Primary Election Guide 2016

PRIMARY

Available Online Only

ELECTION GUIDE 2016

Vote Tuesday, August 16 Park County Commission..................... Pages 2-6 City of Powell Mayor............................ Pages 7-9 Powell City Council........................... Pages 10-13 House Districts 25, 50 & 24............. Pages 14-20 Senate District 18................................... Page 20 U.S. House........................................Pages 21-31 Forums............................................Pages 32-35 Sample Ballot......................................... Page 36

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Park County Commission

Jake Fulkerson “Meetings like that prepare a guy for a wild meeting with the county commissioners,” Fulkerson said. n appraiser who currently chairs the Although he has “really enjoyed” his time Cody school board is running for the on the school board, Fulkerson decided he Park County Commission. was going to leave his post when his term Jake Fulkerson of Cody said in March that runs out in December. his nearly eight years on the school board — He wasn’t sure what was next, but it was and two decades of experience in banking suggested he look into running for the com— have readied him to help the county mission. Fulkerson said he’s government through the tight budgets talked with friends, regularly ahead. attended the commission’s “I think we have a great county and, meetings this year and met man, we’ve just got some hard deciwith each of the commissionsions to make. I think I can add value,” ers — becoming “more and Fulkerson said. He added later that, “I more excited about moving just think my background with larger forward.” budgets and difficult times ... lends “So I’m not ready to stop itself to complementing the existing serving the county yet,” he commissioners.” said.

The 57-year-old Cody Republican Fulkerson knows he still spent 20 years in banking. The last “has a lot to learn” — specifiJAKE five were on the senior management cally mentioning the county’s FULKERSON team at Shoshone First Bank, where system of roads and bridges he helped oversee around 200 employand a new commission-led ees and a $20 million budget. initiative that will make recommendations On the Cody school board, Fulkerson has about how best to manage the McCullough helped administer a roughly $30 million Peaks and other public lands. budget with around 400 employees.

Fulkerson said he doesn’t have any big He’s chaired that board for the past three changes in mind for the county and said he’s years. His service has included working “real impressed” with the current commisthrough a “rough” budget a few years ago, sioners. where the district had to cut employees.

He’s owned and operated QM Appraisal Fulkerson said he’s picked up experi- since 2005. ence that would carry over to the county, Fulkerson previously lived in Nevada and such as speaking to the media and running Arizona, moving to Cody in 1999. He’s served public meetings. A controversy over pro- in Rotary, on the Cody Economic Developposed reading materials erupted in the Cody ment Council (the predecessor of Foward school district last year, including a tense Cody), the Cody High School Boosters and meeting in May 2015 that lasted until around spent three years on the city of Cody’s Plan1 a.m. ning, Zoning and Adjustment Board.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile

BY CJ BAKER Tribune Staff Writer

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Community Volunteer Business Owner Public Lands Advocate 8 Years School Board Trustee Conservative Republican www.JakeFulkerson.com jake@jakefulkerson.com Paid for by committee to elect Jake Fulkerson Park County Commissioner

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Park County Commission

Richard George

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VOTE FOR OUR DADDY!

BY CJ BAKER Tribune Staff Writer

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n the last election cycle, Richard George noticed that not very many people were participating in the political process — and he decided he should be getting more involved.

This year, George is running for the Park County Commission.

“I feel like this is probably the best thing I can do to be an active member of the community,” George said in a July interview.

The 33-year-old Republican, who farms between Cody and Powell, said he would bring youth, fresh ideas and a new perspective to the commission.

“The common man is who I represent, because that’s who I am. I’m nobody special in the community, but simply somebody who’s concerned, who’s active (and) who’s willing and able,” George said.

George said he wants to focus on the proper role of government. He sees three priorities for the county: • giving the sheriff’s department the resources it needs to keep the rule of law • funding the judicial system to ensure “a fair and balanced approach to freedom RICHARD in the Big Horn Basin” GEORGE • maintaining the county’s roads and bridges “All other areas that we put money into are not as necessary,” said George, who describes himself as a “true conservative.”

An advocate for local control, George said more decisions should be made at the county level rather than federally. He cited the management of grizzly bears and wolves as issues where counties should have more say.

“Any issue that arises would be better decided here locally, because ... we’re the ones that have to live with the consequences,” he said.

George also said he wants to promote unity — including between the county government and the municipalities.

“Right now, Powell is absolutely left out of the political process,” George said, adding, “They have a very small voice because of the Cody political elites that seem to always rule over them.”

He said Powell will get a greater voice if community members “will be active in picking who they want to represent them.”

George mentioned the split between the city of Powell and Park County over landfill fees. The city began hauling its trash to Billings — where fees are cheaper — after being unable to reach an amicable agreement with the county.

George said he’d like to revisit the subject, saying the county should “not act as though they have Powell over a barrel, forcing their will upon them” and that, in return, Powell “might choose to work more effectively with the county.”

“We all pay the same taxes for the county and it’s high time that we start working together more efficiently,” he said.

George believes local officials should be accountable. He said he’ll always listen to people and their concerns.

People can call George at 307-899-4550 or email richrebageorge@gmail.com.

George farms just over 900 acres. He and his wife, Rebecca, have four young children. They live slightly closer to Cody, but George said he knows more people in Powell.

George currently serves as both the Park County Republican Party’s state committeeman and as the Wyoming Republican Party’s national committeeman.

(307) 899-4550 richrebageorge@gmail.com

Richard George Park County Commissioner

  

 

Born in 1983, right here in Park County A common man representing common people A true conservative, not because of experience or resume but because of upbringing.

Firm in my resolve to stand true against local political elites-and they do exist.

Restore the proper role of government and focus on keeping it simple

1. Law enforcement –Because our communities need to be civil and safe.

2. Judicial system—Because commerce, laws and our Constitution should be fair and balanced.

3. Infrastructure—Common sense, necessity comes before recreation and life’s simple pleasures. 

Our spending model needs to be-“Good, Better and Best.” It is all about the integrity in the budget.

Sales tax increases are not the solution to lazy governance.

(307) 899-4550 richrebageorge@gmail.com

RIGHT FOR PARK COUNTY! Paid for by Richard George

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Park County Commission

Lee Livingston

BY CJ BAKER Tribune Staff Writer

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th

ee Livingston says he’s learned a lot over his last four years as a Park County commissioner — and that’s one reason he’s seeking a second term.

“I can be more valuable knowing what I know now,” Livingston said in a June interview.

The Republican and Wapiti resident believes balancing the county’s budget will be the commission’s toughest and most pressing task over the next four years.

Livingston said he’d thought the talk of tight budgets and tough times was “kind of B.S. — right up until I got there” on the commission.

“I’m hoping it won’t last, but ... there’s some challenging times ahead in the county,” he said.

Livingston noted the county has made budget cuts each year he’s been in office and now will likely need to make LEE deeper cuts and use LIVINGSTON some of its reserves.

Before tapping into the county’s roughly $16.5 million of savings, however, Livingston wants as many cuts as possible.

“That’s what we have reserves for: to help you get through tough times, not to carry you all the way through,” he said.

As Livingston sees it, if the cuts don’t save enough, it’ll then be time to consider things like reduced hours at the library and less money for the Park County Fair. The last option would be layoffs.

“I will not, as a county commissioner, start severely cutting or cutting what I think are essential services,” Livingston added, naming law enforcement and road and bridge operations as essentials.

The 50-year-old Park County native says his experience as “a small business owner that’s gone through some tough budget times” helped prepare him to guide the county.

He’s owned and operated Lee Livingston Outfitting for two decades, leading trips into the Shoshone National Forest and, more recently, the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

He believes his experience dealing with officials on the Shoshone and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is also an asset.

“As an outfitter and, I believe, as a commissioner, the relationship with both of those agencies is better now than I’ve ever seen it,” Livingston said.

PENDENCE

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states of America

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He said it’s not like the county and federal land managers always agree — “We don’t,” he says — but the communication has improved to where he feels “like they want us to be part of it.”

Other commissioners generally express a dim view of how things have been going with federal land managers, but Livingston describes himself as more “cautiously optimistic” than jaded.

“I don’t think we’re always going to get everything we want,” he said. “But I feel there is a possibility of getting some of what

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we want.”

Over the next four years, Livingston said his priorities also include helping to get the grizzly bear and the wolf removed from the Endangered Species List.

“I think those are positive steps for the county,” he said.

Before becoming a commissioner, Livingston’s served as president of the Cody Country Outfitters and Guides Association, on the board of the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association and on the Park County Predator Management Advisory Board.

Re-Elect Lee Livingston Your voice, your choice for Park County Commissioner I am a Park County native raising three Park County natives and am dedicated to ensuring that Park County continues to be the best place to raise and educate our children.

I will continue to work with local businesses and economic development organizations to help in creating jobs to keep our young men and women close to home.

Three plus years experience as a Park County Commissioner has given me valuable insight that will be beneficial going forward.

I am for prudent, responsible, multiple use and access to our public lands, and am willing to work with all parties involved to ensure that.

As a Park County business owner and employer I understand the importance of working within a budget and believe that experience has served me well when it comes to balancing the Park County budget.

I believe my willingness to listen and learn makes me your best choice to continue to be your voice with the commissioners of Park County.

livingston@tctwest.net  307.899.3057 Paid for by Livingston Campaign

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Park County Commission

Bob Ruckman Ruckman now wants to bring his experience and training to the Park County government. ob Ruckman says that when people run “I’m probably overqualified for the posifor local office, they often emphasize tion (of commissioner) — but that’s OK,” he how much they love Powell, how their said. family has been here for “14 million generaHe has many ideas for improvement. tions” and how they went to school For example, instead of having here. to stop at both the county clerk’s “Those are all really nice feeland treasurer’s offices to title and good things,” said Ruckman (who license a vehicle, why don’t those is himself a Powell High School offices share employees and create alum). “But I want people to vote a single stop, Ruckman suggested. for me because they think I have Further, he asked, why can’t skill sets that are going to help us titling and licensing be done in really look at these tough times Powell as well as Cody? that are coming up — and help us Ruckman’s other ideas include get through it with as little pain starting up an “Excellence begins as possible.” with me” program, where emRuckman, 66, says he has both ployees are rewarded for coming BOB RUCKMAN up with better ways to do things; the time and desire to “really dig into things” as a commissioner. using community colleges’ video His past experience includes conferencing systems to let local farming and oil field work, but the bulk officials participate in more Legislative meetof his career has been in banking and as a ings; and having each county department management and consulting professional. write a disaster recovery plan.

He and his wife, Brenda (Spomer), curRuckman spent much of his youth in rently own a manufacturing and consulting Powell, later worked for Amoco in Cody and business called U2 Enterprises. ended up in Las Vegas. Before getting into Ruckman said his consulting work has consulting, he worked as a senior vice presitaken him into businesses around the world, dent and information technology director at where he’s scrutinized their processes from Bank of America, overseeing business lendthe bottom up and found more cost-effective ing. ways of doing things; he says he’s helped cliAfter “getting really fed up with a lot of ents save millions of dollars. government” — and being encouraged by

BY CJ BAKER Tribune Staff Writer

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some tea party members and other groups — Ruckman ran for and was elected vice chairman of the Clark County, Nevada, Republican Party in 2009.

“I said, ‘I’m a Christian, I’m a fiscal conservative, I’m a Thomas Jefferson little ‘r’ republican, and lastly, I’m a big ‘R’ Republican,’” Ruckman recalled of his stump speech.

He later became chairman, helping lead investigations into thefts and wiretapping within the party and helping get Republicans elected to positions the party hadn’t held for decades, he said. However, the “unimaginable” stress of leading the county party — which now boasts more than 280,000 members — caused health problems that eventually forced him to resign, Ruckman said.

He and Brenda moved back to Powell in 2011.

In March 2014, Ruckman suffered a severe spinal cord injury when his truck rolled over.

He still needs the assistance of a walker, but recently was able to start driving again.

“It’s going to be a big commitment for me,” Ruckman said of joining the commission, but he feels up to the job.

Ruckman opposes a new 1 cent sales tax now being discussed; he believes governments should have used their money more wisely during the good times.

His also wants to get more young people to run for office.

“We should be recruiting and helping and training and mentoring, not sitting in our (political) offices, ruling,” he said.

Vote for Bob Ruckman

Powell's Republican Candidate for Park County Commissioner

 Powell Representation  Unmatched Business Skill Set  Champion of Public Access  No to the 1% Sales Tax

Powell Representation: My wife Brenda and I are proud to be from Powell. We attended Powell schools and NWC as well as the University of Wyoming. We've raised children here who also were educated locally. We've been involved in the community thru coaching youth sports and activities.

Vote for the candidate with the most real-life experience.

Unmatched Business Skill Set: Brenda and I have owned several businesses in Wyoming. We understand small business issues and corporate issues. I have experience in business and financial services, oil & gas industries, retail sales, consulting, training and agriculture. I also have significant experience in Disaster Recovery initiatives.

Champion of Public Access: I believe access to public lands and maintenance of this access is very important for our economy. ATV's, motorcycles, 4X4's, snow machines. horses and people all require support from the county.

I do not support the 1% Sales Tax: Sales taxes are regressive taxes. Taxes at all levels is rampant and is paid for by peoples income. I believe in government fiscal responsibility. I oppose the new tax to make up for a lack of government's fiscal responsibility in the past.

PAID FOR BY THE CANDIDATE

See Clark forum, Page 6

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Park County Commission

Boone Tidwell rules. He suggested local governments should stop accepting federal money and its strings in the same way that “a good (heroin) junkie goes ark County may not be subject to all to rehab and figures out how to detach himself the burdensome government rules and from that.” regulations as some other places, “but the Tidwell wants people to think about what control’s still there,” says Republican county Park County and the broader Big Horn Basin commission candidate Boone community might do if there was a Tidwell. major, national crisis. For example, “And if anybody’s going to try “are we prepared for an event such as to make a change, it’s going to a dollar collapse?” he asked. occur here,” Tidwell said. “It’s Tidwell also sees room for improvegoing to happen in a small place ment in the relationships between the like Cody, where you can make a county commission and the municidifference.” palities of Powell, Cody and MeeteeThe South Fork resident and tse and believes he could foster better bail bonds company owner said communication. He suggested comhe’s “beyond believing that my fumissioners should regularly attend ture or my grandkids’ future is gotown and city council meetings. ing to be repaired by Washington, Tidwell also wants to bridge the gap BOONE D.C. (and) I’m beyond believing between citizens and their governTIDWELL it’s going to be repaired by Cheyment through constant communicaenne, Wyoming.” tion.

