Commissioners deadlocked

The Sweetwater County Commissioners could not decide who would replace Don Van Matre.

Despite hosting interviews with three Republican candidates, the commissioners were at an impasse as to who would be a better representative on the board.

During the commissioners’ meeting Tuesday afternoon, former commissioner John Kolb, Island Richards and Lauren Schoenfeld were interviewed.

After the interviews, each commissioner spoke to which candidate they felt would be the best for the job. Commissioners Wally Johnson and Roy Lloyd showed support for Richards, while Commissioners Randy Wendling and Jeffrey Smith showed support for Schoenfeld. One thing the commissioners did seem to agree on is even though Kolb served as a commissioner in the past and they felt he did a good job, they didn’t think he would be a good pick at this time.

“I know all three extremely well and I think highly of all three,” Johnson said.

However he said it came down to him answering two questions, “Who I honestly believe will do the best job? Who is the best person for this job today?”

Wendling was next to voice his opinion.

He said he knows how hard both Richards and Kolb have worked, but this county needs diversification and someone to move it forward.

“I strongly support Lauren,” Wendling said.

Smith echoed Wendling’s sentiments saying the decision isn’t an easy one for him, but he received numerous emails and phone calls of support. The difference in those emails were the length. Those in support of Richards were short and to the point, while those for Schoenfeld were lengthy and detailed, which helped Smith learn more about her.

“This is a very difficult position to be in. I don’t take this decision lightly,” Lloyd said.

He said he needed to listen to his constituents and they were for Schoenfeld or Richards. Even while Lloyd was expressing his support for Richards, he was still talking about how Schoenfeld would also make a good commissioner. However, he stated he would support Richards.

“I’m surprising myself,” he said.

After realizing the commission was tied on their decision, they had a brief discussion and decided to discuss the issue further.

Johnson said Richards will bring a business view to the table and he has experience on boards. Johnson then voiced his support for Richards saying he has done all the right things to prepare himself for the commissioner role. He also spoke about how the Republican Party has made it clear that Richards is their top pick.

Wendling brought up the points that Schoenfeld has also served the community and is on state boards.

Smith said the board keeps talking about diversifying the group and yet when he looks at the commission he sees four white men making the decisions for the county.

“That’s not representative of the community,” Smith said.

Schoenfeld would give the commission a perspective none of them have, he said.

“I prefer we don’t have this end up in district court,” Lloyd said.

However, none of them, including himself, wanted to change who they were supporting.

The commissioners decided to make the decision at a special board meeting, which will take place June 26 at 1:30 p.m. If a decision can’t be reached, it will likely go to the Third District Court.

The candidates

Prior to commissioners asking them questions, the candidates had the chance to speak to the commission about themselves and why they thought they would be the right choice for the board.

Kolb said he would be the only one who has been a commissioner and he wouldn’t require any training. He already knows what the role is and has the knowledge of being a commissioner. After losing in the last election, Kolb said he has realized he needs to listen more and learn how to explain complicated issues better. He said he learned from his loss.

“I’m the only one that sat in that seat,” Kolb said. “The only one that had eight years of experience. I’m an asset, not a liability.”

In his accomplishments, Kolb listed helping get the Sweetwater County Justice Center done and helping turn things around at the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County.

Richards has served on numerous boards throughout the years, including seven years on the Sweetwater County Planning and Zoning, 10 years on the White Mountain Water and Sewer District, 20 years on the Wyoming Retailers Association, he filled a seat on the Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1, and he was Sweetwater Republican Party chair and vice chair.

Schoenfeld is the former executive director of the YWCA and currently works at Simplot as its senior HR director. She was formerly involved in law enforcement and has served on a number of county and state boards, including the Proud Wyoming Woman Retreat committee, the state’s Broadband Advisory Council and the Joint Powers Telecommunications Board, Wyoming Community Foundation, Rock Springs Planning and Zoning Commission, the Rock Springs Beautification Board. Schoenfeld said she left the YWCA so she could pursue a political career.