CASPER, Wyo — The Natrona County Board of County Commissioners have appointed Town of Mills building inspector and assistant town planner Kevin O’Hearn to fill the remainder of the House District 59 seat vacated by Bunky Loucks. The appointment will last through the remainder of the year.
Leah Juarez and Dave Carpenter are still in the race with Kevin O’Hearn for the seat in the August 18th primary election. The three candidates went before the commissioners Tuesday, July 28. The commissioners had been devising a series of questions the past two weeks, including some “curveballs,” as Commissioner Forrest Chadwick put it.
“Voters will have a difficult choice, and it was for us too,” said Commissioner Paul Bertoglio, “We’re almost being asked to pick a winner or loser when there’s an election in 3 weeks… it’s an uncomfortable position to be in.”
“I’m honored and looking forward to it,” O’Hearn said of the appointment. He said his top three priorities entering the legislative assignment were to:
- “Make transparent, sound and timely decisions”
- “Listen and learn from veteran legislators”
- “Study the information given and talk to subject matter experts”
“Keep after it, don’t give up. I commend you,” said Commissioner Milne told the candidates after the appointment was announced. “And remember the endgame, that’s the election.”
“I was at my wits’ end coming into today.” said Commissioner Chadwick on having to make the decision, noting only minute disparities in the candidates’ qualifications.
Commissioner Brook Kaufman commended each candidate’s courage in running and said each had a unique skill set. She said O’Hearn’s background in government helped put him over the top.
“I look forward to the voter’s having their say in this as well,” Kaufman said.
The commissioners questions covered topics relating to Medicaid expansion, stand-your-ground laws, the Occidental land bid, charter schools, state taxes, and PILT (or “payments in lieu of taxes”)
All three candidates said they were unfamiliar with the PILT topic. “I’m a contractor guy, I swing a hammer,” O’Hearn said.
“Even though I didn’t know PILT is, you better believe I’ll be looking it up when I walk out the door.” Juarez said. Carpenter said he would have to look into it a little more.
O’Hearn will travel to the state capitol in Cheyenne on Thursday for a swearing-in ceremony and “crash-course” in legislative process. O’Hearn said.
After the appointment Commissioner Chadwick then gave the candidates a summary of the PILT issue. He said the federal government pays Natrona County $3.8 million a year to maintain county roads in federal lands. He said 70% of grazing, mineral and BLM leases are dependent upon county roads for access.