Tidwell said he’s prepared to put in the work “I want the people that I represent to know and training needed to do regular county com- exactly what we’re doing, why we’re doing mission business — like setting budgets and it, how it affects them and then let them pick working with employees. their resolution,” Tidwell said, saying he But more importantly, “I feel this gives a would be a “true Constitutional representaman like me a podium in order to raise the tive.” awareness of the Park County citizen as to the “I’m always open to a better idea,” he said, things we’re discussing here,” Tidwell said in a adding, “The only thing I will never sacrifice May interview. is my obligation to my oath” to defend the Those things include pushing back against Constitution. federal overreach, improving government (Tidwell’s one-line summation of the Concommunications and ensuring strict adherence stitution is, “you can’t harm anybody and you to the U.S. and Wyoming constitutions. can’t take their stuff.”)

Tidwell said the Big Horn Basin has a lot A Vietnam War-era Navy veteran who’s of resources it can’t touch because of federal traveled the world, Tidwell later spent two

BY CJ BAKER Tribune Staff Writer

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decades as a San Bernardino County, California, sheriff’s deputy in roles that ranged from patrol to detective.

Tidwell left law enforcement in 1994 and went into the bail bonds business two years later.

In 2004, San Bernardino authorities charged him with various crimes that primarily alleged he and his employees had paid inmates to solicit business for the company.

The case dragged out for more than six years. Tidwell said he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars defending the allegations (which he says were “all bulls—”) and never received an arraignment or preliminary hearing.

In 2010, Tidwell reluctantly agreed to plead guilty to five misdemeanor charges and received a fine and unsupervised probation, according to past reporting by the San Bernardino Sun. After completing his sentence, Tidwell asked a judge to dismiss the convictions from his record and that request was granted, he said.

“If I’m guilty of something, I’ll raise my hand,” Tidwell said. “I was absolutely not guilty.”

He moved to Park County in 2006 and made alternatives to incarceration — such as GPS monitoring — his focus. Tidwell initially mentored some other bail bonds companies then started his own, Freedom Fighters, about twoand-a-half years ago.

Tidwell said being a businessman has made him a fiscal conservative; he believes governments shouldn’t spend more money than they take in and should operate as much like a business as they can.

Vote Boone Tidwell for Park County Commissioner 61 years old, has been married to Shirley Tidwell for 21 years, and has 2 children I bring 40 years of judicial expertise and conflict resolution to the citizens of Park County and 4 grandchildren. Has lived in Cody for the past 10 years.

Vietnam Veteran of the United States Navy.

3 Primary obligations for 20 years in California law enforcement.

County Commissioners 20 years in the retail bail bond business, and provider of alternative sentencing.

Involved in cattle ranching on public lands for 30 years; and has dealt with the 1. Infrastructure federal government extensively over the endangered species act.

Constitutional Originalist “It says what is says, and it doesn’t say what it doesn’t say”

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2. Law Enforcement 3. Judicial System

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

City of Powell Mayor

James Andrews oil industry, there’s less money being spent locally, he said.

“Everyone is going through some tough ames Andrews, owner of the Red Zone bar financial times with oil taking the dump that in Powell, announced his candidacy for it is,” Andrews said. “They (state and city mayor in May. governments) said ‘the sky is falling, the sky is “The mayor is the face of Powell, and when falling,’ but it is falling for everyone else, too.”

Scott (Mangold) was the mayor, he spent a lot Andrews pointed out that taxes and fees of time cajoling other mayors and have increased in recent years such legislative bodies. I think there are as liquor licenses going up by 50 a lot of things we could really benpercent. efit from having people talking and “And now they want the 1 cent keeping a line of communication,” sales tax, but that isn’t what the Andrews said. people want and not what I want,” One possible idea Andrews said Andrews said. “It is time to say no he has is to create a tax-free zone in and make cuts.” northern Wyoming similar to what Some of the cuts Andrews has in is done in parts of Arkansas since mind are expenses such as sprayconsumers were crossing state ing for species of bugs that aren’t lines to shop in Oklahoma. in Powell or in Wyoming, but could Andrews credited Billings’ busspread through people bringing JAMES tling economy with Wyomingites in ash wood as firewood — which ANDREWS shopping there. didn’t make sense since ash wood is “I don’t know if the House and not good firewood, he said.

Senate will go for it in a bust time — should The Powell City Council previously aphave talked about it when flush with cash — proved $10,000 to spray for bugs that Andrews (but) there’s no time like the present to open says aren’t in the area, but considered the cost up those ideas,” he said. a “drop in the bucket,” he said.

Andrews noted that the downturn in the “It adds up,” Andrews said. “When in busimineral extraction industry has had a domino ness, the pennies are where you make and effect on other businesses. With fewer people break yourself and bureaucrats look at lots of making the high income that came with the zeroes and think it’s nothing because it is not

BY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor

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Profile their money. I have a vested interest in Powell because that is money coming from my pocket as a business owner.”

Andrews has owned and operated the Red Zone bar on Bent Street for the last two and a half years and has been living in Powell for about eight or nine years, he said.

Andrews was born in Lovell, grew up in Deaver and attended college in Sheridan.

Prior to Powell, he owned a Christian craft store and a computer sales and service business in Lovell.

During that time, he ran for City Council and lost to the current mayor of Lovell, he said.

Andrews left Lovell to work as a correctional officer in Rawlins where he was the president of the Wyoming Association of Correctional Employees. That’s when he gained experience lobbying in Cheyenne, he said.

“I got to know the political system pretty good that way,” Andrews said.

After his father’s death, Andrews moved back to the area to be near his mother and it was actually Powell’s wrestling program that brought him to town so that his son, Randy, could join the team.

Andrews has three children, Jimmy, 25, Randy, 22, and a 14-month-old daughter.

He encouraged anyone to stop by the Red Zone and share their thoughts and concerns with him.

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

City of Powell Mayor

Don Hillman sures into effect with its budget, he said.

A challenge facing the city is “maintaining and operating the systems that we have with hen Don Hillman first ran to be Pow- the money we have,” Hillman said. ell’s mayor in 2012, he planned to The city has been forced to be reactive serve for at least eight years. rather than proactive, he said.

That’s still his plan.

“We just don’t have the means Mayor Hillman announced in to take on new projects ... we just May that he’s running for a second maintain what we have,” he said. term.

Hillman referenced work on Ab“I have enjoyed being mayor for saroka Street, Division Street and the last four years,” he said. the Avenues as examples of projLooking back on his first term, ects that the city can’t tackle with Hillman said he’s proud of the its current funding levels. transfer station the city built to “But we’ve done well,” he said. handle local garbage after the “I think we’ve kept the city up.”

Powell landfill closed to municipal He said maintaining quality solid waste. infrastructure in the city of Powell “That was a big issue for us, and is his top priority. He said other efDON HILLMAN it worked out well,” Hillman said. forts, like economic development, He’s also proud of how the city hinge on the city having qualbudget turned around over the last four ity water and electric distribution systems as years. In his first year as mayor, the city had well as sewers and streets. $1 million in its reserve accounts and that figHillman said he’s “not a politician — I’m ure was falling; the city now has $3.1 million more of an infrastructure guy.” in reserves.

He said his biggest concern for seeking “I’m pretty proud of that,” Hillman said. “It re-election was his health. Hillman, 73, was took some hard work by city staff, but we’re diagnosed with cancer in 2014. on the right track there.”

“I have liver cancer, and I’ve talked to my The city has put various cost-saving mea- doctors and talked to my family, and basically,

BY TESSA SCHWEIGERT Tribune Features Editor

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Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile cancer is what it is,” he said. “Just because you have cancer, you can’t quit living.”

He’s continuing cancer treatment, which is being treated as a long-term illness.

“My doctors tell me they’ll treat it just like they do diabetes,” he said. “We’ll just keep up with the treatments, and if we can keep it from growing — it’s still active, it’s not going to go away. It’s always going to be there, unless some different cure comes up.”

Serving as Powell’s mayor gives him a reason to carry on, he said.

Hillman said he cares about Powell and wants it to continue to be a “forward-looking community.” He grew up here, attended Powell schools and went to Northwest College.

Hillman previously served as a Powell city councilman from 1986-93 and was elected to the council again in 2008.

He ran unopposed for mayor in 2012. Hillman said he welcomes competition and more residents running for the Powell City Council.

“People need to be more interested,” Hillman said.

Hillman’s career with Montana Dakota Utilities spanned 41 years before he retired in 2004. Hillman and his wife, Judie, have two children, Raquel (Hillman) Schwab and Jason Hillman, and three grandchildren.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

City of Powell Mayor

Dawson Wolff embassy security, he said.

“It was security for places like Obama in Israel, which is pretty cool,” Wolff said. “It awson Wolff, a 2008 graduate from was pretty normal actually, but we were in a Powell High School, is runhotel instead of an embassy — it ning for mayor of Powell. was all pretty calm.”

“I don’t know much about politics “I can make a team work; ‘We at all, but I’m willing to learn it and are only as strong as the weakest willing to do the work,” Wolff said link’ is what we always said,” during his introductory speech at Wolff said. “We always found a the candidate meet-and-greet in way to make it work out pretty The Commons on July 21. “If you good, and now that I’m back, this come to me with something you’d is my home and I love it here and like to try, I’m willing to research I want to be involved.” it and talk about it and figure out if Wolff grew up in Clark with his it is a good idea or not and go from parents, Rhett and Jill Wolff, and there.” now he’s attending Northwest DAWSON Although he has no previous poCollege and plans to become a WOLFF litical experience, Wolff did recentpilot. ly complete six years of active duty “I just got back home from in the Marines, where he was a squad leader the military and love it here and wanted to and reached the rank of sergeant. During be involved, and it was an election year so that time, he was a range coach and worked I figured might as well do it instead of just

BY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor

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Profile talk about it,” Wolff said. “I just was (joking around) with some friends and it came up, and I thought about doing it because it would be interesting and — well, I don’t know — time to give it a try.”

Wolff said he has been pretty busy working various jobs in irrigation and fencing, so he hasn’t given the role of mayor much thought.

“I just kinda threw my hat into the ring,” he said, adding that hasn’t heard much feedback from the community, or his friends and family, about his candidacy.

Wolff said he hasn’t really got any set goals in mind if elected, but would like to talk to people if they have an issue, and then research it and see if anything can be improved.

“One thing I thought was weird is the bagel shop at the college isn’t allowed to advertise and I thought ‘Why not?,’” Wolff said.

Wolff is up against James Andrews and current mayor Don Hillman for the mayor’s seat.

Commission and mayoral candidates drop out

BY CJ BAKER Tribune Staff Writer

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wo political candidates — one who’d been seeking a seat on the Park County Commission and another who was making a bid for Mayor of Powell — have dropped out of the running.

In separate, unrelated announcements, Republican commission candidate John Marsh and Powell Mayoral candidate Amber YagerWall each cited personal reasons for exiting their races.

Their decisions leave five Republicans running for two available positions on the County Commission and three candidates seeking to be Powell’s mayor. The remaining candidates will face off in Tuesday’s primary election.

Marsh, 59, is a building contractor who recently moved from Powell to Meeteetse.

In a statement issued to media outlets, Marsh noted his longtime residency across Park County, his decades of business experi-

ence, his and his wife’s raising of three boys who became presidential honor students, and his past memberships in the Cody and Powell chambers of commerce.

“I feel that these achievements put me in a unique position to best serve the citizens of Park County,” Marsh wrote. “In spite of all of this, I have decided to suspend my campaign for personal reasons.”

He thanked his family, friends and supporters and also the Park County Commission “for doing a tough and thankless job.”

Marsh’s statement went on to criticize unnamed county employees for various misconducts he says he witnessed during his four years as a Park County employee. He said the commission should exercise more oversight of its staff and supervisors.

Meanwhile, Yager-Wall notified the county elections office on July 7 that she was withdrawing from the Powell mayoral race. The 26-year-old said she was doing so “because of sensitive personal matters.”

Primary election ballots have already been

printed — in fact, absentee voting started July 1 — so both Marsh’s and Yager-Wall’s names will remain on the ballot.

Park County elections staff are putting up signs at the polls notifying voters that YagerWall has withdrawn from the race; they’ll add Marsh’s name to the signs if and when he formally notifies the office that he’s dropped out, said elections deputy Teecee Barrett.

The five Republicans now running for the commission are: Jake Fulkerson of Cody, Richard George of Cody, current commissioner Lee Livingston of Wapiti, Bob Ruckman of Cody and Boone Tidwell of Cody.

Barring an independent, third-party or writein campaign, the two top GOP vote-getters in the primary election will be unopposed in the general election and shoo-ins for the offices.

The three remaining Powell mayoral candidates are: James Andrews, current mayor Don Hillman and Dawson Wolff. The top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the general election for what will effectively be a run-off.

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Powell City Council

Jim Hillberry projects such as the city’s west water tower and land-use planning for residential and commercial property, he said. our broken ribs, a broken jaw and fracThe council also helped upgrade the city’s tures to his face aren’t stopping Powell electrical system and did infrastructure City Councilman Jim Hillberry, 78, work such as lining the sewers and working from seeking re-election to the council. on drainage. The biggest benefit to the com“Nobody else stepped up,” Hillberry munity was setting up PowelLink, the city’s said while still in recovery at the Powell high-speed internet connection, he said. hospital on June 2. “I don’t feel right about “That is really a benefit to all residents that; somebody needs to come and businesses,” Hillberry said. forward.”

Other changes during his time On April 11, he was attemptin office saved the city thousands ing to load his 1989 Yamaha ATV of dollars, such as slurry sealing four-wheeler into his truck when the streets and setting up the garthe ramp failed, causing the ATV bage transfer station so that adto flip over the rear and land on ditional staff and trucks weren’t Hillberry’s head and neck. needed, he said.

“It will just slow me down a litThe biggest challenge up ahead tle bit, but I am doing everything for Powell is financial, Hillberry now,” Hillberry said. said. The city needs to maintain Thanks to rehabilitation, there its infrastructure with less revshouldn’t be any effect on his enue, and that means prioritizJIM HILLBERRY ing and moving around project ability to serve as a councilman, he said. schedules.

