Councilman to Fill Late Omaha Mayor’s Role

OMAHA — City Councilman Walt Calinger was picked Wednesday as Omaha’s 45th mayor, succeeding Bernie Simon, who died last week of cancer.

Council members selected the 48-year-old lawyer in a 4-3 vote over Council President Fred Conley, who had contended he would not be chosen because he is black.

Calinger will serve the remaining 14 months of a four-year term that originally was Mike Boyle’s. Simon was chosen by the council to replace Boyle in February, 1987, after Boyle was recalled from office. Simon died last Thursday.