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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hi Cheryl,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This is the most recent email in my communications with the city of Lincoln. There will be several more coming. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> markmurraycoleman@gmail.com <markmurraycoleman@gmail.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, April 15, 2026 5:33 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'Kerry L. Kernen' <KKernen@lincoln.ne.gov><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Animal Control Services<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Good afternoon Director Kernen,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thank you for taking concern in this matter. By all means, you have my consent to further look into this issue. Regarding taking time to learn more about the situation surrounding the discrimination experienced by Mr. Heyen, I don\u2019t want to force your hand, but there are a couple of quickly approaching dates that necessarily will influence how I move forward. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This Saturday, April 18, will be the monthly Nebraska Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Lincoln Chapter meeting. It was through my involvement and as a Lincoln Chapter officer that I became involved in this case. Saturday will be my first opportunity since receiving Mr. Tast\u2019s letter to receive input from the chapter on how to proceed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>On April 30 through May 3 the NFB Nebraska affiliate will be holding its annual state convention. I have already submitted a draft resolution to be considered for adoption at the state convention regarding the discriminatory policies and/or procedures of Animal Control. Because the convention only occurs once per year, withdrawing the resolution proposal until we know how this issue plays out is not a viable option. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I am willing to be involved in any conversation on how to move forward. I felt that Mr. Tast\u2019s response sounded more like a defense attorney defending a client against a specific case rather than an influential public servant taking a forward oriented approach to ensure Lincoln is in compliance with federal law, respects all its residents equally, and pursues nondiscriminatory public health policies that are in the interest of the community as a whole. Perhaps the defense attorney approach is more in line with his job duties. However, in the long run, making the case that arbitrary policies that so clearly discriminate against the disabled in terms of receiving equal access to municipal services will eventually back fire and put Lincoln at far greater risk of litigation than an approach that seeks to align Lincoln\u2019s policies and practices with the ADA and general fairness and decency.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I have not spoken with Mr. Heyen about this matter in several months, but he gave no indication to me that he has contemplated litigation or seeking damages over the situation. As I wrote to Mr. Tast, this provides the city the opportunity to acknowledge and fix the problem without the acknowledgement of the problem creating much likelihood of giving the opposing side ammunition to use in potential litigation. But digging in and maintaining a discriminatory policy that runs afoul of the ADA in order to avoid acknowledging discrimination only opens up the city to future criticism and litigation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please let me know if there is additional information that can be helpful to you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mark Coleman<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Lincoln Chapter First Vice President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Kerry L. Kernen <<a href="mailto:KKernen@lincoln.ne.gov">KKernen@lincoln.ne.gov</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, April 15, 2026 10:09 AM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:markmurraycoleman@gmail.com">markmurraycoleman@gmail.com</a><br><b>Cc:</b> Denise S. Bollwitt <<a href="mailto:dbollwitt@lincoln.ne.gov">dbollwitt@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; Mayor <<a href="mailto:mayor@lincoln.ne.gov">mayor@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; Lincoln Commission on Human Rights <<a href="mailto:LCHR@lincoln.ne.gov">LCHR@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; Rick W. Tast <<a href="mailto:RTast@lincoln.ne.gov">RTast@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; <a href="mailto:bhayen@gmail.com">bhayen@gmail.com</a>; Cheri L. Howard <<a href="mailto:CLHoward@lincoln.ne.gov">CLHoward@lincoln.ne.gov</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Animal Control Services<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Good morning Mr. Coleman,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>I am in receipt of your emails and the concerns of discrimination brought forward on behalf of Mr. Hayen which I take very seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>With your consent I would like some time to learn more about this situation and determine how we can best move forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Many thanks for your consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=222 valign=top style='width:166.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 7.5pt'></td><td valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=21 height=20 style='width:.2222in;height:.2083in' id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://app.lincoln.ne.gov/images/eSignature/star/health.png" alt="Health Logo "><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Kerry Kernen, MPA, MSN, RN</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><br>Health Director <br>Lincoln-Lancaster County<br>Health Department <br><br>Office: 402-441-8054<br>Mobile: 402-450-4321<br>Fax: 402-441-8323</span><span style='mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> <a href="mailto:markmurraycoleman@gmail.com">markmurraycoleman@gmail.com</a> <<a href="mailto:markmurraycoleman@gmail.com">markmurraycoleman@gmail.