August 20 Primary Election — Lovell Town Council

Municipal candidates listed

Editor’s note: There are few contested races for town council in North Big Horn County in the August 20 Primary Election. We reached out to the towns with multiple candidates for two council seats – Lovell and Frannie. All three Lovell candidates responded, and we are printing their profiles this week.

Two candidates per council seat advance to the General Election, and the towns of Byron, Cowley and Deaver have just one or two candidates each, with room for two or three write-in nominations. Running are: Byron – Toby Turnupseed; Cowley – Rob Johnson and Dexter Woodis; Deaver – Aspen Beall and Nick Loftus.

There are three candidates in Frannie, and we did not receive information from the three: Shang Clendenen, Guy Desantis and Roger Ganoung. We did receive a response from all three Lovell Town Council candidates, Mike Grant, Ray Messamer and Gareth Robertson, as printed here.

Gareth Robertson

1. Please give us a brief biography.

I grew up in Lovell and graduated from LHS in 1990. After moving to Laramie, I attended UW and graduated with a degree in Medical Technology. That is also where I met my beautiful wife, Christina. We have since raised three children.  After working for a few years in southern Utah, I returned to UW to pursue a pharmacy degree and graduated in 2006. Following a one-year stint in Iowa we moved back to Lovell in 2006 and have lived here ever since.  I have been employed by Powell Valley Healthcare since 2007 and spend most of my time covering the pharmacy at North Big Horn Hospital here in Lovell.

2. What prompted you to seek office or to seek re-election?

I have been so blessed to have lived so much of my life in this community, and I feel like I need to start giving back.

3. What are your qualifications for office – strengths, experience, leadership style, etc.?

In my professional life I have gained experience problem solving both in an individual setting as well as in committees and other groups.  I have spent many years educating myself on the philosophies of good government in the tradition of our Founding Fathers and feel that I have the knowledge to implement those principles. The town council is just that -- a council.  The council councils together and hopefully comes to a consensus.  However, coming to an agreement just for the sake of agreeing is foolish.  Sometimes you have to do what is right regardless of the popularity of that decision.  Just doing what the majority wants is not always the correct move to make.  The rights of the individual are paramount, but when we come together in a community, the rights and desires of the whole are also important.  Finding that balance is key.

4. What changes would you like to see happen in your community and/or on the council if you are elected? Are there issues that need to be tackled?

I can honestly say that I have no agenda.  I have attended many town council meetings over the last two years since I started thinking about running and am pleased with the way the council does business.  It seems as though the budget is always at the top of the list and is a high priority.  

5. With tight budgets facing our communities, what are your priorities for your community in regard to expenses and projects?

I do know that the budget is always tight.  The town has tackled some expensive projects in the past few years that have improved the aesthetics of the town and brought enjoyment to our people.  I believe they have been good projects and worth the money.  Some projects end up costing the town more money in the long run as maintenance and upkeep costs continue to grow.  This is just one issue to address moving forward.

6. What is your stance regarding transparency in town government, especially in regard to public notices, open meetings and public records?

I believe that everything government does, no matter the level, should be as transparent as possible.  I can’t imagine many instances when notices, meetings and records should not be made public.

Michael Grant

Editor’s note: The Chronicle received the following statement from Mike Grant, candidate for the Lovell Town Council, based on a questionnaire we submitted:

I am Michael Grant, a longtime resident of Lovell. My wife, Marianne, and I both grew up here and chose to raise our five children in this wonderful community. For many years, I’ve aspired to join the town council but felt constrained by time. With Carol Miller vacating her seat, I believe now is an opportune moment to run.

Having gained wisdom with age and experience, I am eager to contribute without any personal agendas. I believe our current council is on the right path, and I see numerous areas where my professional background can be beneficial. I have over 25 years of experience in managing and maintaining buildings and grounds. My career began in automotive repair, followed by paving roads and constructing bridges, giving me a solid foundation in infrastructure and community services.

Key projects and vision

There are several significant projects I am passionate about:

1. Early Retirement of the water and sewer bond

2. Curbing and paving unpaved roads

3. Providing a place for our children to learn to swim

While I recognize the financial challenges we face such as a tighter budget and rising costs due to inflation, I believe it is crucial to think ambitiously. Exploring alternative funding sources like grants, donations or endowments could help us achieve these goals without overburdening our residents.

I understand the importance of maintaining essential services like water supply, sewer systems, garbage collection and street cleaning. Balancing a visionary wish list with practical day-to-day operations is key. I am committed to keeping taxes and utility rates stable while striving for improvements.

Commitment to transparency

The Lovell Chronicle asked about my stance on transparency, public notices, open meetings and records. My position is clear: everything should be transparent and accessible to the public. While executive sessions are sometimes necessary, they should be limited to legal requirements only. Open communication and public involvement are vital for a healthy, functioning council.

I am excited about the opportunity to serve Lovell and contribute to its continued growth and success. Together, we can achieve great things for our community.