A questionnaire was sent to the following candidates for the 2020 election consisting of these questions:
- How should Albany County address the COVID-19 pandemic for the rest of 2020 and 2021?
- What do you think the role Albany County has in providing free COVID-19 testing and vaccines to its citizens?
- What is the common ground between Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter? How do we get there?
- With the state and university budget shortfalls, how will this affect Albany County? What are you prepared to do about this?
Here are each of the candidates responses:
(D) Jackie Grimes:
- Albany County is required by state law to follow the guidelines and decisions of our county health officer. As someone running for a state office, I believe in local control and that the state should not interfere unless there is just cause to do so. That said, I believe that recommendations from the entire medical community and their expertise should guide us. We need the whole community following precautionary measures in order to keep businesses and schools open.
- All of us want a safe, supported, and accepting community to call home. Unfortunately many do not feel that is their personal reality and systemic changes are needed for that to happen. We need to recognize the burden that has been placed on public servants with jobs that continue to be expanded without support. Things like mental health services for the community and public servants who experience traumatic events as part of their jobs are important. We have to come together, recognize our roles in our current reality, and unify in a plan for our community to go forward.
- No response
- Our community relies upon public servants to sustain the economy. Unfortunately, we are facing job losses like we have never seen before; jobs that cannot be replaced by the private sector. This will impact every business in Albany County and home values as people are forced to move to areas with more job opportunities. It is time we have a fair tax conversation to stabilize our budget. Lastly, our state provides additional infrastructure support for every major industry in Wyoming; that support should be extended to Laramie for supporting our state’s only major University.
(R) Daniel Furphy
- Albany County should continue to follow the recommendations from Governor Gordon and the State Health department. It is our obligation as citizens to protect ourselves and others by using masks and social distancing. However, we do need to support our local businesses and keep them open. Albany County can pressure the State of Wyoming to help through additional funding of Cares Act moneys that remain available. There are millions of dollars that need to be spent prior to December 30, 2020 or returned to the Federal Government. These funds can also help our hospital and the University of Wyoming.
- The State already provides free saliva testing through Vault Health and Albany County should encourage more citizens to be tested and advertise the process of how they can participate. They should also work with Ivinson Hospital to make certain the public is informed. As vaccines become available and fully vetted by the FDA, the County should first provide it to healthcare workers and first responders. If the cost of the vaccine is not provided free to the citizens, the County should seek funding sources such as Cares Act funds and search how Medicare and insurance may pay the cost.
- Every citizen deserves to live without fear of discrimination by law enforcement. However, we all need to show respect for law enforcement individuals trying to do their jobs. This may start by increasing funding for additional training for law enforcements on how to handle disputes without undo force. It may also include hiring others that are trained in handling domestic disputes. This is more logical than defunding police departments. It is also going to require more dialogue of the entire nation on reducing prejudices that is prevalent in many of us whether we recognize it or not.
- The current budget shortfall will have a significant impact if the legislature refuses to consider any revenue diversification. Further cuts to the school system will have a devastating impact on the education of children in that the class sizes will become very large and teachers will not have the time to focus on individual students that need help. The cuts to the University will also impact attracting top professors and the quality of education of students will eventually deteriorate. This will impact bringing students to Laramie. I am in favor of revenue diversification such as taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.
