CASPER, Wyo. — Election season is underway and Oil City News has sent a list of questions to each candidate for the Casper City Council who has filed to run in the primary election in August.
These questions are designed to give our readers a better understanding of the people behind the names on the ballot. Below, get to know Woody Warren, who is running for a Ward III seat on the Casper City Council:
1. Who are you? (Name, where you’re from, employment, hobbies, etc.)
Woody Warren. Born and raised in WY (born in Cheyenne, raised in Rock Springs). I skate and snowboard, fish and love to work on my many project vehicles.
2. Why have you decide to run for office and what do you hope to accomplish should you be elected?
I decided to run in 2020, where I came up short (725 votes) in the primaries. I decided to run again because of my family. I want to show that a difference can be made just by stepping up and letting my voice be heard. The main goal I wish to accomplish would be to ensure, maintain and put measures into place to put our city into a better financial position and reduce government overreach.
3. How do you plan on accomplishing your goals?
The main step in this is asking the tough questions. Mainly why… Why are we spending the money where we are? Why do we need to spend the money in the places we are? Is there a better (possibly local) option? With some of these questions will come backlash. I expect that. But to have a full understanding of our financial situation, you need to be able to “get in the weeds” with the budget. This is not a splashy job; it is boring. But, every penny needs to be accounted for, and our government needs to be accountable for every penny. In today’s economy, a lot of families are having to tighten their belts, so why shouldn’t the government?
4. What experience do you have that qualifies you for the office you are seeking?
20+ years in retail has prepared me for this role. Not only in a financial aspect (being able to write and maintain budgets, read and understand profit and loss), but it has molded me into a servant leader. I want to serve. I want to listen.
5. Do you feel you could be a good steward with taxpayer dollars? Why or why not?
I will be a good steward with taxpayer money. Being a registered Libertarian, I have a strong belief in fiscal responsibility and transparency. I am NOT for any reckless spending and I am NOT scared to ask the difficult questions. And besides, Taxation is Theft anyways……
6. On the issue of transparency, where do you stand on ensuring all public business is conducted openly and in a manner that encourages public attendance?
I am 100% for transparency. The community deserves to know exactly where their money is being spent.
7. Do you believe the office or board position you seek has been open and honest with the public? If yes, how can the entity remain open and transparent when conducting public business moving forward. If no, what changes would you implement to ensure that all future dealings are open and transparent?
I don’t think they have been as transparent as they could be. There has been times these last couple years that I have been more content with the amount of information given, but too many times I have heard, “Well, that’s just the way things are.” The main fix to this would be to just (again) ask the questions and force either the council, city manager, etc. to answer the question to a point that the public is either content with the answer or have a better understanding of the issue.
8. If you were presiding over a meeting and a topic was being discussed that you didn’t fully understand, would you ask for a more detailed explanation during the meeting or would you seek the information after the meeting?
Yes.
9. Should you be elected, or reelected, do you plan on seeking any major policy changes in your chosen office? If yes, what would those changes be? If no, why not?
The main issue (as I see it) is not a splashy one. Budgets and finance is one of the main issues that I see day in and day out with our city. The only policy changes that I would make is that of removing (and restricting) ordinances that would cause greater government overreach in our community.
10. Is there anything the above questions didn’t ask that you would like to comment on?
Nope.
NOTE: All primary candidates who filed to run for the Casper City Council were sent questionnaires at the same time and Oil City News will publish responses in the order they are received. Candidate responses are only edited for clarity and style.
If you are a candidate and did not see the questionnaire in your inbox, please email news@oilcity.news. Oil City News sent questionnaires to Natrona County candidates running in the primary for municipal, county office or a seat in the Wyoming Legislature based on email addresses shared by the Natrona County Clerk’s Office; if you would prefer the questionnaire sent to a different address, please let us know.
