Rapid growth in recent years has left an imprint on the Bar Nunn Town Council race.
In 2000, according to the Census, the town had a population of 936. By 2007, that number had swelled to an estimated 1,700.
Wendell Tekell, who has served 12 years on the town council, sees the financing of street improvements as a major concern.
"A lot of them are getting in need of repair before they completely deteriorate," he said. "We're working on some of them right now."
The 74-year-old oil field consultant said the town also needs a new town hall and post office.
Council incumbent Paula Stewart said having the administrative structure in place to manage growth correctly is an important consideration.
In terms of infrastructure needs, she said the town already is on track to upgrade its water system, and new curbs and gutters are being installed.
"Most of the streets haven't had curbs and gutters, and this is really a good improvement to our town," she said.
She would like to see Bar Nunn initiate a recycling program and for the town to obtain a zip code that isn't confused with Casper, which sometimes results in delivery problems.
Josh Brown is an advocate of what he characterizes as "smart growth ... making sure as we grow we don't lose our identity as a small town."
"Any growth that happens, we want to make sure it's going to benefit the town long-term, and not just growth for growth's sake," he added.
He favors commercial development that would contribute to the quality of life in Bar Nunn, such as a small grocery store so people don't have to come into Casper for all their purchases.
"It just makes it more convenient to have something there in the local community," he said.
Tekell, Stewart and Brown are vying for two spots with terms of four years.
In the race for a two-year unexpired term, law enforcement officer John Blase is facing business owner Jamie Purcell.
"One of the main issues we have on the table right now is low water pressure," Blase said, especially for people near the end of the line.
He pointed out there is only one major access point to Bar Nunn, which needs to changed as the community grows.
A small grocery store, a new restaurant and perhaps a small recreation center for kids also are seen as desirable. "I've had a lot of input from people," he said. "I've gone door-to-door to just about everybody in town."
Purcell said the council needs to lay the groundwork for prudent growth.
"We need to be smart about developing Bar Nunn," she said. "And smart by keeping in mind the families who live out here and the things that they need."
She said the town might want to consider a form of mass transit into Casper and possibly a sheriff's deputy devoted to Bar Nunn.
Purcell said more organized recreation also would be desirable to keep local teens engaged in positive activities. "If you're bored, you get into trouble," she said.
Bar Nunn Town Council
Two seats, four-year term
Paula Stewart
Age: 50
Home: Bar Nunn
Occupation: Tax preparer and accountant
Education: Some college
Family: Married
Prior political experience: Bar Nunn Town Council, Bar Nunn Planning and Zoning
Wendell Tekell
Age: 74
Occupation: Oil field consultant
Education: High school, degree in computer programming from home study course
Family: Married
Prior political experience: Bar Nunn Town Council
Josh Brown
Age: 32
Occupation: Probation and parole officer
Education: Bachelor's degree
Family: Married
Prior political experience: None
Bar Nunn Town Council
One seat, two-year unexpired term
Jamie Purcell
Age: 30
Occupation: Small business owner and mother
Education: Associate's of applied science
Family: Married
Prior political experience: None
John Blase
Age: 39
Occupation: Law enforcement officer
Education: Some college
Family: Married
Prior political experience: None
Print this story
E-mail this story
Rate this story
Reader Comments
Comments to this story.
Bar Nunn Parent wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:40 AM:
Another Bar Nunn Parent wrote on Oct 20, 2008 1:28 PM:
Bar Nunn resident without kids wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:47 PM:
As for the second point maybe a second access off the interstate isn't what folks are wanting but a second method to get from the stop sign at the loafajug and anywhere north or even south?
When you drive along the old salt creek highway and wonder who's kid you will hit or been on that road when there is an accident but they need to get the ambulance/fire truck/ police car around to take care of the problem but there is no where to pull over or access the area due to being locked down by the one lane roads?
If your house is on fire and someone is blocking the salt creek highway will you be willing to put the fire out with your garden hose?
Time to move to the next century and forget that Bar Nunn was once a horse ranch and then a place for oil field trash to live. Seems all of those things have improved over the years and even those of us who are oil field trash have been fixing up our trailers. "
not oil field trash however... wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:57 PM:
Bar Nunn resident without kids wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:57 AM:
The comment about fixing up my trailer was to compliment the ones of us who are often accused of ruining a neighborhood because we chose to work in the oil fields to bring supplies to the rest of the folks who don't want to get dirty.
It was not intended as a slam as is often the case anymore.
As a group oil field workers are often giving members of a community they live in and will serve on councils or committees to improve the town where they reside.
In fact if enough of us brought home some samples we might be able to widen and pave the highway to allow the kids to ride their bikes to the loafajug safely without being hit by someone in a hurry to get to their xbox. "
Submit a Comment