Shoshoni mayoral candidates outline priorities at recent forum

(Shoshoni, WY) – The three men vying for the position of Shoshoni Mayor in this month’s primary election met during a recent candidate forum to discuss their priorities and weigh in on topics ranging from economic development to the small town “rumor mill.”

Highsmith

Current Mayor Joel Highsmith is running for re-election to the position he has held for the last eight years.

In his opening statement, he pointed to multiple projects that have been completed during that timeframe – from developing a wellness center and the new town plaza, to modernizing the police department, improving the local shooting range, and investing in the municipal water system.

“What the Town of Shoshoni gets when I’m elected as mayor is a proven track record,” Highsmith said. “(I have the) experience that is needed to lead our town into the future.”

Over the past eight years, Highsmith said he has also been able to develop “working relationships” with partners at the municipal, county, state, and federal levels. 

“It has been said that Shoshoni hits above its weight,” he said. “We’ve gained that reputation under my leadership.”

If he is re-elected for another term, Highsmith said his priorities would be to continue developing the new subdivision west of town and to keep improving Shoshoni’s water infrastructure.

“We need to get our water meters in,” he said, calling that a “hot topic around the town.” “That’s probably going to happen within the next year.”

Economic development is another priority, Highsmith said, expressing his intention to “encourage existing businesses to do better and bring new businesses in.”

One strategy for attracting businesses to town is to offer them “city-owned land at a reduced price,” he said, noting that “inexpensive real estate is something we have a lot of, and that’s something we could help with.”

“We really need to sell land,” he said. “That’s a goal of mine – to sell. We own too much land. We need to sell it. We need to put roofs up.”

When asked about transparency and accountability in city government, Highsmith talked about the mayoral letters he began writing after learning that local residents felt uninformed about municipal goings-on. 

He also pointed to the town council’s meeting recordings, which are now available on Shoshoni’s YouTube channel for public review. 

Those recordings help put a damper on the local “rumor mill,” Highsmith said, because “people can look and see what you really said.” 

Whitener

Councilmember Jordan Whitener said government transparency is something he began advocating for early on in his campaign. 

“The community needs to know what’s going on,” he said. “The community shouldn’t have to ever reach out to be educated on what’s going on – it’s the elected officials’ jobs to make sure that the community is aware … and then reaching out for input. And I think there is some of that (now), but it could certainly be better.”

Transparency was also one of the four attributes Whitener listed as foundational to leadership, along with character, honesty, and accountability – all characteristics that he says have “lacked” in Shoshoni over the past four years. 

Regardless, Whitener later acknowledged that Shoshoni “is definitely headed in a good direction.”

“I don’t think it’s a lot of negatives,” he said. “I do think there is a lot of progress that’s been made in the last eight years, for sure. …I just feel like there’s a lot of things that do fall through the cracks and aren’t (brought) to light like they should be.”

As mayor, Whitener said his main priority would be to improve Shoshoni’s “aging” infrastructure by repairing “failing” streets, flushing local fire hydrants, and addressing the water meter issue that has been ongoing “for many years.”

Both of his opponents served on the council “while that’s been an issue,” he pointed out.

Senior citizens and local youth would be another focus for Whitener, who talked about his family’s long-held values of “family, relationships, and elderly.”

“Without those in this town, there’s nothing,” Whitener said. “I’ve advocated for the senior center. I’ve advocated for our youth. … I, Jordan Whitener, am your best option for mayor. I have the public and the community’s best interests (at) heart.”

Ronald Ankeny

Former Councilmember Ron Ankeny said he decided to run for mayor this year because “our town needs prepared, respectful, and dependable leadership.”

Based on his experience teaching at Shoshoni High School, serving on the town council, working as the local fire chief, and participating in community projects, Ankeny said that kind of leadership requires “listening carefully, understanding the issues, treating people fairly, and following through.”

“I believe my experience, preparation, and approach to public service makes me the best choice to serve as mayor,” he said. “I would bring a fair approach, sound judgment, and a commitment to practical results.”

As mayor, Ankeny said his first priority would be to “build a team that’s organized and effective.”

“That would mean clear and concise communication, well-informed people, regular reports and updates, and clear responsibility for follow-through,” he said. 

He would also develop a “practical plan for critical infrastructure” by identifying the most “serious needs” in town and coordinating with stakeholders to complete repairs and replacements, and he would “work to move forward to housing and development projects.”

“My goal would be steady progress, responsible spending, and visible results,” he said.  

Asked about transparency and accountability, Ankeny called himself a “stickler” on the subject.

“People can’t be left in the dark,” he said. “They absolutely need to know what’s going on.”

To improve transparency in Shoshoni, Ankeny said he would offer more detailed information about the reasons for executive session meetings, and he would ask for more background information to be included in the council’s public meeting packets.

He would also “listen to people” and discuss areas of concern or disagreement with them so they are “informed” about the issue and “know that their input is valued.”

“As an elected official, you represent everybody,” he said. “So (you have to) listen and work with everybody.”

That includes working with businesses that might be interested in moving to Shoshoni, he said.

“We need to do everything we can to promote Shoshoni, the schools, the environment, and try to get businesses here – and businesses that will create jobs,” he said. “That’s a metric that we really need to look at – and to help businesses expand.”

To watch the entire forum, click here.