“I’m ahead of schedule — it’s great,” Hill“There are certain things you have to berry said, noting that he’s looking forward have,” Hillberry said. “At one time, we had to returning home soon and eating solid food a transformer blow out, and it cost a million again — something he’s been unable to do dollars to replace it.” with his jaw wired shut.

When emergency replacements like that He returned to his duties with the Powell happen, it means being unable to do other City Council in July. necessary projects such as lining the sewHillberry was elected three times and ers, he said. appointed twice to the council for a total of “That creates a real challenge for the 15 or 16 years as a councilman, he said. Dur- council,” he said, noting the council made ing that time, he gained experience in large adjustments to services such as snow reBY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor

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Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile moval to save money. “We are trying to conserve as much as we can.”

Since about 2010, the city has been building up its reserve account. Doing so required turning around past budgeting habits by about $800,000 a year to create a roughly $3 million safety net.

“You need reserves to do the things that are necessary,” Hillberry said. “We have a real good working council, and everyone pretty much has the same goals.”

Hillberry noted past “discontent” with the Powell Aquatic Center and said the center is a good addition to the community.

Hillberry is part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Committee, which works on local economic development with companies such as Gluten Free Oats and WYOld West Brewing Company.

“To me, you have to look at the whole picture of where you are now and continue it to the future,” Hillberry said.

Hillberry grew up in Worland and moved to Powell in 1979 to work at First National Bank. From there, he worked at First Interstate Bank in Wheatland before returning to Powell to manage the Powell Bean Grower’s Co-op and then worked at Key Bank, he said.

“Powell had always been an outstanding community; people take pride in it, and it is clean and they maintain their facilities — the streets, water systems, electrical, you name it, all the infrastructure,” Hillberry said. “I wanted to be a part to continue that.”

He encouraged anyone with questions to call him at 754-3237.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Powell City Council

Doug Kirkham Infrastructure is another item that’s high on the priority list, he said, adding that the city is “sitting really well” thanks to being etired Marine turned post office em- proactive in the past. Water and sewer mainployee, Doug Kirkham, is running for tenance is particularly important, he said.

Powell City Council.

“It is a testimony to their leadership “Mostly because I love this town,” Kirkham and the town; they are being proactive insaid. “I think we are truly blessed to live in stead of reactive, which is good,” Kirkham such a wonderful place, and it is said. “Communication between the a way to give back and serve the council and community is imporcommunity — it is a beautiful city. tant; it should flow both ways.”

It is a blessing and a privilege to Widening some of Powell’s run and serve the people.” streets would be nice but isn’t a He said the City Council has necessity, he said. If funding was done a good job of putting the city available, widening Division and in a position to “weather the storm Absaroka streets would be a good of the economy” and the decrease move, since they have a lot of trafin state funding. fic.

“I don’t have any agenda, “I’m the product of over 21 years don’t intend to burst through the in the Marines and have a military door and kick over trash cans,” mind — we prioritize what we are Kirkham said. “I don’t have any DOUG KIRKHAM doing,” Kirkham said. complaints on how it has been ran.

Kirkham enlisted in the Marines It is easy to be an armchair quarterback, and while a junior at Powell High School and atit is really in our nature to criticize things tended boot camp after graduation in 1985. we don’t actually know about — to criticize He went on to become an infantry machine without an informed decision — and that be- gunner and is a veteran of Desert Shield and ing said, I don’t have criticism of how they are Desert Storm. running it.”

“I served 21 years, accumulated 12 (years) Kirkham said supporting the Powell Police overseas at about 20 different countries and Department is one of his priorities. three times as many cities — so I appreciate “Unfortunately, crime is always going to be Powell,” Kirkham said. with us,” Kirkham said.

He spent time on embassy duty, protecting

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Profile property and classified material, he said. His last five years were spent in marksmanship, where he said he trained almost 10,000 marines how to shoot rifles. He was also a liaison for the British Royal Marines for about three years, he said.

He eventually became the director of the program that taught the marksmanship coaches how to teach — essentially a Marines equivalent of a principal.

“I want people to know I have a common sense objective approach to decision making,” Kirkham said, noting that he has 20 years of leadership experience ranging from a three-man team up to a 52-man platoon.

“You get adept at attention to detail.”

Kirkham retired from the Marines in 2005 and started working at the Powell Post Office in 2006. This was an easy transition, since he used to do 25-mile hikes with full combat gear, he said with a laugh.

“I love this city; it’s a great place to raise your kids and — I don’t know, after all the places I have seen and been to, you always long for home.”

Kirkham and his wife, Lou, have three children ages 6, 12 and 21 years old. As a Ward 3 candidate, Kirkham is up against Lesli Spencer, who was appointed when former councilman Josh Shorb resigned last winter.

“Lesli is solid and I wish her luck — if she is elected, we are in good hands,” Kirkham said.

“I think it is a win-win.”

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Powell City Council

Lesli Spencer

BY MATT NABER “I think probably the biggest thing I learned Tribune Managing Editor is how cleanly our city is run with the admin istration and the city employees, and at times hen Lesli Spencer was appointed to that is taken for granite. Compared to other the Powell City Council at the end cities and towns, we don’t deal with near as of 2015, she said finishing out the many issues as they do because of the way final part of former councilman Josh Shorb’s it has been run in the past. … I don’t want term was an opportunity to get to go backwards by any means on her feet wet and see if she liked it. how efficient things are ran in the Five months later in May, she anadministration.” nounced her candidacy to remain During her time with the counon the council for Ward 3. cil, Spencer said she’s had positive Since her first meeting in Janufeedback from the community and ary, she’s helped set up the city’s her family, including her 15-yearproposed balanced budget for the old son, Alex Smith. upcoming fiscal year.

“When I am in conversations “It was eye-opening on how outside of the City Hall environmuch more goes on than someone ment, I feel like I am more knowlon the outside realizes,” Spencer edgeable about items brought up said. and can add to the conversation LESLI Prior to the council meetings, and educate people about different SPENCER Spencer said she researches the situations and questions they have agenda items for the upcoming and problems they might have,” meeting and talks to whoever is involved be- Spencer said. fore making a decision. For instance, she said Spencer is very familiar with the commushe will contact Powell Police Chief Roy Eck- nity, as she was born and raised in Powell and ert to find out what he thinks about requests graduated with the Powell High School class for fireworks or alcohol permits. of 1992.

Spencer also serves on the urban systems She went on to attend Northwest College committee, CDBG grant committee and the and then earn a bachelor’s degree in busiPark County Steering Committee. ness from Montana State University in Boze“It is a huge learning curve,” Spencer said. man, Montana. From there, she returned to

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Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile Powell to work at The Merc, then Stine Buss Wolff Wilson-Associates. She currently is the business manager at Keele Sanitation LLC. “If I am elected, I don’t have a platform or plan and I’m not going to change something,” Spencer said. “I don’t have anything I am pushing through; I just want to try and keep Powell the great town and city that is.”

With the city’s budget down, being proactive about infrastructure will be challenging, she said.

“We might not be able to improve them, but we have to maintain,” Spencer said.

Part of the challenge that comes with keeping the city’s infrastructure intact stems from not knowing what will happen with state revenues, she said.

During the budgeting process, Spencer advocated for the Powell Senior Citizens Center and Crisis Intervention Services to receive their full funding request from the city’s supplemental budget.

“They have a huge impact in our community, and it would be a huge detriment if those went away,” Spencer said.

Spencer is the first woman to serve on the City Council since LuAnn Borders, more than 10 years ago.

“I think that I was accepted more because I am a young female with a different perspective,” Spencer said. “I just hope to bring a different perspective to the board.”

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Powell City Council

Floyd Young This project saved the city hundreds of thousands of dollars by taking the trash to Billings instead of to the landfill near Cody, he said. loyd Young has his sights on being proac“We had to do what is right for Powell,” tive about Powell’s aging water and sewer Young said. “When they closed our landfill and system as he seeks his third consecutive wanted us to drive our trucks every day to the term on the Powell City Council. other side of Cody, that wears out our trucks.

“I like to serve, and I feel like I This was proactive for Powell; we have been effective and listen to try to be very proactive, if you look the people,” Young said. “We have at the things we have done over the accomplished a lot in the last eight years.” years, and there are still things I Young pointed to the city’s elecwant to see done.” trical system and sewage lagoons Young is originally from Laraas examples of how the city has mie, where he earned his bachbeen proactive in the past, since elor’s degree in math and his both were designed with future inmaster’s degree in physical educacreased needs in mind. tion. He moved to Powell, where he “When we built the lagoons, was the wrestling coach at Northpeople thought we were crazy, but west College and then went on to we have the capacity for 40,000 FLOYD YOUNG teach PE. people,” Young said.

His political career started with a two-year The same is true for the Aquatic Center, he term on the school board in the 1990s. He later said. It was built with the potential for adding a got involved with the committee to build the dry side with features such as a gym or weightPowell Aquatic Center before running for City lifting area.

Council.

During his career at Northwest College, He said he enjoyed being proactive with Young helped get the Johnson Fitness Center Powell’s garbage when the city’s landfill was going, and now he would like to do the same shut down. for the Aquatic Center.

“We built a transfer station I am proud off,” “We need something where kids can go and Young said. “It is a clean facility.” play basketball or walk; if we had that it would

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Profile make a huge difference, I think,” Young said.

He said he was saddened to see this was low on the priority list in the recent 1 cent sales tax survey results.

Without the 1 cent sales tax, Powell can’t be proactive with its water and sewer system, he said.

Residents tend not to care about water and sewer systems “until their water is brown,” he said.

Aging water and sewer lines are the biggest challenge up ahead for Powell, Young said.

Rates are set to increase, but that’s just to be reactive, and not proactive.

“We have really nice streets in this town, and we have to keep it up,” he said.

It would be nice to widen Absaroka and Division streets since they are busy areas, but upgrading the water and sewer system is more important, he said.

During his time on the City Council, the city turned around its previous financial habits and started bulking up its reserves, which currently stand at about $3 million. The reserves came in handy for drafting the 2016-17 budget, allowing the city to continue maintenance of roads despite the state consensus funding cut. Reserves also were used for the upcoming project to remove the median on Coulter Avenue — a project that’s been years in the making, Young said.

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

House District 25

Dave Blevins

schoolers for 10 years, and he is chairman of the Powell Council of Community Services, which helps people in need at any time of year, fter losing his bid for a second term in but most visibly through the annual Christmas House District 25 in 2014, Republican Basket Program.

Dave Blevins is ready for a rematch.

“What I think that reveals is really a sincere “I’m running to represent our community concern and feeling for our community, for — the community I was born in — to partici- the good health of our community,” he said. pate in the governing process and communi- “As well, we have invested in Powell” by cate what I know and what I learned,” Blevins building a business downtown — something said. “I think I’ve done that in the few people have done in the past past. ... The important key is com30-40 years, he added. municating what I’m doing.”

Blevins said he learned how to Blevins said he served 27 years shepherd a bill through the Legisin the Navy, first as a pilot and later lature during his 2013-14 term in as an intelligence officer.

House. He successfully sponsored Other than that, he has spent a bill to allow the transfer of a deed most of his adult life in Powell, after the owner’s death. He said where he owns a business and that bill “will affect nearly every served on the Park County School middle-class family in Wyoming, District No. 1 Board of Trustees. because it allows them to transfer He also coached high school varthe deed of any property to anyone sity soccer and worked on the comthey wish upon death. ... Now you DAVE BLEVINS mittee that garnered support for a can transfer your home and basicommunity swimming pool. Over cally avoid probate.” the years, he also served as the city emergenBlevins said he understands how commitcy manager, served on the Powell Municipal tees work, and how they develop bills and Airport board, and now serves on the Heart promote them among legislative colleagues.

Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic board.

“Being respected and being a participating He’s also taught Sunday school for high member is important to that legislative body,”

BY ILENE OLSON Tribune News Editor

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Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile he said. “If you don’t do those things, you can’t accomplish anything.”

Blevins said he would support Medicaid expansion in Wyoming, “as long as Wyoming has an exit ability if the federal government reneges on their promises. ... If we had to carry the burden ourselves, it would sink us.”

Blevins said he has been asked by people in Powell and Cheyenne to run again for the HD25 seat, so he decided to give it another try.

“I think there was a feeling that I was needed, not just in Powell, but around the state,” he said.

Blevins said he’s broadened his campaign effort this year, but he remains hesitant to speak negatively about another Republican, even if they’re vying for the same House seat.

Dan Laursen’s record “speaks for itself,” he said.

“I’m running because I think I can do a good job,” Blevins said. “I’m running because I think I did a good job. I think we need consistency, and I think I was a part of that consistency as we moved from the previous representative, Dave Bonner, and consistency in getting things done.

“This is very unusual to come back, and I do hope it’s successful,” he said. “I look forward to doing it again.”

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

House District 25

Profile

Dan Laursen well with support from other legislators. The (House) speaker (Kermit Brown) wasn’t happy, but we passed it anyway.” epublican Dan Laursen is throwing Laursen also favored a resolution requirhis hat in the ring for a second term in ing Congress to balance the federal budget.

District 25 of the Wyoming House of While the resolution garnered a simple maRepresentatives. jority of votes, it fell short of the two-thirds “I think I’ve done a good job and learned majority it needed to pass the resolution, he a lot,” Laursen said during an interview said. in July. “It takes a lot of time to Laursen said he hopes the understand the procedure, and resolution will pass next year. If I think I’m doing real well with two-thirds of the states ratify a balthat.” anced budget resolution, Congress Laursen said he got into a good would have to balance its budget. group of representatives, and “As you know, they don’t do those serves as treasurer of the Wyokinds of things,” he said. “The ming House caucus. states could get some power back “I got to do that as a freshman,” that we so need. The feds are just he said. running us over.”

Wyoming House Speaker KerLaursen also wants the Legismit Brown, R-Laramie, endorsed lature to pass a delegation limitahim for election to House District tion act, which “would tell how DAN LAURSEN 25, Laursen said.

Wyoming would pick delegates to His first bill, which would have ended day- a convention of the states,” he said. As he light saving time in Wyoming, didn’t pass this and others envision it, the Wyoming House year. But if he is re-elected, Laursen said he of Representatives would send three delplans to try it again. egates, and the Wyoming Senate would send His greatest success, Laursen said, was two. helping weed and pest districts in Wyoming “They would be required to only talk get $712,500 to spray state lands for noxious about the subjects we told them to go and weeds. The state’s budget previously con- talk about,” he said. “If they don’t, they could tained no money for spraying state land. be put in prison and fined.”

