General Elections - Town of Lovell

Dan Anderson

Lovell Town Council

Bio: I was born and raised in Lovell. I left briefly to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to attend BYU Idaho. I married and lived in Moab, Utah, where I began my police career for the Town of Moab and my wife taught at Grand County High School. I completed my degree at NWC and the Wyoming Police Academy, where I have obtained 3,343 hours of training as a Professional Peace Officer.

We have chosen to live in and support this area of Wyoming because it is a wonderful place to live. I advanced to lieutenant in the Lovell Police Department and retired after 25 years of service. I am currently employed by the Town of Cowley as their chief of police. I still have two young sons dependent on me: one will be attending the University of Wyoming in the fall, and the other is a junior at Lovell High School. Two of our married sons still live in the town, and their families are active in running and supporting some of the community’s youth activities programs.

What do you believe are the top issues facing your town? 

The issues that will always be important to our community will be those dealing with our revenue. Water and sewage bills must be balanced because, as a community, we are not allowed to make money on those areas. Most of our budget goes to employee wages and benefits. We are facing fewer taxes because of the property tax break that the state legislature allowed. I opted to continue to pay the taxes because I know how hard it has hit our county and town.

With the changes in property taxes, the monies coming into the towns is making for tighter budgets. What would be your priorities with a potentially limited budget? 

What some residents don’t know is that vehicle taxes that are paid in Park County stay in Park County. The payment of taxes in other counties lowers our revenue.

Current projects for the town include remodeling Town Hall and trying to maintain our infrastructure, which includes our streets and gutters, police and fire departments, parks, community center, golf course and rodeo grounds, to mention a few. The possible loss of the library is concerning, but as it is a county entity, we are not allowed to donate money to something that doesn’t belong to the town. It is important for the residents to help solve funding problems that the town isn’t allowed to fund.

Because I am currently a police officer, there are concerns shared with me on the limited hours for VIN inspections by the police department. The police department falls under the mayor, who is the police commissioner. Those concerns should be addressed directly to him so that he knows.

What is your stance on government transparency including public notices, open meetings, public records and communication with the press? How do you hope to keep the public in the loop? 

I am a strong advocate for government transparency. I believe that I represent most of our residents. I am always open to listening to concerns from the public. In controversial issues it is important to realize that being the loudest doesn’t necessarily mean that you are in the majority.  

I enjoy serving as a councilman and, if re-elected, will continue to use my best judgement in representing the residents of Lovell.

Bob Mangus 

Lovell Town Council

I am Bob Mangus, one of the current town council members running for re-election. I was born and raised here in Lovell. I graduated from Lovell High School in 1977 and went on to WyoTech for Auto Mechanics.

When I returned to Lovell I went to work for Murphey Ford for a short time. Then I went to American Colloid, where I worked in the mechanic shop until 1998 when I became the station manager for Big Horn County Fire District No. 1. I retired from there in May 2025.

I have served on the Hunt Canal Board for seven years. I have been on the town council for eight years and have been a fireman for the Lovell Volunteer Fire Dept. for 45 years.

There are a few things I would like to see completed in the next term. The bike trails on the foot of the mountain will be big for our town. This will be a great chance for our economy to prosper. Budget is always important, and with the tax cuts it can be an issue. We will just have to dig in and do the best we can with what we get.

Public notice is a big deal. It would be nice to get more input from the community so it’s easier for us to make decisions on what the majority wants. As a current councilman I try to listen to issues and then investigate that issue and report back to that person so they don’t think that it has just been dropped.  

Jeff McCollam

Lovell Town Council

Bio: I am Jeff McCollam. I am running for Town Council. I live in Lovell. I have lived in Big Horn County most of my life. I have three sons and 11 grandchildren. I am a high school graduate. I have worked in the oil field, construction and mechanical fields. I am a business owner.

What do you believe are the top issues facing your town?

Enforcing the ordinances equally. Patrol officers don’t need to wait for a call or complaint to respond. If they see something, they need to talk to the resident of the property and get it taken care of. Keep the town clean, no chickens, make the sugar factory clean the rotten smell out of the air. Most adults don’t use traffic laws in town, but the children riding these scooters need to be taught before someone gets hit by a car and trucks speeding down Main Street, and using engine brakes.

