LINGLE – Residents interested in exercising their right to vote will converge on Lingle Town Hall next week to cast ballots for mayor and two open council seats. All are four-year terms.
Election Day in Lingle is Tuesday, May 8. Town Hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Candidates include:
Mayor
George Siglin (Incumbent)
Occupation: Retired UPS driver
Why did you decide to run in this election?
Unfinished business, which includes the community center. Plus, a commitment to the job to do what’s better for the greater good of the majority of the people who live here. I signed up the very first day for reelection. I’m committed for the next four years, and it’s not just the mayor who makes decisions, it takes the council, as well. I think, for the last four years, we’ve had a great council – got some things done, maintained the town despite tough economic times, not lost any services. I hope to continue that in the future.
What experiences, skills or education makes you qualified for the office?
I spent 35 years as a UPS driver in the area, 30 of which were spent delivering to Lingle area residents – that’s how I got to know the community.
What does make a person qualified? Do you go to school to become a council member, mayor? No, you jump in with your two feet and start learning from the ground up.
I served on Lingle Town Council from 1994 to 1998, and as mayor from 2002 to 2006. I reran (for mayor) in 2014, got elected, and have been in this position to the present. You learn by getting your feet wet.
I presently sit on the Wyoming Association of Municipalities board of directors for Region 1, which encompasses Goshen County, Platte County, Laramie County and Albany County. I also sit on the board of directors for Goshen County Economic Development Corporation representing the town of Lingle, so we’ll have a voice, and that’s why I do it – to give the town a voice and input in the decision-making.
I’ve attended several classes, including strategic planning for towns, understanding the state budget as presented by the Department of Revenue, financial management budgeting, human resource management, placemaking: a Main Street program for revitalizing the downtown, Robert’s Rules of Orders, WAM legalities concerning towns and the state, Wyoming Department of Transportation, and further classes just to make myself a better mayor and understand the needs in the community.
I also served as an EMT and firefighter here for 18 years.
If elected, what do you see as the most important issue in the town during your term in office?
I feel it’s not even the community center – yes, it’s important – but maintaining the quality of life in the town. Trying to make Lingle a better place to live by maintaining and improving the swimming pool, parks and also the basic services, such as electrical, water, sewer and roads. By doing this, perhaps we can attract some new businesses. All in all, it’s about maintaining Lingle’s vitality and attractiveness.
Decilla Watson
Why did you decide to run in this election, and what experiences, skills or education makes you qualified for the office?
I really have no special skills. I’m just an average person with a love of community, state and country. I have been told I have good common sense, and I think every person has a voice that deserves to be heard and consideration given to input they have shared.
I have completed several management courses and classes dealing with difficult people. I have worked in the people business for 30 years, managed money, and solved difficult problems by researching both sides of the situation.
I know there is no such thing as free money. I am also aware that there isn’t always a win-win scenario, however, a compromise can usually be reached. I think it is important to research solutions and gather information.
If elected, what do you see as the most important issue in the town during your term in office?
If elected, I would like to see the people of Lingle invested in Lingle (not money) – sharing knowledge, skills, ideas – really, just sharing, getting involved! I would love to help bring a business or two to town and, with everyone working together, we may just get that done!
Council
Joe Welte (Incumbent)
Occupation: Retired
Why did you decide to run in this election?
We have a lot of things going for a small town, and I would like to see them finished. It is difficult to get things done in a small community – we do not have the people – so our tax base is small, and we need to use it as carefully as we can and still get our best bang for our buck.
What experiences, skills or education makes you qualified for the office?
I have 12 years as a councilman and see the things that don’t work and the things that do work. I wanted to be in for the centennial of the town.
If elected, what do you see as the most important issue in the town during your term in office?
The community center.
In addition, Steve Edwardson will be on the ballot for council next week, and Boyd Carlisle is running as a write-in council candidate. The Town of Fort Laramie will also hold elections for two council seats May 8.
The Telegram and Guide did not receive Boyd’s responses as of press time. Edwardson declined requests for an interview.