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 9, 2026 6:20 PM<br><b>To:</b> Cheri L. Howard <<a href="mailto:CLHoward@lincoln.ne.gov">CLHoward@lincoln.ne.gov</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> Denise S. Bollwitt <<a href="mailto:dbollwitt@lincoln.ne.gov">dbollwitt@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; Mayor <<a href="mailto:mayor@lincoln.ne.gov">mayor@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; Lincoln Commission on Human Rights <<a href="mailto:LCHR@lincoln.ne.gov">LCHR@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; Kerry L. Kernen <<a href="mailto:KKernen@lincoln.ne.gov">KKernen@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; Rick W. Tast <<a href="mailto:RTast@lincoln.ne.gov">RTast@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; <a href="mailto:bhayen@gmail.com">bhayen@gmail.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Animal Control Services<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr><td width=0 style='width:.3pt;background:#A6A6A6;padding:5.25pt 1.5pt 5.25pt 1.5pt'></td><td width="100%" style='width:100.0%;background:#EAEAEA;padding:5.25pt 3.75pt 5.25pt 11.25pt;aspect-ratio: revert !important;background:revert !important;block-size: revert !important;border:revert !important;bottom: revert !important;color:revert !important;color-scheme: revert !important;content-visibility: revert !important;cursor:revert !important;direction:revert !important;display:revert !important;font-size:revert !important;height:revert !important;hyphens: revert !important;letter-spacing:revert !important;line-height:revert !important;margin:revert !important;opacity: revert !important;order: revert !important;outline: revert !important;overflow:revert !important;padding:revert !important;position:revert !important;resize: revert !important;rotate: revert !important;scale: revert !important;tab-size: revert !important;table-layout:revert !important;text-align:revert !important;text-indent:revert !important;text-orientation: revert !important;text-overflow: revert !important;text-shadow:revert !important;text-transform:revert !important;text-wrap: revert !important;top:revert !important;transition: revert !important;user-select: revert !important;vertical-align:revert !important;visibility:revert !important;white-space:revert !important;width:revert !important;word-break:revert !important;word-spacing:revert !important;writing-mode:revert !important;zoom: revert !important'><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-element:frame;mso-element-frame-hspace:2.25pt;mso-element-wrap:around;mso-element-anchor-vertical:paragraph;mso-element-anchor-horizontal:column;mso-height-rule:exactly'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:wf_segoe-ui_normal;color:#212121'>You don't often get email from <a href="mailto:markmurraycoleman@gmail.com">markmurraycoleman@gmail.com</a>. <a href="https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification">Learn why this is important</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></td><td width=75 style='width:56.25pt;background:#EAEAEA;padding:5.25pt 3.75pt 5.25pt 3.75pt;aspect-ratio: revert !important;background:revert !important;block-size: revert !important;border:revert !important;bottom: revert !important;color:revert !important;color-scheme: revert !important;content-visibility: revert !important;cursor:revert !important;direction:revert !important;display:revert !important;font-size:revert !important;height:revert !important;hyphens: revert !important;letter-spacing:revert !important;line-height:revert !important;margin:revert !important;opacity: revert !important;order: revert !important;outline: revert !important;overflow:revert !important;padding:revert !important;position:revert !important;resize: revert !important;rotate: revert !important;scale: revert !important;tab-size: revert !important;table-layout:revert !important;text-align:revert !important;text-indent:revert !important;text-orientation: revert !important;text-overflow: revert !important;text-shadow:revert !important;text-transform:revert !important;text-wrap: revert !important;top:revert !important;transition: revert !important;user-select: revert !important;vertical-align:revert !important;visibility:revert !important;white-space:revert !important;width:revert !important;word-break:revert !important;word-spacing:revert !important;writing-mode:revert !important;zoom: revert !important;align: left !important'></td></tr></table><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hello Cheri,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thank you for your response. Given that all prior communication regarding this incident had been conducted via email, I did not anticipate receiving a response from Mr. Tast by mail. Had it occurred to me that this was a possibility, I would have specifically requested the response be in an electronic format. Given that I am blind, paper based written communication is not accessible to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The response to my complaint from Mr. Tast is not satisfactory because it dances around the factual question of whether a blind member of the community was in fact denied services he otherwise would have received on account of his blindness. At no point in Mr. Tast\u2019s response was this fundamental factual question even addressed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mr. Tast discussed the procedures followed by Animal Control and issues of who ultimately bears responsibility for wildlife removal. But the response does acknowledge that \u201cIn some instances, if wildlife is within private property and there are available personnel, Animal Control may assist in removal.