Laursen was one of three representatives The reason for that limitation would be “so who sponsored that budget amendment. they don’t get off subject and bring up some“We put some money back in there,” he thing we don’t want, such as the elimination said. “It was a big battle, and I thought I did of the Second Amendment,” Laursen said.

BY ILENE OLSON Tribune News Editor

R

Working for Powell.

Working for Wyoming!

I am a “real” Conservative Republican, who will commit the time to be your voice in Cheyenne. Committed to listening and communicating with constituents.

Working to ensure the State spends dollars wisely.

Member of the NRA The “Go-to” guy on water issues

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Laursen said he serves on the House Agricultural, State and Public Lands, and Water Resources Committee and the House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee. But he said hopes to be assigned to different committees if he’s re-elected.

“I’m not on the (Select) Water Committee, but I probably know more about water than a lot of them — most of them,” he said.

Laursen has a degree in agricultural engineering. As a farmer, the former executive director of the Heart Mountain Irrigation District and now a hydrographer for the State Engineer’s Office, “I’ve got an idea of what farmers are going through,” he said.

As a state employee, Laursen can’t vote on things that directly affect his job, but he also has a greater understanding of state government.

“It’s interesting, seeing stuff from inside and out, but I don’t think it’s awkward,” he said.

Laursen also serves on the Task Force on State Penal Facilities.

“We’ve built two prisons on land that moves,” and one of them is only 15 years old, he said. “It’s going to be a big discussion, but we’ve got to do something. We’ll spend $75 million for repairs that will last maybe 30 years, or spend twice as much and build new.”

HD 25 is geographically small. It encompasses most of the city of Powell and extends directly north to the Montana border.

Republican Dave Blevins also is running for the seat, as is Democrat Shane Tillotson.

Endorsed by Wyoming Stockgrowers

Republican Candidate for House District 25 MY TOP COMMITMENTS ✗ State Spending must not exceed Revenues while using State Reserve account sparingly ✗ Call for a Convention of States to propose a Balanced Budget Amendment ✗ Always vote to protect the 2nd Amendment and our rights to protect our family ✗ Fight against Federal overreach and regulation ✗ Maintain Balance of Power at the State level by overseeing the Governor and Departments ✗ Vote for Moral Christian Values Paid for by Dan Laursen

Thank you for the honor of serving the past two years and I respectfully ask for your vote again.

Email: dlaursen@tctwest.net - Phone: 307-754-9805

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

House District 25

Shane Tillotson people who live here,” Tillotson said.

He faults Laursen and other legislators for refusing to expand federal Medicaid benefits he voices of the everyday, working peo- and provide health care to more low-income ple of Powell are not being represented individuals and families in Wyoming. in the Wyoming Legislature, says a local “It’s a decision that’s made based on parcarpenter who’s running for the state House. tisanship and political calculation,” Tillotson “Politicians and parties should represent said. people,” Shane Tillotson said in a June interThe Wyoming Department of Health has view. “And that’s the part that I think is some- estimated that expansion could save the state times lacking.” hundreds of millions of dollars, The Powell Democrat includes money that Tillotson said “we his opponent — current House Discould put into education or infratrict 25 Rep. Dan Laursen, R-Powell structure or low-interest loans to — in that critique. small businesses.”

As an example, Tillotson noted Legislators have said in part that Laursen voted last winter to that they’re worried the federal make rodeo tickets exempt from government won’t follow through sales tax while also voting to allow on its pledge to help pay for the each county’s voters decide if they expansion, but Tillotson queswant to reinstate the sales tax on tions why agreeing to take federal food. (Both bills failed.) money for Medicaid is any differ“Things like that are not consisent than agreeing to take federal SHANE tent with the best interests of his money for roads or schools.

TILLOTSON (Laursen’s) constituents,” Tillotson His list of issues also includes said, adding, “If you add sales tax concern with Wyoming’s practice to food, it effects everyone, but it also effects of allowing coal producers to self-bond for people on fixed income the most: the elderly, reclamation, a method he sees as insufficient people on disability, people who are the most and unfair. As coal companies continue to go vulnerable in society.” bankrupt, Tillotson worries the state could Tillotson has the same concerns about local get stuck holding the bag on some big bills for leaders’ suggestion to raise the sales tax by 1 reclaiming coal mines. cent in Park County; he prefers a concept sug“Wyoming has been very dependent on gested by fellow Democratic House candidate non-renewable resources. It’s been good, but Mike Specht of Clark: to raise property taxes at this point, things are slowing down, and we on out-of-state land owners. need to look at a different direction,” Tillotson “That would be a good solution to the said, mentioning wind and solar power. problem without having a negative impact on He added that he found Laursen’s attempt

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Profile to introduce a bill to eliminate Daylight Saving Time “just silly.”

“Amongst all the challenges that Wyoming is about to face, that overturning Daylight Savings Time ... is kind of ridiculous,” he said.

Tillotson said that as the state faces challenging times, government officials need to consider how their decisions impact the people living here.

Tillotson was working in construction during the 2008 recession and “I know what it’s like to scrape by and just barely get by by the skin of your teeth,” he said.

A Washington native, Tillotson lived in Park County during his teenage years, with about four years in Cody and four in Powell. He returned to Washington and ran a construction business, then came back to Park County and Cody in the fall of 2012. He, his wife Angela and their four children bought a house in Powell a little more than a year ago.

“It’s great to be back in Powell,” Tillotson said, adding, “It’s a warm community and people are neighborly and they look out for each other.”

The Democrat does see his candidacy as a long-shot. While he wants to win, “if running means that this person (Laursen) is more accountable to their voters and encourages people to be involved in the political process ... then I count this run as successful,” he said.

Tillotson is running unopposed in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. He will presumably advance to November’s general election to face either Laursen or Dave Blevins. Blevins, a former legislator, is seeking a rematch after being unseated by Laursen in 2014’s Republican primary.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

House District 50

Profile

David Northrup

BY CJ BAKER Tribune Staff Writer

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yoming is in the midst of a bust that’s “hitting us pretty hard,” says state Rep. David Northrup. “I feel like I have the experience to be able to help navigate our way through it.”

That’s one of the reasons why Northrup has decided to ask voters to elect him to a third term in Wyoming’s House of Representatives.

In officially announcing his re-election bid in May, the Powell area Republican said his years of accumulated knowledge of the state and the local area are assets as Wyoming faces a drastic drop in revenue from DAVID decreased mineral proNORTHRUP duction.

Northrup specifically cites his background in education. He served on the Powell school board for 12 years before joining the Legislature and has co-chaired the Legislature’s education committee since early 2015.

“I think I have an enormous amount of knowledge about how that works and where we can work the (education) system and try to make things better,” Northrup said.

By education, he means not only K-12 schools and the University of Wyoming, but also institutions like Northwest College.

Noting recent cuts at NWC, Northrup said Wyoming’s community colleges have “taken a pretty big beating” in recent years.

“We need to be sure to keep the community college system whole, not be cannibalizing it,” Northrup said. “It seems like at this time some of them are actually cannibalizing themselves to keep themselves running and ... that tends to be the end of a school when it gets severe.”

Funding for the state government — and education in particular — is largely dependent on natural resources and the production of oil, natural gas and coal have all slowed. Coal leases have funded the bulk of the recent construction of K-12 schools across Wyoming and many major coal companies are now in or on the verge of bankruptcy.

Northrup said he’s always been an advocate for low taxes and “we’re going to find out how well that’s going to work out in this next (Legislative) session, because at some point, we have to figure out how to fund schools.”

He said the budgetary impacts of this bust are going to be felt even more strongly in the coming years.

“This is going to be a downturn for everybody,” he said.

In a news release announcing his candidacy, Northrup says his work as a farmer and rancher has given him experience with complicated financial situations and he said his “conservative nature” will help the state.

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He also said he enjoys the work and enjoys representing the people of Park County.

As for legislative accomplishments, Northrup points to a bill he helped pass in 2015 that allows people to drive some agricultural equipment without a commercial driver’s license.

Northrup said people didn’t want to go through the whole licensing process and its bookkeeping requirements just to drive a beet truck for a month during the harvest. Relaxing the licensing requirements has made it easier for farmers to find drivers and it “really has helped the ag world a whole bunch,” he said.

Northrup is wrapping up his fourth year in the state House.

Mike Specht, a Clark Democrat and the owner of a firefighting business, has announced he’s also running for the seat.

The district is made up of the eastern part of the city of Cody, Clark, Ralston, Heart Moun-

tain, the Sunlight and Crandall areas and the Willwood area, where Northrup lives.

“It has been challenging at times to be everywhere at once,” Northrup said. “Sometimes I feel like I want a Star Trek transporter so that I can be in one place and then just materialize in another one almost instantly.”

His past public service also includes stints in the leadership of the Park County Republican Party (he’s currently vice-chairman) and time on the boards of both the Willwood Irrigation District and the Willwood Light and Power Co-op.

Northrup graduated from both Powell High School and Northwest College before completing his education at Montana Tech. He and his wife — Northwest College Associate Professor of Engineering and Mathematics, Astrid Northrup — have three grown sons and two grandsons.

Re-Elect David Northrup Republican Candidate for House District 50 Wyoming Legislature • Born and raised in Wyoming - 4th Generation Life-time Resident and married for 34 years in August • Graduate of NWC and MT School of Mines - Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering, 1986 • Proven Community Leadership: PCSD #1 Board Chairman, VP of Willwood Irrigation District, Willwood Light & Power Chairman, Park County Republican Chairman • 4 Years Legislative Experience and Chairman of Education for 2 years • Endorsed by Wyoming Rural Electrical Association, Wyoming Education Association, and WYO D. PAC (Dental Association).

Working hard for Park County

northrupforhd50@gmail.com

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

House District 50

Michael Specht ming in 2008 and he joined the Clark volunteer fire department the following year.

He got interested in local politics after or the first time in 16 years, Park Coun- realizing that after relocating to Clark, his ty has a Democratic candidate running company was getting picked for fewer firefor the Wyoming Legislature. fighting jobs in Wyoming than when he’d Mike Specht, the owner of a firefighting been based in South Dakota. business in Clark and the chairman of the “That’s what started me, was the way Park County Democratic Party, announced Wyoming was treating the local businesses in March that he will enter the and sending millions of dollars race to represent House District out of state instead of hiring local 50. businesses,” Specht said.

Specht said he’s followed the Specht said he approached the state government more closely in district’s current representarecent years and become increastive, Republican David Northrup, ingly concerned. Among other about making the law more favorissues, he says the state has hired able to Wyoming contractors, but too many out-of-state contractors, Northrup didn’t introduce any put itself in a position where it legislation. could be stuck with hundreds of Specht says smaller, local busimillions of dollars worth of coal nesses are important to the state. mine reclamation costs, wrongly “That’s why we get hit so bad MICHAEL turned down millions of federal when you have these swings in the SPECHT dollars to expand Medicaid and up and down on the oil industry or failed to bring down the state’s the coal industry. If you’re relying high cost of health insurance. on three or four big employers, you’ll have “The more I got to looking, the more I got drastic impacts,” Specht said. “If we can creto looking and going, ‘There’s some prob- ate more small businesses, you’re going to lems here, there’s some issues here,’” Specht have less of an impact.” said in a March interview. “And so I thought, Along similar lines, Specht believes the you can complain about them, or you can try state has allowed three coal companies to do something about them.”

— Peabody Energy, Arch Coal and Alpha Specht served 27 years in the U.S. Air Natural Resources — to post insufficient Force Reserve and with the Sioux Falls, reclamation bonds for their Wyoming mines; South Dakota, fire department. He retired according to reporting from WyoFile.com, and started his own private firefighting com- the companies’ reclamation bond obligations pany, Dragon Fighters, Inc., in 2006. Specht, total more than $1.6 billion and they’re all in his family and his business moved to Wyo- or near bankruptcy.

BY CJ BAKER Tribune Staff Writer

F

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile “That’s that whole $1.6 billion (state) rainy day fund gone to clean up after three out-of-state companies,” Specht said. “And nobody’s talking about those issues.”

There are many issues Specht wants to address, all the way down to the Legislature’s recent rejection of a “no brainer” bill that would have required hunters and fisherman to register their vehicles in Wyoming to qualify for resident licenses.

Specht accepts that some people will simply never vote for a Democrat.

However, “pretty much most of my friends are real conservative Republicans ... and when you sit down and you have coffee with them and they shake their heads over some of this stuff,” he said.

He thinks the ability to work with people on both sides of the aisle “has become kind of a lost art” and says it’s something he can do. Specht lobbied for firefighter unions in South Dakota and he recalled working with Republicans there to improve labor issues for workers while saving taxpayers’ money.

Specht hopes other Democrats will run for local offices, as he thinks part of the party’s struggle in Wyoming come from not running for open positions.

“I think the people of Wyoming will look at your issues,” he said. “But you’ve got to have somebody on the ballot, because you lose 100 percent of the positions that you don’t have on the ballot.”

Beyond Clark, House District 50 includes the eastern part of the city of Cody, the Willwood south of Powell (where Northrup lives), Ralston, Heart Mountain, Sunlight and Crandall.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

House District 24

Scott Court one can vote for their nominee.”

Increasing the coal industry is Court’s second goal, he said. stablishing a presidential primary in “We need to get the coal business cranked Wyoming, helping the coal industry, up again,” he said. “So much money comes balancing budgets and keeping schools from coal business, and I always said keepand highways safe are among Reing roads and schools safe is impublican candidate Scott Court’s portant.” top priorities as he seeks election Balancing the budget at the state as representative for Wyoming’s and federal level is also important, House District 24.

Court said.

HD 24 covers the western part “We don’t want to spend more of Cody, Wapiti, the South Fork money than we got, so we need to and Sunlight and Crandall. The stay on the balanced budget and other candidates vying for the seat not go over it,” Court said. “I am a are incumbent Republican Sam stickler on the balanced budget — Krone and Democrat Paul Fees, on the national side, the national both of Cody. debt is going to wipe us out, and I “I am a political junkie, a podon’t see anyone doing anything SCOTT COURT litical button collector,” Court about it.” said, adding that he was active in politics Court also said he would like to unite the as a precinct committeeman while living in Republicans and tea party members to work Cheyenne. on common goals.

