Demshar Begins Representing Ward 1

        Carl Demshar was born and raised in Rock Springs, raised his family here and now will become one of it's newest council members on January 4th.  We talked with Carl today about his upcoming term as councilman.

RS Staff: "Carl, we know you've answered this a thousand times, but tell us why did you want to become a councilman?  Why did you run for this job?"

Demshar:  "Well I have been involved with the town since I was a kid and always wanted to be a councilman.  I was always interested in politics, but I was busy working a job and raising kids and didn't think I had the time because my family and job were my first priority.  So I served in less demanding roles.  I was on the P&Z Board. I was on the original Parks Board where I oversaw the creation of Veteran's Park.  Then I served two terms on the full Parks and Recreation Board.  I involved myself in the rewriting of the Planning and Zoning ordinances in the 1970's.  Now with my kids off on their own, I have the time to do this and I am very excited to be part of the council at this time."

RS Staff:  "What do you mean when you say 'at this time,' is there something special about serving now?" 

Demshar: "Yes, there certainly is.  Right now Rock Springs is experiencing a great deal of growth with new businesses and new subdivisions.  This is a time of great opportunity to do things that will have an impact for years...  for generations, to come.  It is also a time when mistakes can be devastating and I think it's the most exciting time to be in politics in Rock Springs in my lifetime."

RS Staff:  "What are you looking forward to during your term, Carl, what do you hope to accomplish?"

Demshar:  "Rock Springs is on the verge of several exciting things and I hope to help guide it through this period of growth.  I know from talking to people in Ward 1 while campaigning that they are concerned that all this growth and new subdivisions don't detract from the existing town and reduce their property values or make life harder and more congested.  They see that the changes to the zoning have been from R1 to denser residential zones.  People over in Westridge are concerned about this densification of the town and the effect on their property values."

"Also infrastructure is very important to me.  I think there are four things that are always going to be top priority.

1. Adequate Fire protection.  We need to make sure that we can protect people's lives and property,

2. Adequate Police protection.  New people make new demands and we have to make sure we keep up with the growth. I think the 9 new Police positions are a very good thing, especially when every other new position was put on hold because of the budget crunch.

3. Water.  We have to provide the water system to serve the new property without sacrificing the safety and supply of water to the existing town and continue to provide for even further expansion, and

4. The sewer system just has to adequately take care of both the old and new without sacrificing anybody's environment.  A sewer plant is a big deal and you just don't run out and pick one up when you need it.  You need to plan adequately and manage your resources."

"Infrastructure makes me immediately think about budgets.  I'm coming to this job from an industry that has been fighting for it's life for 15 years.  FMC is making lots more soda ash today than it did when I started and it is doing it with only about half the people.  We have been in this process of doing more with less, of stepping up to the budget challenge and making sure our projects come in on budget and on time for a long time.  I think I bring a lot of this experience to the City Council."

RS Staff:  "What do you do at FMC?"

Demshar:  " I am the Environmental Department Manager.  I have seven engineers and two staff technicians working for me who design and build emission control systems and monitor them to make sure they comply with the regulations.  I have spent time working in Philadelphia too, on the business side to make sure I had a handle on how the plant ticks and works financially.  I enjoyed the big city for the months I was there but I love Rock Springs and was glad to come home."

"I think my 33 years at FMC is going to go a long way to help me integrate with the council and make a contribution.  I've seen the Boom and Bust, and I will bring a technical perspective to the council.  When they are talking about subdivisions or something I will be thinking pipe sizes and street flows.  Engineering stuff.  Pumps. Pipes.  And I have lots of contacts with the state's people too and expect I will be talking to them about city issues.  I have a unique technical engineering and management perspective which I think will be valuable when the council deliberates."

RS Staff:  " What do you see as the biggest problem?"

Demshar:  "Well without a doubt it is how to handle the growth coupled with the lack of funding.  The council and the citizens need to get to the legislators and make sure they provide the resources to help us handle the growth.  Growth is putting money in the state but is just leaving growth pains behind for the local government to deal with.  The state needs to make sure enough of that money comes back to the cities that are having the pains."