Worland Mayor Candidate: Bruce Nolting

How long have you lived in Worland?

5 years.  My family and I moved over from Sheridan.  I was raised all around Wyoming, graduated from Wind River High School and attended college in Powell.  Worland feels like home.

Why are you running for Worland mayor?

I was asked to.  After looking into it, I agreed wholeheartedly. I believe I can be of great benefit to the people of Worland.

Do you feel you have the time it takes to serve as mayor?

Yes, I do.  My job schedule is one week on/one week off, so there will be ample time to fit mayoral duties around that and vice versa.

With rising costs and ever tightening budgets, how would you address increasing revenues or cutting costs for the City? Would rate increases be a part of that?

These are difficult times for everyone - cities and towns included.  Sometimes it's necessary to tighten your belt and make do with what you have.  It will be important to prioritize spending and to go after additional means of funding, such as grants, etc. My preference would be to avoid rate increases whenever possible and keep them to a minimum whenever necessary.

Currently the one-cent optional general purpose sales tax is earmarked for street improvements. Is this the best use of these funds or do you feel funding should be directed to another area? If so what area or areas? 

Our streets are certainly in need of improvement.  I would plan to leave this funding as is unless or until more pressing needs arise, as determined by a council majority.

Do you feel city mayor and council should focus on social issues, recreational issues, basic services or a combination of those?

A combination, always, with basic services being most important.

What role should the city play in helping fill empty downtown storefronts? What type of incentives might be included in recruiting businesses?

The city should do its best to promote and foster an environment where businesses, especially new and fledgling businesses, can grow and thrive.  I am willing to look at any reasonable incentives that the city council may deem appropriate.