIP judging, the NCIP conference, or the award submission process contact Jerod Trouba, NCIP Intern, toll free at (800) 426-6505, (402) 471-2235, or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Information about NCIP also is available at http://crd.neded.org/ncip

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Jerod Trouba at 800-426-6505, 402-471-2235, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it