League of Women Voters Voter Guide 2004

City Council


Members are elected from a nonpartisan slate to four-year terms. The stipend is $50.00 for every regular, special or work session attended, not to exceed $50.00 per day. There is one seat each available on the nine-member council from Wards 4, 5, 6 and 7, and one seat available at-large. Wards 1, 2 and 3 and one of the two at-large council members were elected 2 years ago. Only voters residing in each ward vote on the candidates for that ward's seat; all city voters elect the at-large seat.

Biographical Information


Bob Bell (At-Large):
As a life-long Laramie resident, I have served as a charter member of the Fire in the Sky Committee; Jubilee Days General Chairman; chairman of the Goals Committee for the Wyoming Association of Municipalities; and as a member of the steering committee of the Small Cities Council for the National League of Cities. I am presently finishing my fourth term on the Laramie City Council and have served as Vice-Mayor. I have raised three children and have three grandchildren.

Dave O'Malley (At-Large):
I have lived in Laramie for 33 years and am a Wyoming native. I recently retired from the Laramie Police Department after over 30 years of service, most recently as Chief of Police. My wife, Jennifer, is co-owner of Prairie Sage Pottery and was formerly the Environmental Health Specialist for the City of Laramie with over nine years of service. My son, Ryan is a graduate student at Louisiana State University and my daughter, Kellen is a senior at UW.

Seth Adrian Carson (Ward 4):
It is my hope to have an opportunity to share with the community my 15 years of education and lessons learned in Laramie. My architectural engineering degree from UW and local schooling has well prepared me to help know the real Laramie community. As an award winning entrepreneur and a multiple business owner, I work hard to plan and build Laramie's future. My love for this town and local friendships has solidified my interests for a seat on the Laramie City Council.

Amy Sunshine Moon (Ward 4):
Laramie has been my home for the past 13 years. I enjoy a variety of outdoor sports, textile arts, gardening, and fencing. I am a graduate of the University of Wyoming and have a knowledge of government policy, strategy, and human nature. During my time on council I have supported watershed protection, after-school programs, public safety, accessibility for people with disabilities, public parks, and issues that effect the working people of Laramie.

Joe Hageman (Ward 5):
I am a Wyoming native and resident of Laramie since 1973. I graduated from UW in Psychology and from the College of Law. I have engaged in the general practice of law since 1980 and am a residential landlord. My experience representing people and business in Laramie gives me greater background of experience and understanding of needs of our community and how to deal with them than can be matched by the other candidates.

Jeanette Reisenburg (Ward 5):
Age 48.  I have lived in Laramie 19 years. I served on the Planning Commission from 1995-2000 and served on the Albany County Community Recreation Center Board from 1988-2000. I have been employed in the Math Department at the University since 1989.

Alec C. Shea (Ward 6):
I was born and raised in Ohio. I moved to Laramie in 1995 to attend the University of Wyoming where I received a BA in Sociology. I am employed with the Department of Family Services where I work with juveniles. I am a member of St. Laurence O'Toole Catholic Church. I am married with no children.

Joe Shumway (Ward 6):
I served as mayor of Laramie and President of the Laramie City Council 2001-2003, past state representative for the National League of Cities Information Technology Board, Regional Economic Development Board executive committee member, Wyoming Association of Municipalities policy committee member, Urban System Advisory Committee member, Chairman of the Albany County Republican Party 1993-95. Community volunteer in Little League baseball, past PTA President, Eagle Scout, property and business owner in Laramie for over 25 years.

Jeanne Armintrout (Ward 7):
Prior to moving to Laramie, I was president of my own nationally-recognized consulting business, providing businesses with direction in executive recruiting, compensation, benefits, documentation, workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, payroll, budgeting, hiring and cost containment. In 1993, I moved to Laramie with my husband Ed and our four daughters, two of whom are now UW graduates. After working at UW for six years in News Service and Student Health Insurance, I returned to consulting in 2000.

Fred Homer (Ward 7):
I have lived in Laramie for 30 years and served on the city council four years, the last two as mayor. I missed no votes those four years. I earned a BA in economics and Ph.D. in government, served in the Army, and worked at Price Waterhouse. As a professor at UW, I established the Criminal Justice Program, the Self-designed Major, Chaired Political Science and was Wyoming Professor of the year in 2002.

Question 1: What do you consider to be Laramie's most urgent housing issue today and what would you do about it?


