ARCHIVED  November 1, 1996

Cheyenne city candidates promote quality growth

Cheyenne’s new city leaders may differ on specifics, but they generally will agree on the importance of stimulating economic development and growth over the next decade, while maintaining the community’s quality of life.That was the overwhelming consensus I found when I took a break from my responsibilities in the Business Report’s Wyoming Bureau to accept an invitation from the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce to interview candidates for Cheyenne’s City Council and Laramie County Commissioner. Mary DeVries, the chamber’s public-relations director, interviewed Mayor Leo Pando and challenger Rod Miller.
One seat is open on the three-member county governing body, while voters will elect six of the nine members of the City Council and a mayor on Nov. 5. Because of retirements, at least three members of the next council will be newcomers.
We live in an age of tremendous distrust of government and the people who represent us there, even down to the local level. So it was refreshing to see the vigor and enthusiasm of the candidates and five leaders who are in mid-term. My conclusion is that the city and county will be in good hands, no matter who wins.
Without exception, the candidates care passionately about their community and its people and want quality growth for the community and prosperity for its inhabitants without sacrificing any amenities that make the community a desirable place in which to live, learn, work and play.
The future leaders are committed to working with the chamber and Cheyenne LEADS in developing the economy and adding jobs, with many emphasizing the need for high-paying jobs. They also pledge to improve communications between the city and county.
And while they bring varying perspectives on the recently defeated capital facilities tax, they are in agreement that the city and county should again use the optional 1 percent sales tax for developing infrastructure (and to a lesser extent for “quality of life” improvements such as parks).
My thanks to the chamber for this interesting assignment and for the opportunity to get to know some fine people who are offering their time, talents and ideas to help make their community a better place. As I concluded in the chamber publication, when a community has candidates of this caliber, we all win.Airlines eye Cheyenne service
United Express could have some company flying the friendly skies over Southeastern Wyoming this spring if Cheyenne Airport manager Jerry Olson’s hopes come to pass.
Olson is hopeful that Mountain Air Express, or MAX, will join United Express in offering air commuter service out of Cheyenne, beginning this spring. MAX is the commuter arm of Western Pacific and would give Cheyenne area travelers better access to Western Pacific’s base in Colorado Springs.
“We don’t have a lease yet, but we’re high on their list,” Olson said of MAX, which begins commuter service to four Colorado mountain communities in December.
Meanwhile, the Cheyenne Airport is still hoping to entice Maverick Airways Corp. to offer alternative service between Cheyenne and Denver International Airport to feed airlines other than United. Maverick also is embarking on service to Colorado resort communities this winter but hopes to expand operations to the plains in the spring time, Olson said.
And it has not given up on attracting SkyWest Airlines to link Cheyenne to Delta’s western hub in Salt Lake City, though Olson noted that SkyWest recently dropped Gillette, and its officials have indicated no plans for expansion before 1998.
One incentive to help attract new air service is in the works – airport-provided gate security screening. The Cheyenne Airport currently does not provide any security screening; United Express provides screening for in-bound passengers in Denver.
Olson said the airport is still evaluating costs of screening. If it goes ahead, screening probably would begin around the first of the year.
Like many smaller airports throughout the West, Cheyenne’s airport has experienced a dramatic and continual decline in boardings since Continental Express abandoned the market in 1994. The city’s peak boardings were nearly 42,000 in 1992 but are expected to be only 22,000 this year, though Olson believes they have stabilized.
“We’re down 5 percent for the year, but the last few months it’s leveled off, so I think we’ve bottomed out,” he said.
United Airlines and United Express (operated by Mountain West Airlines) improved fares for Cheyenne over the summer, and Olson said a Fly Cheyenne contingent will meet with United officials during the next few weeks to “try to tweak it some more” and see if continued progress on fares can be made for the holiday season.Woodard wins ATHENA award
When Rhonda Sigrist Woodard left her law office for a chamber luncheon one bright October day, little did she dream she would be the first recipient of the chamber’s newest award, the ATHENA Award.
“I’m absolutely shocked,” she said afterward. “I thought the person who would get this award already knew that they would get the award, so I’m completely surprised. This is an incredible honor.”
Named for the Greek goddess of wisdom, the award recognizes someone who has helped women reach their full leadership potential.
Since graduating from the Ohio State University Law School in 1979 and beginning her law practice in Cheyenne the following year, Woodard has emerged as a leader in her profession – and a constant source of help and encouragement for other women to get involved in the legal profession and the community.
Woodard is a senior partner in the Cheyenne law firm of Burke, Woodard and O’Donnell. She is a past president of the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association (the first and only woman to hold that position), is a past president of United Way of Laramie County and currently chairs the Wyoming Board of Law Examiners.
“This award comes from doing things that I absolutely love doing,” she said in accepting the honor. “I’ve been very lucky to have an opportunity to practice law in a city like Cheyenne and to be involved in the community in Cheyenne, to be part of community groups in Cheyenne. I feel like I’m getting an award for doing things that have enhanced my life incredibly.”Chamber names new directors
The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce has six new board members who reflect the business community’s growing diversity and the importance of new businesses.
Elected at the chamber’s October luncheon were Kathryn Bibbey, president and co-owner of National Business Systems; Bill Pastor, vice president of human resources at SafeCard Services Inc.; Michael Patton, manager of technical services at Coastal Chem Inc.; Kelly Wilson, general manager of Cheyenne’s Red Lobster; and Larry Wolfe, an administrative partner with the law firm of Holland & Hart.
The sixth new board member is Gary Imig, chief financial officer at Sierra Trading Post. He was selected by chamber chairman John Dineen and the board to replace Richard Interdonato, former SafeCard Services head who is moving to Reno, Nev.ÿ

Cheyenne’s new city leaders may differ on specifics, but they generally will agree on the importance of stimulating economic development and growth over the next decade, while maintaining the community’s quality of life.That was the overwhelming consensus I found when I took a break from my responsibilities in the Business Report’s Wyoming Bureau to accept an invitation from the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce to interview candidates for Cheyenne’s City Council and Laramie County Commissioner. Mary DeVries, the chamber’s public-relations director, interviewed Mayor Leo Pando and challenger Rod Miller.
One seat is open on the three-member county governing body,…

Categories:
Sign up for BizWest Daily Alerts