Gillette City Council

The City Government in Gillette is looking to get residents involved in the future of their town

The Gillette City Council voted 4-3 to adopt the ordinance that was introduced by councilman Billy Montgomery. The debate on whether an ordinance of its kind was necessary proved to be a hotly divisive topic. Gillette now joins Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, and Jackson as communities in the Cowboy State that have them.

The 4-3 vote on Tuesday evening comes after another 4-3 decision was tallied in favor of the proposed ordinance on May 2. Residents spoke on their support and opposition to it for around 90 minutes. Since it was introduced, over 110 residents have weighed in. The ordinance must pass a third reading if it's to be adopted.

The Gillette City Council narrowly passed a hate crime ordinance on first reading Tuesday night. It faces two more readings before becoming law, and both the council and greater community are closely divided over whether the ordinance is necessary.

Reviewers and Cheyenne attorneys Michael O'Donnell and Donna Murray pointed out where the city council violated laws and issued recommendations to better increase transparency, trust, and civility in city government.

Eric Hanson will serve out the remainder of former mayor Louise Carter-King's term after she resigned last month due to a series of text messages being leaked by a former city administrator in which she used disparaging language when discussing those in both public and private life.

The review is being undertaken by the City of Cheyenne and is intended as a transparency measure and to regain any trust that was lost in Gillette city government. It was commissioned after a series of text messages were leaked leading to the resignation of former mayor Louise Carter-King earlier this month.

Louise Carter-King's resignation comes amid a series of text messages between her and a former city employee, some of which included disparaging comments about those in both public and private life. It also ends over 30 years of elected service to the City of Gillette.