Bob Bell (At-Large): Sewer and water upgrades are the most urgent issue standing in the way of affordable, residential development. It is essential that sewer and water utility capacity be increased for solid, steady growth. Extended lengths of undersized sewer main are impeding proposed residential and commercial development. When the 6th cent capital facilities tax is available for renewal, important utility upgrades must take precedence. The unwise use of the 6th cent capital facilities tax on projects unrelated to utility capacity upgrades has resulted in massive utility rate increases and surcharges, and is preventing the city from bringing in affordable housing developments.

Dave O'Malley (At-Large): Affordable housing is our most urgent problem. A recent article in the Boomerang referred to housing proposed on the Kruger Tract that will cost between $115,000 and $126,000. I am uncertain how that will be possible. A modular home on a small lot in West Laramie with no improvements is more than what is estimated for new housing with curb, gutter, asphalt, and some landscaping. A high cost of living and low wages drive many people from Laramie, particularly our younger citizens. I don't have an informed answer to the question and will rely on the experts on mortgages, real estate and construction for advice.

Seth Adrian Carson (Ward 4): As a local residential architect, I understand the larger scope of Laramie's housing industry. I consider thefuture of Laramie's housing to depend on the upgrade and development of new utility infrastructure. Without the expedited delivery of newwater and sewer transportation systems, new single family housing, multiple family housing, and the much needed low to mid income housing can not be constructed to meet the demands Laramie now faces. My solution would be to putmore financial and staffing resources into this kind of development to ensure that our construction future and housing projects prospers.

Amy Sunshine Moon (Ward 4): Laramie's most urgent housing issue is the lack of affordable housing for current and potential residents. This shortage creates quality-of-life issues for residents, limits individual opportunities for investment, and narrows the possibilities for economic growth within the community (current and incoming businesses require affordable housing for their employees). The municipal code should be re-vamped to encourage developments that better meet the needs of the current market. This would include opportunities for combined business and residential developments, traditional neighborhood developments, and developments that foster community and allow for alternative transportation corridors.

Joe Hageman (Ward 5): Laramie is in need of additional housing both low income and otherwise. Additional housing cannot be supported by the existing infrastructure and inadequate attention has been paid to how to provide a cash stream from development in order to provide infrastructure for housing and other development throughout the City of Laramie. We have known that we would be at maximum sewer capacity since 1986. Grants are available. Build the tech dorms with proper P.I.L. Provide for a future Laramie Housing Authority by today's agreements on ownership with Cheyenne Housing Authority.

Jeanette Reisenburg (Ward 5): Laramie's most urgent housing issue today is the lack of affordable housing, housing in the $120,000-150,000 range. The private market is naturally responding. A number of housing developments are being proposed. The City can help facilitate new development by improving its development process. Much of our zoning code is antiquated and needs updating. Extra staff may be needed to meet all the new development demands. The City also needs to open up the Turner Tract for development. The recent $1.4 million grant the City received from the Business Council for Boulder Drive will help start that process.

Alec Shea (Ward 6): I believe it is a lack of affordable housing. This is not just a housing issue but a growth issue as well. If Laramie is going to grow in a way that will attract companies I believe we have to be able to provide affordable housing for their employees. I have spoken to several people in my ward that are frustrated with the cost of housing that forces them to rent instead of buy. If elected, I will work with the planning commission, contractors, and the rest of council to find out the reasons why the cost of homes is so high.

Joe Shumway (Ward 6): I am currently the Board President of Laramie Senior Housing. Affordable housing without unfair government competition is essential in our community. National statistics indicate that more families are buying homes and fewer are renting and leasing. If the Laramie City Council will encourage responsible business growth, more families can afford to stay and buy homes in Laramie. Rental properties have always been an important option in our community. Laramie city codes require that acceptable housing standards are maintained, while competition determines the quality and price of these various properties.

Jeanne Armintrout (Ward 7): The lack of middle-income housing discourages companies from expanding into Laramie. The first step in addressing this issue is streamlining the approval process for permits and planning. The fees charged for these services should be earmarked to support the departments that handle the workload. If more employees are needed to have an effective review and approval process, then funds should be used for this purpose. Building middle-income homes will free up starter homes as residents upgrade their housing. Better paying jobs make all housing more affordable. Reducing utility rates will help the housing costs of all Laramie residents.

Fred Homer (Ward 7): We need affordable housing to retain our younger population and to entice businesses that want a base of skilled workers to choose from. I have pushed for an objective study of the developmental process and called for a development officer in this fiscal budget. We need to streamline our permitting process to make it friendly to developers while upholding sound building practices. We commissioned studies that prioritized community needs for sewer and water and upon the study's recommendations we have applied for two large grants to ease the pressure on our sewer system. Affordable housing will follow.

