Tony Tomassi will step from his role as Kemmerer mayor come Dec. 31. Tomassi said he is sad to go because he enjoyed it, but he is happy to be moving on and letting newer people come in. Tomassi said the two things he is most proud of during his time as mayor is when Rocky Mountain Power decided to close down the power plant and when they tried to pass the sixth-penny tax.

“We spent a lot of time talking with Rocky Mountain Power,” Tomassi said. “I don’t know if it had any effect, but they pushed back the closing.” Tomassi also said that even though, ultimately, the sixth-penny tax was not passed in the county, the voters in Kemmerer voted to pass it.

Tomassi said he is also proud of the council and employee’s determination to stay within the budget.

“We haven’t had to use any of our reserves for our budget,” Tomassi said.

Tomassi wishes there had been more time and money to work on infrastructure improvements.

“Most of the work we’ve done over the last few years is just a band-aid,” Tomassi said “We just don’t have the money.”

Tomassi said that any new councilmembers or mayors that come in the future must come for the right reason.

“You have to have an open mind,” Tomassi said. “It’s more than just coming to meetings a couple times a week. It takes a lot more time and you need to ask good questions.”

Tomassi said he appreciates all the heads of departments and employees of the city for all the hard work they are putting in while being pretty short staffed.

“Really, they are what I’ve enjoyed most about the position,” Tomassi said. “They are very helpful, and they have taught me a lot.”

Although he won’t be mayor, Tomassi said he will still be involved in the community.