This is his first time running for office, he “They had some friction,” Court said. said.

He said he was concerned that people who If elected, Court said his first goal is to use Social Security could find their benefits establish a presidential primary in Wyoming. cut due to lack of funds.

“We need to go back to a primary where “When you run big debt every year, nobody all registered Republicans can vote for their is held accountable,” Court said. “Racking up choice,” Court said. “In Cody and Powell debt every year is the reason government this year, they took the vote away from the keeps getting bigger and bigger and we get registered Republicans and only the precinct more regulations.” committee got to vote. People went to the Up on the horizon, Court foresees the county convention and there was no vote and legalization of marijuana, transgendered rethey were dismayed. The legislators need to strooms and providing for the retirement of push having presidential primaries so every- state employees as issues to address.

BY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor

E

Page 19

Profile Court is a native of Cody. He competed on the Cody High School basketball team and graduated from CHS in 1972. From there, he went on to earn his associate degree from Northwest Community College (now Northwest College) in 1974 and then a bachelor’s degree from University of Wyoming in secondary education, with an emphasis on social studies and a minor in basketball coaching.

Court said he taught and coached in Fleming, Colorado, for a short time after college, but homesickness brought him back to Wyoming. He went on to sell insurance in Rawlins and Casper from 1980-85, then worked as an auditor for the state of Wyoming in Cheyenne for about 16 years. During that time, Court said he worked fulltime while earning a master’s degree in public administration in 1994.

“It basically dealt with government more than the business sector,” he said.

After that, Court went on to work in human relations at the Lowe’s distribution center in Cheyenne for eight years.

“It was great — my gosh, I was one of the first people hired with Lowe’s and we had to hire 500 people, and we reached a point where we had 900 for a few years,” Court said. “They had to downsize, and I got caught up in that in around 2011 and came back to Cody.”

Since then, Court has worked part time at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and spends his free time golfing.

Voters with questions can contact Court at scourtalek@earthlink.net.

Incumbent Sam Krone is seeking his fourth term in the Wyoming House of Representatives.

He did not return repeated messages from the Tribune requesting an interview.

Page 20

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

House District 24

Paul Fees boards for Northwest College and the American Indian Institute.

“That is what has taken up my time the last ody resident Paul Fees has been in- dozen years,” Fees said. “I just retired from volved in many groups in Park County the Stampede board — one of the most fun and Wyoming over the years, and now things I have ever done and greatest honor he’s running for House District 24. too.”

House District 24 covers the He said he is running for ofwestern part of Cody, Wapiti, the fice because he is an optimist South Fork and Sunlight and Cranand because Park County has dall. not had a Democrat legislator for Fees is originally from Ajo, Arimany years. zona, a small town just north of the “It has been frustrating, the Mexican border. His youth was last four decades, to go from spent on military bases before movelection after election with the ing on to college where he earned Republicans never even having his bachelor’s degree from Stanford a challenge from anyone else,” University and his master’s and Fees said. “It leads people to doctorate in American Civilization think their ideas are unchalfrom Brown University. lenged; and one of the things that PAUL FEES “I jumped at the chance to come I’d like to do is make sure they to Cody to work at the museum,” Fees said. understand there is a wider constituency out “It didn’t take long to decide this is where I there.” want to spend the rest of my career.”

He said this is “frustrating and embarrassFrom 1981 through 2001 he was the cura- ing” because Wyoming’s Democrats and Retor and senior curator at the Buffalo Bill publicans aren’t very far apart on issues, but Center of the West. From there, he went on continous leadership under one party has led to work as an independent historian, writing, to “a stagnation in state government.” researching and consulting for museums “There is certainly a lack of imagination,” across the U.S. and England, as well as the Fees said.

National Park Service and for historical aucThis was exemplified during the previous tions.

Legislature, where it was known in advance Fees served on the Cody Stampede board that mineral extraction revenue was going for 21 years, two of which as president. He to drop. was also president of the Wyoming Council “They responded by staying in the box and for the Humanities and currently serves on indulging self-interests, instead of the pubBY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor

C

Senate District 18

Hank Coe Wyoming Sen. Hank Coe (Seners at the gas pump, the loss of ate District 18) is seeking retax revenue will have a signifielection to continue representing cant impact on the ability of all the Cody area and rural adjacent levels of government to provide region. He is running unopposed. services.

“So many people urged me to “I served in the Wyoming senrun again,” Coe said. “I didn’t ate during the fiscal crisis of the feel that this was the right time to early 1990s caused by another let down the folks in my district.” mineral ‘bust’ cycle. I believe I The state faces large budget have the knowledge and experidecreases due to the low prices of ence to help the state of Wyooil and gas. The ad valorem taxes ming and Park County weather HANK COE generated by oil and gas producthe impending crisis with the tion are the financial backbone of the state, least possible impact to our citizens,” Coe county and municipal governments. While said. low oil prices bring some relief to consumCoe served as a county commissioner

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile lic good,” Fees said, noting that education, health care, social services and infrastructure for cities, towns and counties were cut.

“That showed the danger of what happens when a small group of party leaders controls the agenda,” Fees said.

If elected, Fees said he would like to see the state utilize its “rainy day fund” to help the community colleges and University of Wyoming.

“It is almost a truism that the engines of economic innovation and change are the colleges and universities around the country,” Fees said. “We have shot ourselves in the foot by cutting the things that made our community college system the envy of all other states.”

Rather than building for the future, Wyoming’s colleges are having to focus just on the present, he said.

Fees also noted that as “several thousands of people were displaced by the downturn of coal and energy,” about 10,000-15,000 Wyoming residents had access cut to mental and dental health. This was all while cutting funding to the colleges, where the unemployed would go to improve themselves for the job market.

“And on top of it all, a group of senators decided that to spite the federal government, they would refuse $260 million in expanded Medicaid coverage that would have brought access to medical care to 20,000 (people) in the state,” Fees said.

For more information about Fees, go to paulfees.com.

Profile and longtime member and former chief of the Cody Volunteer Fire Department. He’s the president of C-YAIR, which works with air service at the Cody airport. He also served as the chairman of two senate committees — Education and Travel, Recreation and Wildlife.

“I’ve spent most of my life working and volunteering to improve the quality of life for people in Park County. Holding public office is the most important way to serve one’s community because it can have the most profound impact on the greatest number of people. I’d be very honored if the voters of this community choose to re-elect me,” Coe said.

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Thursday, August 11, 2016

U.S. House

Page 21

Profile

Liz Cheney

Constitutional Conservative

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Wyoming’s only U.S. House dent Barack Obama’s adminis Constitutional Conservative seat is up for grabs and can- tration is creating policies that Constitutional Conservative didate Liz Cheney stopped by hinder Wyoming’s industries.

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Page 22

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

U.S. House

Leland Christensen Leland Christensen provided the follow- ment and education — is the driving force ing information from his campaign web- behind his run to represent Wyoming in site, www.christensenforwyoming.com.

Washington.

Leland Christensen, a Wyoming State Christensen started in small business as Senator and Chairman of the Senate Ju- a logger and continues today as an auctiondiciary Committee, is a fifth generation eer. He has volunteered for and served on Wyoming native. He served for 15 years in a variety of local and state governing and the 19th Special Forces Airborne non-governing boards, including Army and the National Guard. the Commission on Judicial ConHe has been a Wyoming lawduct and Ethics, Salvation Army, man for 20 years, working in the Crime Stoppers, and the Teton Teton County and Lincoln CounCounty Fair Board. A 20-year ty sheriff’s offices. Christensen Rotarian and past Rotary Founwas twice elected to the Teton dation President, Christensen is County Board of Commissioners an active member of American and is currently serving his secLegion Post 43, plus a former ond term in the Wyoming Senate.

Scoutmaster and 4-H leader.

Christensen’s family first Christensen is in his sixth year moved to Wyoming to work in on the Senate Judiciary Committhe coal mines and later built tee and currently serves as chairLELAND successful farming, cattle, and man. He has spent four years on CHRISTENSEN sheep operations. Christensen the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife grew up in Alta where his father and Cultural Resources Commitwas a teacher and small busitee, and two years on the Agriculness owner. The Republican lawmaker ture Committee. was raised moving water and hauling hay, A lifelong sportsman, Christensen holds feeding cattle and chasing horses. Over an “A” rating from the National Rifle Assothe years, Christensen and his family were ciation (NRA) in recognition of his staunch very involved with 4-H, where he helped support for Second Amendment rights. his children raise bulls, steers, and pigs.

The National Federation of Small Business Christensen’s rich heritage — rooted in Wyoming chapter has previously endorsed Wyoming agriculture, energy, law enforce- him. He is ranked 4th in the 2015 Wyoming

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile Senate Liberty Index for his consistent support of bills that uphold the individual liberty of Wyoming citizens.

Christensen has been married to his wife, Anita, for 35 years. Together, they have five children and seven grandchildren.

Leland Christensen is a man for the people — Wyoming people. Everyday people in Wyoming need someone who gets it, who puts his own ego and ambition aside in order to help and serve. Leland gets that Wyoming’s needs are first, and Wyoming people are what it’s all about. Doing the right thing for Wyoming people — protecting their futures and state — is his goal every day.

Christensen listed the following issues on his campaign website: • Wyoming challenges do not need Washington solutions • Wyoming energy • Fighting for coal • Fiscal responsibility • Small business • Protecting the Wyoming way of life • Wyoming farmers and ranchers • A strong national defense and honoring veterans • Educating Wyoming students • Access to affordable healthcare • Protecting U.S. borders and immigration reform

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide Page 23

U.S. House

Daniel Clyde Cummings Daniel Clyde Cummings provided the fol- elor’s degree in mathematics and master’s lowing information under his biographical degree. I worked my way through college for section at cummings4congress.com: both degrees and paid my own way (I refused “I have been fascinated by the Constitution all taxpayer supported college loans). of the United States since my older childhood “My college years were interrupted for a and began a serious and in-depth study of it at Christian mission in Hong Kong and the Philthe age of 14 that has continued to the pres- ippines. After I finished college and medical ent. This study has included conschool, I moved to Washington, stitutional history, constitutional D.C. for three years to complete a law, current events concerning the medical residency in family mediproblems of our time, foreign policine. I married Virginia while I cy and the challenge of America’s was in medical school, and we have enemies, and sound free-market raised five children since then, economics and its enemies. “That all of whom were home-schooled, study has never ceased and conat least up to junior year of high tinues today. I have learned much school (one of them was homeeven in recent years and continue schooled until college). All of them to grow year by year in my underare now college graduates, and our standing of America’s problems, only son also achieved his master’s both foreign and domestic. degree. All of them are self-supDANIEL CLYDE “I was born of good parents and porting in the American economy.

CUMMINGS raised in a loving home with four “Since I completed my family siblings in Salt Lake City where I medicine residency, I have pracattended the public elementary and second- ticed family medicine for almost 38 years in ary schools and graduated from Highland various states around the country. I have been High School. self-employed for most of that time and have “I then attended the University of Utah for learned all about the challenges of running eight years, from which I obtained a bach- a personal business and occasionally work-

Forum ing as an independent contractor. I have also spent a few years working for hospitals and another employer, so that I also understand the challenges of being employed by others.

I have always been in excellent health and remain so now, and I am accustomed to nearly continuous hard work with occasional brief vacations.

“I have served in the House of Delegates (the policymaking governing bodies) of three different state medical associations, and I served a prolonged term on the Board of Trustees (the executive council) of one of those state medical association.

“I have served in many lay ministerial assignments in my church. I have lived in the East and in the West, in the North and in the South, in the mountains and on the plains, in Republican states and in Democratic states (and in vacillating states), and in the Washington, D.C. area itself. I have learned by experience that local problems and political challenges vary greatly around the country, but my experience in living in many varied locations has also taught me that our national problems are nearly uniformly the same throughout our country. I understand those problems and their solutions.”

Page 24

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

U.S. House

Ryan Greene Democratic candidate Ryan Greene pro- Lindsey Greene — who works with children vided the following biographical informa- with developmental disabilities in a Wyotion on his website, ryangreene16.com. ming public school. Together they are raisGreen was born and raised in Rock ing their son, Karsen, and daughter, Kynlee.

Springs where he studied at Western WyoGreene is also an avid hunter, camper, and ming Community College. fisher.

He went on to earn a business Videos about his stance on degree from Western Internaseveral issues can be found at tional University and a welding ryangreene16.com/issues/. These certificate from Lincoln Electric. videos include: Greene helped expand his family’s business, Greene’s Energy PUBLIC LANDS Services, from one truck in the • As a hunter, fisher, and campJonah Field to a three-state preser, Ryan loves Wyoming’s great ence with hundreds of employoutdoors. ees. He also supported Greene’s • As Wyoming’s Congressman Energy Services’ expansion from he will fight to keep public lands in Wyoming’s natural gas fields to public hands.

Wyoming’s coal and trona mines, RYAN GREENE and fertilizer plants.

DIVERSIFY WYOMING’S ECONOMY Greene worked as a roust• This is Wyoming’s third bust about, pipe welder, certified welding in- in 60 years. We need to diversify Wyoming’s spector, project manager, and now serves economy inside and outside the energy inas operations director for Greene’s Energy dustry.

Services.

He has managed labor, welding, and fabBEING A WYOMING DEMOCRAT rication services for dozens of Wyoming en• Ryan’s a Wyoming Democrat — not ergy producers and mines. He also worked a California Democrat — not a New York 18 years in Wyoming energy industries and Democrat. agricultural suppliers.

• He supports Wyoming’s energy industry, Greene has been married for 12 years to the Second Amendment, and preserving

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile Wyoming’s wide open spaces for future generations.

TAKING CARE OF NEIGHBORS • From your very first paycheck you’ve paid into Social Security and Medicare.

• Greene thinks you deserve to get what you’ve paid for and he’ll stand up to the national Republicans that want to dissolve these programs.

SECOND AMENDMENT • As a gun owner and hunter, Greene supports the Second Amendment.

• Greene will work hard to defend it — against Democrats and Republicans that just don’t get it.

EDUCATION • Greene was educated in Wyoming’s public schools; his children attend them; his wife works in them.

• It’s time Wyoming’s Congressmen stop talking about supporting education and start making it a top priority.