Question 2: Assuming the city receives $2 million in extra revenue from the state for the next two years, what would you spend it on?


Bob Bell (At-Large): Laramie citizens are paying interest on capital projects that should have been paid for through the capital facilities tax. The best use of one-time funding would be the reduction of principal and interest payments now burdening rate payers through ever-escalating utility rates. Deficit reduction could result in lower cost of operations, which should translate into utility rate reductions. It is not wise to use one-time money to expand the size and scope of city government.

Dave O'Malley (At-Large): There is a misconception that the City received $2,000,000 of additional revenue. In actuality, the monies only replaced funds that we lost through de-earmarking and there is no guarantee of those funds after next fiscal year. If we did have $2,000,000 in additional funds, I would recommend the design and construction of a West Laramie fire substation with the remainder being placed in reserves for years like the last one when the city budget was balanced on the back of the employees.

Seth Adrian Carson (Ward 4): With the two million dollars in hand, first I would explore options into various investment opportunities. Next, I would invest the money into development infrastructure for Turner Tract and other economically viable development zones. Ready and available infrastructure will be the result from new goals and deadlines imposed on the city's planning and engineering departments all the while dovetailing with a common community visions for growth and prosperity. Lastly, I would put aside some funds for special projects like beatification, energy efficiently city upgrades, completion of the green belt, local business ready funds, and beyond.

Amy Sunshine Moon (Ward 4): If the money allocated is in addition to the de-earmarked funds that were previously part of the city's budget, I would fund replacement of the city's aging water and sewer infrastructure, insure that similar infrastructure needed for smart growth projects is in place, and pursue opportunities to make Laramie a sustainable city thereby ensuring long-term financial stability. If the funds were not additional funds, I would continue to fund city services at current levels, while examining opportunities for streamlining and matching funds to accomplish these goals.

Joe Hageman (Ward 5): Some funds must be expended to expand availability of plan review for development. The bulk of these funds should be held for matching of available grant funds for capital improvement of streets, water and sewer and, if sufficient funds remain, a West Laramie Fire Station with a staffed ambulance would be desirable. Dollars must be prioritized to streets, infrastructure and fire and police protection before less necessary items.

Jeanette Reisenburg (Ward 5): It is a misconception that Laramie received an extra $2,000,000 this year. Because the City's budget was reduced by $1.5 million due to deearmarking last year, the money we received this year essentially brought the budget back to normal. If the City was fortunate enough to receive an additional $2,000,000, I would support spending it on critical waterline replacement projects, completion of the Comprehensive Plan and revising our zoning code, using it for matching grant money for water and sewer projects and upgrading street equipment that is often put off to due budget constraints.

Alec C. Shea (Ward 6): Any extra revenue we receive from the state should go to help shore up our infrastructure. As Laramie grows and the present council looks at possible new developments, I am concerned that existing problems might get overlooked in the excitement of something new. Before we extend our resources to new areas we need to make sure that the heart of our city has updated sewer and water lines. For Laramie to grow correctly we need a plan that ensures our sewer and water lines will accomodate needs for years to come.

Joe Shumway (Ward 6): Approximately four years ago the Wyoming State Legislature introduced "de-earmarking"as a measure to reduce revenue to cities and towns. The city of Laramie lost over two million dollars per year with this action. During this same period our Wyoming Legislature voted to increase state spending by over half a billion dollars annually. Wyoming communties have shown that they can survive on reduced spending, but the state must follow the example of municipalities by reducing their pension to spend Wyoming's new found wealth. If the state legislature restores the two million dollar taking, I favor reducing the municipal infrastructure debt.

Jeanne Armintrout (Ward 7): The majority of the Council voted to use this year's extra revenue from the State for personnel costs in the amount of $800,000. Because these increased personnel costs are now part of the City's continuing budget obligation for next year (and following years as well), we will not have $2 million in extra revenue. Rather we will have $1.2 million. This revenue should be used to cover expensive water projects, sewer problems, broken water mains, debt service, and to roll back utility rates which are severing hurting Laramie residents.

Fred Homer (Ward 7): From experience, I know that roughly half of the money will be absorbed by cost of living increases, salary adjustments and rising health care costs. Since the revenue stream is not guaranteed,we must spend the remainder on one time expenditures. We can use the funds as match on grants to extend and repair our infrastructure. Finally, we must replace antiquated equipment which is costing us more in the long-run to maintain than to buy new. Our vehicle analysis will provide vital information to help us with these decisions.