Candidates for Laramie City Council

City Council members will be paid $120 per meeting they attend (a raise from $50/meeting takes effect in January 2009). There are no insurance benefits. The nine councilors are elected to four-year terms on a non-partisan vote, one each from seven Wards, and two At Large. Only residents within the ward vote on the candidates from their ward. The Ward 3 victor will serve two years, filling out an unexpired term.

1. What is your background, and what qualifies you for this office? (100 words)

Ron Glaser (Ward 3) two-year term: No one person is qualified to address the complex issues facing a city. That’s why we have council of nine. I have lived in Laramie over thirty years and my life experience has ranged from being homeless to working in research. My technical skills will be a significant contribution to decision making progress for our council. I choose to live in West Laramie because it reminds me of my childhood semi-rural neighborhood east of Cheyenne where I grew up in a family of five kids supported by loving parents, a railroad machinist and part-time waitress.

F. Dee Mickelson (Ward 3) two-year term: I have been a teacher and coach, working with students, parents, and other teachers. I have owned my own business.   This gave me an opportunity of getting to know and visit with many people in the community.   I have lived in Laramie for the past 25 years. I am a graduate of the University of Wyoming.  I have been connected with Laramie one way or another since coming here to college in 1960. My short service on the present council has given me insight into the needs of the city. I feel that I have a vested interest in the community and especially Ward 3.

Scott A. Mullner (Ward 4): In high school I was elected the student body president and also served on the parliamentary procedure team in Future Farmers of America. In college I was elected to serve as the Biology Club president, secretary of the Wildlife Society and president of the Fisheries Society. I was elected and serve as the president of an advertising cooperative that represents nearly 30 franchise restaurants in the Denver region. Lastly, I have served nearly two years on the Laramie Planning Commission. Each of these positions provided me the experience necessary to perform successfully as an elected city council member.

Erik Molvar (Ward 5): For eight years, I’ve worked professionally representing the public interest in planning and managing our public lands across Wyoming. I’ve confidently tackled thorny problems, forged innovative solutions to contentious issues, and united widely varied interests to achieve benefits for all. I have the proven foresight to recognize opportunities, and the initiative to turn them into real gains for Laramie residents. I’m running to represent Laramie residents, and no other interests. I’ll bring new energy and ideas to city council to improve our quality of life, protect our water supply, and achieve smart growth rather than urban sprawl.

Brad Williamson (Ward 5): I was born in Wyoming and have lived most of my life here. I have a clear idea of what is important to Wyomingites and I have a very personal desire to see Wyoming prosper. My father has been involved in public finance for my entire life and I have the ability to follow in his footsteps. I will look at the issues with a practical and fiscally conservative viewpoint. My goal as city councilor will be to restore the people’s faith in their city management and to represent everyone’s best interests.

Joe Shumway (Ward 6): I served as Mayor of Laramie and President of the Laramie City Council from 2001–2003. I am a board member of the National Committee for Public Safety and Crime Prevention. I serve as a board member of the Wyoming Legislative Services for WAM. I am the city council liaison to the DDA and serve on the Laramie Finance Committee. I am a past Chairman of the Albany County Republican Party from 1993--1995, a committee member of the Laramie Community Service Day, a former Linford PTA President, an Eagle Scout and property and business owner in Laramie for over 25 years.

Karl McCraken (Ward 7): My background and qualifications for city council includes moving to Laramie 27 years ago. Having been involved in the financial and operational running of many businesses from motels, restaurants, bars, convenience stores, truck stops, construction companies, accounting firms, ICC fuel hauling businesses, and multi-national engineering companies. I currently sit on the board of directors of several companies. This broad business background allows me to look at problems from many unique perspectives. This business/financial perspective, combined with my ability to compromise in order to complete tasks, makes me a good candidate for council to further city goals in an efficient manner.

Troy A. Pierson (Ward 7): I was born and raised in Wyoming with deep political roots throughout the state.  My degree is in Finance and Economics and I currently am employed at Ivinson Memorial Hospital as an Accountant.  Growing up, I was around family who were voted into and worked in both city, state, and national offices.  I was a part of the planning committee that brought about and carried through the LIFE Project in downtown Lander.  I truly love this city and the state, and on the fourth of November I ask for your vote to keep Laramie moving forward into the next decade. 

