GILLETTE, Wyo. — Jack Clary and Billy Montgomery have won their primary election bids and will appear on the ballot this fall as candidates for the Gillette City Council representing Ward Two, according to the Campbell County Elections Office.
Clary and Montgomery were the only two candidates who filed to represent Ward Two on the Gillette City Council, receiving a combined total of 1,419 votes. Clary claimed the most votes at 720, with 410 in-person votes and 310 absentee votes. Montgomery received 669 votes, with 396 in-person votes and 273 absentee votes.
Clary won his bid over incumbent City Councilmember Billy Montgomery, receiving 720 of the total 1,398 votes cast. Of those votes, 310 came through absentee ballots, per the elections office.
A longtime Gillette resident and current vice chairman of the Campbell County Senior Center Board, Clary said he decided to run for a City Council seat after observing runaway spending. He said he feels tax dollars should be spent wisely, especially given the current state of the local energy economy.
In his candidate question responses, Clary expressed concern over a lack of communication between the city and the residents of Gillette. He desires to increase the public trust in the council so that residents feel that they have good representation and that members are making wise choices when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars.
Should he win his council bid during the general election this fall, Clary said he intends to hold regular town hall meetings where residents can ask questions and voice their concerns to both the council and the Campbell County Board of Commissioners.
According to his responses, Clary feels the community is facing the consequences of wasteful spending and a federal attack on fossil fuels, an industry he says is part and parcel to the local community.
He says he will not stand for poor planning, meaning that projects need to pay from themselves, from the capital side to the expense and maintenance side. He also said he intends to carefully evaluate any proposal directed at the housing crisis and offer support to those he feels are prudent while opposing any he feels are unsound.
Montgomery
Currently a member of the Gillette City Council and an armed forces veteran, Montgomery has years of experience serving on public boards and currently serves as deputy coroner.
Montgomery chose to seek another term on the council out of a desire to see the city continue to move forward. He also desires to continue working to ensure there are good jobs and affordable housing available in the community.
He feels his goals can be accomplished by working together, not only with councilmembers but also with city staff and community members.
“It’s been my honor to serve the people of Ward 2. Over the years I have gained knowledge and experience of how the city conducts business so there is no learning curve,” Montgomery said. “I am able to jump right in and represent my constituents.”
Should he win his bid in the general election this fall, Montgomery says he will work to address an ailing Gurley Overpass, the lack of affordable housing and a need to diversify Gillette’s workforce.