HEALTHCARE • Love it or hate it — the Affordable Care Act is six years old.

• It’s America’s healthcare system, and we need to make it work for Wyoming.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide Page 25

U.S. House

Charlie Hardy Charlie Hardy provided the following in duced a bounty of carrots, lettuce, and onions, the “About Charlie” section of his campaign and I walked around the neighborhood with website, http://000f18j.rcomhost.com/word- him, sharing food with others. press1/.

“I would like to see these Wyoming values “I was born and raised in Cheyenne, the son — respect for others, sharing, and working of European immigrants. As a citizen of the together — represented once again in WashUnited States, I feel I have been a ington. very fortunate person — and I’ve “Another Wyoming value is dedicated myself to helping others hard work. While my father toiled get the same opportunities. long hours in Cheyenne’s railroad “For nearly 30 years, I served yards, I grew up working. I mowed communities throughout Wyolawns and delivered newspapers ming and in South America as a as a kid. As a teenager I worked Catholic priest, missionary, and at a children’s amusement park, educator. running the rides. I washed cars “I would like to take back to at a local carwash and helped to Washington, D.C. the Wyoming mail out Wyoming Wildlife, pubtradition of cooperation, respect, lished by the Wyoming Game and and compassion.

Fish Commission. I also worked CHARLIE HARDY for a few years at a Safeway store “I grew up with four sisters and a brother — in the same redbrick in Cheyenne as a carry-out boy, house where I live today. I learned impor- stocker, and cashier. tant values that I believe characterize what “After attending Saint Mary’s ElemenWyoming is all about: respect for others, and tary and High School in Cheyenne, I earned working together. a bachelor’s in philosophy and an master’s “My father taught me an old German prov- in religious education from St. Thomas erb: with your hat in your hands, you can Seminary in Denver, a bachelor’s in sacred travel through all the lands. Meaning, if you theology degree from Catholic University of show respect to others, tipping your hat to America, Washington, D.C.; and an master’s them, you will be welcome anywhere in the in educational administration from the Uniworld. I have found that to be true. versity of Wyoming.

“My parents and neighbors also taught me “I have also studied foreign languages in about working together. My father hunted order to speak what I consider to be the most jack-rabbits when they lived in the country important — the language of friendship. I near Cheyenne, but when my parents moved am fluent in English and Spanish, and have to town, hunting was no longer possible. Still, studied eight other languages (Portuguese, neighbors would bring game animals they German, Italian, French, Slovenian, Ruskilled. My father butchered them on our sian, Latin, and Greek). I have visited over 30 kitchen table and his friends shared the meat countries. with us. In summer, my father’s garden pro“During the 20 years I ministered as

Profile priest in the Diocese in Cheyenne, I served pastorally in the communities of Cheyenne, Laramie, Rock Springs and Casper. I was also the Superintendent of Catholic Schools in Wyoming and executive director of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. Then, from 198593, I ministered in poverty-stricken areas in South America — living for most of the eight years in a pressed-cardboard-and-tin shack in a barrio on the edge of Caracas, Venezuela.

“In recent years, I have carried out inspection of personnel on tankers and cargo ships.

As a writer and speaker, I have authored a book, and given over a hundred lectures in universities, colleges, libraries, and book stores. I have also worked as a substitute teacher at the junior high and high school levels.

“My life experiences have deepened my appreciation and compassion for the struggles so many people face, here in Wyoming and around the world. It is their concerns which motivate me to run for the honor of representing my brother and sister citizens of Wyoming in Washington.

“Today, as I run for the U.S. House of Representatives, I also stay fit by running a few miles every day. My health has been good and I have been fortunate to never having to spend a night in a hospital as a patient. I was not even born in a hospital.

“As I travel throughout Wyoming, seeing old friends and meeting new, I am reminded how beautiful the Equality State is — not just the mountains and rivers and plains, but our people. Often Washington’s partisan rhetoric pits people against each other, but I know in my heart that Wyoming values are alive and well: respect for one another and working together.”

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

U.S. House

Mike Konsmo

Northwest College English assistant profes- to work in a great education system, wanted sor Mike Konsmo announced his candidacy for to be close to Yellowstone National Park and the U.S. House in January. wanted to live in a place I really enjoyed, “My vision is, I want the citizens of Wyo- small town life,” Konsmo said. “I love Wyoming to control the decisions that ming because is true; I love it.” affect the citizens of Wyoming; Konsmo got his first taste for the I don’t want the federal governpolitical realm as an intern for forment to direct Wyoming’s future,” mer Oklahoma congressman Steve Konsmo said. “On a personal level, Largent during college.

I want to be accessible and avail“That was where this dream to able and positive as a political run for Congress was born,” Koncandidate, and I want to represent smo said. “He was a wide receiver Wyoming in (Washington) D.C. for the Seattle Seahawks, so he was with confidence and knowledge and a childhood hero of mine — he was respect.” a man of character and values, and Konsmo originates from Seattle, I just knew I would someday run with his undergrad completed at for Congress and that is today.”

MIKE KONSMO University of Southern California His decision to run in 2016 was and three graduate degrees in Engmade prior to Lummis’ announcelish, history and film from University of South- ment that she was not running again, he said. ern California and Montana State University.

“I knew I wanted to pursue it 100 percent, As a student, he worked on ranches and at so I spent the last few months preparing,” the airport in Bozeman, Montana, loading and Konsmo said in January, noting that the spark refueling planes, he said. originated from his desire to help students.

“I am not a career politician,” Konsmo said. “I see a lot of students going to college, im“Just a normal person who wants to represent proving their skills, becoming ready for the Wyoming in the best way possible.” real world and having to move away from Now in his seventh year of teaching at NWC, Wyoming because there are not enough jobs, Konsmo now calls Powell, and Wyoming, his industries and opportunities; and I want to home. help those students make a transition to the “I came here for three reasons — I wanted real world with great success.”

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile The $1.1 trillion omnibus bill passed in December to keep the federal gears turning through this year, and Lummis was among those opposed to the bill.

“Gargantuan, end-of-the year funding bills have been the standard fare in Congress for years now, and taxpayers have suffered as a result,” Lummis said in a press release following the bill’s 316-113 passage.

Konsmo noted that the bill was “very expensive” and that he was supportive of creating a balanced federal budget and concerned about the increasing national debt.

“What will always guide me in my decisionmaking is what is best for Wyoming and its citizens — every decision has to be made with that idea as the main criteria,” Konsmo said.

Konsmo spent the last six months or so making the rounds to all 23 of Wyoming’s counties to speak with residents and find out what’s on their minds.

“This campaign is not about me. I want to avoid the phrase ‘my campaign.’ I want this to be ‘our campaign,’ I want to represent the people in Wyoming and what they want,” Konsmo said.

For more information about Konsmo’s campaign, go to konsmoforcongress.com or facebook.com/konsmoforcongress, email him at mikekonsmo@gmail.com or call 307-2548286.

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Page 27

U.S. House

Paul Paad Republican candidate Paul Paad provided Because the EPA has run amuck in our the following biographical information on country and we need a congressman who is his campaign website, paulpaad.com. not afraid to stand up, speak out and fight Paad is a 63-year-old Casper resident and against job killing regulations.

Republican whose education was techniBecause Immigration Laws need to be encal training in Wyoming as well as federal forced, our borders need to be secured and requirements in hazardous matethe practice of “Sanctuary Cities” rial transportation. needs to end now. No more federal He works as a Director of Safefunding for sanctuary cities. Ilty Compliance and is a member legal immigration is draining our of The Eagles No. 306 and Court economy.

Appointed Special Advocates Because veterans should never (CASA). have to worry about the benefits Paad lobbied for Wyoming and health care they were promcitizens’ rights to carry concealed ised. And no veteran should be without a permit. He also lobbied left to live homeless on the streets against attempts to pass overly while we pay to house people intrusive laws that would have that chose to enter our borders eroded the liberties of Wyoming illegally.

PAUL PAAD Citizens. He has been actively Because our military strength working to protect personal must be refortified. rights and property rights for more than 15 Because America needs to establish its years. energy independence from foreign marPaad posted the following statement kets. This means ending the moratorium about why he is running for Congress: on federal coal leases as well as stabilizing Because Wyoming’s Energy Industry is oil prices. We need to make sure it is just as under attack and we need strong leadership profitable to take a barrel of domestic oil to in Washington to protect Wyoming Families market, as it is to take a barrel of foreign oil and return energy jobs to Wyoming. to market.

Profile On his campaign website, Paad listed quotes from John Adams and Thomas Jefferson as his favorites.

“Our constitution was made for only a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

— John Adams “We in America do not have a government by the majority — we have a government of the majority who participate ... All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” — Thomas Jefferson Paad listed the following as action items: • Return energy jobs to Wyoming • Stabilize oil prices • End moratorium on federal coal leases • Rein in the over burdensome regulations imposed by Federal agencies such as the EPA, Department of Interior, Department of Energy, etc.

• Secure our borders • Enforce immigration laws • No “Sanctuary Cities,” enforce the law or no federal funding • Re-establish our military strength • Reliable healthcare for veterans • Congress must “reclaim” the legislative power granted to them by the Constitution

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

U.S. House

Jason Senteney Jason Senteney provided the following principles to represent you in Washington, information on his campaign website, www. I will work to simplify our tax system, put senteneyforwyoming.org.

Americans back to work, and fight to elimiI am running in the 2016 Wyoming Re- nate federal overreach. publican Primary for our sole U.S. House of I plan to work on stopping Freedom inRepresentatives seat. For as long fringing legislation that has been as I can remember, I have had this intruding on the lives of lawinner determination to serve my abiding Americans for over a decountry and serve my commucade. I took an oath to uphold and nity. From the time I honored my defend the Constitution against all family and enlisted in the United enemies — foreign and domestic, States Marine Corps (following and I plan to always live up to that in my grandfather’s and father’s oath. footsteps and earning the title) to If you support getting back to currently serving our great state the America you love, I would as a correctional officer, volunteer greatly appreciate your support, firefighter, and being appointed and together we can move our to the Air Quality Small Business nation in the right direction. God JASON Compliance Advisory Panel.

Bless Wyoming and our Great NaSENTENEY During the last 20 years, I have tion! also followed how our elected officials impact every aspect of our lives. I About Senteney realize that more and more of our elected Senteney was born in Torrington Comofficials seem to have forgotten who they munity Hospital in 1978 and then attended work for, and are pushing their own hollow both Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School and agendas. They continue to represent special Torrington High School. He graduated from interest groups over their own constituents. Torrington in 1996. He went on to become They continue to cut programs that help se- the third generation in his family to serve in niors, veterans, and our children, while ma- the United States Marine Corps. jor corporations receive billions in taxpayer After the Marines, he attended Western funded handouts.

Nebraska Community College and majored I believe the only way to change this bro- in criminal justice for a semester. He went ken Washington culture, is to elect people on to work for Harbor Financial Mortgage that have been right there with you in the Corporation. trenches of life. It is time for us to take back He returned to college in 1999, attending the “people’s house.”

Eastern Wyoming Community College and I promise you, I will fight for all Wyoming- majoring in pre-medicine. That same year, ites. I believe we need a blue collar conserva- he got a job offer as a boot camp drill instructive with common sense and Constitutional tor for Correctional Services Corporation in

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile Texas.

Then in the fall of 2000, he attended West Tesas A&M University and majored in mass communications with an emphasis on broadcasting. After that semester, he worked into various Management positions in several restaurants and major retailers.

He returned to West Texas A&M University in 2005 and got back into broadcasting.

He was part of the Morning Show on KWTS (91.1 FM), and had a Political Talk Radio Show called “Social Reaction.” After the fall semester, he went to work for KAMR (NBC4) and KCIT (Fox14) as a cameraman, Within a month of employment, he became a photojournalist for those affiliates, covering local news and politics. Senteney has interviewed governors, senators, representatives, and a few celebrities.

He later went to work for a major retailer as an executive team leader, but he said his heart wasn’t in it so he went from company to company trying to find that passion he had lost. During that time, he said he followed politics almost religiously, knowing someday that he wanted to go into public service and help people.

He returned to North Platte Valley in 2009 and worked a campaign at Western Sugar, then as a farmhand, then back into restaurant management.

He started working with the Wyoming Department of Corrections in 2011 and joined the Yoder Volunteer Fire Department in 2012.

In February 2015, Senteney was appointed to the Air Quality Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel for the State of Wyoming by Gov. Matt Mead.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

U.S. House

Darin Smith Republican candidate Darin Smith provided guarantee and protectorate of all of our other the following biographical information on his Constitutional rights, especially the Freedom campaign website, smithforwyoming.com. of Speech, which seems to be under attack in Darin Smith, a lifetime resident of Wyoming, America today. is a fourth-generation Wyomingite who grew up in Rock Springs and currently resides in LIMITED GOVERNMENT Cheyenne.

We need to gut the federal bureaucracy and Smith has spent the last 11 years halt its unconstitutional abuse of working for the Christian Broadpower. Agencies like the EPA are casting Network. He leads a team of choking out business and agricul15 development professionals who ture in America and putting a huge generate much of the resources to and unnecessary tax burden on the fund the organization’s mission and backs of the American people. worldwide activities.

Smith earned his bachelor’s deCONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY gree in political science from the By ending federal pensions for University of Wyoming in 1996. He Congress and forcing legislators to later entered law school at the unirely on the Social Security system versity, graduating in 2000. Smith that most Americans do, legislabegan his business career with tors will have the incentive to DARIN SMITH RBC Dain Rauscher in 2000, which shore up Social Security because it subsequently became RBC Wealth directly affects them. Also, Smith Management. He built a successful investment will support the bill already before Congress business. to dock members’ pay 10 percent each year Smith has also maintained a successful law they don’t balance a federal budget. Smith practice since 2000. In that role, he has repre- will not be taking a federal pension upon his sented individuals, families, and corporations election because he feels it is immoral. with legal issues and helped many people in Wyoming who couldn’t otherwise afford legal EDUCATION representation.

Parents, teachers, and local school boards Smith has been active in community service know best. Standards are fine, as long as they including coaching wrestling and serving as don’t infringe upon or force particular teacha Cubmaster for a local pack, as a member of ing methods. Best teaching practices and the Lion’s Club, and as the children’s pastor for his content taught should be left entirely to our church. state and local communities.