Vicki S. Henry (At Large): Living in Laramie for over 20 years, and rearing two daughters who have children of their own, I have insight into making Laramie a better place for its citizens. Serving on the Planning Commission gives me the knowledge of developers’ desires and needs to process plats and permits in a timely manner, as well as citizens’ desires for smart growth and innovative development practices. The Citizen’s Project Advisory Team enlightened me to the process of developing and implementing the Laramie Comprehensive Design Plan while incorporating citizens’ and business owners’ comments. UW Staff Senate service gave me experience in democratic processes.

Joseph Vitale (At Large): I have a BS in Education from UW, an MA in Community Education/Administration from Eastern Michigan University, and courses from North Carolina State. I was Executive Director of the Cowboy Joe Club at UW, and was Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Monroe, Michigan. I was also affiliated with public schools and a community center in Michigan. I am the former business owner of “Vitale’s Italian Cowboy Restaurant” in Laramie and current owner of commercial property. I am a member of Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, Historic Downtown Laramie Committee, Laramie Downtown Development Association and United Way.

2. What are the most important issues for the City Council to address with regard to the Monolith Ranch that the City owns? (75 words)

Ron Glaser (Ward 3) two-year term: It seems to me that leasing the Monolith Ranch should be considered, turning the cash flow around immediately.

F. Dee Mickelson (Ward 3) two-year term: Monolith Ranch probably is the best buy Laramie has made in looking to the future need for water rights.  The city needs to separate the ranching operation and the water improvement projects.  These operations are combined which makes it appear that the ranch operation is a huge expense.  The upgrading of the water rights and attacking the amount of water on the ranch is a big expense which makes the ranch appear to be more expensive.

Scott A. Mullner (Ward 4): The City of Laramie faces a number of issues on Monolith. The primary issue I see is the continuation of defense of the water and water rights the city acquired with the ranch purchase. In addition, the city also needs to define and implement a more concise future vision for the ranch to enhance the ranch’s ability to provide a number of concurrent beneficial uses for both the citizenry and city finances.

Erik Molvar (Ward 5): The Monolith Ranch is the key to Laramie’s future water supply, and its senior water rights position our community for decades of sustainable growth. We should manage this ranch with the highest degree of fiscal responsibility and integrity so that the ranch becomes a financial asset, not a liability, and restructure lease agreements that lose money. Public access and enjoyment of this ranch should complement the sound stewardship of its lands and water resources.

Brad Williamson (Ward 5): The Monolith Ranch is the source of Laramie’s senior water rights, which are extremely valuable to our future as an independent municipality. However, there is no reason why the ranch should be losing money. If the ranch cannot be run profitably as a livestock operation, then perhaps we should use it to grow alfalfa hay and open it up as public space. As long as the ranch uses water, it will preserve our water rights.

Joe Shumway (Ward 6): Water is a precious commodity and a priority for all of us. In Laramie our surface water and aquifer stores are expensive but necessary to maintain. Ranch operations at the Monolith Ranch are usually profitable but the cost of protecting our surface water rights is not profitable. Historically we have subsidized water operations. My goal is to find new ways to make the ranch operations more profitable while protecting our water rights.

Karl McCraken (Ward 7): The city must first preserve its water rights. The current surface rights at 39.9 acre feet per day for the oldest rights on the river at 50 % conversion rate are worth $71,820,000 according to the State Engineer’s office. Decisions are being made that do not make profit sense, but do make sense for capital (water) preservation. The board being formed will study these decisions on the profit versus preservation issue. Call 307-760-3116 for more.

Troy A. Pierson (Ward 7): I believe that the City of Laramie purchased the Monolith Ranch with an eye on increasing the water supply to the city.  I think that a pipeline does need to be built to prevent about 30% of the transmission losses suffered by the unlined canal.  I also think that the Goforth Res. needs to stay a top priority for repair.  The Casper Aquifer is by far the best kind of Res. because there are no evaporation losses or chances for evapotranspiration and bank infiltration to occur.

Vicki S. Henry (At Large): City sewer and water are important items of infrastructure to put in place before or during development. Using setbacks and overlays to keep the Laramie River and its riparian area clean and free of pesticides, noxious weeds, and non-native plants is also very important for people and wildlife in the area. Protecting the views is important if we are to consider “trading development rights” on Laramie’s east side where our aquifer protection area is located.

