Candidates for Albany County Commissioner

County Commissioners are elected to four-year terms and the salary is $22,050 per year plus insurance benefits.

1. What is your background, and what qualifies you for this office? (100 words)

Jerry M. Kennedy (R): Born and raised in Albany County, married 44 years, two sons. Along with son and family are self-employed, own/operate Dodge Creek Ranch in Northern Albany County, Fire Guard for BLM, and member of Farm Bureau and Stockgrowers. I actively represent Albany County at State and Local levels. I attend, and participate in WY County Commissioners Association. Reappointed by Governor Freudenthal to the Public Safety Communications Commission I represent County Government am Operations Working Group Chairman for the WYOLINK project. I’m dedicated to the whole County and accessible to all. I understand the workings of government and personnel.

Tim Sullivan (D): I am a Laramie native and UW graduate – with an accounting degree. I was a County Commissioner from 1992 through 2000. This was a period of tight budgets; the County had about $50,000 in reserves. When I left office, the County had over $1,000,000 in reserves. I did not run for a third term because of a promise to serve only two terms. I feel that after two terms one may be part of the problem rather than the solution. For the past twenty years I have owned a software and consulting business servicing financial institutions nationwide.  

2. What is the most important issue that the County Commission should address in the upcoming year? (75 words)

Jerry M. Kennedy (R): The most important issue that the County Commissioners will have to deal with in the upcoming year is protection of personal rights of the citizens of Albany County. Trying to keep Albany County a safe and friendly place to live is also very important as well as maintaining the excellent quality personnel with which the offices are currently staffed.

Tim Sullivan (D): Financial stability is the most important issue facing the County.  23.6 percent of the current year’s operating revenue comes from soft mineral money through the state legislature whereas two years ago it was zero.  Volatility of commodity prices (oil, gas and coal), the potential devaluation of the county’s assessed value due to market conditions, or any reduction in revenues would adversely affect the health, safety and fiscal integrity of the County. 

3. What should the County’s role be in developing a workable Casper Aquifer Protection Plan with the City of Laramie? (75 words)

Jerry M. Kennedy (R): Citizens of Laramie are citizens of Albany County. When regulations are made they have to be a workable plan to protect all the affected citizens. The current plan was developed in 2002 but not approved by DEQ until 2007. Destroying this plan and implementing a new plan forces DEQ to start over. The current plan needs some updates based on sound geological information and inspection processes that are being considered without taking of personal rights.

Tim Sullivan (D): The protection of the Casper Aquifer is paramount – both the City and County should protect this precious asset. The County Commissioners should work closely with the City of Laramie, county planners and consultants to ensure that residents of the county will enjoy clean, potable water for future generations while taking into account private property rights.