OMAHA — Mayor John Ewing Jr. sees only public good coming from a proposed arrangement to put a major North Omaha city park under the management of a local philanthropic group that already has invested in Miller Park.

Former State Sen. Justin Wayne, however, took to social media to characterize the move as a “quid pro quo” that would be bad for North Omahans.

“So we’re really doing this? A $40 million check gets you your own ‘public park’ in a private trust?” wrote Wayne, a lawyer who is also running for Douglas County District Court clerk.

He continued, “Before Omaha starts auctioning off the commons, let’s talk about what actually happens when cities privatize parks — because the track record is trash.”

The back and forth sets the stage for a proposed arrangement, yet to be approved b

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