Vacant Ward 3 seat gets 8 applicants; City Council will interview on Tuesday

The seat opened up when Ward 3 councilman Shay Lundvall was sworn in as mayor of Gillette. He had two years left on his term.

The City Council will interview the applicants at its Tuesday meeting. Lundvall said all of the interviews, the deliberation and the selection will take place out in the open.

“Everything’s going to be done in public,” he said.

The eight applicants include:

Brian Braham: The owner of Outlaw Junk Removal, Braham has lived in Gillette for almost two and a half years. He wrote in his application that he loves the community and wants to take part in the decisions that affect it.

Richard Cone: He currently sits on the city planning commission, and worked for BNSF for 42 years before retiring. He wrote that he wasn’t able to give back to the community while he was working, and now he has the opportunity to do so.

Mason Edwards: A technician for Bud’s Auto Repair, Edwards said he applied for the seat because he wants to give back to the community that he grew up in.

Ernie Gibson: A retired Campbell County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Gibson also served for 21 years in the U.S. Air Force. He wrote that he is a hard worker and great team player “who listens, learns and loves to create opportunities” for others.

Ed Sisti: The pastor of Open Door Church, Sisti ran for a City Council Ward 3 seat in the 2022 election, falling to Heidi Gross. He wrote that the combination of lower city budgets and lower utility fees would benefit the community.

Nathan McLeland: He represented Ward 3 for four years and left at the end of 2022 after an unsuccessful mayoral campaign. He wrote that his time on the council was rewarding and he would like a chance to do that again.

John Wayne: A materials manager for Black Hills Energy, Wayne ran for county commissioner in the 2020 primary election, coming in third place. He wrote that a great local government can make a real difference.

Abraham Van Horn: An electrician for Oneok, Van Horn wrote that he wants to continue to grow and improve Gillette, especially for its younger residents, and that he plans to bring new ideas to the table.