LINGLE – The Lingle Town Council met at the Community Center Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. for what would be a memorable, or even emotional meeting for agenda items.

With not an empty seat in public attendance and with two council seats conspicuously empty, the meeting would be a sincere confirmation of what so many residents had been vaguely aware of.

With just three council members taking their normal seats, Kathy Willhelm, Micah Foster, and Mayor Al Unverzagt showed dignified honesty in opening the meeting with unfortunate news to the public.

“Firstly we are here to accept two resignations on behalf of council members, AJ Lambert and Brandie Cook,” Mayor Unverzagt began.

The Lingle Mayor had one more resignation to announce, noting sometimes personal wellbeing on top of love and support from those closest to us are far more important than our jobs, or even public service.

“I’m sorry I have to resign but health and family come first,” Unverzagt stated. “There will be three people appointed to these positions until next election.”

The council would then immediately swear in Lingle residents, Tabitha Lambert, who will finish husband AJ’s term for the next two years, while resident Jackie Hill will finish Cook’s term until the next election.

“Council member Micah Foster will fill out the rest of my term which is two years and two months,” Unverzagt added.

Additionally resident and council appointee, Shelly Duncan, was unable to attend but will be sworn in before next meeting with her term to be completed by next election.

“I make a motion that we sadly accept Al’s resignation,” Willhelm said. 

All three resignations were accordingly accepted.

The meeting moved forward with public comments of Wyoming Child and Family Development (WCFD) staff, Heidi Wayland and Jessica Rohrer.

Both ladies gave a detailed presentation of the constant work and mission of WCFD, while humbly asking for continued financial support from the town of Lingle.

“Good evening and thank you for having us on what seems to be a very difficult night,” Wayland began. “We test and serve children ages zero to five years old who have developmental disabilities. Last year we screened 139 students, and only 70 of them are presently getting services. They have a primary diagnosis, but much like speech and language it may be a child who has other issues as well. We serve children with all developmental disabilities. Right now we are screening monthly, and not only at our centers in Torrington. We also come out to community preschools in Fort Laramie, and we also serve as far south as LaGrange. We screen for motor speech, vision and hearing to determine if those children have any issues. Within a six week period we get those children their services for occupational therapy, so we do want to thank you for supporting us in the past. You have been very generous, but we ask for your consideration as you move forward with your budget.” 

“We are a completely free service,” Rohrer added. “We provide diapers, wipes, and it doesn’t cost parents or families anything. If children are unable to attend our programs, we will travel to them to take care of those services.” 

Council member Willhelm would make a motion to continue financial support of WCFD, with the item carrying.

Moving forward, a very significant matter was brought up by Lingle Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Kasey Bangerter. Bangerter discussed possible upcoming changes in federal rules and regulations with both OSHA and the National Fire Protection Association.

According to Bangerter, such federal changes with both entities could very well go into law possibly creating severe difficulties for Lingle’s fire department.

“We try to follow standards,” Bangerter began. “It’s been kind of a suggestion for a long time with different things to follow. OSHA has been involved and are now trying to make it law. They are trying to make our standards law which would cripple all volunteer fire departments. There have been a lot of letters written to OSHA who are taking comments until May 5. I don’t think it will pass, but if it does it may get tied up in court and would be very bad for us if they made it law. It would be bad as they would come and audit everybody. The first hiccup in not being NFPA compliant would be very costly, so let’s hope it doesn’t go anywhere. But, it could come down the pike.”

Lastly before adjournment Lingle town attorney, Anna Barnes, noted words of appreciation to the fire department in regard to a successful Easter Egg Hunt last Saturday at Whipple Park.

Barnes also noted gratitude in the direction of the attending, and by then former Lingle Town Council members.

“Our family went and the kids had a great time, especially when we had snow in the morning,” Barnes laughed. “It was great. The kids had a great time, and the eggs disappeared fast. I also want to thank Al and AJ for their work in the community. It was greatly appreciated.”

The meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m. and will reconvene on April 17 at 6 p.m.