The clock is ticking on a controversial political decision from Omaha City Hall.

The decision is an appointment to the Omaha Land Bank Board that starts with Mayor Jean Stothert and finds at least one member of the city council watching Stothert's moves closely.

The Land Bank is a little-known city operation responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in real estate scattered across the city, most in Omaha's poorest neighborhoods.

Five months ago the council—led by the 2nd District's Juanita Johnson—blocked Stothert's board appointment of former City Councilman Ben Gray who was defeated by Johnson in May.

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NCN recently spoke with the Mayor about her next move:

NCN’s Joe Jordan (Dec 2, 2021): Are you ready to make an appointment on the Land Bank Board?

Mayor Stothert: Am I ready? We are evaluating other people and their interests to appoint the right person.

Mayor Stothert: I still think Ben Gray was the best recommendation for the Land Bank; he was involved in it from the very beginning. He understands it as well as anybody does.

NCN’s Joe Jordan: You’re not going to bring Ben Gray’s appointment back?

Mayor Stothert: I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet but probably not bring Ben’s back. It was voted down by the City Council that’s their job. I make a recommendation to them they vote it up, they vote it down.

NCN’s Joe Jordan: Have you discussed this with Councilmember Johnson?

Mayor Stothert: I have, yes I have. She sent me an email about it when it first happened; I haven’t spoken to her since about that. But it’s not up to the council to appoint those people; it’s up to the Mayor to make the recommendation, they vote it up or down.

According to state law, any vacant seat on the Land Bank must be filled within 6 months.

The District 2 Land Bank seat on the city’s north side has been open nearly a year but according to city officials when the City Council rejected Mayor Stothert’s nomination of Ben Gray that six month clock started all over again and now expires in January.