CASPER, Wyo. — Election season is underway and Oil City News has sent a list of questions to each candidate for the Bar Nunn Town 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 Kimberly Zahara, who is running for a seat on the Bar Nunn Town Council:
1. Who are you? (Name, where you’re from, employment, hobbies, etc.)
Hello, my name is Kimberly Zahara and I’m seeking election to the position of town council for Bar Nunn. I am a mother to three young adult children ages 22–24, a wife, and a recently retired registered nurse. I moved to Bar Nunn a year ago from Casper. In my spare time I enjoy quilting, gardening, baking, and hunting, fishing, and camping with my husband.
2. Why have you decided to run for office and what do you hope to accomplish should you be elected?
I decided to run for office because I believe in giving back to the community I live in. Every one of us has the ability to make the communities we live in a better place by being involved. If elected I hope to work with the town council to ensure that our community remains a safe place to live and raise our families in.
3. How do you plan on accomplishing your goals?
I plan on working hard for the people of Bar Nunn by collaborating with the other town council members to serve the needs of our community. I’m not looking to make any changes as the existing council is doing a fantastic job keeping our town running smoothly and keeping us all safe, and planning for future growth. I will listen to my constituents and bring their concerns to the council.
4. What experience do you have that qualifies you for the office you are seeking?
As a registered nurse I was a charge nurse, I managed the flow of patients on our unit, supervised those that worked on my unit, and managed complex medical situations and life-threatening issues as they came up in my patients. I had to ask questions and critically think to find solutions to out-of-the-box problems. I also have owned and operated a profitable small business for many years, as well as running my family’s cattle ranch. I know how to write a budget and adhere to it, plan for the future, problem solve, listen and work as a collaborating member of a team. I have always been involved in the communities in which I have lived in by volunteering and giving back.
5. Do you feel you could be a good steward with taxpayer dollars? Why or why not?
Yes, I can be a good steward with taxpayer dollars. As a small business owner and successful rancher I wrote yearly budgets, allowing for the unexpected and planning for future growth. As a member of the town council it is my duty to be a good steward with taxpayer monies, to plan for the unexpected, and the future growth of our community.
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 believe anyone serving in public office has a duty to be transparent in their governance. I will be open, honest and accountable if elected to town council. All meetings are recorded and minutes are transcribed and published for anyone who wishes to view them. I will listen, learn and be accountable if elected.
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 do believe the town council of Bar Nunn has been open and honest. We have an amazing town council who work together respectfully and listen to the concerns and needs of our community. I would be honored to be a part of this hardworking team.
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?
I will come prepared to all town council meetings, doing my research on topics that are on the agenda beforehand. If there is a topic being discussed that I don’t fully understand, I will ask for further clarification. I cannot make good decisions if I am not understanding.
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?
I am not seeking any policy changes. The town council is doing a fantastic job in running Bar Nunn. I am interested to look into how we can solve the issues at Wardwell Water District. Bar Nunn is the only municipality in Natrona County that does not service its own water district. There are many advantages to Bar Nunn taking over the water district: friendlier customer service, a cost savings to each household as bills for garbage, sewer and water will be consolidated, as well as the ease of paying monthly water bills. Currently we are not allowed to pay for more than a month’s water service at a time and cannot put a credit/debit card on file to have billed every month to pay our bill. This is inconvenient. I have experienced rudeness by the manager when I was trying to set up service when I moved to Bar Nunn a year ago; I had questions and the manager went out of her way to be difficult. There is no reason for not being kind and courteous when serving your customers. A dialogue needs to occur between Wardwell and the Town of Bar Nunn, to find solutions to the issues occurring presently, whether it be dissolving Wardwell and Bar Nunn taking over the water service or to find lasting solutions to the issues Bar Nunn residents are experiencing in dealing with Wardwell water district. And its management. Wardwell has a new board with the exception of the chairman and they are working very hard to solve the issues so that the residents of Bar Nunn have uninterrupted and quality water service.
10. Is there anything the above questions didn’t ask that you would like to comment on?
I want to say thank you for taking the time to read my responses. I love my community of Bar Nunn and I look forward to serving on the town council if elected in November.
NOTE: All primary candidates who filed to run for the Bar Nunn Town 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.
