ROCK SPRINGS – Rock Springs City Councilor, Billy Wayne Shalata is seeking to be re-elected for a second term in Ward No. 1.

Being a second generation Rock Springs native, Shalata feels that it is important to give back to his community. Billy finds it rewarding to help his constituents and all those who reside in Rock Springs and surrounding areas.

It is Billy’s desire to continue to help improve the ways of life in this town, coming to the aid of folks that need direction as to what can and cannot be accomplished pertaining to the city of Rock Springs and their connection to it.

Billy has been retired from the city of Rock Springs for the past five years and worked for the Rock Springs Fire Department with 27 years under his belt. He also was a Captain on the City Fire Department, Union President of the IAFF for 12 years, had been a member of the Parks and Recreation Department Advisory Board in the past, involved with many community functions, events, youth groups, sports, etc.

His wife Lynne, also worked for the city as Senior Administrative Assistant for the Parks and Recreation Department for over 26 years with her first year as Detective Secretary for the Rock Springs Police Department. She retired in May of 2013.

During the last four years, which Shalata correlates to being four years of going from a Freshman to a Senior, is a learning process of the ins and outs, ups and downs, and good and bad aspects the position presents.

It is ‘key’ to be a voice to represent the ideas, properties and tax dollars of

our citizens, also to oversee the responsibilities that are given to a city councilor to make wise decisions. Billy also feels it has been an honor to have been selected to serve the City.

Making the decision to run for re-election was discussed at length with his immediate family. It can be time consuming, often demanding and sometimes frustrating. (That is if one wishes to perform the duties presented to the best of your ability.) Being a team player is a must with the blending of many personalities and differences between Mayor and Council. One of the best parts of being a Council Person has been working with the very capable individuals that have been elected and appointed to the Council.

“It has been enjoyable to work with people that have great senses of humor, while being quite serious about their obligations to Rock Springs and its Citizenry. Also, having a good deal of patience is a virtue!” Shalata said.

Shalata said one of the hardest issues that have faced us all, has been losing a dear friend and mentor, City Councilman Glenn Sugano. Glenn was a balancing force on the Council he said.

Council Member Chad Banks transferred his very capable talents from the Sweetwater Events Complex to the City URA Division and we are quite proud of his accomplishments to date, states Shalata.

The two new appointed Councilors have been great additions to the City Council.

It is Billy’s desire to keep moving forward with the projects, programs, positive changes and many things that the Mayor and Council have been working on for the past term. Four years is not really enough time to make a mark in the kaleidoscope and versatility of the needs of this Community.

Billy states that he does not want to leave any lose ends and does not like to leave any unfinished business on the table, therefore putting his hat back in the ring so to speak, feels right.

During his current term/last four years, Billy’s involvement encompasses the following – City liaison to the Airport Board, Chairman of the Job Justification and Descriptions Panel dealing with the city Human Resource Department, Chairman of the Council Committee of the Parks and Recreation Board, liaison to Ambulance Board, Negotiations of the Unions working within the City, Budgets, Cemetery committee, Master Plan Committee for Bunning Park, member of the Building Committee for the city, Chairman of Police Committee, attending functions, charities, events, fund raisers, and the like.

The city’s Six Penny Development Project has been a needed enhancement to the city’s quality of life, for which Mayor and Council were all concerned with. The Stagecoach roadway development and the Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrades were inclusive of the Six Penny Project. The new alternate reserve water line coming from Green River was also part of the Six Penny monies.

For the past two years, Councilor Shalata has been a member of the “Life, Are You Ready” program which promotes healthy behaviors in youth and young adults of Rock Springs to lead quality lifestyles.

Past endeavors have been the tearing down of the OK Bar and refurbishing the area it stood on, working with the Mayor and his Administrative Assistant in creating a ‘Citizen Request Form’ for the usage by the Community to relay problems and complaints to the proper Divisions and Department Heads. Billy has made himself available to anyone that needs to

speak with him concerning any issue they may have with the City in general. A Companion Animal Committee is in the process of being established to work hand in hand with the Red Desert R.S. Humane Society and R.S. Animal Control.

In closing Billy would like to express that if re-elected, he will continue the quality of caring, prompt attention to the concerns and the relationships that he feels he has established with voters and constituents.