‘It’s been very good to serve with you;’ Riverton officials recognize three departing council members

(Riverton, WY) – The Riverton City Council recognized three departing council members for their service last week: Dean Peranteaux, Lindsey Cox, and Kristy Salisbury.

“I really do appreciate the three of you,” Mayor Tim Hancock said during a council meeting Dec. 17. “It’s been very good to serve with you. … We can disagree but still be able to get along, and I think that’s one of the most important things – and it’s something that takes an effort on everyone’s part. And you three have demonstrated that very well.”

Hancock also offered personalized comments for all three council members, beginning with Peranteaux, whom Hancock said “really has the public at heart.”

“Service (is) part of him,” Hancock said. “It’s down to his bones. And he’s always somebody who’s good to talk to (and) good to listen to. … It’s always good to have your perspective.”

Cox spends a lot of time serving the community too, Hancock said, and “she’s always got a positive outlook.”

“Any time I get to interact with Lindsey is a good day,” he said. “You donate your time and your efforts and everything for so many different organizations, and it really means a lot, and it makes it so that our community can run, (so) I really appreciate you.”

He described Salisbury as “somebody that is not afraid of giving you her opinion.”

“A healthy board has people being willing to step forward and say, ‘Hold on a minute, I have a different opinion,’ and Kristy is always willing to do that,” he said. “She’s always willing to say, ‘Hey, let’s look at the alternative. Let’s look at some different points of view.’ And I love that. … We need that.”

City Administrator Kyle Butterfield thanked the departing councilmembers, too, expressing appreciation for “the trust and confidence that you’ve put in me and in our staff.”

“I very much appreciate the time that you’ve put towards serving our community,” he said. “Each of you have done a wonderful job dedicating yourself to the betterment of the City of Riverton.”

Peranteaux, Cox, and Salisbury all offered their own departing comments Tuesday as well, beginning with Peranteaux, who said it was “bittersweet” to leave the council.

“I wanted to take a moment and just thank everyone for the opportunity I’ve had to serve – not just on the council with you guys, but also serve our community,” he said. “It’s been an honor to work alongside such dedicated individuals in our council. You guys spend a lot of time and effort and energy doing good work for the city.”

He also commended city staff for “working together to make this a community.”

“I’ve learned a lot from each and every one of you, (and) the amount of effort that you guys put into making Riverton as great as it is,” he said. “I’m just really grateful for that experience. … I’m going to be cheering you on from the sidelines.”

Cox used her time at the microphone to thank the people who initially voted her into office, giving her “the opportunity to serve our community.”

“I’ve had a great experience,” she said. “I’m glad that I had the chance to learn the processes and the effort that it takes to actually run the City of Riverton, and I applaud our staff for what you do every single day. I had a great time, (and the) four years flew by. I feel like the next four years I want to focus on my children, so that’s what my next chapter will be.”

Salisbury began her comments by thanking her family for supporting her civic work – but then she proceeded to hand out personalized nameplates to her fellow councilmembers and city staff, complete with new nicknames she had created for each of them.

“I have the utmost respect for your service,” she told the group after giving them their new nameplates. “It’s been a privilege to serve with you without conflict. … We can disagree, we could have different opinions, but we have not had any conflicts. (That) doesn’t often happen. So I appreciate it.”

All three of the departing councilmembers can say they “have left the city in good hands,” she added, pointing to Riverton’s “viable airport,” the “quality hospital coming here,” the “almost… fully staffed police department,” and the fact that “we’re financially sound” and “we’ve done capital projects.”

“So thank you,” she said. “And good job.”

Incoming council members who will take office in January include Karen Johnson, Rebecca Pierson-Lewis, and Eric Carr.

For more information, call the City of Riverton at (307) 856-2227.