Ward 2 – 2 four-year seats: Wendy Fredricks

How long have you lived in Worland?

I was born in Worland and have lived here my entire life. This community is my home, I'm committed to Worland and its future. My grandparents moved here over 70 years ago, they raised my dad here, and now my grandkids are being raised here. My family has been in business in Worland for well over 60 years, to say I'm invested is an understatement.

Why are you running for Worland City Council?

I am running for Worland City Council because I believe I can make a difference. I also feel like having some experience in Ward 2 is important. I was really hoping we would have more people interested in the experience of public service. City Council is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the community.

I am running because being the director of the Worland Senior Center, I understand aging issues, how fast Worland is aging and what the needs are for our aging population. I'm also a grandma and want to make sure Worland has things that keep our kids here. Youth services are important to me, as well as our parks, and keeping our town safe. I want Worland to be a place that has things to offer our younger generation and gives them a reason to stay or come back.

Do you feel you have the time it takes to serve on the Worland City Council?

While family will always come first for me, I make the time to serve on City Council. I have a demanding job and many commitments, but council is a priority in my schedule.

With rising costs and ever tightening budgets, how would you address increasing revenues or cutting costs for the City? Would rate increases be a part of that?

Raising rates is always the last thing I want to do, it is sometimes necessary to be fiscally responsible. Being on the Budget Committee this year was educational. The city budget isn't much different from running a non-profit business, you need to be accountable and transparent on both sides. You need to constantly be looking for revenue opportunities while trying to responsibly reduce your expenditures without diminishing the quality of service or pride we have in the City of Worland.

Currently the one-cent optional general purpose sales tax is earmarked for street improvements. Is this the best use of these funds or do you feel funding should be directed to another area? If so what area or areas?

I believe in and support the optional general purpose one cent sales tax and what it does for our city. Infrastructure is always at the top of the list, such as street, curb, and gutter repair. Not only does it help the city show that we help ourselves which is crucial in obtaining other funding opportunities, I also believe in the good the penny does for all of the entities it supports.

Do you feel city mayor and council should focus on social issues, recreational issues, basic services or a combination of those? What role should the city play in helping fill empty downtown storefronts? What type of incentives might be included in recruiting businesses?

Absolutely the city should focus on social issues and be involved and partner with all kinds of services and organizations for community betterment. Everything from growth, policies and decisions, quality of life, community programs, mental and physical health, safety, small business, recreation, etc.

City Council to me is a catalyst for improvement and change, we are all in this together.