Basin Town Council election: DesRosier, Olson, Weeks vie for two seats

A pair of four-year terms on the Basin Town Council are up for election this year.
The names of Stuart Desrosier, Carl Olson and Linda Weeks will appear on the primary election ballot.  A maximum of four candidates can move onto the general election, so if there is one, a qualifying write-in could join the race following the primary .
Stuart DesRosier
Background: I have been living here for the past 27 years and am currently employed as a teacher at Riverside High School where I teach social studies. I am divorced with two adult children, one of whom is a wildland firefighter and the other is attending Northwest College. Aside from teaching I also am a captain in the Basin Fire Department and am currently on the town council.  I have been serving on the council for the last six years.  Before that I served on the Manderson Town Council. I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana in political science with minors in military science and history.  I have a bachelor’s degree from Montana State University in education (social studies broadfield)  and a master’s degree from University of Phoenix in educational administration. I have served in the United States Army and Montana National Guard both as enlisted and commissioned officer.  As an enlisted soldier I was a 19 Delta Cav Scout. After I was commissioned I branched infantry and eventually served as a platoon leader, scout platoon leader and executive officer. Although I am not currently licenced I tried to help the community working for Atwood’s Ambulance for about 10 years starting first as a driver but then working through the levels from basic EM to advanced, finishing my career as an intermediate EMT
Why are you running for office? I am running for office to see through several of the projects the council has initiated. Specifically completing the sewer project and continuing to upgrade the infrastructure of the town. It is my belief that the current town council has made great strides during the last several years. For example the saving of the swimming pool and old gym, creating a community center complete with a room for retired people to gather and play cards or pool or just enjoy company. The sewer system has been greatly improved as has been the electrical department.  There have been several improvements in the streets in town and this year’s budget is the most balanced in the last several decades. The reason I am running is to see through the completion of the sewer system, help out the reinvigoration of the electrical department (shout out to you guys) and continue to try to do my part to make this a great place to live.
What are the most important issues facing the town in the next 2-4 years?  What can the council do to address them?   In my opinion the most important issues facing the Town of Basin are the sustainment and improvement of the infrastructure.  Specifically the completion of the sewer project, which we are entering the last phases of, and the maintenance and replacement of particular water mains throughout town. My intent for the council is to continue to work on the town to make it an inviting place for both new families and long term residents. To do this we need to continue to hold ourselves and various contractors accountable.
If elected, what qualities or expertise would you bring to the council?  I would like to draw attention to my previous community service experience and the willingness to listen to all views from the community members.
Anything else you would like to share with our readers? I am most thankful for your support in the past and would like to continue to help serve you for the next term.
Carl R. Olson
Background: I am from Basin Wyoming. I am a third generation Basin-ite. My grandparents Byron (Ole) and Martha Olson owned and operated a café where the bank drive-thru is now. My parents Carl J. and Betty Olson owned the Cheerio Bar that was attached to the café. Both had separate jobs to support us kids. I graduated Basin High School as a Basin Bobcat in 1976, married my high school love in 1977 and I raised three kids who all graduated from Basin.
Why are you running for office? I am seeking reelection because I believe we have done a lot of good and made some mistakes. Our sewer project has been a good program. Save the gym for the rec department is going well – our electric crew and street alley crew have been doing very well and we have our pay scale updated and I believe we are closer to a balanced budget than ever before.
What are the most important issues facing the town in the next 2-4 years?  What can the council do to address them?   Do you have other ideas to improve the town? My most important issues are the people in our town; we have old and new folks. My mother is in her 80s on fixed income so I relate to that and also know we need young families with kids to keep growing and we need to keep improving on the infrastructure, and town streets/alleys
If elected, what qualities or expertise would you bring to the council? I feel I have experience in the council and can continue to be an asset with my experience in construction and people.
Linda Weeks
Background: About 30 years ago I visited the Big Horn Basin and Yellowstone for vacation.  I fell in love with the area and was determined to live here one day.  Ten years ago, my husband Charlie and I had the opportunity to move to Basin from South Carolina and we’ve never looked back.  We both love it here!  Over the past eight years working as a marketing professional for a local internet company, l’ve developed an understanding of our rural communities - their strengths and their challenges. I have over 35 years of marketing and business experience at high levels of the organizations I was employed by.  I graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a BS in art education.
Why are you running for office? I want to give back to the community I love by contributing my time and expertise to the Basin Town Council.  I think change is good and we need some new voices on our town council.  I will be retiring next year and want to put my time and effort into making Basin the best little town in Wyoming.
What are the most important issues facing the town in the next 2-4 years?  What can the council do to address them?   I believe the Town of Basin needs the following: 1) A strategic plan for the future of the community; 2) preventative maintenance program for our vehicles and equipment; 3) management of our budget so that we don’t have to increase rates each year; 4) development of a plan for grant writing to generate additional revenue to make town improvements; 5) increased transparency so we can build trust with the residents of Basin; 6) improved communications to our residents so that they are involved and aware of council decisions.
If elected, what qualities or expertise would you bring to the council?  I have over 35 years of marketing and business experience working as the director of marketing for large national retail organizations managing large teams as well as multi-million-dollar budgets. I believe my background would be a beneficial contribution to our wonderful town of Basin should I be elected to town council.
Anything else you would like to share with our readers? I promise to be a fiscal conservative, focused on accountability and an involved representative for the residents of Basin.