He and Alicia Smith have been married for 17 Smith is an advocate for charter schools, years and have five children who range in age tax credits, and federal vouchers for educafrom 3 to 14 years old. As a family, the Smiths tion. enjoy participating in local youth sports, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and FFA. AGRICULTURE On his website, he lists the following issues: We must replace federal bureaucracy with common sense. We need to rescind unconstiSECOND AMENDMENT tutional federal agency overreach into WyoOur Second Amendment freedoms are the ming agriculture.

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Profile LIFE Smith believes in and will defend the sanctity of life, from the unborn to the most elderly and vulnerable.

ENERGY We need to go on the energy offensive to put energy jobs back in Wyoming and position our great state to lead the nation toward energy independence. Increase the demand for natural gas by modifying publicly funded vehicle fleets in Wyoming, all the way down to the local school buses, to run on natural gas, and incentivize energy companies to do the same.

WYOMING’S COAL Wyoming’s coal is the cleanest coal in the world, so we must get it to market. We must move quickly to build a consortium of partners (federal, state, and private industry) to encourage Oregon and Washington to open up their ports to Wyoming coal. If they continue to stall, we have no choice but to constitutionally force their ports open via the Commerce Clause (Article 1 Section 8, Clause 3).

OBAMACARE Americans are facing ridiculous increases in premiums and deductibles, fewer health care plans to choose from, and less access to the doctors we choose to go to. We need to provide tax credits for health care premiums and incentivize competition by allowing any insurance company from any state to compete for any citizen’s business, regardless of the state they reside.

ISIS, RADICAL ISLAM, AND ISRAEL We must now fix what we broke, destroy ISIS, and oppose radical Islam and anti-Semitism. The United States also must support Israel, the only Democracy and defender of human rights in the Middle East.

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

U.S. House

Lawrence Struempf Lawrence Struempf provided the fol- systems. I have also worked as a college lowing information on his website, www. faculty member in computer information struempfforcongress.com. systems for over 13 years.

My name is Lawrence Struempf, and I am For over 15 years I have been and continue Wyoming’s Libertarian candidate for U.S. to be an active leader in the community.

Congress.

I have presided over and chaired I believe in the Libertarian many clubs, foundations, comcore values, less government and mittees and boards. I served as more liberties; less federal and president and lieutenant governor more state control of local reof Kiwanis the president of the sources. I believe and support the Laramie Rotary club. I am a strong U.S. Constitution and this great team leader and project manager, country of ours. enabling me to effectively commuI was raised on a cattle ranch nicate with people who have opposin Fremont County where we ing ideas, working together to build grew alfalfa hay and raised a consensus. cattle.

With my experience in agriculI was very active in 4-H and ture, technology, and education I LAWRENCE FFA. I attended the University will be a valued member of those STRUEMPF of Wyoming, where I drove semicommittees in congress. I will work trucks and managed a Mini Mart hard to address every bill and probto help pay my way through college. I earned lem that comes before the U.S. Congress with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, a care and due diligence. masters in Management, and am currently I am running to work for the people and working on my doctorate in education at UW. with the people of our great country, to solve I have experienced a variety of careers. the problems that come before me. I want to I grew up working the ranch, irrigating, remind Americans that we have more than cutting and bailing hay, branding and tending two parties and more than two choices. I cattle and horses, and fixing everything that want to standup for what is right and good, needed fixed. I worked construction, operat- rather than a party line. ed heavy equipment, and drove semis. I took I would like to be Wyoming’s U.S. cona break from college to manage a Mini Mart. gressman for the following reasons: After earning my bachelor’s, I worked • To work honestly and hard for the citias a network/systems engineer and project zens of Wyoming and the United States. manager. I started up and managed my own • I want to help protect Americans rights corporation, Rocky Mountain Information and freedoms; the right to own and bear Systems, setting up and repairing networks, arms; the right to have access to public servers, and related computer information lands.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Profile • I want to protect and improve the American public education system; to protect the quality of the teachers and the schools for the sake of the students.

• I want to help improve the economy by protecting current industries as well as exploring new markets and opportunities.

• I want to promote the application of higher social, business, and professional standards.

• I want to develop by precept and example, a more intelligent and serviceable citizenship.

• I want to put service above self and build goodwill with all Americans for a strong and healthier country.

• I have strong core values and Wyoming pride.

• I will be honest and work hard for the citizens of Wyoming and the United States of America.

• I will to put service above self and build goodwill with all Americans for a strong and healthier country.

• I will put service above self and build goodwill with all Americans.

• I will work to create and maintain that sound public opinion which make possible the increase of justice, patriotism, and goodwill.

I am an honest man and a hardworking man just like my father was before me. I am a good father and a good citizen of the United States of America and of my community. I believe in God, and I believe if we all work hard; we can make the world better for our children.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

U.S. House

Tim Stubson After nine years of serving in the Wyo- of votes and the national effort is still a few ming House of Representatives, Casper states short of making that change at the Republican Tim Stubson is looking to step federal level. up to the U.S. House as the Cowboy State’s “We are getting close to the states sayonly representative. ing enough is enough and you have to live “One of the benefits of having spent my within your means,” Stubson said. “That life and career in Wyoming is, I know the is the only way you get a balanced budget ups and downs and booms and — you need to have a Constitubusts,” Stubson said. He said he tional requirement to balance the advocated for keeping the state budget.” government at a budgetary level Stubson was born in Casper, that was sustainable. then moved to Cody in his youth The Legislature’s approach to and graduated from Cody High revenue has changed drastically School. From there, he went on during Stubston’s almost full to University of Wyoming, where decade in the House, and he said he earned his undergraduate he would like to bring those fisdegree and finished law school. cally conservative changes to the For about the last 20 years he has federal level. Unlike Wyoming’s been living in Casper and workstate government, the federal ing as a lawyer.

TIM STUBSON government is not required to “I raised my family here and balance its budget. had my career here, and it is “The federal government doesn’t make important to have effective representation priorities or base spending on what they in Washington (D.C.) — they need to know bring in, and we need to have a government the person will fight for them, and I will do that lives within its means for our kids’ fu- that,” Stubson said. ture,” Stubson said.

Stubson is up against 11 other candidates His experience of drawing out budgetary total, seven of which are Republicans, vying priorities at the state level will be a “big for the seat; among them is Liz Cheney. change from what has happened histori“I do think your first job in Wyoming cally” in Washington, D.C., Stubson said. should not be representing the people in Stubson sponsored the bill requiring Con- Wyoming,” Stubson said. “We think enough gress to balance the nation’s budget, just as people feel that way that we can pull off this the Legislature is required to balance the election.” state’s budget. But his bill lost by a couple Wyoming gets just one voice out of the

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Profile 435 representatives in the House. “You need someone with a stake in Wyoming’s future,” Stubson said.

“I know I’m running to be in a system that is broken, but it is a key seat and it is important for the state,” Stubson said. “So much at the federal level impacts how we hire people and work our lands, and we need someone who understands our issues and the people.”

Another one of Stubson’s goals is to pull back the overreach of the federal government so industries can grow and jobs can be created, he said.

“That is what people are concerned about,” Stubson said. “In Wyoming, we are an energy state and can’t raise the white flag — we have to build on our strengths.”

Small businesses also need helped out since there are federal policies in place that make it more expensive to do business, he said.

One of the problems employers are facing is the rising cost of providing health insurance to employees and “the problems are getting worse,” Stubson said.

“Property insurance can be bought nationally. If we were allowed to buy health insurance policies outside of Wyoming, we would see immediate competition and lower premiums — it would change the game,” Stubson said. “Some insurance companies in the state would fight it tooth and nail because they have a monopoly here — there are significant special interests.”

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Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Park County Commissioners

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Richard George (center) speaks at an Aug. 4 forum in Cody for the Republican candidates for the Park County Commission as (from left) Bob Ruckman, Jake Fulkerson, incumbent Lee Livingston and Boone Tidwell look on. Two commission seats are up for grabs. Tribune photo by CJ Baker

Park County Commission candidates make their cases

BY CJ BAKER Tribune Staff Writer

A

t forums in Powell and Cody over the past week, the five Republican candidates for the Park County Commission made different cases for why they’re the best choice for two available seats.

Among the five candidates — Jake Fulkerson, Richard George, incumbent Lee Livingston, Bob Ruckman and Boone Tidwell — only the top two vote-getters in Tuesday’s Republican primary election will advance to November’s general election.

They’ll be unopposed on the general election ballot, barring an independent or Democratic challenger emerging.

The Park County Republican Women hosted a Thursday, Aug. 4, forum at the Cody Theatre for the GOP commission candidates and another on Tuesday at Northwest College. This article includes excerpts from both events.

All of the candidates attended the Cody forum, while Livingston missed Powell’s because of a trip with his Wapiti-based outfitting business.

Livingston — who’s seeking a second fouryear term on the commission — pitched his experience.

“I have the same qualifications that my fellow candidates did four years ago, when I sought this office: a desire to be part of the community and help the community and a passion for local government. All of us have that,” Livingston said.

What distinguishes him, he said, is four years of going through and cutting Park County’s budget as a commissioner.

“We are going through some tough times and I believe that that experience that I bring to the table will make me a great choice to continue being a Park County commissioner,” he said.

Fulkerson, meanwhile, said he’s a fiscal conservative who’s gained valuable knowledge and leadership skills during eight years on the Cody school board, among other experience.

“I feel I can really be helpful in these trying budget times,” the Cody appraiser said, adding, “I think my community involvement demonstrates a love of Park County and a love of your community.”

Fulkerson said the county is “fairly well run.” Beyond wanting to improve the commissioners’ “collaboration” with the county’s outlying cities and towns, he said he doesn’t have an agenda.

George, 33, cited his youth as an asset. He said that — because he has more years of his life still ahead of him — he has more at stake in making the right decisions.

“If you live as long as I do, you’re going to love the decisions that we’re part of,” he pledged.

George farms more than 900 acres between Cody and Powell. He holds elected positions within the Park County and Wyoming Republican parties.

“I don’t have a resume that is extremely long, but I have a life history that is proven

conservative,” he said.

Tidwell, a South Fork resident, said his knowledge of the state and U.S. constitutions would make him the rare official who would understand his oath of office and role as an elected representative.

He described the county’s top priorities as roads and bridges, law enforcement and the court system; he said his decades of experience as a California sheriff’s deputy and now as a bail bondsman applies to the latter two areas.

“I bring something to the county that is sorely lacking right now; that is judicial expertise,” he said.

Ruckman, of Powell, pitched a “broad range of skills” that he’s acquired over years of work in industries that have ranged from oil and gas to agriculture to a career as a professional in the banking industry and in consulting. His background in information technology, process improvement and disaster preparedness are also unique, he said.

“One of the things I learned in the consulting business is how to facilitate and right now I believe there needs to be a lot of facilitating between Powell and Cody on the county commission,” Ruckman said, saying Powell people feel disenfranchised.

GETTING PEOPLE INVOLVED As for getting more people involved in county business, Ruckman suggested the commission look into making it possible for See Commission, Page 33

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide Page 33

Park County Commissioners Commission: Five candidates vie for two available seats Continued from Page 32 the public to attend its meetings via teleconference at Northwest College or at a city hall.

He said that could be done at a low cost.

Fulkerson also liked that idea, saying the Cody school district had success with making live and archived videos of its meetings, and suggested using an email notification list.

Tidwell said the community needs to have the necessary information and said the commission should hold weekly meetings with taxpayers.

“I think there’s a complete lack of transparency in government,” he said.

George suggested meeting in communities like Clark, Meeteetse and Powell that sometimes feel left out.

“How hard could it be?” George said, adding, “This is a job of service. I mean, the county commissioners get paid $39,500 (actually $36,174.50) a year. Do you think that any of these guys, when they work three full days out of the month and then go to additional meetings, don’t make enough money from this job to actually go and participate in their community or donate some back, or find a way to be active? Come on.”

Livingston wasn’t present when George made those remarks, but he said at last week’s forum that, with the way state law is written, holding official county meetings outside of the county seat is “extremely problematic.”

As for boosting public involvement, “I don’t know how you do it other than having the information out there,” he said.

Livingston noted that people do attend meetings if they’re interested in the topic.

EXPERIENCE WITH COMMISSION MEETINGS/OFFICIALS The candidates have had varying degrees of experience with commission meetings and county officials.

Livingston has attended all or most of 34 of the commission’s 38 meetings over the past year, county minutes indicate.

Fulkerson and George have both attended a number of meetings this year; Fulkerson said he’s also met individually with all but

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one of the elected officials.

Ruckman said he hadn’t attended any commission meetings — noting that a 2014 automobile crash severely limited his travel until recently — but said he’s spoken with most of the county’s officials and department heads.

Tidwell said his job as a bondsman involves contact with the county’s sheriff, attorney and judges, but said he hasn’t attended any meetings.

“My preference personally is to walk into a door with kind of a blank brain and a lot of personal aspiration without having a preconceived notion about how things are supposed to operate,” he said.

George also said the tax would have a “huge” impact on farmers like himself, who are already facing high expenses, and said it would be better for local governments to find collaborative ways to save money.

As for Ruckman, “There’s no adjective to describe how much I’m opposed to it,” he said. “You cannot tax yourself into prosperity.”

Ruckman said the tax is regressive and takes money out of people’s pockets.

“I think we can come up with a lot of great solutions to get us through this so we don’t have to have an additional 1 cent sales tax,” Ruckman said.

1 CENT TAX None of the five candidates gave the proposed 1 cent specific purpose sales tax their clear endorsement, while two were opposed.

Livingston said he’s purposely remained neutral.

“I don’t believe it’s my job to go out there and ask you for a 1 cent sales tax; it’s almost like asking for a raise,” he said. Livingston said he “definitely” understood why voters rejected a proposed general purpose 1 cent tax in 2012, though he said there are projects included in the new $13.68 million specific purpose tax that will never get done without the tax.

Fulkerson said he was glad the tax appears to be headed to November’s general election for voters to decide.

“One thing I would never do as a commissioner is not vote to put it on the ballot,” he said. “The people have to have the right to vote it up or down.”

Tidwell faulted local governments for being “opaque” about what they would do with the money, but said the decision should rest with the public.

“I hate taxes. I think taxation is theft,” Tidwell said. “But the real question is, what do you want?”

George and Ruckman, meanwhile, expressed absolute opposition to the proposed tax.

“I don’t see the great needs,” George said.

