Eight candidates vying for open council seat
The Laramie City Council will interview the candidates for the appointed position Wednesday. Ward 1 has been down a city councilor since Jessica Stalder resigned earlier this month.
Members of the Laramie City Council will soon pick a new resident to serve alongside them, filling the vacancy left by Jessica Stalder’s resignation earlier this month.
City councilors are typically elected, but when a councilor resigns from their post before the end of their four years, the remaining councilors are tasked with appointing a new person to serve out the term.
The filing period for residents wishing to be considered closed last week.
The council will host candidate interviews Wednesday during a special meeting hosted via Zoom and closed to public comment.
There are eight candidates hoping to fill the Ward 1 vacancy.
Brett Glass
Micah Richardson
Roger Alexander (Randy) Hunt
Victor Bershinsky
Klaus Halbsgut
Frederick Schmechel
Melanie Vigil
Chavawn Kelley
The council will ask these candidates a series of questions, allowing every candidate three minutes to answer each question.
The vacancy is limited to residents of the city who have lived in Ward 1 for at least a year and are registered voters. City employees — or those who hold an office that would conflict with the council appointment — are prohibited from applying.
Unlike the Albany County vacancies filled during the past year, City Clerk Nancy Bartholomew said the council appointment process does not involve political parties.
“The county positions are typically partisan positions,” Bartholomew said. “However, the city council positions are non-partisan. Anyone, regardless of their political affiliation, can apply.”
The last time this process occurred was 2017, when Vicki Henry, also a Ward 1 councilor, resigned. Phoebe Stoner was appointed to serve out the rest of Henry’s term.
Stalder would have been up for reelection in 2022 and her replacement will serve until that time.
The council’s special meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. While there is no public comment scheduled, Laramie residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on the vacancy and candidates with the council at council@cityoflaramie.org.
The interviews will be live-streamed via the council’s YouTube channel and on channel 191.
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