Meet your Ten Sleep Council candidates

TEN SLEEP — Four candidates are vying for two seats on the Ten Sleep Town Council. Both seats are four-year terms.

One candidate, Amy Truman, is the lone incumbent among those who filed last month.

Other candidates are Steve Criner, Brad DeWitt and Nichole Norman.

Candidates were asked four questions with an alternate fifth question.

Steve Criner

1. Background. I am Steve Criner, engaged to Emily Corrow. I have two girls ages 13 and 10. Went to school in Buffalo, Missouri. After school I started a construction business. After almost 10 years I started doing outdoor TV and marketing. I currently host two shows (“Dog Soldier” and “Real Air Gun Hunting”).

I also do a lot of manufacturing and marketing consulting in the outdoor industry. I also run a successful e-commerce store coyotecalls.com and the Sleepy Coyote Bar and Grill in Ten Sleep.

I’ve been in Ten Sleep five years with one of those years in Sheridan.

2. Why are you running for the Ten Sleep Council? I want to help support the town that has supported us ever since the day we came here.

3. Do you feel you have the time it takes to serve? Yes.

4. What are the three most important issues facing Ten Sleep and how would you help address them?

•Growth. Although growth is looked upon by some people as negative I believe there is a way for growth to take place in Ten Sleep without sacrificing the great and unique small-town atmosphere we have.

•Business representation. I feel as a business owner and entrepreneur I understand the process maybe better than some and can help situations that arise. Also, with that experience I believe I can be of help not only representing the people but the town in situations pertaining to business and marketing that may arise. I also understand the process of owning and starting businesses in Ten Sleep and that may be helpful.

•Outside Voice: I believe Ten Sleep and the community does not end at the city limit signs. We have community members 35 miles away. These families have no voice or representation at council on subjects or issues that may affect them. Now they will. It’s not a simple “Well they aren’t in town so they have no say.” I believe in community, structure and growth. I also believe to have these things everyone involved should be represented.

5. Is there anything else you would like voters to know? I love Ten Sleep, Wyoming.

Bart DeWitt

1. Background. I am a Wyoming native and have been in Washakie County for over 20 years. I am an Army veteran and a very happy go lucky fella.

2. Why are you running for the Ten Sleep Council and what are the three most important issues facing Ten Sleep and how would you help address them? I will try to promote small business, provide better snow removal equipment and preserve the Ten Sleep way of life.

I will look for grants for equipment and talk to small business owners and see their perceptive.

And I will welcome some change although I will be selective.

Nichole Norman

1. Background. Sylvia Norman is my name, but most people around Ten Sleep know me as Nichole, which is my middle name. I have been in Ten Sleep on and off all of my life due to my family being from the area, but I have relocated back here permanently as of two years ago, and I am excited to be running for a town council position because this is my home.

I attended school all around Wyoming and started community college in Riverton, but after getting married and starting a family, I decided to be a stay-at-home mom. My husband at the time was a soldier in the Army and we moved around a lot, including living overseas. After my divorce, I moved back to Ten Sleep and began working at Ten Sleep Vet Services as a vet assistant/office manager. I love my job, working with animals and getting to interact with many people of the community daily, and I love my employers.

2. Why are you running for the Ten Sleep Council? I have never felt more a part of a community than in Ten Sleep, and that is why I want to stand up and serve my community. I’m proud to be here; I’m proud to be a resident of Ten Sleep, and I’m proud to be raising children here. I have a passion to be a voice for others who, for one reason or another, aren’t able to be heard.

People in Ten Sleep have been coming up to me, saying that we need somebody in my age bracket to be a voice on the council. I agree that we need the younger generations to be a part of the politics and decisions for Ten Sleep, but I feel we have had people around my age who have done a wonderful job on town council. More importantly, we need somebody who is able to motivate others to get involved, to want to be a part of something that they might not have thought they could do. Maybe they haven’t had the opportunity to be involved. We need somebody who likes to socialize and converse with everybody, no matter their age, religion, social status, etc. Those of you who know me, know that I love to talk, but also to listen and to problem-solve. I am passionate, but not to the point that I fail to listen to others’ opinions. I am level-headed in stressful situations. I believe in kindness for everyone. My fiancé and kids drive me to be better everyday.

3. Do you feel you have the time it takes to serve? I was questioning whether I was ready or had the time to run for this position, but the more I prayed about it and thought about it, I found the answer was yes! I am ready. What I am lacking, I can learn, from residents who have been on the board in the past, current members, and most importantly, by listening and talking to all the citizens of Ten Sleep who want to talk with me about the good things, and the things that need improved in our community.

4. What are the three most important issues facing Ten Sleep and how would you help address them? I think three problems facing the town of Ten Sleep currently are: town and community members’ safety due to COVID-19, economic concerns for small businesses and tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how we will recover from other impacts brought about by the novel coronavirus, such as unemployment, and lost educational opportunities. The best way I can help with these issues would be by promoting and following the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recommendations, talking with and addressing community members’ needs and concerns, communicating with and promoting small businesses, and deciding what we can do as a board and community to help.

5. Is there anything else you would like voters to know? I’ve been donating my time by going to the store for some of the elderly people, giving what I can to the free box, and trying to help out where I can. I believe we should be cautious and careful, but not fearful at this time. We should look out for neighbors, family, and friends. We will recover as a community and be just as strong, if not even stronger. I’m a huge fan of fishing and other outdoor activities that get kids outside and off electronics, so the faster we flatten the curve, the faster we can get back outdoors with family and friends, enjoying the beauty surrounding us here in Wyoming.

Amy Truman

1. Background. My name is Amy Truman. I am married to Buck, we have three wonderful kiddos, we moved our family to Ten Sleep from Worland on Nov. 5, 2015. I am the marketing/events/retail manager at Ten Sleep Brewing Company.

2. Why are you running for the Ten Sleep Council? Ten Sleep is a wonderful place to live with a strong community, serving on the town council gives me an opportunity to give back.

3. Do you feel you have the time it takes to serve? I fully understand the time commitment it takes and am ready, able and willing to continue with that commitment.

4. What are the three most important issues facing Ten Sleep and how would you help address them? The biggest issue facing the Town of Ten Sleep is COVID-19 and its effects. As a council we will be facing a reduced budget due to decreasing mineral royalties and tax revenues. We are tasked with making sure the infrastructure of Ten Sleep is well managed within our budget so we can continue to encourage businesses and residents to find a home with us. By staying focused on long term goals of continued improvements (roads, sidewalks, curb and gutter, town signage for travelers) we should be able to stay on track in our role as part of a thriving, locally-supported, tourist-based economy.