Meet Your Candidates: Natrona County Commissioner (2 years unexpired)

CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - We reached out via email to all candidates running for a spot on the Natrona County Commissioner (2 year unexpired). Below are the candidates running who responded to our request. The information below is written by the candidates and unedited by Wyoming News Now.

Robert L Hendry

Age: 65

Occupation: Rancher and Dirt Contractor

Political Experience: Natrona Co Fire Protection District, Precinct Committeeman, Natrona Co Commissioner since 2006

How long have you lived in Natrona County? 65 years

Why are you running? I would like to see two more gravel projects that I have started in the County as well as securing and building a Casper/Natrona Co Health Department to their completion. I would like to see the new cross country ski lodge and shelters be completed.

What is Natrona County’s biggest challenge? The last few years the biggest challenge is the increase in taxes for the residence of Natrona County. The County Commissioners, acting as the CBOE, need to have more say in how the taxes are figured. We need to work with the legislature to enhance our ability to have a say and work on the rules that govern the CBOE as well as the State Board of Equalization so that we can better represent the citizens of Natrona County.

Additional information: I have been a Natrona County Commissioner since 2006. We have done some good projects for Natrona County which include the Townsend Justice Center, the new Juvenile Detention Center and we did improvements to the Industrial Building at the Fair grounds. We started gravel and paving projects on several of our County Roads. I have helped secure two gravel pits in the Western and Northwestern end of the county.

Our economy in Natrona County is coming back after COVID. We need to attract and keep good people working in our County Offices. We will have to pay competitive salaries to accomplish that. The sales taxes are better than last year and more people are working in our businesses. I would like to do more partnering with State and Federal Governments for infrastructure projects, such as a New Casper/Natrona County Health Building and possibly a new library. We have a Wind Farm as well as a Solar Farm planned for the County. It will help those Landowners to stay viable and give the County additional tax monies for projects.\

Curt Simpson Jr.

Age: 70

Occupation: Retired

Political Experience: Served as member at large on the Natrona County Predator Management Board.

How long have you lived in Natrona County? Born here, worked here and retired here.

Why are you running? Hoping to bring some new insight and try to offer more equitable service for the residents.

What is Natrona County’s biggest challenge? Not continuing this mess with the property taxes.

Additional Information: Would love to find a way improve the quality of our K-12 education and it is not that our teachers are overpaid.

Steven Freel

Age: 54

Occupation: Real Estate Broker

Political Experience: 4 Years Casper City Council

How long have you lived in Natrona County? 54 years

Why are you running? Take my experience at City Council Level to the County Commission. There are items that need to be addressed, such as the build out of a new Health Department, continued improvements to the reservoir areas, continued improvements to Casper mountain, to include replacement of the Nordic Lodge, all doing this while looking at the best cost effect way of completing these projects.

What is Casper’s biggest challenge? The Counties biggest challenge right now is keeping natural resources flowing, rising interest rates along with a housing shortage.

Additional information: I look at all sides of each of the issues presented and make the best and most informed decision. Very simply put, I fact find and make the best decision with the information I receive.