\u201d This is consistent with Brent Hayen\u2019s report that when he contacted Animal Control, they initially gave the impression that they would be able to assist only to withdraw the assistance specifically because of Mr. Hayen\u2019s blindness. This account was not disputed by Mr. Tast even though I was told that phone records would be available for reviewing the call. Certainly, if the phone recording indicated that Mr. Hayen\u2019s account was inaccurate, this information would likely have been included in Mr. Tast\u2019s response. The evidence, even in light of Mr. Tast\u2019s response, indicates that Mr. Hayen was inf fact discriminated against on account of his blindness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mr. Tast states \u201cHowever, Animal Control cannot do so unless the individual has eyes on the wildlife the entire time\u201d, which further demonstrates the fact that Animal Control in fact does have a policy of discrimination against the blind. It is regrettable that Mr. Tast chose the word \u201ccannot\u201d, because no evidence is given that Animal Control lacked the ability to assist in this instance. Animal Control appeared to have made the decision not to assist Mr. Hayen not according to what abilities or resources were available to them at the moment, but rather to a preordained procedure that by its very nature automatically discriminates against blind Lincoln residents. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mr. Tast writes \u201cThis applies equally to all individuals, regardless of ability. If a sighted person loses track of wildlife in a private residence before an Animal Control Officer arrives, and there is not otherwise an emergency, that officer could not conduct a full search of the residence for the wildlife.\u201d By indicating the same policy applies to sighted people, Mr. Tast seems to be implying that this somehow precludes the possibility of discrimination. There is no explanation about why sight has to be the mechanism for tracking a bat. Obviously, Mr. Hayen was able to identify the presence and location of the bat using nonvisual means. By requiring the information regarding the presence and location of wildlife be based only on vision, the policy is de facto discriminatory and is based on the same disproven tropes that blind people face every day regarding the inherent incompetence and ignorance of those who utilize nonvisual methods for scanning and evaluating their environment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>What makes this practice even more pernicious is the fact that blind residents are actually being held to a higher standard than the sighted. Mr. Tast claims that Animal Control will only help if the individual \u201chas eyes on the wildlife the entire time\u201d and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>\u201cif a sighted person loses track of wildlife in a private residence before an Animal Control Officer arrives, and there is not otherwise an emergency, that officer could not conduct a full search of the residence for the wildlife.\u201d Let\u2019s examine these claims from a standpoint of common sense. Wildlife in a person\u2019s home will seldom stay in one place to ensure the homeowner can keep an eye them the entire time. A bat will dart around corners and between rooms. A rodent may dash under furniture and not be in direct line of sight the entire time. A resident would have to be extremely lucky to have the wildlife situated as to remain visible to the homeowner when the homeowner has to open the door for Animal Control. The advantage the nonblind resident has over the resident is the ability to give a different type of approximate truth when they claim to have been able to keep an eye on the wildlife even if the wildlife darts in and out of the person\u2019s line of sight. By contrast, if a blind person were to track a wildlife equally as well nonvisually, but made the truth-adjacent claim that they had kept an eye on the wildlife the entire time, they would obviously not be taken seriously by Animal Control or receive equal assistance even if their ability to track the animal were every bit as effective. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The fact that the policy is discriminatory against the blind is self evident. For those with an understanding of the capabilities of the blind, the various harmful forms of discrimination faced regularly by blind residents, and the mental gymnastics a thinking person would have to perform to believe that most sighted people who do receive such assistance from Animal Control actually manage to keep their eyes on the wildlife the entire time, it is extremely difficult to imagine a cogent argument to justify this discrimination. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you have any advice on how to proceed on this matter, please let me know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thank you,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mark Coleman<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Lincoln Chapter First Vicce President <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Cheri L. Howard <<a href="mailto:CLHoward@lincoln.ne.gov">CLHoward@lincoln.ne.gov</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 9, 2026 2:35 PM<br><b>To:</b> Mark Coleman <<a href="mailto:markmurraycoleman@gmail.com">markmurraycoleman@gmail.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Animal Control Services<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Greetings Mark, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I was provided a copy of the attached letter from City Attorney Rick Tast, which was originally sent via US Mail on January 19, 2026. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Hoping this additional information is helpful. Thank you for reaching back out as we do strive to respond to all queries. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>If there were any follow up questions, Rick is most familiar with the situation and Heath Department policies and protocols. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Warmest regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Brush Script MT"'>Cheri<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Brush Script MT"'>402-441-7511<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Mark Coleman <<a href="mailto:markmurraycoleman@gmail.com">markmurraycoleman@gmail.