By Tracy Overstreet
tracy.overstreet@theindependent.com

Chuck Haase, the city's former finance director, ran for the Ward 5 council seat in 2006 at his wife's urging.

He garnered 46 percent of the vote and was defeated by current Ward 5 Councilman John Gericke. Ward 5 represents north central Grand Island, generally from Capital Avenue to Faidley and from Highway 281 to Broadwell.

The 10-member city council has two members from each of the city's five wards.

After the defeat, Joyce Haase said she believed her husband's financial knowledge would have been of good service to city taxpayers if he were on the council. She specifically praised his expertise on union talks.

"Chuck knows this stuff and would have worked for the taxpayers," she said in October 2007.

Had Chuck Haase been elected in 2006, it would have been the first time in council history that both a husband and wife simultaneously represented the same ward.

Joyce Haase had unsuccessfully applied for appointment to the council in 1999 but came back to win election in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004. She became the senior council member in 2007 and has a term that continues through this November.

She was not available for comment over the weekend or Monday on why she decided not to run again. Friday was the filing deadline for incumbents.

Friday was the day Chuck Haase filed for the Ward 5 seat.

Chuck Haase worked for the city for 25 years and retired in 1999 as finance director.

The mayor at that time, Ken Gnadt, had placed Chuck Haase on suspension prior to Haase's retirement for allegedly creating a hostile work environment.

A federal lawsuit was later filed against Chuck Haase by five women who worked at City Hall. One of those women is Pat Gericke, the wife of current Ward 5 Councilman John Gericke. The city settled its portion out of court, and Chuck Haase said the remaining case was thrown out by judges before his deposition was even taken.

He is the business/government relations manager for Charter Communications and a retired member of the Nebraska National Guard. He has a master of business administration degree.

Chuck Haase said during his 2006 council run that he wants to serve the public.

"My intent is to bring a lot of experience, knowledge and education to help inform the council on their collective decision-making process," he wrote in a 2006 letter. "I am proud of how I took care of the city finances when I was the director."

He was unavailable for comment on Monday.

Chuck Haase is the only candidate so far in the Ward 5 race.

The filing deadline for non-incumbents is March 3.