RANGELY I Two weeks after the Rangely Town Council election results rolled in, future town trustees Andy Key, Trey Robie and Tyson Hacking as well as new Mayor Joseph Nielsen are ready to get to work.
Nielsen, who ran for mayor unopposed, expressed pleasure at the high voter turnout the election garnered.
“I am full of gratitude that so many people got involved,” he said.
Nielsen will begin his term as mayor with three major goals. First, he wants to continue to pursue the work begun by the previous board with Better City to grow the local economy. He specifically cited excitement about the potential partnership with CNCC.
Nielsen’s second goal is to make use of the new fiber optic lines and the internet they will provide.
“I want to see what we as a town can do to use that to attract businesses and diversify our economy,” he said.
Lastly, Nielsen is enthusiastic to see what the recently announced Enefit oil shale project could do for Rangely.
Key is hopeful he can impact the local economy and utilize the current county commissioner’s broadband project saying, “We all can see the economic impact with the drop in oil and gas prices, as well as, a federal and state government that continues to over-regulate.”
“I will be working non-stop to bring relief,” he said. “We have a great opportunity with the new fiber lines coming in, and I want to take advantage of that quickly.”
Key also encourages others to get involved in the government process.
“I just ask the people of Rangely to get involved,” he said. “There are a lot of organization in the community that need help; we all have a civic duty, and I ask that if you can, please get involved. Please, come to the meetings. The more input we have, the better we can serve you.”
Robie is excited to be getting more involved in the local process.
“I’ve been here a long time and I am happy to be getting more involved,” he said. “I’m ready to get started.”
Hacking is equally ready to hit the ground running.
“I’m just excited to see what we can get accomplished,” he said.
Hacking is interesting in the suggestions put forward by the Better City project and describes the potential of some of the plans as “awesome.”
The three new trustees and Mayor Joseph Nielsen will be sworn in to begin serving on the council on Tuesday evening.