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 6, 2026 4:23 PM<br><b>To:</b> Cheri L. Howard <<a href="mailto:CLHoward@lincoln.ne.gov">CLHoward@lincoln.ne.gov</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: Animal Control Services<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you, Cheri. I look forward to hearing back.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Sent from my iPhone<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>On Apr 4, 2026, at 3:38<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>\u202f</span>PM, Cheri L. Howard <<a href="mailto:CLHoward@lincoln.ne.gov">CLHoward@lincoln.ne.gov</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>\ufeff</span> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Greetings Mark,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thank you so much for your patience and for the prompt. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I\u2019ll be glad to follow up on this Monday. Hope you\u2019re having a good weekend. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Cheri </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=21 height=20 style='width:.2222in;height:.2083in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DCCCF5.776CB8E0" alt="Image removed by sender. City of Lincoln Logo "></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:13.0pt;mso-line-height-rule:exactly'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Cheri Howard</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><br>Mayor\u2019s Office Manager <br>City of Lincoln<br>Office: 402-441-7511</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> <a href="mailto:markmurraycoleman@gmail.com">markmurraycoleman@gmail.com</a> <<a href="mailto:markmurraycoleman@gmail.com">markmurraycoleman@gmail.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Saturday, April 4, 2026 11:21 AM<br><b>To:</b> Rick W. Tast <<a href="mailto:RTast@lincoln.ne.gov">RTast@lincoln.ne.gov</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> Denise S. Bollwitt <<a href="mailto:dbollwitt@lincoln.ne.gov">dbollwitt@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; Mayor <<a href="mailto:mayor@lincoln.ne.gov">mayor@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; Lincoln Commission on Human Rights <<a href="mailto:LCHR@lincoln.ne.gov">LCHR@lincoln.ne.gov</a>>; Kerry L. Kernen <<a href="mailto:KKernen@lincoln.ne.gov">KKernen@lincoln.ne.gov</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Animal Control Services</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hello,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I have made several attempts to address the issue that a blind member of the Nebraska Federation of the Blind was reportedly denied services from Animal Control on account of his blindness. I have been ensured each tie that I have reached out that the issue was being looked into and that I would be receiving an answer to my inquiry. However, six months have now passed since the original inquiry was made and I have not received an answer other than the cookie cutter refrain that the situation is being reviewed and that I would be receiving a response. Has a review been completed? If so, when can I expect the \u201cappropriate response: I was promised.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Rick W. Tast <<a href="mailto:RTast@lincoln.ne.gov">RTast@lincoln.ne.gov</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, December 11, 2025 2:00 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:markmurraycoleman@gmail.com">markmurraycoleman@gmail.com</a><br><b>Cc:</b> Denise S. Bollwitt <<a href="mailto:dbollwitt@lincoln.ne.gov">dbollwitt@lincoln.ne.gov</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Animal Control Services</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Mr. Coleman,</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>The City is currently in the process of reviewing all the circumstances of the event you are seeking information on. When we have completed this review we will send you an appropriate response. Thank you in advance for your patience.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Rick Tast</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div id=ms-outlook-mobile-signature><div style='border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor windowtext'><p style='margin:0in'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'>Rick Tast, JD</span></b><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'>|</span></b><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'>BSN</span></b><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'>|</span></b><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'>RN</span></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'><br></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'>Asst. City Attorney<br><br>City of Lincoln | Office of the City Attorney <br>O: 402-441-7281<br><br>555 S 10th St | Suite 300<br>Lincoln, NE 68508 <br></span><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0000EE'><a href="https://lincoln.ne.gov/Attorney" title="https://lincoln.ne.gov/Attorney"><span style='color:#0000EE'>lincoln.ne.gov/Attorney</span></a></span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;border-color:currentcolor'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='border-color:currentcolor'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'><image001.png><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p style='margin:0in;border-color:currentcolor'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;border-color:currentcolor'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121'>Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including any attachments, is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized use, review, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy this e-mail, any attachments, and all copies thereof. Thank you.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. 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