Laramie City Council.  Term is four years, there is no term limit but candidates must live within the ward they represent, with the exception of the at-large representative.  Pay is $50 per day when they are attending an official meeting, hearing or other work session; no benefits are offered.  Those elected in 2006 will join Dave O'Malley (At-large), Seth Carson (Ward 4), Joe Hageman (Ward 5), Joe Shumway (Ward 6), and Jeanne Armintrout (Ward 7); all of their terms are up in January of 2009.  Klaus Hanson is the incumbent in Ward 1, challenged by Gary Linford.  Bryan Shuster is the incumbent in Ward 2, challenged by Lee Kempert.  The incumbent is not running in Ward 3 where Charles Taulbee and Ron Glaser are seeking that seat.  Jodi Guerin is the At-large incumbent, challenged by Ed Armintrout. 
 
Biographical Information:
 

Klaus Hanson (Ward 1):  I am retired from UW, after having lived and worked in Laramie for the past 33 years. I am married to Jan Hanson. We have three children, Michael, Stephanie -- both UW graduates and married -- and Sonja, who will graduate from UW in two years. Two grandchildren, Lukas and Olivia, live in Denver, where their parents work. I always am concerned about city and UW relations, all aspects of the quality of life in Laramie, and adequate job opportunities for young people. I was elected to Laramie City Council four years ago and have served with enthusiasm and dedication.

 Gary Linford (Ward 1): I was born in Laramie and attended Nellie Iles School.  I earned BS (MIT) and PhD (University of Utah) degrees, both in physics.  I have more than 30 years experience managing cost-effective technical programs, both in Europe and the USA.  I have served for many years as a volunteer in both large and small cities.  For the past eight years, I have been dealing with the City of Laramie concerning water and public safety issues.  My experience and technical background uniquely qualify me to serve on the City Council.

 Lee Kempert (Ward 2):  Born in Illinois, raised in Cheyenne.  I have lived and worked in Albany County for the past 32 years.  Jobs include Packers Cold Storage, New Method Laundry, Ark Industries, Peak Wellness Center, and my current job as Coordinator of the Albany County Drug Court.   I am an alumnus of UW receiving two bachelors and a master’s degree.  My wife has worked for UW for the past sixteen years.  I have two sons who live, work, and attend UW in Laramie. I am a member of COPSA, a Church Trustee, the President of the Wyoming Drug Court Association...

 Bryan Shuster (Ward 2):  I feel proud of the way I have handled my current Council position for the second ward and would be honored to receive another term. Laramie is my home town and I chose to raise my family here.  My voice is of the working person – I keep a full-time job, and pay the same utilities as any resident. I want my children to have the same opportunities, and more, to raise their families in Laramie.  My attendance record is excellent. For these reasons, I will work hard to make the best choices for all of us.

 Ron Glaser (Ward 3): I was born and raised in a large family east of Cheyenne.  Dad worked as a machinist.  Mom worked part time as a waitress.  Our family spent many vacations hunting and fishing.  I operated a Mountaineering school for a couple seasons.  I have lived in Laramie at least 30 years.  I hold a degree in Chemical Engineering, with extensive geology course work.  Most of my career has been spent modeling underground processes.  I have worked with many of you in construction, retail, cement manufacture, tech support and currently work as a chemical analyst for environmental and energy industry clients.
 
Charles Taulbee (Ward 3): Graduated from Georgetown College with a degree in Political Science. Worked for US Congressman Larry Hopkins (R) KY both in a campaign capacity and constituent relations. Worked at the Council of State Governments (Lexington) on transportation issues. Served in the US Army as an Arabic linguist. Graduate of Leadership Laramie. Licensed Realtor in Laramie. Member of the West Laramie Business Association. Owner of Albany Carpet Inc. Married (Julie) and have 3 kids (Cameron, Connor and Noelle)

 Ed Armintrout (At-large): With more than thirty years in senior management, my background includes executive positions in human resources and administration with several major U.S. corporations including Litton Industries, Wells Fargo Corporation and Syntex Corporation. My experience includes administrative positions and consulting assignments in budgeting, marketing, personnel management, compensation, staffing and recruiting, employee benefits, conflict resolution, organizational development, and management training. I hold a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Colorado in Boulder. My wife Jeanne and I moved to Laramie in 1993 with our four daughters, two of whom are UW graduates.

 
Jodi Guerin (At-large):  I was raised in the Rocky Mountains and moved to Laramie in 1987 to finish my B.A. degree at UW. From 1988 to 1994, I taught ceramics for the City of Laramie recreation department. In 1995, my husband John and I purchased Coal Creek Coffee Company. As a city council member since 2003, I have helped develop a plan to finance critical infrastructure improvements, like water and wastewater systems. I have also promoted business expansions that spur high-wage jobs. My work with the state legislature helped bring an additional $3.8 million to Laramie for a variety of needed services.

 

What do you see as the most important traffic control issues in Laramie and what would you do about it if elected?
 

Klaus Hanson (Ward 1):  Several issues: a) more public transportation; perhaps joint effort with UW; b) expansion of green belt, more bike and pedestrian friendly lanes; c) an east-west thoroughfare, as Grand Avenue stops downtown; d) left-turn lanes at Grand Avenue and Third Street, and e) improvement or replacement of the Clark Street Viaduct. I support issues a) through d), seeking possible grants for them. Issue e) needs help from WYDOT; I will support current independent study being conducted.