Joseph Vitale (At Large): The Agriculture Management Plan of May, 2004, clearly delineates the priority uses, capital improvements and movement to convert its water for municipal use. Quoting from the Executive Summary, “With wise management and careful planning, the value of the Monolith portfolio will exceed the sum of the individual assets.” With a $300,000 plus deficit it is obvious that this “master plan” has been ignored, not updated and poorly managed. It’s time to pay better attention!

3. Construction funding has been secured for the West Laramie Fire Station building, but what would you recommend for the problem of obtaining permanent funding for staff and operation of the facility? (75 words)

Ron Glaser (Ward 3) two-year term: Passing the seventh cent sales tax would provide a “bridge” only and I do recommend voting for this tax. The percentage of the local economy going into the public sector has risen dramatically here in Laramie over the past decade. The money is there, we just need to spend it wisely. Adjusting priorities in the budget will fund the fire station easily, but growing the local economy will also help.

F. Dee Mickelson (Ward 3) two-year term: If the seventh cent sales tax passes, money will be used to equip and train personnel to operate the new station.  Hopefully in four years the expense of operating and maintaining the station will be absorbed into the city budget.  Much of the operation cost will be in grants and funding which are now being looked into.

Scott A. Mullner (Ward 4): A city’s services should be expected to be self-sufficient. However, emergency services provide little direct financial return to a city through the services they provide. The primary method of providing this type of funding is often through tax increases. However, a city must be diligent in the pursuit and exploitation of opportunities for outside (industry, state, or federal) financial assistance. I believe that financial support for staffing can be secured without major tax increases.

Erik Molvar (Ward 5): West Laramie residents pay taxes for emergency services just like everyone else. While the seventh cent provides a short-term solution for fire station staffing, ultimately it should come from basic operating funds. New programs are available to improve energy efficiency city-wide, paying the city for cost-saving upgrades while leveraging grant dollars into our operating budget. This boost could fund firefighters, infrastructure, and basic services as we transition new staff expenses into the general operating budget.

Brad Williamson (Ward 5): The value of having a fire station in West Laramie is unquestionable. Everyone in Laramie regardless of where they live, deserves prompt, professional emergency service. A portion of the money required to train and employ new firefighters can be found through grant money, but the only way for the people of Laramie to guarantee that the new station will be fully staffed is to approve the seventh cent tax, which would cover those costs.

Joe Shumway (Ward 6): I was initially hopeful that we could man the fire substations with volunteer firemen. It is very expensive to train firefighters and there is a great incentive for trained firefighters to leave Laramie once trained. A potential contract with a private firm to provide EMT trained staff is more expensive than our current system. Until we can solve these two problems funding must come from either our general fund or the seventh cent sales tax.

Karl McCraken (Ward 7): Requests for staffing grants for personnel are either approved or in the works. If the seventh cent sales tax passes it will be used to PHASE IN operations over a four year period. If it does not pass, city staff will need to look for areas to redirect programs or funds for the 2009--2010 budgets that council will then have to approve or amend.

Troy A. Pierson (Ward 7): While I do believe that a fire station in West Laramie is far overdue, I can't believe that the question of what are we going to do for permanent funding for this and that is still coming up.  The people that reside in Ward 7 whom I've spoken with don't see the justification for a seventh cent tax that would be used for projects that would continue to see costly expenses past the expiration year of the tax.

Vicki S. Henry (At Large): Emergency response time to West Laramie would be seriously hindered if our bridges were disabled in a catastrophe. Federal funding sources may be available from Homeland Security for our public health and safety. Funding could come from a special purpose tax, an additional penny sales tax, or an additional mill tax. But homeowners should not bear the burden alone. The tax makes more sense since citizens and visitors alike benefit from additional emergency services.

Joseph Vitale (At Large): It has been suggested that the seventh cent sales tax and grant revenues be used for this purpose. Both sources of revenue would be short term and would not solve the long term salary commitment. The sales tax and grant money could be seed money while the council takes some tough cost cutting consideration with the general fund to create a stable and reliable source of revenue to fund the new positions and maintenance.