Vigil appointed to fill Ward 3 vacancy

WORLAND — Three Ward 3 residents made presentations to the Worland City Council Tuesday night seeking appointment to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Melissa Rivera earlier this year.

All three candidates were born and raised in Worland — Miranda Nickelson, Caleb Vigil and Rico Flores. After a brief executive/closed session with the council and department heads, Mayor Jim Gill nominated and the council approved the nomination of Caleb Vigil.

Vigil will serve through 2020. He must run in the next general election to retain the seat.

During his presentation Vigil said after graduating from Worland High School he went to Casper to earn his bachelor’s in business administration. He got married and he and his wife decided to move their family back to Worland.

“I love the idea of the Grow Worland Initiative,” he said. Vigil added that one of the reasons they moved back to Worland was because Worland is great and safe place to raise children. “I want to make sure Worland stays a safe environment.”

He said he does not have any council experience but is excited about the opportunity to serve the community.

Nickelson began the presentations and expressed support for the city of Worland and the things that it offers youth including city parks, the Worland Youth Learning Center, and the many family activities like parades, farmers market, the recent barbecue and bluegrass festival.

Flores echoed her comments about the community and said he, like Vigil, didn’t know much about the council or local government but wanted to learn how the city works and had a desire to help the community.

Councilor Mandy Horath emphasized to the candidates about the time commitment needed, including attending at least three meetings a month and more.

She also asked if they had been following the council recently.

Vigil said he had been reading news and listening to radio reports and looking up items on the city’s website.

Councilor Keith Gentzler encouraged Flores and Nickelson to not get discouraged and not to give up, noting he too had failed to be appointed to the council the first time he expressed an interest.

“Your opportunity isn’t just for tonight,” he said.

The council has one vacancy left to fill, a Ward 2 seat left with the passing of Dennis Koch earlier this summer.

Gill said they are currently accepting letters of interest and planned to make an appointment at the Sept. 17 meeting.