Three applicants vie for Commission position

On Jan. 21 the Carbon County Republican Party met to select three applicants to be considered for the Carbon County Commissioners seat left vacant by Jerry Paxton. Paxton resigned his commission seat to fulfill his duties as House District 47 Representative.

Carbon County Republican Party Chairman Mike Kelley said they had received eight applicants and went through several rounds to select the three finalists, John Johnson, of Elk Mountain; Ron Platt, of Encampment and Matt Feldmann, Dixon.

The three names were referred to the Carbon County Commissioners at their regular meeting Jan. 22, Kelley said. The commissioners will select one of the three to fill Paxton’s seat on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m.

Kelly explained that the Republican Party used the same procedure as the state of Wyoming when replacing State Treasurer Joe Meyer.

Each applicant with the lowest number of votes is eliminated in each round until there are three candidates remaining.

On Feb. 5, the Carbon County Commissioners will interview the applicants and appoint the new commissioner the same day or within 20 days of when

the applicants were recommended.

If no decision is reached by the end of 20 days, the matter is turned over to District Court.

Kelley said that while this has happened in other counties, it has not happened in Carbon County.

The Applicants

Willing “John”

Johnson

Willing “John” Johnson has had an interest in the Carbon County Commission position for quite some time. Johnson ran twice before on the primary ticket, but never made it to the general ballot.

Johnson said he he can bring a good, strong local voice. He said the Commission is a very diverse board now and he believes he can work well with the other commissioners.

Johnson said he has a “wealth of knowledge” in natural resources, having been on the Medicine Bow Conservation District (MBCD) for nearly 20 years.

Johnson, who lives on a ranch near Elk Mountain, said he is interested in representing all of Carbon County and with his board position on the MBCD he has already built several partnerships with other agencies around the county and state.

Johnson has worked with a small budget as well. He said MBCD has a small mill levy and get about $70,000 per year to operate the Conservation District.

MBCD has also been a cooperating agency with the Chokecherry Wind Farm and with the Department of Energy Environmental Impact Statement that has been shelved. The Impact Statement was for the DKRW project near Elk Mountain.

Johnson, whose grandfather John Chesbro was a county commissioner, said he has a passion for local government and believes he can do a good job.

Matt Feldmann

Matt Feldmann has been the mayor of Dixon for six years and before that served as a councilman for two years.

He was encouraged by several people to submit his application for the Commission.

“If you want to eat off a clean plate, you have to do the dishes,” Feldmann said.

Government is run by the people who show up, Feldmann said, and he has no problem being accountable.

“I am someone who stands up and wants to make a difference,” Feldmann said.

Feldmann said the current commissioners felt a need for an applicant from an outlying area and he qualifies.

He also believes he can represent the working people in the county who have young children. Feldmann, who is 39, works a full-time job and has two children - a preschooler and second grader.

He wants children to grow up in a safe environment with quality education and would like to see more young people involved in their communities.

“It was a tough decision,” Feldmann said of submitting his application, “it takes a lot of time, which means time away from the family.”

Feldmann currently serves on the Baggs Solid Waste District, has served as vice president on the Great Divide Economic Development Corporation and served as president and vice president on the Noyes Clinic Board.

As mayor of Dixon, he helped install a new water plant and he is familiar with grants and the funding process. He has also worked with former Governor Dave Freudenthal and former state superintendent Jim McBride.

Feldmann is not looking to be a politician.

“I am an average guy who just wants to make a difference in Carbon County.”

Ron Platt

To Ron Platt, personal contact is important for a commissioner and a helpful prerequisite is boots on the ground.

Platt said Carbon County has been good to him and he wants to return the favor and give something back now that he has the time to do the job properly.

Platt said it is necessary to save the freedoms people enjoy in Carbon County and he understands the core strengths of the county.

As a commissioner, he wants to see more done with modern technology and believes it is important to attend town meetings to understand communities and their needs.

As a fourth generation rancher, Platt has heard the history of the county from those who have lived it and he has 70 years of personal experience.

“Simply put, I have learned from the past and I don’t think we have to reinvent the wheel and I believe I can assist the commission to be a solid team.”

Platt said he has a great love for the county’s resources, including the children.

“We have world-class renewable resources and a huge amount of hidden resources like gas and coal,” Platt said.

Platt would like to see that resources are utilized, protected and present for future generations to use and benefit from.

Though he can bring a great deal of wisdom and experience to the commission, Platt also realizes he needs to learn.

“I have been told I was blessed with common sense,” Platt said.

Platt has a bachelor’s degree in vocational agriculture and was a state officer in FFA (Future Farmers of America).

He served on the state board and was president of Wyoming State Outfitters Association for 12 years.

Currently, Platt is on the Wyoming State Board of Professional Guides and Outfitters and has served as chairman of that board.

In that capacity, he worked with BLM (Bureau of Land Management), the state of Wyoming, private land owners and the U.S. Forest Service.

Platt also traveled to Washington D.C. on two occasions to advocate for the outfitting industry.

During his time in the mining industry, Platt was underground and also worked with DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality).

A past Master and Past Worthy Patron of the Mason Lodge and Eastern Star in Encampment, Platt also served as an officer in the U.S. Army where he had to lead people and made quick decisions.

Platt added he has held several leadership positions and he and his wife are always serving on some type of committee or another. “I just do things to help people whenever I can.”

Platt’s knowledge of agriculture and recreation come from his many years as a rancher and outfitter. “You don’t live here and do what I have done and not get to know the entire county.”