With the changes in property taxes, the monies coming into the towns is making for tighter budgets. What would be your priorities with a potentially limited budget?

This will make for a tighter budget. I do have a couple ideas for some revenue to help. I don’t want to see anything cut out. If elected, I would need to run these ideas past the other council members and mayor.

What is your stance on government transparency including public notices, open meetings, public records and communication with the press? How do you hope to keep the public in the loop?

I want the public in the loop. I wish every paper would print the minutes, budget, wages, expenses of all town and county business. It’s the taxpayers’ money, and they should know how it is being spent. Also, accountability for everything.

If anyone wants to talk on issues, they can stop by my shop at 105 East Main. I would like to answer everyone’s questions.

Tom Newman 

Mayor of Lovell

Bio:

I was born, raised and educated in Salt Lake City, Utah. My wife and I moved to Star Valley Wyoming in 1999, and we moved to Lovell in 2012. My wife (Suzie) and I have been married for 32 years we have five children, two grandchildren and two more on the way. I am the State Farm agent in Big Horn County and have offices in Basin and Lovell.

What do you believe are the top issues facing your town? 

We live in an area where we raise good children, then we send them off around the country. While it is important to share, I would like to see more of them come home to raise their families in Lovell.

I have many reasons for having an interest in this community. My wife and I are very passionate about the education and activities and experiences that our children receive. We want them to have the very best opportunities for education and activities to prepare them to be tomorrow’s leaders in the communities they will choose to live in. We hope they will be able to return to our community to raise their families, but without growth and future planning this may not be an option for them.

With the changes in property taxes, the monies coming into the towns is making for tighter budgets. What would be your priorities with a potentially limited budget? 

We all face times in our lives when our personal budgets need to be adjusted to ensure that we live within our means. It is not only prudent to live within our means, but living beyond our means in a household can lead to financial bondage that can cause tremendous harm to us and our families. A community is no different. Sometimes we need to make things stretch as we look forward to better times. I am interested in preserving what we have now as well as preparing for the future of Lovell.

I have been serving as mayor for nearly six years. We have been able to balance fiscally sound principles required by law while investing in the future of our community and saving for a rainy day. We were able to balance the budget this fiscal year through these principles.

What is your stance on government transparency including public notices, open meetings, public records and communication with the press? How do you hope to keep the public in the loop? 

Anyone is welcome at any time to attend council meetings. They are open to the public, and that has never changed. We have a great relationship with the Lovell Chronicle; David Peck and his team are a tremendous asset to the community.

Jason Sumaya 

Lovell Town Council

Bio:

A little about myself:

I grew up in California’s agricultural area and potato fields of Idaho. I’ve lived in Lovell since 2010, moving from Blackfoot, Idaho. I’m married and have three grown children.

When we first moved here my wife and I were instrumental in developing Little League Baseball along with a few other members of our community after years of disorganization and confusion. I coached 8–12-year-olds for a few years and then made the leap to become a district certified umpire, and I continue to umpire all levels from Little League to Legion to softball and travel all over our great state.

I’ve also been a board member for the Lovell Rod & Gun Club and the Big Horn County Little League. I am currently the treasurer of the Lovell Rec Board and involved with the district administration for Wyoming District 1 Little League.

I have planted my roots here in this community, and I will fight for the best things concerning the community of Lovell and want to grow a stronger future for our youth and those who want to move into our town.

I believe this community deserves changes and progress while protecting the history, traditions and the people.

My motto is: Our team, our city, our future! Stepping up to the plate for Lovell!

What do you believe are the top issues facing your town? 

Balanced and fair budget. Accountability for all citizens. Building a brighter and stronger future for our youth.

With the changes in property taxes, the monies coming into the towns is making for tighter budgets. What would be your priorities with a potentially limited budget? 

Creating an improved water/sewer system/budget. Maintaining and supporting and strengthening law enforcement. Prioritizing community programs for our youth. 

What is your stance on government transparency including public notices, open meetings, public records and communication with the press? How do you hope to keep the public in the loop? 

I believe that the town government is responsible for keeping the public informed as to how their tax money is being spent, and the public has a right to ask questions. I’d like to see more people show up and be involved in town meetings with emphasis on including our youth. I plan on being honest to the best of my ability with any questions or concerns brought to my attention.