CHEYENNE, Wyo. — In this edition of “Meet the Candidates,” Kathy Scigliano shares with Cap City News how she envisions governing Laramie County if elected as a county commissioner. Scigliano is one of seven people running for commissioner.
The following are responses that Scigliano shared with Cap City News. To view the Q&As of other candidates who have also submitted answers to us, click here.
What are your strategies for promoting economic development and job creation in Laramie County?
What is needed is working with all entities in Laramie County that can help attract jobs. For quite some time, I’ve said if I got the chance to work closer with the Chamber of Commerce on attracting more manufacturing companies, I would love it. If I am honored enough to become commissioner, I am excited to do that. It’s important to get companies here that can employ more then 10 or 15 people, I want to get companies here that employ 100 or more. Sustainable jobs is a must if we want to keep our youth here and thrive as a county.
How do you plan to improve and maintain essential county services and infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, and public safety?
First and foremost, sitting down and speaking with the heads of these departments is a priority. As a newly elected commissioner, I want to establish a great working relationship with department heads and those who work under them. I believe everyone has ideas and concerns that need to be heard. I don’t think just one person should have a say in what they think could be improved on, so listening is the first step. By listening, you give everyone a chance to give ideas and for all voices to be heard and valued. I think working as a team on these issues is greater than giving one person full control. As a team you can determine what ideas and strategies will work best.
What is your approach to managing the county’s budget and ensuring fiscal responsibility while meeting the needs of the community?
Again, working as a team is going to be imperative. We are in a time where budgets are going to need to be analyzed to the extreme. Our residents our struggling and we need to make sure our tax dollars are being used wisely. Wants and needs are going to need to be looked at with a fine-tooth comb to ensure we are getting the most bang for our buck so to speak. I don’t want departments to feel like they can’t ask for things they need, but we have to make sure we are all being responsible stewards of our dollars.
How will you address land use planning and environmental sustainability to balance growth with conservation in Laramie County?
Water in Laramie County is becoming a big topic of conversation. Ensuring we are balancing growth with available resources, should definitely be a concern for everyone. The commissioners should be at the forefront of paying attention to what resources are available and how much we can sustain as far as growth goes. Growth is good, but not when our resources are compromised. There needs to come a time where we just say no and take a step back to make sure we can handle it. We don’t want to be put in a position where we become so low on water that we reach a point where growth is not an option anymore because once that happens, we have failed our community.
How do you intend to engage with the community and ensure transparency in the decision-making process of the County Commission?
I would like to see the commissioners hold townhall meetings, and getting out into the community more, other than just for a photo op, and even going as far as holding monthly “coffee with the commission” dates throughout Laramie County. Another thing I would like to see changed is our meeting times. Holding meetings on a Tuesday at 3:30 is doing our community a disservice. We aren’t giving our residents a chance to engage with us if they can’t be there. Most people have jobs where they can’t leave work early, or be home before 5pm, let alone 330 in the afternoon. Its up to the commissioners to be more accessible to their constituents, not the other way around.
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
If elected, I will work you (Laramie County) not the other way around. I will be the most accessible, honest and hard-working commissioner if you allow me to be. My allegiance will always to be the people of Laramie County.
