Two candidates compete for two seats in Ward 3 city council race
Two candidates compete for two seats in Ward 3 city council race
City Councilor Erin O’Doherty and former Laramie Mayor Joe Shumway seek to fill the two seats on the ballot. O’Doherty and Shumway disagree on civilian oversight and rental regulations.
Welcome to the Laramie Reporter’s 2022 Elections newsletter. This newsletter seeks to introduce Albany County and Laramie residents to the candidates who have filed to run and to explore the issues surrounding what promises to be an interesting, impactful local election.
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Four of the Laramie City Council’s nine seats are up for election this year. In Ward 3, residents will be voting to fill two seats.
Ward 3 is currently represented by Erin O’Doherty, Bryan Shuster and Pat Gabriel. Gabriel is not up for reelection until 2024. Shuster is not running for reelection; he has instead entered the race for House District 14.
Only two candidates have filed to run for City Council Ward 3: O’Doherty, who is running to keep her seat, and Joe Shumway, who has served on the council before and is looking to rejoin it.
With two candidates competing for two seats, it is likely that O’Doherty and Shumway will both have a seat on council following the November general election. The primary would traditionally narrow the field to twice as many candidates as there are open seats. So, it’s possible some write-in candidates join O’Doherty and Shumway in the race by the time the general ballots go to print.
But at the moment, the two candidates for Ward 3 are:
Erin O’Doherty, who has served on city council since 2018. In 2016, the wildlife ecologist ran unsuccessfully to represent House District 14.
Joe Shumway, who has spent significant time on city council across the past few decades. Shumway has served as mayor twice and holds positions on several local nonprofit boards.
O’Doherty supports the creation of a civilian oversight board for the Laramie Police Department; Joe Shumway does not. O’Doherty said citizens “should have a say in how we want to be protected.” Shumway, however, said he “frankly” sees a police department that is “well-trained and has a culture of serving and protecting everyone.”
O’Doherty also supports the rental regulations she helped to pass earlier this year. The regulations outline minimum health and safety standards for rental units in the city. Shumway said he is opposed to those regulations and suggested that the real estate community make and publish its own guide to rental properties in Laramie.
The city council races are technically non-partisan, so whether you’re Democrat, Republican, or even unaffiliated, the two candidates featured here are the ones who will appear on your primary ballot.
City council ward boundaries were redrawn during the redistricting process this year. Ward 3 changed less than Wards 1 and 2, but the boundaries did shift. A high resolution map of the city’s new ward boundaries can be found here.
O’Doherty and Shumway answered a series of questions from the Laramie Reporter about their backgrounds, opinions and hopes for the 2022 reelection. Previous Laramie Reporter features highlighted the three candidates for Ward 1 and the five candidates for Ward 2.
Laramie Reporter: What should voters know about your background, profession and interest in politics?
Erin O’Doherty: I've been concerned about the environment, human rights and justice my whole life. I'm a former research scientist (wildlife ecologist), so that affects how I approach decision-making. I try to keep an open mind. My dad was an attorney who showed me the necessity of demanding liberty and justice for all.
Joe Shumway: Background: I have worked for both large corporations and managed multi-million dollar smaller businesses. I have over 20 years’ experience on city council having served on over twenty boards, committees and commissions. Currently, I serve on the board of directors for ARK Regional Services, Laramie Interfaith and Developmental (Preschool &) Day Care Center. I have been elected mayor of Laramie twice. Profession: I have a degree in business management and finance. Interest in politics: I am not as much interested in politics as I am in keeping Laramie a great place to live and raise a family.
Reporter: What does the city do well? What should the city improve upon?
O’Doherty: The city does a lot of things well and the staff is amazing. The staff use council's stated priorities to guide their work while staying within a very limited budget. The city needs to improve public outreach and find more grant money to continue improving infrastructure.
Shumway: The city has a professional staff that has accomplished a lot with ever-shrinking revenues. City services, streets, utilities, recreation, parks, fire and police, etc. in Laramie are not perfect but city employees strive to maintain a high standard of excellence.
Reporter: What role should the city government play in addressing climate change?
O’Doherty: If we want a livable planet for future generations, all levels of government must tackle this emergency. Cities provide many services directly to citizens, so cutting emissions throughout its work can have a big impact. Also, the negative effects of climate change will burden governments, so the efforts are self-serving.
Shumway: I want clean air, clean water and beautiful green spaces. The city must seek and find the best solutions to protect our environment.
Reporter: What role should the city government play in local economic development?
O’Doherty: Laramie should keep working with partners to try to keep business here and help them grow. Also, we need to promote culture and recreation opportunities to keep it a healthy city where people want to stay and engage.
Shumway: We have a strong partnership with the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance and Laramie Mainstreet. We must conscientiously seek to promote and strengthen established Laramie businesses as well as encourage new economic growth using ‘business friendly’ practices.
Reporter: Should local law enforcement be overseen by a civilian oversight board or use-of-force review board?
O’Doherty: Yes. If the police are here to protect us, we citizens should have a say in how we want to be protected. We definitely need a way for citizens to voice concerns anonymously because, justified or not, some fear retribution if they speak out.
Shumway: I have served on the Civil Service Commission in Laramie. I was the National Chairman of Small Cities at the National League of Cities which dealt with law enforcement and crime prevention. There have been many ad-hoc committees during my time on council that dealt with policing issues. These boards’, committees’ and commissions’ sole purpose is to support and work with law enforcement. All meetings are open to the public and so there is oversight. Frankly, I see a Laramie Police Department that is well-trained and has a culture of serving and protecting everyone.
Reporter: How should Laramie address its housing shortage?
O’Doherty: We need a whole suite of solutions. I think we are on the right track by looking into multiple ways to address the shortage, including allowing accessory dwellings and considering lot sizes.
Shumway: The economy, interest rates, cost of building materials and high property taxes are barriers to affordable housing. Property owners, builders, renters and suppliers all want cooperation from the city planning department and I will vote to adopt business-friendly policies for individuals and businesses in housing project proposals.
Reporter: Do you support the rental regulations passed in January? Would you change them in any way?
O’Doherty: Yes, I was a proponent of the rental regulations. I wouldn't change them for now.
Shumway: The regulations were passed as an attempt to correct problems that exist in housing standards and safety needs. In order to inspect and correct the thousands of problems within rental and housing conditions we would need to add several layers of inspection and enforcement. I don’t know of any city that offers us a perfect model for reasonable action. So, no I don’t support the regulations passed in January. At this time, we can’t effectively regulate housing, but we should find ways in which we can identify the ‘bad actors’ for our renters and home buyers. Good builders and responsible rental companies need to develop a “Buyers Guide to Property Ownership and Rental Properties in Laramie, Wyoming.”
Reporter: Do you own or manage rental property?
O’Doherty: Yes, I have a house with a basement apartment that I rent out.
Shumway: No.
Reporter: If elected, what would be your priorities on council?
O’Doherty: I want to continue finding more ways to improve recycling opportunities and economically viable ways to reduce carbon emissions.
Shumway: When considering proposals, ordinances, policies, etc. I use the simple rule. If it is good for Laramie and the citizens of Laramie, I vote yes. If we are wasting time and money, I vote no.
Reporter: Finally, why should the residents of Laramie vote for you?
O’Doherty: I listen to constituents' concerns and research issues before making decisions. I'm empathetic and honest.
Shumway: Ask friends and neighbors if Joe Shumway has been good for Laramie. If they say he has, then vote for Joe Shumway. If they say Joe Shumway has his own agenda or makes poor decisions – then vote for someone else.