Fremont County commissioners interview candidates for museum, solid-waste and weed-and-pest advisory slots

The Fremont County Commission on Jan. 15 interviewed several candidates for advisory-board openings, including museum and solid-waste advisory positions and seats on the county weed-and-pest board.

Carl Weller, who identified himself as a Lander resident, told commissioners he has about 40 years of management experience and has overseen large construction projects. "I brought [the Knowles headquarters] in three months ahead of schedule and a $190,000 under budget," Weller said, describing himself as a project manager who would focus on learning boards' needs rather than directing staff day-to-day. Commissioners pressed him about hands-on equipment knowledge; Weller said he lacks heavy-equipment experience but would "learn and identify what you don't know and what you need to know." He also noted he serves as an election judge and would continue that service if appointed.

Lisa Mallon, a civil engineer who said she was born in Lander and raised in Riverton, described experience managing both engineering and construction budgets and said she has worked on multimillion-dollar projects. Mallon told commissioners she has followed county agenda items but had not attended recent board meetings; she cited work involving an $8,000,000-scale construction project as recent high-end budget experience and said she would recuse herself from votes involving her engineering firm. On landfill operations, Mallon described Thermopolis as "in a transitionary period," saying the existing landfill is still being filled but is approaching closure and that the town is building a transfer station and likely hauling waste to an outside facility for disposal.

A third applicant, McClain Elliot, described family agricultural ties and experience with ranching and seasonal spray operations; Elliot said family members have used county weed-and-pest services and contractors and emphasized a desire to learn more about funding structure, landowner relations and operational reports before proposing initiatives.

Commissioners told applicants they would discuss the candidates and notify them when selections are made. The meeting record shows the commission subsequently voted to enter executive session for personnel and potential litigation and then voted to adjourn. Commissioners also discussed advertising for a Board of Equalization hearing officer during the meeting.

The commission did not announce appointments on the record; commissioners said they would reconvene and report decisions after further internal discussion.