Candidate apologizes in advance for calls

MCCOOK, Neb., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- A city council candidate in McCook, Neb., has apologized in advance for automated phone calls his campaign plans to make this week.

Mike O'Dell, 46, said that while the voice broadcasts may be annoying to some residents, the three-minute message being sent out by his campaign addresses important local issues, the McCook Daily Gazette reported Wednesday.

"I don't know of very many people who look forward to receiving automated calls," O'Dell said. "We looked for other ways to gather information on a city-wide scale, and this is the only one that made economic sense."

"The call addresses important local issues and is voiced by four of our McCook neighbors, so I hope that will generate genuine interest," he said. "This is the one and only automated call that I'll be sending out this election cycle. If I interrupt someone's evening meal or favorite television program, please accept my apologies."