Joseph Vitale still has unfinished business in Ward 3, and is running for a second term on the Laramie City Council.
“I have the experience, the education, the time and the desire to serve,” Vitale said.
Aside from his four years as a city counselor, Vitale has worked as a science teacher, coach, director of a community center, director of parks and recreation and restaurateur.
Vitale attended the University of Wyoming on a football scholarship, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education. He also earned a Master’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University in community education.
Vitale’s major concerns are with the budget and how to proceed with the eight percent budget cuts requested by Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead.
In light of the economy, Vitale said, “We are going to need to spend more time on the bud get this spring. We’re going to have to cut costs.”
Another priority is to continue with following the recommendations of the Red Oak study, an evaluation by water infrastructure consultants of the City of Laramie’s water and sewer systems.
“The systems in Laramie have been neglected for over 40 years,” Vitale said. “We’re going to continue to work toward improving the infrastructure.”
The Red Oak study prioritizes replacement of the oldest and most worn out pipes in the city, because, “in some parts of the city, there is an extraordinary amount of water line breaks.”
Vitale said the Unified Development Code, the set of building codes that govern construction or remodeling, required a revision to make it more user-friendly.
“We are overregulating and overcharging,” Vitale said.
Finally, Vitale would like to revisit the city’s comprehensive plan, which is the recommendation for how the city should grow.
He said in the years since that plan was created, there have been significant changes to the city and the university.
“We need to prioritize our plans and future projects,” Vitale said.
