First Candidate Applies for Vacant Ward 3 Council Seat

By
Jennifer Kocher for Outliers News
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Gillette City Council unanimously passes third reading of annual fiscal budget June 18.
Gillette City Council during an annual fiscal budget meeting last June.
Thea Guseman is the first candidate to throw her hat in the ring for the open Ward III City Council seat, following the resignation last week of Councilman Shay Lundvall.
Lundvall initially wrote on his Facebook page that he had been asked to resign on the threat of Mayor Carter-King and council’s releasing the posts publicly in effort to degrade him. On Thursday, Lundvall told County 17 in an abrupt phone call that he had apologized for what he had done and had resigned for it already and otherwise had no further comment on the matter. It’s not clear whether he intends to run for the open seat in November.
The posts were brought to the City’s attention after two out-of-state women wrote to complain, at which point, per city protocol, an investigation into Lundvall’s social media activity ensued.
Lundvall’s resignation prompted protests by dozens of residents who showed up at Tuesday night’s regularly scheduled council meeting to express their disdain with Lundvall’s resignation. Holding up signs objecting to what they felt was government overreach and a violation of Lundvall’s First Amendment rights, dozens of residents took the stand during public comment to speak on Lundvall’s behalf while others called for the resignation of both the Mayor and entire council.
Mayor Louise-Carter King has not yet responded to County 17’s request for an interview.
Meanwhile, the City published a call for applications to fill the open Ward 3 council seat on June 18.
Per Wyoming Wyoming Statute 15-1-107 (c), “If a vacancy is determined to exist, the governing body shall appoint an eligible person to the office who shall serve until his successor is elected at the next general municipal election and qualified.”

Applicants must be 18 years of age and reside within Ward 3 to be eligible. Upon appointment by the Gillette City Council, the successful applicant will serve until the next general municipal election at which time a successor shall be elected to fill the unexpired portion of each term (2 years), per the City’s statement.

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, June 23 at noon with the term to expire on January 5, 2021.

Candidates must be a registered voter and have lived in Ward 3 for at least a year or longer. A candidate can not be a convicted felon, have any conflicting interests that would impair their ability to hold office as well as have a job with hours compatible to the office they’re seeking.

Those interested in applying for the open seat can pick up an application in City Administration or the City Clerk’s office at City Hall at 201 E. 5th Street. Applications can also be downloaded. All applications must be submitted in person to the City Clerk’s office at City Hall by noon on June 23.

For more information, contact Communications Manager Geno Palazzari at (307) 686-5393.

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