Gary Linford (Ward 1): Access to West Laramie over the UPRR tracks is essential.  A 4-lane viaduct should be built.  Keeping the 2-lane Clark St. viaduct is problematical.  Synchronizing traffic signals improves traffic flow and efficiency.  Vehicle exhaust noise ordinance should be enforced.  TV cameras on traffic signals can catch speeders.  In-town bus service should be increased.  With improved bus service, expand UW stadium parking lot to reduce problems in residential areas. 

 Lee Kempert (Ward 2): To reduce speed, congestion, accidents, and fatality; stop lights need to be erected at the entrance to Wal-Mart and Grand Avenue, as well as Snowy Range Road and Adams Street.  In addition, with increased use by senior, disabled, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic at 30th and Grand Avenue; those traffic lights need to be adjusted to accommodate this population’s safe crossing of this major intersection.  Harney street viaduct needs to move forward to alleviate congestion at 3rd street and Clark.

 Bryan Shuster (Ward 2):  My biggest traffic concerns are ease of movement and keeping the West Side connected. I would like to see a Harney Street overpass to the West Side, dropping onto Hans Peak railroad bed and then split into Snowy Range Road and going under the interstate connecting to Highway 130. I would like to see the Clark Street overpass rebuilt. Grand would be safer if there were center turn lanes at every intersection.

 Ron Glaser (Ward 3):  As a longtime resident of West Laramie, the ability of emergency vehicles to reach our side of town is my greatest concern.  The City needs to give WDOT the greenlight to build the Harney Street viaduct. The money is in place, and the project is only waiting on our City to give them the green light. The Clark Street viaduct should also be preserved.

 Charles Taulbee (Ward 3):  The feeder streets into and out of WYO Tech’s campuses aren’t safe.  The police officials say they don’t have enough manpower for enforcement.  I have personally witnessed numerous accidents and near misses at the corner of Adams and Harrison.  Just last month a boy was knocked from his bike during a hit and run.  Speed cameras would be a way to enforce the laws, keep manpower down, and pay for themselves.
 
Ed Armintrout (At-large): As a member of the Laramie Traffic Commission I see several problems. Stop signs and lights are often disregarded, excessive speed, violations of the noise ordinance, parking in the downtown and around UW, and protection of children around our schools are some of my concerns. Education and enforcement need to be emphasized. The new traffic unit being developed by LPD should help with some of these problems but others will require the attention of Council.
 
Jodi Guerin (At-large):  We need to slow down traffic in pedestrian areas, improve traffic flow from West Laramie and reduce noise. I support building roads with landscaping and pedestrian refuges, and slowing traffic by visually narrowing the roadway. We should build the Harney Viaduct and rehabilitate the Clark St. Viaduct to improve traffic flow to and from West Laramie. I support a noise emissions testing program because it will reduce the amount of noise a vehicle can produce.
 
Do we have sufficient information today to make the best decision about any development on Jacoby Ridge that might impact the Casper Aquifer? Explain.
 

Klaus Hanson (Ward 1):  No, as the recent Council meeting demonstrated! I remain concerned about the golf home development on Jacoby Ridge, and want strict safeguards for the protection of our community’s drinking water aquifer. I believe that the Turner Tract overlay begins to address aquifer protection. From what water engineering consultants tell us, a concern about drawing down the aquifer because of increased population seems currently unwarranted, but possible pollution issues definitely need further attention.

Gary Linford (Ward 1):  We have sufficient information to oppose any Zone 2 development of the Jacoby Ridge.  Pesticide contamination of water can cause horrendous birth defects.  Loss of the Casper Aquifer could convert Laramie into a ghost town.  This land was given to UW in 1965 by the UPRR, and the restricted deed prohibits the Jacoby Ridge development as planned.  The developer could purchase land on the west side of the Turner Tract along 30th St.

 Lee Kempert (Ward 2): Contamination of the aquifer is a justifiable concern. Current information implies that development on Zone 2, which is most vulnerable, would be potentially damaging and pose irreparable consequences.   I believe it is crucial we protect our water supply. On the other hand, I am supportive of safe reasonable development.  We have seen competing information from both sides.  Therefore, in order to make the best decision, I would need to see unbiased factual information guaranteeing safe development. 

 Bryan Shuster (Ward 2):  No. We need an impact study that is more specific than what we have to work with right now. An unbiased third party, not connected to the city or UW, needs to be hired. Emotions are high on both sides and we need a final word on the subject and we need it quick.

 Ron Glaser (Ward 3):  Like the Cool Hand Luke movie, my take on this issue is this: "What we have here is a failure to communicate". We can never get to a best decision if UW, the developer, and concerned citizens do not sit down together.  The available geologic data that I have reviewed indicates that part of this development presents little difficulty, while other areas are high risk. Let’s sit down and see what makes sense.

 Charles Taulbee (Ward 3):  A few years ago I saw a demonstration with dyes on how percolation works in the aquifer.  The aquifer could be jeopardized rather quickly with certain chemicals.  I don’t feel more studies will solve this problem.  Studies can be twisted to fit anyone’s position.  Why even take a chance?  I definitely believe it is better to be safe than sorry.
 
Ed Armintrout (At-large):  No, I do not believe there is sufficient information yet available to make the best decision. There is a great deal of work being done by many organizations and individuals to develop this data. Clearly, protection of our water supply has to be the major consideration.
 
Jodi Guerin (At-large):  I don’t believe we have adequate information today to determine whether or not development should take place over Zone 2 of our Aquifer Protection Zone. To make an appropriate decision about the proposed Jacoby Ridge development we need to incorporate new geological and hydrological data in the Overlay Zone; ensure enforcement of residential development codes; and make sure the development incorporates good planning. If the development moves forward it should also incorporate public open space.