If there are needs, “why haven’t we done a dang thing about it” over the years, he asked.

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION Though the decision would rest with legislators and not commissioners, Tidwell and Ruckman each indicated they would support legalizing marijuana for both medical and recreational use.

“Prohibition is an absolute failure,” said Tidwell. “It lacks constitutional authority and it creates the black market.”

Ruckman said state lawmakers should “absolutely” make marijuana available for medical purposes, saying it can be more effective than painkillers.

As for recreational use, “Why are we making criminals out of people?” Ruckman asked, saying the country can’t afford to imprison people for small amounts of marijuana.

“Let’s grow it, let’s tax it and make a revenue stream,” Ruckman said, calling the War on Drugs an expensive failure.

Meanwhile, Fulkerson, George and Livingston all indicated some level of willingness to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, but were less open to recreational marijuana.

“We don’t need another gateway drug in addition to alcohol,” said Fulkerson, who described himself as “absolutely opposed” to recreational use.

Offered George, “Our society, I don’t think, is going to thrive if we have a bunch of potheads running around.”

Livingston said he wants to see what happens in states that legalize the drug.

Page 34

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

City of Powell Mayor

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Forum

Hillman only mayoral candidate at Tuesday forum

BY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor

P

owell’s current mayor Don Hillman was the only mayoral candidate to show up for the Park County Republican Women’s candidate forum at Northwest College’s Nelson Performing Arts Center on Tuesday.

Throughout the question-and-answer format of the forum, Hillman often emphasized the importance of infrastructure — streets, sewers and utilities.

When asked what the most important duty is for the mayor position, Hillman pointed out that Powell operates with a city manager and city council.

“People think the mayor has a lot of power, but I don’t have as much power as a councilman — I can’t make a motion,” Hillman said, noting he can break a tie vote.

Budgets have been at the forefront of every level of government in Wyoming, and one of the first questions Hillman was asked was what could be cut as budgets shrink.

Hillman pointed out that Powell had to dip into its reserves to create a balanced budget for the current fiscal year and that state funding is uncertain. When Hillman was first elected, the city was losing $400,000 per year but has since turned that around and built up a reserve account large enough to sustain the city, with no revenue coming

in, for about five or six months, he said.

“If we kept that up, we would be bankrupt today,” Hillman said.

When asked if he has enough time to fulfill the duties of mayor, Hillman said he is retired so he is able to spend about three hours per day on average doing mayoral duties.

“It surprised me how much time it takes,” Hillman said. In the last year, he has attended 22 city council meetings; there are typically two meetings per month.

The legalization of marijuana, both medically and recreationally, was brought up in the forum for all candidates and Hillman’s answer was the most succinct.

“I am crazy enough as it is, we don’t need that stuff,” he said.

The increase in hookah lounges and stores selling vaping equipment and electronic cigarettes was also brought up and Hillman said he thinks they should be treated the same as regular cigarettes.

“I am in favor of them if they will help them stop smoking,” Hillman said.

As for the proposed 1 cent sales tax increase, Hillman said he is in favor of it and wants voters to research the projects it would fund and then decide for themselves if the tax is worth it.

When asked about the city’s greatest asset, Hillman said it was the employees.

“I don’t care who you are, you are no better than the people who work for you,” Hill-

man said.

When asked about community funding, Hillman said every town needs economic development.

“It has to come from the private sector — the city’s role is to provide infrastructure so when a company or business wants to move in, you have the infrastructure to sustain their needs,” Hillman said.

During the forum, the Tribune asked what the mayor can do to support main street businesses. He said he would like to see more retail stores in downtown Powell, but competing with big box stores and the internet has been difficult. “If you have an idea, let me know,” Hillman said.

Hillman was also asked what could be done to increase communication between governing bodies and he suggested dividing the county commission so that two commissioners would be from Powell, two from Cody and one from Meeteetse. Then, cut the commissioners’ wages by two-thirds and use those funds to have the county hire a county administrator similar to Powell’s city administrator. From there, each of the city’s and the county’s administrators could collaborate as a team that knows how government works and where to get funding, he said.

Hillman is up against James Andrews and Dawson Wolff in the primary election on Tuesday.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

House District

Page 35

Forum

House District candidates discuss issues

BY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor

A

lthough only two of the candidates are facing each other in the primary election on Tuesday, three House candidates took to the stage at Northwest College during the candidate forum hosted by the Park County Republican Women.

In 2014, Dan Laursen and Dave Blevins were up against each other in the race for House District 25. Blevins was seeking reelection at the time and Laursen won the vote — now the duo is up for a rematch.

Rep. Dave Northrup, House District 50, is facing Democratic candidate Mike Specht and is not running against Blevins or Laursen — but that didn’t stop him from joining in on the forum with the HD 25 candidates.

Each of the candidates had different responses when asked what is Wyoming’s best asset.

Blevins said it’s renewable resources such as water and then wildlife as second-most important.

Northrup said all of Wyoming is valuable and that the state needs to look for other places to get revenue.

Laursen said minerals and mineral wealth were the best asset for the state since they keep taxes low, which draws people to Wyoming.

Renovation for the capitol building in Cheyenne is underway for $300 million, and candidates were asked what their opinion was of the project considering the state’s decreased budget.

Northrup pointed out that the older portion of the building needed worked on, but the Herschler Building didn’t necessarily need to be included. He also said the capitol building had electrical issues and fire protection problems — but the state could have spent less and got “the same bang for our buck,” Northrup said.

Laursen echoed Northrup’s concerns about fire safety in the building and added that the public needed to be better informed on what the project included — a large portion of the cost is for a HVAC system in the Herschler Building and then some is for renting space for the displaced departments, he said.

Blevins followed up by pointing out that the money was set aside prior to the downturn over 10-12 years.

The candidates were then asked a broad question about education funding and setting standards and each responded optimistically about the state’s education system.

Laursen said he hears a lot about how schools are doing from his wife, who is a teacher.

Blevins said he was concerned about Wyoming’s youth leaving the state after graduation. He also pointed out that Common Core is

not a federally mandated program — it is run by the state and he supports it.

Northrup pointed to Tuesday’s issue of the Powell Tribune where it was reported that recent PAWS test scores were high in Powell, but other parts of the state are having trouble on the tests. He said the state needs to make sure each school district is treated fairly.

Budgeting for the state is a major part of the Legislature, so candidates were asked where they would cut budgets first.

Talking to the people in each department and finding out where cuts can be made would mean budgets could be cut in places that make sense as opposed to mandating a percentage from the top, Northrup said.

Laursen pointed out that having 90 legislators on the floor can make it difficult to have everyone on the same page and that cutting by a percentage means losing personnel.

Blevins suggested spreading the cuts around so that the larger cuts are made to the departments that can handle them. This means getting as many people involved as possible, he said.

Unlike Wyoming’s budget, the federal budget is not Constitutionally mandated to be balanced. Efforts are underway to stage a Constitutional Convention — essentially opening up the 240-year-old document and changing it to require a balanced federal budget. This effort takes 34 states’ approval and efforts are underway for Wyoming to join the 28 others that are already onboard.

Laursen was a co-sponsor for the bill to join in. He said the national debt will be devastating to future generations and needs to be fixed.

Blevins said he was concerned about opening up the Constitution since that risks making other changes to it. At the same time, he said he is concerned about the national debt and is “disappointed” in how federal funds are spent.

Northrup added that opening the Constitution could risk losing the Second Amendment.

“You and I and all of us live in a balanced budget, but the feds don’t,” Northrup said.

“We need to say ‘you need to get your house in order.’”

Representing the northwestern corner of the state means keeping lines of communication open, and each of the candidates listed multiple venues of communication they would use if elected.

Blevins, Northrup and Laursen each cited email as a route for getting in touch with them during the Legislature.

“If we don’t communicate with you, then Cheyenne doesn’t recognize the northwest corner unless they want money,” Blevins said.

Laursen urged residents to write personal emails as opposed to form letters and to identify themselves as residents from his

area since those emails get top priority for responses. He also suggested having teleconferences for committee meetings so people around the state can chime in without having to drive seven hours to Cheyenne.

Northrup said he also likes to hold town hall meetings with locals and often receives phone calls.

Just like the other segments of the forum, the House candidates were asked about the legalization of marijuana — both recreationally and medically. None of the candidates were in favor of recreational marijuana.

Blevins said he has mixed feelings on medical marijuana and wants to know the results from the “Colorado experiment.”

“Look at southern Wyoming — they go buy it and as soon as they cross the line it is illegal and it is creating a hardship,” Laursen said of recreational marijuana. “Medical marijuana has a place, but not in Wyoming.”

Laursen said he is against legalizing marijuana both medically and recreationally.

“It is out of control and so scary — you pull them over and don’t know if you can convict them,” Laursen said.

He also said people need to understand there are concentrated edible forms of marijuana that are concerning.

The candidates’ responses were more diverse when asked what the most important duty is as a legislator.

Northrup said it’s to represent the people in your district and make yourself accountable and balance the state’s budget. He pointed out that the state dipped into reserves and used $200 million for the current budget.

“At that burn rate ... we are going to burn that up in less than eight years,” Northrup said. “We have to control how much comes out of it.”

Laursen noted that balancing the state’s budget is a requirement and that Gov. Matt Mead makes the initial budget proposal. He said the entire Legislature needs to work together to not use the reserve funds.

Blevins emphasized communicating with constituents while deciding where to cut the budget. He also said infrastructure needs to be protected.

Wyoming’s Constitution states the attorney general be appointed by the governor, instead of elected by the public. A member of the audience asked if the candidates would support allowing that to be changed and each of them were receptive of the idea.

Another resident asked about mandating a tax without the consent of the voters and the candidates’ answers were more varied.

Laursen said it depends on the issue and Blevins said it depends on how fast they need to get things done. Larger issues such as creating a state income tax should have a public vote, said both Blevins and Northrup.

Page 36

Powell Tribune Online Election Guide

Thursday, August 11, 2016

PRIMARY ELECTION AUGUST 16, 2016

Polls Open: 7:00 a.m. • Polls Close: 7:00 p.m.

Park County residents may register to vote through August 1, 2016 at the Park County Court House in Cody, Powell City Hall, or Meeteetse Town Hall.

Voters may vote at their designated polling places. Voters may also register at the polling place (with proper identification) if needed on August 16, 2016.

Voters who are impaired in any way may choose to use the ES&S AutoMARK computer to complete their ballot. All polling locations are ADA compliant for your convenience.

To request an Absentee Ballot you must be a currently registered voter and may call the Elections Office at 307-527-8620 or 1-800-786-2844 ext. #8620, or stop by the office in the Court House at 1002 Sheridan Ave., Cody, WY 82414. Absentee Ballot applications are also available online at www.parkcounty.us/PCElections/index.html and can be mailed to the Elections Office.

Absentee Ballots will be available through August 15, 2016. Ballots must be returned to the Elections Office by 7:00 p.m. on August 16, 2016.

REPUBLICAN

FEDERAL OFFICES

OFFICIAL MUNICIPAL BALLOT TOWN OF FRANNIE

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE

COUNCILMEMBERS FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR TWO

REX RAMMELL

MILDRED ARMSTRONG

JASON ADAM SENTENEY

NADINE KREUTZER

DARIN SMITH TIM STUBSON HEATH BEAUDRY LIZ CHENEY LELAND CHRISTENSEN MIKE KNOSMO

DEMOCRATIC FEDERAL OFFICES U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1)

PAUL PAAD

RYAN GREENE

_________________________

CHARLIE HARDY

STATE OFFICES

STATE OFFICES

STATE SENATOR SENATE DISTRICT 18 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE

STATE SENATOR SENATE DISTRICT 18 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1)

HENRY H.R. “HANK” COE STATE SENATOR SENATE DISTRICT 20 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE WYATT AGAR BOB BAYUK RON HARVEY STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 24 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE SAM KRONE SCOTT B. COURT STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 25 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE DAN LAURSEN DAVE BLEVINS STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 26 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE JAMIE FLITNER TIMOTHY MILLS PHILIP ABROMATS STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 28 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE NATHAN WINTERS STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 50 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE DAVID NORTHRUP

COUNTY OFFICES COUNTY COMISSIONER FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR TWO

__________________________ STATE SENATOR SENATE DISTRICT 20 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) MARY JANE NORSKOG STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 24 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) PAUL FEES STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 25 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) SHANE TILLOTSON STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 26 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) JEAN PETTY STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 28 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1)

STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 50 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) MIKE SPECHT

OFFICIAL MUNICIPAL BALLOT CITY OF POWELL MAYOR FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE JAMES ANDREWS DON E. HILLMAN DAWSON WOLFF

BOB RUCKMAN

AMBER JUSTINE YAGER/WALL

JAKE FULKERSON RICHARD GEORGE LEE LIVINGSTON

FLOYD E. YOUNG JR. COUNCILMAN WARD 3 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) DOUGLAS P. KIRKHAM LESLI D. SPENCER

CONSTITUTION FEDERAL OFFICES U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) DANIEL CLYDE CUMMINGS __________________________

STATE OFFICES STATE SENATOR SENATE DISTRICT 18 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________ STATE SENATOR SENATE DISTRICT 20 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________ STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 24 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________ STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 25 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________

STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 26 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) JOYCE COLLINS __________________________ STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 28 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________ STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 50 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________

OFFICIAL MUNICIPAL BALLOT CITY OF CODY MAYOR FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE CHARLES M. CLOUD MATT HALL TIMOTHY A. LAMB COUNCILMAN WARD 1 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE LANDON GREER COUNCILMAN WARD 2 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE JERRY FRITZ COUNCILMAN WARD 3 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE GLENN A. NIELSON

LIBERTARIAN FEDERAL OFFICES U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) LAWRENCE GERARD STRUEMPF __________________________ STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 50 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________

STATE OFFICES STATE SENATOR SENATE DISTRICT 18 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________ STATE SENATOR SENATE DISTRICT 20 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________ STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 24 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________ STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 25 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________ STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 26 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________ STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 28 TWO Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) __________________________

HOWARD SAMELSON

JOHN MARSH BOONE TIDWELL

COUNCILMAN WARD 2 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1)

COUNCILMAN WARD 1 FOUR Year Term VOTE FOR ONE JAMES E. HILLBERRY

See Commisioner forum 1, Page 19